Welcome to KG Music Press! |
||
|
||
ANNOUNCING THE RELEASE OF STEPHEN DAVID AUSTIN'S "A BAKERSFIELD DOZEN"STEPHEN DAVID AUSTIN TO RELEASE A BAKERSFIELD DOZEN TUESDAY, MAY 8TH
Great storytelling, a dose of humor and a powerhouse backing band
lend themselves to Stephen David Austin’s upcoming release  Los Angeles, CA 5.7.2012-- Music these days seems to straddle several genres of music and A Bakersfield Dozen is no exception. There’s a heavy dose of Americana with an emphasis on the Bakersfield sound (including a loving tribute to hero, Buck Owens). Americana music is a lyricist’s domain, and the perfect vehicle for a storyteller-songwriter, Stephen David Austin. There is also great storytelling in the tradition country music sense while old-time string music is played through telecaster guitars. Change is the theme throughout the record with Austin’s vision of life feeling like a subtle yet jarring seismic shift. The subject matter is at times heavy, but his sense of humor prevails never leaving us alone in the dark. Austin's new album A Bakersfield Dozen is already garnering praise. Known mainly as a sideman and cover musician before A Bakersfield Dozen, Austin decided to take the reins of his career with encouragement from both Tom T. Hall and Dave Alvin. “I told Dave how much his music was like my life story,” Austin recently told the newspaper, The Bakersfield Californian. “Then we started talking about Okie history. At one point he said it sounded like Merle Haggard wrote was I was saying. I met him again when he was in town and we started talking about those same things. He finally said his songs were largely autobiographical, which I interpreted as ‘you should write your own life story’.” Austin sent his songs to Tom T. Hall, who wrote back to him that he liked his music and encouraged him to make a living at it, saying, “it’s lots of fun and beats working!” Emphasizing raw roots music and great storytelling, Austin says,“If you can’t tap your feet to it, or tap your beer bottle against the tabletop you’ve missed the target.” The players on A Bakersfield Dozen reads like a list of ‘Who’s Who’ in the Americana music world. Both Marty Rifkin (Pedal and Lap Steel--Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty) and Paul Marshall (Bass & Vocals-I See Hawks in LA, The Strawberry Alarm Clock) had a heavy hand in the encouragement and making of the album (Rifkin also mixed and mastered). Other players are Shawn Norse on drums (I See Hawks in LA, Dwigh Yoakam), Teresa James on background vocals (Reba McIntire, Levon Helm), Brantley Kearns on fiddle (Dave Alvin, Mike Ness), Skip Edwards on piano and accordion (Gene Clark, Lucinda Williams, Buck Owens) and Austin’s longtime friend, Dave Currall playing guitar on two songs. Austin will be releasing his new album A Bakersfield Dozen on Tuesday May, 8th and bringing his brand of musical narration and wry humor to the Antelope Valley for a record release show at Mountain Music on May 12th (details below). May 12, 2012 7p-10p Fiddler's Crossing @ Mountain Music 206 F Street, Tehachapi, CA 93561 661-823-9994 Acoustic show with Stephen David Austin & Paul Marshall (I See Hawks in LA) PRAISE FOR A BAKERSFIELD DOZEN: "The 11 tunes here make up a brilliant CD debut by an immensely talented creator and performer of a fresh helping of roots Americana. Emphasis is on the Bakersfield Sound as pioneered and popularized by the late Buck Owens and paid homage by country legend Dwight Yoakam. There's also a dose of the story-telling style of country music with down-home, hard-hitting lyrics as done by Merle Haggard, another practitioner of the Bakersfield Sound."--Ken Rosenbaum, Toledo Blade "Love the lyrics of these pure country songs!"--Country Start Page "Influenced equally by Owens and Haggard, The Blasters, and The Beat Farmers, he writes blue collar Americana poetry with a recurring theme of "you can't go home again" backed by the cream of California country musicians: Marty Rifkin, pedal and lap steel, dobro, and electric guitar; Paul Marshall, bass; Shawn Nourse, drums & percussion; Teresa James, background vocals; Brantley Kearns, fiddle; Skip Edwards, piano and accordion; and Dave Currall, electric guitar. With ten originals and a cover of Lennon / McCartney's "Baby's In Black", Austin ranges from the wry humor of "Best Ex I Ever Had" and "MySpace" ("please download my music"), to the pathos of "The Cage", about a man released into an utterly unfamiliar world after 40 years in prison, to the observational "Kansas Ain't In Kansas Anymore", inspired by a story about Wichita street gangs, to the heartfelt tribute of "The Day Buck Owens Died".-- John Conquest 02/2012 "This outrageous Telecaster slinger brings the Old Bakersfield style back with great storytelling. A very talented musician and songwriter."--Keys and Chords Overall Austin’s debut is mighty impressive indeed.--Paul Kerr, Blabber 'n' Smoke Read an interview with Stephen David Austin on Country Startpage: www.countrystartpage.com/interviews/stephen_david_austin.php FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO HEAR THE MUSIC: www.stephendavidaustin.com Just announced: Los Angeles band, Paladino to play Bonnaroo Festival!Paladino's infusion of old-school country music with psych, folk and energetic punk rock creates a true feeling of Southern California, the high desert and Mexico
Paladino is scheduled to perform Friday June 8th at 2:30 pm - 3:15 pm on the Cafe Where Stage (schedule is subject to change)  Praise for Paladino’s 2012 self-titled debut: "...the thing that Paldino does best is narrate the sense of place they roam. Where Morrison was the lizard king, Harkham strikes one as a wounded, starving coyote wandering the rural outskirts of this decaying urban sprawl."--Turnstyled Junkpiled "Playing out like a film score to some obscure Southwest desert noir, Paladino’s self-titled debut album will have listeners simultaneously tapping their toes and suspiciously looking over their shoulders for trouble."--Pop Matters "“Lonely Mountain,” is a strong, up-tempo track. Jonathan Harkham’s deep, relaxed lead vocals are a great counterpoint to the frenetic pace of the instrumentals. If there was a pop-punk version of alt-country, this track would define it. The tracks on the disc definitely have plenty of twang, and lean heavily toward the country side of things, but there’s plenty of energy in the music, too...If you enjoy both indie music and alt-country, try this out."--Jersey Beat “Do not miss Paladino when they come to your town and grab this album as soon as you can you will not be disappointed that you did."--Awaiting the Flood/Nashville Examiner “Thanks to Jonathan Harkham’s steady croon (reminiscent of the dearly departed Mr. Cash) and the solid backing of his band, complete with a stand-up bass, as any self-respecting, classic Country band should have, Paladino have turned out a great first effort with the promise of an interesting career to come."--Innocent Words Magazine “(Paladino’s) got that deep woods visionary thing down pat. Very interesting and enjoyable music."--Calvin Powers host of Taproot Radio "Like a cannonball flying out of the mouth of a cannon, Paladino's music exploded out of my car factory speakers and gave me a momentary case of 'the stares'... this album is a fast-paced adventure into some strange and twisted western dream, swelling and swirling with the heat and the wind and ready to engulf anyone caught unawares."--Americana Gazette “(Harkham) has assembled a quartet of fellow players with whom he can explore the possibilities of the amalgam of such a traditional format melded with less traditional influences. The end result here is full of energy and exhilaration that makes their music something that many will find favour with and will, doubtless, return to. "--Lonesome Highway For more information: www.paladinomusic.com
Jason Heath & The Greedy Souls "Packed For Exile" Jason Heath and the Greedy Souls sophmore release Packed for Exile mining the territory of injustice, both personal and political Taking its name from The Book of Ezekiel chapter 12, Packed for Exile juxtaposes Old Testament imagery with the collapse of the American dream. Packed for Exile is a record that deals with injustices whether they are socio-political, personal or spiritual and the human nature of looking for hope and affirmation within darkness. The record follows Jason Heath & The Greedy Souls first release The Vain Hope of Horse, which PASTE Magazine called “a wonderful debut: ragged, soulful and well-written.” Jason Heath, frontman for The Greedy Souls says that Packed for Exile is more of a collaborative band effort this time around. “There’s a lot more electric guitar and up tempo blues inspired rock going on. It’s a lot more focused and cohesive.” Heath calls the music, “working class music” with elements of Americana, rock, country and the storytelling nature of folk music. “It draws on common themes,” says Heath, “love, loss, redemption and the search for justice. I’ve always been influenced by people who have something to say and can say it with honesty and clarity—from Woody Guthrie to Public Enemy and everyone in between.” The Greedy Souls include the core of guitarist and lead singer, Jason Heath, Jason Federici (son of late E Street Band member Danny Federici) on accordion and organ, Abe Etz on drums, Aaron Gitnick on lead guitar and Will Mack (son of jazz art specialist Willie J. Mack) on upright and electric bass, with additional help from multi-instrumentalist/producer Jonathan Chi, pianist Chris Joyner and fiddle player Ysanne Spevack. The Band has shared the stage with Tom Morello & Wayne Kramer (both lent a hand on the band’s debut album), Ben Harper, Billy Bragg, Brian Wright, Jill Sobule and many more. Packed for Exile is already receiving positive attention. The lead single off the 14 song album, “California Wine” an upbeat tune with a cautionary tale. The song has already been featured on ExtraTV, Triple A radio buzzcuts, and was included in the online original music series “Grooveable Feast”. The remorseful anti-war song “God’s name in Vain” cracked the top 100 on Neil Young’s “Song of the Times” countdown. From the eeriness of "Killing Floor" through whimsical "Runnin' like a River" these are songs that make you reflect while you’re moving to the music. Known for philanthropic leanings, the band is involved with raising money and bringing awareness to the Danny Fund—A fund created to bring attention to Melanoma after Jason Federici’s father, Danny Federici passed away from the disease. They are also actively involved with, “the loudest charity on planet earth” , Wayne Kramer’s Jail Guitar Doors USA. Lead singer, Jason Heath and bandmate Federici have also been volunteers for the Midnight Mission for the past 5 years, (a non-profit group aiding the homeless) and have been involved with their Music with a Mission Series. “It’s nice to foster people’s spiritual and artistic needs.” Says Heath, “Many of the people on Skid Row are musicians & artists… and it was a privelage for us to see people close their eyes and enjoy the music.” Jason Heath & The Greedy Souls are a band that aspire to write and play with integrity and sincerity and who perform with their collective heart and soul. “We want to play as many shows and write as many songs and meet as many folks as possible.” Says Heath, “In the end we hope to touch and affect the world in a positive way, leaving things better than we found them. Hopefully we do it with a modicum of success.” Ex-Huffamoose frontman,Craig Elkins,prepares to release "I Love You" The first project under his own name mines cathartic territory If you’re driving through the Los Angeles neighborhood of Silverlake and happen to see a man playing a child’s pink guitar on a street corner, no need to blink, that’s just Craig Elkins, setting up shop. The former frontman of the 90’s indie band, Huffamoose (Interscope Records) says he just loves playing live, especially after discovering his daughters little nylon string guitar. “It’s one of my few escape mechanisms.” Craig Elkins’ latest project is entitled I Love You (due out July 10th, 2012). Known for his witty stream-of-consciousness lyrics and deep inviting voice, Elkins says I Love You is inspired by his struggles to be a functional Dad, husband and contributing member to society. “You know, you get to be a certain age, all of these responsibilities just sort of sneak up on you and you have to try to keep your shit together but you have nowhere to hide or escape—no one to talk to.” Self-described as a singer/songwriter geek rocker with a bit of melancholy, Elkins penned his first tune at the age of 30, the song “I Wanna Buy you a Ring” which ended up on the Huffamoose Interscope record. Huffamoose was a Philly rock band with a cult following, a mainstage gig at Woodstock ’94, a Horde tour and three solid albums. The single from the record We’ve Been Had Again- “Wait” charted on Billboard at Modern Rock, AAA and college radio. The band appeared on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” and soon after the documentary “Here Comes Huffamoose” was released. The film follows the band as they make their way from being “The next big thing” to their ultimate dissolution. Cameron Crowe claimed the documentary as “one of the greatest rock movies ever” in Premiere magazine 2004. Elkins had briefly retired from the music business after the demise of Huffamoose and then, upon hearing an interview with Arlo and Sarah Guthrie singing the classic Woody Guthrie song "This Land is Your Land" he was inspired. It was then that Elkins became determined to have his then three-year-old daughter, Esme, grow up watching him do something that he truly loved. After settling in Los Angeles, CA, he recorded two projects-- one under the band name, O.L.D. I Live in a World and one under the name of Craig Craigstofferson A Final Blaze of Glory. His latest record, I Love You is the first project under his own name. He assembled the band on the record with the help of good friend (bass player on the album and co-producer), Marko Fox. Borrowing 2 players from the Counting Crows (Adam Duritz was a Huffamoose fan), Dave Immergluck plays guitar and mandolin while Charlie Gillingham is on piano and organ. Adding Neil Larson on piano (Leonard Cohen), Pete Thomas on drums (Elvis Costello) they also had help from Jason Karaban, Steve Patt, Eno Fox, Jaimie Hovorka, Jeremy Levy with some vocal lendings from Rynne Stump. Written by Elkins, the lyrics on I Love You find him mining cathartic and universal territory as he struggles with the feelings of isolation and disconnect. While the subject of the songs may be heavy at times, Elkins lightens things up with his quirky, sardonic wit. In “Offing Myself” Elkins sings the bridge in a dulcet voice, “When I was a young man,I liked to drink-- I liked to turn myself inside out-- I liked to make people angry--But I am not a young man anymore--I am not a young man anymore--And I got no idea how to cope”. "Most of the People" pays homage to the fact that we're all human going through the same struggle called life. Horns soar as Elkins sings "Most of the people that you see in the street or from your car or in the store or some other place in the space that you occupy are gonna die Before you get a chance to see em again". “Tumbleweeds” hears the mandolin lending to the country rock feel of the tune. The song sounds buoyant but belies the desolation of the lyrics, “I nuzzle up to my child when she's sleeping and put my head on her chest to feel her breath and let the rhythm start my superficial heart”. Craig Elkins is hoping this record connects with people of a certain age with kids, people in relationships, or those who are just struggling. Not to leave the young people out—I have this whole other audience of younger folks who seem to really connect with my music,” Elkin says, “I think it’s because they’re relieved that the old dude up there on stage doesn’t suck.” For more information: www.craigelkinsmusic.com In the News: READ MY NO WRISTBAND REQUIRED, SXSW PREVIEW: southlandserenade.com/2012/03/06/kim-grants-2012-sxsw-preview/
PALADINO: --Paladino's music will be featured on Sloane Spencer's "Country Fried Rock" for March 15th, 2012. Enjoy the show on Thursday evening at 7 pm PST (9 Central and 10pm Eastern) on www.WildmanSteve.com. -Not only is Paladino #25 on the Roots Rock Chart, they are #20 on the California Chart! rootsmusicreport.com/index.php NEARLY BELOVED: -Nearly Beloved's new record Where's Bob? is officially released on Tuesday, March 13th, 2012! The Band is currently on the road touring for the record and will be playing opening day of The Grand Ole Echo in Los Angeles, on Sunday April 15th (Tour dates and details in blog post below). Make sure to check the March issues of Vintage Guitar and R2 for reviews of Where's Bob? !! -"Remnants of simpler, more sensible times collide with sentiments of the burdens and moral decay of modern individualist idealism on the quest to figure out Where’s Bob? This third outing for Lax and Nearly Beloved offers serious twang with a smile here and a tear there. The lyrical echoes of Trey Anastasio are reinvented, the phrasing of Jerry Garcia is educated, and the introduction of the “Wall of Bob” rivals the rich harmonies of Crosby, Stills, and Nash, song for song on this album. Lax and Nearly Beloved even updates Dylan for a tasty cover of “Subterranean Homesick Blues” to round out the collection."--Innocent Words Magazine STEPHEN DAVID AUSTIN: --Stephen David Austin is currently one of Alternate Roots Magazine's "Featured Artist of the Week" check out the link and download the song "MySpace" for free: www.thealternateroot.com/alternate-root-weekly-features/alternate-root-artists-of-the-week -"Influenced equally by Owens and Haggard, The Blasters, and The Beat Farmers, he writes blue collar Americana poetry with a recurring theme of "you can't go home again" , backed by the cream of California country musicians: Marty Rifkin, pedal and lap steel, dobro, and electric guitar; Paul Marshall, bass; Shawn Nourse, drums & percussion; Teresa James, background vocals; Brantley Kearns, fiddle; Skip Edwards, piano and accordion; and Dave Currall, electric guitar. With ten originals and a cover of Lennon / McCartney's "Baby's In Black", Austin ranges from the wry humor of "Best Ex I Ever Had" and "MySpace" ("please download my music"), to the pathos of "The Cage", about a man released into an utterly unfamiliar world after 40 years in prison, to the observational "Kansas Ain't In Kansas Anymore", inspired by a story about Wichita street gangs, to the heartfelt tribute of "The Day Buck Owens Died". -- John Conquest 02/2012 --Thanks to his campaign with radio promoter, Fred Boenig,Stephen David Austin's soon-to-be-released record, A Bakersfield Dozen has charted on the California Radio Charts! rootsmusicreport.com/index.php He's also #19 on the Airplay Direct AAA chart! airplaydirect.com/charts/albums/ThisMonth/FA HOMESPUN REMEDIES: -Homespun Remedies or HRx will release Great Depression this Tuesday, March 13th, 2012! -On the playlist: Hillybilly Rockhouse; Country File; The Miller Tells her Tale #401 and #402; Radio Free Texas, "Good Noise"; Freight Train Boogie podcast #147 and in Taproot Radio Rotation #295! -Here's what the critics are saying: "With the new album Great Depression, the follow up to their self-titled debut from 2009, the Dallas, Texas based band swirls the dust properly. Under the direction of the band member and producer Paul Williams (the album is) a multi-layered recording. HOMESPUN REMEDIES again demonstrates ten first-class Americana anthems. This time Mike Saunders is responsible for much of the material. "Good Ol 'American Handmade Music" - fed from country, rock, bluegrass, jazz, roots and folk - with one easily maintains the high quality level of its predecessor."--Country Jukebox ""The band in recent years has opened for Eleven Hundred Springs, Bodeans and Max Stalling and is beginning to be noticed for a clean, crisp sound, clearly indebted to their fathers of the American music like Uncle Tupelo, but with an eye toward the classics of country music and even in some moments with jazz influences, a bit 'as the very first Tom Waits."--Lonestar Time ERNEST TROOST: -Ernest Troost just released "Ernest Troost Live at McCabes" in Europe and is currently being played on: "Acoustic Rain" with Bart Van der Pol--RTV Katwijk Radio, The Netherlands; "Country Stew" Radio Compagnie/ Martin Van Der Laan (NL); "Landslide" radio with Michael van Bruggen (NL); "Folk n Roots" presented by Colin Fielding (AU); ISA France/Mike Penard (FR);Hillbilly Rockhouse/Roots, hosted by Gerd Stassen EMS-Vechte-Welle, Germany; Read his review by Benny Metten (4 out of 5 stars) www.ctrlaltcountry.be/Pagina1.htm Ernest Troost live dates: Apr 2, 2012 8:00 PM @ Genghis Cohen Los Angeles, CA/he'll be playing a half hour set as part of The Americana Music Circle , with The Lauren Adams Band w/Debra Dobkin, Dave Fraser, Mark "Pocket" Goldberg, and Nic Kirgo. More artists TBA. May 5, 2012 9:00 AM @ KXCI radio Tucson, AZ/ Live performance and interview on Henry Hallett's Acoustic Alternative show on KXCI 91.3 Tucson. May 5, 2012 8:00 PM @ Tucson Folk Festival Tucson, AZ /he'll be playing a set on the main stage. Jun 16, 2012 7:30 PM @The Living Tradition Anaheim, CA/Opening for Jack Williams TED RUSSELL KAMP: -Ted is trying to raise funds for the completion of his next album. If you'd like to contribute follow the link! www.kickstarter.com/projects/1917449017/night-owl-the-new-ted-russell-kamp-record -Ted Russell Kamp's most recent album Get Back to the Land was voted one of the Best of LA Albums by Turnstyled Junkpiled (online music magazine) full list: turnstyledjunkpiled.com/2012/02/13/turnstyled-junkpileds-los-angeles-americana-music-awards/ -Ted is currently touring the Lone Star State and will be performing at the SXSW music Conference: 3/14 Wed - Austin, TX - Solo Showcase at ArtZ 7:40-8:20 2330 S. Lamar/ No wristband needed 3/15 Thu - Austin, TX - Opa's Third Annual Radiothon 11pm with hosts Big Kev Ploghoft, Rick Starr and Rowdy Tijmes 2050 South Lamar Boulevard/No Wristband needed 3/16 Fri - Austin, TX - LoneStarMusic SXSW Showcase - 5:15-5:45 pm 1327 S. Congress Avenue (Gibson/S. Congress)/No wristband needed For a full list of Texas dates please visit: www.tedrussellkamp.com MICHAEL AND THE LONESOME PLAYBOYS: -Michael Ubaldini and his Lonesome Playboys are still holding strong at #1 #1 on CMP-UK’s Kickin’ Cuts Chart--“He wants nothing to do with contrived pop country and it shows” -Midwest Record on Last of the Honky Tonks--"With a sound that reaches down and grabs you, he doesn't take no for an answer to the invitation to this party and he more than makes it worth your while. " -"Last of the Honky Tonks was recorded directly to analog tape with no overdubs added...which means the sound you hear is the actual sound of Michael and his band playing. Such a refreshing change of pace from folks seeking perfection. This fourteen track album has a nifty genuine sound and was obviously a labor of love. Smart toe-tappers include "The Last Honky Tonk," "Highway Ghost," "Shambles," and "The World Ain't What It Used To Be."--LMNOP THE GOOD INTENTIONS: --The Good Intentions are another Alternate Roots "Featured Artist of the Week" Listen and download their song "Lonely Train" from their recently released record, Someone Else's Time www.thealternateroot.com/alternate-root-weekly-features/alternate-root-artists-of-the-week -The Liverpool band will be hitting the states and touring the Golden State! (See dates in blogpost below) If you can't catch them live you'll have 2 chances to catch them on the radio! Thursday, March 22nd (2012)... KVMR, Nevada City, CA @ 2:00 pm PST with Kim Rogers www.kvmr.org/ and on Sunday, March 25th (2012)... KPIG (Radio Station), Watsonville, CA @ 11 am PST with Sleepy John Sandidge www.kpig.com OLD CALIFORNIO: --Old Californio are about to kick off their Western States Spring Tour (see dates in blogpost below) and will start by playing St. Patrick's Day Evening in their beloved San Gabriel Valley! 2 sets all evening with the first being acoustic and the second all electric! Cafe 322 Address: 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. - Sierra Madre, CA 91024 - Phone (626) 836-5414 Please make reservations for a table, as the evening is likely to sell-out! Bar is Standing Room Only. --Old Californio recently did a killer set at the Legendary McCabe's Guitar Shop opening for their good friends, I See Hawks in LA. You can read about the fun that was had by all on a recent blogpost by the Hawks: www.iseehawks.com/news/cd-release-party-at-mccabes The bands will be pairing up again for a show at the Auburn Events Center in Auburn, CA on Friday, April 13th. Purchase tickets here: iseehawks.eventbrite.com/ -Americana online music magazine, Turnstyled Junkpiled recently voted Old Californio's Sundrunk Angels one of the Best of LA Albums. "Offering up a twang infused hybrid of 60s San Francisco Psychedelia, crossed with early California Country-rock, LA based, Old Californio live up to their name with their latest release, Sundrunk Angels. Hearkening back to the days of Haight/Ashbury, this strong rooted band brings out the influence of country-crossed hippie music without the typical indulgent meandering jams most Grateful Dead throwback groups fall victim to. Their free-spirited and bright guitar riffs may go well with an oil lamp and acid trip, but Old Calfornio never lack intent or structure in the dynamic music they play." Here is the full list of awards: turnstyledjunkpiled.com/2012/02/13/turnstyled-junkpileds-los-angeles-americana-music-awards/ 
|
||
