Americana

The blues is deceptively simple, a framework really, upon which can be laid gold and silver, curlicues and cold hard insistent riffs, you know, the kind that lay down the law. I was on Bleecker Street in NYC a few weeks back at a club called Terra Blues, populated by Brit, German, and French tourists. It was exactly what you would expect from a downtown Greenwich Village Blues bar, way too small, way too many people, but the music washed over you with its heat and sensuality. The blues haunted me as a teenager. It hinted at the mysteries, of love and heartbreak, joy and sorrow. Because of that, I especially cherish the time I spent living in the south and getting to travel the Delta, furthering my understanding of where the blues came from. In April, I visited Louisiana State Penitentiary, which is bordered on three sides by the Mississippi River. I was there for the Angola rodeo, which was a trip unto itself. I will tell you about that soon. It is not a place you would want to try to escape from, bloodhounds on your trail. On the plane flying down to NOLA, I couldn't wait to feel the earth under my feet. Today, we offer a tune replete with the moss of the delta in its DNA, “Watching The Sun Go Down” from Kevin Gordon. I got to watch Kevin play this week, as he came to Hill Country Live in NY for a performance on Thursday. I can tell you it is great to have a home for his music in NYC, with so much Delta influence, as will it should be for this Louisiana native now living in Nashville. Music Fog captured this version of “Watching The Sun Go Down” at Americana Fest in 2011. -Jessie Scott

The significance of Northern Rock in the UK is likely not to have got much news coverage in the US, after all they had their own financial problems to deal with, so this is not a album attacking the UK financial fuck-ups (though there is the odd profanity in the songs). If you’re not familiar with the music of Eastbound Jesus via their excellent debut release Holy Smokes then theirs is a blend of alt-country, americana, bluegrass and country with a New York roots rock twist. Northern Rock follows in the footsteps of Holy Smokes combining stompers, hollers, laid back laments and irresistible foot tappers, the six-piece Greenwich based band are Adam Brockway (guitar), Carl Anderson (drums) Anderson (banjo) Dylan Robinson (guitar), Dave Wright (bass) and Zack Infante (lap steel, guitar, mandolin) all six members contribute to the vocals, recommend you kick back, crack open the JD and have a listen. Eastbound Jesus – Katie Belle Homepage Twitter

Arborea “Song For Obol” from Spork Productions on Vimeo.

15-year old indie songwriter Gal Musette from San Clemente, California began writing songs a couple years ago. Never having had any music lessons, she was driven to write music in great part due to her love for Stephin Merritt and the Magnetic Fields (as well as the music she loved from the classic movies shared from her Grandfather, i.e. Bing Crosby, Doris Day, Frank Sinatra, Irving Berlin, etc.). www.galmusette.com

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..More outstanding Folk-Americana FESTIVALS are here, including one that’s heavy on workshops and another that’s heavy on jamming, PLUS, there’s plenty MORE to do out ‘n about at the many concert venues. Let’s get started!.+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+.MUSIC FESTIVALS: The Guide’s updated listings (we add to this all the time...) +THIS WEEKEND’s MUSIC FESTIVALS:+• 8th-EVER LOS ANGELES OLD TIME SOCIAL (May 16-18, L.A.)• JOSHUA TREE ROOTS MUSIC FESTIVAL (May 17-19, Joshua Tree)• HENDERSON CRAWFISH FESTIVAL (May 17-19, near Las Vegas, Nevada)• DOHENY BLUES FESTIVAL (May 18-19, Doheny State Beach, Dana Point)• CALIFORNIA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL (May 18-19, Oxnard)• TOPANGA BANJO•FIDDLE CONTEST & FOLK FESTIVAL (May 19, Agoura Hills)+MUSIC FESTIVALS COMING UP SOON (and LATER): +• SWINGIN’ ON A RIFF BIG BAND JAZZ FESTIVAL (May 23-26, in L.A.)• SCOTTISH HIGHLAND GAMES (May 25 & 26, Costa Mesa)• SIMI VALLEY CAJUN & BLUES FESTIVAL (May 25 & 26, Simi Valley)• TOPANGA DAYS FESTIVAL (May 25-27, in Topanga)• LIVE OAK MUSIC FESTIVAL (Jun 14-16, NE of Santa Barbara)• HUCK FINN'S JUBILEE at its new Ontario, California venue (Jun 14-16, Ontario)• ROADSHOW REVIVAL JOHNNY CASH TRIBUTE FESTIVAL (Jun 14, Ventura)• CLAREMONT FOLK FESTIVAL (Jun 15, Claremont)• FRINGE FESTIVAL (Jun 20, Hollywood)• BIG BEAR COWBOY GATHERING (Jun 21-24, Big Bear)• LONG BEACH BAYOU FEST – 27th Annual (Jun 22-23, Long Beach)• NOHO MIDSUMMER NIGHTS COFFEE HOUSE & MUSIC FESTIVAL (Jul 20, North Hollywood)• CITRUS CLASSIC BALLOON FESTIVAL (hot air balloons, Jul 26-27, Santa Paula)• DAY OF THE COWBOY & COWGIRL (Jul 27, Autry Museum of the American West, L.A.)• WAVELENGTH FESTIVAL OF MUSIC (Aug 22-25, Costa Mesa)• CINECON 49 CLASSIC FILM FESTIVAL (Aug 29-Sep 2, Hollywood) +FESTIVALS ELSEWHERE:If you're headed EAST, there’s • KERRVILLE FOLK FEST (May 28-Jun 4, near Kerrville, Texas)• STRAWBERRY PARK CAJUN ZYDECO FESTIVAL (Jun 6-9, in Connecticut) • TELLURIDE BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL (40th annual, Jun 20-23, in Colorado)• WILDLIFE WEST FEST (Jul 20, in New Mexico)• NEWPORT FOLK FESTIVAL (Jul 26-29, in Newport, Rhode Island). +Up NORTH, there’s • NORTHWEST FOLK LIFE (May 23-27, in Seattle, Washington)• WATERFRONT BLUES FEST (Jul 4-7, in Portland, Oregon)+More info and more festivals added all the time... +AND check the Guide’s write-ups on each festival. Use our site's "search" function at the top of the “full web edition” page, or scroll to find ’em by the dates. Be sure you get tix before they sell-out – some will! We cover a LOT of details, but sometimes the link for a festival’s site has esoterica we didn’t have at press time, like provisions for jamming, where the best jams happen, early-bird discounts, volunteer opportunities that get you in free, extra-fare VIP seating, camping or lodging info, reserving shuttles / transport to avoid parking hassles, and more. . . . . ~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~ Saturday, May 18~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~ . .Saturday’s Sections:. 1) Saturday’s WORKSHOPS for ARTISTS2) Saturday’s FESTIVALS3) Saturday’s CONCERTS, CLUB GIGS, SHOWCASES, & other LIVE events . ~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~ . . 1) Saturday’s WORKSHOPS for ARTISTS:.Sat, May 18, WORKSHOP for ARTISTS:, in Hollywood:11 am-1 pm "MASTERCLASS IN FILM SCORING" with Award-Winning Composer SHARON FARBER, presented by Los Angeles Women on Music (LAWIM) at 6565 W Sunset Bl, Hollywood 90028. Reservations and info, www.lawim.com.+MASTERCLASS on scoring music for film, with an inspired artist and one of the most talented composers in the industry today, SHARON FARBER. She will cover (a) The role of Music in Films; (b) How Music for Film has changed throughout the years; (c) The Real Deal; (d) Starting Out; (e) Industry Relationships; (f) The State of the Industry; (g) Schedule / Budget; (h) Your Music Team Royalties; (i) The Emotional Business of this Business; (j) Q&A.+Sharon Farber was named the 2012 "VISIONARY AWARD IN MUSIC" winner by THE WOMEN'S INTERNATIONAL FILM & TV SHOWCASE, Composer Sharon Farber, orig

16 TRACK ALBUM BENEFITS THE WOMEN AND CANCER FUND REVIVER RECORDS ALBUM FEATURES AMERICANA ARTISTS PERFORMING THE SONGS OF SIR PAUL McCARTNEY On June 25, 2013 Reviver Records will release Let Us In Americana,its second album from the Let Us In series, which follows the success of 2011's Let Us In Nashville.Let Us In Americana features prolific Americana artists including Steve Earle, The Wood Brothers, Buddy Miller, Lee Ann Womack, Will Hoge and many more delving into a rich selection of songs written by Sir Paul McCartney and John Lennon. Each artist chose a composition to record and the proceeds will go to the Women And Cancer Fund, established in the memory of Linda McCartney. June 25th, the release day of Let Us In Americana, is a significant day in Beatles history. On that day in 1967, The Beatles performed "live" thanks to the BBC on the first global TV music special entitled, "Our World". It was viewed by over 400 million people spanning 26 countries and special guests during The Beatles performance included: Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton and Graham Nash.Fast forward to 2013, now 46 years later, with the release of Let Us In Americana. The 16 track album is distributed by BDG via RED Distribution and was primarily produced by Phil Madeira in Nashville. Let Us In Americana Tracklisting:The Wood Brothers - Come And Get ItBuddy Miller - Yellow SubmarineWill Hoge - Band On The RunJim Lauderdale - I'm Looking Through YouHolly Williams - My LoveTeddy Thompson - Let Me Roll It***Bruce Cockburn - Fool On The Hill**Ollabelle - Get Back**Lee Ann Womack - Let 'Em InSteve Earle & Allison Moorer - I Will***Rodney Crowell - Every Night*Matraca Berg - YesterdayKetch Secor - Give Ireland Back To The IrishSam Bush - I've Just Seen A FaceEd Snodderly - Uncle Albert/Admiral HalseyThe McCrary Sisters (Amy Helm, Fiona McBain & Allison Moorer) - Let It Be* track produced Rodney Crowell** tracks recorded in San Francisco*** tracks recorded in New YorkPre-Order Let Us In Americana: Amazon Let Us In on FacebookReviver Music

..More – as in, MUCH more, in a few hours – but we don’t want you to miss anything tonight!+Brace yourself for FESTIVALS! The 53rd annual “TOPANGA BANJO•FIDDLE CONTEST & FOLK FESTIVAL” happens Sunday May 19, the “6th Ever LOS ANGELES OLD TIME SOCIAL” is at mid-point, the annual “JOSHUA TREE ROOTS MUSIC FESTIVAL” goes through Sunday, the “DOHENEY BLUES FESTIVAL” is this weekend, there are WORKSHOPS, there are CONCERTS, Sunday’s Topanga Banjo Fiddle (etc) is heavy on jamming, and there is plenty more of EVERYTHING tuneful coming your way. Right NOW, this is a short single-day update, with only FRIDAY’s events. MUCH more in a few hours...~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~ Friday, May 17~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~ . .Friday’s Sections:. 1) Friday’s WORKSHOPS for ARTISTS2) Friday’s FESTIVALS3) Friday’s CONCERTS, CLUB GIGS, SHOWCASES, & other LIVE events . ~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~ . 1) Friday’s WORKSHOPS for ARTISTS:.Fri, May 17, WORKSHOP for ARTISTS:“CLAWHAMMER BANJO WORKSHOP” with DAN "CLAWDAN" LEVENSON in the Silverlake area of Los Angeles. This will be a skills-directed workshop where you can develop and refine such techniques as drop thumbing and working towards making a tune your own. This will be the only Clawhammer Banjo workshop led by Dan during this trip. Fee is $50. +Registration gets location and additional info, at http://clawdan.com/index.php?/products/silverlake_ ch_workshop/ or email Dan at clawdan@clawdan.com.. . . . -------- . 2) Friday’s FESTIVALS:.Fri, May 17; Fri-Sun, May 17-19, FESTIVAL, in Joshua Tree:Annual “JOSHUA TREE ROOTS MUSIC FESTIVAL” gets underway Friday, and it has a substantially different definition of “roots music” than we, in the acoustic folk-Americana world, have; the event has performances by PAPADOSIO, GANGA GIRI, BANG DATA, THE EGG, JANKA NABAY & THE BUBU GANG, ARTOFFICIAL, DOGON LIGHTS, M.A.K.U. SOUNDSYSTEM, LIBERATION MOVEMENT, THE MAIN SQUEEZE, RISING APPALACHIA, GLOBESONIC SOUND SYSTEM, JALIBA KUYATEH & THE KUMAREH BAND, MINER, ROBBI & KRIPA'S THIRD EAR EXPERIENCE, JELLY BREAD, MEXICO 68, WHOOLILICIOUS!, and IAN WINTERS, and it happens at 2601 Sunfair Rd, Joshua Tree 92252. . = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = . Fri, May 17; Thu-Sat, May 16-18, FESTIVAL, in L.A.: 8 pm “8th Ever LOS ANGELES OLD TIME SOCIAL” brings the second of three evenings and one whole day of performances, workshops, jams, dances, and “old time is good time” music to several venues in L.A. Though produced separately, it’s become the annual lead-in to Sunday’s TOPANGA BANJO•FIDDLE CONTEST & FOLK FESTIVAL, as well as a mighty fine event on its own. Produced by Los Angeles’ old time trio, TRIPLE CHICKEN FOOT, the festival is a hootin’ good time, with plenty of opportunities to learn from top players.+Here are the details for tonight’s 8 pm event, “AN EVENING OF OLD-TIME AMERICAN MUSIC” from top local and out of town musicians, at The Velaslavasay Panorama, 1122 W. 24th St, LA 90007.+The evening begins with Los Angeles-based KING BABY celebrating the release of their debut CD, then moves to the mandolin / violin & guitar duets of PAUL RANGELL & EMILY ABBINK of Santa Cruz, and things conclude (for tonight) with old time and country duo JESSE MILNES & EMILY MILLER, direct from West Virginia.+Concert admission is $20. Advance tix at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/358603+Brought together by a love for Old Timey dance, blues, and rag tunes from African-American musicians, KING BABY churns out hard driving dance tunes and jelly-legged jug numbers with a variety of instrumentations. MATT ORKIN, NICK BACHMAN, and KING BABY himself, JOSH ORKIN, are thrilled to welcome back from Pittsburgh founding band member MAX WARD for this performance. The band plays for square dances and performs regularly in one form or another in the L.A. area. They’d love for you to check out their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/kingbabyandson, and they promise to bring enough beards for everybody.+EMILY ABBINK & PAUL RANGELL play “social mus

Quietly affecting indie-folk from from West Virginian turned Seattleite singer-songwriter Pepper Proud, the thirteen self-penned tracks are beautifully embellished with violin, viola, cello and a smattering of trumpet that work alongside the more traditional instrumentation that one would expect to adorn music from Pepper’s home state. Buy at.