The start of Summer starts off with one of the hottest – and busiest - weeks of music shows in LA so far. At least when it comes to my concert radar. It's one of those weeks that it is not only difficult to pick the show of the pick but it's hard to pick just the top shop of the night since several nights have more than one show to recommend.
Peggy Sue is a cool, young UK group, led by co-singers Rosa Slade and Katy Young, with an intriguing “folk noir” sound draws upon old and modern elements. Their 6/22 show at Spaceland supports their US debut, Fossils and other Phantoms that’s out on Yep Roc. www.myspace.com/peggywho
The veteran band Blue Rodeo performs at the Mint on June 22. One of Canada’s most esteemed groups for around 20 years, they are still creating their signature harmony-rich country rock as their recent double album The Things We Left Behind proves. www.myspace.com/bluerodeomusic
The Viper Room hosts the all-female quartet, Katzenjammer on the 22nd too. Hailing Norway, they play a lively gypsy folk-rock and I found their US debut Le Pop, which comes up at the end of June on Nettwerk, a kicky listen that should attract them a good deal of attention. They’re also known for using a trunkload of instruments on stage, suggesting that they are fun to see in concert too. www.myspace.com/katzenjammerne
I have been a longtime fan of Josh Ritter, who’s one of the most talented singer-songwriters of his generation. His new disc, So Runs The World Away, stands as his most ambitious work of his young career. He has a show at the Music Box on June 23, with the talented Carolina Chocolate Drops is opening with their take on old time string music that’s inspired by their African American backgrounds. www.myspace.com/joshritter, www.myspace.com/carolinachocolatedrops
Sarah Borges has been another of my favorite acts in recent years. Her music is a captivating mix of barroom country and rock ‘n’ roll – maybe it’s “punky tonk.” On her last album (The Stars Are Out, Sugar Hill Records), her covers range from NRBQ to Lemonheads and Smokey Robinson. Known for her energetic live shows, She brings her band the Broken Singles to the Mint on 6/23. www.myspace.com/borgesrocks
Last month, Kate Miller Heidke was in town opening for Ben Folds. In my LA Weekly preview of that show, I praised the quirky Australian songtress’ album Curiouser for its lively dance pop music (that) comes colored with a theatrical streak and then twisted up in ‘70s New Wave disco." You have another chance to check out this colorful performer as she returns to L.A. for her own set at the Hotel Café on 6/24.www.myspace.com/katemillerheidke
The 24th also is a night for a special benefit at the Echo that MusiCares is doing for Nashville Flood Relief. The lineup includes such wonderful roots rockers as Syd Straw, Exene Cervenka and Dave Alvin, plus the great Carlene Carter will be performing too. She did a strong comeback album, Stronger, a few years back and her classic album, Musical Shapes was the inspiration for this blog title. For more show info., visit http://www2.grammy.com/MusiCares/NashvilleFloodRelief/
Maryland-bred singer-songwriter Joe Pug might not do anything fancy on his debut The Messenger but it still impresses by being a mature effort from a first timer. He has a show at the Echo on 6/25. www.myspace.com/thejoepug
While legendary indie rock Lou Barlow is the headliner at the Bootleg on Sat. June 26, I want to sing the praises of his opening act, Sarah Jaffe . The twenty-something Texan’s debut full length Suburban Nature caught my ear for its captivating offering of bedroom folk that’s energized with edgy emotionality. www.myspace.com/sjaffe
On the 26th, McCabe’s hosts Greg Brown, a mainstay in the American folk scene since the early ‘80s. Possessing a rich voice and literate story-songs, I always think of him as a Midwestern Dave Alvin. The Iowan, by the way, is married to Iris Dement and is the dad to musician, Pieta Brown. www.myspace.com/folkingregbrown
Last year, Peter Case had heart surgery, so not only is it great to welcome him back to the stage – he has a show that Claremont Folk Music Center on June 26 and one at McCabe’s on July 9 – but it’s also great that his new disc, Wig, is such a wonderfully bluesy, rockin’ affair. www.myspace.com/petercase
The 26th is also the date that the Wiltern will be shaking with the sweet soul music served up by Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings. They are coming to town supporting their new album, I Learned The Hard Way, and it’s heartening that their old school soul sound is getting a niche in the mainstream. www.myspace.com/sharonjonesandthedapkings
Monday, June 21, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Go See Hear in L.A.: June 14-20
The music this week starts in New Orleans and ends with Texas – but travels many other places in-between.
Dr. John, the night tripper, stops in at the Grammy Museum Monday night to talk his colorful musical career and play some tunes. He will be returning to LA to close out the Santa Monica Pier Twilight Dance Series on Sept. 2.
The Austin-based honky tonkers Horse Opera ride into the charming Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena on June 15.
Young singer-songwriter Jenny Owen Youngs performs her eclectic but forthright tunes at the Hotel Café on June 17. She comes from the recent NYC anti-folk scene that spawned artists like Langhorne Slim and Regina Spektor.
Also, on the 17th, the Troubadour welcomes a strong lineup of atmospheric indie rock featuring Matt Pond PA and Nova Scotia-based Wintersleep, who have a new CD, New Inheritors. While I haven’t heard much from that one, I did really dig “Archaeologists” from their prior effort, Welcome To The Night Sky.
British songstress Gemma Ray has the first of two local shows at the Redwood Bar on June 18 and then returns with a gig at the Hotel Café on June 22. Her new disc, It’s A Shame About Gemma Ray offers an eccentric covers selection ranging from Gershwin to Sonic Youth.
Onetime LA resident Jim Lauderdale has become one of the revered artists in the Americana scene, known for his songwriting and his singing (last year he toured as Elvis Costello’s accompanist). A prolific musician (he’s average over a CD a year in the last decade), Lauderdale arrives at McCabe’s on 6/18 behind his latest effort Patchwork River.
After SoCal favorite Chris Gaffney died in 2008, his Hacienda Brothers co-leader Dave Gonzalez (ex-Paladins) soldiered on with the Stone River Boys, whose terrific debut Love On The Dial continues churning out country soul gems. They have a show on the 6/18 Weber’s Sports Bar in Reseda.
Saturday night the Redwood Bar hosts the weekend’s top bill. The one and only Billy Joe Shaver makes his one and only L.A. appearance. He is true outlaw country original. Also appearing is the talented up and comer Eilen Jewell. While drawing comparisons to Lucinda Williams and Gillian Welch, she has impressively developed her own take on retro-based music that is rooted in the blues as much as country.
Dr. John, the night tripper, stops in at the Grammy Museum Monday night to talk his colorful musical career and play some tunes. He will be returning to LA to close out the Santa Monica Pier Twilight Dance Series on Sept. 2.
The Austin-based honky tonkers Horse Opera ride into the charming Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena on June 15.
Young singer-songwriter Jenny Owen Youngs performs her eclectic but forthright tunes at the Hotel Café on June 17. She comes from the recent NYC anti-folk scene that spawned artists like Langhorne Slim and Regina Spektor.
Also, on the 17th, the Troubadour welcomes a strong lineup of atmospheric indie rock featuring Matt Pond PA and Nova Scotia-based Wintersleep, who have a new CD, New Inheritors. While I haven’t heard much from that one, I did really dig “Archaeologists” from their prior effort, Welcome To The Night Sky.
British songstress Gemma Ray has the first of two local shows at the Redwood Bar on June 18 and then returns with a gig at the Hotel Café on June 22. Her new disc, It’s A Shame About Gemma Ray offers an eccentric covers selection ranging from Gershwin to Sonic Youth.
Onetime LA resident Jim Lauderdale has become one of the revered artists in the Americana scene, known for his songwriting and his singing (last year he toured as Elvis Costello’s accompanist). A prolific musician (he’s average over a CD a year in the last decade), Lauderdale arrives at McCabe’s on 6/18 behind his latest effort Patchwork River.
After SoCal favorite Chris Gaffney died in 2008, his Hacienda Brothers co-leader Dave Gonzalez (ex-Paladins) soldiered on with the Stone River Boys, whose terrific debut Love On The Dial continues churning out country soul gems. They have a show on the 6/18 Weber’s Sports Bar in Reseda.
Saturday night the Redwood Bar hosts the weekend’s top bill. The one and only Billy Joe Shaver makes his one and only L.A. appearance. He is true outlaw country original. Also appearing is the talented up and comer Eilen Jewell. While drawing comparisons to Lucinda Williams and Gillian Welch, she has impressively developed her own take on retro-based music that is rooted in the blues as much as country.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Go See Hear in L.A.: June 6-June 13
The first full week of June comes with a full week of interesting shows.
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals are road warriors whose funky rock sounds have gotten them a reputation as a strong live. I remember digging their debut Nothing But The Water but have lost track of them since then; however, their new disc has received some good notices. They come to the Roxy on June 8.
Karen Elson comes to town for some shows: Spaceland on the 9th and McCabe's on the 11th. Sure, sure, she's Jack White's wife, but listening to some tracks from her impressive debut disc, The Ghosts Who Walks, you forgot all that and focus on the haunting folk-based music that she has crafted.
The Sadies swing down from Toronto to play the Echo on June 10. Over the 10-12 years, the band, led by the brothers Travis and Dallas Good, have released a string of fine albums, first on Bloodshot and now on Yep Roc. Their latest Darker Circles is their second in a row with ex-Jayhawk Gary Louris as producer. Their always interesting eclectic alt. country rock should have made them better known than just being Neko Case’s sometime collaborators.
Speaking of Bloodshot Records, their honky tonk maven Wayne “The Train” Hancock pulls into the Mint for a show on June 10. This true-blue Texan has been cranking out traditional country music – like Hank Sr. did – for going on 15 years now and there seems to be no slowing him down.
Gregory Alan Isakov returns to the Hotel Café on June 11. I found his This Empty Northern Hemisphere filled with laidback, yet lush, chamber folk music.
The next night another purveyor of lush folk-pop Greg Laswell comes to the Hotel Café; he has a new on Vanguard called Take A Bow
Up at the Getty on the 12th is Mayer Hawthorne who has been receiving a big buzz for his retro soul stylings.
The week closes with the top of the week as McCable’s welcomes Leslie and the Badgers and Eleni Mandell. Leslie and the Badgers have an excellent album Roomful of Smoke on which singer Leslie Stevens can sound as sweet as Emmylou Harris or as feisty as Kasey Chamber or Neko Case. Eleni Mandell has been concentrating on her Living Sisters project but she’s also a talented singer/songwriter who likes to cover a lot of musical territory.
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals are road warriors whose funky rock sounds have gotten them a reputation as a strong live. I remember digging their debut Nothing But The Water but have lost track of them since then; however, their new disc has received some good notices. They come to the Roxy on June 8.
Karen Elson comes to town for some shows: Spaceland on the 9th and McCabe's on the 11th. Sure, sure, she's Jack White's wife, but listening to some tracks from her impressive debut disc, The Ghosts Who Walks, you forgot all that and focus on the haunting folk-based music that she has crafted.
The Sadies swing down from Toronto to play the Echo on June 10. Over the 10-12 years, the band, led by the brothers Travis and Dallas Good, have released a string of fine albums, first on Bloodshot and now on Yep Roc. Their latest Darker Circles is their second in a row with ex-Jayhawk Gary Louris as producer. Their always interesting eclectic alt. country rock should have made them better known than just being Neko Case’s sometime collaborators.
Speaking of Bloodshot Records, their honky tonk maven Wayne “The Train” Hancock pulls into the Mint for a show on June 10. This true-blue Texan has been cranking out traditional country music – like Hank Sr. did – for going on 15 years now and there seems to be no slowing him down.
Gregory Alan Isakov returns to the Hotel Café on June 11. I found his This Empty Northern Hemisphere filled with laidback, yet lush, chamber folk music.
The next night another purveyor of lush folk-pop Greg Laswell comes to the Hotel Café; he has a new on Vanguard called Take A Bow
Up at the Getty on the 12th is Mayer Hawthorne who has been receiving a big buzz for his retro soul stylings.
The week closes with the top of the week as McCable’s welcomes Leslie and the Badgers and Eleni Mandell. Leslie and the Badgers have an excellent album Roomful of Smoke on which singer Leslie Stevens can sound as sweet as Emmylou Harris or as feisty as Kasey Chamber or Neko Case. Eleni Mandell has been concentrating on her Living Sisters project but she’s also a talented singer/songwriter who likes to cover a lot of musical territory.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Go See Hear: May 24-June 6
The last week of May looks to be a rather quiet one, so I thought I’d also cover the first week of June and make it a special holiday double issue.
I will mention that Tippy Canoe is making her way down from the Bay Area from a couple of local shows. She’ll be at the Echo Park Film Center on Saturday May 29 and doing the grand Grand Ole Echo on Sunday (Dead Rock West also is on the bill). The Oakland-based ukulele artist creates lively music (what else would you expect from someone who goes by the name “Tippy Canoe”) that draws upon old-timey traditions as well as modern rootsy music.
The Bootleg has a cool bill on the June 1 featuring the First Aid Kit and Samantha Crain. I don’t know much about the former besides that they are a Swedish group fronted by two sisters, Johanna & Klara Söderberg, who make beguiling Neko Case-like music. Samantha Crain hails from Oklahoma and her music also exudes a mystery, haunting quality. She has an alluring new disc, You (Understood) on Ramseur Records, the Avett Brothers’ old label.
The Crooked Still play Largo on June 2, the day after their fine new disc, Some Strange Country (which includes a version of the Jagger/Richards’ tune “You Got The Silver”) comes out on Signature Sounds. They take a youthful, spirited approach to bluegrass/acoustic-based music that feels both tradition-bound and unbound.
Continuing in the acoustic vein is an appearance by the London-based outfit, Mumford and Sons. They have generated a lot of buzz for their spirited updating of British folk music (I believe they have sold out one of their two shows at the Music Box). Their sound has been compared to Pogues and The Men They Couldn’t Hang (which just reminds of the late Deirdre O’Donoghue’s beloved radio show SNAP, where I first heard TMTCH along with a number of cool bands).
Hope everyone has a memorable Memorial Day.
I will mention that Tippy Canoe is making her way down from the Bay Area from a couple of local shows. She’ll be at the Echo Park Film Center on Saturday May 29 and doing the grand Grand Ole Echo on Sunday (Dead Rock West also is on the bill). The Oakland-based ukulele artist creates lively music (what else would you expect from someone who goes by the name “Tippy Canoe”) that draws upon old-timey traditions as well as modern rootsy music.
The Bootleg has a cool bill on the June 1 featuring the First Aid Kit and Samantha Crain. I don’t know much about the former besides that they are a Swedish group fronted by two sisters, Johanna & Klara Söderberg, who make beguiling Neko Case-like music. Samantha Crain hails from Oklahoma and her music also exudes a mystery, haunting quality. She has an alluring new disc, You (Understood) on Ramseur Records, the Avett Brothers’ old label.
The Crooked Still play Largo on June 2, the day after their fine new disc, Some Strange Country (which includes a version of the Jagger/Richards’ tune “You Got The Silver”) comes out on Signature Sounds. They take a youthful, spirited approach to bluegrass/acoustic-based music that feels both tradition-bound and unbound.
Continuing in the acoustic vein is an appearance by the London-based outfit, Mumford and Sons. They have generated a lot of buzz for their spirited updating of British folk music (I believe they have sold out one of their two shows at the Music Box). Their sound has been compared to Pogues and The Men They Couldn’t Hang (which just reminds of the late Deirdre O’Donoghue’s beloved radio show SNAP, where I first heard TMTCH along with a number of cool bands).
Hope everyone has a memorable Memorial Day.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Go See Hear: May 17-21
This week offers a mix of cult heroes and up & comers
The legendary Jonathan Richman swings through town for a couple of shows, which will undoubtedly be as idiosyncratic as ever. I got into his music way back during his vinyl days on Berserkley Records (“Hey, Ice Cream Man!”) but he still keeps cranking out his quirky stuff. Apparently his last disc is a Spanish import only where he sings in a variety of languages. He plays the Smell on the 18th and di Piazza’s in Long Beach from the 20-22.
Also, on the 18th, Roky Erickson has a show at the Mayan. Another legendary cult figure, Erickson’s life has sadly been plagued by mental illness and drug arrests. He is best known as the man behind the 13th Floor Elevators, whose hit “We’re Gonna Miss Me” is on the great garage rock nuggets. Happily he returns now on an up note with a great new disc, True Love Cast Out All Evil, on Anti-, that he did with the guys in Okkervil River. Even without Erickson’s backstory, the disc is powerful, memorable effort. Opening the show is a terrific local outfit, Leslie and the Badgers, who sound a bit like Emmylou Harris crossed with Neko Case. Their disc, Roomful of Smoke has been a favorite of mine for the past several month. The strong double bill, mixing the old and the new, stands as my “show of the week.”
On Thursday night, the Grammy Museum hosts an intimate event with Chris Hillman. Founding member of both the Byrds and the Flying Burrito Brothers, Hillman has helped make country-rock what it is today. I was at the Grammy Museum recently for their night with the Court Yard Hounds, it is a great little room to hear a musician talk and play a few tunes, so this night provides a unique opportunity to hear a Hall-of-Famer.
The Shout Out Louds and the Freelance Whales have a pair of shows at the El Rey May 20-21, although the show on the 21st is sold out, I believe. The Swedish Shout Out Loud continue to create melodic rock on their new disc, Work. Freelance Whales are a hip young band from the hip Brooklyn scene, but I have been liking the off-kilter Americana/indie rock sound of their debut, Weathervane.
Dan Mangan hails from the inventive Vancouver pop scene. His album, Nice, Nice, Nice, Very Nice not only reference Kurt Vonnegut but also attracted a bunch of acclaim in his homeland. He’s not as elaborate a Vancouver pop-ster as say A.C. Newman but his music holds intriguing qualities.
If you are looking for a show on Saturday night the 20th, the place to be is McCabe’s as the two of the more popular local Americana acts, The Chapin Sisters and I See Hawks In LA, hold court there. You can go wrong seeing either in a night and here you get both.
The legendary Jonathan Richman swings through town for a couple of shows, which will undoubtedly be as idiosyncratic as ever. I got into his music way back during his vinyl days on Berserkley Records (“Hey, Ice Cream Man!”) but he still keeps cranking out his quirky stuff. Apparently his last disc is a Spanish import only where he sings in a variety of languages. He plays the Smell on the 18th and di Piazza’s in Long Beach from the 20-22.
Also, on the 18th, Roky Erickson has a show at the Mayan. Another legendary cult figure, Erickson’s life has sadly been plagued by mental illness and drug arrests. He is best known as the man behind the 13th Floor Elevators, whose hit “We’re Gonna Miss Me” is on the great garage rock nuggets. Happily he returns now on an up note with a great new disc, True Love Cast Out All Evil, on Anti-, that he did with the guys in Okkervil River. Even without Erickson’s backstory, the disc is powerful, memorable effort. Opening the show is a terrific local outfit, Leslie and the Badgers, who sound a bit like Emmylou Harris crossed with Neko Case. Their disc, Roomful of Smoke has been a favorite of mine for the past several month. The strong double bill, mixing the old and the new, stands as my “show of the week.”
On Thursday night, the Grammy Museum hosts an intimate event with Chris Hillman. Founding member of both the Byrds and the Flying Burrito Brothers, Hillman has helped make country-rock what it is today. I was at the Grammy Museum recently for their night with the Court Yard Hounds, it is a great little room to hear a musician talk and play a few tunes, so this night provides a unique opportunity to hear a Hall-of-Famer.
The Shout Out Louds and the Freelance Whales have a pair of shows at the El Rey May 20-21, although the show on the 21st is sold out, I believe. The Swedish Shout Out Loud continue to create melodic rock on their new disc, Work. Freelance Whales are a hip young band from the hip Brooklyn scene, but I have been liking the off-kilter Americana/indie rock sound of their debut, Weathervane.
Dan Mangan hails from the inventive Vancouver pop scene. His album, Nice, Nice, Nice, Very Nice not only reference Kurt Vonnegut but also attracted a bunch of acclaim in his homeland. He’s not as elaborate a Vancouver pop-ster as say A.C. Newman but his music holds intriguing qualities.
If you are looking for a show on Saturday night the 20th, the place to be is McCabe’s as the two of the more popular local Americana acts, The Chapin Sisters and I See Hawks In LA, hold court there. You can go wrong seeing either in a night and here you get both.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Go See Hear: May 11-16
Kate Miller-Heidke is opening up for Ben Folds at the Music Box Wednesday and Thursday. I actually wrote about her in the LA Weekly this week (http://www.laweekly.com/events/ben-folds-kate-miller-heidke-894946/), so I won’t get too long-winded now. But I will say that the up and coming Australian singer has a quirky New Wave dance pop style to her. At times, she reminds me of Lene Lovich, which I make as a compliment. While she’s an opener now, look for her to return to town with her own show before the year is out.
Jakob Dylan has gotten some good notices for his new disc, Women And Country. And he’s touring with two terrific women singers: Neko Case and Kelly Hogan. They are enough to recommend a show on their own. This 5/13 Wiltern show also features two other good-to-check-out groups, the Felice Brothers and honeyhoney. Strength in numbers for this bill.
The UK group, the Turin Brakes play the Echo 5/14. I have been enjoying listening to their new album, Outbursts. Despite its title, the disc isn’t filled with loud “outbursts” but well-crafted music that attractively blends folk, pop and rock.
The eccentric violin ace Andrew Bird has a pair of solo shows at Largo, May 14-15. I have only kept up with his work periodically but he always seems to be seeking out new musical territory.
Freedy Johnston has a show at the Mint on Saturday the 15th. He garnered many accolades in the early/mid-90s with his expertly penned tunes; he is probably best known for the 1994 gem, “Bad Reputation.” Earlier this year, Johnston put out his first album in around a decade; however, Rain On The City has no signs of rust. It’s a disc of terrifically crafted tunes that etch haunting tales of love and loss. At times suggesting a pensive Matthew Sweet, Johnston makes this disc a mostly quiet affair but he does turn up the energy on tracks like “Don’t Fall In Love With A Lonely Girl.” An album well-worth checking out as is this show.
Jakob Dylan has gotten some good notices for his new disc, Women And Country. And he’s touring with two terrific women singers: Neko Case and Kelly Hogan. They are enough to recommend a show on their own. This 5/13 Wiltern show also features two other good-to-check-out groups, the Felice Brothers and honeyhoney. Strength in numbers for this bill.
The UK group, the Turin Brakes play the Echo 5/14. I have been enjoying listening to their new album, Outbursts. Despite its title, the disc isn’t filled with loud “outbursts” but well-crafted music that attractively blends folk, pop and rock.
The eccentric violin ace Andrew Bird has a pair of solo shows at Largo, May 14-15. I have only kept up with his work periodically but he always seems to be seeking out new musical territory.
Freedy Johnston has a show at the Mint on Saturday the 15th. He garnered many accolades in the early/mid-90s with his expertly penned tunes; he is probably best known for the 1994 gem, “Bad Reputation.” Earlier this year, Johnston put out his first album in around a decade; however, Rain On The City has no signs of rust. It’s a disc of terrifically crafted tunes that etch haunting tales of love and loss. At times suggesting a pensive Matthew Sweet, Johnston makes this disc a mostly quiet affair but he does turn up the energy on tracks like “Don’t Fall In Love With A Lonely Girl.” An album well-worth checking out as is this show.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Go See Hear: May 3-9
The first week of May features several notable shows.
The wonderful Hold Steady return to town with a show at the El Rey on Wednesday 5/5. Their just released Heaven Is Whenever is their first without longtime keyboardist Franz Nicolay, so it will be interesting to see how that affects the live shows. What does hold steady is Craig Finn’s knack for ramshackle yet epic story-songs and Tad Kubler’s big guitar playing.
Thursday finds Georgia-based troubadour Ken Will Morton in town at Harvelle’s for a BMI showcase. I have always enjoyed Morton’s music – it’s gritty and witty Americana and he shifts between rockier and quieter numbers with ease. Check him out (and his new record True Grit) and see if you find yourself saying “he should be better known.”
The Hold Steady’s one-time tourmates, the Drive-By Truckers roll into the Avalon on Friday to support their big new album, The Big To-Do. DBT have established themselves over the past few years as not just one of the predominant Southern Rock bands around, but as one of the best American Rock bands around, and these road warriors certainly know how to put on a show.
Friday the legendary Peter Gabriel has a show at the Hollywood Bowl; however, I want to talk about his opening act, Ane Brun. This Norwegian songtress captured my attention a couple years back with her alluring album, A Temporary Dive. She crafts quiet but beguiling music that’s chilled but not frozen, and she is one reason that Scandinavia is such a musical hot spot these days. She has her own show at Largo on May 8.
Marcia Ball will be bringing the boogie woogie to the Mint on Saturday the 8th. The acclaimed piano player is an institution in the roots music world for her ability to dish out good-timin’ music spiced with the rollicking sounds of New Orleans, the Gulf Coast and points inbetween.
Saturday night is also went Martin Sexton headlines a shows at the House of Blues. His new disc Sugarcoating came out last month and it is a tasty showcase of his music. His very much American music draws from blues, folk, country, jazz, rock and R&B. While there’s a laidback quality to this music, it also holds an undeniable power (often forged by his smooth singing and nimble guitar picking).
Wrapping up the week on Sunday is Reckless Kelly, whose show is at the Roxy. The Texas-based band’s latest effort Somewhere In Time is something of a tribute album as it spotlights the work of “outlaw country” songwriter Pinto Bennett. However, the music still plays to the band’s strengths: hard-charging country rock.
The wonderful Hold Steady return to town with a show at the El Rey on Wednesday 5/5. Their just released Heaven Is Whenever is their first without longtime keyboardist Franz Nicolay, so it will be interesting to see how that affects the live shows. What does hold steady is Craig Finn’s knack for ramshackle yet epic story-songs and Tad Kubler’s big guitar playing.
Thursday finds Georgia-based troubadour Ken Will Morton in town at Harvelle’s for a BMI showcase. I have always enjoyed Morton’s music – it’s gritty and witty Americana and he shifts between rockier and quieter numbers with ease. Check him out (and his new record True Grit) and see if you find yourself saying “he should be better known.”
The Hold Steady’s one-time tourmates, the Drive-By Truckers roll into the Avalon on Friday to support their big new album, The Big To-Do. DBT have established themselves over the past few years as not just one of the predominant Southern Rock bands around, but as one of the best American Rock bands around, and these road warriors certainly know how to put on a show.
Friday the legendary Peter Gabriel has a show at the Hollywood Bowl; however, I want to talk about his opening act, Ane Brun. This Norwegian songtress captured my attention a couple years back with her alluring album, A Temporary Dive. She crafts quiet but beguiling music that’s chilled but not frozen, and she is one reason that Scandinavia is such a musical hot spot these days. She has her own show at Largo on May 8.
Marcia Ball will be bringing the boogie woogie to the Mint on Saturday the 8th. The acclaimed piano player is an institution in the roots music world for her ability to dish out good-timin’ music spiced with the rollicking sounds of New Orleans, the Gulf Coast and points inbetween.
Saturday night is also went Martin Sexton headlines a shows at the House of Blues. His new disc Sugarcoating came out last month and it is a tasty showcase of his music. His very much American music draws from blues, folk, country, jazz, rock and R&B. While there’s a laidback quality to this music, it also holds an undeniable power (often forged by his smooth singing and nimble guitar picking).
Wrapping up the week on Sunday is Reckless Kelly, whose show is at the Roxy. The Texas-based band’s latest effort Somewhere In Time is something of a tribute album as it spotlights the work of “outlaw country” songwriter Pinto Bennett. However, the music still plays to the band’s strengths: hard-charging country rock.
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