With Horns, Strings, & Soaring Vocals, The Company Stores Release 2nd Single from ‘The Family Album’

With Horns, Strings, & Soaring Vocals, 
The Company Stores Release The Family Album Sept 23, 2022

2nd Single “A New Leaf” Out Today
https://thecompanystores.hearnow.com/a-new-leaf

Produced by Galactic’s Robert Mercurio
Recorded at Echo Mountain Recording in Asheville
and
Galactic’s Number C Studio in New Orleans

Watch the Official “Ways” (1st Single) Music Video

Preorder The Family Album 

CHARLESTON, WV — The Company Stores independently releases The Family Album, their third full-length album, on September 23. The powerful and sultry voice of lead vocalist Ileana Ille captivates the audience with her ability to express raw emotion, while the band unites many influences to lay down bold grooves amidst dynamic crescendos. 

“This album tells a story of everything being turned upside down; both personally and across the country,” says Matthew Marks, the primary lyricist for the band. “It is about family and understanding the triumphs, failures, tendencies, and choices of the people who came before, in order to understand how to successfully navigate where you are going.” 

No Depression’s Amos Perrine writes, “The album had me from the opening track, ‘Savannah,’ which could have easily been on a Steely Dan record (notably the guitar parts), by way of the jazz group Return to Forever. The vocals by Ileana Ille glide over the instrumentation much like those of Return to Forever’s first vocalist, Flora Purim, did. Ille’s vocals are but one of the many textured layers that blend together in unexpected ways.”

Listen to “A New Leaf”

The fiery “A New Leaf” is the second track as well as second single, premiered by Americana Highways who calls it “…a whirling musical milieu… Complete with horns to punctuate the high points’” The song explores negative patterns in life, with the lyrics, “Damn… what a year. Sucker punched me to the next hemisphere… And now I’m waking up thunderstruck. Right in front of God and everyone… But now…clarity… A view from the floor that I had to see myself for sure. To turn over a new leaf…” 

Listen to “Ways”

With its rockin’ country western vibe “Ways” continues on this theme, but sees the narrator start to recognize how choices made have developed these patterns of behavior that produce similar outcomes. “These old ways ain’t the best ways, just the ones I know… Trails blazed over time in my mind are deciding where I go… Now I gotta find peace of mind, redefine my life…” “Ways” also sees special guests Walter DeBarr [Song of the Year in Minnesota 2021, William Elliot Whitmore] and Jodi Hall (also on “A New Leaf”) on backing vocals. “Ways” is dedicated to DeBarr, known for his soulful songwriting and deep raspy voice, who sadly passed away shortly after recording with the band.
JamBase premiered the “Ways” music video and the song was the album’s first single.

“Maria” sees Latin influence and “Old Dog” has a bit of hip-hop flare. Set in the minor key, “Fathers” looks into how mistakes made can be passed down for generations, stuck in a cycle and an ethereal “Blue Tide” calls out to explore the dark depths of oneself. A rock opera, “There Went The Neighborhood” is followed by the progressive “American Dream Girl.” “Some Sunday,” composed and written by Micucci, has a R&B flavor, with a focus on bass and groove. The album closes with a southern rock gospel ambience in “Castles & Cain.”

Based in Charleston, WV, the band blends elements of rock and roll, jazz, funk, world music, Appalachian folk, gospel, and other soulful roots music with soaring harmonies, electronic textures, strings, and horns over a solid rhythm section. Along with Ille’s vocals and Marks on guitar, The Company Stores is Michael Micucci on bass, Joseph Cevallos on violin and trumpet, Matthew Jackfert on keys, vibes, trombone, among other instruments, and John Query on drums. Jackfert, who is also a freelance composer and classical music broadcaster, collaborated with Marks on the arrangements in shaping the lush orchestral soundscapes.

The Company Stores had plans to hit the road hard, raise funds, and save to record their new album in 2020, then all plans got curtailed and almost all of their live shows and side jobs were canceled due to the pandemic. The songs were written during a time of personal havoc for Marks after his engagement had ended and he moved to his family farm, where he still resides, in March 2020 to help with his Grandad who was dying of lung cancer. While first there, he did a deep dive into his family history and roots lending to the content and mood of the album. They were able to start recording in mid-2021 after a year-long pause once things seemed safe for travel again. 

The Family Album was produced by Robert Mercurio, bassist for New Orleans funk legends Galactic. The instrumentation was recorded by Julian Dreyer at Echo Mountain Recording in Asheville, NC. Mercurio stepped in as engineer to record the vocal parts at Galactic’s Number C Studio in New Orleans—including bringing in the Josh Kagler Choral Group to enhance the choruses on much of the album. The album was mixed and mastered by Mikael “Count” Eldridge [Trombone Shorty, DJ Shadow, The Revivalists]. 

Mercurio says, “As a producer, I feel like I saw this band grow immensely as songwriters though the process of making this album. We started working on it before the pandemic, and with their downtime they put in the work it takes to make great songs. Illy blossomed into the rock star she now is—crushing the vocals on every take. I’m very proud of the final product and had a blast working with all of them.” Along with his own band, Mercurio has production credits with an impressive list of artists including Big Freedia, Lyrics Born, and Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe.

The Family Album is preceded by the 2017 release Little Lights, also recorded at Echo Mountain Studio in Asheville, and their local debut Rollin’ In in 2014. Mother Church Pew says, “The Company Stores‘ Little Lights features a fiery backdrop of musicality that begs for a festival-sized stage and a whole lot of sunshine. It’s punchy, it’s poignant, and it’s perfect” and Jammerzine says it is “filled with emotional highs and empathetic harmonies laid over an almost orchestral level of musicianship.” 

Keep an eye on their website and socials for tour dates and further news: www.thecompanystoresband.com, facebook.com/thecompanystores, twitter.com/CompanyStoresWV and instagram.com/thecompanystores. 

Presave and preorder The Family Album at https://thecompanystores.hearnow.com. 

The Company Stores – The Family Album – Track Listing
1. Savannah (4:08)
2. A New Leaf (3:31)
3. Ways (3:47)
4. Maria (5:53)
5. Old Dog (4:58)*
6. Fathers (4:07)*
7. Blue Tide (3:47)
8. There Went The Neighborhood (2:43)*
9. American Dream Girl (3:32)
10. Some Sunday (3:58)
11. Castles & Cain (3:54)

*FCC Warning: please note explicit language
Radio edited versions are available for “Old Dog” and “There Went The Neighborhood”

Press Shots by The Oberports 
Album Artwork by Chris Woodall 

The Company Stores Tour Dates 

9/3 Sat – ACE Adventure Resort – Fayetteville, WV
9/17 Sat – Funktafest- Huntington, WV
10/15 Sat – Spirits in the Sky Fest @ The Bullock Distillery – Charleston, WV
10/28 Fri – Martin’s – Jackson, MS
10/29 Sat – Tipitina’s – New Orleans, LA 

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The Drunken Hearts Premiere Music Video “Fire In A House” With American Songwriter

THE DRUNKEN HEARTS
PREMIERE NEW MUSIC VIDEO TO THE SONG
“FIRE IN A HOUSE”

FROM THEIR OCTOBER LOHI RECORDS RELEASE: WHEELS OF THE CITY

DENVER, CO — The Drunken Hearts released a new music video today of their original song “Fire in a House,” exclusively premiered by American Songwriter Magazine. Watch it HERE. 

American Songwriter writes, “The five-man band from the Boulder/Denver area of Colorado carry a mountain spirit into its music and mix it with a 90s rock blend, that is eerily reminiscent of Pearl Jam — due in large part to the vocals of Andrew McConathy.” 

McConathy tells American Songwriter, “This song came to me after hearing of a fellow musician’s rather startling breakup with his band mate, and serves as a harsh reminder that even the most fairy tale relationships can come to an end. If you don’t watch out, it can burn down the whole damn town.” 

“Fire in a House” is the opening track of their new album Wheels of The City, which came out October 18, 2019 on LoHi Records to rave reviews. Glide’s Jim Hynes says, “Powerhouse singer Andrew McConathy is commanding from the outset on ‘Fire in House,” and Americana Highways’ John Apice calls the song, “a typical classic rock era swipe without sounding too retro.” Loudwire also featured the song song their “Weekly Wire” on release week.

NYS Music writes, “The album.. starts out with ‘Fire in a House,’ slowly building an intro, leading to a verse, a piano melody, and continuing with layers of other instrumentation and backing vocals. The tune eventually deconstructs to some degree toward the end, sonically arriving back where it began.” 

The album was recorded at Silo Sound Studios in Denver with friend and producer Tim Carbone (Railroad Earth). Carbone also performs piano on “Fire In A House.”

The Drunken Hearts are acoustic guitarist and powerhouse lead singer, Andrew McConathy joined by pedal steel, Dobro, and lap steel player Cody Russell and electric guitarist and vocalist Kory Montgomery, along with bassist and vocalist Jon McCartan and drummer Alex Johnson.

The band is continuing their album release tour, and is on the road opening for Yonder Mountain String Band for a slew of shows.

The full album is available at all outlets to stream and purchase now → https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/thedrunkenhearts/wheels-of-the-city-4

The Drunken Hearts Wheels of the City Tour Dates:
11/13 Wed – Baltimore, MD – The 8×10*
11/14 Thu – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Bowl*
11/15 Fri – Ardmore, PA – The Ardmore Music Hall*
11/16 Sat – Boulder, CO – The Fox Theatre
11/17 Sun – Woodstock, NY – Levon Helm Studios*
11/19 Tue – Greenfield, MA – Hawks & Reed PAC*
11/21 Thu – Portland, ME – Port City Music Hall*
11/22 Fri – Pawtucket, RI – The Met*
11/23 Sat – Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall*
11/24 Sun – York, PA – The Capitol Theatre*

* supporting Yonder Mountain String Band

For more information and updates from the road, please visit www.thedrunkenhearts.com, facebook.com/thedrunkenhearts, twitter.com/drunkenhearts, and instagram.com/thedrunkenhearts.

 

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Out Today: The Drunken Hearts’ ‘Wheels of the City’ on LoHi Records, Produced by Tim Carbone

The Drunken Hearts Release Wheels of the City
October 18, 2019 on LoHi Records
Produced by Tim Carbone at Silo Sound Studios in Denver, Colorado

Out Now: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/thedrunkenhearts/wheels-of-the-city-4

DENVER, CO — The Drunken Hearts release Wheels of the City October 18 on LoHi Records. Produced by Tim Carbone (Railroad Earth), the album was recorded at Silo Sound Studios in Denver, Colorado, and mastered by Jim Wilson. On Wheels of the City, The Drunken Hearts deliver tales of adventure, love, risk, and realization. 

Kind Words about Wheels of the City:

“Powerhouse singer Andrew McConathy is commanding from the outset on ‘Fire in House’ as he proceeds to light up Wheels of the City… More than anything, Drunken Hearts will evoke little snippets of our nostalgic memories of our favorite country-rock and rock bands. Yet, their music, as stated, is a bit more complex, without the usual clichés. And, surely McConathy has one of the most memorable voices in roots music.”
—Glide, Jim Hynes

“They bring positive proof of their sturdy existence in the form of Wheels of the City, a pulsating, ambitious, adventurous new record… Throughout an 11-song escapade, gutsy listeners might experience any number of thrilling sensations: the beauty of a string section on ‘Passchendaele’; a vibrant brass attack on ‘Wheels of the City’, the title cut inspired by Jack Kerouac’s essay ‘The Vanishing American Hobo’; and a psychedelic bridge on both ‘Two Hearts (On a Limb)’ and ‘Unrest’, the latter a lively folk tale about a weary man dying to go to sleep.” 
—PopMatters (full-length album premiere stream), Michael Bialas

“Made up of songs that emphasize positivity they start with ‘Fire in a House’ — a typical classic rock era swipe without sounding too retro. What’s commendable is the band maintains an absorbing pace… Rock & roll seeps into the fibers of ‘Unrest.’ It’s piano pounds as drums bop similar to The Beatles White Album years — quite impressive. This song is stellar.”
—Americana Highways, John Apice

“This album is a rare and natural gem that embodies its beauty through its rawness… Unlike a sad whiskey shot, these are eleven tequila toasts in a row.”
—Live Gig Source, Nathan M. Emerson

“Throughout the album, you hear examples of McConathy’s way of painting a picture with his words. The best example of that is in the title track. Over a gentle rhythm and a muted melody, he sings about someone who sleeps in a doorway, back to the wall. He goes on to sing, “Let’s build a bridge and not a wall. Something to bind us and not to divide us all.’ While the subject matter is heavy, the message is ultimately one of hope that is accented nicely with some horns at the end.”
—Americana Highways, Gary Schwind

“Listening to The Drunken Hearts pending release, Wheels of the City, dispels the notion that they are a one dimensional entity. There is country, with pedal steel and banjo, as well as elements of soul, some of the classic Laurel Canyon sound, touches of rock comparable to Drive-By Truckers, and alt-country stylings reminiscent of Son Volt.”
—NYS Music, Brian Cornish

More about The Drunken Hearts:

 

The Drunken Hearts. Photo by Tobin Voggesser

Mixing their mountain-spirit with the twang of the south, this electrifying five-man band met and live in the Denver/Boulder area of Colorado. Acoustic guitarist and powerhouse lead singer, Andrew McConathy is originally from Shreveport, Louisiana, and is known for his compelling songwriting and distinct and expressive vocals. Joining him are pedal steel, dobro, and lap steel player Cody Russell and electric guitarist and vocalist Kory Montgomery, both from Arkansas, along with bassist Jon McCartan, from Upstate New York by way of Vermont, and, from the outskirts of Chicago, drummer Alex Johnson.

The band wanted to try something new for this album: to create and record a new song each day, and continue that model until an entire album was realized. The result is eleven full-fledged, living, breathing, musical time capsules that make up Wheels of the City.  

“I loved working on this record with The Drunken Hearts,” exclaims Tim Carbone, a partner in LoHi Records. “We did a song a day and except for some vocal overdubs, solo replacements and the strings and horns, that was how it all went down. I’d never worked that way before. It was an amazing stretch of hyper-creativity. I’m very proud of Wheels of the City!” 

With notable performances at Winter WonderGrass Steamboat (CO), Winter WonderGrass Squaw Valley (CA), Mumford & Sons Gentlemen of the Road Fest (CO), Electric Forest (MI), FloydFest (VA), Vertex (CO), Fayetteville Roots Fest (AR), Hangtown Music Festival (CA), Bohemian Nights at New West Fest (CO), Northwest String Summit (OR), Grandoozy (CO), Four Peaks Festival (OR), and the band’s very own Yarmony Music Festival (CO), the band is very much at home on the festival circuit. They have also supported Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Greensky Bluegrass, Railroad Earth, Deer Tick, Leftover Salmon, String Cheese Incident, among others.

The band is touring the country from coast-to-coast, with stops at famed venues and festivals along the way and is set to perform a slew of shows with Yonder Mountain String Band during this album release cycle.

The Drunken Hearts Wheels of the City Tour Dates:

10/18 Fri – Norfolk, CT – Infinity Music Hall and Bistro*
10/19 Sat – Saratoga Springs, NY – Putnam Place*
10/30 Wed – Bend, OR – Volcanic Theatre Pub
10/31 Thu – Coos Bay, OR – 7 Devils Brewing Co.
11/1 Fri – Salem, OR – Governor’s Cup
11/2 Sat – Portland, OR – Private Party
11/13 Wed – Baltimore, MD – The 8×10*
11/14 Thu – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Bowl*
11/15 Fri – Ardmore, PA – The Ardmore Music Hall*
11/16 Sat – Boulder, CO – The Fox Theatre
11/17 Sun – Woodstock, NY – Levon Helm Studios*
11/19 Tue – Greenfield, MA – Hawks & Reed PAC*
11/21 Thu – Portland, ME – Port City Music Hall*
11/22 Fri – Pawtucket, RI – The Met*
11/23 Sat – Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall*
11/24 Sun – York, PA – The Capitol Theatre*

* supporting Yonder Mountain String Band

Wheels of the City Track Listing and Credits

1. Fire in a House 4:02
2. Shining Eyes 3:24
3. Alive ‘n Free 3:47
4. Run It All Together 3:09
5. Unrest 3:42
6. Wheels of the City 4:13
7. Passchendaele 4:52
8. Two Hearts (On a Limb) 3:15
9. In the Middle 3:19
10. Dream of Waiting 4:42
11. The Cave 3:38

The Drunken Hearts:
Andrew McConathy – Acoustic & Electric Guitar, Vocals
Cody Russell – Pedal Steel, Lap Steel, Dobro
Jon McCartan – Electric Bass
Kory Montgomery – Electric & Acoustic Guitar, Vocals
Alex Johnson – Drums, Percussion

Special Guests:
Tim Carbone – Piano (tracks 1, 3, 5), Organ (3), Violin (3), Backing Vocals (7), Spoken Word (11), Percussion (1)
Sheryl Renee – Backing Vocals (tracks 7, 9)

Horn Section (track 6):
Sam Hoyt – Trumpet
Sam Burris – Trombone
John Devivo – French Horn
Jay Rattman – Alto Sax, Flute, Clarinet, and Arrangement 

String Section (track 7):
Stephanie Bell – Violin
Chris Souza – Violin
Marsha Cahn – Viola
David Moulton – Cello
Jay Rattman – Arrangement 

Produced by Tim Carbone / Engineered by Todd Divel / Recorded at Silo Sound Studios in Denver, CO
Mixed by Todd Divel with Tim Carbone / Mastered by Jim Wilson at Jim Wilson Mastering
Strings and Horns recorded by Don Sternecker at Mix-O-Lydian Recording
All songs arranged by The Drunken Hearts and Tim Carbone

For more information and updates from the road, please visit www.thedrunkenhearts.com, facebook.com/thedrunkenhearts, twitter.com/drunkenhearts, and instagram.com/thedrunkenhearts.

 

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

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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CMT Edge Premiers Donna the Buffalo’s “I Love My Tribe” Music Video

Donna the Buffalo is happy to announce their new music video for “I Love My Tribe” is being premiered on CMT Edge right now! They had a blast working on it in Nashville with director and friend Craig Apsen and are excited to have CMT support it. Thanks to everyone that took part. 🙂

“Next time Donna the Buffalo throws a house party, I definitely want to go. When the folk-inspired melody of “I Love My Tribe” begins, singer-songwriter Tara Nevins is sweeping off her front porch and trying to get a heartbreak off her mind. But before long, she tosses the broom aside and offers this happy ode to breaking free — and breaking the mold. Later, when she’s singing at the farm and surrounded by her circle of friends, it feels like one big group hug,” writes Craig Shelburne with CMT Edge.

See the video here—>> http://www.cmtedge.com/2013/06/03/donna-the-buffalo-gathers-the-herd-for-i-love-my-tribe/

 

 

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Donna The Buffalo On Tour With New Album: Tonight, Tomorrow and Yesterday

Donna The Buffalo On Tour With New Album

Donna the Buffalo Set To Unveil First Studio Album in Five Years,
Tonight, Tomorrow and Yesterday, On June 18

More energized and focused than ever before in their near 25-year career, roots-music troubadours Donna the Buffalo will debut their first studio album in five years, Tonight, Tomorrow and Yesterday, on June 18 via Sugar Hill Records. The follow up to 2008’s acclaimed Silverlined, which reached the Top 10 on the Americana charts, Tonight, Tomorrow and Yesterday—the group’s 10^th studio album—proves the band as a consistent steward of Americana music, their signature sound—traditional mountain music infused with elements of Cajun, rock, folk, reggae and country—an eclectic and extraordinary melting pot of such.

In creating the new album, founding members and songwriter-vocalists Jeb Puryear (vocals, guitar) and Tara Nevins (vocals, guitar, fiddle, accordion, scrubboard)—joined by band members David McCracken (Hammond organ, clavinet), Kyle Spark (bass) and Mark Raudabaugh (drums)—convened in a rustic church in Enfield, New York, along with co-producer and fellow upstate New Yorker, Robert Hunter (Branford Marsalis). The building overflowed with vibe, and the music poured out as the group recorded take after live take to old-school analog tape, with as few overdubs as possible. What resulted are the 14 organic and authentic tracks that make up Tonight, Tomorrow and Yesterday.

“We tried to do the record and keep in tact the things people love about us,” says Puryear. “We’re really excited to start sharing Tonight, Tomorrow and Yesterday,” adds Nevins, “because making this record was a very personal process that was also a lot of fun.”

The album will be worked at Americana and AAA radio this spring and summer, with the emphasis track being “I See How You Are,” a tune penned by Nevins. In addition, the band will be touring heavily throughout the remainder of the year to promote Tonight, Tomorrow and Yesterday. Festival dates include MerleFest, The Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance, Nashville’s Dancin’ In the District, Strangecreek Music Festival, Blue Ridge BBQ and Music Festival, The Great Blue Heron Festival, Red Ants Pants Festival, Targhee Bluegrass Fest, Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival and MagnoliaFest, among many others.

Donna the Buffalo on Tour
Thu 5/16 Edinboro, PA – Edinboro Art & Music Festival
Fri 5/17 Syracuse, NY – Wescott Theater
Sat 5/18 Monroeville, NJ – Camp Jam in the Pines
Sun 5/19 New York, NY – City Winery
Sun 5/26 Greenfield, MA – Strangecreek Music Festival
Thu 6/13 Nashville, TN – Nashville Dancin’ – Riverfront Park
Fri 6/14 Raleigh, NC – Southland Ballroom
Sat 6/15 Tryon, NC – Blue Ridge BBQ and Music Festival
Thu 6/20 Natick, MA – Natick Center for the Arts
Fri 6/21 Naples, NY – Inspire Winery
Sat 6/22 Woodstock, NY – Bearsville Theater
Sat-Sun 7/5-7/7 Sherman, NY – The Great Blue Heron Festival
Fri 7/12 Rochester, NY – Rochester Public Market’s Bands on the Bricks
Sat 7/13 Shirley, MA – The Bull Run Concert Series
Sun 7/14 Norfolk, CT – Infinity Hall
Thu-Sun 7/18-21 Trumansburg, NY – Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival
Fri 7/26 White Sulphur Springs, MT – Red Ants Pants
Sat 7/27 Spokane, WA – The Center
Sun 7/28 Seattle, WA – The Tractor
Mon 7/29 Portland, OR – Doug Fir Lounge
Tue 7/30 Eugene, OR – WOW Hall
Thu 8/1 Los Angeles – The Mint
Fri 8/2 Pioneertown, CA – Pappy and Harriets
Sat 8/3 San Francisco, CA – Great American Music Hall
Sun 8/4 Santa Cruz, CA – Moe’s Alley
Mon 8/5 Chico, CA – The Big Room @ The Sierra Nevada
Thu 8/8 Park City, UT – Newpark Town Center
Fri 8/9 Denver, CO – Oriental Theatre
Sat 8/10 Alta, WY – Targhee Bluegrass Fest at Grand Targhee
Sat 8/31 Friendsville, PA – The Choconut Inn
Tue 9/3 Bijou Theater – Knoxville, TN
Sat 9/14 Floyd VA – Chateau Mossisette
Sun 9/15 Annapolis, MD – Rams Head Tavern
Sat-Sun 10/19-20 Live Oak, FL – MagnoliaFest

For more information, please visit www.donnathebuffalo.com and facebook.com/donnathebuffalo

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Folk Rocker Aaron Burdett Releases ”Breathing Underwater” This September

Aaron Burdett Releases “Breathing Underwater”

“Burdett’s accessible and utterly authentic vocal style is the perfect match for his insightful, ruminative lyrics, which totally sells the truth of his tales, making for a truly satisfying listening experience.” —Bold Life

“laid-back set of acoustic driven folk” —Mountain Xpress

“Burdett’s music ranges from handmade hooks to newgrass to Starbucks soundtracks” —Greenville Metromix

Based in the Asheville, NC area, storyteller and musician Aaron Burdett is set to release his 4th album, Breathing Underwater on September 11th, 2012. Building on the traditions of the finest performing songwriters such as John Hiatt, James Taylor, Cat Stevens, and John Prine; Aaron’s music blends folk-rock, bluegrass, and blues with pop sensibilities. His honest songwriting pours in between hammer-on chord changes and rolling crosspicking rhythms, all the while keeping at the forefront his own unique sound and authentic voice.

After successfully raising $9000 through Kickstarter, Burdett and his band (Will Jernigan on bass and Billy Seawell on drums), took to Hollow Reed Studios to record with producer Chris Rosser. Breathing Underwater is the first album where vocalist Burdett performs on his electric guitar as well as acoustic. Guest musicians include Casey Driessen on fiddle, Andy Pond on banjo and cajon, Brian Swenk on banjo, and Chris Rosser on keys.

Optimistically themed, Breathing Underwater reflects Aaron’s life experience and the changing perceptions and priorities that come with the passage of time, working towards goals, and finding the peace of mind to allow life to unfold naturally. It features 11 tracks, all penned by Burdett, including the slow, bluesy electric title track. It’s a tonally diverse album, from the upbeat and newgrassy “Copper on the Corner” and “Sneaking up” to the more relaxed pace of “The Simplest Things”, a piece about stepping back from day to day distractions and concerns to remember the more important things we are blessed with. There is a musical release in “3 or 4 minutes”, a song about being taken away on a journey by an artist, and then realizing that it’s only a 3 or 4 minute song even though you feel like you’ve been gone and zoned into the music forever.

Burdett has recorded three previous albums: 2005’s The Weight of Words, 2008’s Resolve, and 2010’s Stand Up Eight. The latter two hit in the top 25 top regional releases on WNCW. “There’s a comfortable feeling to Stand Up Eight, somewhat reminiscent to the music of John Hiatt and Bruce Hornsby,” writes Blue Ridge Outdoors. Over the years Aaron has been a finalist in several songwriting competitions including The Mountain Stage Songwriting Contest, The NC Songwriter’s Cooperative Songwriting Contest, and the Hank Williams Songwriting Contest (from the old Flat Rock Music Festival).

From Ireland and the UK to the Southeastern United States, Aaron‘s abilities have been noticed and showcased on some of the premier singer-songwriter stages during his career. Burdett has collaborated on his past albums with members of Big Daddy Love, Acoustic Syndicate, Free Planet Radio, and Snake Oil Medicine Show. He also had the pleasure of opening for the Avett Brothers several years back at his bass player’s wedding!

Whether solo or with his band, Aaron’s talent for the craft of songwriting and knack for connecting with a live audience has won him praise time and time again.

Aaron Burdett on Tour:

Aaron Burdett Band Live on Studio B, WNCW 88.7
4pm Friday, September 14. 2012

Aaron Burdett Band’s AVL CD Release Show @  The One Stop in Asheville, NC
With special guest Andy Pond joining the band
Saturday, September 15, 2012 10pm

Aaron Burdett Solo @ Pisgah Brewing Co. in Black Mountain, NC
Saturday, September 22, 2012 3pm

 Aaron Burdett Band @ The Purple Onion in Saluda, NC
Hometown CD Release Show!!
Saturday, September 29, 2012 8pm

Aaron Burdett Band @ Jack of Hearts in Weaverville, NC
Friday, October 10, 2012 9pm

Aaron Burdett Band @ The Garage in Winston-Salem, NC
Saturday, October 13, 2012 9:30pm

More dates tbd…

aaronburdett.com
facebook.com/AaronBurdettMusic
twitter.com/Aaron_Burdett

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Donna the Buffalo’s 2012 Fall, Winter and NYE Tour Announced!

Photo by John D Kurc.

Have you Herd? Donna the Buffalo will be traveling the country this fall and winter! Sounding better than ever, they have been in the studio this spring and summer working on a 10th album and will be performing new songs, along with the old favorites, up and down the East coast before heading out West for the first time in a few years. Donna the Buffalo is Jeb Puryear on guitar and vocals; Tara Nevins on fiddle, guitar, accordion, scrubboard and vocals; keyboardist Dave McCracken; bassist Kyle Spark; and drummer Mark Raudabaugh.

LISTEN to an interview on Eternal Jamnation with Tara Nevins about the upcoming album, their fall tour, the Grassroots Festivals & more!

Donna the Buffalo’s feel-good, groove-oriented, danceable and often socially conscious music all began over twenty years ago with roots in old time fiddle music that evolved into a soulful electric Americana mix infused with elements of cajun/ zydeco, rock, folk, reggae, and country. The band is known for touring the country and remaining fiercely independent as one of the industry’s most diverse roots-music bands and has “earned a reputation as one of the most respected, eclectic and hardest-working acts today,” praises Encore.

They embark on an almost non-stop tour through the end of 2012 starting at Rhythm and Roots in Rhode Island followed by shows in Pennsylvania, The Dark Star Jubilee in Ohio, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and Vermont this September before heading back down to North Carolina for their fall Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival in early October. Then they trek back up to West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland before returning to Live Oak, Florida for Magnolia Fest in late October.

They’ll be bringing The Herd out West starting with shows in Alabama, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona before a host of shows throughout California the first week of November. They complete the West Coast tour in Eugene, Portland, and Seattle and and then make their way back East.

Donna The Buffalo cap off the year celebrating in Florida with shows in Ft. Lauderdale and a three night New Year’s Eve run at Skipper’s in Tampa!  Stay tuned to facebook.com/donnathebuffalo and twitter.com/donnathebuffalo for updates, photos, and videos throughout the tour!

MoBoogie’s Video of the band performing
Tara’s new song “I Love My Tribe” at The Bluebird in Denver

Donna The Buffalo on Tour Fall & early Winter 2012:

Fri 9/21   Stanhope, NJ   Stanhope House
Sat 9/22  Syracuse, NY  Westcott Theatre *w/ Keller Williams
Sun 9/23   Williamsville, NY   Club Infinity
Thu 9/27   Collinsville, CT  Live @ Bridge Street Live
Fri 9/28   Saratoga Springs, NY  The Putnam Den
Sat 9/29  Burlington, VT  Higher Ground Showcase Lounge
Thu-Sun 10/4-7   Pittsboro, NC   Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival
Thu 10/11   Towsen, MD   Recher Theater
Fri 10/12   Jim Thorpe, PA   Mauch Chunk Opera House
Sat 10/13   Morgantown, WV  123 Pleasant Street
Sat-Sun  10/20-21   Live Oak, FL   Magnolia Fest
Tue 10/23   Mobile, AL   Alabama Music Box
Wed 10/24  New Orleans, LA  One Eyed Jacks
Sat 10/27   Austin, TX   Lambert’s
Mon 10/29   Albuquerque, NM   The Dirty Bourbon Dance Hall
Tue 10/30   Flagstaff, AZ   Orpheum Theatre
Wed 10/31  Los Angeles, CA  The Mint
Thu 11/1   San Diego, CA   Winston’s
Fri 11/2   Pioneertown, CA   Pappy and Harriet’s
Sat 11/3   San Francisco, CA   Slim’s
Sun 11/4   Santa Cruz, CA   Moe’s Alley
Mon 11/5   Mill Valley, CA   Sweetwater Music Hall
Wed 11/7   Sebastopol, CA   Hopmonk Tavern
Thu 11/8   Eugene, OR   WOW Hall
Fri 11/9   Portland, OR   Doug Fir Lounge
Sat 11/10   Seattle, WA   Tractor Tavern
Fri 11/23   Jamestown, NY  Crystal Ballroom *w/ Big Leg Emma
Sat 11/24   Pittsburgh, PA   The Rex Theater
Sat 12/1   Winston-Salem, NC   Ziggy’s
Wed 12/21   Rochester, NY   Water Street Music Hall *w/ Sim Redmond
Fri 12/28   Ft. Lauderdale   Revolution
Sat- Mon 12/29-31   Tampa, FL  Skipper’s Smokehouse
Wed-Fri, Jan 2-4, 2012  Key West, FL  The Green Parrot

More shows tbd…
Stay tuned to www.donnathebuffalo.com

WATCH a documentary made by The Herd: “Have Buffalo, Will Travel”

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E.Normus Trio Releases “Love and Barbiturates” at The LAB on Aug 2nd

The E.Normus Trio Local Record Release Party
Thursday, August 2, 2012
with J.Ray Goes Beatnik!
Back Stage at the LAB (The Lexington Ave Brewery)
Asheville, NC

On Thursday, August 2nd, E.Normus Trio will celebrate the release of their first record “Love and Barbiturates” with a live concert and video taping at the LAB.  J.Ray Goes Beatnik opens the show.

Born of a weekly Sunday jam session at the now-closed Joli Rouge in Asheville, North Carolina, the E. Normus Trio has been a project of Jay Sanders and Steve Alford since they met playing “Rhapsody in Blue” in 2007. Contrary to speculation, the group is not named for its exotic instrumentation and the ranges they provide, but is instead the pedigreed namesake of Alford’s sizeable leonberger, Norman E. Normus. As a puppy, Norman was a regular listener at those Sunday sessions.

Originally taking an almost whimsical approach to the bare bones horn/bass/drums jazz trio concept, the sound of the group began a major transformation with Sanders’ switch from acoustic bass to the N/S Stick, an 8-string multi-mode instrument that covers the ranges of both a bass and a guitar. At the heart of the huge sound generated by the group is Sanders’ ability to take on two roles at once, covering what would normally be played separately by both a bassist and guitar player. This “one brain controlling two voices,” as Alford calls it, creates an eerie effect in the sound, and results in a symbiosis that is simply unachievable with bass and guitar played individually. This nucleus paired with Alford’s vocalized and primal lead voice, six octaves of sweeping clarinet range, creates a sonic palette unlike any other trio out there. To this mix, add Michael W. Davis, who brings incredible jazz sensitivity coupled with huge power generated not by volume, but with an utterly superhuman control of the time.

Compared to many studio projects these days, Love and Barbiturates was recorded with very little overdubbing. The contra-bass clarinet and alto clarinet on “The Long Boots of Age” are an obvious example of studio magic, but amazingly enough the album is recreated live by the group with very little variance in texture and layering. The debate is still ongoing as to whether this is a jazz, rock, or soul record, or something new altogether. As music genre labels are generally the product of hindsight, that debate will be discussed and determined by others.

E.Normus Trio. Photo By Josh Rhinehardt

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MantraBash Music and Arts Festival ~ Taking it to the next level June 21-23!

MantraBash Music and Arts Festival-Taking it to the next level!
Presented by Stanlee Ventures, LLC featuring The Mantras of Greensboro NC.

MantraBash Music and Arts Festival is right around the corner! Being held on June 21st through the 23rd in the beautiful foothills of Ferguson, NC; this event is sure to make it to the top of your list when considering festivals this summer.

Watch The Mantras from last year’s FloydFest!

Robert Walter’s 20th Congress (with special guest, Galactic drummer Stanton Moore) performs live at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco, CA 2009. Get ready for the Robert Walter Trio at MantraBash!

Check out this Particle video from Saint Rocke 12-16-11

Despite the great music exposure, the feeling of happy vibes and intimacy are not always achieved when attending large events. MantraBash is sure to cure that! Capturing the wide variety of jam bands ranging from soulful-funk-rock to electric-folk-grass in the 3-day line-up, MantraBash will exceed your musical expectations while maintaining the comfortable family vibe, which is momentous for the perfect festival. Mantra Bash vending will include a selection of great food, as well as art and crafts.  Hot showers will also be available for public use for a small fee.

Take this opportunity to transcend your current festival experience. Your concept of the best festival in North Carolina will remain a microcosm compared to the MantraBash world to come.

www.mantrabash.com

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