TRADITIONS: A Celebration of American Folk Music @ Hygienic Art Park 6/22

The good folks at Hygienic Art Park are putting on a lengthly folk showcase for you to enjoy, called Traditions. It's this Saturday at 2pm and you won't want to miss it!

Lys Guillorn & Mercy Choir video - Trouble

Lys Guillorn teamed up with Mercy Choir to release a 3 song EP called "Trouble". They have release a video for the title song, a dreamy and beautiful look at nature and surroundings. Take a look and enjoy!

The Proud Flesh - Home

The Proud Flesh display their folk prowess and traditional charm on their new full length LP "Home".

Track Premier: Hole In My Heart by VIOLENT MAE

Becky Kessler & Floyd Kellogg are pretty well known CT names in their own right, so to find out they have been toiling on a new LP together is wonderful news! They have chosen a band name, Violent Mae. They have also been so kind as to choose CTINDIE to premier their first single from the upcoming LP, and we are pleased to bring you "Hole In My Heart".

Paper Hill Casket Company, Kindred Queer, Sway @ Elm Bar 12/29

Another great show is coming to Elm Bar in New Haven. Paper Hill Casket Company is playing along with Kindred Queer and Sway!

The Human Fly - Everything II: Variations on a Theme

Robert Mathis is another man in black, who wields his acoustic only to warn and illuminate. Not entertain you with infectious little numbers. His baritone pipes call to mind other darkly dressed gentlemen, from the likes of Nick Cave to Adam Turla. Mathis has been recording his brand of muddy doom-folk under the Human Fly handle up and down the eastern seaboard for the past couple years, while this is the first full recording to feature a full band. Everything II: Variations on a Theme is simply a different rendition of the bare boned Everything Feels Bad At Once. This re-imagined take on the low key original, unplugged version is more of a companion piece, meant to complete a sonic puzzle. But don't worry - it still sounds like lonely drives down desert highways, and soaking in the blood of haunted motel rooms. Where the comfort of city lights are reminisced upon via barren toned licks that teeter between The Damned and Alice in Chains.

Everything II was recorded in a modern studio on a whim, to reinvent sooty folk as sprawlingly evil grunge. It was all done in one fell swoop, so all the darkness you hear is natural, and not produced by robots. Clarity ups the stakes, giving The Human Fly a greater sense of immediacy. Tracks like The Fine Line and Severed Head come alive with blaring distortion and words that break on Mathis' demented hollering. The electricity in the strings still allow for opportunities to create foreboding atmosphere, while bass creeps around like carnivorous ivy. Climactic, surging guitar payoffs are the fire and brimstone behind backwoods preacher sermons.

Gritty ballad You Remind Me of Martha, is plain theatrical, adding emotive muscle to exposed bones. Primitive Ways is like a more treacherous depiction of a Cramps single, that one might hear over the opening credits of an Italian 60s horror film. The latter, along with Moth are grunge bliss. Driving backbeats bring Mathis' excellent songwriting up from the cellar. The upbeat ADHD is miles away from atmospheric bleakness, yet is a reminder of of how The Human Fly can take a new form, with his knack for many faces. An anti-super hero, who when stripped away of a backing band is still prolific.

Everything II: Variations on a Theme is perfect if you ever wanted to know what it would sound like if Danzig teamed up with Cobain circa 1992. Madness and nihilism have never sounded so heart warming. If having two versions of a release is worth doing at all, than its worth doing right. And this is done so, so goddamn right. 

The Raven & The Wool - LP

The Raven and The Wool return with their eponymous debut LP! This is a pretty folk LP laced with gripping vocals. Filled with lush production and sweet melodies, this is a treat for the ears!

THE GRIMM GENERATION @ BEST VIDEO IN HAMDEN 12/5

The Grimm Generation are taking their special blend of apocalyptic pop to Best Video in Hamden, which is an establishment greatly deserving of your time and attention.

The Grimm Generation
From the flaming wreckage of the 'Record Industry' arise The Grimm Generation. The songs document the lives of the authors, in victorious shout-along choruses to stark lyrics which paint an unpretty, but accurate portrait of life in The Land Of Steady Habits. Carmen sings and writes and Jason sings and writes and plays guitar. But what The Grimm Generation really does is confess. Publicly, loudly. With feeling.



LIVE @ Best Video
1842 Whitney Avenue, Hamden

Anthology of American Folk Music Night: New Haven Edition, CT Food Bank Benefit 11/30 @ Cafe9

A good show with great intentions comes to Cafe Nine on Friday 11/30. Lys Guillorn and Elisa Flynn are hosting a huge folk event with a dozen plus performers. Each performer will pick 2 songs from Harry Smiths oeuvre and play.

Elison Jackson - I Do Believe She Flew Out The Drainpipe EP

Elison Jackson have a new record, and they want to press it to 10 inch vinyl! They set up a kickstarter to get your help in pressing this record and they even have a gig tomorrow at Cafe Nine and all proceeds go to their kickstarter!

Ralph White @ Willimantic Records on Sunday 7/1

Former Bad Liver Ralph White takes his gripping avant-garde folk brilliance to Willimantic Records! He will be playing at 1PM so get there early and enjoy an early afternoon of interesting music! Playing a number of different instruments and having his own VERY unique style, this show is going to be interesting as all hell!

Register Sessions: Story time with Sidewalk Dave (submit questions, watch it live)

No need to leave the comfort of your computer screen or find a designated driver Wednesday night. If you got an internet connection, you got front row seats to the next live-streamed Register Session, featuring New Haven's favorite alt-rock barn burners, Sidewalk Dave.

Watch the intimate acoustic set with Sidewalk Dave right here or at www.newhavenregister.com Wednesday night at 6 p.m.

Sidewalk Dave will also answer questions from fans and listeners during the live set. Submit any questions you have about Sidewalk Dave or their music as a comment on this post.




More details on the Facebook event page.

Most recently, Sidewalk Dave released the Can't Be Your Friend EP for free which you can download here.



While you're at it,might as well check out this guest playlist Sidewalk Dave compiled for the New Haven Register earlier in the year with songs that inspired them in 2010.

About Sidewalk Dave (from www.sidewalkdave.com)
Since 2007, Sidewalk Dave has been tirelessly touring the North East with a rare blend of artistic Alt-rock. They have played with such similarly inspiring acts as Deer Tick, The Low Anthem, O'Death, and more. A relentless pursuit to challenge and entertain the listener has earned them generous national press:

"Consider this The Beatles, on whiskey instead of acid or pot" - Country Music Pride

Ponybird, Goodnight Blue Moon, M.T. Bearington (solo)

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Location:
Cafe Nine
250 State Street
New Haven, CT

9:00pm - 21+ - $5

Facebook event page

IPOD sets by DJ Ponybird, and MC BAM BAM throughout the night.

Ponybird will be playing as a four peice, featuring Jenn D. & Andre Roman (Old Man Lady Luck/Atrina), Rob Dauphinais (Mageepa Project), and Jay Bates (M.T. Bearington).

Ponybird has fully matured into a countrified rock ’n’ roll heartbreaking machine. -New Haven Advocate

One of my fave Ponybird tracks:



Here's her Hot Bitch Arsenal cover with lyrics that were put together by taking audience submissions given to the band on slips of paper during a performance.



Goodnight Blue Moon is an orchestral-acoustic-folk band from New Haven, Connecticut. The band cites influences ranging from Bob Dylan and Simon & Garfunkel to Matt Pond PA and The Avett Brothers. But, thanks to their diverse musical backgrounds, the members of this 7-piece come together to deliver a sound that is uniquely their own.



M.T. Bearington creates pop music that's well rooted in psychedelia, combining beautiful harmonies, soft melodies, and pounding rhythms. Taking cues from such acts as Roy Wood, The Kinks, and Brian Wilson, the music is as much a nod to the past as it is a journey into modern songwriting.

The Felice Brothers, Adam Haworth Stephens (of Two Gallants)

Monday, November 1, 2010, Manic Productions presents

© Pieter M Van Hattem/ Uncut/ IPC+ Syndication

Location:
Daniel Street
21 Daniel Street
Milford, CT

8:00pm - 21+ - $15

Buy tickets now or pick them up at Redscroll Records or DETRITUS


The Felice Brothers and their long time friends and band mates Greg Farley and Christmas Clapton, come to us from the Catskill Mountains, where a homegrown sound has been working its way through the bloodlines for generations. Their rambling journey so far has brought them from busking in New York City subway stations, to tours across the world that have included enthusiastically received performances at major music festivals including Bonnaroo, All Points West, Outside Lands, and Langerado.



Adam Haworth Stephens (of Two Gallants):
As lead singer and songwriter of San Francisco duo Two Gallants, Adam Stephens (with band mate Tyson Vogel) released four critically acclaimed albums and toured incessantly over the past five years. A well-deserved break was finally taken providing Adam with a chance to write material for a new project. After forming a band and playing various west coast shows over the past year, Adam went into Sunset Sound and Kingsize Soundlabs in Los Angeles and recorded his debut solo record with producer Joe Chiccarelli (My Morning Jacket, The Shins, White Stripes). The result is his debut solo album WE LIVE ON CLIFFS. Set for a September 28th release on Saddle Creek, WE LIVE ON CLIFFS features Adam on vocals, guitar and piano and a list of guest musicians including Patrick Hallahan and Bo Koster (My Morning Jacket), Justin Meldal-Johnsen, Joey Waronker, Cody Votolato (Blood Brothers / Jaguar Love), Mike Daly, Petra Haden, Andy Cabic (Vetiver) and current band members Jen Grady, Matt Montgomery and Omar Cuellar. Saddle Creek




Fall Tour w/Adam Haworth Stephens (after Nov. 19 Haworth Stephens, takes some R and R)

October 2010
Thursday 28 | Harper's Ferry, Allston, MA
Friday 29 | Met Cafe, Pawtucket, RI
Saturday 30 | The Chance, Pougkeepsie, NY
Sunday 31 | Music Hall of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY

November 2010
Monday 1 | Daniel Street, Milford, CT
Wednesday 3 | Jefferson Theater, Charlottesville, VA
Thursday 4 | King's Barcade, Raleigh, NC
Friday 5 | Handlebar, Greenville, SC
Saturday 6 | The Earl, Atlanta, GA
Monday 8 | The Social, Orlando, FL
Tuesday 9 | The Club Downunder, Tallahssee, FL
Wednesday 10 | One Eyed Jack's, New Orleans, LA
Friday 12 | Emo's Inside, Austin, TX
Saturday 13 | The Loft, Dallas, TX
Sunday 14 | Sticky Fingerz, Little Rock, AR
Monday 15 | Proud Larry's, Oxford, MS
Wednesday 17 | Headliners Music Hall, Louisville, KY
Thursday 18 | Southgate House, Newport, KY
Friday 19 | Rumba Cafe, Columbus, OH
Saturday 20 | Castaway's, Ithaca, NY

December 2010
Thursday 2 | The Westcott Theater, Syracuse, NY
Friday 3 | Water Street Music Hall, Rochester, NY
Saturday 4 | Mass MoCA, North Adams, MA

Amy Speace, Lys Guillorn @ Cafe Nine - May 5th

Next Wednesday, May 5th singer/songwriters Amy Speace and Lys Guillorn hit the Cafe Nine for a night of folk/americana geetar-twang.


Photo: Crackerfarm, NYC

Speace, who is currently on tour in support of her newest disc 'The Killer In Me' (Wildflower Records), has been riding a wave of acclaim both for her off-beat songwriting and for her heartfelt performances. In regards to her newer material Speace explains, "In many ways, it was the hardest thing I've ever done. And in some ways, it was the easiest. Writing the songs was emotionally difficult, deep and intense--it was kind of an exorcism. But in the end, the songs flowed pretty quickly. You write the things that you're afraid to say out loud." As Speace alludes to, the songs on 'The Killer In Me' tend to fall into the darker side of the spectrum but never lose their footing. Instead she seems to be able to take such difficult emotions and channel them effectively into a memorable set of country-tinged folk songs. The album's title track, in particular, exemplifies Speace's talent for bringing out her emotions in both song and performance.

New Haven, CT.'s Lys Guillorn mines much of the same musical territory as Speace however with a much more organic feel. Now long a stalwart on the local scene, Guillorn has made a niche for herself creating some truly unique songs, both musically and lyrically. Performing this particular show in 'full band' format, Guillorn mends folk and country influences with a healthy of dose of old-time americana, and even psychedelica. Her bluesy vocals compliment the combination well, creating a much more convincing 'world-weariness' than Speace.


Lys Guillorn's "My Lullaby"

Although musically similar, Speace and Guillorn offer just enough differences in their approach and content to keep the listener on their feet. For fans of female-fronted folk, country and americana, make sure to stop by Cafe Nine next week.

IfWhen You Go:

Wednesday, May 5th

Amy Speace
Lys Guillorn

@ Cafe Nine
250 State Street (at Crown Street)
New Haven, CT. 06510

Show begins at 9pm SHARP.
21+ / $8 cover

Sean Hayes, The Backyard Committee at Rudy's

Sean Hayes
The Backyard Committee
Sunday, April 18, 9 p.m.
Rudy’s, New Haven, $3.


Sean Hayes is a singer-songwriter folk artist from San Francisco. His tunes are Americana laced with powerful vocals. He's got a great warbling voice, and his tunes are all dream-laced tunes with surreal imagery and fun lyrics. He’s only playing three east coast shows on this tour; Philly, NYC and New Haven, and for $3 you can't go wrong.

Also playing will be locals The Backyard Committee, from New Haven. From what I've heard, they play some nice alt-country tunes. At this point I've only heard what's on their myspace, but they put out a strong Wilco influence which is a really good thing.

The Mountain Movers, Able Anchors, Tallahassee

Tonight is a great day to see a show. CT's very fine bands The Mountain Movers and Able Anchors will be playing a show together, along with Rhode Island alt-country/alt-folk/alt-alt band Tallahassee. Prep yourself for St. Patty's Day and go see some excellent music down at Cafe 9. It's also a free show, so you can buy an extra Guinness or two. 'Tis the season, after all.

The Mountain Movers are a staple of the Americana movement that has been slowly building in CT. They've released some excellent albums over the years, including their latest LP, "The Day Calls Out For You" which kingpanos reviewed way back in January. You should never miss any chance you get to see these guys live.

Able Anchors are a new band from New Haven that seemed to appear overnight, fully stocked with beautiful songs and amazingly sparse instrumentation. They just released their "Paper Demo" which is not only amazing, but it's also freely available for download below:



Yes, it may be true that Tallahassee is from Rhode Island, but their sound is more rooted somewhere along the Appalachian mountain range. Their new release "Wolfe Moon" evicts a sense of life as it should be, barefoot in flannel. There's banjos, violin, lap steel, and upright bass to round out the guitar and vocals of epically bearded frontman Brian Barthelmes. I really recommend you check this album out, there's some really amazing tunes to be heard. Another interesting piece of trivia; you may recognize Barthelmes from his brief stint as an NFL front lineman for the New England Patriots. They're currently cruising around the New England countryside playing a ton of shows this spring, but unfortunately for us, this is their only Connecticut date.

Also, be sure to check out this preview video:

Big Wilson River + Brook Pridemore + The Thin Heir + more @ The Tetonka Fortress - Feb 13

Pre-game Valentines day with this show at The Tetonka Fortress this Saturday. Brook Pridemore, The Thin Heir, Mutiny Amongst Friends, Big Wilson River, The Front Bottoms, Tyler Bussy and Liv Carrow will all be playing. The snow has melted now go see a great show.



The Tetonka Fortress - February 13th
42 Curtiss St,
Naugatuck, CT
Brook Pridemore
The Thin Heir
Mutiny Amongst Friends
Big Wilson River
The Front Bottoms
Tyler Bussy
Liv Carrow

Time: 7:00pm

Cost: Donate

The Felice Brothers @ StageOne - Feb 5th

The Felice Brothers hit Fairfield on the fifth to bring some Bob Dylan-esq folk to CT. The show is only going to be around 15 bucks before student/senior discounts so not only will you get to see some great folk, you'll have enough money for burritos after.



StageOne - February 5th
The Felice Brothers
Time: 7:00pm
Cost: $5-$15

Ian O'Neil at The Space

Thursday, January 14th, 2010: Ian O'Neil (of Deer Tick) with Lion Cub, Alex Mazzaferro (of Aeroplane, 1929), Darlingside, Tommy Vallen, and Celebrated Tigers


Location:
The Space
295 Treadwell Street
Hamden CT

$10 - 7:00PM - All Ages

Directions: CLICK

Facebook event page: CLICK

Ian O'Neil, former guitarist of La Guillotine and Titus Andronicus and current member of Deer Tick brings his unique mixture of folk, country and rhythm and blues and his irreverent songs of life and death in these United States of America. A rare-can't-miss performance!

Alex Mazzaferro, vocalist for Aeroplane, 1929 is playing a special solo performance!

Lion Cub is the new project from the former members of beloved Kill Normal Records band La Guillotine and features friends from Aeroplane, 1929. With their giddy mixture of organic instrumentation reminiscent of their rural New England background and the sleek rhythms of electric drums and looped beats Lion Cub is a constantly shifting and progressing take on classic pop music.

Darlingside is a group of five multi-instrumentalist singer/songwriters with musical influences ranging from Radiohead to Loudon Wainwright, Mozart to Earl Scruggs. Elegantly crafted cello-violin duets, soaring harmonies, catchy hooks and compelling beats are all part of Darlingside's evolving sound. After spending their first few months as a band writing tunes holed up in their house, these five are amped to tour Western Mass and New England.

Local Tommy Vallen will open with his personal brand of folk.

Other than a show back in mid January with the The Caligulists, there's not much to find online about Celebrated Tigers. Maybe post a little more info in the comments if you have the scoop.