Today’s show features a variety of artists from the submission files. If you like what you hear — or perhaps don’t — please leave me your thoughts (vis a vis feedback) by clicking the tab on the right hand side of the page — or by visiting the voicemail page.
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The File Box
As I mentioned in the last episode of Audio Gumshoe, today’s show features a variety of artists from the submission files. Episode 156 will also feature a variety of artists, rather than the usual feature artist format. If you like what you hear — or perhaps don’t — please leave me your thoughts (vis a vis feedback) by clicking the tab on the right hand side of the page — or by visiting the voicemail page.
- Tall Cactus
- Cell Phone
- Oh Mother
- Whiskey Before Breakfast
- Hamlet Chicken Plant Disaster //
Equally at home at a beer joint or concert hall, the Bandits meld old-time, bluegrass, western swing and country with the sounds of string band instruments to create the “North Texas Skunkgrass” sound.
So, I get a submission from Brooks Kendall, Jr. of Flight Music Group telling me about this band out of Denton, Texas called Boxcar Bandits. I don’t listen to bluegrass music, typically, but as soon as I previewed these tracks I was hooked. This is just feel-good music. The fact that these are live tracks gives these selections even more vitality. The ambience of the club, the audience, and the stage conversation lends a feeling of “being there” that makes this a great listen.
Each of the songs on this episode is from the new album “Live from Dan’s Silverleaf” released in November by Boxcar Bandits. When you listen to the full album, you’ll hear the crowd enjoying the music, you’ll hear the band talking to each other, you’ll hear warts-and-all. And that’s what makes this a fun collection. Get a copy. If you’re in the Denton, Texas area — or near any of the venues listed on their show calendar — go hear them live. They play at Dan’s Silverleaf almost every Monday.
Here’s what Pegasus News recently had to say about the band:
…Denton band Boxcar Bandits played their own brand of music they like to call “skungrass.” The band is a revolving door of Denton musicians – including Paul Slavens – and the current lineup is guaranteed to get your boots stomping and your hands clapping. The band features a single snare drum and washboard played by RTB2’s Grady Don Sandlin, plus an upright bass, mandolin, fiddle, banjo, guitar, and some of the best vocal harmonies this side of the Red River.
Boxcar Bandits would be comfortable playing on a stage, a street corner, or a front porch. Their mixture of gospel, country, and bluegrass – or “fastgrass” as they call it – is exactly what was needed to get fans to the dance floor at the Boiler Room.
- This Is It
- Topsy Turvy
- In a Coffee Shop, When
- Talk About the Love
- Welcome to Your Love
Imagine a dinner party hosted by the Beatles, with a guest list that includes XTC, Squeeze, the Zombies and Kinks, Aimee Mann and Elvis Costello. Melodic, hook-driven songs with narrative lyrics. Retro and fresh. Drenched in harmony.
I first played Andy Stone’s music on Audio Gumshoe way back in March 2007. I had found a number of musicians that sounded to me to be “Beatle-esque.” The song “In a Coffee Shop, When” stuck in my head; I found myself humming and repeating the hooks and catchy melody time and again.
Fast-forward to Spring 2011. Andy contacted me to let me know of his new EP “This is It”. I listened to the tracks he submitted to the show and again found myself humming and singing the songs. His tunes are catchy. They nod toward a retro-pop sound, yet sound fresh and new. The production is solid and the lyrics will stick in your head better than most new releases today.
Andy has employed some solid vocalists for his projects. “In a Coffee Shop, When” exhibited the talents of Epic recording artist Danny Malone. I felt, at the time, that there was a true George Harrison quality to his delivery on the EP. Some people might remember Malone from his days as vocalist for Diving for Pearls — or for his work with Elliot Easton (from the Cars).
On the 2010 full-length album “You Don’t See Many of These Nowadays” Stone brought in the talents of some of Chicago’s finest vocalists: Phil Angotti, Mike Przygoda, and Tom Godsman, lead singer/songwriter for the Bethesda, MD based group Accidental Charm. I played the song “Talk About the Love” from this album.
“We don’t have the Beatles, but we have Andy Stone.”
-Adam Curry, host of The Daily Source Code, original MTV VJ
You’ll hear all three of the songs from Andy’s latest EP “This is It” on the show. Be sure to pick up a copy of the EP — and his other releases. You’ll find all of the links below.
I should mention, also, that Andy Stone is an author. He has two books to his credit. You can find information about both at his book page at AndyStoneOnline.
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Songs Played
- Time Will Heal
- Blood Eyes Sunrise
- U Without Me
- Set You Free
- More Than This
“I really enjoyed your music. You have a great voice and the chord structure of the chorus (Run Away) is very unique… Thank you for letting me listen.” – Jack Douglas – Producer (John Lennon, Aerosmith, New York Dolls, Miles Davis)
Kristian Jackson submitted his music to me after reaching out to Erk at ErkFM and Insomnia Radio: Australia. I couldn’t have been happier. Jackson’s album “Blood Eyes Sunrise” is one of the finest independent productions I’ve heard this year. As a multi-instrumentalist, he brings a wealth of talent to the album, not only as the singer-songwriter, but as a performing artist. Production by Sean Carey (Thirsty Merc) is top notch.
Kristian talks about his music on his site bio:
“There’s no reason why popular music can’t be both interesting and accessible. I’m trying to make music with enough depth to sustain the interest of the most discerning listener while simultaneously capturing the heart of a mass audience.”
If you live in Sydney, Australia, you’ve like already heard him perform. If not, you must find out when he will be on stage. He’s a regular participant on the local music scene; you can find his show schedule at his ReverbNation profile. Be sure to also follow him at all the regular social haunts. The links are included in this post. You can also follow his latest news on his blog.
This would typically be the point where I would wax on about the performer’s skills, their style, or my thoughts on the music. I can’t really do much more than to recommend that you listen to this show — and purchase Kristian Jackson’s album “Blood Eyes Sunrise” using one of the links below. If you enjoy it as much as I, you’ll be glad that you did.
Before you go: Let me tell you about a cool site for both musicians and listeners alike. TheStage.tv is the “world’s open mic”. I’ve been visiting the site from time to time, to listen and to play. Musicians from all around the world get together in an open mic format to share their talent, try new tunes, get critique, and to just have a great time.
Here’s some info direct from the site:
TheStage.tv is a one-of-a-kind live video open mic format where audience feedback determines how long a performer takes control of TheStage.
TheStage.tv was developed by entrepreneurs who love the arts and entertainment and want to give web audiences the power to share real-time feedback with performers. As well, we did our best to replicate the experience of a contemporary venue where performers can hear the audience cheer, as if they were really performing. And just like in Vaudeville, the audience can still throw them a gold coin! The patent-pending queuing process of TheStage.tv allows an audience to interact with performers like never before!
Creators and staff of TheStage.tv are wonderfully appreciative of EVERYONE who has performed (and will perform) on TheStage.tv, and hope we contribute positively to your performance enjoyment. For audiences, we hope you enjoy our merging of entertainment and the “real-time web” to create a fun and addicting form of entertainment.
They are trying to reach more than 100 viewers/listeners at a time before the year ends. Give it a try!
The patent-pending queuing process of TheStage.tv allows an audience to interact with performers like never before!
