Monday, November 29, 2010

The Lucky Thirteen: 11/29/10

Due to difficulties with Grooveshark, today's playlist has been severely delayed. Before reading comments on the artists, I'd like to point out that two artists on this week's Lucky Thirteen, namely Phoenix Hart and Ronnie Fauss, have Black Monday specials, so hurry to take advantage!!!

Standard playlist disclaimer: any artists, record labels, etc. who do not wish to be on the playlist for any reason whatsoever, email me at ghostofblindlemon@gmail.com and I will gladly remove the track. And if you'd actually like to be on the playlist, you can use the same email address to email me your mp3's. If I like the song, then odds are it'll wind up on a playlist.


  1. "Christmas (Doesn't Have to Be So Bad)", THe BAcksliders
    I hope everyone has seen the major showcase announcement on the blog featuring this band as the headliner. Here's a little Christmas song from the band. Now that Thanksgiving is over, I feel it's safe to start dusting off the Christmas songs.

  2. "District County Court", Daniel Folmer
    I'm not sure whether the proper artist name for this song is Daniel Folmer or Danny Rush. I just know that I'm digging this more rockin' country side of the man.

  3. "Until We Meet Again", Phoenix Hart
    While at Emmeline's CD party (I'll discuss the event more later), I had the privilege of meeting Ms. Hart. She's every bit as likable as her tunes. Speaking of those tunes, you can download her album Save Love for a mere $4.99 until Tuesday, 2:00 A.M. CST. Trust me, that's a steal that you don't want to miss out on.

  4. "Do You Love Me?", The Bat Mastersons
    Thanks to my friend Michelle Stockton for giving me a copy of Tales from The Edge Vol. 7 & 8, featuring this Bat Mastersons classic that I hadn't heard since it came out in 1993. It was a nice blast from the past.

  5. "8587 (Birthday)", Sore Losers
    Nic Hernandez requested the duo's "Epic Outro" a few weeks back. Now I'm spotlighting my personal favorite of Sore Losers.

  6. "When We Were Wild", The Orbans
    The Orbans will open for the Epic Ruins CD release show at Lola's this Saturday. Calhoun, also featured on this week's Lucky Thirteen, completes the bill.

  7. "Clara", Paul Slavens
    Also this Saturday night, Opening Bell Coffee has quite the stellar lineup with Summer Ames, Garrett Owen, and Mr. Slavens. No word on whether he'll be performing songs from Alphabet Girls, Vol. I, making up songs for donations, or both.

  8. "Virtue and Vice", The Virgin Wolves
    Ah, more good shows... this one taking place this Thursday at Rubber Gloves, with Deep Snapper and Paper Robot opening.

  9. "Apocalypse (A Love Story)", Calhoun
    I've heard the band's new track, "Knife Fight", on The Local Edge with Mark. I'd love to post that song on a Lucky Thirteen, but alas, I don't have the song. Do you hear that, members of Calhoun? I'd love to play songs from your upcoming album, Heavy Sugar, but I don't have it yet. Maybe you can fix that problem? And no, I'm not too proud to hit up bands for CDs if the music is awesome enough.

  10. "Shivonne", Menkena
    Menkena will opening for Birds & Batteries this Thursday at Lochrann's in Frisco. While you're there, bug Jimmy and ask him when the album's coming out.

  11. "A Hundred Years", Emmeline
    A few times a year, a show takes place that is more than a nice show, but transcends into a genuinely beautiful experience. Emmeline's CD release was one of those nights. This is a very talented young lady, and I'm proud to have been a part in helping her music get out to the public. Well done, Emmeline, well done.

  12. "Barn Burner", The Roomsounds
    What happens when you mix The Roomsounds, Becky Middleton, and ugly Christmas sweaters? Find out Friday night at The Prophet Bar.

  13. "Driving Through Memphis", Ronnie Fauss
    Ronnie's CDs are being sold for a 2-for-1 price; click here to take advantage of this opportunity. This track is from his new CD, Mulligan, and will most likely be played Saturday when he opens for Grant Jones and the Pistol Grip Lassos at the Kessler Theater this Friday Thursday.

December 10th: The Official Announcement

A while back, I informed you that you needed to save the date of December 10th. Well, now I'm thrilled to announce the lineup for this Ghost of Blind Lemon showcase being held at The Green Elephant. This is an incredibly special showcase for me, as these three acts are currently my favorite live bands in the metroplex. I'm not just saying this because they're the bands in this showcase. Instead, I intentionally decided to gather these three favorites of mine in one lineup. If you're familiar with these bands, you will understand my high level of enthusiasm. And yet if you're not familiar with one (or even all) of the bands, this would be a fabulous opportunity to check out some killer tunes.

The Black & Blues start the night off in style. Most of my readers are probably not familiar with this band, and it is my mission to change that. The band manages to incorporate elements of soul, funk, rock, and yes, blues, and assemble these parts into something new and fresh. The band's co-vocalists, Keite Young and Goldie Furnow, bring a soulful vocal intensity to all the tracks. Is this music easy to classify? Not in the least. But if you're looking for a band that is not looking to follow the latest trend but instead start it, then The Black and Blues are a must see.

Up next on the lineup is Pale Horse, a band that, in my book, has defined 2010 possibly more than any other act. I have never seen lead singer J.R. Denson deliver less than 110% on any vocal performance. As for lyrics, the band challenges the audience with unconventional lyrical topics regarding religion, politics, war, and family matters. While emotionally intense, with songs as catchy as "You're No Good" and "Will You Be There", Pale Horse delivers thought provoking messages in a manner that is never preachy. Like The Black & Blues, this music is not easy to classify. It's equal parts southern rock and psychedelia, with slight hints of reggae and blues infused into the sonic mix. And the live show? "Wow" is the only word that comes close to describing it.

Finally, THe BAcksliders wrap up the evening in true rock and roll style, a favorite of mine ever since the first time I saw the band in 2006. The band has won Dallas Observer Music Awards in both the Blues and Hard Rock categories, yet neither category is really the right fit for the band. There are definite blues elements in many songs for sure, and THe BAcksliders definitely rock quite hard, especially in a live setting. The truth, however, is that THe BAcksliders are the last of a dying breed: the rock and roll band. Not alt-rock, not indie-rock, not post-progressive-emo-death-core-rock, but good old fashioned rock and roll. It's a simple formula, yes, but executed in a first rate manner thanks in large part to the incredible vocal talent of Kim Bonner and the severely underrated guitar skills of Chris Bonner, one of the finest in the area. If you're ready to rock, then you're ready for THe BAcksliders, simple as that.


So here's a quick recap:

Date: December 10th
Place: The Green Elephant
Bands: THe BAcksliders, Pale Horse, The Black & Blues
Level of Awesomeness: Off the charts

Local Edge Playlist: 11/28/10

"Sexy Weekend", Legsweeper
"Buyer's Remorse", Les Americains
"Virgin Eyes", Hoyotoho
"River song", Seryn
"Devil's Nest", Lalagray
"The Penitent", Whiskey Folk Ramblers
"Childhood (LehtMoJoe Remix)", GalleryCat vs. Mount Righteous
"Write for You", Goodwin
"Relying", Katie Carroll
"Allison", The Burning Hotels
"The Walls (What the Birds Know)", The Boom Boom Box
"Virtue and Vice", The Virgin Wolves
"Good Night's Rest", Tweed EQ
"Knife Fight", Calhoun
"Child and Cobra", Epic Ruins

(Just my opinion here, but the Hoyotoho song is totally sick... in a good way)

Friday, November 26, 2010

Weekend Plans: Black Friday Edition

Undoubtedly, a number of you woke up early and battled it out with other shoppers at your favorite retail store. Sounds like fun, huh? I didn't think so either. Now that the beginning of the holiday season shopping frenzy has gotten to you, I recommend unwinding at a show this weekend. Here are some of your finer options.


FRIDAY:
Emmeline/Steve Jackson/Josh Cooley (Ten Times Cellar)
You do not understand how excited I am that Emmeline's Early Morning Hours is finally getting a proper CD release. Her slightly jazzy, highly melancholy tunes of pain and heartbreak are simply first-rate. Whether it be the tales of mourning in "The Story" or dealing with a friend's addiction in "Where the Light Is", Emmeline weaves well crafted musical stories set to a gorgeous melodic background. You can get your own copy of the CD tonight with the cost of admission. Don't know where Ten Times Cellar is? That's why I included a link. Speaking of links, here's a link to my interview with Emmeline, in case you haven't read it yet.
Spindrift/Fate Lions/The Cush (Kessler Theater)
Headlining band Spindrift is the only non-local band on the lineup. Fate Lions is unarguably Funkytown's finest power pop act, and The Cush has packed up their shoegaze sound and relocated it back to the metroplex. I'm hoping that means we'll see more of the band in the months to come.
Eleven Hundred Springs (Dan’s Silverleaf)
Country, like most music genres as of late, seems to be divided into a myriad of categories. There's alt-country, renegade country, Americana, Nashvegas, and so on. Eleven Hundred Springs, on the other hand, is country. The band needs no further classification. Country purists, this show's for you.
Dave Little/Chad Stockslagger/Laura Harrell (Allgood Cafe)
Are you still stuffed from Thanksgiving dinner? Even if so, you'll want to make room for one of Allgood's most tasty entrees. Throw in some Dave Little comedy, the keyboard stylings of Mr. Stockslagger (arguably the finest keyboard player in town), and Laura Harrell minus the other half of Romp Almighty, and you've got a delicious night of food and music.
The Roomsounds/Gypsy Bravado (LaGrange)
Looks like we'll have to wait until next year for the debut album of The Roomsounds. Based on what I've heard, I think we can expect a nice blend of pop hooks along with a certain alt-country sensibility. Can't wait.


SATURDAY:
The Rocket Summer/He Is We (The Prophet Bar)
All right, go ahead and laugh and make fun of this show, indie hipsters. Here's the dirty truth: Bryce Avery's first official album, Calendar Days, has more than a few tracks (notably "This Is Me" and "Mean Thoughts and Cheap Shots") that Ben Folds has to be kicking himself for not writing first. While overall I haven't dug Of Mice and Angels as much, "Walls" is still one of the most powerful tunes I've heard all year. It's a haunting beautiful tale of personal struggle that has remained in my ears (and in my heart) throughout the year. Go ahead, hipsters, and laugh. You know you're listening to this when no one's looking.
Emily Elbert/Damon C. Clark (Kessler Theater)
I've probably told this story on the blog before, so if you've heard it, have patience with me. I was chatting with someone at Opening Bell several years ago about Emily, and he said "She's pretty good for her age." I take strong exception with that statement. When Ms. Elbert truly cuts loose on the guitar, there are few people in the metroplex that can compete with her. It doesn't matter whether male or female, or whether the musician is 18 or 80 or somewhere in between. She deserves to be regarded at the same level as Chris Holt, Ryan Thomas Becker, and the area's other finest instrumentalists. I just hope that once Emily finishes college, she moves back to Dallas.
The JC Experience (LaGrange)
I still haven't seen the spectacle that is the JC Experience, but it seems to have become an institution at LaGrange. Mr. Pedigo and Mr. Stockslagger must be onto something.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Emmeline: The Interview

Last Tuesday, I met up with Emmeline at the Dunn Brothers Coffee in Addison to interview her. The only problem was that there was someone performing there, and that doesn’t work well for an interview. We then headed up to the Starbucks at Belt Line and the Dallas North Tollway, only to find out we chose the one Starbucks location that closes before eight. This was not exactly the best omen. We finally made our way to the Texadelphia restaurant in the same shopping area before beginning the interview. Here is just part of the interview, even featuring interruptions by the waitstaff. Bet the waitress wasn't counting on being part of the interview.

GOBL: Here’s something I’ve wondered: Most of your songs are about heartbreak, sadness, painful times, etc., and yet on a personal level, you are about the complete antithesis of that. You’re actually one of the happiest musicians I know. So, how do you explain that dichotomy?

Emmeline: Well, first of all, thanks for thinking I’m one of the happiest musicians you know. That’s a huge compliment. I think that actually it makes more sense for me to write sad songs and then be a happy person. The music becomes an outlet and a channel through which I can express all of the sadness. I think that the other beauty of music is that it allows you to give voice to things that people don’t usually talk about. When you get your heart broken, it’s not something that you want to go spill all over town; you don’t want to invite the criticism. You don’t want to deal with other people’s perceptions of whatever relationship you had, and this allows you to be completely and totally honest about what you’re feeling. The beauty of music is that you can be as vulnerable as you want to be, and at the end of the day you’ve exercised those feelings. You can be a happier person for it.

GOBL: Let me discuss one of those heartbreak songs. One of my favorites off the album, as you know, is “Where the Light Is.” How did that song come to be?

E: That’s actually an interesting question because for me, “Where the Light Is” isn’t necessarily about a romantic relationship. I was very close to someone who was struggling with addiction, and one of the hardest lessons to learn is that you can’t make anybody do anything that they don’t want to do. It was something my dad always told me when I was growing up, and I always thought he was a liar because I was like, “There has to be something harder than that.” But I think it’s true, especially when you see somebody suffering and you know that there’s a way they can fix it and you give them the answer over and over and over and over, but for whatever reason they won’t apply it. For me, that’s what that song is about, learning that you can only try so many times before you recognize the toll it’s taking in your life and then you have to walk away.

GOBL: There was a line in the song and I’m wondering if it was directly inspired by your father. It was…

Waitress: Are you ready?

E: I’d like to get the chicken tenders and could I get some applesauce to go with that?

Waitress: Sure

GOBL: Okay, now where was I…

E: (commenting on the sound playing in the background) I cover this song and change the words. Have you heard this song?

GOBL: Is this Taylor Swift?

E: I cover this song and change the words because this is the most ridiculous notion ever, that you’re only in a happy relationship if you own the other person and they own you. “You’re the best thing that’s ever been mine”. I mean, that sounds like the worst relationship ever. Also, the notion that any problems that you have can be solved by one memory of sitting by the water and being happy is… poppycock. It’s not true. Is the tape recorder still on?

GOBL: It is, and…

E: (trying to avoid a potential Emmeline/Taylor Swift war of words) I love Taylor Swift, I do. She has this song on the record called “Last Kiss” that is amazing! It’s such a beautifully morose picture of heartbreak. I love it.

GOBL: So you’ve talked about what a love song should NOT be. What are some love songs that you think are good songs?

E: I’m so glad you asked. Have you heard “The Reasons” by The Weakerthans? I love it. I really enjoy unconventional portrayals of love because I think that those are the most honest portrayals of it. I don’t think that there’s any relationship that’s flowers and rainbows and cotton candy all the time. I think you go through things that are difficult. There’s this song by The Afters called “Ocean Wide” that has a line that goes “When love is a raging sea, you can hold on to me, and we’re going to make it.” I think that that’s the way it works. There are great times and there are really hard times, but at the end of the day if you can hold on to each other and you can still want to be with the other person, that’s what love is. It’s not somewhere where everything goes perfectly.

GOBL: Let me ask you about another one of your songs. What is the story behind “The Story”?

E: This is so lame. Honestly, one of the things I struggled with when writing this record was how to hold on to the people you love, how tightly to hold them, how to guide them. That doesn’t necessarily just mean romantic relationships. There are friendships and familial relationships where the politics are difficult. You have to figure out a way to be the best and most honest person you can be while not stepping on their toes and letting them be who they’re going to be. It’s an odd dichotomy of acceptance and growth. I think that’s the idea that I was struggling with when I wrote this story. That and loss.

GOBL: (mishearing) Lost, as in the TV show?

E: No, loss, as in the idea of losing somebody (laughing). Yes, well I was thinking about this plane and how it landed on this island with all these crazy people and I wonder what would happen if one of them took a whole bunch of pills. That’s going into the interview, isn’t it?

GOBL: I’ll have to incorporate that. If I’m going to have Taylor Swift in the interview, I’ve got to include my issues with hearing.

E: I had this very cool seven chord progression that was very jazzy that I was working with. I was going to try to write a happy song and it just was not working for me. I took the dog for a walk and ended up by the lake and was staring at the water and the line “There’s a lady named Miranda on the sidewalk by the bay” popped into my head. It wrote itself…

Waitress: Here’s your food.

E: Thanks. Anyway, the song wrote itself essentially in twenty minutes as I was taking laps around the park. I had heard about pharm parties a few days before that, and I just kept thinking about what kind of situation has to come together for that to arise. All I could think of was these kids whose parents have a lot of money, but not a lot of time to pay attention. I think that’s when the saddest things happen. Ultimately, my goal in writing that was not to bum the whole world out, but to make people think about appreciating the people that are close to them and about paying attention really. The idea in my head behind Miranda and her husband in the song is that he went to war, he came back, he had PTSD, and it was something that ultimately drove him to self-destruction. Then you have kind of the same issue with Sebastian and his parents. They’re not around a whole lot. There’s a reason that I said “He pulls the pills out of the cabinet, hoping that they’ll reprimand,” because he’s looking for any shred of attention. I think there are so many instances in which people are crying out for help before something happens and if you can hear those cries for help if you can pay attention to that need then maybe there wouldn’t be as loss.

GOBL: I’ve heard that John Keener, from Lakewood Bar & Grill, had a part in helping you write that song. Did he have any part in helping you with the song?

E: Funny story. OK, John had teased me about writing a bunch of first person confessional songs and so I had been thinking a lot about writing a song in 3rd person and it’s not the only song I’ve ever written in 3rd person but yeah, that was definitely a big part of it. I had totally forgotten about that.

GOBL: I was curious; I think John takes a great amount of pride in having a part in helping you write the song. Speaking of “The Story”, you’ve created a, shall we say, interesting way of promoting this song (and others) through video. Where did you find these people for the video?

E: Well you know I’m kind of a kooky, happy, crazy personality. I was thinking about ways of promoting this record and I sat down with a good friend of mine, Mandy Caulkins, who helps me with a lot of the things I’ve been doing. She asked “What do you want people to get out of it?” What I want people to get out of it is that having a record is like a best friend, something you can go to and feel better, and it can give you advice. I went through a period in high school, and even now, where records can do things for you that people can’t necessarily. There’s something about the music that can get a message in that somebody might have been trying to give you for five or six years, but you hear it in a song and all of a sudden it’s like the cartoon light bulb goes off over your head. I took the serious notion of having a record that speaks to you and try to figure out what kind of people would be affected by these songs. I wanted it to be a little bit ridiculous. I am aware that a lot of my music is sad, but I do have a pretty strong, persistent sense of humor and so I wanted to bring light to some of these things. I think if you can laugh at it, it’s a lot less scary. It started as a joke the first time we both went to Cali to play, we were on the plane back and I suggested promoting each song with a character. Mandy asked how that was going to work. I said, “Well, what if there was this boy who went to a pharm party” She said, “That’s the most twisted thing I’ve heard in my life, and you’re going to try to make a joke out of this,” and I was like “Yeah, I think it’d be funny.” I mean, pharm parties themselves are not funny at all. It’s a horrible, horrible idea and a terrible situation that I wouldn’t want any child ever to get involved in. But having a funny character explain why it’s a bad idea is not necessarily the most awful thing ever. So Mandy was like, “You’re going to dress up like a guy?” “Uh-huh.” “And you’re going to talk like a guy.” “Uh-huh.” Mandy was like, “Okay…” So then I kept thinking and said, “Ooh… and there can be a 4 year old” and she was like “Really?” Just wait until you see the video for “Exit.”

GOBL: That was my next question. I was about to ask if there were any more characters…

E: Oh, there’s one for every song.

GOBL: Oh, really?

E: Yes.

GOBL: So you’re not going to let my readers in on the secret?

E: I will tell you that one involves a gorilla costume.

There were many more interesting moments that I couldn’t fit into the interview, including the time she played “Ice Ice Baby” in Katy, our mutual love for Daria, the merits of applesauce as a dipping sauce for chicken tenders, and her most awkward moment at a show of hers ever. If you want to discuss any of these random topics with her, I’d encourage you to go to her CD release show for Early Morning Hours. It takes place this Friday at Ten Times Cellar, with Steve Jackson and Josh Cooley opening.

Monday, November 22, 2010

The Lucky Thirteen: 11/22/10

Sometimes I like to mix things up and do a playlist with some sort of theme. Last week, I chose the "theme" of an all-request playlist. I took back the reigns this week, and decided to do an all female singer-songwriter edition. I've always had a weakness for female songwriters. Blame it on listening to too much Indigo Girls and Sarah McLachlan in college. Here are thirteen of my favorites from these parts. Forgive me if there are fewer comments than usual, with some songs not featuring any comments. It's going to be a busy week for yours truly, and you should see some of the rewards for that later this week on the blog. For now, just enjoy the music.

Standard playlist disclaimer: any artists, record labels, etc. who do not wish to be on the playlist for any reason whatsoever, email me at ghostofblindlemon@gmail.com and I will gladly remove the track. And if you'd actually like to be on the playlist, you can use the same email address to email me your mp3's. If I like the song, then odds are it'll wind up on a playlist.


  1. "The Story", Emmeline
    Emmeline's CD release party for Early Morning Hours this Friday at Ten Times Cellar was what inspired me to do this playlist.

  2. "Save Your Breath", Camille Cortinas
    Camille says her next CD should be out early next year. Keep your fingers crossed that she's right.

  3. "Proof", Emily Elbert
    Coppell's finest will be playing the Kessler Theater this Saturday.

  4. "Vulnerable", Sarah Jaffe
    You know, I thought about leaving Sarah Jaffe off of this list, and just... whoa, buddy! Take a deep breath. I was only kidding. You can quit hyperventilating now.

  5. "For Ages", Sara Donaldson

  6. "Gold Rush", Kristy Kruger

  7. "Will Anybody Love Me", Lalagray

  8. "What We Have Become", Phoenix Hart
    Here's a coincidence: I emailed Ms. Hart to get a track to put on my playlist. Before she ever got her email, one of her publicists saw that I'd published her cover of "Hot 'N Cold" and emailed me the album. Pretty crazy, huh?

  9. "His Heart", Meredith Louise Miller
    Here's a 90's classic for you. Meredith, you need to come back to Dallas and play a show.

  10. "Capture", Summer Ames
    This is a great song with a great video that you should watch. Click here to watch.

  11. "For Keeps", Iris Leu

  12. "Paper Girl", Katie Carroll
    Just a reminder, I'm assembling my top 40 for 2010. This song is pretty much guaranteed a spot on there. Want to know what else will make the cut? Too bad. You've got to wait, just like everyone else.

  13. "The Cure", Anna Thomas
    Her EP, Break Apart, should be available on itunes by now, and it's worth getting. Also, I'm taking a moment to make a correction: she's 14, not 13. My bad.

Local Edge Playlist: 11/21/10

Mark shone the spotlight away from Big D and onto little d for this all Denton Edition of the Local Edge.

"Wishy Waltz", RTB2
"Book Burner", Roy Robertson
"Cut the Lights", Manned Missiles
IN STUDIO: DANNY RUSH (aka Daniel Folmer)
"District County Court"
"Pissin"
"Medicine"

"River Song", Seryn
"Birthmark (Chicago)", Jessie Frye
"Count Me Out", Grassfight
"This Floor", Young and Brave
"Walking in an Arc", Delmore Pilcrow
"Park Bench", Florene
"Mother Nature", Andrew Tinker

Friday, November 19, 2010

Weekend Plans: 11/19/10

FRIDAY:
The Virgin Wolves/The Phuss/The Nicholsons (The Cavern)
For those who like their live rock shows loud in a small, crowded, dark venue, this is the perfect show for you. The Virgin Wolves blend blues and heavy rock skillfully on their debut EP. While the CD sounds great, it pales in comparison to the energy radiated by the band's live performance. The Phuss puts on a more straight ahead rock show, and are MUCH louder than The Virgin Wolves. But if you're going to lose your hearing at a show, there are few Dallas bands that will make you so happy to have that ringing sensation in your ears as The Phuss.
THe BAcksliders/Dead Twins/Dropsonic/These Mad Dogs of Glory (LaGrange)
Take the first sentence of the previous show recommendation, substitute "spacious" for "small" and "well lit" for dark, keep the "loud" and "crowded" parts, and you have this show. And just so you know, These Mad Dogs of Glory will be recording the performance and releasing it on CD.
Anna Thomas (Great Outdoors Sub Shop - McKinney)
What is the likelihood of a sandwich shop in McKinney having a first rate performer playing there? I'd say the odds are about as good as finding a 14 year old girl who can write songs more mature and captivating than most women twice her age. So perhaps it's only fitting that a performer as unique as the young Ms. Thomas should play such an unlikely venue.
Salim Nourallah/Chris Holt (Dan's Silverleaf)
Mr. Nourallah rarely performs outside of Dallas city limits, so Denton folk, enjoy this rare treat. And look, you get the added bonus of Mr. Holt, who is responsible for what may be my favorite CD of the year (A Cosmic Joke).


SATURDAY:
Dertybird/King of the Rabbit Trail/Pale Horse (City Tavern)
I'm guessing Dertybird is the headliner. If that's the case, I'm going out on a limb and making another prediction: Pale Horse will steal the show. No offense to Dertybird of KOTRT.
Danny Rush/Caleb Ian Campbell/Burntsienna Trio/Spooky Folk (Rubber Gloves)
"Danny Rush" is really a pseudonym for Daniel Folmer. His new CD seems to rock more than his previous material, and I think this new persona suits him even better.
The King Bucks (Adair's)
I've heard the band members have their mail sent here. Not really, but they should, considering how often they seem to play this venue.

Monday, November 15, 2010

The Lucky Thirteen: 11/15/10

Thanks to all who participated in this week's all request playlist. You really made my job easier. I'll take it. Also, let me know if you have any issues hearing songs on the Grooveshark playlist. I've had difficulties recently, and want to know if it was a fluke or an ongoing problem.

Standard playlist disclaimer: any artists, record labels, etc. who do not wish to be on the playlist for any reason whatsoever, email me at ghostofblindlemon@gmail.com and I will gladly remove the track. And if you'd actually like to be on the playlist, you can use the same email address to email me your mp3's. If I like the song, then odds are it'll wind up on a playlist.


  1. "Barn Burner", The Roomsounds
    Chelsea Callahan requested this tune, and since her birthday was yesterday, I felt it only appropriate to start with this song. For the record, this may be my new favorite song of theirs.

  2. "Buyer's Remorse", Les Americains
    Jason Roach requested some Les Americains for the Lucky Thirteen, but did not specify a track. I felt that after two weeks of "Calistoga Blues", a change was needed.

  3. "Clara", Paul Slavens
    A quote from Clay Pendergrass, who requested the song: "In my imagination, this is what it would sound like if Theloneus Monk and Leonard Cohen met in a smoke-filled cafe stocked with absinthe and found a piano in the corner." Couldn't have said it better myself.

  4. "German Chocolate Cake", Bravo, Max!
    Nicholas Altobelli had a long list of requests. Since he requested this band and I already had the track, I opted for this song.

  5. "Someone Like You", David Crandall
    This song was a request from Emmeline, an amazing artist in her own right. Keep your eye on the blog for more Emmeline related articles as her CD release show approaches.

  6. "Moanin' Rag", Whiskey Folk Ramblers
    Scott Riegel recommended this particular track, and it's a fine choice I might add.

  7. "A Cosmic Joke", Chris Holt
    The individual who requested to hear Mr. Holt wished to remain anonymous, choosing the pseudonym "The Cat of Blind Lemon." As an admitted cat lover (I have four myself), I definitely liked the fake name, as well as the track. If you haven't checked out the video for this song, you need to click here and watch.

  8. "Absalom", Spot
    Allan Hayslip of the band Bonedome requested to hear some Spot, and also gave me quite the history lesson on the band. It's a shame that this band didn't make it further; listen to their songs and you'll hear a band that, as Brando would've said, "coulda been a contender."

  9. "Last Night", Sparrows
    Here's a request from THe BAcksliders

  10. "The Sun Shines On My Face", THe BAcksliders
    And here's a request for a particular song by THe BAcksliders (recommended by the lovely and amazing Angela Donnelly).

  11. "I Love You", Spector 45
    This request came from Amy Verycrusse, who actually lives in the Austin area and not the metroplex. And while the music covered here is almost exclusively local in nature, I do welcome readers from all over the globe.

  12. "When Hammer Hits Stone", RTB2
    Here's a fine choice from Brett Michael Strawn of Cocky Americans.

  13. "Epic Outro", Sore Losers
    I've seen the name Sore Losers around a lot, but when Nic Hernandez requested to have one of their songs on the playlist, I sat down at gave their songs a listen. I am now adding their name along with Damaged Good$ and Dem Southernfolkz as one of DFW's finest hip-hop acts. And with a song name like "Epic Outro", it seemed the perfect way to wrap up this Lucky Thirteen.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Local Edge Playlist: 11/14/10

"The Silent Tide", The Phantom Caste
"Turning Blue", Fergus and Geronimo
"You're No Good", Pale Horse
"Medicine", Daniel Folmer
"Seen It All", Fate Lions
"This Way", Foe Destroyer
"Knife Fight", Calhoun
"Buyer's Remorse", Les Americains
"Just Wanna Try", Luna Matto
"Quick and Clean", Ella Minnow
"Mind in Trouble", Oil Boom
"Praying Matas", Ryan Thomas Becker
"Wooden Floors", Nicholas Altobelli
"Sad Song", Smile Smile

Friday, November 12, 2010

Weekend Plans: 11/12/10

There's plenty of good options for this weekend. I think these are all the biggies, but feel free to mention anything I've forgotten about in the comment section.


FRIDAY:
Calhoun/The O’s/The Orbans (Kessler Theater)
Did you read my previous entry about Jeff Liles and his survey? If not, read it now and send me your thoughts. In that article, I mention how the Kessler is such a great venue that books quality bands. If you doubt my statement, just check out tonight's lineup. Any one of these acts alone would be an impressive headliner. The fact that you get all three for one ticket price? That's pretty amazing if you ask me.
Trey Johnson/Chris Holt/Camille Cortinas (Sons of Hermann Hall)
Mr. Johnson and Mr. Holt have both put out good CD's on Idol Records this year. Mr. Holt's was especially impressive, undoubtedly one of my biggest favorites this year. Camille Cortinas is not an Idol Records artist at the moment, but I'd encourage Erv to give her a listen and change that.
Les Americains/Saboteur/Young Girls (Double-Wide)
Tonight's the big CD release show. Excuse me, tonight's the big vinyl release show. From what I've heard of the band's new material, much of it leans in a more melodic indie vein than their previous, louder material. It should be interesting to see if the live show still rocks as heavy.
THe BAcksliders (Lee Harvey’s)
It's getting harder and harder to find new ways to describe THe BAcksliders. I'm taking the easy road and copying all the synonyms for amazing from dictionary.com: awesome, fascinating, incredible, marvelous, prodigious, shocking, stunning, surprising, unbelievable, wonderful. I tried to find synonyms for "face-melting", but they didn't have any.
Seryn/Darcy/North of Autumn (LaGrange)
Seryn is one of the most talked about bands that I have yet to see live, and I need to change that. On the other end of the spectrum, North of Autumn has not gotten much attention yet, but if the music I've heard is any indication, that needs to change. The band's sound is certainly more accessible to a mainstream audience, but that doesn't mean it's generic pop fare. But whether you prefer the indie charm of Seryn or are curious about North of Autumn, it's worth a trip to LaGrange.

SATURDAY:
Bravo, Max!/Spookeasy/Black Swan/Pinebox Serenade (City Tavern)
Mountain’s Majesty/The Roomsounds (Opening Bell Coffee)

I missed out on Chelsea Callahan's birthday bash, which is too bad considering how many good acts were on the lineup. Here are two opportunities to see some of the acts you missed: Bravo, Max! brings their hard to describe style to City Tavern, while The Roomsound's easier to define rootsy rock can be heard at OBC.
Grassfight/The Virgin Wolves/The Red 100’s/Dirty Blonde (Andy’s Bar)
This is quite an interesting lineup. While I'm not familiar with Dirty Blonde, you start out with the instrumental bluesy rock of The Red 100's. Afterwards, you get the bluesy, yet much heavier full on RAWK of Virgin Wolves. Then the evening wraps up with the Jesus & Mary Chain meets Joy Division stylings of Grassfight. It's an interesting lineup for sure, but a stellar one. Denton people, this is where you need to be.
Salim Nourallah/John Lefler (Allgood Café)
Neither of these performers have released any new material in awhile, but still, if you're fans of intelligent pop music, this is a show worth checking out. And is it just me, or does the mere mention of Allgood bring visions of chicken fried chicken smothered in gravy? Is anyone else hungry right now?
Taylor Davis/Jayson Bales/Rahim Quazi (It’s a Grind)
The show marks the two year anniversary of the It's a Grind location near Deep Ellum (click here for a map), and it benefits the Demeter Project. Mr. Quazi will be performing songs from his upcoming CD, and he's promised to let me share a track from this upcoming CD. Soon, my readers, soon. Have patience until then.

Before You (Hopefully) Go to a Show Tonight...

I recently read this post on Jeff Liles' Facebook page. For the newbies to the local music world, Jeff Liles has to be one of the most influential people within the music community. In addition to his musical contributions (most notably Decadent Dub Team and cottonmouth, tx), he currently books acts at The Kessler Theater. For those who haven't been to a show there yet, the venue itself is gorgeous. The building has been restored just enough to clean up the look of the place while doing nothing to overly modernize the look. As for booking, Liles' taste is first rate.

But I'm digressing here. Back to the real purpose of the article...

I'm reposting what his words, and I want you, my readers, to contribute your thoughts on the matter. While I know those reading the article are most likely going to be people who do support live music (and probably on a regular basis), it might be nice to get some insight into what factors play a part in deciding a show. Please email your thoughts to ghostofblindlemon@gmail.com and I'll make sure your thoughts are passed on to Liles. And while he says to answer just one question, personally I recommend answering as many questions as you feel like.

(On a separate note, feel free to send your requests to this week's Lucky Thirteen playlist to that address as well)

Now, onto his post...


What would it take to get you back in the routine of supporting live music on a regular basis?

I read a recent research survey yesterday that reflected the average person goes to less than one live music performance a year.

Seriously?

As a young person I attended at least two shows a week, sometimes as many as three or four. I realize that ticket prices have gone up, that there are far more artists now flooding the marketplace, and there are many more cheaper diversions available as entertainment options.

On the other hand, a sports venue is an entertainment destination as well. The Dallas Cowboys are now 1-6 and it goes without saying that the next time they play a home game, over 75,000 people will pay over a hundred bucks each to watch them lose. That's loyalty to the point of ridiculousness.

When was the last time you paid over a hundred bucks for a concert ticket? When was the last time you went to a show and walked away feeling like a loser, like you just wasted your money? The Cowboys have won exactly one playoff game in the last 14 years.

Live music doesn't suck that bad. Where is your loyalty and commitment to it?

I have a few questions, and I'd like you to just pick one and answer it. I really want to get to the bottom of this.

What would it take to get you to fall back in love with live music?

When deciding whether or not to attend a show, do you take the venue into consideration, or will you go see your favorite band just about anywhere they happen to play? Have you ever not gone to a show just because it was at a venue that had inferior sound or production, expensive drinks and an unfriendly staff?

Would you rather see an artist in an intimate setting, or outdoors as part of a larger festival?

What motivates you to buy pre-sale tickets? is it the fact a show might sell out or is it to get a better seat? Do you often wait until the last minute to decide whether or not to attend a show? Does the weather ever affect your decision?

How much does parking factor into your decision making process? Is free parking an incentive or are you unbothered by having to pay five or ten bucks to park your car?

Did the ban on indoor smoking a few years back translate to either encouraging or discouraging you from going out to see live shows? Was that the last straw or did it make you want to go out more?

Are you afraid of getting a DUI or DWI? Would some sort of shuttle service encourage you to get back into a regular routine of supporting live music?

Are you at all interested in hearing an artist that you've never heard before or are you only motivated to see an act that you are totally familiar with? Are you open to different styles of music that you may not have ever been previously exposed to?

Have you ever decided to attend a show based purely on something you read in a newspaper or blog? Do the local music writers in Dallas have the same amount of credibility as, say, your friends who spread information via word of mouth?

I know this is all a lot to think about, so just pick one question and discuss your personal perspective.

It's important to me that our local music community exists as more than just a curious diversion. I think it's time we revisit the things that we love, but take often for granted.

Very few musicians these days can actually make a living doing what they do. I want to see us get back to a place where our local music community has a viable economic footprint within the context of our cultural landscape.

If you can help me out here, feel free to speak your piece.

- Liles

Monday, November 8, 2010

I’m Getting Lazy with Next Week’s Playlist

You know, sometimes it’s nice to let other people do the work for you. That’s what I’m doing for next week’s Lucky Thirteen. I’m not going to sweat the details as to which artists deserve to make the cut. That’s going to be your job.

Next week’s playlist will be an all request Lucky Thirteen. Just email me the name and artist of the song you want to hear, and let me know if you want your name published with the request or not. Also, if you want to make some comments about the song or artists, I might publish your thoughts as well . The email address is ghostofblindlemon@gmail.com for those who aren’t in the know. But before this begins, I’d better set up some ground rules so everything runs smoothly.

  1. All artists must be local, meaning from the Dallas/Fort Worth/Denton area. If I don’t specify this, someone’s going to start requesting Lil’ Wayne or Ke$ha or something like that.

  2. Musicians, you CANNOT request your own songs. Doing so will disqualify you.

  3. For those same musicians who think they’ll skirt around the rule by having their spouse/significant other/family member do the requesting. Again, that will disqualify you.

  4. In some cases, I may not have the song for the playlist. If you have the song you want added to the playlist, feel free to email me at the above address with the mp3. If not, sorry, you’re out of luck.

  5. In the event that I get more than thirteen requests (which I hope will happen), I will select my thirteen favorites to appear in the Lucky Thirteen.

  6. In the event that there are less than thirteen requests, I select the remaining slots, and I don’t promise that it’ll be pretty this time.

  7. Also, I encourage you to pass this on to all your friends and to get as many people involved as possible. Retweet, repost, relink, rewhatever. This isn’t a rule per se, but I do recommend doing so.


With all that in mind, let the requests begin!

The Lucky Thirteen: 11/8/10

Standard playlist disclaimer: any artists, record labels, etc. who do not wish to be on the playlist for any reason whatsoever, email me at ghostofblindlemon@gmail.com and I will gladly remove the track. And if you'd actually like to be on the playlist, you can use the same email address to email me your mp3's. If I like the song, then odds are it'll wind up on a playlist.


  1. "A Black Wave Is Comin'", Doug Burr
    I missed out on Mr. Burr's set at the Cystic Fibrosis benefit Saturday night at Granada. Truth is, I can't recall the last time I've seen him play, and that's not a good thing. I also don't have O Ye Devastator, another matter that really needs to change. For what I've sampled, it's killer, and this opening track to the CD sets a beautifully ominous tone.

  2. "Calistoga Blues", Les Americains
    I mentioned last week that Les Americains will be holding their CD release show at Double-Wide this Friday. I felt it was worth repeating.

  3. "German Chocolate Cake", Bravo, Max!

  4. "Young & Reckless", The Roomsounds

  5. "Troubble Is", Here Holy Spain
    Speaking of Double-Wide, Chelsea Callahan (aka "Cha Cha") will celebrate her birthday this year with her "7th Annual Rock & Roll for Charity Gala." As usual, the lineup is stellar, with all three of the aforementioned bands performing Thursday night at Double-Wide. You can also catch Bravo, Max! Saturday at City Tavern, and The Roomsounds will performing that same night at Opening Bell Coffee. As for Here Holy Spain, if you want to catch them, this is your only chance this week.

  6. "Quakertown", Darktown Strutters
    The first time I heard this track, I wasn't quite sure what to make of it. Between the monotone delivery and the minimal retro beats, I was initially on the fence. Still, there was something about this song that had me oddly fascinated, and with further listens I have definitely been won over by Darktown Strutters. By the way, if you're listening at your job, this track is NSFW. Just thought you should know.

  7. "Shivonne", Menkena
    As reported Friday, Jimmy Menkena tells me "[the album] is about to hit." I know I'm just repeating myself, but maybe if I say it enough, the album will hurry up and be released. It's not working.

  8. "Born & Raised", Trey Johnson
    Sons of Hermann Hall has itself the best lineup the venue has seen in months, with Trey Johnson, Camille Cortinas, and Chris Holt performing Friday night.

  9. "Allison", The Burning Hotels

  10. "Allison", Luna Matto
    What's the likelihood of two great local acts releasing songs named "Allison" within a matter of a few months? It seems rather unlikely, though admittedly a pleasant surprise. Watch, now someone's going to send me a cover of Elvis Costello's "Allison." Just watch, it'll happen.

  11. "Come Closer", Shiny Around The Edges
    Now that We Shot JR is no more, I thought I'd put a couple of songs on the playlist as a tribute. The first is from Shiny Around the Edges, a band that the blog put on my radar. And while I must thank WSJ for doing so...

  12. "If My Heart Was a Car", Old 97's
    I could have lived without the constant disses of bands that I consider to be the among the finest in the metroplex. Old 97's were cited in their final post as an example of one of the "boring 90's holdovers" that left stonedranger "wondering what, exactly, was wrong with the local music media and why Dallas hadn't caught up with the rest of the world." Like I said, I consider them to be one of Dallas' finest EVER and are underrated pioneers of the 90's alt-country movement, but maybe I'm just not hipster enough to get it.

  13. "Will You Be There", Pale Horse
    A reminder to all that this Thursday is Veteran's Day. It's a holiday that frequently goes unnoticed, and to say that's a shame is an understatement. In honor of the day, I leave you with this Pale Horse tune about life after war and the effects it has on the troops.

Local Edge Playlist: 11/7/10

"Knife Fight", Calhoun
"A Book About Us", Soft Environmental Collapse
"Awake", Air Review
"Buyer's Remorse", Les Americains
"For All I Know", Charming Gardeners
"Broken Camera", Stanton
"Medicine", Daniel Folmer
"Child and Cobra", Epic Ruins
"What Was Missing", Descender
"Black Swans", Datahowler
"Cut the Lights", Manned Missiles
"Van Occupanther (Live)", Midlake
"I'm Immune", Chris Holt
"Romance Tried to Kill Me", Cocky Americans

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Apples In Stereo/Crash That Took Me Tickets!

First of all, let me say that if you missed the Cystic Fibrosis benefit show at Granada last night, you missed out on a seriously amazing concert. The O's and Ben Kweller were great, and Rhett Miller, as usual, was amazing. My highlight of the evening had to be when Mr. Miller performed "Big Brown Eyes", and before he had a chance to start, the audience took over and sang the song. For most of the song, Rhett allowed the crowd to take the driver's seat and sing the tune. It just might make my top 10 concert moments of all time list.

While I was at the Granada, I also had the pleasure of meeting Gavin Mulloy, their promotions manager. I managed to talk him into letting me give away a pair of tickets to tomorrow's show with Apples in Stereo, Fol Chen, and The Crash That Took Me. I typically do not give away tickets to national touring acts, but there are two catches here. First, The Crash That Took Me is definitely a local band, albeit a band that does not play NEARLY as often as I'd like. The second reason, well, the Apples in Stereo do have a local connection with their drummer.

That leads me to how you can win the tickets. The first person to send an email to ghostofblindlemon@gmail.com and include the drummer's name in the subject line wins tickets. Since his last name is a little unusual, if it remotely resembles his last name, I will accept the answer. Do not delay in responding because if I don't get a winner by 8:00 CST tomorrow, then the tickets go unclaimed. Good luck!

Friday, November 5, 2010

Weekend Plans: 11/5/10

I'm a little late getting on this, but there's still time to plan your Friday Night. Besides, I'm inclined to say that the Saturdays shows are a little stronger, and you've definitely got time to plan for tomorrow.


FRIDAY:
Air Review/Radiant*/The Orange/God’s Joke (Trees)
For fans who can't decide whether they're more "alternative" or "indie", this is pretty much a dream lineup. Air Review are possibly the kings of straddling the alternative/indie fence, with pop gems like "Chasing Corporate" and "All Because You're Mine" that are catchy enough for the masses yet intelligent enough for the music snobs. The band learned some of this musical blend undoubtedly from Radiant*, also performing tonight at Trees. As for The Orange, I've yet to see the band, but really liked songs of theirs like "Nip/Tuck". They've reportedly undergone some lineup changes, but I suspect the talent is still there.
Mike Graff/Menkena (LaGrange)
Jimmy Menkena texted me the other day, telling me "it's about to hit." "It" is undoubtedly the long-awaited full length debut from the band, and from what I've heard, it's going to be amazing. The show also features ex-Course of Empire guitarist Mike Graff. I'm not sure if he'll be performing solo songs or COE tunes; it'll be interesting to see which he does.
Emmeline (Planet Burrito)
Because Southlake people deserve good shows too.


SATURDAY:
Rhett Miller/Ben Kweller/The O’s (Granada Theater)
Here are seven things you need to know about Saturday's show:
  1. The main show consists of Rhett Miller, Ben Kweller, and The O's.

  2. There is also a VIP pre-show that consists of Mr. Miller performing acoustic, as well as Doug Burr and Glen Farris. Tickets to the early show are $75 I believe.

  3. Although I'm not as big of a fan of Rhett's solo stuff, it's still really good.

  4. The O's will be releasing their second CD shortly, which will feature more of the good time party bluegrass tunes that you've come to expect and love from the duo.

  5. The show benefits the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, a wonderful cause indeed. And you know that "The Ghost" loves a good charity show.

  6. If you don't have tickets or can't afford them, check back on the blog tomorrow. I just might be able to help you out.

  7. There is no 7th thing you need to know.

RTB2/Slider Pines/J. Charles and The Trainrobbers (LaGrange)
Don't know J. Charles, but I definitely give my stamp of approval to the other two acts.
THe BAcksliders/Holy Fiction/The 1969’s (Double-Wide)
Is it just me, or are THe BAcksliders playing around here more frequently? Not that I'm complaining, mind you. THe BAcksliders are one of the few bands that I never tire of. Never.

Monday, November 1, 2010

The Lucky Thirteen: 11/1/10

Standard playlist disclaimer: any artists, record labels, etc. who do not wish to be on the playlist for any reason whatsoever, email me at ghostofblindlemon@gmail.com and I will gladly remove the track. And if you'd actually like to be on the playlist, you can use the same email addy to email me mp3's, and if I like the song then odds are it'll wind up on a playlist.

Also, it's worth mentioning that I'm now adding links to the websites of any artists featured in the Lucky Thirteen. If you like what you hear, then go to their site and learn more.


  1. "Go On", The Shapes
    I've only been waiting for the debut album of The Shapes for about six years now. For those unfamiliar with the band, here's the Cliff Notes history: when Sons of Sound ended (click here for the Cliff Notes on them), Josh McKibben formed The Upsidedowners. Josh disbanded that group in early 2004. The remaining members, not ready to quit, formed The Shapes. And six years later, the album comes out. I hear their follow-up should be released sometime in early 2017.

  2. "Ma'mma Jamma", The Virgin Wolves
    Since I did the covers themed playlist last week, this song had to wait because I just (finally) got their CD. This song combines a 50's boogie beat with the rocking style heard in their song "Virtue and Vice". This is a CD you need in your collection.

  3. "House of All We Left Behind", Air Review
    I was originally going to share an acoustic version of "Chasing Corporate" on the Lucky Thirteen, but the Grooveshark website stated that the frequency of the file was too low or something like that. Oh well. Check out the band this Friday when they play Trees along with Radiant* and The Orange.

  4. "Calistoga Blues", Les Americains
    Speaking of shows, this band will be at Double Wide on November 12th, celebrating their LP release. I'm not sure if there will be a CD to be purchased. Frankly, I was kind of hoping they'd put it out on 8-track, but no such luck.

  5. "Supernatural", Rahim Quazi
    Mr. Quazi has told me on several occasions how excited he is for his next album to be finish and released. That makes two of us. In the meantime, here's the title track to his 2008 masterpiece.

  6. "Mind in Trouble", Oil Boom
    I've gotten a few tweets from this band, so I figured that at the least, I should give them a listen. This song is a nice piece of bluesy rock, and I'm curious to hear more from the band.

  7. "Mama Don't Like Me", The Roomsounds
    For some reason, Grooveshark insists on calling this song Mama192. I'm very anal about correct song titles, but I didn't want to not share the song just because of Grooveshark's error.

  8. "Your Wife, Your Kids, Your Family, Your Friends", Analog Rebellion
    I must confess, I didn't really get into PlayRadioPlay, but I must say that Daniel Hunter's self-proclaimed "stadium lo-fi" is really winning me over.

  9. "Fishbowl", Rhett Miller
    Call it a hunch, but I doubt Mr. Miller will be performing this or any song from his 1989 debut, Mythologies.

  10. "Within the Flame", Anna Thomas
    Ms. Thomas will shortly be releasing her Break Apart EP, a collection of songs that would be mature and impressive for a thirty year old woman. The fact that she's thirteen makes it almost unbelievable, but in a very good way.

  11. "To Whom It May Concern", The Burning Hotels
    Can someone explain something to me? Why is it that at a Burning Hotels live show, when the band announces "this is a song about Texas", barely anyone applauds? I mean, I thought that was supposed to be the one guaranteed way to get applause from an audience. And it's a good song too, so what's the deal people?

  12. "Just Incase", Year of the Ox
    Fans of quality hip-hop and rap, take note: listen to The Indie Verse every Tuesday at 4 pm for Nic Hernandez' show "The Breeding Ground". Click here to check out his site. I haven't gotten a chance to listen to the show yet, but from the songs I've heard from his playlist, this man could be to local hip-hop music what Mark from the Local Edge is to local rock music. And that's no tiny compliment.

  13. "You're No Good", Pale Horse
    I'm ending this playlist with this song, because, well, it's awesome. Yeah, that about sums it up..

Local Edge Playlist: 10/31/10

I've made no secret for my love of The Local Edge with Mark. Rarely do I ever turn my radio on while at home. In fact, there's only one hour a week when that happens: Sunday night from 11 pm to midnight. Many artists that I've posted on my playlists, including The Roomsounds and Katie Carroll, I might not have discovered were it not for Mark and his show.

The one frustration that I had recently, however, was the lack of updated playlists on the KDGE website. I asked Mark if he'd mind if I posted the playlists on this site, and he said to go for it. Since then, he has updated about three months worth of playlists. Still, I will be posting these almost immediately after the show. That means if you just can't wait to find out the name of that awesome song you heard, wait no more. And Mark, if you ever fall behind on your posts again, don't worry. I've got your back.

"Cut the Lights", Manned Missiles
"You Still Love Me Blondie", Matthew and the Arrogant Sea
"New Dress", The Orbans
"Knife Fight", Calhoun
"Broken Camera", Stanton
"Dammit", Smile Smile
"Ghoul Party", Slider Pines
"My Niagra Heart", Spooky Folk
"Darker than the Night", Dead Twins
"Yellow Eyes", The Burning Hotels
"Returning to the Air", The Slow Burners
"The Great Exhibition", Roy Robertson
"You're No Good", Pale Horse
"Lonesome Tune", The Beaten Sea