Fine Line: 'New Releases' Section

PS- the New Science Projects’ new album, Crocodile is freakin’ AWESOME! —– much more on this video, the album, et al a bit later….

“Time is Passing.mp3″ by Daniel Folmer

So like that wickedly awesomely talented Daniel Folmer just dropped a fresh new disc. I may not know much, but I do know that this kid rocks and from what I’ve heard from the new album, it’s a keeper.

Check out more tunes here. Also, scoot your ass to The Chat Room this eve for a live performance, along with other greatnesses, Sarah Jaffe, Robert Gomez and those darling Heartstring Strangler kids.

It seems that tonight’s showcase was a tad overbooked - everyone listed above is still performing, sans Daniel. HOWEVER, you can still catch Daniel at Strawberry Fields getthehellouttatheoldlocation party tomorrow, Saturday, May 31st. Dammit. I really picked the wrong weekend to leave town.

Daniel Folmer’s new album A New Leaf is available now on Gutterth Records. Focusing in and out of a relationship, he uses pop songs to emote distant sentiment, romance, joy and frustration. The album was recorded on quarter inch reel to reel during two sessions with Justin Collins (Centromatic, Doug Burr, Robert Gomez, Record Hop) and mastered by Matthew Barnhart (Shearwater, Baptist Generals, The New Year), at the Echo Lab and Satisfactory Studios.

Artwork Courtesy of the Boy-Child

I’m off down I-35 this weekend to haul the girl-child back to Austin and get her settled into her new digs. So no shows fer me, but plenty for you...

Double Wide
Thursday - The Jungle Rockers / Sawed Off Sick
Friday - The Heelers

Fallout Lounge
Thursday - Lost Generation w/Wanz Dover
Friday - The Fever w/DJ El Macho & DJ C MacPhie

City Tavern
Thursday - Taylor Davis
Friday - Grant Jones & the Pistol Grip Lassos / Mike Mathis Band / Band of Annuals

Opening Bell
Thursday - Derisory, I Am
Friday - Fate Lions / Elle / Annabella
Saturday - Fishing for Comets / Billygoat Brink (wish I could be at this show)

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Tim Miller - “Adelaide”

I can’t recall precisely how I first met Tim Miller, but I do know ’twas awhile back. Cuz one time I was doing a live audio stream at the Green Room for Kirtland Records, and like I ran into Tim there and I particularly remember that night cuz Cary Pierce was performing and he asked me to watch the door for him while he changed…heh.

Anyhoo, Tim’s got a spankin’ new album just out, Adelaide, and he’s gonna drop it like it’s hot this coming Saturday, May 31st at The Loft.

Joining Tim on stage that night, the amazing Jonathan Tyler & the Northern Lights and Electric Touch. Es muy bueno, like buttah.

Recorded onto tape, Tim Miller’s Adelaide is an example of emotionally- charged, mature songwriting. Produced by Chris Bell (Erykah Badu, Polyphonic Spree, Eagles) and mastered by Adam Ayan (Rolling Stones, Bob Marley, Phish, Ani DiFranco), Adelaide features Tim Miller’s honest and soothing voice performing melodic folk rock songs in a style similar to singer/songwriters, James Blunt and Ari Hest. Out Of The Box (2004) established this Dallas based singer/songwriter as an artist with a raw, honest approach and since Miller’s music has been licensed by MTV’s My Super Sweet 16, Real World, Road Rules, and The Challenge, and Tom Green’s film Shred II.

Adelaide is a collection of meaningful, slow-medium folk rock songs. While listening to this album, you get the feeling that any of these songs could easily be in a soundtrack during the turning point of a film. Miller’s guitars and vocals blend together effortlessly while the organ and piano perfectly compliment the basic folk rock sound of the album. Instead of keeping with the usual acoustic guitar and piano set-up that most folk rock musicians use, Miller brings in an organ on some songs, which makes the album stand out and creates an overall fuller sound. “Say Hello” is one of the album’s faster-paced rock songs that showcase this full organ sound, in addition to a melodic bridge and break down of electric guitar and voice. “Let’s Go” and “Another Day in the Life” are two additional solid, medium-tempo rock songs that move the album along nicely with catchy rock guitars and strong vocals. The rest of the album is slower-paced, folk rock ballads, including “Whom Am I,” an emotional song with dreamy acoustic guitars, dramatic piano and introspective lyrics. “Man Overboard,” another slower-paced rock folk song, features one of the album’s most catchy guitar riffs. In “Let us End,” Miller sings colorful harmonies, creating a soulful feel that reveals the depth of his vocal abilities. “Four Leaf Clover” brings in the mandolin and steel guitar to give the listener a taste of country. “This Life” features both a catchy piano and keyboard that give the song an ambiance of driving through the country at sunset.

Adelaide is an album of listenable instrumentation and dynamic songwriting. Tim Miller is definitely here to stay and I wouldn’t be surprised if very soon we start hearing his songs in more mainstream outlets.

~Erik Bruno - Muzik Reviews

The Loft
Friday - Treasure Fingers / Kill the Noise
Saturday - Tim Miller CD Release / Jonathan Tyler & the Northern Lights / Electric Crush

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Poor David’s Pub
Friday - Randy MacAllister
Saturday - Brice Beaird / Mark Wayne Glasmire / Elizabeth Wills

Lee Harvey’s
Thursday - DJ MC 900 Ft. Jesus
Friday - DJ Sista Whitenoise / Oliver’s Army
Saturday - DJ Sista Whitenoise / Boys Named Sue
Sunday - DJ EZ Eddie D

House of Blues
Friday - Local Music Showcase w/Kristin Leigh / Meridain West / Calhoun / Odis
Saturday - Old 97’s / Hayes Carll

The Cavern
Thursday - Scarily Terrible / Peace Corpse / Falkens Maze / Farah
Friday - The Frontier Brothers / Orange Peel Sunshine / The Ramonalisas / Ian Axel
Saturday - The Hope Trust / Leo Rondeau / Heidi Leigh Spencer
Sunday - Ricki Derek

Zubar
Friday - The Party / Cultura Fina

Granada Theater
Thursday - Black Angels / Brothers & Sisters / True Widow
Friday - Cory Morrow / Rich O’toole / Mo Robson
Saturday - Eleven Hundred Springs / Big Smith / The King Bucks

Lakewood Bar & Grill
Friday - Catdaddies / Aranda / Brian Wright / Sally Jaye / Macon Greyson
Saturday - Dustin Morris & Greenstar Band / Mike & the Moonpies / Somebody’s Darling / Salute

Tipperary Inn
Friday - Bandmates

Green Elephant
Friday - Funk Dirtyy
Saturday - Dub Assembly

Hank’s
Thursday - Jason Boland & the Stragglers
Friday - Doug Moreland
Saturday - Mark David Manders

Obzeet
Thursday - Colin Boyd

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I’m a lumberjack and I’m okay…

Yup, it’s that time again. Lumberjack Fest IV will rock yo’ ass all day and into the night on Saturday, May 31, 2008. I’m quite p.o.’d that I ain’t gonna be in town…but don’t let that stop you’ns.

It’s goin’ down at Dan’s in Denton and starts ’round 2 pm. See below.

Proceed will go to the Denton Humane Society and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Walk!

Dan’s Silverleaf
Thursday - Tenacious ROot / DJ Craig-Mon / Texas Coalition to Abolith the Death Penalty Benefit w/Sara Hickman
Friday - Centro-matic / South San Gabriel
Saturday Lumberjack Fest IV w/The Make Believers / Mauve X / Deep Snapper / Low Dosage / Pinebox Serenade / A.M. Ramblers / PVC Street Gang / Gun Gun / The Heelers
Sunday - Free Music Sundays with Starhead / Dark Valley Harvesters / Fancy Fist
Monday - Paul Slavens

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Hailey’s - The Logic / Hallelucination / Febrifuge
Saturday - DJ G & the Gang

Rubber Gloves
Thursday - Vortexas / Mr. Dibbs / Rob Viktum
Friday - The Night Game Cult / Silk Stocking / White Bitch / Vioent Squid
Saturday - Margot & the Nuclear So & So’s / Matthew & the Arrogant Sea / Red Monroe

715 Panhandle
Friday - Marked Men / Teenage Cool Kids / Total Abuse / Back Sabbath

8.0
Thursday - The Burning Hotels / Chomsky / The Frontier Brothers / Titan Mon - 6:30 pm

The Aardvark
Thursday - Los Super Vatos / 281 South / The Dallahachie / Brothers / Terrible Secret of Space
Friday - Myers Brothers / Matt Cliff / Greg Schroeder / John Guns
Saturday - Asylum Street Spankers / Matt the Electrician

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The Chat Room is the place to be this weekend with a stellar line-up of many FineLineLiveLoved bands.

Now see here…

The Chat Room
Friday - Sarah Jaffe / Robert Gomez / The Heartstring Stragglers
Saturday - The Baptist Generals / Band of Annuals / Matthew & the Arrogant Sea

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The Fairmount
Thursday - Michael Fracasso / Mike Kelley
Friday - Josh Abbott Band / Charlie Shafter Band
Saturday - Dale Watson / Eric Hisaw
Sunday - James Nored / Dave Eaves

Fred’s
Thursday - Scott Copeland
Friday - Fatty Lumpkin
Saturday - Stephen Pointer Band
Sunday - Jenny Kerr

Lola’s
Thursday - Great American Novel / Pretty Baby / Browningham
Friday - Pablo & the Hemphill 7 / Darth Vato / The Me-Thinks / Uzi / Warchild
Saturday - Local H / Lions / Max Cady

The Moon Bar
Friday - Peach Truck Republic
Saturday - Whiskey Folk Ramblers

Scat Lounge
Thursday - Reverend Organ Drum
Friday - The Texas Gypsies
Saturday - Ricki Derek

White Elephant
Thursday - Ed Burleson
Friday - Kyle Hunt Band
Saturday - Kevin Deal
Sunday - Jordan Mycoskie / Kurt South / Houston Marchman

Woody’s Tavern
Friday - Micky & the Motorcars / Stephen Pointer
Saturday - Hazaard / Greg Schroeder

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In-Stores

Bill’s Records
Saturday - The Opium Symphony - 4 pm - free

Good Records
Saturday - Old 97’s - 1 pm - Local H - 3 pm

Strawberry Fields
Saturday - SeeyalaterWestOak Party

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Radio…

Friday

89.3 KNON - Rocket Radio - “underground electronic and dark music from the North Texas area and around the world”
Midnight ’til 4 am

Saturday

KTCU 88.7 - Radio Sputnik
Tune in at noon!

89.3 KNON - The Dungeon - hard rock, punk, metal and lots from our local unsigned bands
Midnight ’til 4 am

Sunday

The Local Show on KDGE 102.1 The Edge with the always hot ‘n hunky Chris Ryan - Tune in at 9:00 PM

The Front Porch on 99.5 The Wolf with the better ‘n buttah Justin Frazell - 6:00 PM

The Good Show on KTCU - 88.7 FM with my fave 3 2 stooges Tom U. Tony Diaz - starts at 9:00 PM.

90.1 at Night with my mentor Paul Slavens - 8-10 PM

Uncut with DJ Steve Nice - The absolute best in local Rap/Hip-hop/R&B 11 PM - K104 FM

89.3 KNON - Pagan Holiday - Open playlist, call in your requests! Lots of Indi and local rock.
Midnight ’til 4 am
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Artsy-Fartsy

The artwork and music are not of this world… or are they? Is the surreal nature of dreams and fantasy from another plane of existence, or are they here in plain sight? The artists and musicians participating in Existence Is Elsewhere all explore what may or may not be imagined.

Existance Is Elsewhere is a one night only event featuring raw local talent of artists Nick Bradford, Lets Kish, Jason Barnett, Kunst, Alison Welsh, Larry Carey, Janelle Tohill and Loren V. Era. Music by Yells At Ells and SUBkommander.

Musical performances to begin around 9pm.

Avenue Arts
Saturday, May 31
8 pm

CADD Art Fair May 30 – June 1
333 First Avenue :: Dallas, TX 75227 :: 214.826.0467

threethreethreefirstavenue.com

FAIR HOURS AND ADMISSION INFORMATION

>>PURCHASE TICKETS HERE<<

Friday.05.30.08
7:00-10:00 pm :: Preview Party $45 in advance :: $60 at the door
9:45-11:00 pm :: Austin band, Shapes Have Fangs performing in the pavillion

Saturday.05.31.08
12:00-8:00 pm :: General Admission $10 (good for SAT & SUN)
2:00-3:00 pm :: Keynote Speaker, booksigning featuring
Paige West, author of The Art of Buying Art and founder of Mixed Greens, NY

Sunday.06.01.08
12:00-5:00 pm :: General Admission $10 (good for SAT & SUN)
2:00-3:00 pm :: New Media Panel featuring
Lauren Cornell (Rhizome, The New Museum), Paul Slocum (director And/Or Gallery, artist), Kevin Bewersdorf (artist, filmmaker, musician), Todd Simmons (Austin Museum of Digital Art), moderated by Noah Simblist (SMU)

3:30-4:30 pm :: Care and Conservation Panel featuring
John T. Campbell (The Nasher Sculpture Center), Lyzanne Gann (conservator of photographs), Shannon Phillips and Tish Brewer (The Center for Art Conservation), moderated by Cheryl Vogel (Valley House Gallery)

I’m going to defer to my dear friend over at the Sub-Rosa for all your art-going needs. The chick knows her sh*t. Use her site often.

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Tonight you can hang with those Eleven Hundred Springs boys in celebration of their new album, Country Jam, droppin’ at midnight. DJ Burlap will spin…the rest of the band will grin….Fillmore Pub is da’ place to be.

The band performed a song off the new album Saturday and I happened to be there with a camera…

In case you ain’t done noticed, I’ve got a couple of contributors to this joint. One kid, Jeff Mues is a music lover and likes to go to shows and likes to write about ‘em afterwards and I’m glad to have him around…

“Crystal Beach Memories” by Hayes Carll

Hayes Carll and Three Guys from Jersey, a Weekend Music Review

Yesterday, April 14 was my father’s birthday. So of course, I spent some time agonizing over what to buy the man. Nose hair-trimmers? Framed photo of me for his office? A week on a Caribbean beach-front resort? Ultimately, I realized that trimmers could be considered an insult to personal hygiene, a photo of me could scare his clients, and a week’s vacation … yeah right, dream on Dad. But there had to be something I could get him that didn’t scream “hey you have a forest growing out of your nose,” right?

Of course there was. Music. My dad introduced me to the likes of Jim Croce, John Prine, Harry Chapin, Jackson Browne via his record collection. Returning the favor, I had started introducing my pops to some songwriters in recent years that have now become favorites of his… Stayton Bonner, James McMurtry, Paul Thorn among them.

So I decided on his birthday this year, I would send him Hayes Carll’s new record, Trouble in Mind, which I had decided to pick up at Bill’s Records during the CD release / in-store shindig, that took place last Friday. I’d heard some of the tracks already and loving what I’d heard, I was anxious to hear them live so I was resolved to fight the traffic from the Park Cities down to Southside Lamar for dad’s gift.

I probably missed a couple of songs due to the fact that I topped out at 6 mph on the freeway. But I got there in time for a fantastic tune inspired by the town of Conway, Arkansas, called “Faulkner Street”, followed by “I got a gig” a bluesy song that Carll attributes to days spent chasing down gigs in the gulf-coast town of Crystal Beach. Hayes rounded out the set with a couple of ready-for-the-weekend-boozing tunes in “Drunken Poet’s Dream” and “Wild as a Turkey,” two stand out tracks that sounded fabulous live.

Those 4 songs, not more than 20 minutes worth of music, were honestly some of the best new live music I’d heard in a long while. I picked up two copies of the record, got them signed, and found the CD came with a copy of Hayes Carll, In The Search for Ooga Kabooga Juice, a zany limited edition book with zanier comic-book art. So Dad gets one of those as well. Lucky man he is … should make him forget all about that trip he didn’t get to St. Barth’s.

So at 6:40 Friday evening, I’d been off work less than an hour and had accomplished a lot. If I hadn’t seen any more music the rest of the weekend, I’d have been a happy camper but to my surprise, I’d found my fiancé had won a gold parking pass at work for the Bruce Springsteen show at the AAC. Mind you, I didn’t have tickets but we figured we couldn’t let that primo parking pass go to waste. And when I see primo, I mean you actually park under the AAC center – like where the millionaires park.

So I did what any reasonable man would do and checked Craigslist and eBay and found the marketplace was flooded with tickets so I got two tickets on eBay for $49.95, a good $120 under face value. Problem solved. When Ashley decided she wasn’t up for it come Sunday, I considered not going momentarily but then I remembered it was the eve of my father’s birthday … 2 things about my pops I should mention 1) he’s from New Jersey where Springsteen is the officially endorsed religion and 2) he loves live music and of course, Bruce. So I had to go to the show for him.

A little wheeling and dealing later, and I’d sold a ticket for $40 to a guy walking his dog outside the AAC center, putting my cost at $10. Let’s just say I got my money’s worth. 2.5 hours worth. Who cares that my seats were no good? I didn’t bother to check them out as I had my sights on some prime vacant real estate in the lower bowl.

The Boss was so good that I didn’t even mind when Bon Jovi appeared out of thin air to share vocal duties on “Glory Days.” While I’m generally anti-anything Bon Jovi, even arena-league football, anyone from New Jersey got a pass that day. Again, for my pops. I hope he enjoys his CD and gets a chance to see Hayes Carll before he’s on the arenas-named-after-airlines tour circuit and people are calling him “the boss.” It shouldn’t be too long now.

Springsteen AAC 4/13/08 Setlist:

Tenth Avenue Freeze-out / Radio Nowhere / Lonesome Day / Gypsy Biker / Magic / Trapped / Reason to Believe / Prove It All Night / Because the Night / She’s the One / Livin’ in the Future / The Promised Land /Girls in Their Summer Clothes / Independence Day / Devil’s Arcade / The Rising / Last to Die / Long Walk Home / Badlands

Encore:
Meeting Across the River / Jungleland / Born to Run / Glory Days / Dancing in the Dark / American Land

I love it when I find out about super-terrific-tunes available for download, first thing in the morning:

VOL 1:
A Childlike Fear - In the Cabin
AABBB - Chastushka
Matthew and the Arrogant Sea - Let’s Disappear
Adrian Hulet - The Autry Museum Has Gone
Austin Jinks - Well, There You Have It
Baloon Salon - Docu-hamas
Druggist - Safe at Home
Bishop ‘Conrad’ Power - Geese Eggs
Chief Silverfish Etc - Within Love, Without Love
Domenic Ferraro - The Only Man With Any Problems
Dylan O’Riley - Revelrie
Febrifuge - If Not Sleeping
Eaton Lake Tonics - You’re Eternal Soul Will Be Fine
Fuzzy Coos - Be Sweet to Me
Heartstring Stranglers - Le Boucherie de Henri
J Gray - What Falls From the Sky
Joey Kendall - Eat Your Wife and Kiss the Barbecue
Junngulingus - Ahbles Fierce
Austin Jinks - Well, There You Have It
Childrens Letters to God - Actual Executions
New Science Projects - Roll Thunder
Ryan Thomas Becker - I Think We’re Calculating the Nucleus
Scene Girls - No One Hates You, Jenny
The International - The Anti-Apocaplystic Manifesto
Tyler Rougeux - Down The Kitchen Walls

…es muy bueno…

Rahim Quazi has been a long-time-very-good-friend. We met way back when he was in the band OhNo and quickly grew to love each other. Rahim is ’bout ready to drop a new album, Supernatural, here in the next couple of weeks, so in celebration, I decided to make him the above gift…enjoy…

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I dunno how long it’s been here, but the boy-child decided to up and clean his room yesterday, which produced a package addressed to me from Glurp Records. Took me about 2 seconds to remove the contents and place it into my ‘puter’s CD thing-a-ma-jiggy. Oh joy. Sweet sweet joy. ‘Twas the, not-yet-released, newborn, Getting to the Point is Beside It from I Love Math…

Dufilho (also the front-man for the Deathray Davies and drummer for The Apples in Stereo), says “Mostly, I wanted to write and record a very straightforward album. I wanted it simple, to the point, and didn’t want to hide behind effects, pedals, distortion, studio tricks or irony.

Drummer Philip Peeples agrees, saying, “On this record, I really enjoyed keeping it simple, playing into the songs, not through them. Also, John and Jason are amazing drummers, something that’s never far from my mind.”

This divine new album was recorded at Pleasantry Lane Studio (you should go take a look at the pics of this kick-ASS studio) and will become available in May, 2008. Meantime…I’ll let the music do the talkin’…PS - I was fiddlin’ with the sound in the beginning and my dog, Speck, decided to go on a barking rampage a bit into this quick listen…

Here’s a clever little video for the track, “Josephine Street” by I Love Math…look for Getting to the Point is Beside It to hit stores in May 2008.

Me brother from another mother has been bizzy, bizzy, bizzy, what with his crazy SXSW shenanigans, to his towed-off night with Lesley Tellez. So it’s a wonder that he found time to top off his weekly Liner Notes…

•Denton band Record Hop (who appeared on Quick’s cover a couple of days ago) will make copies of its new self-titled CD available next Thursday at its CD release show at Dan’s SilverLeaf in Denton. But those of us who saw the band’s official showcase at South by Southwest were lucky enough to grab a free copy, hot off the press. Check out the insane artwork by Nevada Hill, with individual lyric sheets inside that feature photos by Hop drummer Tony Wann. This is why you shouldn’t download albums…read the rest.

In case you forgotteded, Hunter also had a sweet interview with Record Hop and you should read it, lest your pals’ll think you all lame and sh*t.

‘Memember when I said Lesley towed-off Hunter? Go here for the splendid details.

Check out the interview with the always delightful Laura Palmer too.

The Battle of the Bands has reached the final stage…and you’ll need to go here this afternoon to place your vote for your pick for the victor.

Finally, be sure and check Movie Time with Pikahsso and Tahiti…this week it’s Horton Hears a Who…and there’s a quick plug for Denglish too.

Hey man, if Pikahsso and Tahiti get some face time, then shouldn’t Picnic too? The answer is hell to the yeah!

Picnic and Richmond on Denglish

We’re launching a new series here at The Fine Line, “!0 Minutes (or so) With…” in which we do live video “interviews” and such — keeping them 10 minutes or less in time. Our first one outta the chute…

Me here at FineLineLive.com headquarters have had a mad passion for Cas Haley and his band Woodbelly for like a really really really long time. Me here at FineLineLive.com headquarters spent many, many a night at the Curtain Club (mostly) watching Woodbelly perform, always in complete and utter awe at Cas’ talent and his amazing voice.

So it was an absolute honor to get to spend some time with Cas last week. Cas found himself in the national spotlight when landing a spot on America’s Got Talent, and nearly pulled off the #1 spot and a million-bucks - but second place ain’t so bad either.

Cas Haley, the runner-up of NBC’s summertime hit series, “America’s Got Talent,” made his much-anticipated international debut with an iTunes exclusive album release February 14th, and it’s already climbed the charts as the top-selling Reggae album.

The 26-year-old Texas native, who captivated viewers from across the nation and abroad with his unique reggae-infused sound, brings his signature style to a wider audience with the introduction of his self-titled studio album. The release features several original songs, as well as a couple Haley made popular when he performed them on the televised talent competition, which showcased an array of hopeful performers vying for a $1-million grand prize. These songs include several originals, Haley’s rendition of the Commodores’ “Easy”, as well as acoustic and full-band versions of the Police’s “Walking on the Moon”. And while the album can only currently be purchased through Apple’s iTunes store as DRM-free, high-complexity files, plans are in the works for a more conventional CD release further down the line.

As one of the album’s first singles, “Walking on the Moon” features presentation of the song that’s true to the inaugural performance he made when he first introduced himself to the world.
The other single from the album, “I Wish That I”, is a unique blend of pop/reggae and is the perfect introduction to Haley’s greatest talents of all – his songwriting and lyricism. As well, this song is a great example of the vocal versatility Haley demonstrates often on the album as he crosses genres, from blues to pop to reggae.

In a bold move and with the support of his manager Griffin Guess, the album’s executive producer and founder of Los Angeles-based Cartel Management, Haley decided to release the album as an independent artist without the support of a major label. Since the final episode of “America’s Got Talent” aired, he has been hard at work showcasing his talent through performances across the country. These include a week long stint in Branson, Mo., and an appearance during the halftime show of the Dallas,Cowboys’ home season opener in front of a sold-out crowd at Texas Stadium.

He also plans to travel the country and play many more shows to come, including a March 22 appearance at the Avalon Theater in Hollywood, Calif.

Friday, March 14th
Granada Theater
Cas Haley & Woodbelly CD Release w/ Fishing for Comets / Jah Roots
Doors at 7 PM
Purchase Tickets

Technology-wise, yesterday at Strawberry Fields was a wash. I would, however, like to thank those of you who stuck around the chat room…dunno why you did, cuz when I arrived home and listened to the recordings, I was appalled. Worst audio I’ve ever recorded…or even heard.

However, just being-there-wise, it was gold…GOLD BABY! The bands were tre’ magnifique. Oh, and just an FYI….the new Record Hop album, due out March 27th (fingers-crossed), is going to kick so many asses that we may find ourselves in an ass-free society.

Just to further my technology frustrations and fuel my growing panic-attack that SXSW is a mere 2 days away, Flickr won’t upload the photos we took yesterday. WTF? However, I did pull one little gem outta my ass….click above…

Ya’ll come on back today at 3:30 PM if’n you wanna check out Cas Haley live at Tomcast Studios. We’ll go live (video streaming) to chat with Cas about his adventures on America’s Got Talent, as well as his new release and the whaddup in CasWorld.

You’ll find a chat room under the video box, so feel free to jump in and ask Cas any ol’ thang you wanna!

Cas Haley, the runner-up of NBC’s summertime hit series, “America’s Got Talent,” made his much-anticipated international debut with an iTunes exclusive album release February 14th, and it’s already climbed the charts as the top-selling Reggae album.

The 26-year-old Texas native, who captivated viewers from across the nation and abroad with his unique reggae-infused sound, brings his signature style to a wider audience with the introduction of his self-titled studio album. The release features several original songs, as well as a couple Haley made popular when he performed them on the televised talent competition, which showcased an array of hopeful performers vying for a $1-million grand prize. These songs include several originals, Haley’s rendition of the Commodores’ “Easy”, as well as acoustic and full-band versions of the Police’s “Walking on the Moon”. And while the album can only currently be purchased through Apple’s iTunes store as DRM-free, high-complexity files, plans are in the works for a more conventional CD release further down the line.

As one of the album’s first singles, “Walking on the Moon” features presentation of the song that’s true to the inaugural performance he made when he first introduced himself to the world.
The other single from the album, “I Wish That I”, is a unique blend of pop/reggae and is the perfect introduction to Haley’s greatest talents of all – his songwriting and lyricism. As well, this song is a great example of the vocal versatility Haley demonstrates often on the album as he crosses genres, from blues to pop to reggae.

In a bold move and with the support of his manager Griffin Guess, the album’s executive producer and founder of Los Angeles-based Cartel Management, Haley decided to release the album as an independent artist without the support of a major label. Since the final episode of “America’s Got Talent” aired, he has been hard at work showcasing his talent through performances across the country. These include a week long stint in Branson, Mo., and an appearance during the halftime show of the Dallas,Cowboys’ home season opener in front of a sold-out crowd at Texas Stadium.

He also plans to travel the country and play many more shows to come, including a March 22 appearance at the Avalon Theater in Hollywood, Calif.

Check out this video: Erykah Badu MySpace Release Dallas, Texas 2.25.08

If there’s one thang Ms. Erykah Badu can do ’sides sing’n'write’n'perform’n'give back to her community…this girl knows how to throw some hella record release parties.

Darling Liles notified me about the above video (courtesy of MySpace) which follows Erykah, from start to finish, in her Dallas record release ( Nu Amerykah Part 1: The Fourth World War) last week. I was at Bill’s for the start, front and center, so I feel rather akin to the kids interviewed since we spent a solid 5 hours staring at each other. That menacing dude behind Erykah with the orange shirt and leather jacket was the guy who told us to turn off our cameras…I’d pretty much do most anything he told me to do…enjoy.

Since the boy-child picked up a guitar about 5 years ago, I’ve spent many a night in all-ages clubs. Many, many, many a night. Most notably, The Door. The boys managed to land quite a few gigs at the Door, which meant that I, as their roadie, would soon call it home.

The only time I’ve been in the Door’s new location (the former Gypsy Tea Room), since the change, was for Art Conspiracy. Tonight might be my second.

I have to admit, that if someone walked up to me right now and said Asleep at the Wheel and Deadman are performing tonight in Dallas, I would have replied, “oh really? Where? Sons? Poor David’s? The Granada?” Nope, the Door. Which, by the way, is a perfect spot for this crazy-ass-Grammy-winning-Texas-Swing band to perform, cuz there’s plenty of boot-scootin’ room.

Over the course of the last 37 years, Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel have boldly defied the fickle lures of the mainstream — and thrived — by sticking to their noble cause of keeping that distinctly American of art forms, western swing, alive and kicking. Along the way, they’ve been awarded nine Grammys, entertained millions and won praise and admiration from the likes of Willie Nelson to Bob Dylan, George Strait to Van Morrison. Asleep at the Wheel has been called the “post-modern kings of western swing,” and given their storied history, it is a title that few would question.

Asleep at the Wheel is an American musical institution: a kinship of like-minded musicians (over 80 members to date) united under Benson’s crusade to carry the torch of big band western swing music into the 21st century. Case and point is the latest lineup, which is not only spectacularly talented but also noticeably youthful. As Ray reflects, “It is amazing to me at this point in 2006 compared to 1970 when I started the band. My whole intent was to bring the music back to my generation. We’ve done what we set out to do and it’s just grown. Now, we have a whole new generation doing it, and we have a whole new band.”

The result is the brand new CD Reinventing the Wheel, the first feature release from the band in seven years and a fitting title for the band’s return to its roots, albeit with some fresh faces. As newest member and vocalist Elizabeth McQueen suggests, “…it’s come full circle and it’s back to that original review concept of Asleep at the Wheel, with lots of different styles of music and different singers trading off, which makes it really great.” –John Wooley

Another FineLineFave, Heather Knox, was supposed to perform tonight too, but a MySpace bulletin is circulating that she’s had to cancel. Sucks for me. However, what we still have here kiddies, is a top-notch show…

Friday, February 29th
The Door
Deadman / Asleep at the Wheel
7:30 PM - $25.00

Just across the hall, over at the Prophet Bar, they are hosting a Benefit Concert honoring the late Larry Norman, who recently passed away due to a heart related problems…

One of the pioneers of Contemporary Christian music, Larry Norman has remained a stubbornly independent artist for more than three decades. Best known for such gospel-infused rock tunes as “I Wish We’d All Been Ready” and “Why Don’t You Look Into Jesus,” he has recorded an impressive body of work that combines witty topical statements of faith with an expert sense of pop/rock songwriting. Beyond his own performing career, Norman has sponsored other talented Christian artists as a label owner and record producer. Despite battling serious health problems in recent years, he has continued to release CDs through his record company, Solid Rock.

Friday, February 29th
Prophet Bar
Larry Norman Tribute and Benefit Concert
8 PM - $7-$10
Tribute bands playing his songs, open mic as well. Portions of the proceeds will go to Larry’s family to help with medical bills.

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Well hallefreakinlujah! Goodwin finally crawled out of the studio and produced another damn great album! The celebration begins tonight at the Ridglea Theater in Fort Worth with an all-star line-up.

Friday, February 29th
Ridglea Theater
Goodwin CD Release w/ The Backsliders / The Me-Thinks / Sunday Drive
Doors at 8 PM - $10-$13

If you miss this one, you’ll not only hate yourself, but you’ll find yourself hating puppies and kittens too.

Saturday, March 1st at the Ridglea - Built to Spill / Meat Puppets / Helvitia

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It’s a Picnic Party tonight at Zubar! Picnic + Party = Perfect!

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Darryl Smyers and I have already been touting the talents of Crushed Stars. Add in Stumptone…and Pleasant Grove…and whaddayaget? Brilliance.

Oh, and this is 1 of 2 farewell to Marcus Striplin shows before that boy takes off for New York. Not to miss.

Saturday, March 1st
The Double-Wide
Stumptone / Pleasant Grove / Crushed Stars
9 PM

Friday, February 29th at the Double Wide - Spivey / Hello Lover / We Heart the Violence

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More Shows…

Adair’s
Saturday - Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash
Sunday - Adair’s 45th Birthday Bash with Macon Greyson (2 PM)

AllGood Cafe
Friday - Cricket Taylor / Jonathan Tyler / Jonathan Lacey
Saturday - New Bohemians

Club Dada
Saturday - New Frontiers / Gazelles / Quiet Company / Homer Hiccolm

City Tavern
Friday - Taylor Davis & Friends
Saturday - Spoiled Royals / The Murgatroyds / Shand

Bend Studio
Friday - Dan Dyer CD Release

Granada Theater
Friday - Outformation / Scott McCurry Band
Saturday - Asylum Street Spankers (Early Show at 6 PM) / Jonathon Tyler & the Northern Lights / The Campaign (Doors at 9 PM)

The Cavern
Friday Sunward / Wonderfool / The Burgundys / Collin Cable - Doors at 9 PM - $6.00
Saturday - Language Room / Feeding 5000 / Dertybird - Doors at 9 PM - $6.00
Sunday - Ricki Derek (Upstairs - 10 PM - Free)

Barley House
Friday - Sparklepussy Barbie / big loo
Saturday - Airline / The Fieros

White Rock Coffee
Friday - Chris Holt / Dave Little
Saturday - Blue Petal / Rahim Quazi

Love & War (Plano)
Friday - Brian Burns

Obzeet
Friday - Drop Top Rockets

Hank’s Texas Grill
Friday - Mark David Manders
Saturday - Wayne “the Train” Hancock

Dan’s Silverleaf
Friday - Billy Joe Shaver / Willie Dees

Hailey’s
Friday - Leslie & the Ly’s / MC Router / Sticky Buns
Saturday - Liquid Bounce / The Logic

Rubber Gloves
Friday -Jucifer / The Monarch / Silene
Saturday - American Werewolf Academy / Swedish Teens / Record Hop *Highly recommended

The Aardvark
Friday - Tiffany Shea / Psycles / Lovie / Patrice Pike
Saturday - Calhoun CD Release / Frontier Brothers / One Lone Car / Sean Russell

Lola’s
Friday - The Drams / Lifters / Whiskey Folk Ramblers
Saturday - Sam Anderson & the Thrift Store Troubadours / David Matsler / Kristina Morland

Scat Lounge
Friday - Reverend Organ Drum
Saturday - Mike Vax / Bobby Breaux Quintet

The Moon Bar
Friday - Catfish Whiskey w/ Electric Mudd
Friday - Hosty Duo

White Elephant
Friday - Mama Sweet
Saturday - Rodney Hayden

Woody’s Tavern
Friday - Austin Collins
Saturday - Macon Greyson / Charlie Shafter

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In-Stores

Friday, February 29th
Good Records
Free In-Store
Airline CD Release
7 PM - Free

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Radio…

Saturday
KTCU 88.7 - Radio Sputnik
Tune in at noon!

Sunday

The Local Show on KDGE 102.1 The Edge with the always hot ‘n hunky Chris Ryan - Tune in at 9:00 PM

The Front Porch on 99.5 The Wolf with the better ‘n buttah Justin Frazell - 6:00 PM

The Good Show on KTCU - 88.7 FM with my fave 3 stooges Tom U. Tony Diaz & Chris Bellomy starts at 9:00 PM.

90.1 at Night with my mentor Paul Slavens - 8-10 PM

Uncut with DJ Steve Nice - The absolute best in local Rap/Hip-hop/R&B 11 PM - K104 FM

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Artsy-Fartsy

I’m going to defer to my dear friend over at the Sub-Rosa for all your art-going needs. The chick knows her sh*t. Use her site often.

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My mailbox has had a good couple of weeks. I’ve opened’er up wide to find two incredibly splendid CDs. Both, perfect for road-trips to…oh…say…Austin and back…or anywhere else in the country for that matter. One of which I’ll tell ya about later, and one of which I’ll gush over now.

One of my favorite sites, and most definitely a daily read, is my friend Patrick’s fantastic site, This is Texas Music. I’ve had the good fortune to hang with Patrick on many an occasion, and I’ve come to think of him as a friend, as well as a great writer and lover of good music.

Over the years, Patrick has introduced me to some fantastic bands (White Ghost Shivers, Graham Weber, Black Water Gospel/The Century…just to name a few), including one Mr. Austin Collins. And it’s Austin Collins who just dropped a brand new beauty this week, Roses are Black.

If there is any one genre that makes this ol’ gal feel happy, excited and at home, it’s that little place in-between the Rootsy, Folksy, Americana, Alt.Country genres. It’s a combination of all, with a dash of rock thrown in here and there. That’s Austin Collins.

Roses are Black brings to mind such influences as Son Volt and Whiskeytown, with some slight hints of Centro-matic. No surprise on the last one, since Will Johnson produced the album, as well as performed on it. Aside from rock star band members, Dylan McDougall, Craig Bagby and Troy Wilson - Collins brought in the big guns for additional support on the album, like Scott Melott (Dead End Angels, The Groobees), Eleanor Whitmore (Slaid Cleaves, Bruce Robison, Susan Gibson, Lloyd Maines, Terri Hendrix), Will Johnson (Centro-matic, South San Gabriel), and the impossibly talented Todd Pertll (Doug Burr, Deadman, Kristy Kruger, The Monahans, Cowboys & Indians, Thrift Store Cowboys…oh hell, I could go on for days), all of whom helped round out a gritty, thoughtful, instrumentally driven album, chock full of thought-provoking lyrics and pleasing melodies.

I ain’t no critic. I ain’t no writer. But I can tell you this, if you be a fan of the Son Volts or the Macon Greysons, or pretty much all of his label-mates on Fat Caddy Records,, then you will be a fan of Roses are Black. I know this CD ain’t a’gonna leave my CD changer anytime soon.

Go see the boys live tonight!

Friday, February 29th
Woody’s Tavern
10 PM

“Roses are Black” by Austin Collins

Check out this video: “Sultan”

Man, I luvs me some What Made Milwaukee Famous. Every time I get to venture to Austin, I’m always hopin’ they’ll be on stage somewhere. Course, these days, unless I can make it to Emo’s on March 7th for the album release party for, What Doesn’t Kill Us (Barsuk), then I’m pretty much screwed for awhile, cuz those kids are a’tourin’ fools…

2/18 - Los Angeles, CA @ Spaceland
2/28 - Los Angeles, CA @ Silverlake Lounge
2/29 - Los Angeles, CA @ El Cid
3/01 - San Francisco, CA @ Cafe du Nord
3/07 - Austin, TX @ Emo’s Record Release Party
3/10 - Atlanta, GA @ The Loft at Center Stage
3/12 - Philadelphia, PA @ North Star Bar
3/14 - New York, NY @ The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza
3/15 - Washington, DC @ Rock N Roll Hotel
3/16 - Albany, NY @ Jack Rabbit Slim’s
3/18 - Montreal, QC @ La Sala Rossa
3/19 - Toronto, ON @ Mod Club
3/21 - Columbus, OH @ The Basement
3/22 - Chicago, IL @ Metro
3/23 - Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theater
3/25 - Denver, CO @ Marquis Theatre
3/26 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Club Sound (formerly Bricks)
3/29 - Seattle, WA @ Chop Suey (formerly Breakroom)
3/30 - Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre
4/03 - San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
4/04 - Los Angeles, CA @ Avalon
4/05 - Phoenix, AZ @ The Brickhouse Theater

It was about 4 years ago when the guys were performing in Dallas…or was it Denton…anyhoo, ’twas a happy day that they slid me a copy of their debut CD, Trying to Never Catch Up (then self-released - later re-released in 2006 on Barsuk) and it’s been in the ol’ player ever since. I ain’t heard the new one yet, but Texas Monthly has…

Guitar muscle, ferocious drumming, commanding vocals, and hook-laden tunes: no sophomore slump here. Austin’s What Made Milwaukee Famous took its time with the follow-up to its 2004 debut, and it was a wise move. The hardworking foursome has sculpted its sound on the road. What Doesn’t Kill Us (Barsuk) demands your attention from the outset—the first two songs are as strong as any on the album—and while the focus drifts, power punches keep coming to reel you back in. WMMF is not distinctly original, but it plays its crunchy indie rock with the swagger of a band harboring a closetful of gold records. Much credit goes to vocalist Michael Kingcaid: His croon suits both the quiet and loud moments, and while, particularly in falsetto, he betrays his admiration for Radiohead’s Thom Yorke (not that there’s anything wrong with that), a band couldn’t hope for a better singer. He elevates the group’s more pedestrian turns, and at their best—on tracks like “Self-Destruct,” “Prevailing Wind,” and “Resistance St.”—he and his bandmates make absolute magic.

The new album drops on March 4th, but you can pre-order your precious copy here.