Features

Forthcoming Events  •  Anything Goes .

SXSW 2009

Late March - AUSTIN TEXAS USA

Heartless B's @ SXSW 09

Nakia @ SXSW 09

Justin Townes Earle @ SXSW 09

Shorts & Sunglasses again were the order of the day, as the sun shone on SXSW 09 in more ways than one, as the weather before and afterwards was truly awful. The credit crunch also didn’t seem to effect the amount of revellers in town, however the Geordie contingent this year was down to a mere five regulars Keith & Linda, Me, Mac & Mick.
We arrived as always a day before, excited & ready for battle.

Unfortunately Tuesday March 17th being St Patrick’s Day, 4th & 6th street were no-go area’s, but that didn’t matters as today we got the good ol’ blues! So our first taste of non Irish music was a few miles up on Guadalupe and an in store afternoon show with..

T Model Ford @ Antone’s Record Shop.
This was real raw blues, played the way of another age by the baseball capped storytelling troubadour of 88 years. You couldn’t get moved in this, off the beaten track record shop, but come September at the J’Hot Club…we don’t book much blues these days, but I just had to book this fella. Indeed my job was done with my first move in town.
Pinetop Perkins @ Antone’s Music Hall
How Long Blues, Mojo Working & Big Mamma Blues are all standards, you’ve heard a million times, but played by the original pianist with Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf etc, he had a damn right to boogie these tunes. At 95 years old it was amazing he could play at all.
Jimmy Vaughan’s All Star Band @ Antone’s Music Hall
Mac reminded me that the combined age of the two bluesman we already saw today was 183 years old. I doubt many can say that & it was great too, to witness a birthday celebration performance from swinging blues guitarist Jimmy Vaughan, at a mere 53 years old. I just love this guys tuneful playing & with Roomful Of Blues horns section, it was blues heaven.

Sarah Borges & The Broken Singles @ The Continental Club
The schedule at the best club in Austin this year was fantastic & not many come much better than Boston’s “tall ball of fire” Sarah Borges. Her power, energy & passion (not to mention good looks) mixed with a mighty fine country roots rockin band & you have a live band to be reckoned with. A grand finale of shaking her booty with the barmaid on the pa speakers, convinced Mac to see her 2 more times !

Wednesday March 18th

David Serby @ Fado’s
We always start out our SXSW day parties at “Guitartown”, and this year they’d moved two blocks to a smaller Irish pub. As I sipped my first Guinness a tear fell in my beer from the music of LA’s David Serby. Pure weeping honky tonk with touches of Paul Burch & Dwight Yoakum…perfect & shamefully his only SXSW appearance.
Andy Friedman @ Fado’s
After LA we get a taste of Brooklyn twang with Andy & his mates. Good band, as they were, Otis Gibbs came in and gently persuaded us to go check his good buddy out, so we did…
Chet O Keefe @ Nuno’s
It wasn’t hard to spot Otis friend in a half empty bar, bearded & baseball capped he looked like his brother. At times Chet’s songs had an Appalachian mountain music appeal…. But you really needed to know the tunes to figure out the stories.
The Heartless Bastards @ Radio Rooms
What a band these are. The howling barnstorming voice of leader, the guitar slinger Erica Wennerstrom & a swaggering band of Austinite’s with a fine weeping steel player. They play some raucous & infectious country blues. This might sound simple, but a packed “Paste” party tent knew better. What a good SXSW day already. Thanks Dutch Tom for getting us in here.
Loney Dear @ Radio Rooms
I was quite surprise by this oldieworldy acoustic folk rock music from a bunch of young Swede’s. Just not for me, I’m afraid :-(
Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears @ Radio Rooms
I saw this local 9 Piece band last year and they’ve improved 100%. Funky indie soul with James Brown like horn blast grooves…. grit & groove music I say !
Ben Sollee @ Radio Rooms
Ben was an addition to the schedule. He sat on the outdoor stage with just his cello for company. I didn’t know what to expect & it was the once in a while SXSW encounter, for he brought tears to my eyes with the most soulful rendition of “A Change Is Gonna Come” I’ve ever heard…astonishing
Justin Townes Earle @ Paradise
With a smirk on his face & the vocal mic down to his knees, off Justin went playing his classy dust bowl tinged –retro country fare. He’s better value than his Dad at the moment & he gave me a hug when he saw me, off stage. Err, another tears in the eyes moment.

SXSW Wednesday Evening Shows
Diane Birch & Band @ Tap On Six
Actually on 4th st, I’d my’ spaced this young Feist/Cat Power look-alike & really liked what I’d heard. What an accomplished pianist she is & with a dazzling voice too. A young Carole King sprang to mind & I would predict that mainstream success beckons for this one. The new Norah Jones??
Caroline Herring @ The Velveeta Rooms
It was great to see Chris Smither here & it’s just a pity I didn’t see him play instead of Caroline Herring. She was just about okay.
Bruce Robinson @ Antones
Known more as a songwriter than anything else (Dixie Chicks, Tim McGraw), this Texan is a quality country performer with country pop tunes that’s up there with the best of them. It was a great shame that about 40 people were in the hall.
Rev Payton & His Big Damn Band @ The Continental Club
The Rev on old guitar, his missus on washboard & his brother on drums, this was a high-energy performance of 30’s style country blues. Slightly like The Shack shakers in there engaging full on stage performance, you don’t see many bands set fire to their washboard as an encore…they very nearly lifted the roof off.
Eli Paperboy Reed & The True Loves @ The Continental Club
Young soul stirrer Eli Paperboy has just signed to Virgin records & he proved his worth here. Very few could have came on after the Rev & succeeded but Eli’s scorching soul music did the trick. Equal parts Wilson Pickett/Sam Cooke, with a crunchy grooving rhythm section, they classic soul crooned us into the early hours. What better end to the day than tequila on the rocks & an R&B blast.

Thursday 19th March

Low Anthems @ Home Slice Pizza
To gently bring me into another music day the lilting folk gospel trio from NYC, Low Anthems was just ideal. I could almost hear the birds chirping.
Langhorne Slim @ Yard Dog
This has always been the best daytime venue & my first visit had one of my favourite acts of SXSW 08, Langhorne Slim. He soon got the place jumping with his spirited folk punk-soul music. With a wild drummer & new Upright Bassist in tow, he in fact jumped all over the stage, while his falsetto vocals brought a smile to the early afternoon revellers.
Chuck Mead & The Grassy Boys @ Jovita’s
We ate fajitas & enchilada’s here while ex BR549’s main man’s Chuck Mead ‘s straight ahead Nashville country music provided a perfect partner.
Holly Golightly & The Broke Offs @ Jovita’s
The Broke Off’s with Lawyer Dave on slide guitar-bass drum, worked very well together. Holly indeed did go lightly with some nice authentic country blues.
Daddy with Tommy Womack & Will Kimbrough @ Jovita’s
Tommy & Will have fun with each other’s tunes and a full band in toe. They were deservedly a surprise hit with the diner’s.
Cotton Jones @ Jovita’s
These young cats had a melodic 60’s Brian Auger/Julie Driscoll-country pop feel with Hammond B3 & female-male double vocals. I didn’t know anything about them, but I really liked them.

SXSW Thursday evening shows
M Ward @ Auditorium Shores
Geordie turned local Austinite John Parkinson accompanied us to this big SXSW showcase. I’d been waiting a very long time to see Portland’s finest, and it was his sweet- coated double layer vocals that hit me first. Then of course I hadn’t realised Matt was such a good guitarist, and then the fact he played with his regular band to a full Auditorium park, meant that Austin knew (& John) what I’d knew for quite sometime. He’s one of the best modern songwriters around today. The SXSW highlight.
Tori Amos @ La Zona Rosa
Just caught a couple of her songs & she’s a mighty fine pianist, but not my cuppa. A big highlight for Mac though !
Ruthie Foster & Band @ Mother Egans
What a monstrous gospel tinged voice local Austin songstress Ruthie Foster has. She also had a pretty big crowd right behind her blues, soul & even reggae-flavoured tunes. When she sang the beautiful gospel ditty “Sweet Baby” it was another tear in the eyes moment for Mr Shipcote.It was that good.
Baskery @ Mother Egan’s
What I didn’t hear, when these three extremely young Swedish siblings played The Cluny, was the lovely 3 part harmonies they possess within their songs. Outdoor they still rocked like crazy & made lots of new friends with their unique authentic country music. God knows how good they’ll be in a couple years.
Sarah Borges @ Mother Egan’s
Yep, I stayed with Mac to witness Sarah again. She was good enough to do a slightly different set than Tuesday & with the new guitarist did a wicked version of Smokey Robinsons “Being With You”. I think this was their 4th gig of 8.

Friday 20th March
Well today, it was hitting the 80 degrees + & also best to try to stay in one covered spot, so as tradition I supported Bloodshot records showcase @ Yard Dog with Keith & Linda for most of the day. Indeed independent labels need all the help they can nowadays, but first I went over the road to Home Slice Pizza for some soothing morning music.

Horse Feathers @ Home Slice
Portland’s indie folk quartet- Horse Feather’s fragile dreamy tune’s, with violin’s, cello’s and finger picking guitar, and all knotted around the whispery soulful croon of the singer, got the morning off in the best possible taste. Even when a musical saw was witnessed, it fitted in perfectly with their music.
Andre Williams With Allen’s Oldies @ Yard Dog
Opening the Bloodshot party, I must say it sounded a raunchy, nice n sleazy set of garage blues by Andre Williams backed by Austin’s finest cover band Allen’s Oldies, or was it just me? Anyway at 72 Andre’s a measly youngster in blues terms & he looked in much better health. Shouts of “Andre, Andre” coming from all, made songs like “Jailbait” feel that little bit better.
Charlie Pickett @ Yard Dog
You have got to like a band when their drummer’s dressed as a banana and the leader looks like golfer Jack Nicklaus twin brother.
Dex Romweber Duo @ Yard Dog
With his eyes closed tightly the rejuvenated Dex R delivered a diverse mix of down-home blues, surf-rock, rockabilly, proto-rock & roll / garage. Accompanied only with his vintage silvertone guitar, lonesome growl & sister on drums. Time I bought his new bloodshot album, thought I .
The Deadstring Bros @ Yard Dog
Sometimes when the whole group seems to be having a ball on stage, it doesn’t matter how good the music is, it’s contagious. The two new girls in Americana 6 –piece band The Deadstring Bros were loving every minute of it, and so were we.
The Meat Purveyors @ Yard Do
It’s been about 3 years since the risqué; filthy bluegrass sounds of The Meat Purveyors filled the yard dog Marquee. So welcome back guys n gals, you’ve been a big miss.
Justin Townes Earle @ Yard Dog
Accompanied as always by Cory Younts, Justin was even better received than his Wed afternoon show. His breath-taking ballad “Mama’s Eyes” shut the whole backyard up, and was probably the best new song of SXSW 09.
Jason Isbell & The 400 Units @ Home Slice Pizza
While purchasing a wholesome margarita pizza slice at teatime, Jason Isbell & his first rate band performed songs from their new album. Jason has a great feel for Memphis soul & southern rock & threw in a cover of Talking Heads “Psycho killer” that Mick declared was HIS highlight of SXSW 09.
Waco Bros with Rosie Flores & guests @ Yard Dog
Move over Rosie, the Waco boys are back in town & have been down the road a drinking at Guero’s , for days. She didn’t stand a chance and as ragged & glorious as they were, a little bit of musical chops would come in handy sometimes, as I’m sure, there well capable of doing. Anyway it was a fitting end to hopefully not the last ever-bloodshot party at Yard Dog??
Mark Olsen & Gary Louris @ Jo’s car park
For Jayhawks diehards like our good friend Betty, the fact that Mark Olsen & Gary Louris are here at all, making music together, is nothing short of amazing. They must have been pretty big in Austin too, as the reasonably sized car park was full. There was a high percentage of Jayhawks songs performed, and the crowd sang along, but ultimately, their new stuff sounded very very samey to me.
Alejandro Escovedo Orc @ Jo’s car park
If it was full for the Jayhawks guys, you couldn’t even move for a special one off concert with local hero Alejandro and his 15-piece orchestra, being filmed for a big documentary. He really should have done Auditorium shores but nevertheless it was a scoop for us, to witness such an event. An event it certainly was, as they played nearly 1 1/2 hours. On stage were 2 drummers, percussion, brass section, backing singers, cello, fiddle, guitars god knows what else, I couldn’t see everything, but suffice to say, I’ve seen this wonderful songwriter in all his guises (from solo, to rock band, to string quintet) and this was the best Alejandro show Id ever seen…. ok except when I booked him at The Cluny :-)

SXSW evening show
Barbara Lynn with Eli Paperboy Reed & Band @ The Continental Club
A Ponderosa stomp New Orleans vintage showcase matching the spiky R&B siren – guitarist Barbara Lynn whom had a hit in 1962 with “You’ll Lose A Good Thing” (& played it here) with Boston soul buster Eli Paperboy who played guitar/harmonica & conducted his band through a whole set of Barbara tunes. She came over as a fine singer & a quite capable guitarist welding her axe in a Sister Rosetta like manner. As a splendid nightcap Mac & me had another shiner & Paperboy dueted on a retro R & B ditty with Mrs Lynn. Phew.........What a day.

Saturday March 21st

Otis Gibbs & Chet O Keefe @ Jovita’s
Saturday started with the annual pilgrimage to see Wanamaker’s finest songster, the mighty Otis Gibbs accompanied by Chet ”Finger picking” O Keefe. This was a real treat, first thing in the morning. It was also rather pleasing to see a good crowd outside in the bright sunshine, enjoying songs of political sunshine & trucks. I was going to shout for “Everyday People” but no need to, he played it for me.
Diego’s Umbrella @ Yard Dog
Just waltzing past Yard Dog, an entourage in matching pale blue suits with white piping were wowing the audience. I took a look in and stayed the whole bloody set. This madcap SF group call themselves pirate music and I call it all over the place & a breath of fresh air. They might start with a gypsy-sounding groove, but soon out comes a Flamenco break, then a little rock & onto klezmer, polka and some tex- mex thrown in for good measure then back again. All in the one tune! There great musicians and fine entertainer & much smoother than say Gogol Bordello their nearest comparison. At one point the guitarist ran out the backyard & up the length of South Congress and still got back to play the end of the tune !
Amy Lavere Trio @ Joe’s Coffee
Welding a big Double Bass the Dixie pixie (as she’s called) played a damn fine version of local Texan Michele Shocked’s “If Love was a Train”. The rest however was forgettable.
Freddy Johnson Band @ Yard Dog
I’m a big fan of this man, who’s just moved to Austin from Brooklyn. He’ll fit in well; He has great songs & is a canny bloke. He rocked the yard more than I’ve seen him before but that’s just the Austin air.
Lil Cap & Travis @ Joe’s Coffee
Local act that where big here 5 years ago. Pleasant enough MOR Americana that’s gone missing for half a decade afterwards…
Danny Malone @ Flipnotics
I was having a local spotting day & went off to this local joint to catch a young songwriter who had a good tune called “Baby Bleu” on Austin Network TV. He certainly attracted the young lasses. He was one my 16-year-old daughter would enjoy & not I…
Dana Falconberry @ Flipnotics
Ahhh yesss, sheer class. Young singer –songwriter Dana is a unique act, the only compassion would be Jenny Lewis & the Watson Twins. Backed by two alluring & good looking harmony backing singers & a string bassist, Dana’s delicately soft yet powerful voice & folksy, bluesy, country-jazzy lullabies made it a teatime delight and well worth my first visit to Flipnotic’s in a decade. Things hadn’t changed much here either.
Ben Mallott & Band @ Flipnotics
Sound problems marked this set. Yes they do have them in Austin too. Ben has a good strong voice & his band are more earthy roots rock than anything, and good for it too, but his vocals were barely audible, until midway through their set. What a pity, as we had to go soon afterwards.

SXSW Saturday evening
The Cannabinoids minus Erykah Badu @ Auditorium Shores
Six laptops, 8 turntables 2 dj’s on stage for 30 minutes shouting “Erykah Badu” every so often, thousands in the park & all younger than us, at least we give it a try, but just had to leave before Erykah did her TWO songs…
Sylvie Lewis @ 18th Floor in The Hilton
The best view of the city up here, its always a good place to chill, and funny enough there’s always a fine unknown act playing. This year it was the Rome based Londoner by way of LA, Sylvie Lewis. Well, she reminded me a lot of the jazzy Eleni Mandel who’s simply wonderful and she put my night right back on track.
Drew Smith’s Lonely Choir @ Momos
I like Momo’s, a good smallish local bar on W 6th St with regular live music nights featuring Band Of Heathens etc. I liked Drew Smith too. If you like vintage Van Morrison & I do with brass etc then Drew’s your man. His song ”Harry Nilsson’ is a classic and indeed all the bar crowd knew the words !
Moriarty @ Driskill Victoria Rooms
There was a real buzz for this show. A 7 piece,half New York, half Parisian outfit with a sultry jazzy chanteuse leading them. All kinds of folky, bluesy, country good vibes going down here but the common denominator I guess must be Tom Waits. They also did a charming accapella version of Waits “Chocolate Jesus”. They were so unique & unexpected that I booked them immediately for our Americana Outdoor stage in the summer .... so please dont miss them.Their greattt
The Proclaimers @ Hilton Creekside
Well if you’d have bet I’d be in a small room watching The Proclaimers at 11pm SXSW Saturday night, Id have given you very long odds against it, but there I was (it’s a long story regarding their ex agent). And guess what, they were fantastic.
Asylum St Spankers @ Momos
Not half the band they used to be with only one original member left. I had to ask the barman who they were.
The Mother Truckers @ The Continental Club
What better way to finish off the official SXSW showcases than in the best club in town with Austin’s 2007-2008 best roots rock band The Mother Truckers. They’re a lot louder & sassy & far less country since last I saw them. Some say, all the better for it. The finale saw three dancers on stage while the leading mother trucker was on the pa stack gyrating around & accidentally knocked off, one of the dancers, who then in turn, nosedived into the crowd. All the while, one of our Geordie gang (Mick) was seen head banging. I made a getaway up to home slice pizza (its open all night).

Sunday/Monday

SXSW was finished but we weren’t, oh no sir…
On a lazy Sunday we walked downtown to Huts, for their famous food, then it was live music time again.
Nakia @ Blu
A wine bar with live music for an idle Sunday was our destination. This Alabama transplant Nakia was major league with his Joe Cocker soul of a voice & more than decent tunes. With just keyboard accompanying him (he usually works with The Southern Cousins) he did such a lonely version of “Sitting at The Dock Of The Bay” that it reduced Linda to tears.
Suzanna Choffel @ Blu
She was voted best indie act in this year’s Austin Music awards, but it was average straight ahead pop rock to me. Granted she’s pretty, so maybe she won best good-looking indie act ?
Jon Dee Graham & Friends @ Gallery (upstairs Continental Club)
First night of a regular casual get together for this Austin songwriter - celebrity, who talked more than sang! Kacy Crowley, Freddy Johnson, & other chums strolled in & out and it was left to Alejandro Escovedo to finish the night, duet ting with Jon Dee with an Ian Hunter song…just perfect.
Mon night - Bob Schneider’s Lonelyland @ The Saxon pub.
It was a pleasant way to finish our trip, in this fine local hostelry. I’d been meaning to catch Bob S for a few years now & as John picked us up & dropped us off, no excuses.
We got our stools and sat round the back bar as the music part of the pub was packed (& On a Mon night ?). Everybody could enjoy Bob, not just because he has a top class 8 piece band including the multi talented Oliver Steck, but in his 2 hour + show, he started in a JJ Cale groove mode & finished with a long rap & played every kind of roots music including country in between . So we’ll just say a bit of a curate’s egg, and leave things like that.

It was a marvellous trip yet again to the Texas capital & USA’s music capital. I got to see more local acts than usual. The only show I really missed was Dave Alvin who did a tribute gig to Chris Gaffney. Not bad considering, but it’s not just the music here, its the company I keep on the trip, that makes the difference !

Don’t let anyone tell ya SXSW is getting worse, its what you make of it and its always been good to me.

Shippy

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SXSW -Jumpin Hot Club awards 2009

by Keith Hughes & Kamikaze Keith

The fears of the worldwide recession affecting SXSW where unfounded, as it was still as plum crazy as usual. Still loads of bands in umpteen venues playing to 1,000’s of punters. One thing that was noticeable this year was the distinct lack of freebies which are normally being doled out by those cute independent record labels. The Jumpin Hot crew are pretty quick on the up take when there is some free swag to be had, but this year there was a distinct lack of stickers, posters, flyers cd’s, key rings , bottle openers and all the other crap you can normally pick up…. well not this time...........K H.

Our host for these awards is that not so well known Texan cowboy “Kamikaze Keith” and I’ll hand you over to him.

“We didn’t want no Beatle Bob to host these awards but ah’m Kamikaze Keith and ah cover the loud rock and roll part of the festival with my partner in crime the lovely Lindy Lou.” (Shippy gets the sensitive singer songwriters and we get sweaty rockers mmmh mmm!)

“We was gonna host these here awards in EGO’s Bar but they dun turned it into a karaoke bar…… Shoot it was mah favourite dive bar in town too. So the first award is Worst Bar and it goes to EGO’s for ruining a great bar. (and favourite night cap joint for the Jumpin Hot crew) You wanna know why they dun this? Cuz they make more money from karaoke than they do putting on bands. Now ain’t that a shame – lets y’all hope the Cluny ain’t reading this!! A sad indictment of the times we live in people”

Best Showcase – “Hell with so many to choose from ah wuz in a muddle which wun to pick. But its just gotta be that lovely Little Steven guy from The Sopranos. Ah do believe he also is a side man for some New Jersey hick they call ”The Boss”. Lil Steven, he hosted “The Underground Garage” night at Red Eyed Fly. A $hit kickin evening of that ol Garage rock and roll featuring the amazing, the wild, the crazy, The Woggles a knock em down outfit from Atlanta Georgia!! Also on the show wuz that nice fella Cyril Jordan and his Magic Christians , plus some really hot chicks from Europe The Cocktail Slippers. Hell even Lindy Lou was still digging that Chesterfield Kings jive at 3.00am when we headed for the hay, an ah was trying to recall that young combo from Denmark who reminded me so much of ol’ Rod and The Faces. Ah do believe it was The Breakers

Best Day Party “You know people, ah gotta give a joint award here. Bloodshot Records shindig at Yard Dog with a particularly stellar bill this year. We wuz treated to Andre (Bad MF) Williams, big ol Dexter Romweber Duo with his cutsy siss Sarah on drums, a rejuvenated Deadstring Brothers, young Justin Townes Earle, and of course the show stopping Waco Brothers yeeaagh!!!
The other top daylight show was Alejandro & Friends on Saturday, down in the garden at Maria’s Taco X Press. A nice outta town joint with great nose bag and some serious scrumptious mango margaritas. Al had his nephew Mario Escovedo’s lil band and Mad Juana in tow. Al played a shortish set which was justa taster for his amazing Sunday night regular post SX spot at The Continental.” It still got the Maria’s crowd up on their feet, stompin an hollerin’ .

Best Venue – “ Dontcha jus’ know who will win this ? Yep It’s the Continental Club again. Simple reason, the history, the vibe, the great sound and vision lines and of course Steve an his wunnerful hard workin’ staff. Well most of em anyways”

Worst Venue – “You know people, tho’ it pains me to say it. Guitar Town jus didn’t work this year. The bands were great but the venue just didn’t match up. Fago’s Irish Pub – Ahm sorry, but it jus din hold a candle to Mother Egan’s. Lets hope GT returns there for next year.”

Best Drink – “Ah knows you Jumpin Hot crowd, y’all like a drank. Ah does too! Ah guess old habits die hard cuz the winner is Margaritas at Guero’s followed by ‘em frozen Mango ones down at Maria’s. Heres to ya!

Best Bargain – “Hey y’all ah wannuh tel yuh ‘bout mah friend Mac. The dude fell offa curb during daylight hours, while sober, Ah might add. An he just dun nearly broke his ankle. His good buddy Mick got a bandage offa some firemen an poor ol Mac was laid up. Next day me an Lindy Lou was straight off to the thrift store an manged to get ol’ Mac a darn walkin stick for the mighty fine price of 6 American dollars. Now that’s what ah call me a bargain Ha! we coulda got him a wheel chair for twenny five bucks too”

Best Food – “ Hey all you English folk out there. You think you know what a burger is like? Like hell you dunna. Unlessa you bin down to Huts. Now Huts has won best burger in Austin for the last twenny two years off the bat. Ah ain’t biased, you can git you’re burgers in buffalo or beef……. or even some pansy veggie options if you’re a wuss. (No offence Mick ol buddy, you too Chet if your tunin’ in) Gimme a Buddy Holly or a Fats Domino any day o the week. But ah hear some o you guys were partial to a bit a home slice pizza? It jus don’t come close to Huts boa.”

Most Striking Attire “Well here’s a new award an ah ain’t seen nuthin like this since ah saw a filly dressed as a drum majorette some years back. Well this year it goes to mah good buddy from Austin by way of ol Amsterdam. Its Dutch Tom and his crazy head gear – you ain’t never saw a hat like his befawer.”

Squashed Like Sardines : “A special one off award goes to Red 7 club, who were the venue for Found Magazine day party. Lindy Lou an ah got there early to claim a good spot,as we knew when Lucero and The Hold Steady came on it’d be pruddy full. Just before Lucero 100’s o folk came in squeezing into the outside patio an we was squashed – the place filled up with a lotta meat heads an ah feared for Lindy Lou’s safety. Well we stuck it out for Lucero who played a damn good set but when even more people begun shoe horning themselves in we beat a retreat.

Best New Band – “Hell its just gotta be that Mad Juana who play this amazing mix of mariachi, Tijuana, gypsy, punk polka and hey, y’all you should check em out. These guys are Sammi Yaffa’s band who is also now playing bass for NY Dolls. Go Figure”

Tribute Award : Hey y’all sad with the passing of Chris Gaffney from Hacienda Brothers? Well Dave Alvin assembled a crack band with Bill Kirtchin on guitar, Cindy Cashdollar on the ol’ pedal steel to pay a heartfelt emotional tribute to Chris. Sporting a fine white Stetson Alvin led the band with aplomb at the Continental on Thursday night. Flaco Jimanez joining them on accordion for the encore and The Gourds topped off a great night. Y’all shudda bin there!

Jumpin Hot Legend : “Jeez what can I say. Already he has picked up the Musician of the year at the Austin Music Awards an now he joins the ranks of JH Legands. Gotta be none other than Alejandro Escovedo. Incredible song writer, singer, and band leader this dude can do it all and he is looking so well these days. Alejandro played a stunning gig at Jo’s parking lot on Friday with a huge band, then hosted his own afternoon at Marias on Saturday, before he rocked The Continental to its foundations on Sunday. Ah do believe The Continental roof had to be brought back down two full blocks of South Congress, as Al blew it off with thundering version of “All The Young Dudes” at about 2.00am. You limeys sure do like that tune.”

“Well that wands things up from me. Thanks to the JH boys for providing me with this platform. Ah hear y’all doin a mighty fine job of keeping Noocastle supplied with good music. Don’ let the karaoke in y’hear.”
KAMIKAZE KEITH - KK

• Indebited to the late Country Dick Montana and Unknown Hinson on whose persona’s this KK character is based on.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Bob Rides Again" - To ECMA's 2009 Corner Brook, Newfoundland, Canada

Late Feb - Early March 2009

In late February, 9 intrepid explorers from all 4 corners of the British Isles descended on Newfoundland for the annual East Coast Music Awards, Festival and Conference (ECMAs). I had been looking forward to it ever since receiving my official invitation, and I knew music aside, that I would have a great time with my fellow travellers and knowing the hospitality of the Canadians. I had been twice before in 2006 in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island (PEI) and in 2007 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. I took a year off last year, primarily to give other people a chance to go. There is no such thing as a free lunch and I knew the moment we landed that we would be made to work hard almost up to the moment of leaving.

8 hours after leaving Heathrow and after a 3 hours stopover in Toronto (“Tronner “) and after a 3 hour flight towards the North Pole we arrived in Deer Lake Regional Airport. The whole airport was surrounded by snow drifts. We were all knackered regardless of it being the tail end of a good drinking session that started hours earlier at O’Neill’s at Heathrow Airport (with Shippy of course!)

Corner Brook was our destination – a small city (population 20,000) surrounded by hills and snow drifts. I was glad I brought with me two pairs of thermal leggings! The four days that followed consisted of a lot of live music, a lot of socialising (we attended “social mixers” – i.e. drink receptions).

DIARY

Every year the ECMAs invite a number of international delegates from America, Britain, Ireland and even Australia. Fellow compadres on this trip included GRAHAM SHIPCOTE, Kevin Morris, Andy Peters, Mark Ringwood, Ken & Sue Bradburn, Lorraine Carpenter and Gail Cooke. All of us are involved in the live music business and I’ve worked with most in the past. It’s always a good chance to get to know people better on these trips. It made a great mix this year with Brian O’Donovan (a well renowned DJ in the Celtic music world ) becoming part of our tribe.
You could never really escape from the live music and at every opportunity showcases were put on so we could pretty much see at least 5 minutes of as many acts as possible.

DAY 1 – Thursday 26th February 2009

We had a whistle-stop tour of Corner Brook with stand up comic Paul Seaward. He was more interested in telling us where the local strip bar was and cracking jokes than telling us about the city and where the venues were. I swear he got funnier the further on the tour we went. I’d pay good money to see him on stage.

Our first free meal was an “Export Showcase” and this was accompanied by 4 short sets by chosen artists. This took place in the ballroom of the hotel we were all staying in (Greenwood Inn & Suites). It doesn’t sound as glamorous as it was This afternoon we were introduced to the music of Damhnait Doyle (nice voice) Duane Andrews(django jazz), Ennis (mainstream folky) and a favourite of mine from 2007, the tight alt rock band Hey Rosetta (excellent-Ed) !

Each and every one of us had different agendas but luckily the hub of us (Graham, Andy, Kevin, Brian and self) had pretty much the same idea as to what to see. After an introductory “International Welcome Export Mixer” followed by a “10 X 10 Video Screening Mixer” at the upmarket Glynmill Inn - where the highlight was the seafood and a series of music videos that had been made by a random coupling of 10 bands and 10 film makers (it made interesting viewing), we were left to our own devices.
It is incredible how many venues a city the size of Corner Brook (Ipswich is 6 times bigger) has, and I was desperate to see Madison Violet and they did not disappoint in the slightest. As part of the ECMA Concert Series, Brenley MacEachern and Lisa MacIsaac ( Madison Violet) besoted us all with a 40-minute set at the “soft seater” Arts & Culture Centre (i.e. a small theatre) with Adrian Lawryshyn on upright bass and vocals. Fans of The Wailin’ Jennys, The Be Good Tanyas and The Indigo Girls would love Madison Violet. Lisa and Brenley have beautiful voices and their songs are mighty fine.

The walk from the Arts & Culture Centre to the venue called “Union Station” would have been fairly straight forward if it was Ipswich, but not here. The problem was that we couldn’t find it!!! It had been pointed out to us in daylight the previous day by the comic. Due to makeshift pavements carved out of the snow drifts, we slid down the hill, stopped lorries in their track and found ourselves finally in a billiards bar called Union Street. Close, but no cigar, but 2 pitchers of wheat beer and three games of pool – the Celts smashing the Brits in a roll-your-sleeves-up-and-think-of-your-country type of contest. It was a welcome breather to the music and an empty coach (I am still wondering what an empty coach was doing on the streets this time of night) managed to pick us up and took us to where the venue actually was (well disguised by the ubiquitous snow drifts and a “Subway” fast food joint I had travelled 5,000 miles to avoid. They even smell the same, by the way).

Venues here are as varied as the music and by all accounts Union Station is a good venue – for Rock’n’Roll. Celtic-come-Jazz musician Gillian Boucher didn’t really cut it for us hardened agents and promoters. It was the wrong venue for her music and she suffered from an audience more interested in drinking and talking. This was part of “Music Nova Scotia” night. The other provinces that form part of Atlantic Maritime Canada (Newfoundland & Labrador, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick being the others) all hosted events of their own. We stayed for a little bit of “Shelter With Thieves” but after a few songs we decided to move on.
Given the enormous travel day yesterday, I was trying very hard to pace myself. I was not alone in wanting an early-ish night, knowing that more of the same was in store the next day and one by one all my colleagues sloped off to bed. Kevin and I stayed to see some really bad band back at the bar in the hotel. When the Rickard’s Red was finished, so was I. I knew tomorrow was going to be a good long day.

DAY 2 – Friday 27th February 2009

For 2 consecutive mornings – before our pre-arranged 7 “one-on-one” 15 minute long meetings with musicians and music managers, we happily chomped our way through a free breakfast buffet (i.e. fuel) whilst a series of carefully chosen musicians gave their 5 minute “pitches”. It’s really easy to take these things for granted but it must’ve been pretty daunting for these musicians. Not only is 10am a particularly rare hour of the day that these people see but to perform as well, and in front of people who are possibly more interested in their bacon & eggs!

Chris Copelaugh & The Cosmic Crew was for me one of the standouts from the first session. Government Mule styled blues was how bass player (Lynn Daigle) introduced the song “Coffee Shop” and Chris explained how he came to write it sitting on a train. He made it sound so easy. They were pretty cool – Chris with his double neck guitar. He is a big bald guy with a massive beard. You wouldn’t want to meet him down a dark alley...

Kev Corbett won the award of the best hat of the week – a red woolly hat with 2 horns. The moose was loose! A young Loudon Wainwrright -J Richman influenced songwriter with an original style and good sense of humour to boot .

Christina Martin was also tip top – with guitarist Dale Murray (from Cuff The Duke and The Guthries). She reminds me musically of Shawn Colvin and even looks a little bit like Dannii Minogue! Her song “You Come Home” was one that I particularly enjoyed hearing on MySpace and it was the one she performed. Kevin & Graham rather enjoyed the M Ward like modern songwriting troubadour Steven Bowers too !

After our one-on-one meetings was a second lot of lunchtime showcase gigs (to accompany more free food and beer). The afternoon slot was certainly more favourable to musicians and audiences than the morning. Today we witnessed celtic band Vishtèn, songwriter Dave Gunning and Madison Violet. Sadly I missed The Divorcees as I had to hop-skip-and-jump so I could make my panel in the Glynmill Inn. (you didn’t miss much- Ed)

The ECMAs are fabulous with their hospitality and laying on transport between venues. After last night’s disastrous DIY attempt of getting around, you had to seize every opportunity of a free ride. My panel “Working Across The Pond” was well attended and was worthwhile. Bruce Morel chaired it and Mark Ringwood, Andy Peters and Gail Cooke and I shared our knowledge of touring the UK with those that cared to listen. I enjoy being on panels and this was one of the best I had been on, despite zero pre-panel preparation. I think it’s fair to say that we all winged it!

Our next port of call was the “Pepsi Studio” to see Ska / Reggae sensations The Idlers . Once we actually found the venue (a large space bolted onto the side of the Pepsi Centre) we were glad to find out they served more than just Pepsi and that the 11-piece band were on fire. The sound in the venue was awful but the band made do and it was great to see them live.
( While Bob went there, Bluegrass band,Grass Mountain Hobos looked good on a poster in our Hotel, so me & Lorraine took the 5 minute walk in those crazy snow conditions,to see them. They were like my old band Hot Licks Cookies, all 30’s jug band-, old timey acoustic blues with hints of Old Crow Medicine show, only a wee septet instead of a duo. There were about seven on the dance floor too which is a fair few in Corner brook. They weren’t that good for me & Lorraine to get up & dance though )

Food at events like this is crucial. The bar in the hotel called “Crowne & Moose” served food but by now the bar had become haven to hundreds of punters who had paid good money to see and hear the music. So there was nowhere to sit and nowhere to be served. The 2-3 restaurants in the vicinity had all been long fully booked. We were lucky this night to get a pizza and it wasn’t so easy the next day (more about this later on) we eventually found what was to become not only my favourite venue in Corner Brook was also where you could buy a bowl of chilli and a bread bun for $5. The mecca was “Branch 13 of the Royal Canadian Legion”. The other added attraction, other than the chilli and good beer, was its location: a slip slide walk about 5 minutes from the hotel. It was where their “Discovery Stage” was and where we got to see a full set of Christina Martin with her band. I really enjoyed her set and her songs were really strong too. She followed on from Carmen Townsend – who was wonderfully off the wall with her songs. At one point she did a cracking version of Regina Spektor’s “Fidelity”. She was cool and she certainly appealed to a much younger audience, most of them sticking around to see Christina.I felt we were on a bit of a roll as we had just been thoughly entertained by Ruth Minnikin and Her Bandwagon in the Ballroom immediately before venturing around the corner to mecca.

DAY 3 – Saturday 28th February 2009

I couldn’t believe how fast time was going and that tomorrow I was going to fly back to England. I knew if there was going to be a blow out day, today would be it.
More 5 minute pitches – we thankfully got to hear Gillian Boucher in a more favourable environment , and hear singer songwriter Chris Kirby , followed by multi-talented instrumentalist Ryan LeBlanc (who I had seen at the Canadian artists showcase in Roubaix, France in October 2007) then country crooner Ryan Cook with his guitarist playing a damn good Merle Travis tune and finally the very sweet Norma McDonald. Following on from this was more one-on-one meetings in the ballroom, followed by other free lunch and showcase gigs in the afternoon, presented by Bruce Guthro.
( While the ballroom gigs were starting I skived off the delegate get together which was mandatory, to see The Olympic Symdorium in the Hotel bar. A 5 piece chamber folk group from Nova Scotia playing in the comfortable bar.It really really was cool beautiful lilting folk music for a snowy Canadian Saturday afternoon. Kinda of Fleet foxes meet Bon Ivor.Then the sunshine came out up at the delegates ballroom with the jazzy pop sound of David Myles & Band, the hit of last years ECMA in his hometown Fredrickton. We even all sang along on cue, to his classy songs - "Im getting Old,But Im not Old Yet" !!! This guy was my favorite act again - Graham)

One of my one-on-one meetings was with Ian Foster. In fact he was one of the last and I really liked his manner and had enjoyed his music on his MySpace too. He was performing at my favourite venue at 3pm and if nothing else, it was a good escape from the afternoon showcase session; there was no daylight in the hotel ballroom and it felt a little claustrophobic. You felt locked in! The Legion, however, was magic. Ian’s a very able songwriter and composer and he plays acoustic and electric guitar and keyboards (not at the same time though). He says he’s influenced by U2 and you can catch some of that in his songs. He’s good and the packed room (resembling a village hall with a high stage along one side) was lapping it up.
There was no real plan for the night – per sé.Just dinner then live music !

( Nobody could find anywhere for food & I was wanting to get up the bank (no easy feet) to the Legion,,so I called into to a local deli café where I bought a greek donar kebab (a first in 15 years) & promptly left most of it. Yes folks, words can’t describe how it tasted :-( I did get to see the insultingly young family band The Abrams Brothers playing some really hot Bluegrass music & beyond though . The leader John was 18 and a great guitar picker, his cousin Elijah also 18, sure knew his way around the Stick Bass, and brother James who looked like a young Ole Gunner Solskjaer was a maniac fiddle player who oozed class. God knows what they’ll sound make their early twenties! In the Hotel bar a songwriters circle was finishing & I caught the last few songs of the talented young songwriter Don Brownrigg. He had the audience in his hands with easy going manner, and easy going alt-folk tunes.-G)
Some of the gang had wanted to check out Aislin House at The Legion, so I figured, why not! 5 young sisters, all playing stringed instruments. It was more cabaret than anything else( & like a school trip- Ed) and aside from the asthetics, it didn’t rock my boat. Andy was a happy man. For the first time he felt homesick.
You were always going to miss seeing someone at events like this and the ECMAs do make sure that you have every chance to see as much as possible. Corner Brook is nothing like Austin whereby every bar, every building, sidewalk and open space has live music. It’s more subtle here. You have to know where the music is and even with a fleet of volunteers willing to drive you between the gigs, it doesn’t lend itself to spontaneity as sometimes you are waiting some time for a lift to come. We went back to the Arts & Culture Centre to see The Tom Fun Orchestra. They played at the ECMAs in Halifax 2007. Described back then as a cross between Dexy’s Midnight Runners, The Pogues and Calexico, they’ve come more into their own now and as shy as the lead singer obviously is, he fronted a great, great band. Perfect for festivals I’d say anywhere around the world .

We did head back to Union Station to catch Carmen Townsend again (Wasnt she in Tom Fun Orc-Ed ?). There I ran into my good old buddy from Tronner, Chris Topping. It was a short sharp visit as were made aware of Dr Zoo doing an impromptu gig at Gitanno’s Tapas & Supper Club in the Milbrook Mall. I walked in and immediately recognised Susan Evoy from The Idlers. She’s the alto saxophonist and she was getting ready to perform with jazz Chanteuse Mary Barry. It was a very chilled out atmosphere and this place was more of a wine bar than anything else. Mary did outstay her welcome a little bit as a lot of people had descended onto the restaurant to see Dr Zoo, but it gave everyone a chance to chill out. Where were the cigars?Dr Zoo did everything Randy Arsenault said he would. Randy is Dr Zoo and if anything it was a good fun, a funky and reggae induced glorified cover band.

Tonight was the night we discovered the $5 chilli and bread roll at The Legion earlier after a couple of disappointments elsewhere. The food at Gitanno’s, however, looked and smelt fabulous.

Various things were taking place back at the hotel and having experienced how packed the bar got (there was live music throughout the night) it was a group decision to try and get in so we could enjoy my last night not too far from bed.

It was a good time to hang out with some of my Canadian friends Shelley Nordstrom, Mickey Quase, Dennis Parker and Gloria Gravel. I became friends with Gloria at The Canadian Country Music Awards in Calgary back in September 2005.Good old Den... Dennis Parker and I have mutual friends in Colin Jennings and Nigel Reveller. He’s a Brit but has lived in Canada for most of his life, but he hasn’t lost his accent in the slightest. He moonlights as a blues musician and we crammed ourselves into the bar to see him.

Tonight was the latest of the three nights – with the obvious exception of the night we arrived, and I was beginning to relish the return journey home.

Day 4 – Sunday 1st March 2009

Sunday began with a debriefing session where we all gave feedback on the event. My only regret was not finding any time to really explore Corner Brook and its environs. There was simply no spare time at all – unless you skimped on what we were asked to do. I decided to leave a day earlier than the others as I knew that not only had the ECMAs got the best out of me, I had got the best out of them. Graham and Brian had already left by this stage.
A good debrief of our own at The Legion with Mark and Andy was welcome as was the Honey Brown real ale. The last gig I attended was upstairs at The Legion – a local guy come good called Sherman Downey – white reggae obviously influenced by Jack Johnson. The room was packed and they were still selling chilli!

It was sad to say goodbye to everyone but we did round up a good ECMA with a round back at The Crowne & Moose before volunteer Mike drove Gail and myself to the airport. By the time we made our connecting flight from Halifax, I was out for the count. We got back safely but others who left on the Monday were less fortunate.Everybody here seemingly wants to tour the UK and no one really knows how to do it, unless you hire an agent, which is where we all fit in. The music we saw was generally of a really high standard and also very eclectic.

It was all in all a fabulous trip and for me my favourite ECMAs to date. The city of Corner Brook and the hotel weren’t ideal and I found getting around Charlottetown and Halifax infinitely more easier. The company was fantastic and us Brits (and Andy and Brian) really gelled.

The music was really good. Highlights for me: Madison Violet, Rith Minnikin and Her Band Wagon, The Idlers, The Tom Fun Orchestra, Ian Foster , Christina Martin and Chris Copelaugh and The Cosmic Crew. The beer was good and flowing. I could have resorted to a diet of chilli but no one in our party would have appreciated it!Finally many thanks to Shelley, Heather and Laurie for inviting me and organising it all, and all the volunteers for their efforts in ferrying us around.

Bob Paterson,(Pics Ariel Hyatt, Bob P)

BPA Live,Movers & Shakers Promotions,BP:FM

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------