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.

Adam

(Photo courtesy of Ange Fitzgerald)


It was a year ago today that I sat down at my computer, and browsed through Facebook right before I thought I was going to go to bed. That's when I discovered the news: Adam Carter, bass player for Spector 45, The Marfalites, Somebody's Darling, and The Felons (and too many others to list), was no longer with us.

In the year that has followed, I have wrestled with what to say about Adam, just as I have wrestled with my own feelings on his death. My first initial reaction was anger. After knowing the way that Frankie 45's death affected the community, I was angered that he would leave us in the same manner.

I thought back on our last conversation, the Monday right before his death. He was still in tremendous pain over the loss of his best friend, Frankie. The last thing I said to him was "call me if you need anything." Some of that anger I felt was directed at the fact that he never took me up on that offer. Then I started thinking about how people say that phrase so casually, almost like "let's do lunch". I feared that he may have not understood that when I said that, I meant it from the bottom of my heart. I meant it in that had he called me at three in the morning, that I would have been there to do whatever was humanly possible in my power to help him. And so began the wrestling with my own guilt, feeling that I had failed him as a friend. Turns out, I was not the only one dealing with these issues. Last December, I was with a group of his friends, and the conversation turned to Adam. Every one of us felt that there was something that could have been done differently. While I have mostly come to terms with my personal issues, what lingers is the sadness. There has not been a day that has gone by in that year where Adam has not entered my mind and where I have not missed him deeply.

Adam was a complex individual, and he certainly struggled with his demons. Even with that, however, there was a true ray of light and sunshine that beamed from Adam. He was always the first one to bring a laugh or smile to your face, even when you were down. He was also an excellent listener; many a times we consoled each other in regards to heartbreak. What I will remember the most about Adam is how truly supportive he was of his friends. At the memorial service last year, I remember someone saying that when they were with Adam, that person felt like the most important person in the world to him. That was a sentiment shared by more than one person, and a feeling that I can say I shared. Before hearing those stories, I thought it was a comment on how special I was. In reality, the truly special one was Adam. The joy he brought into my life and those of his friends, bandmates, and family was a true gift. Such gifts in life are rare, and I am genuinely thankful for the time that I had to know Adam.

So tonight, take the advice shared on the Spector 45 Facebook page. At 8:05 pm tonight, let us raise a glass in memory of a truly beautiful soul.


(Also, I feel compelled to say this: if anyone reading this is struggling with depression and/or contemplating suicide, PLEASE call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or check out the Texas Suicide Prevention webpage.)

Video: Kirby Brown, "Young! Young! Young!"

During the course of last year, my focus shifted much more towards my Deep Ellum Radio show, and as a result, the blog suffered. Those who did not listen to the show may have missed out on keeping up with my favorite releases of last year. One of my favorite albums of last year was Kirby Brown's debut CD, Child of Calamity. While not a full on concept album, the theme of youth seemed to come up repeatedly. Nowhere was that more obvious on the album's leading track, "Young! Young! Young!".

Almost a full year after the album's release, Mr. Brown finally debuted the video this past weekend. It's easy enough to miss out when a video is premiered over the weekend. That likelihood only increases when that weekend is the 35 Denton festival. I don't want this video (or song, for that matter) to be overlooked, so I decided to share it here on the blog. You can catch Mr. Brown this weekend at the SXSW festival. He performs Thursday at Lucy’s Retired Surfer Bar (4 pm), Friday at Whiskey at Ink (5 pm), and Saturday at Townhouse Bar (8 pm). For those Dallasites not making the trek to Austin, you'll have to wait until March 31 for The Big Folkin' Festival. In fact, I'll be having my own announcement regarding that festival very shortly. But that's a story for another day. In the meantime, press play and enjoy!

The Lucky Thirteen: 3/12/12

So I think I heard something about some sort of music festival down in Austin this week. I guess this SXSW thing is sort of a big deal, right? It seems like bands don't get "discovered" there as they used to in the earlier days of the festival. Still, it's the biggest music festival in the nation, and for those looking for talent, you can find it in both the official and unofficial shows.

What I have here is thirteen acts playing the festival, along with the venue (or in some cases, the venues) that each is playing. Some are official shows, some not. To find out more details, I might recommend checking out the SXSW page (for official acts) and Austin 360 for the unofficial acts. Some of these acts already have the buzz surrounding them; all of them deserve it.

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. "My Girlfriend Is a Rock", The Nervebreakers
   The true beauty is of SXSW is that it allows young and up and coming bands opportunities for exposure. Bands like, uh... The Nervebreakers? No, any band that can claim being an opening act for the Sex Pistols in their heyday can't be called up and coming. But the band will be releasing a new album (their first in about 30 years), and now another generation will get to sample this classic Dallas true punk band. Click here for a list of their shows, times, etc.


2. "Wildly Inappropriate", The Burning Hotels
   I checked out the band's website, and it looks like they'll be playing a total of five shows in the course of three days, starting on Tuesday and ending on Thursday. At SXSW, the word overexposure does not exist.


3. "Save Me", Siren Sea
   I've really taken a liking to the band's ethereal and haunting melodies, as well as Reema Hamdan's powerful voice. They'll perform Tuesday at 11:00 pm at The Dizzy Rooster, and Wednesday at 10:00 pm at The Blind Pig. On a separate note though, what's the deal with all the animal club names?


4. "We'll Go Walkin'", The O's
   Long before Mumford and Sons made the banjo cool, The O's were using the banjo and crafting their "party bluegrass anthems", as I like to call them. They have one official SXSW show (Wed, Mar 14 at 8:30 at St. David's Bethel Hall), and two unofficial shows. The first will be at Opal Devine's Thursday night at 7 pm, and the second takes place Friday at 12:30 PM at Maria's Taco Express.


5. "Wired to Make Waves", Nervous Curtains
   The band plays twice on Wednesday (once at The Highball, then at Bernadette's Bar), and then Friday at Sidebar.


6. "It's Not Enough", Salim Nourallah
   Mr. Nourallah has kept quite the quiet profile over the past year. With the release of his CD Hit Parade on the horizon, expect to see a lot more of Salim in the coming months. He'll perform an official show Friday at Cedar Street Courtyard. Interestingly enough, Salim will share a bill with both Rhett Miller and Thomas Dolby.


7. "Towering", Seryn
   Seryn has already made a substantial name for itself, both inside and outside of the metroplex area. While I doubt any major labels will be giving out million dollar deals this year, at the very least I feel safe saying there will be plenty of buzz around the band. Check their website for dates , times, and locations.


8. "Wait for Us", Mind Spiders
   Assuming you're not partied out by Saturday night at one in the morning, check out this band (also with its share of buzz) at Valhalla. And yes, this is an official show.


9. "Red in the Morning", Menkena
   A little earlier on Saturday (1:10 PM to be exact) Menkena plays the outdoor stage at Casa Chapala.


10. "Little Heart", Clint Niosi
    Mr. Niosi will be releasing new material this year. I have a feeling I'm gonna be talking about him a bit in the upcoming months. I don't feel like listing all the shows he's doing, so just click here if you want the details, okay?


11. "Fortune Teller", Jessie Frye
    Congratulations to Ms. Frye for getting mentioned in the New York Times as one of the local acts worth seeing. If you want to see why the New York Times is impressed, check her out Wednesday at 2 pm at Betsy's Bar. Or check her out Friday at 6 pm at the Omni Hotel Downtown. Or check her out Saturday at 6 pm at the Austin Hilton Hotel. Or check out her Saturday at midnight at tenOak. Or check out all those shows.


12. "Slick Shoes", The Virgin Wolves
    Like Siren Sea, Virgin Wolves are also playing The Blind Pig. They'll take the stage Thursday night about 9 pm.


13. "Indian Melody", Calhoun
    Calhoun seems to be bookending its SXSW shows, with one Tuesday night at Treasure Island (official SXSW show) at 11 pm, and two unofficial shows Saturday (Doc's Motorworks day party at 5 pm, then Bar Louie at 10 pm). And in the middle of all that, the band will sneak back up to the metroplex and play the Dallas Museum of Art Friday night. And you thought there wouldn't be any good local shows this week.

Oh, and if I forgot to mention any shows by the above acts, let me know in the comments section. And if there are other local bands playing the festival you feel are deserving of attention, the comment section is good for that too.

The Lucky Thirteen: 3/5/12

Well, it's that time of year again. Time for the NX35 35 Conferette 35 Denton Festival. The event certainly seems to have a hard time sticking with a name, coming up with a new one almost every year. Hopefully this time they've gotten the name right.

Either way, the festival seems to consistently get things right on the music end. This year is no different. The mere opportunity to see The Jesus & Mary Chain perform in the metroplex for the first time in over a decade is reason enough to spend the money on the wristband. Other out of towners on the lineup include The Hood Internet, Best Coast, The Raincoats, Peaking Lights, Built to Spill, and Designer Drugs (just to name a few).

But you didn't come here to read about the out of towners, right? You know that The Ghost is almost exclusively fixated on local musics. So here's a look at thirteen of the finest local acts playing this year's 35 Denton Festival. In fact, consider this a potential schedule, as all these acts are at different times. Note that lineup times provided may change, but as of this moment, the set times are accurate.

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 Man with the Golden Snack", Old Snack
   Performing at 9:30 PM Thursday night at The Labb.


2. "Wither", True Widow
   Performing at 11:30 PM Thursday night at Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios.


3. "Gambling Preacher and His Daughter", Whiskey Folk Ramblers
   Performing at 6:00 PM Friday evening at Main Stage #1.


4. "Knockout Rose", Bad Design
   Performing at 10:15 PM Friday night at J&J's Pizza.


5. "I Got This Fever/O Ye Devastator", Doug Burr
   Performing at 11:30 Friday night at Dan's Silverleaf.


6. "Buy You", Spookeasy
   Performing at 9:30 PM Saturday night at Banter.


7. "Forever Today", Soviet
   Performing at 10:30 PM Saturday night at Denton Square Donuts.


8. "America's Son", Air Review
   Performing at 12:45 AM Saturday night at Dan's Silverleaf.


9. "Sexy Weekend", Leg Sweeper
   Performing at 3:30 PM Sunday afternoon at Main Stage #2.


10. "Cut the Lights", Manned Missiles
    Performing at 9:30 PM Sunday night at Mellow Mushroom.


11. "Red Palomino", The Demigs
    Performing at 10:30 PM Sunday night at Denton Square Donuts.


12. "Like a Charm", Here Holy Spain
    Performing at 11:30 PM Sunday night at Abbey Underground.


13. "Remember You", The O's
    Performing at 12:30 AM Sunday night at Sweetwater.

And that's just a small sampling of the quality local music featured at 35 Denton. My apologies to A.M. Ramblers, Backwater Opera, The Blurries, The Burning Hotels, Damaged Good$, Fox and the Bird, The Hope Trust, The House Harkonnen, Jessie Frye, Museum Creatures, The Phuss, RTB2, Sealion, Shaolin Death Squad, Shiny Around the Edges, Sore Losers, and all the many other fine acts that I could not fit into the playlist.

Weekend Plans: 3/2/12

In the past few days, I've had about several people ask me what shows they should go see this weekend. I suppose it means it's time to dust off the old "weekend plans" posts on the blog and bring them back. It has been quite awhile since I've done the last one. In fact, it's been so long since I've done one that it's my first since I started booking at Crown and Harp.

I feel the need to mention that as I start this post, for those who might try to argue that I have a conflict of interest. Obviously, I have a vested interest in people attending the shows I organize at The Crown and Harp. At the same time, the artists I book there are those I would want to recommend no matter what. Also, I will continue to promote ALL quality shows, whether they be at C&H, in Deep Ellum, Oak Cliff, Fort Worth, Denton... you get the idea. So without further ado, here are my picks for best shows of the weekend.


FRIDAY:
Cassie Holt/Backwater Opera/Emmeline (The Crown and Harp)
Yes, this is one of the shows I have a vested interest in. It also features Emmeline, and in case you haven't noticed, I promote Emmeline at any available given opportunity. Plus, Backwater Opera are a highly intriguing band out of Denton that fans of Seryn, Telegraph Canyon, and The Civil Wars will definitely want to check out. Finally, the night will wrap up with the soulful musical stylings of Ms. Holt.
Somebody's Darling/J. Charles & the Trainrobbers/Dead Flowers/Goodnight Ned (Club Dada)
Somebody's Darling has kept a rather low profile over the past year, as they have intently focused on recording their soon to be released album Black Eyes and Alibis. You can count on them performing several new tracks tonight. And while SD may be the night's big draw, equally as impressive is opening act Goodnight Ned. The band has one of the most energetic stage shows of any band going right now, and their shows are only getting tighter.
Dead Beat Poetry/Great White Buffalo/The Winniebago Forcefield/Arielle (Liquid Lounge)
Blues rock has exploded in the past year, almost to such a point where it becomes harder for bands of that style to stand out. While Dead Beat Poetry does incorporate a certain amount of that Black Keys type vibe, the ferocity of both Lulio Guevara's vocals and Brandon Keebler's drumming give the duo an undeniably hard rocking edge that makes their style unmistakable. And just like the previously mentioned show, opening act Arielle is every bit as worthy of your attention and respect as the headliner. She is easily one of the strongest female vocalists in the metroplex at the moment.
The Hi-Tones/Darstar/Rocket Arm (Double-Wide)
Darstar nice straddles the fence between 90's alternative and riot grrl, and lead vocalist Lisa Hardaway has a voice perfectly suited for such a musical blend. While I have not seen Rocket Arm live as of yet, from what I've heard, they're one of the more intriguing hard rock acts at the moment. Again, I'd recommend getting there early if you go, and reporting your findings back to me.


SATURDAY:
Bravo, Max!/Goodnight Ned/Temple Diver (The Crown and Harp)
Again, another C&H show courtesy of yours truly. I've booked the pairing of Bravo, Max! and Goodnight Ned previously, and it was the strong, most enthusiastic crowd I'd seen in the venue since its days as The Cavern in the mid-2000's. This show is sure to be just as intense. Get there early for the lovely acoustic styling of Jaime Saso's act Temple Diver. And save your money; there's no cover. Hooray for no cover!
The Phuss/The Virgin Wolves/Trebuchet (The Boiler Room)
Ever since The Boiler Room opened up last year, it seems that the majority of the shows have flown beneath the radar. With a lineup this strong, it just wouldn't be right to let this show slip quietly by. Actually, with as loud as all three bands rock, "slipping quietly by" just isn't an option for any of the acts here. For those who like their rock hard and sloppy (in the good way), this show will be just what you've been looking for.
Altered States/The Wake of Man/The Patient Patient/Amble/To Coda (2826 Arnetic)
Yes, To Coda is a younger band, and I suspect that may make some of my readers skeptical. All it will take is a few minutes of watching their live set to convince you that this is a band worthy of respect, regardless of their age. In fact, listen to "Take It Back" from this week's Lucky 13 playlist. This is not the sound of an amateurish garage band, but that of a band with solid songs and an incredible vocalist (Heather Darwin).
Emmeline (Buon Giorno Coffee - Grapevine)
Just in case one Emmeline show this weekend wasn't enough for you...

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.

In a Sea of Sirens, This One Stands Out

If you don't have plans for tomorrow night, you're about to. If you already have plans, change them. The band Siren Sea will be hosting their CD release show at The Crown and Harp. This actually marks the first time that The Ghost has had the privilege of hosting a release show for any band.

Some of you may not be familiar with this group, in spite of the fact that I previously raved about the band and the song "Lies". What is it about the band that I find so enchanting? The obvious answer to that would be lead singer Reema Hamdan, whose stage presence is absolute captivating. When she sings, she gives 110% of herself, expressing a seamless blend of passion and heartbreak with her beautiful voice. And while Ms. Hamdan is the undeniable star of the band, she is backed by a quite talented group of musicians who create the perfect musical backdrop for her voice.

I strongly encourage to see them tomorrow, along with opening acts Tweed EQ and Alex Allred. And just in case you're needing further motivation, here are three videos for you. The first is the track "Save Me", from the upcoming album. The second video is a live performance of "I Know Why" from this past January, when Siren Sea opened for Tiger Darrow at Dada. And finally, I offer up Reema's cover of The Cure's "Love Song" because, well, I'm a sucker for just about anything connected to The Cure. Enjoy, and I hope to see you out tomorrow night!

The Lucky Thirteen: 2/6/12

When I began my shows on Deep Ellum Radio, I felt that doing a weekly playlist on top of my show would be redundant. Since I have not been able to record as many shows as usual, I'm thinking that a return of the Lucky Thirteen may be in order. So without further ado, here is this week's Lucky Thirteen. Also, forgive my briefer than usual commentary today. My brain is having a bad case of the Mondays.

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. "Gambling Preacher and His Daughter", Whiskey Folk Ramblers
   Not only is this the strongest song I've heard from the band, the video for the song is quite impressive and intriguing. Don't just take my word on it. Pause the playlist and give it a watch right below.
   
   
   


2. "Your Kiss", Parallel Play
   Time for a shameless Crown and Harp plug: check out Parallel Play, along with The Black Frames and Police cover band Regatta de Faux, this Friday night. A mere $5 cover gets you thru the door for this fine night of music. OK, my sales pitch is done... for now.


3. "My Niagra Heart", Spooky Folk
   I did a little search for Spooky Folk in the Grooveshark catalog, and to my surprise, there were a number of their songs available. After hearing this song repeatedly on The Local Edge with Mark, it inevitably grew on me. By the way, if you're not listening to his show, you're really missing out.


4. "City Bus", The Boom Boom Box
   The Boom Boom Box released their first full length CD, Until Your Eyes Get Used to the Darkness, last month. It's full of everything you expect: thundering guitars, fierce percussion, and Andrew Huffstetler's trademark scream. And yes, this is meant to be played very loud.


5. "I'm Goin' Nowhere", The Chloes
   This weekend breaks the cycle of three consecutive weekends watching The Chloes play. I'm not a stalker. Honest.


6. "sEVEN", Ducado VeGA
   Congratulations to Mr. Vega. This past Saturday, he and Zenya (keyboardist for his band, Bloodrich) got married.


7. "The Story", Emmeline
   Emmeline is one of the contenders for the Hard Rock Rising 2012 contest. The winner gets to perform at the Hard Rock Cafe in London. There are a lot of great acts competing, including Ducado Vega, Gypsy Bravado, Jessie Frye, Quincy Forte Johnson, and, well, too many more to mention. Click here to vote for your choice. And when you vote, you get to download a free track from the artist (in Emmeline's case, it's "The Story). How cool is that?


8. "The Man with the Golden Snack", Old Snack
   This is the only way that an Old Snack can be tasty.


9. "Sound City", The Burning Hotels
   I have to confess that "Beard", the lead off single from the band's self titled CD, didn't grab me as much as I expected it to. This track, on the other hand, is a much more appealing foray into new wave. This song helps prove "Allison" was no fluke.


10. "Schoolboy", Kirby Brown
    Mr. Brown will be playing what's called The Valentine Blues Ball at LaGrange this Saturday, along with Quaker City Night Hawks and Dead Mockingbirds. Looks like this should be a good alternative for those needing an Anti-Valentine's Day celebration.


11. "I'm Not to Spare (Live)", Tweed EQ
    Siren Sea are playing at The Crown and Harp on Friday, February 17th for their CD release show. I don't have the new album yet, therefore I cannot share any material. Instead, I offer you a live Tweed EQ track, since they're sharing a bill with Siren Sea.


12. "The Girl Who Stole the Eiffel Tower", The Deathray Davies
    Mr. Dufilho will be releasing his second solo CD in a matter of months. It's an ambitious project to say the least, with guest vocals from many of Dallas' finest (Sarah Jaffe, Salim Nourallah, Will Johnson, and Ben Kweller are just a few names). Reportedly, he'll also release the 6th DRD release this year. Here's hoping that happens.


13. "I Only Have Eyes for You", Emily Riddle
    This is a song I've been wanting to share with my Deep Ellum Radio listeners, but have not had the proper opportunity to do so. It's a little more pop than what I usually listen to, and yet between Ms. Riddle's lovely voice and the intriguing melody, this track has set up a permanent residence in my head. See if it has the same effect on you.

Help for Pleasant Grove

Those who were around in the local music scene in the late 90's into the 2000's are sure to remember the band Pleasant Grove. With songs like "Nothing This Beautiful", "Only a Mountain", and my personal favorite "Commander Whatever", the group managed to tell beautifully heartbreaking tales to a gorgeous country backdrop. The band's two vocalists, Marcus Striplin and Bret Egner, managed to convey a simple and sincere tone of sadness in the vast majority of their songs. These are not the songs you want when holding a house party. If, however, you need songs that speak to a broken heart, you'd be hard pressed to find many local bands that have the emotional punch of Pleasant Grove.

It came to my attention today that member Bret Egner was recently hospitalized for injuries from a recent bicycling accident (you can click here to read more details). He had surgery today in order for his collarbone to heal properly. Like most musicians, Mr. Egner is without health insurance, so he has acquired a mountain of medical debt.

This is where you come in. Bret's friends have set up an account on ChipIn where people can contribute and help him with these expenses. I've embedded a widget below through which you can donate. I've also added a video of the band playing the never released "Canopy" at the Kessler Theater in 2010.