Never underestimate the power of a well-wielded fiddle. It can throw some earth into an air-and-water mix, the result being a musical concoction that breaks you out of your usual genre-hungry mold. Such is the case with Wisechild
New Mexico’s hottest indie-poppers,The Shins, are heading out on another North American tour. The group spent most of the fall on the road, and after a short holiday break, they’re ready to do it again.
The band kicks things off January 31 with a double spot at Seattle’s Showbox. They’re scheduled to swing down the West Coast before doing a few scattered dates in the East.
All Night Radio, Magic Magicians, Cass McCombs, and Sam Jayne are helping out in various capacities as opening acts on the tour, which wraps with another double-nighter February 14-15 at Irving Plaza in New York.
The Shins got their start in the late ’90s with some supporting gigs for Modest Mouse and two 7″ releases on Omnibus Records. Sub Pop soon grew interested and released their 2001 debut, Oh, Inverted World. The band is currently supporting their sophomore effort, Chutes Too Narrow, which met with rave reviews when it hit the streets last October.
Source Pollstar.com.
Plans for the 17th annual MerleFest are underway. As a matter of fact, the event, which takes over the Wilkes Community College campus in Wilkesboro, N.C., April 29 through May 3, is good to go.
The festival is Doc Watson’s tribute to the music of his late son, Merle, and unites scores of artists from all over the globe. Among the confirmed performers for the 2004 event are the Sam Bush Band, Roseanne Cash, Donna The Buffalo, Bela Fleck, Edgar Meyer, Vince Gill, David Grisman Quintet, Hot Tuna, Patty Loveless, Natalie MacMaster, Nickel Creek, Reeltime Travelers, Earl Scruggs with Family & Friends, the Waifs, Gillian Welch and Lucinda Williams. Of course, Doc Watson and Merle’s son Richard Watson will be on hand to play a tune or two. Tickets are already available through merlefest.org and range from $35 for a single-day pass to $175 for a four-day, assigned seat pass.
Source Pollstar.com.
Ray Davies, the lead singer with the British rock band The Kinks, is recovering after being shot in New Orleans.
A police spokesman said Davies and a female companion were walking near the French Quarter at about 8:30 p.m. ET Sunday when two suspects approached them and grabbed the woman’s purse.
Davies, 59, ran after the suspects, and was shot in the leg, New Orleans Police Department spokesman Capt. Marlon DeFillo said. The woman was not injured, police said.
The songwriter was taken to a hospital, where he was treated and released soon afterwards in good condition.
DeFillo said police had arrested one of the suspects and were seeking the other.
Source cnn.com.
Although the arena setting is rather overbearing on most barstool performances, the acoustic set of Dave Matthews and Friends was quite solid, highlighted by strong readings of
Bruce Hornsby’s next studio record is taking shape. Hornsby was in Atlanta recently recording a new track with Elton John. Entitled “Dreamland”, the song is a ballad and will appear on the next studio CD. Bruce commented, “Elton is amazing in that he can wake up in the morning and not even have to warm up his voice. And it’s all there, right away. The rest of us phlegmatic flounderers can only look on in admiration.”
Eric Clapton has also reportedly recorded four tracks for Hornsby’s upcoming release.
Source brucehornsby.com.
Folk man Nathan Moore and The Slip will be teaming up in late February for the Surprise Me Mr. Davis Tour. Serpentfly – featuring the music of Leslie Helpert will be opening the shows. The eight night run begins February 26th at the Webster Theater in Hartford though March 6th at the Eclipse Theater in Waitsfield, VT.
For more info, visit theslip.com.
Stacking their setlist with hits, Simon and Garfunkel consciously catered to their adult audience. While the group
Through varied life experiences involving farming, arts, studying the fiddle in Ireland, and spending some time at sea, Kris Delmhorst has built a career as a multi-talented artist. Still, her popularity and success have been primarily achieved through word-of-mouth, as her solid live performances, energy, and a smooth, sensuous voice have garnered her praise that keeps fans coming back for more.
This Sweedish five piece, Mando Diao stirs smart flavors of new wave glamour, supercharged electric blues and dirty rock chords to the masses in Bring
