![]() With an incredibly unique sound that makes your heart happy, Crooks, who released their most recent album WIldfire in July, announced yesterday that they were calling it quits. They posted this on their Facebook page: FANS, FRIENDS, AND FAMILY: Thank you all for the incredible amount of support you have shown our band throughout the past few years. We are truly lucky to have had the amazing opportunity to do what we do, meet so many great people, and burn the tires off our van, over and over again. This has been the ride of our lives, and the memories we’ve made can’t be bought. But the time has come for us to work on our individual projects away from Crooks. Sadly, but proudly, we are announcing our last shows. We will be playing all scheduled shows through February of 2016, and plan to throw a big goodbye blowout party in Austin mid Feb (TBA). This is no time to be emotional. Pull yourselves together! We have beer to drink! We plan on making every last show the best party we can. So check our calendar, come on out to see us, and help us to celebrate what we’ve worked so hard on throughout the years: great music, better friendships, and good times! with love, Crooks We wish them all the best in their futures and seeing that I'll be in Austin in mid-February, hope to make their blowout goodbye party.
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![]() NASHVILLE, TENN (Press Release) – A poignant song, penned by Cris Loiter (of Cris Loiter and the Hangouts), is being released just in time for Veteran’s Day, and proceeds from download sales will benefit an organization dedicated to honoring the memory of those who have served. “Ask Him About the War” will be available on iTunes and CD Baby this Veteran’s Day – Wednesday, November 11, 2015. It is the first single from the album, Songs from the Soul, from Cris Loiter and the Hangouts. Originally based in the San Francisco Bay area, the band was active in the late 1980's and early 1990's, and recently reunited to create this new concept album. "Ask Him About the War” is a song that is dedicated to all our current military men and women and all the veterans who have served our country. It is based on the story of a World War II veteran and hero living in modern times. All proceeds from the song will go to Remembering Our Fallen organization (www.rememberingourfallen.org). Pictured: Cris Loiter and the Hangouts members Karrie Kintzley-Kulick and Cris Loiter Photo Credit: Don Albonico ![]() (Nashville, Tenn. – Nov. 9, 2015 Press Release) – Country artist Dianna Corcoran will release her debut stateside album, In America, on January 29, 2016. In America, self- produced by Corcoran and recorded at Nashville’s Ocean Way, Warner and Fool on the Hill Studios, is a 12-track collection of songs that brings the best of Australia's country flavor stateside. Infusing pop into Country, Corcoran contributes a unique sound and feel to the genre with her impressive songwriting and agile vocals. From the upbeat fun of “God Did Good” to the subdued, angelic vocals of “A Better Me,” there's a song for every Country fan. "In America is a collection of true stories,” commented Corcoran. “It's all real, from the first note to the last raw guitar strum. I hope that by sharing honesty through my music, I'll have the chance to connect with people across the world." Leadoff single “God Did Good” hit radio in August and is available for download on iTunes and Amazon. The upbeat love song features Corcoran's clever songwriting skills and vocal prowess. With its catchy hook and infectious melody, “God Did Good” sings the praises of Corcoran's love interest and how 'God did good' when he made him. The video, which recently took the No. 1 spot on Taste of Country’s Top 10 video countdown, can be viewed here. ![]() For the past five years Girls Guns & Glory have been celebrating Hank Williams with shows around and on New Years Eve/Day, and this year is no different. 2015 finds GGG honoring Hank with five performances in VT, NH and MA. The tradition pays homage to Hank Williams - the singer, the songwriter, the man - on the days of the two shows he never got to play: New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. The world bid farewell to Hank on January 1st, 1953 and GGG strive to keep his music alive and pay their respects to one of their biggest songwriting inspirations as one year closes out and a new one opens with possibilities. Last year, they added Fred Eaglesmith’s “Mrs. Hank Williams” to the set list and loved the crowd's response. So this year, not only will they perform Williams' songs, but they've added a section to the show devoted to songs written about, or that reference him, as well. Grab your tickets, and as they wrote on their website, "Be prepared to cry in your beers, two step on the dance floor and enjoy the timeless music of a true American treasure." Dec 29 – Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground, 8pm Dec 30 – Northampton, MA @ The Parlor Room, 8pm Dec 31 – Nashua, NH @ The Riverwalk Cafe, 8pm Jan 1 – Cambridge, MA @ The Sinclair, 8pm Jan 2 – Fall River, MA @ The Narrows Center for the Arts, 8pm For more information visit their official website. ![]() NEW YORK, N.Y. — In his three and a half decades as a recording artist, Willie Nile has earned a reputation as a fiercely committed rock ‘n’ roller, as well as a singular songwriter possessing a rare insight into human nature and an uncommon eye for emotional detail. It’s Nile’s introspective side that fuels If I Was A River, a deeply compelling ten-song collection that diverges from his usual sound, while affirming the remarkable melodic and lyrical skills that have long endeared the artist to his passionately loyal fan base. In contrast to the rousing, guitar-based rock ‘n’ roll that’s been the focus of the dozen albums that he’s released since 1980, If I Was A River, which will be available on CD at live shows and at willienile.com, and as a digital download after November 11, features ten stirring original compositions on which Nile accompanies himself on piano, with sparse arrangements that keep the focus firmly on the songs and Nile’s deeply felt performances. That stripped-down, piano-based approach is one that Nile has explored on various tracks over the years, but never for the length of an entire album. However, in the wake of the warm public reception that greeted his 2013 release American Ride —which won some of the most enthusiastic reviews of his career and was voted Best Rock Album of the Year at the Independent Music Awards — Nile was ready to explore some new creative options. "American Ride was a thoroughly satisfying experience for me,” Nile says. “A lot of the dreams that I’d always had about making records were realized with that album, and it was well received and I’m deeply grateful for that. So it felt like a circle had been completed in some way, like I’d gotten to where I was going after a long journey. So I thought it was time to make a left turn and try something different.” “I’ve wanted to do an album of piano songs for some time,” he continues. “I’ve got drawers full of songs of all kinds, but these piano songs are close to my heart, and it felt like it was the right time to let them out. I love the simplicity of just sitting at a piano and singing a song, and I first started out in music playing the piano. Sometimes less is more, and this just seemed like one of those times.” After narrowing an initial set of 25 compositions down to a more manageable number, Nile and Grammy-winning producer Stewart Lerman (Boardwalk Empire, Antony and the Johnsons, Loudon Wainwright III, Dar Williams), who’s worked on seven of Nile’s prior releases, set about recording the material in an appropriately spare environment that would help to capture the songs’ intimacy and immediacy. Throughout the If I Was A River sessions, Nile played the same Steinway Grand piano that he’d played 34 years earlier on the evening of the death of John Lennon, while both Lennon and Nile were recording at Manhattan’s Record Plant. When Nile was working on If I Was a River, the legendary piano was residing at Hobo Sound in Weehawken, N.J., where Nile recorded the new album’s emotion-charged performances with a minimum of embellishment or trickery. It’s hard to think of many other artists who are doing some of their best work in the fourth decade of their careers, but Willie Nile continues to seek out new creative challenges and conquer new musical territory. Come out and see (and hear) for yourself when he plays Highline Ballroom November 20th. Details below. When: Fri., Nov. 20th Where: Highline Ballroom 431 W. 16th St. Showtime: $8 Tickets: $25-$30 http://highlineballroom.com/show/2015/11/20/willie-nile-5/ ![]() American music icon and five-time GRAMMY Award winner WYNONNAJUDD and her band The Big Noise today (11/6) announced their debut self-titled album WYNONNA & THE BIG NOISE is set for release February 12, 2016 via Curb Records in digital and physical formats including vinyl. The upcoming album features special guests Derek Trucks, Jason Isbell, Susan Tedeschi and Timothy B Schmit and is now available now for pre-order at Amazon: http://smarturl.it/WyTBN. WYNONNA and her band The Big Noise, led by her husband, producer/drummer Cactus Moser, recorded the majority of the album in the sanctity of their home studio located on the family farm in Tennessee.WYNONNA has described the new album as "vintage yet modern" and a"return to the well." It's a rootsy work encompassing country, Americana, blues, soul and rock. The process of recording WYNONNA & THE BIG NOISE with her band set her free artistically. "Like a garage band we all get in a room, basically knee to knee in a circle, and we jam until it feels amazing," WYNONNA shares. "By the time we push record we are already jacked up because we have practiced and practiced until we know we are rocking. The end result is even better than when we started out because we're free to just play and enjoy ourselves. "She adds: "I have stripped myself of all the expectations of worrying about fitting into any format and just picked songs I love. This album is my favorite thing I've done so far." ![]() Songs About Love, Heartbreak, Being On The Road And The Realities Of The New American Dream BOISE, ID 2015 (Press Release) – For a young man, Jeff Crosby has lived the life of someone older. Playing 250+ shows a year from the ages of 19-25 , he has traveled throughout Central and South American, the Dominican Republic and many European countries in between shows. Crosby has played with Reckless Kelly, Shinyribs, Micky and the Motorcars and Lukas Nelson. Now he divides his time between touring with Jerry Joseph and The Jackmormons and his band, The Refugees and making LA, Nashville and Boise all home bases. With2 EPs and 2 Full-Length releases behind him, Crosby now adds another notch to his musical belt with Waking Days. The 10 song LP was recorded in Los Angeles at Bedrock Studios and in Nashville and was produced by John Gilbertson and engineered in Nashville by Rob Matson. Featuring his band The Refugees--brother Andy Crosby (bass), Will Prescott (drums) and Dave Manion (pedal steel/guitar), Crosby also adds some stellar guest musicians. His guest crew consisted of Brian Whelan on pedal steel (Dwight Yoakam), Marshall Vore on drums (Ryan Adams/Olin & The Moon), Fran Breem on Drums (The Waterboys/Lucinda Williams), Ben Waligoske on guitar (Springdale Quartet) and Adrian Engfer on standup bass (Grant Farm). Waking Days blends the sounds of Americana; folk, and 70’s inspired psychedelic rock. “I’m in a much different head space musically since the last record,” said Crosby, “This record has more soundscapes and has stretched out the atmospheric tones that are floating around the songs.” With a voice that Brian Carroll of No Depression calls, “incredible, unique and such a pleasure to listen to”, Crosby has created a personal record that also highlights relatable lyrics. “I think it’s an exciting time to be involved in the music scene of the U.S.”, Said Crosby, ‘I personally see people seeking out real roots music –music where they can be a part of the story. I think people are empowered by the music they find that is original and special.” “City Girl” kicks off the set and was inspired by a conversation with a young woman at a bar in L.A. “I was imagining the same scenario played out nightly for her,” said Crosby. ![]() (Press Release) On November 13th, Phillip LaRue will release his new solo album, You, through Razor & Tie. Today the album can be heard via an exclusive stream with CBS News. LaRue draws from vivid personal memories and family connections to create the album's 10 soulful tracks, each resonating with his own personal story and striking lyrical craftsmanship. The individuals closest to LaRue populate the album, from the shimmering acoustic guitar of “Sweet Love” that paints a vivid picture of Phillip’s bond with his infant son, to the plaintive orchestration of “Diane”, which reflects on his grandmother’s struggle with dementia. In describing You, LaRue writes, “There are moments where it’s just me and an acoustic guitar; then there are moments that are musically more lush, ethereal and dramatic. My album is a mixture of those different worlds, and hopefully it encourages people to lean into the lyrics and melodies.” Listen: Phillip Larue - You http://www.cbsnews.com/news/phillip-larue-album-premiere-you/ You is now available to pre-order on iTunes HERE, and Amazon HERE. The music video for his single "Memories" first debuted on Idolator, who remarked that the song is "completely weighted with heartfelt emotion, and the video takes that to new heights." The soaring track "Lighthouse" later debuted on Popmatters. "I truly think the best songs on the planet either come from a place of great joy or great pain and I had the time to make sure I didn't compromise this belief," LaRue tells CBS News. "This album was a labor of love for myself and my producer and friend Gabe Scott. We treated each song individually and tried our best to honor the lyric over production." Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/philliplarue Twitter - https://twitter.com/Philliplarue Instagram - https://instagram.com/philliplarue/ ![]() SHURMANtoday (11/6) have released their new album EAST SIDE OF LOVE viaTeletone Records in the U.S. and on Germany's Blue Rose Records in Europe. The album, which premiered exclusively yesterday (11/5) with YAHOO! MUSIC, marks the revered Austin, TX-basedband's sixth studio album and first in three years. SHURMAN frontman Aaron Beavers gave an inside look into the album's songs with ELMORE MAGAZINE which can be read here. "This collection of lyrics and music is by far the most personal offering I have ever had in my 15 years in Shurman," says Beavers. "There was a time that I was unsure if it would ever be released but the songs begged to be heard...who was I to stand in the way?" EAST SIDE OF LOVE retains SHURMAN's trademark combination of high-energy roots rock and country soul, while possessing an expanded dimension due to the mixture of harrowing pain and unmatched creative joy they experienced since we last heard from them. You can click here to watch a trailer about the album andlisten to the album's title track which premiered with ALLACCESS.COM last month here. SHURMAN--Aaron Beavers (guitar, vocals) Mike Therieau (bass, vocals), Harley Husbands (lead guitar) and Clint Short (drums)-created EAST SIDE OF LOVE as a result of loyal fan-funded support coming from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean; the band's European fan base remains large and enthusiastic. Produced by Beavers at Austin's storied Cedar Creek Studios, it's a powerful work with 11 heartfelt songstelling the story of losing a relationship, while actually getting back a band. ![]() (Press Release) Nashville’s newest southern rock songstress Laura McCormick is celebrating the release of her highly-anticipated sophomore project, Too Wild To Tame, available today on Amazon Music and other online retailers. From the infectiously uplifting single “Just Around the Corner” and vulnerable love song “Stand By Me,” to raspy rock numbers “I Wish I Didn’t” and “Man With a Gun,” this new collection features six songs that spotlight McCormick’s power vocals and gut-wrenching songwriting style. Laura, whose major influences include The Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac and Celine Dion, spent the past year gracing stages all around the south after the successful release of her 2014 debut album Box Full of Trouble, which Music Row Magazine called “extremely promising.” “I’ve really focused on honing my songwriting craft this past year and am so excited to finally share this new music with everyone,” says the Tullahoma, TN native. “While it’s a little different than my first album, I feel that these songs are a true reflection of who I am as an artist right now.” For more information, visit www.LauraMcCormickMusic.com or www.Facebook.com/LauraMcCormickMusic or follow Laura on Twitter at www.twitter.com/lauramcmusic. |
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