ACL Music Festival - Now Two Weekends - Announces Lineup

This week the organizers of the Austin City Limits Music Festival, now held over two weekends (Oct. 4-6 & 11-13, 2013), announced the lineups for the expanded festival. And its a blast from the past featuring Depeche Mode, The Cure, and Lionel Richie. But there's plenty of lower tiered talent to coax me to Austin's  Zilker Park: Silversun Pickups, Neko Case, The Mavericks, Dawes, Delta Rae, The Blind Boys Of Alabama, JD McPherson, Greensky Bluegrass, Holly Williams, and the Band of Heathens to name a few. Tickets for each three day weekend are $225 - so start making your travel plans.

Album Review: Scott Kurt & Down This Road

On the heals of reviewing Austin-based roots rock band Western Youth's latest EP, its time to listen local in a similar vein, this time with Arlington Virginia based Scott Kurt and Down This Road. Kurt is best known around DC as the frontman for the Memphis59 and besides the different vocals - the songs seem somewhat similar to Western Youth's.  Rock'n guitar, the pedal steel, bar songs - what more do you want? Plus each song registers with me. Like Western Youth's Falling Down, we can all relate to Kurt's Last Call and I Swore I Wouldn't - both collaborations with Scott Miller. Being a relatively new father, I understand the message behind My Father's Son.  And ever since my high school days, I've been fond of driving long distances, so I can surely relate to These Four Wheels.  Throw in Rodney Crowell's I Ain't Living Long Like This and I have some background music to help the drive. Cheers.

Linganore WineCellars Announces Summer Sunday Music Series

We learned this week that Linganore WineCellars, Mt. Airy, MD, will start hosting a Sunday Music Series starting in May and continuing all summer long. No need to wait to their awesome festivals to hear music - just head to the winery from 2-5pm on Sundays. And what's even cooler, those of us in the Food Truck Nation will enjoy a different truck each day. Since we encourage you to sample the wine, a tasting is just $5 or select the food & wine pairing for $10 which changes monthly. Examples include All Local: Cheese and Chocolate, An All American Pairing, and International Cheese. The music? The series starts off with Nashville based Jeff Miller on the 5th paired with Palm Tree Catering and then continues with Beggar’s Ride and Jason Schaarschmidt the next two weeks paired with Keep It Smokin’ BBQ. Smokin' indeed; see you in My Airy. 

Album Review - Austin Produces Another Rockn' Band: Western Youth

This week I was sent the debut EP (Leaving the Station) from the Austin-based roots rock band Western Youth, and after listening to the first track, immediately move it to the front of my listening queue. Why? Because this EP combines my two favorite music styles, classic Rock n' Roll & Alt Country. What's not too like. Plus, after further listening; no two tracks are the same, I can relate to the lyrics, and the music, well, the music rocks - starting with Somewhere, Somehow. A little Mick Jaggar-ish lyrics as well. The alt-country surfaces in the next couple of tracks - particularly when the pedal steel pipes in. And I think everyone who's been to a bar has a Falling Down experience.Then there's Black Freightliner.  An instant classic - some blues, some gospel - more Louisiana than Austin. Awesome. That sums up the EP as well. Cheers.

Woody Pines, Meet Ashleigh Flynn

Not so long ago, I was sent a couple review CDs and while listening to both in succession, I realized a duet was in order. Thus a random shuffle of Woody Pines Rabbits Motel and Ashleigh Flynn A Million Stars is the best for now.  Pines is more of an old-time musician with a Resonator guitar twist while Flynn possesses that soulful voice  that would truly compliment Pines. And what a voice she has and  Flynn's first track is perhaps best  by herself. But I can envision Pines guitar and gritty vocal on Dirty Hands and Dirty Feet and A Million Stars. And I can image backup vocals by Flynn on assorted songs from Pines CD. Just check both out - worth a listen.

CD Review: John Reischman - Walk Along John

This week my work life spilled over to disrupt my family life so I was feeling quite grumpy. After two days of festering, I found relief: continuous mandolin playing from John Reischman's (The Jaybirds) new solo CD - Walk Along John. All acoustic - all the time; this CD soothed my pain whether he was jamming with Chris Thile in Itzbin Reel or pickin in Gold Mountain Blues and secret track  Other bluegrass legends join in such as Tony Trischka and Bruce Molsky as evident by some kickin' banjo and fiddle. See the old-time sound of Little Pine Siskin. All in all - a must listen CD.



John Reischman & the Jaybirds - SaltSpring from Matt Miles on Vimeo.

Album Review: Kingsley Flood - Battles

We've been longing for the true classic rock band and have found  a few we enjoy such as Hollis Brown, the Jamie McLean Band, and Ha Ha Tonka. We can now add Kingsley Flood to that list after a few listens to their latest CD Battles. You may want to jump to The Fire Inside and its intricate guitar solos to see which song sealed the deal, but definitely return to the earlier tracks. Don't Change My Mind and Sun's Gonna Let Me Shine are reminiscent of the Felice Brothers whereas Pick Your Battles turn to a more rocking version of The Black Keys. The rest is pure Kingsley Flood - a pretty cool blueish-rock-n'-roll sound.

Who's Playing at Joshua Tree this May?

The lineup for the spring edition of the Joshua Tree Music Festival was just released - pretty cool - and with a three day pass only taking $100 from your wallet - quite affordable. One day we will make it out.

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papadosio asheville saturday 10:30 – midnight Powerful live electronica ! Elevated songwriting showcases improvisational interludes and refreshing vocal harmonies with an amplified message of transcendence, unity, and universal understanding. Their potent ive set will stir the heart and fuel the mind. papadosio.com/tetios/tetios.html

ganga giri australia sunday 6 – 7:30pm Ganga mixes red natural elements with fat tribal beats and dirty funky bass lines to create a unique tribal-technological deep earth dance experience. If you experienced his shows in Joshua Tree in ’05, ’07 & ’09, you are hip to his magical musical madness ! gangagiri.com

bang data oakland friday 8:45 – 10:15pm From Samba-Ska-Cumbia and Electro-Bossanova to a Synth-Bass Heavy-Stooges infested beat. Melodic guitars and gritty bass, over bang electro-acoustic rhythms make this the perfect canvas for Deuce Eclipses bilingual rhymes and melodies. Bang Data’s sound is a hard driving futuristic vision of Latin Alternative music bangdata.weebly.com

the egg uk friday 10:30 – midnight Like New Order floating on a cloud. The Egg play live house, rocktronic, funk and ambient influenced dance music, using electronic and live instruments, video triggering, samples and live and vocoded vocals. Their music is inspired by artists such as Pink Floyd, Groove Armada, The Beloved, New Order, & Underworld. theegg.org.uk

janka nabay & the bubu gang sierra leone saturday 5:30 – 6:45pm Janka Nabay is the undisputed king of "bubu music," a frantically-paced dance music from Sierra Leone. Bubu music is traditional music originally used in witchcraft ceremonies, then later it evolved into a popular processional style played during Ramadan. Janka modernized the sound by adding electric studio instrumentation, infusing a broader range of musical stylings, and has evolved into an inspired band-leader and MC in the tradition of James Brown and Fela. luakabop.com/janka-nabay

ArtOfficial miami friday 7 – 8:30pm Funky, organic hip hop at its finest. A seamless marriage of unyielding, unapologetic urban poetry with an unflinching array of jazz melodies ala the Roots & Soulive. artofficialmusic.net

dogon lights guinea/cuba/south africa/us saturday 8:45 – 10:15pm Redefining world fusion by creating a funky, energetic dance atmosphere that takes listeners straight to the stars, using traditional skin and wood instruments played over grooves and inspired traditional vocals. Featuring Bongo Sidibe from Guinea, Jaqueline Laporte of Cuba and members of the award winning band Hamsa Lila (Ian "Inx" Herman, Vir McCoy, Evan Fraser and John Schroeder). The word, "Dogon" comes from the Dogon people of Mali who believe they are descendants of the Sirians- thus the Dogon Lights. dogonlights.com

m.a.k.u. soundsystem colombia/nyc saturday 3:45 – 5:15pm MAKU takes tradtional Colombian folkloric music screaming into the future, infusing it with psychedelic rock, punk, reggae and soul. Their unique, uplifting sounds are a Party for the People. www.makusoundsystem.com

liberation movement us/peru sunday 4:20 – 5:50pm Led by Resurrector of Heavyweight Dub Champion (HDC) and Sasha Rose, officially sanctioned by representatives the Shipibo Tribe of Amazonian Peru, Liberation Movement (LM) is a collective transmutational experience fusing ancient technology with modern ritual, invoking truth to pierce through illusion. liberationmovement.bandcamp.com

the main squeeze bloomington, in saturday 7 – 8:30pm A raging funk experience that meld soulful vocals, intricate jams, tight grooves, and ripping solos into a powerful live show that incites dance floor nirvana ! mainsqueezemusic.com

rising appalachia the south saturday 12:30 – 2pm Sisters Leah and Chloe tear into sound with sensual prowess as stages ignite revolutions and words light up spirit fires.  Listen to their beautiful sound for poetic harmonies, soul singing, spoken word rallies, banjos, fiddles, many beats of drums, kalimbas, washboard rants, groove, and community building through SOUND. risingappalachia.com

globesonic sound system la/nyc friday 5:15 – 6:45pm sunday 7:30 - ?? Modernizing world music, Globesonic Sound System (DJ's Fabian Alsultany & Derek Beres) creates a high energy ecstatic dance celebration of the earth's musical heritage, weaving traditional music with modern aesthetics. Says Fabian, "The music is a reflection of the commonalities between cultures. Our work is not only to get the dance floor moving, but to also stimulate a deep sense of planetary unity through music and dance." globesonic.com

jaliba kuyateh & the kumareh band gambia sunday 11:50am – 1:05pm Jaliba is a master Kora player who deftly manipulates all 21 strings of the ancient african instrument. The 'King of the Kora' is also a UNICEF Ambassador and Gambia's 'Man of the Year' with larger than life charm. Jaliba can sing in 3 languages and 7 octaves. Mad skills !  Joined by the Kumareh Band, their performance is an uplifting global call for peace and unity.  kingofkora.com

miner los angeles saturday 2:15 – 3:30pm Folk rock revivalists, Miner, have sipped from the same well as fellow "joie de folkers" the Mumfords and Edward Sharpes. It's the kind of revivalism that feels as comfortable as bare feet on a freshly mowed lawn. This family affair (husband, wife, brother, cousin & friends) will have you California Dreaming. thisisminer.com

robbi & kripa’s third ear experience south africa/joshua tree saturday Midnight - ?? African acid rock meets primal tribal dance trance therapy. A magical carpet ride for the body & soulful !

jelly bread reno sunday 1:15 – 2:30pm Dirty ensemble chops, rich vocal dexterity, a pumping rhythm section and solid lyrical flows make a Jelly Bread show monstrously funktastic ! These cats are steeped in roots, wallowing in funk, and marinated in soul. www.jellybread.net

mexico 68 la sunday 2:40 – 4:10pm This 12 strong band of musicians juxtapose Chicano funk with the body moving and elucidating vibes of Fela’s polyrhythmic afrobeat. www.mexico68music.com

whoolilicious! santa barbara saturday 11am – 12:15pm This one man band (plus drums) layers bass lines, keys, guitar, vocals, and sax live and on the spot creating funky soul, rock 'n roll, world music and dance tracks right before your ears and eyes. A seasoned vocalist, instrumentalist and producer, W! melds the live band and DJ worlds together as one.

ian winters santa cruz friday midnight to ?? This certified Booty Propulsion Specialist provides a non-stop dancefloor experience designed for sweaty, smiley, booty-drenched release. Relax your mind, let your conscience be free and step your vibrations into a new dimension of funk. mixcloud.com/ianwinters73

chicano batman los angeles friday 3:30 – 5pm Chicano Batman draws from a broad range of 60s and early 70s Brazilian bossa nova and samba, spacey psychedelia, slow-jam soul with a pinch of surf-rock cumbia.  Chicano Batman is more than a musical force but an adventurous and opinionated superhero who feeds off of community, afro-centricity and bolillos, on a mission to bring the overlooked to the forefront. chicanobatman.com

lily of the valley joshua tree sunday 10:15 – 11:45am Angels on earth. Heavenly harmonies. These soaring soul sisters of the high desert will be serving up some sunday morning goosebumps at the Cafe Stage.

Two Williams to headline 2013 Rhythm & Roots: Lucinda and Keller

As if I needed more incentive to attend the 2013 Rhythm & Roots festival, the came out this week with another stellar lineup.  From September 20^th-22^nd, the streets of Bristol Tennessee and Virginia will be packed with fans listening to the top names in Americana, Country, Bluegrass, Blues Indie-rock, and even celtic-punk courtesy of Enter the Haggis. Besides the obvious headliners, we will be targeting Chris Smither, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen, Elephant Revival, Paul Thorn, The Apache Relay, Della Mae, Nora Jane Struthers & The Party Line, The New Familiars, Ed Snodderly, Woody Pines, Roger Rasnake, Scotty Melton, James McMurtry - as well as any other of the following acts the we stumble upon.


Lucinda Williams
Keller Williams
Masters of Bluegrass
Deer Tick
Blitzen Trapper
Colin Hay
Iris Dement
Hayes Carll
JD McPherson
James McMurtry
Paul Thorn
Scythian
The Apache Relay
The David Mayfield Parade
Travelin' McCourys, The
The Black Lillies
Shovels and Rope
Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out
Hey Rosetta
Della Mae
Pokey Lafarge and The South City Three
The Claire Lynch Band
Chatham County Line
Spirit Family Reunion
Levon Helm Tribute Show
Marty Raybon and Full Circle
Balsam Range
Elephant Revival
Enter the Haggis
Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen
Chris Smither
Folk Soul Revival
The Quebe Sisters
Red Molly
Bronze Radio Return
Whitey Morgan and the 78's
Sol Driven Train
Uncle Lucius
American Aquarium
Rayland Baxter
Breaking Grass
Carolina Road
Dave Eggar & Deoro with Hammerstep
Field Report
Detour
The Kenny and Amanda Smith Band
Nora Jane Struthers & The Party Line
Hurray for the Riff Raff
Revelers, The
Whiskey Gentry
Burning Bridget Cleary
Donna Ulissee
Frank Fairfield
Delta Reign
Bawn in the Mash
Erick Baker
Brothers Comatose, The
Caitlin Rose
Cactus Blossoms, The
Chicago Farmer
The New Familiars
Hey Marseilles
James Justin & Co.
Old Man Luedecke
Two Man Gentlemen Band
River Whyless
St Paul & The Broken Bones
Cumberland River
Defibulators, The
Ed Snodderly
Nightflyer
Virginia Luthiers, The
Cumberland Gap Connection
Blair Crimmins & The Hookers
Dale Jett
Dirty Bourbon River Show
This Mountain
Woody Pines
Duty Free
Harlow Experience, The
Miss Tess and the Talkbacks
Lizzy Ross Band
L Shape Lot
Old Line Skiffle Combo
Paul Burch
Tillers, The
Successful Failures, The
Annabelle's Curse
Hermit Kings, The
Leah Gardner
Corduroy Road, The
Barlow Gin & The Hatchetmen
Amber Rubarth Trio feat. Dave Eggar
Breaking Tradition
Bryan Elijah Smith & The Wild Hearts
If Birds Could Fly
Jon Stickley Trio
A Great Disaster
Wise Old River
Black Iron Gathering, The
ETSU Old Time Pride Band
ETSU Bluegrass Band
Sheets Family Band
Black Twig Pickers, The
Republik Steel
Cutthroat Shamrock
Dori Freeman
Honey Badgers, The
High Jump Heart, The
These Undowners
Scotty Melton
Earth by Train
Jack and the Bear
Ron Short and The Possum Playboys
JP Parsons
Mis'ry Creek
Still House
Al Scorch
Lore
Mountain Park Old Time Band
Nikki Talley
Roger Rasnake
Scratch River Telegraph Company
Amythyst Kiah
Annie Robinette
Beth Snapp
Craig Street Ramblers
Empty Bottle String Band
Jess Nunley
Kim Lyons
Rickshaw Roadshow
Rose Sisters, The
Wayne Graham
Whiskey Incident, The
Alli Epperson
Amazed by Grace
Dave Haney & Lisa Baldwin
Hart Creek
Honaker FFA Bluegrass Band
Mischief in the Meadow
Rex Montgomery

Indie Beer & Music at the 9:30 Club

During this week, hundreds of craft brewers have invaded Washington D.C. for the 2013 Craft Brewer's Conference and many of these individuals and other members of the Brewer's Association were on hand Wednesday night when the The Feelies played at the 9:30 Club. Sam Calagione, owner of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, is a fan of the band and sponsored the show by supplying about a dozen of their unique brews at a nice price - $5 a beer. And before the show Calagione gave a short speech, first thanking the 9:30 Club for being one of the brewery's first clients in DC, and then encouraging and thanking the audience in support of the craft beer industry. Even with the industry growing, they still only represent 6% of total beer sales, with the mass produced breweries taking 83% (imports represent the remaining 11%).  He also discussed the common characteristics between indie music and indie beer: the self promotion, self distribution, word of mouth marketing.... The music and show were great. Awesome rhythms and guitar paired with 60 Minute,  Raison D'être, and Burton Baton, a 10% abv bomb where the ale is aged in oak. But so, so smooth. Probably had one or two too many......cheers to indie beer and music.

Beer-Music-Mash-Ups in D.C. During Craft Brewers Conference

Starting the week of March 25th, the D.C. metro area will be inundated with craft beer as the city hosts the annual Craft Brewers Conference (CBC). Now the CBC is primarily focused on beer professionals - particularly the craft brewer's themselves -so why should laymen really care? Well for starters, dozens of craft brewers are ready showcase their beers at area bars and restaurants. That means RFD, Churchkey, Birch & Barley, Jake Rose, The Black Squirrel, Smith Commons, Meridian Pint, and all the rest will be hosting tap takeovers and beer dinners each night after the conference. Check out DCBeer for a complete schedule. But most importantly, craft brewers are pairing with local music venues to showcase their brews during several Beer-Music-Mash-Ups. Alright! And many of these are regional pairings like the Cris Jacobs Band with Heavy Seas Brewing Company and The Infamous Stringdusters with Devils Backbone Brewing Company.

9:30 Club
3/27: Dogfish Head Craft Brewery presents The Feelies
3/28: Flying Dog Brewery presents "Festival De Cans" with Escort
3/29: Devils Backbone Brewing Company & All Good present The Infamous Stringdusters

The Hamilton
3/25: New Belgium Brewing Company presents Elephant Revival
3/26: Sierra Nevada Brewing Company presents The Mother Hips
3/27: Abita Brewing Company presents The Revivalists 
3/28: Heavy Seas Brewing Company  presents Cris Jacobs Band
3/29: Brooklyn Brewery  presents Here We Go Magic

The Back Cat
3/27: DC Brau Brewing, Ska Brewing Company, and Country Malt Group presents: The Pietasters

Celebrate Summer in Dover at the Firefly Music Festival

It's close to home and I've never been so I'm contemplating the beginning of Summer by heading to Dover Delaware and the Firefly Music Festival. It's not cheap, now that early bird ticketing has expired ($258); but a stellar lineup sort of compensates. Check out the headliners: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Vampire Weekend and Foster the People. Plus Dogfish Head Craft Brewery crafts a pale ale just for the festival - the Firefly Ale. Happy sipping & listening.....

Red Hot Chili Peppers * Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers * Vampire Weekend * Foster the People * Yeah Yeah Yeahs * The Avett Brothers * Calvin Harris * Passion Pit * MGMT * Ellie Goulding * Dispatch * The Lumineers * Kendrick Lamar * Alabama Shakes * Grizzly Bear * Edward Sharpe * Big Gigantic * Matt & Kim * Azealia Banks * Jim James * Zedd * Public Enemy * Dr. Dog * The Joy Formidable * The Walkmen * Japandroids * Krewella * Amanda Palmer * Toro Y Moi * LP * Atlas Genius * Django Django * Dan Deacon * Crystal Fighters * Dragonette Manufactured Superstars * Action Bronson * Youngblood Hawke * Wild Belle * The White Panda * ZZ Ward * St. Lucia * Lord Huron * HAIM * Foxygen * Capital Cities * A Silent Film * Kopecky Family Band * The Apache Relay * The Chevin * Selah Sue * Twenty One Pilots * Blondfire * The Royal Concept * Chvrches * Kishi Bashi * The Neighbourhood * Imaginary Cities * Robert DeLong * Conner Youngblood * JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound * Delta Rae * Hey Marseilles * Young Empires * The Last Bison * Wheeler Brothers * Sister Sparrow * The Spinto Band * Leagues * Trails and Ways * The Last Royals

SunFest Announces 2013 Lineup

Our favorite south Florida festival, Sunfest, announced their 2013 lineup today with a rock heavy set of headliners including Train, the Smashing Pumpkins, The Black Crowes, and Slightly Stoopid. Check out the image for the full lineup and the website for the schedule. The festival is also running a March MoneySaver campaign that equates to $55 for a five day pass. Now that's a bargain. See you in the Palm Beaches.

Album Review: The Ten Foot Polecats - Undertow

We've been following the "punk-blues" of the Ten Foot Polecats for a number of years now and are extremely excited that they finally released a new CD of all original material. This is Undertow; a collection of songs that reminded me why I first started listening to the jump blues of Rod Piazza or Little Charlie & the Nightcats long ago. Pure energy; from the harp, guitar, and drums. Apparently that's all you need. Based out of their native New England, the trio styles there sound further south to the Northern Mississippi hill country.  In the CD you can perceive subtle hints of Son House, Charley Patton, R. L. Burnside, and Mississippi John Hurt. Or in the more contemporary world, the first and third tracks (Do That Thing and Out in the Rain) sound like a combo between The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band and Little Ed & the Blues Imperials.  You know that's an energetic, crazy, fun sound. Fortunately they slowed the pace down in Worried Sick as the opening tracks were almost exhausting - yea I'm getting old. Up next is the title track in which this instrumental also brings a dose of the past sounding like Danny Gatton and his "blazing telecaster". Chilson sure gets a wide array of sound out of his custom made wood box guitar. The remainder of the CD oscillates between this blistering pace to a more melodic slow burner - giving listeners like me a chance to catch their breath.  As you can image, this is a fun CD - pair with a Narragansett Beer and a dance floor.

Beer Review: Starr Hill Brewing Monticello Reserve Ale

Courtesy of Starr Hill Brewing

If you've been to Floydfest or Delfest or Rhythm & Roots, Bonnaroo or any assortment of East Coast festivals, you are probably familiar with the large black, red, and tan(?) star(r) in full display in the beer garden. If you've ever visited Charlottesville Virginia, you may have witnessed a concert sponsored by this brewery. Or been poured one of their beers. Of course I'm referring to Starr Hill Brewing. And, as Master Brewer Mark Thompson once told me, "Music and beer is what Starr Hill does". Ain't that the truth. Nothing like drinking a Starr Hill and listening to Scott Miller or the Hackensaw Boys on the Floydfest Pink Floyd Garden Stage. Another Charlottesville musician, Peyton Tochterman, is also a Starr Hill fan, particularly their Monticello Reserve Ale - which we reviewed on MyJoogTV last year. This seasonal brew is the official beer of Monticello and brewed using ingredients Thomas Jefferson likely used two centuries ago: wheat, corn, and East Kent Goldings hops. And some of the hops were harvested from the Monticello property. The hops are very subtle, adding a citrus element to the sweet honey flavor. As with the colonial style it resembles a cask ale, with the lighter carbonation releasing as the beer warms. This is a fresh, clean beer - only wish they had some available at summer concerts. Cheers.