A Couple of Free BAcksliders Songs (65, To Be Exact)

As I've mentioned repeatedly, THe BAcksliders are playing Friday night at Double-Wide, marking their first show in about six months. I believe this show will also be the debut of their new bass player, Allan Hayslip (Bonedome, Tiger Darrow). And while the band will be debuting a large number of new songs, I have a feeling there will still be a large number of BAcksliders classics performed that night, songs that will have the whole audience singing all the lyrics.

But maybe you're new to THe BAcksliders and don't have any of their music. And maybe you want to get some of their music, but you just can't afford to download all their CD's. Well, you are totally in luck. The band has quite generously decided to put up their ENTIRE catalog for free until Friday. Just go to THeBAcksliders.com, where you can get all four studio albums (plus the live CD) without paying a dime. Take advantage of this offer while you can, and then cheer on the band this Friday night.

The Lucky Thirteen: 3/19/12

First off, thanks to those who have commented on the piece I wrote about Adam Carter. It's a story that has taken me this full year to get my words together. In writing about Adam, it brought a lot of painful memories to the forefront. Yet in the end, I found it a healing experience, and I hope that discussing the issue helps bring some healing to those who knew him.

Now, on to happier subjects... like local music. 35 Denton and SXSW may be over, but it seems that this week has brought a sudden wave of CD release shows. So in this week's Lucky Thirteen, I'd like to mention some CD releases I'd recommend, along with some shows that don't feature a CD release. And just for good measure, I'll throw in some other songs just because, well, just because.

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. "Space Blanket", Darstar
   


2. "Counting the Holes in My Heart", Gray, the New Black
   So you think just because I book at The Crown and Harp it means I'm going to use every opportunity I have to shamelessly promote the shows I book? Well... of course I will. Of course when you can book bands as good as Darstar and Gray the New Black, wouldn't you be wanting to share that news with everyone? So here's the deal: this Friday at Crown and Harp, doors open at 9, Velvet Guard goes on at 10, Darstar follows at 11, and Gray the New Black wraps up the night at midnight. Cover is only $5.


3. "Break My Spirit", The Roomsounds
   I've been raving about this band since the Fall of 2009. And through those years, I kept bugging the members, asking when they were going to release an album. About two and a half years later, the band will finally release its eponymous debut album. The CD release show happens Friday night at The Prophet Bar, with Madison King and Goodnight Ned opening for the band. If you buy a $12 ticket to the event, or pay $12 at the door, you get your very own copy of the CD. Speaking of Roomsounds and Prophet Bar, they'll be playing the Big Folkin' Festival on March 31st at Prophet Bar. Another venue that will be participating in the event is In Accord, and I'll be booking the lineup there. Curious? I'll be sharing more details on that very soon.


4. "When Your Hope Dies at Your Feet", The Farstar
   Speaking of CD release shows, May 4th will be The Farstar's CD release at Curtain Club. Here's a little music to help tide you over until then.


5. "Stupid Little Circles", Sara Radle
   Ms. Radle may now call Los Angeles home, but from about 2000 until the summer of 2005, she called Dallas home. And this Thursday, she'll make her way back to our fine city, as she performs at LaGrange with I Love Math and True Achiever (it's their CD release show). LaGrange seems the appropriate venue, considering that owner Rob Schumacher used to play drums for her in Lucy Loves Schroeder.


6. "Nine Stories", Signals & Alibis
   When one thinks of local shoegaze, the first three bands to come to mind are usually True Widow, Menkena, and Little Black Dress. I think it's time that Signals and Alibis gets added to the short list of quality local shoegaze acts. But don't just take my word on the matter; check them out Saturday night at Liquid Lounge.


7. "Save Me", Siren Sea
   Mix part sensual vocals, part dreamy melodies, with a dash of pop (not to be confused with Top 40), and you have the fine musical gourmet treat known as Siren Sea.


8. "Julie", Dovetail
   Whereas previously the band seemed to fall more within a Coldplayesque vibe, this new song finds the bands melding together elements of 60's psychedelia along with a bit of southern rock style. The result is the best sounding Dovetail song I have heard to date. While I haven't finished listening to the new album, Mount Karma, I suspect I'll be raving about them a lot this year. If you want to see them, they'll be having their CD release Saturday night at Granada Theater, with Salim Nourallah, RTB2, and Menkena rounding out the bill. It's hosted by The Local Edge with Mark, which only makes it awesomer.


9. "Talk to My Heart", THe BAcksliders
   The wait is almost over: Friday marks the first BAcksliders shows since August. Word is the band will be debuting a large amount of new material during their set at Double-Wide. Also on the bill are Dallas-turned-Austin band The Red 100's and Fort Worth blues rockers Quaker City Nighthawks.


10. "Little Heart", Clint Niosi
    The intro to this song is a little quite and almost sleepy, yet once the percussion begins, the tune becomes hypnotically fascinating, with Mr. Niosi's lyrics taking center stage. If the word gets out about Clint's music, he could be one of the true sleeper success stories of the year.


11. "Coke (Live)", Flickerstick
    For some reason, I've found myself going through a real Flickerstick kick as of late, having listened to the majority of their two studio albums in the last week. Of course, Flickerstick was always best experienced live. Brandin Lea, if you're reading this, what do you say to doing a reunion show?


12. "San Francisco", Dead Beat Poetry
    Another CD I've found growing on me this past week is Dead Beat Poetry's self titled EP. The band's music cannot be labelled easily. On one hand, that makes it harder to promote a band and to find the appropriate fan base. At the same time, the blend of blues, hard rock, and even a little indie only makes it a more interesting listen. Check them out Saturday at 2826 Arnetic.


13. "Winds of Antarctica", Mark Brandt
    Folk can be a hard sell in Dallas. There's not much I can think of that's a harder sell than someone singing over nothing but an acoustic guitar. Actually, I can think of one harder sell: someone playing acoustic guitar without ANY vocals. It's a difficult road that Mark Brandt has decided to travel. Fortunately, he is a talented enough guitar player to make the journey an interesting travel. Mr. Brandt will hold his CD release show Friday, with Temple Diver and Arielle opening.

The Lucky Thirteen: 2/27/12

This is the part where I'm supposed to give some witty prologue to the playlist. I've used up all my wit in writing the blurbs on the songs and the artists, as it should be. The only thing I have left to say is this: listen and enjoy!

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. "Knockout Rose", Bad Design
   I don't think that in the past two weeks there has been a single day where this song didn't get played at least twice. The unique rhythm of this track combined with the striking guitar solo keep me coming back for more. With February not even over yet, it's way too early to declare this the track of 2012. Instead, I will say that Bad Design has thrown down the metaphorical gauntlet, daring other local acts to outdo them. Let the games begin.


2. "Hotel Denalian", Bravo, Max!
   This Saturday, The Crown and Harp celebrates its one year anniversary. Yes, 1914 Greenville Avenue has become a mainstay in the local music scene for well over a decade, but this marks one year under the new moniker. Bravo, Max! will help the venue celebrate the special occasion, along with performances by Goodnight Ned and Temple Diver. And to make it a sweeter deal, there is absolutely no cover charge.


3. "All the Reasons Why", Emmeline
   Speaking of Crown and Harp, Emmeline will be spending more than her share of time at the venue this week. As usual, she hosts the Wednesday night open mic in her usual entertaining manner, sprinkling in amusing anecdotes and coaxing audience members onstage. In addition to the Wednesday show, she will also open Friday's show featuring Backwater Opera and Cassie Holt. Disclaimer: yes, I do help book at Crown and Harp, which gives me a reason to promote the shows there. I helped make these lineups for one simple reason: they're good lineups. And really, what more do you need?


4. "When Your Hope Dies at Your Feet", The Farstar
   The Farstar has made no fuss to big to do over their latest album, God Be With You, Heaven Knows the Devil Is. In a strange way, it's rather fitting. Upon first listen, the songs might not grab you immediately. But give the album a few chances, and you'll find that tracks such as this one stick in your head. So perhaps the album will quietly worm its way into the consciousness of the collective known as our local music scene.


5. "Wait for Us", Mind Spiders
   At the end of 2010, I had barely heard of this band. In that time, the buzz surrounding this band has grown for a quiet din to a deafening roar. With tunes like this that are equal parts sloppy and hook driven, it's easy to see how they've become so popular.


6. "Lay Low", Black Tie Dynasty
   Laying low seems to be exactly what ex-BTD frontman Cory Watson is doing with his latest project, Mon Julien. What I've heard seems to be moving into a more standard indie rock territory, although I've heard people say that Mon Julien stays on the same musical turf as Mr. Watson's previous band. Either way, I'd like to see them play more so I can catch them and judge for myself.


7. "Turn on Your Radio", THe BAcksliders
   Not only will Chris Bonner of THe BAcksliders celebrate a birthday this week, fans of the band have reason to celebrate. They will be headlining March 23 at the Double-Wide, their first show since the CD release of their live album last August. Allan Hayslip joins the band as the new bass player, but I suspect the band will rock as hard as ever in their live shows.


8. "Cats in the Dark", Nervous Curtains
   The wait is officially over... Nervous Curtain's latest, Fake Infinity, is available in both digital and physical format. If the latter is more your cup of tea, swing by Good Records this Thursday to pick up a copy on CD or vinyl. And while you're there, you can catch Nervous Curtains performing a set on the store's stage.


9. "Tape Number 7", Chomsky
   I kept hearing that Chomsky was playing Edgefest, and I thought there had to be another band out there named Chomsky who was playing. Nope, THIS is the Chomsky that will be at Edgefest this year. And that, my friend, is no small deal. I can only hope this will be more than a one-off deal. My fingers are crossed.


10. "Take It Back", To Coda
    Yes, the band is a young band, with all four members still in high school. And yet for a band so young, they possess an unusually strong sense of musicianship and hint that the band is capable of even more than has surfaced thus far in their young career. The band's EP is filled with catchy pop nuggets, including this, the title track. As for the live show, the powerful vocals by lead singer Heather Darwin are reason enough to catch a live show.


11. "Swagger", The Gypsy Bravado
    Congrats to the Gypsy Bravado, who were one of the Dallas finalists in the Hard Rock Rising 2012 contest. The next round takes place on March 31 at Hard Rock Cafe. The goal: to get Gypsy Bravado to perform at the Hard Rock Cafe in London. Dallas, let's make this happen.


12. "Snow in June", Little Black Dress
    Now if you'll excuse me, I need to take a break and carefully examine what I'm wearing on my feet.


13. "San Francisco", Dead Beat Poetry
    Finally, here's a slight departure from the dreamy shoegaze vibes of Little Black Dress. And by slight departure, I mean an enormous change of sonic pace, and volume too. Dead Beat Poetry is full throttle rock and roll with a definite bluesy vibe in many of their tracks. But this is not some Black Keys wannabe duo. The songs, like this, are fierce and unrelenting. Don't just take my word on it though, you can see the band headlining at Liquid Lounge on Friday night, with GOBL fave Arielle opening the show.

The Lucky Thirteen: 10/31/11

Ever since I started doing my radio show, I've really backed off of the Lucky Thirteen playlists. And while the radio show meets the vast majority of my needs for sharing music, there are rare exceptions where a playlist works better. This is one of those exceptions.

As you may know, I've made a Halloween tradition out of doing a playlist consisting exclusively of cover tunes. Cover songs may not seem obviously connected to Halloween, and yet there is a connection. The cover song allows the musician to do a sonic dress up of sorts, putting on their favorite song by another artist. So for those who love a good cover as much as I do, then this playlist will be right up your alley.

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. "Hello Susie", THe BAcksliders
   When I first received this single from THe BAcksliders, I just assumed it was a new tune of theirs. When I looked at the songwriting credits, I came to realize the track was not theirs originally. Instead, a British bands from the 1960's called The Move were the original performers. So, now you know. And no, I wasn't going for a BAcksliders reference with that, but I'll keep it anyways.


2. "Shut It Down", Sarah Jaffe
   Much like how people often dress up as Halloween characters that are unlike his or her normal personality, covers can often showcase aspects of an artist's taste that would seem unlikely. This cover of Ms. Jaffe's of the Drake song would definitely qualify as unlikely. The amazing thing is how her haunting voice so brilliantly transforms the song into sultry, moody, and gorgeous. I shouldn't be surprised though. This is, after all, Sarah Jaffe.


3. "To Love Somebody", Slobberbone
   Slobberbone does a fine job of capturing the heartache of this Bee Gees classic.


4. "Dangerous", Nicholas Altobelli
   Mr. Altobelli is full of surprises. Those who know him would likely expect a cover of a Ryan Adams song, or maybe something of Sam Cooke (he has a real weakness for classic soul music). But Nicholas singing Roxette? Roxette??? Still, it's a quite interesting listen.


5. "All The Pretty Girls", Lovie
   I think this song has made it on each covers edition of my playlist that I've done. Just thought I'd share that.


6. "Driver 8", Old 97's
   Out of all the covers in the list, this one seems to sound the closest to the original. The biggest difference? Rhett Miller's voice is much less nasal than that of Michael Stipe.


7. "Folsom Prison Blues", Frankie 45 & Ben Martin
   Frankie, you're still missed.


8. "Don't Worry Baby", Little Black Dress
   LBD's cover of The Beach Boys is a perfect blend of staying true to the original while adding enough new sonic elements to keep this cover sounding fresh. The band's shoegaze style is a perfect fit for the song.


9. "Beauty School Dropout", Toadies
   Sometime back in the 1990's, someone got the idea to release Sandy Does Dallas. The concept was to have local artists cover the soundtrack to Grease. It's sad that while in many ways it has become easier for bands to record, nobody is pushing the idea of cool compilations and tribute CDs like this anymore. Heck, I'm still waiting for that Toadies tribute CD that Kirtland talked about years ago.


10. "Revolution", Jonathan Tyler & the Northern Lights
    This is a live recording from New Year's Eve 2009 at Granada Theater. Technically, this song was really recorded on New Year's Day. I was there for the show, and all I can say is it was the perfect choice for ringing in the new year.


11. "Never Let Me Down Again", Kristy Kruger
    Before I met or listened to Kristy Kruger, my strongest memory of her was that she won a Depeche Mode box set from the Dallas Observer. Having been such a big fan of the band back in my high school days, I envied her for winning it. So it's only fitting that I put her Depeche Mode cover on the playlist.


12. "You May Be Right", Holy Moly
    The band's new CD, Grasshopper Cowpunk, is easily the best effort ever put out by the band. But for today, I go back to Drinkin' Druggin' and Lovin' (the CD, that is) for this fun Billy Joel cover.


13. "Lithium", The Polyphonic Spree
    When Kurt Cobain sang the song, he sounded like a man in desperate need of Lithium. In the Polyphonic Spree cover, the band sounds as if they have overdosed on it.

Weekend Plans: 5/13/11

While Friday the 13th is in theory supposed to be an unlucky day, this weekend seems to be very lucky for fans of local music. There are an abundance of good shows this weekend, more so than unusual. The only unlucky part is that you can't be in more than one place at a time. I'd need at least three of me to reasonably cover all this good music.

And while I eventually will start giving more commentary on my weekend recommendations, today will not be that day.


FRIDAY:

• RTB2/THe BAcksliders/The Demigs (Dan's Silverleaf)


• Emmeline (Roots Coffeehouse)


• The Orbans/Quaker City Nighthawks/Fate Lions (Magnolia Green Park)


• Jessie Frye/Salim Nourallah & Chris Holt/Manned Missiles (LaGrange)


• Rahim Quazi/Mora Collective/Mi Prospero (Opening Bell Coffee)


• Dallahachie Boys/The Marfalites/The Driftin' Outlaw Band (The Bone)


• The Boom Boom Box/Garbaj Kaetz/Darktown Strutters/Unconscious Collective (Pastime Tavern)

SATURDAY:

• HOMEGROWN FEST (Just click on the link for all the important info)


• The Beaten Sea/Oil Boom/Dovetail (Kessler Theater)


• Garrett Owen/Jaimee Harris/Tiger Darrow/Matthew Bridgman (Opening Bell Coffee)


• North of Autumn (Lochrann's)


• Binary Sunrise/L.A.X./Nervous Curtains/New Fumes (Club Dada)

I feel certain that I've omitted a show of significance. Show me the error of my ways in the comments section.

Weekend Plans: 4/29/11

I'm writing this mere minutes before I head out for the night, so forgive the brief commentary. I'm sure I'll forget a really important show, so feel free to point out any significant omissions in the comments section.

And now, the shows...


FRIDAY:
THe BAcksliders/RTB2 (Double-Wide)
Not only is this a CD release show for THe BAcksliders, but they're also recording a live CD tonight. Maybe if you shout loud enough, you'll hear yourself on the record.
Human Groove Hormone/Immigrant Punk/Paul Chrisopher Yanez/Emmeline/Suzanne KimBrell/Jennifer Bean/Audacious/Karyna Cruz/Backwater Opera/Mark Brant/Sonya Jevette (Lakewood Bar & Grill)
Check out my last blog entry for my thoughts and such.
Tweed EQ/Sir Silky (Fallout Lounge)
I hope Tweed EQ's CD release show doesn't get overlooked, considering that THe BAcksliders are playing down the street. Their album Second Tour is full of plenty of bluesy riffs and classic rock revivalism. As for Sir Silky, he'll certainly bring the party to the show.
Smile Smile (The Belmont)
Word is that the duo is working on material for album number three. You'll probably get to hear some of the new tunes tonight.
The Roomsounds, Van Darien, Pale Horse, Griffin Schmucker, Gypsy Bravado, Playtime Rabbit (The Prophet Bar)
I don't even have time to start talking about how much talent is on this lineup.

SATURDAY:
The Phuss/THe BAcksliders/The Demigs (Lola's)
THe BAcksliders bring their CD release party to Ft. Worth. Openers The Demigs had their CD release show at Dada recently, and so say it sounded tight would be an understatement. Fans of Pixies and Pavement, get their early so you don't miss them.
Pastime Tavern's 74th Anniversary Party
Highlights will include Luna Matto, Here Holy Spain, and Flowers of God (most likely sans Sarah Jaffe).
The Marfalites/These Mad Dogs of Glory (LaGrange)
Are the Marfalites the best country act in Dallas? Maybe. Are they Dallas' best kept secret in country music? Undoubtedly.
The Broadsiders/Rude King/Dog Company/Letters to Voltron (Liquid Lounge)
For those who listened to my radio show Wednesday, you heard me say that I'm usually not a ska fan. You then heard me bust out local ska band Rude King's "Love Bomb". Why? Because I am ALWAYS a fan of a good catchy song. From what I've heard, Rude King has plenty of those.
Rahim Quazi/Ryil Dylan (Claypit Restaurant)
Note to Rahim fans: Rahim will NOT be playing his usual hook-filled singer-songwriter material. Instead, he's busting out some Indian music. Fans of Mr. Quazi may be curious to see him branch out into this different musical direction.

Ghost of Blind Lemon Radio: 4/27/11

For those who have been faithfully listening to my radio show on deepellumradio, I give you my sincere thanks. To those who have not been listening, I hope to convince to start listening every Wednesday 6-8 pm CST. Perhaps if you see the fine musical selections that you're missing out on, that will convince you to turn up your computer speakers and give me a listen. So without further ado, here's this week's playlist.


"Underground", Kirby Brown
"Hotel Denalian", Bravo, Max!
"Missing Funerals", Salim Nourallah
"Hands Where Words Cannot Go", RTB2
"City of Hate", Toadies
"Carney's Lake", W.A. Fite
"Save Your Breath", Camille Cortinas
"Chasing Corporate", Air Review
"Justify or Explain", Tweed EQ
"Man with the Crooked Crown", Nicholas Altobellit
"You're No Good", Pale Horse
"Burn It Down", Here Holy Spain
"Tropicall", Soviet
MUSICIAN SPOTLIGHT: Kim Bonner
"Holy Water", Princess Tex
"Holiday", Vibrolux
"Potential Future Selves", THe BAcksliders
"Turn on Your Radio", THe BAcksliders
"sEVEN", DuCADO Vega
"Parking Lot Nights", Ghosthustler
"Set Me Free", The Red 100's
"Love Bomb", Rude King
"Charmed", The Bright
"Eyes Get Bigger", Oil Boom
"Skull Eyes", True Widow
"Three", The Timeline Post
"Sins of the Fathers", Course of Empire
"Remember You", The O's
"Pawn Shop Special", The Marfalites
"Someone Else's Blues", Greg Schroeder

And for those who have been wondering, the Ghost of Blind Lemon theme (intro song) was created by Clay Pendergrass, and the outro song is an excerpt from Rahim Quazi's "Supernatural (Reprise).

Also, feel free to email me at ghost@deepellumradio.com with song requests, suggestions for the show, or if you have an mp3 you'd like me to play.

THe BAcksliders from Dallas, Texas

The title of this post is more than the obvious declaration of the band's hometown. It is also the name of the band's latest album. The release date of the album is April 19th, but you're in for a treat. The members of the band have given me permission to stream the new album, THe BAcksliders from Dallas, Texas, on the website until the album is released.

This album marks the debut of the band as a five piece. Kim Bonner remains as the main vocalist, and Chris continues to shred on lead guitar, as well as singing lead from time to time. Jason Bonner returns to the band on bass, and Earl Darling and Nathan Adamson round out the lineup with drums and keyboards respectively. And while not a member, Ryan Thomas Becker lends his skills on guitar on the track "I Don't Feel It Anymore".

With the new lineup comes a little of a change of sound. The band's sound is a little less heavy this time, and there's a more apparent power-pop influence than ever before. "Talk to My Heart", released last year, is a perfect example of that poppier sound found on this CD. THe BAcksliders from Dallas, Texas also features many slower tunes, such as "You Got Something", and the lead single from the album, "Turn on Your Radio". That track, while it may seem like an unlikely choice for a single, is one of the most beautifully captivating songs that the band has ever put out. A large piece of the credit must go to Kim Bonner, whose vocals are equal parts haunting and soulful.

And for those who might be fearing that the band could have lost its edge, one listen to "Regular Nights" or "Getaway Driver" shows that the band's devotion to the legacy of rock and roll has not wavered one bit.

But enough of me talking about the album. Listen for yourself below. Okay, free preview time is over. Time to go buy the album on iTunes. Or better yet, come out to Double-Wide on April 29th for their CD release show. You get a free copy of the CD with your paid admission to the venue.

Lucky Thirteen: 1/10/11

Next week, I'll be coming at you with lots of newer stuff to help ring in '11 the right way. I still, however, have one piece of 2010 business left over. This list was originally going to hit the blog last Monday, but for obvious reasons I got sidetracked and my heart wasn't in this. Well, now it's time to get out my last 2010 list. Here are my thirteen favorite local shows of last year. These are not ranked in order of preference, but rather in the order I attended the shows. For each show, I included a song performed that evening. So listen and enjoy one last reflection on 2010.

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. Salim Nourallah/Chris Holt/Rahim Quazi/Nicholas Altobelli (March 26 - Kessler Theater)
   Song Selection: "Dalton the Prophet", Nicholas Altobelli
   All four artists put on a fabulous set, but the true star of that evening was not any individual performer, but the venue itself. This was most people's first musical experience in the Kessler Theater, and I don't know a single soul who had a complaint about that evening. The sound quality was great, but what impressed me the most was that this venue brought out an audience intent on listening to the music. It is rare to find audiences where the main goal at a show is paying attention to the music, and that is even more true in the case of acoustic music. Yet during all the sets, including the set of Nicholas Altobelli, you could have dropped a pin during the set and everyone would have heard it. Sadly to say, I haven't been back to the Kessler since. Perhaps that needs to be my New Year's Resolution.


2. Ghost of Blind Lemon Showcase: The Roomsounds/Cocky Americans/Pale Horse (May 7 - The Cavern)
   Song Selection: "Young & Reckless", The Roomsounds
   Yes, I'm biased on this one. Sue me. But seriously, it was my first Pale Horse show, and they were their usual awesome selves. Cocky Americans always put on a truly solid set, and The Roomsounds ended the night with their high energy rock country blend. All in all, it was a fun night of music.


3. Homegrown Fest (May 22 - Main Street Garden Park)
   Song Selection: "Pastel Lights", Ishi
   Wow, I don't even know where to begin on this show. First of all, to pull off a festival of essentially all local music and get a turn out of such a large proportion, that borders on being a local music miracle. My props go out to John Solis and Josh Florence for organizing this event and booking such quality acts as Air Review, Somebody's Darling, RTB2, The O's, and Jonathan Tyler & Northern Lights to name only a few. But my most memorable moment of the night was dancing in the mud to Ishi's "Pastel Lights". Yes, Ishi does know how to bring the party.


4. Dallas Observer Music Awards Showcase (July 17 - Various Deep Ellum Venues)
   Song Selection: "The Message", Dem Southernfolkz
   This showcase of music was hot, both figuratively and literally. Kicking the show off outside at 5 PM in a Dallas summer was not the most pleasant way to start a show. I probably would've skipped the opening outdoor act had it not been Jonathan Tyler & Northern Lights, but they made the show work in spite of the heat. Fortunately, the other venues in Deep Ellum were nicely air conditioned, and there were plenty of good musical choices. Of all the performances that night, however, it's Dem Southernfolkz's gig at The Prophet Bar (small room) that stands out. Their performance was energetic, the musicianship was dead on, and the lyrical skills and content were spot on. That night DSFZ became my new favorite local hip-hop band.


5. Rahim Quazi/Katie Carroll/Emmeline (August 21 - Opening Bell Coffee)
   Song Selection: "So In Love With You", Katie Carroll
   There were two other out of towners on the lineup, and I sadly do not recall their names. Still, this night was all about the local. Yes, I will admit more bias here, as I booked all the locals as sort of a pre-birthday celebration. I was lucky enough to snag a way too rare performance by the lovely Katie Carroll, whose Paper Girl CD is filled with lovely ballads that bridge the gap between Camille Cortinas and Sarah Jaffe. The icing on the cake for me, however, was when Ms. Carroll tossed me a flower in the middle of "So in Love With You". Made me feel kinda special and stuff.


6. Pale Horse/Little Black Dress/Charlie Shafter and the Gnomes (August 27 - Double-Wide)
   Song Selection: "You're No Good", Pale Horse
   Pale Horse was part of the lineup for three of the listed shows, more than any other act. This night was the release of their Future Dimensions EP, and the band confirmed to me that the first rate performance given at the Cavern show was no fluke. The band even debuted a new song that night ("Your Heart Is A Wild Drum Beat"), and you would've thought they'd rehearsed the song a million times to get it so perfect. I would've posted that track if I had it, but you'll have to settle for "You're No Good", my #1 track of last year.


7. Spector 45/The Phuss (August 28 - LaGrange)
   Song Selection: "I Love You", Spector 45
   For the record, I created this list late last year, and was not biased by recent tragedies. I'd seen Spector 45 before, but this night was the night that, for lack of a better way of putting it, I "got" the band. Yes, I'd liked them, but this performance was the one where I finally understood both the energy and the songwriting skills of Frankie and the rest of the crew. This was also by far the most fun crowd of ANY show I did last year.


8. Whiskey Glass Eye/The O's/Scott Riegel (September 25 - Bryan Street Tavern)
   Song Selection: "Billy Prichard", Slobberbone
   Say, wasn't "Whiskey Glass Eye" a Slobberbone song? Yeah, much in the same way Old 97's have gone under the pseudonym Satellite Rides, Whiskey Glass Eye is nothing more than Slobberbone under a different name. It's fun to watch Slobberbone at a larger venue like Granada, but they really shine the most at a smaller, lower-key venue like Bryan Street Tavern. Add some brand new O's songs to the mix and the talent of young Scott Riegel, and it adds up to a great night.


9. Chris Holt (October 9 - LaGrange)
   Song Selection: "Aim High", Chris Holt
   I think it says something when by the time the CD release show hits, the entire audience seems to know all the words to your album. That's exactly what happened at Mr. Holt's CD release show for A Cosmic Joke. Contrary to what the Observer thinks, this album was an intelligent, heartfelt collection of masterfully written songs. The band did a fabulous job of bringing life to Mr. Holt's artistic vision. And on a completely unrelated note, it was a blast to hear Holt and company jam to the "Layla" outro while Goodfellas played on the LaGrange screen. Admit it, you loved it if you were there, and if you missed the show, you're kicking yourself now after hearing that, aren't you?


10. Cystic Fibrosis Benefit Featuring Rhett Miller/Ben Kweller/The O's/Doug Burr (November 6 - Granada Theater)
    Song Selection: "Big Brown Eyes", Old 97's
    Raving about Rhett Miller seems almost too easy. I admit to a very strong Miller/97's bias, and an average show by either eclipses over half of Dallas bands on their best nights. It would seem almost unfair to count this show, except for the fact that this show featured my favorite concert moment of the year, and one that'd probably go on my top ten of all time list. Rhett had just played the intro to "Big Brown Eyes", and before he uttered the first line of the song, the audience took over for him. It was a "had to be there" moment, but it was amazing to see the crowd take over the song, and to be a part of it.


11. Emmeline/Josh Cooley/Steve Jackson (November 26 - Times Ten Cellar)
    Song Selection: "A Hundred Years", Emmeline
    Over the past year that I've been following Emmeline, I feel as if I've watched her bloom as a songwriter and as a performer. Her CD release show for Early Morning Hours was Emmeline at the top of her game. Never before have I seen her perform with such confidence and command the attention of the entire room. When she closed the show with "A Hundred Years", I would have been willing to stay in Times Ten Cellar that long if she would've kept playing. Alright, maybe just 99 years.


12. Ghost of Blind Lemon Showcase: THe BAcksliders/Pale Horse/The Black & Blues (December 10 - The Green Elephant)
    Song Selection: "Talk To My Heart", THe BAcksliders
    Not that I haven't liked other lineups, but if I had to choose my favorite lineup of any GOBL showcase, this would be it. Whether it be the psychedelic progressive soul styling of Black & Blues, the surprisingly cool BRMC style stripped down Pale Horse set, or the usual full octane BAcksilders rock show, this night was as good as it gets.


13. Seryn (December 18th - Wellhouse Co. House Party)
    Song Selection: We Will All Be Changed", Seryn
    Sometimes when critics start buzzing about a particular act, I confess I can be rather skeptical. Although I liked "We Will All Be Changed", I wasn't certain if the Seryn show would live up to the hype. It didn't live up to the hype; Seryn exceeded the hype by leaps and bounds. Perhaps the intimate setting helped; there's nothing quite like watching a band in a person's home with an audience of only about fifty or so. Still, the band's skill on their instruments and perhaps the best harmonizing in Dallas, their set left me in awe. I am left now anxiously awaiting the release of their album this year. Even if it's only half as good as the performance last year, it'll be guaranteed a spot in the ten best local albums of '11.

The Lucky Thirteen: 12/21/10

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.

With all the legal mumbo jumbo out of the way, let's listen to some tunes and try to get into the holiday spirit, okay?

1. "Christmas Time Is Here", Chomsky


2. "Waiting on Christmas", The Adventures of Jet
   I suppose I could do a Christmas playlist and not feature any tunes from Electric Ornaments, but it just wouldn't be right. Here are two of my faves from the CD.


3. "My Christmas List", Scott Riegel
   I first saw Mr. Riegel perform at Bryan Street Tavern along with The O's and Whiskey Glass Eye (aka Slobberbone), and there's a certain charm to this 17 year old musician that has me highly curious about where he'll go next musically. For now, enjoy this fun acoustic Christmas ditty.


4. "What I Always Wanted", Chris Holt


5. "Christmas (Doesn't Have to Be So Bad)", THe BAcksliders
   I'm lacking anything witty or insightful to say. I like Chris Holt. I like THe BAcksliders. I like these songs. Ok, on to the next song...


6. "Merry Christmas Now", Rahim Quazi
   I hope everyone has enjoyed my gift of the Rahim Quazi mp3's. What, you haven't downloaded the tracks yet? Click here and get yourself some good tunes.


7. "Winter Wonderland in Dub", Clay Pendergrass
   This is admittedly a rather long track, but I recommend sitting yourself down, relaxing, and allow yourself the time to appreciate this hypnotic gem from Mr. Pendergrass.


8. "Here It Is Christmas Time", Old 97's
   Dear Santa, I've been a good blogger (for the most part). Could you leave me a pair of Old 97's New Year's Eve tickets in my stocking?


9. "Santa Baby", Smile Smile


10. "Silent Night", Smile Smile
    Smile Smile has had quite a good year, and Truth on Tape was easily one of my favorite CDs of the year. I figured it'd be nice to have a double dose of Smile Smile.


11. "Run Rudolph Run", Reverend Horton Heat
    Definitely one of the most rocking local music Christmas tunes ever. One would expect no less from The Rev.


12. "Christmas Eve", Salim Nourallah
    There's nothing that'll get someone into the Christmas spirit than hearing Salim sing "Why can't we cheat death?". Merry Christmas!!!


13. "Christmas Time", Black Tie Dynasty
    After that last track, I figured it was either hand out Prozacs or let you hear this song. For my money, this tune is the ultimate Christmas party song. Turn it up everyone, you'll know it's Christmas time because you won't be able to fight it.

The Lucky Thirteen: 12/6/10

As you might have noticed, I'm just a little bit excited about my showcase this Friday at Green Elephant. For those who somehow missed my post and tweets, here's the deal: THe BAcksliders, Pale Horse, and The Black & Blues are performing a showcase of mine this Friday at The Green Elephant. And not to brag or anything, but this is going to be seriously amazing. I am super proud of this lineup, and I hope you will come and check it out.

But back to the playlist. This week, I'm spotlighting not only the artists playing my showcase this Friday, but an assortment of acts that I have had the privilege of performing at my showcases.

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. "Regular Nights", THe BAcksliders
   This is the second showcase of mine featuring THe BAcksliders. They also performed for the GOBL one year anniversary show at Club Dada in 2008.


2. "You're No Good", Pale Horse
   Pale Horse has also had experience with GOBL showcases, having performed this past May at my Cavern showcase.


3. "Thinkuboutmi", Keite Young
   Unfortunately, I do not have any Black & Blues songs to share with you. I'll do the next best thing, and feature a solo track from B&B lead singer Keite Young. This guy has a serious set of pipes on him, and you need to get there good and early so that you don't miss this band.


4. "What I Always Wanted", Chris Holt
   I love it when I get to be the first to debut a song. Erv from Idol Records shared this new Christmas track from Mr. Holt, and I'm stoked to let my readers hear it now! And just so you know, Chris performed at the first GOBL showcase, which was held December 29, 2007 at Opening Bell Coffee.


5. "Borrowed Time", The Monco Poncho
   The Monco Poncho headlined my first showcase at Lakewood Bar & Grill...


6. "The Queen Himself", Fate Lions
   And Fate Lions headlined my last showcase at that venue.


7. "Rocketships", Menkena
   Menkena helped me ring in the second year anniversary of the blog with a show at City Tavern.


8. "Romance Tried to Kill Me", Cocky Americans
   Cocky Americans were on the same Cavern bill with Pale Horse. Roomsounds played that night as well.


9. "Your Virgo", Lovie
   Lovie has played two showcases of mine. The first was an Opening Bell Coffee showcase, mere days after the band won Quick magazine's 2008 Battle of the Bands. The second time, they played at Lakewood Bar & Grill along with The Felons and The Burgundys.


10. "We've Had Everything", The O's
    The O's also performed at my two year anniversary show at City Tavern. And no, you didn't miss out on the 3 year anniversary show. I didn't organize one. I guess I'll have to make #4 even bigger to make up for it.


11. "Buyer's Remorse", Les Americains
    Here's yet another in the long list of acts that played my Lakewood Bar & Grill showcases.


12. "Slideshows", Rose County Fair
    John Pedigo has done plenty of my showcases, both as half of The O's as well as this band of his. RCF played both of my showcases at Dada, both my one year anniversary show as well as my January 2009 showcase that also featured The O's, Erik Neff, and Nicholas Altobelli.


13. "She Falls", Rahim Quazi
    I believe Mr. Quazi holds the record for most GOBL showcases. He was played solo at my first showcase, then Rahim & The Supernaturals performed the Dada 1 year anniversary show, and he also played one of my Lakewood Bar & Grill shows. And I have a VERY strong feeling that he'll be adding a fourth show to his musical resume. Curious? Good.

Is a Picture Worth 1000 Words?

If so, then thanks to Bristen Lee Phillips for "writing the following story."

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

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.

Lucky Thirteen: 10/26/10 (Covers Edition)

With Halloween coming up next Sunday, I wanted to do something to celebrate the day without doing the ever cliched ghosts/goblins/monsters type playlist. So instead, I'm doing what I did last year: an all covers playlist. That may not seem so Halloweenish at first, but stop and think for a second. What do most people do to celebrate this holiday? They dress up in costume, trying on a different character. In a sense, the cover song is the musical equivalent of that.

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.

1. "50 Ways To Leave Your Lover", Clay Pendergrass
   I received this tune from Mr. Pendergrass at the same time as "Unicorn $", but I've been saving his reworking of the Paul Simon classic for this week.


2. "Stoned", Funland
   This is from the infamous split single released on Idol Records where Funland covers Old 97's, and Rhett and the gang return the favor.


3. "All The Pretty Girls", Lovie
   I'm not sure how well known this Judys song is known outside of Texas, but it's certainly a classic here. Lovie does quite a nice job with the song as well.


4. "Love Untold", Jayson Bales
   Thanks to Mr. Bales for sending me his cover of this Paul Westerberg song. I've been enjoying his cover at live shows, and am glad to have this to listen to whenever I feel like.


5. "Jump Into The Fire", Tripping Daisy
   Tim DeLaughter and the band remade this Harry Nilsson tune for the soundtrack to the 90's teen horror film The Craft.


6. "Love My Way", The Polyphonic Spree
   Here's another cover from Tim DeLaughter, this time reworking this 80's classic from The Psychedelic Furs. So I did two covers by DeLaughter. It beats covering "Something in the Air" three times in one night. Oh wait, Tim already did that. Open mouth, insert foot.


7. "Wicked Game", Sara Donaldson
   Sara, where have you been? Your gorgeous voice and haunting work on the cello are sorely missed around town. Whether it be covering this Chris Isaak song or playing your own music (I honestly prefer the latter), Dallas needs you.


8. "Damnit", Smile Smile
   Blink-182 has never sounded as good as when done by Smile Smile.


9. "You May Be Right", Holy Moly
   I like their cover of Billy Joel here, but I'd love to hear the band cover some Violent Femmes. The only potential problem is that with lead singer Jim Rose's voice, it might be hard to distinguish their cover from the original.


10. "Hot 'N Cold", Phoenix Hart
    I'm not the biggest Katy Perry fan (and that's putting it mildly), but Ms. Hart does a nice job with this cover. Her own material is even better than this. If you want to hear her and get new music from her, head to House of Blues Thursday night for her CD release with The Roomsounds. Don't hold me to this, but I believe that you get the CD with the price of the ticket.


11. "Keep-A-Knockin'", THe BAcksliders
    There's a good chance you'll hear their cover of this Little Richard tune this Saturday, when they perform at Kessler Theater with Floramay Holiday and Trinity River Folk.


12. "Summer Of '69", Bowling For Soup
    Oh yes I did.


13. "99 Luftballoons", Crushed Stars
    Who knew this 80's hit from Nena could sound so dreamy? As far as I'm concerned, this easily trumps the original.

The Lucky Thirteen: 10/18/10

Radio station KXT is approaching its one year anniversary, and they're currently doing their pledge drive. As far as I'm concerned, no other stations even comes close to playing the caliber of music that KXT does. There's certainly no other local station that has as much local music in regular rotation as KXT. This week, the Lucky Thirteen spotlights a small portion of the great tunes that can be heard on their station. If you like the station and what they do for local music, I would encourage you to donate whatever you can afford to.

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.

1. "Allison", The Burning Hotels
   This song is in regular rotation on both KXT and my iTunes. If you want to hear the song live, check them out Friday night at the Carrollton Festival at the Switchyards. If that isn't reason enough to head out to Carrollton Friday, Old 97's and Polyphonic Spree are performing the same night. Who'd have ever thought the place to be on a Friday night would be Carrollton?


2. "Clementine", Sarah Jaffe
   I was driving one day, listening to this song on KXT. I heard Ms. Jaffe sing "I wish I was a little more delicate/I wish my name was Clementine." I feel like I've heard another local artist sing about wishing their name was something different. I'm trying to think of who that might be...


3. "Doctor's Not Gonna Cure Our Ills", The Beaten Sea
   I'm finding myself liking this band a little more with each listen.


4. "Patricia Lynn", The Crash That Took Me
   This is definitely one of the more rocking numbers I've heard on the station.


5. "Borrowed Time", The Monco Poncho
   If I had to choose a favorite track from the band, this would be it.


6. "Talk To My Heart", THe BAcksliders
   THe BAcksliders have definitely gone even poppier than before with this song. By poppy, I mean that not in a Lady Gaga sort of way, but more in a Cheap Trick sort of way.


7. "Shivonne", Menkena
   I've never heard KXT play this song, but I've seen it listed on their playlist. Speaking of Menkena, when is the full length CD coming out? I'm getting impatient...


8. "Mine", Toadies
   Most of the Toadies' material is a bit too aggressive to fit in on KXT, but they've managed to sneak this track off of Feeler into regular rotation.


9. "We Will All Be Changed", Seryn
   This song is doing double duty. It's not only a representative of the fine music heard on KXT, but it also allows me the opportunity to hype Art Conspiracy, happening this Saturday. Seryn, Ishi, and Dem Southernfolkz will all be playing there. Click on the link for all the juicy details.


10. "Home", Deep Blue Something
    If I had a dollar for every time the Observer made fun of DBS, I'd never have to work again. Personally, I've always thought the band was severely underappreciated.
    Granted, "Breakfast at Tiffany's" got overplayed in a major way, but even that's a good song. Hearing KXT play this track, my favorite by the band, I felt like the station was validating my position on the band.


11. "Roscoe", Midlake
    You know how I was talking about how I felt another artist besides Ms. Jaffe sing about wishing their name was something different. I'm still trying to think of what song that might be.


12. "Like a Liar", The Orbans
    Not only has the band gotten love from KXT, NPR named this track the "song of the day" awhile back. You can give the band love this Saturday at the Carrolton Festival at the Switchyards. Carrollton, you're really rockin' right about now.


13. "For Keeps", Iris Leu
    Of all the songs I've heard on KXT, this is probably the one that excited me the most. Not only have I been a long time advocate of Ms. Leu's music, on a personal level I've found her to be one of the nicest people I've gotten to know during my time as a blogger. The first time I heard this song on the radio, I was headed home, but found myself driving around the block a few extra times just to get all the way through the song. When was the last time a radio station made you do that?

The Lucky Thirteen: 9/13/10

1. "Aim High", Chris Holt
   I'm saving my comments for the review I hope to get out of Mr. Holt's upcoming CD, A Cosmic Joke


2. "Talk to my Heart", THe BAcksliders
   I thought the band had a show in Fort Worth this week, but I'm not seeing any mention on the website. If anyone has any official info, feel free to post it in the comments.


3. "Caldera", The Timeline Post
   Speaking of comments, what's up with The Timeline Post? I haven't heard about any shows in months, and I'm hoping the band is still together. Again, post a comment if you know something.


4. "Letters From a Young Danny Kennedy", RTB2
   Ryan and Grady have a busy weekend ahead. The band plays Friday Night at the Kessler Theater, and then will perform Saturday at Rubber Gloves.


5. "Girl from the City", The King Bucks
   The band plays Friday at one of its favorite places, Adair's.


6. "Motivational", Toadies
   Kirtland Records recently announced that there will be a Toadies tribute album being released. As I understand it, applications are still being accepted from both well established local acts as well as lesser known up and coming acts.


7. "A Black Wave Is Comin'", Doug Burr
   After several months or either few or no postings or playlists, too many good tracks are only now getting the attention from me that they deserve. I've been listening to the track for months, but this is the song's debut on the Lucky Thirteen. Better late than never, right?


8. "Just Wanna Try", Luna Matto
   After about two years after its opening, Mokah Coffee Bar is finally making its mark on the local music map. This is thanks in no small part to the recent shows being booked by Chelsea Callahan. I'm not sure if she had a hand in Saturday's show featuring Luna Matto and Something in the Wheel's Mimo Morreale, but it's sure to be a good show.


9. "Preacher, Preacher", The Phuss
   This band blew me away when they opened up for Spector 45's CD release show. They also nearly blew out my eardrums, but that's another story. I enjoyed every second of the damage to my hearing.


10. "Falling Out of Sync With Time (History at Our Disposal Mix)", Nervous Curtains
    The band recently released an album of remixes, The Song's Been Damaged, and it can be downloaded free of charge on the Nervous Curtains Bandcamp page. Oh, and you can hear the non-remixed versions of the songs Friday at Kessler Theater when they perform with RTB2.


11. "Pardon Me", Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights
    Last week's playlist was supposed to be a Labor Day tribute to some of the hardest working acts in the metroplex area. This is one of the songs that would've made the cut. Mr. Tyler and his band have been touring like crazy, and I'm still hoping it pays off and pushes him into the national spotlight.


12. "You're No Good", Pale Horse
    I like this band. A lot. Hey, I warned you about my less than witty comments this time around...


13. "Walk Beside Me", Kerri Arista
    Emmeline recently performed with Ms. Arista and said quite nice things about her music. Being curious and trusting Emmeline's opinion, I checked out Kerri's website. There were several good songs on there, but this song really stood out. The intro is so simple and stark, and Ms. Arista's voice is crisp, clear, and possesses a beautiful simplicity. I could analyze the technical aspects of the song further, but that would minimize the song's greatest strength. "Walk Beside Me" is a very tender, emotional, and at risk of sounding corny, a very touching song. And while I risk becoming more cliched, isn't music about touching your heart?
    

Weekend Plans: 8/27/10 - 8/28/10

Before I get into any weekend plans, let me share some good news with you, my readers. If you haven't heard about it thru the DC9 at Night article or my Facebook posts, Club Dada will be reopening its doors. Josh Florence, who runs City Tavern, will be the new head guy at Dada. The game plan is to re-open Dada by year's end. I had the privilege of hosting the 2nd anniversary showcase for my blog at City Tavern, and it was truly a pleasure to work with Mr. Florence. He is that rare breed that knows how to blend an intelligent business design with a genuine caring for the musicians that play there. I've heard some horror stories about club owners from musicians, but I have never heard any musician say anything but the kindest things about Josh. If anyone can bring Dada back to its glory days, it would be Josh.

Since Club Dada isn't back yet, you still need to plan this weekend. Here are some suggestions:


FRIDAY:
Pale Horse/Little Black Dress/Charlie Shafter and the Gnomes (Double-Wide)
Hopefully you've read the Pale Horse interview by now. I'm not sure what else I have left to say about the band that I haven't said already. It is worth mentioning, however, that the band has allowed me to adopt their EP release party as a "post-birthday celebration." Oh, and Little Black Dress always puts on a solid show, so don't miss their set either.
Ruby Jane/Luna Matto/Trinity River Folk (Kessler Theater)
The only thing disappointing in regards to Luna Mattto is that they haven't hit the big time... yet. Ms. Matto's voice is somewhat reminiscent of Neko Case, though melodically her music rests in power of a Cat Power sort of vein. And the songs? I'm gonna say it: it's as good as anything Cat Power has ever released. That's the straight up truth.

SATURDAY:
Spector 45/The Phuss (LaGrange)
What, is this the weekend for EP releases? This show celebrates the release of Break Me. Spector 45 is never lacking in energy, and this performance will probably be even more intense than is usual for the band. One request though: keep all glass bottles away from bassist Adam Carter. And no, Adam, I'm not going to let you live that down.
The Burning Hotels/Ishi/Shapes Stars Make (Lola's 6th)
Burning Hotels are long time favorites in Fort Worth, but this show marks Ishi's Funkytown debut. Admittedly, the indie rock stylings of Burning Hotels may seem an odd pairing with Ishi's self-proclaimed "folktronica." I suspect, however, that both bands will wind up with a whole new set of fans by night's end.
Holy Moly/The Orbans/Bravo, Max!/Leland Williams (The Aardvark)
It's not often where I find two shows in FW to recommend, so this is kind of a shocker for me. While I'm not familiar with Mr. Williams, every other band gets a thumbs up from me.
Nicholas Altobelli (Roots Coffeehouse)
Actually, if you count North Richland Hills as part of Fort Worth, there are three shows to choose from. I'm inclined to say that Mr. Altobelli is the area's most underrated and underappreciated singer-songwriter. In the past almost three years since his debut EP Streetcar Visions, Nicholas has steadily grown as a musician. His latest, The Regulator, is filled with song that possess a simple beauty and that will linger in your head.
Anna Thomas (Landon Winery)
At a mere fourteen years old, Anna Thomas possesses a vocal talent that many local artists twice her age would kill to have. My only complaint? Let's have some shows in Dallas for a change instead of always playing in McKinney. Then again, McKinney people need good shows too.
THe BAcksliders/Sideshow Tragedy/Not in the Face!/JBe (City Tavern)
THe BAcksliders have become quite a predictable band. You can predict, with 100% certainty, that their shows will be a massively rocking experience. I'm sure this show will not change the above statistic.
El Cento/Orange Peel Sunshine/Les Americains/Diamond Age (Kessler Theater)
Word is that Les Americains will finally be releasing an album by year's end, which is welcome news. Also, Don Cento's new project, El Cento, sounds quite promising based on the one track ("Citizen") that I've heard.
Allgood Cafe Block Party
There are too many good acts to mention, so I'm just going to hit a few highlights. On the outdoor stage, catch Trey Johnson & Chris Holt at 2 PM, King Bucks at 4 PM, The O's at 6, and Boys Named Sue at 8 PM. Make your way indoors at 10 to catch New Bohemians. Proceeds will go to several charities, including the Carter Albrecht Music Foundation.

The Lucky Thirteen: 8/9/10

No promises here, but I'm going to try to get back to writing more. That, and of course, I'll be posting my playlists. I don't have time for commentary now; that will come later tonight. For now, I leave you with a new edition of The Lucky Thirteen. I'm moving the playlists to Monday. I encourage anyone who likes the playlist to retweet it as part of "Music Mondays", as tweeters like to call it. And if you're not following me on Twitter, do so!

(Standard 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.)

1. "German Chocolate Cake", Bravo, Max!
   This band came highly recommended to me by John Keener from Lakewood Bar & Grill. He compared their sound to The Waterboys, and while the comparison doesn't totally fit, it fits better than any that I can come up with. It's certainly a very enjoyable pop song, and I'm curious to see what else this band is capable of.


2. "Regular Nights", THe BAcksliders
   Do you know how I knew this song was going to be good before I even heard it? I knew because it was by THe BAcksliders. Duh. I have yet to be let down by the band, and this new song shows that they've still got the goods. They'll prove it this Friday night in Sachse... that's right, Sachse. The band will play at Monkey's Pub N Grub off Highway 78. Sachse, you don't know what you're in for.


3. "If My Heart Was A Car", Old 97's
   As you might have noticed, I've switched from Hypster to Grooveshark for my playlists. Grooveshark doesn't have a lot of local music on there, but it has a surprisingly respectable selection of songs from Slobberbone and Old 97's, even going all the way back to this, my favorite track from Hitchhike to Rhome.


4. "The Message", Dem Southernfolkz
   I had good intentions in regards to blogging about the Dallas Observer Music Awards Showcase. I think there's some cliche about a road paved with good intentions. Anyways, back to the DOMA showcase. Of all the performances I saw that night, none could compare to Dem Southernfolkz. Their fusion of southern soul and thought provoking hip-hop was the highlight of my evening. At the very least, DSFZ has become my new favorite rap group. Judging by the band's victory at the Dallas Observer Music Awards, I'm not the only fan.


5. "The Queen Himself", Fate Lions
   Ever since KXT put Fate Lions into regular rotation, it seems their presence in the metroplex is looming larger. That's fine by me, as this band produces some really catchy tunes such as this one. They'll be at The Prophet Bar this Saturday as part of Deep Ellum's Second Saturday, where $10 cover gets you into several clubs.


6. "It's Over Now", Lovie
   One Deep Ellum club that's not participating in the aforementioned Second Saturday is Liquid Lounge. Instead, they'll be hosting an Acoustic Chaos Reunion show, which will include Moonshot Radio (featuring members of The Burgundys) and Lovie. The show is a benefit for Ultraviolet/Cystic Fibrosis.


7. "Farewell", Shaolin Death Squad
   Finally, a metal band I can sink my teeth into. Granted, this is not exactly a serious metal band. Perhaps it's their over the top sense of humor, wardrobe, and stage antics that won me over. This is one of those rare bands like Polyphonic Spree and Spoonfed Tribe where I would say everyone needs to attend a show regardless of what preconceived notions you might have regarding the music.


8. "Virtue and Vice", The Virgin Wolves
   Thanks again to all who sent their mp3s for my last playlist. I discovered many good new artists as a result. Of all the songs on that playlist, however, this particular track stood out as my favorite. The opening riff is quite killer, and this song is vying for the title of "Best Hard Rock Anthem of the Year". I challenge anyone to put out a more rocking song in the remaining months of 2010.


9. "Rocket Seance", Record Hop
   Speaking of bands that rock hard, Record Hop will be at Kessler Theater this Saturday.


10. "Swelling", Sarah Jaffe
    During the first year of my blog, this was possibly my favorite song. Finally, almost three years later, "Swelling" was properly released on Suburban Nature. It's about time.


11. "Burning Pictures", The Monco Poncho
    It's long overdue, but this week I am PROMISING my readers a review of the band's CD, Miserable Man. After you read the review, check out the band Friday Night at City Tavern. We'll compare notes later.


12. "New Dress Were Her", The Orbans


13. "Farewell Republica", Airline
    This weekend it's Farewell Airline. The band plays its final show Saturday at Double-Wide, with The Orbans opening. Speaking of The Orbans, a glitch prevented me from posting "New Dress", so you'll have to settle for "Were Her". And by settle, I mean really, really, enjoy.