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Archive for May, 2016

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Tour Dates: Jon Stickley Trio Captivates Crowds
w/ Rapid-Fire Guitar, Sultry Violin & Drums

Jon Stickley Trio is excited to embark on tour for a plethora of shows this festival season! They have stops throughout the country including the White Squirrel Festival in North Carolina and Rooster Walk in Martinsville, Virginia this May. They kick off June in Nashville on their way St. Louis and then Colorado’s Front Range. Mid-June brings them back to the Southeast and they finish up the month at ROMP in Owensboro, Kentucky. In July, the Trio simmers in the Carolinas before making appearances at Red Wing Roots in Virginia and North West String Summit in Oregon. Mid-July sees their return to Colorado to the Dolores River Brewery and they close out the month in New Mexico and Texas before making their way back East in August with a notable show at Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage in Washington, DC. See the full list of dates below and stay tuned for more to be announced.

Jon Stickley Trio is making waves with the independent and fan-funded release of their 2nd album, Lost at Last [October 2015], which was produced by Dave King of The Bad Plus. The originality and sheer energy of this genre-bending ensemble serves as a welcome wake up call for those who experience it. With roots in gypsy jazz, bluegrass, and hip-hop in an “exhilarating all-acoustic swirl” (Acoustic Guitar Magazine), Jon Stickley Trio combines Jon Stickley’s rapid-fire flatpicking guitar with the sultry and wild, yet refined, melodies of Lyndsay Pruett on violin set over the deep groove of Patrick Armitage on drums.

The New York Times’ Nate Chinen writes “… there’s hardy cohesion among the players — no less on the Gypsy standard ‘Valse de Wasso’ than on ‘Darth Radar’ a turbocharged original with a ska upbeat and a shredding melody.” Premier Guitar Magazine took note of “Darth Radar,” calling it, “a rapid-fire take that moves from a serious ska beat to burning surf-style runs that would make Dick Dale proud.” They caught the attention of NPR’s Heavy Rotation, made an appearance on Nashville’s Music City Roots (where they performed three songs and received three standing ovations from packed audience), as well as recording with NPR’s World Cafe in the Trio’s hometown of Asheville, NC with live studio audience in a sold out show. It has been a whirlwind and the Trio is up for more with a new album they will record this winter.

Jon Stickley Trio On Tour 2016
5/27 Fri – White Squirrel Fest – Brevard, NC
5/28 Sat – Roosterwalk – Martinsville, VA
6/1 Wed – The Basement – Nashville, TN
6/2 Thu – The Bootleg at Atomic Cowboy’s LouGrass Thursday’s – St. Louis, MO
6/4 Sat – Pagosa Folk ‘N Bluegrass – Pagosa, CO
6/8 Wed – Hodi’s Half Note – Ft. Collins, CO (with Front Country)
6/9 Thu – Cervantes – Denver, CO
6/10 Fri – Lazy Dog – Boulder, CO
6/16 Thu – Pickin’ in the Plaza – Raleigh, NC
6/18 Sat – The Getdown in Pumpkin Town – Marietta, SC
6/24 Fri – ROMP (late night set) – Owensboro, KY
7/6 Wed – Nantahala Brewing Co. – Bryson City, NC
7/7 Thu – Visulite Theatre – Charlotte, NC
7/9 Sat – Red Wing Roots – Mt. Solon, VA
7/12 Tue – NWSS Pre-Party- Nectar’s- Seattle, WA
7/14-16 Thu-Sat – NorthWest String Summit – North Plains, OR
7/20 Wed – Dolores River Brewery – Dolores River, CO
7/21 Thu – Crash Music – Aztec, NM
7/22 Fri – Taos Mesa Brewing – El Prado, NM
7/23 Sat – Private House Concert – Albuquerque, NM
7/28 Thu – Dosey Doe Music Cafe – Conroe, TX
7/29 Fri – Lamberts Downtown – Austin, TX
8/5 Fri – Secret Stages – Birmingham, AL
8/6 Sat – Boyd’s Jig & Reel – Knoxville, TN
8/11 Thu – American Tobacco – Durham, NC
8/12 Fri – Jimmy’s at Red Dogs – Wrightsville Beach, NC
8/13 Sat – Calico Room – Wilmington, NC
8/18 Thu – Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center – Washington, DC
8/21 Sun – The Rowayton Summer Music Festival – Rowayton, CT
8/24 Wed – Empire State Plaza Concert Series – Albany, NY
8/25 Thu – Joe’s Pub – New York, NY
9/24 Sat – Boats & Bluegrass – Winona, MN
9/29 Thu – Private House Concert – Traverse City, MI
9/30 Sat – Crooked Tree Arts – Petosky, MI
10/13-16 Thu-Sun Suwannee Roots Revival – Live Oak, FL

The Trio has produced two “official” music videos. “Point to Point“recently was awarded three prizes at the 2016 Music Video Asheville including Judges Choice, People’s Choice, and Best Soundtrack. Folk Alley premiered the video for “Rice Dream,” writing “Jon Stickley’s guitar harmonics and Lyndsay Pruett’s violin harmonics twine seamlessly together, creating an almost otherworldly atmosphere and the end result is a bit unnerving in its intensity.”

Jon Stickley Trio returned to the setting of where Lost at Last was recorded, Echo Mountain Recording Studios in Asheville, and performed for almost two hours for a live webcast on IAMAVL.com’s “Echo Sessions.” Watch the full show here →  http://bit.ly/Js3_Nov2015_IAMAVLEchoSessions_FullShow.

For forthcoming new about his next release, updates from the road, and tour dates, please visit www.facebook.com/JonStickleyTrio, www.instagram.com/jonstickleytrio, and www.twitter.com/StickleyMusic.

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The Honeycutters, an Asheville-based American Country Roots Band,
Release 4th Studio Album, On The Ropes, May 20, 2016 on Organic Records


Now available: CD, Vinyl and Digital
iTunes, Amazon, Tower Records, and Select-O-Hits

ASHEVILLE, NC — The Honeycutters have a voice you can’t ignore; a voice of persistence, of struggle and of hope, a voice that leads the new music movement erupting out of Asheville, NC. Their new album On The Ropes is out today, May 20, 2016 on Organic Records. Nashville’s Music City Roots’ Craig Havighurst says principal songwriter and frontwoman, Amanda Anne Platt “has a voice that’s complex, sweet and aching. Even more potently, she writes songs that folks are citing as up there with the best of the field, such as Mary Gauthier and Lucinda Williams.” This morning the album hit #38 on the iTunes Top 40 Country Chart and #12 on Amazon’s Hot New Releases on Folk. It is currently at #1 on the Roots Music Report’s Country Chart! and #10 on the The Alternate Root Magazine’s Roots 66 Chart!

Joining Amanda Platt to round out The Honeycutters are Rick Cooper, alternating between upright and electric bass, accentuating the band’s delve deeper into a rock sound blending with their old-school country roots attitude. Along with drummer Josh Milligan the two create a powerful pocket and groove that locks the album together, with Milligan’s vocal harmonies complementing and enhancing Platt’s lead. The pedal steel work of Matt Smith brings unexpected rock licks on an instrument traditionally reserved for a classic country sound in tracks like “Blue Besides” and “Only Eyes”. Smith also shows his prowess on electric guitar with rock, and R&B flavored runs and solos like in “Golden Child”. Tal Taylor’s mandolin cuts through with bitey, bluesy notes and fierce tremolo that pushes the instrument beyond its obvious folk appeal.

On The Ropes was produced by Amanda Anne Platt and Tim Surrett and engineered and mastered by Van Atkins at Crossroads Studios in Arden, NC.

What Folks Are Saying about On The Ropes:

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Amanda Anne Platt. Photo By Leah Beilhart.

“Their songwriting is first rate, their arrangements and instrumental ability in top form and with a front woman as assertive and impressive as singer Amanda Anne Platt, there’s nothing lacking in presence or execution. The songs may revolve around the need for assurance and affirmation, but clearly, Platt and her colleagues… have every contingency covered.”  –No Depression, Lee Zimmerman

 

“Pratt is a gifted songwriter and vocalist… She has an authoritative, confident voice that can be sweet, aching, and joyous, sometimes even in the same song. Pratt’s voice and the interplay of the guitar and mandolin give this band their unique complex sound – a clear-sounding mash-up of Americana, bluegrass, folk, and honky-tonk.” –Elmore, Jim Hynes

On The Ropes wonderfully showcases Platt’s dazzling songwriting skills with themes of loss, loneliness, nostalgia and getting the shit kicked out of you by love. All thirteen tracks are original material, except for a fascinating cover of Leonard Cohen’s iconic “Hallelujah”, sung in a spellbinding manner and just dripping of honeysuckle and moonshine.” That Music Mag, Jane Roser

“Amanda Anne Platt is a master songwriter, not because she finds unusual metaphors, creates cute wordplay, or buries deep psychological meaning in her lyrics, but because her songs are so effortlessly conversational. She’s like that old friend at the bar who sidles up to you real close, in your personal space, and grabs your forearm to get your attention because she really really wants to make sure you get what she’s telling you. Her songs command attention because they are so darn human you believe them.” —Americana Music Show, Calvin Powers

“On The Ropes is brimming with affecting, relatable, and on point lyrics… It’s not just Platt’s ability to tap into emotions and experiences so keenly that makes On The Ropes so special, the band’s tight musicianship brings Platt’s lyrics to new heights. Tal Taylor’s mandolin adds something special to every song as does Matt Smith’s pedal steel, dobro, and electric guitar while Rick Cooper (upright and electric bass) and Josh Milligan (drums/harmony vocal) expertly keep a precise beat.” —The Daily Country, Tara Joan

“Make no mistake, The Honeycutters are a country band in every sense of the word. They are the type of ‘country’ that has the ability to save country music radio, in the same way as Sturgill Simpson, Whitey Morgan, and Chris Stapleton. They will probably stay firmly within the Americana charts and radio promotions and do very well there, but each time I put on their album I can’t escape the heavy realization of how much country music radio needs them right now.” —Lonesone Banjo Chronicles, Brian Swenk

“While her country-flavored songs almost always tell a story, The Honeycutters’ musical approach adds a dimension to the tunes that only widens their appeal.”  —Mountain Xpress, Bill Kopp

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The Honeycutters. Photo by Leah Beilhart.

“Amanda Anne Platt doesn’t sound like everyone else. Her voice has its own sweet yet strong, recognizable ring, and the songs she writes sound like old friends, yet are new and relevant.” —Asheville Citizen Times, Carol Rifkin

 

“More fans should attach themselves to her brand of poignant songwriting and Lucinda Williams-like singing… The Honeycutters aren’t like anything on today’s country music radio. The group’s music, though, is like the country music that once blared through AM radio, complete with steel guitar and a dash of Western swing.”
Hendersonville Times News/ GoUpstate, Jason Gilmer

“This here is sawdust floor and longneck honky-tonk. North Carolina’s The Honeycutters swings gentle to and fro, with a knockout punch of steel guitar, and a rhythm section that adheres gloriously to the 2/4. This is the country music you’ve been missing. The genre’s purity gets redefined by songbird Amanda Anne Platt. It’s all around beautiful and timeless.” –Rochester City Paper, Frank De Blase

On The Ropes is a worthy successor to Me Oh My. It’s relatable and heart-breaking, buoyant and hopeful. The Honeycutters just keep getting better and it’s thrilling to hear it.” —Popshifter, Melissa Bratcher

On The Ropes shows more versatility from The Honeycutters with a bit of rock and pop influence in the production, while still keeping the songs firmly planted in country music. The songs and lyrics are richer, exploring more topics, and Platt’s vocals sound as good as ever.” —Country Perspective, Derek Hudgin

“On Ropes, Platt asks the hard questions and avoids easy answers, both lyrically and musically. The pieces are familiar ones from just about any other country bar band, the pedal steel, the mandolin and guitar with touches of ‘grass, gospel and folk. Platt’s writing keeps these in play while raising the Honeycutters above the overly familiar tricks and cliches of the crowded genre. Love lost is hardly new territory, but she writes about it from a novel place.” —KRFC’s Route and Branches, Scott Foley

“All of those sad little pop singers need to get off country radio and let the Honeycutters take it from here. When I heard this album I felt the same way I felt when I first heard Emmylou Harris and the Hot Band. There’s not much of a point to making such comparisons however, because the Honeycutters are their own band… Thank god for bands like the Honeycutters, they give me faith that a group can remain true to their vision while still writing extremely memorable songs.” —Western Free Press, Skyler Miller

“There are a lot of lines that stand out, that ring true, lyrics you can hold onto.”
Michael Doherty

“One of the best current acts to come out of Asheville is The Honeycutters, a great band ready to be discovered by the rest of America.” —Cincinnati City Beat, Derek Halsey

Song Premiere: LISTEN: The Honeycutters, “On The Ropes“ at Elmore Magazine
“On The Ropes [is] a feel good barn-burner of a song that pairs Platt’s old-school country vocals with a rollicking, danceable melody. The harmonies laced throughout recall the roots tradition the band is steeped in, but the track is a radio-ready hit, dangerously catchy and perfect for when you need a little boost.”

Song Premier: LISTEN: The Honeycutters, “Blue Besides” at The Bluegrass Situation www.thebluegrasssituation.com/read/listen-honeycutters-blue-besides

Listen in to The Honeycutters’ World Cafe appearance at http://bit.ly/TheHoneycutters_WorldCafe.

More info, tourdates and updates at www.TheHoneycutters.com, www.facebook.com/Honeycutters, and twitter.com/thehoneycutters.

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Two Asheville-based bands,
The Honeycutters & Town Mountain, Debut on Americana Radio Chart!

More information on the Americana Music Association’s Radio Chart can be found at: www.AmericanaRadio.com

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HoneycuttersOnTheRopesBigCovThe Honeycutters Debut at #36 with On The Ropes, on The Americana Radio Chart
Due out May 20th on Organic Records


On The Ropes Pre-order link:  http://smarturl.it/9yax7n

Take a Sneak Sneak Peak at On The Ropes –> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TyjYH1TbeQ

“Forget Nashville, with their buzz-making brand of rock-roots-country, the Honeycutters are out to make Asheville, NC the brand new music city.” —Elmore Magazine

“On Ropes, Platt asks the hard questions and avoids easy answers, both lyrically and musically. The pieces are familiar ones from just about any other country bar band, the pedal steel, the mandolin and guitar with touches of ‘grass, gospel and folk. Platt’s writing keeps these in play while raising the Honeycutters above the overly familiar tricks and cliches of the crowded genre. Love lost is hardly new territory, but she writes about it from a novel place.” —KRFC’s Route and Branches

“This here is sawdust floor and longneck honky-tonk. North Carolina’s The Honeycutters swings gentle to and fro, with a knockout punch of steel guitar, and a rhythm section that adheres gloriously to the 2/4. This is the country music you’ve been missing. The genre’s purity gets redefined by songbird Amanda Anne Platt. It’s all around beautiful and timeless.” —Rochester City Paper

“This here record store is Amanda Anne Platt country, and her new album On The Ropes with those masters of gritty roots-rock The Honeycutters is our new national anthem. Packed with incisive lyrics, unforgettable hooks and just the right balance between rock oomph, country heartache and singer/songwriter incisiveness, this is a must-have album is Appalachian honky-tonk with heart and guts.” —Horizon Records

More info:  www.TheHoneycutters.com

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Final Cover Lo Res

Town Mountain Debuts at #40 with Southern Crescent on The Americana Radio Chart, Out April 1 on LoHi Records

Order now on iTunes → http://apple.co/1QW52ZJ

Watch The Making of Southern Crescent www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZD7avVtI4U  

“Asheville’s Town Mountain is one of the most entertaining bluegrass / string band groups working today and their Southern Crescent features the band at the top of their game.” –Americana Music Show

“The convergence of freewheeling harmonies, and their picking, plucking and strumming lends itself to both passion and purpose. With bluegrass reclaiming its populist precepts of late, Southern Crescent boasts all the needed elements to provide their listeners one heck of a hootenanny.” –Elmore Magazine

“There’s a new level of diversity in sounds and styles, which is to say that the honky-tonk flavor that’s long been the quintet’s stock-in-trade is being supplemented with more lyrically and musically sophisticated material that nevertheless keeps the energy high.”
–The Nashville Scene

“On Southern Crescent, there’s little fuss and pretension, as each track has a lived-in and live feel, with the band members coalescing around the song in an almost preordained way. There is as much outlaw country and Western swing to these songs as bluegrass, despite the instrumentation. As traditional and even-keeled as Town Mountain is, no other band sounds quite the same.” –Mountain Xpress

More info: TownMountain.net

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