February 26, 2010

Watson Twins -- FREE INSTORE

Watson Twins Free In-Store Performance
Saturday, March 13th - 5:00pm

In our shelf loaded with "Live at..." releases the far right end (alphabetically) is held up the ever-so-charming Watson Twins. Their in-store was a heady combination of killer harmonies, great song-craft, and a double-barreled sense of humor. You may have heard them on Rabbit Fur Coat, the album they did forever ago with Jenny Lewis (of Rilo Kiley), it was how we discovered them, but Fire Songs was when they stole our hearts. Q Magazine said "...slow, brooding, impeccably delivered songs..."

Talking to You, Talking to Me, Leigh and Chandra's latest, is again full of smoke, grooves, heat, and soul. Spin said "[T]he Watsons consult vintage Southern styles for inspiration, incorporating touches of country and plenty of hot-blooded soul."

In addition to the new album, it would be irresponsible for me to not mention "Live From Fingerprints" the live CD from the last time the girls were here, but if you haven't grabbed yours yet, we have them now and we will still have them at the in-store.

Get your sample on at their Myspace page.

The guest list is currently open for any folks who purchase a Watson Twins CD, which also gets you priority entry and a special event poster (suitable for framing). If space allows, we will open the list first comes, first served, but if you want to be sure you're up front, support the girls by taking an album home. Then you can sing along when they get to the sing along parts.

Click to buy/sample Talking to You, Talking to Me

Eugene and 1914 / Fort Wife -- FREE INSTORE

Eugene and 1914 / Fort Wife Free In-store Performance
Friday, March 19th - 7:00pm

It's time for a local music night and there are very few in the 562 that we'd rather spend an evening with than these two local bands. Eugene & the 1914 is led by Eugene Owens, who you may know through his bass work with Deep Sea Diver (not to mention the time he's spent playing with serious jazz cats like Terrence Blanchard & Branford Marsalis), but it's as a bandleader that Eugene comes into his own; whether it be moody songwriter style or more up-tempo jangly band style, Eugene & the 1914 are local artists that are well worth your attention.

Myspace has samples.

We are also proud to host Fort Wife, another LB band that features some of the folks who've made Avi Buffalo such a compelling live act; on their own they make strange & dreamy soundscaped pop songs that for some reason remind me why cats like to sleep in baskets full of warm laundry.

Brew up a cup of tea and check out their myspace.

The guest list is open now with RSVP, let us know you're coming and we'll save you a spot. We will have CDs available at the event, and as always, we will have something nifty you can use to cover all the hand marks by the lightswitch for anyone who purchases a copy.

Stanley Wycoff -- FREE INSTORE

Stanley Wycoff Free In-store Performance
Friday, March 26th - 7:00pm

Some of you will recall last summer when we hosted an evening with the local author Alan Rifkin and a few of his friends. Well, one of the true highpoints of that night was Stanley Wycoff and his band. Stanley has spent a good amount of time in the LA music scene, playing guitar with Dave Alvin, writing songs for Chris Gaffney, and quietly releasing excellent albums that are steeped in roots and rock and roll tradition. We have been waiting for Stanley's new record to come back from the printer so we could have a proper celebration and that time has come. Stanley has assembled a crack band that includes some major heavy-weight talent; Rick Shea (who's played with Alvin's Guilty Men & Los Lobos), Donny Ott (Dobro for Gregg Allman's Band), Bruce White (guitar for Hal Ketchum), Eric Brenton (Fiddle), Joe Lamano (bass player with Zappa, the Turtles & The Association).

Stanley don't need no stinkin' myspace.

The guest list is open now, let us know you're coming and we'll be ready. Stanley's new CDs will be available at the event and Haymaker, the one before the new one (go ahead, call it the last one, but it feels weird to me when we're talking a new one.) Anyway, it's available now.

Ralph's World -- FREE INSTORE

Ralph's World Free In-store Performance
Saturday, March 27th - 11:00am

Yep, a morning in-store with an artist who specializes in music for smart kids that like to sing. So round up the little ones and clear the decks, it's gonna be a hoot. Ralph Covert started off fronting the Chicago based Bad Examples, a band that created near-perfect pop-rock tunes with a very sly sense of humor. We were fans then, and now that he's become a shining light in music for young ears movement, we're still fans. If you've grown weary of cartoon soundtracks, lullabies, or 98% of the other dreck that is marketed to kids, make plans to join us for a singing and hooting good time. RSVP required. The guest list is currently open to those who buy Ralph's latest album, which will include priority entry and a poster that will look great on the back of any bedroom door. If space allows, we'll open it up first come, first served, as we get closer. Absolutely no curmudgeons will admitted prior to noon.

Check out the full album stream at Ralph's website.

We're gonna try to talk him into playing at least one Bad Examples tune for us old fans.

Click to check out some of the Ralph's World releases