Rock And Blues International - July 2021

JULY 2021

Rock And Blues International

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

Casey Hensley Styx Traffic Pablo Bonfanti ‘Christopher Shayne’ and more!

Rock And Blues International July 2021 Hello Rock And Blues International readers. I hope everybody had a great June. As we’ve been telling you, concert tours are beginning to hit the road. I finally got to get out and see a concert this last month and I’m feeling so much better now. I was really going through a big funk waiting for that to happen. As I reported last month, there are a lot of great concert tours going out on the road now and I want to share those again with you.

Among the festivals are the Rebel Rock Festival, Lollapalooza, Aftershock Festival, Utopiafest, 22nd Punk Rock Bowling Festival in Las Vegas, the M3 America Fest featuring Kix, Queensryche, Night Ranger and a whole lot of other bands, not to mention the Louder Than Life Festival with Korn, Metallica, and Judas Priest.

Other tours hitting the U.S. and Europe are Styx, Deep Purple with Blue Oyster Cult, Dead and Company, Megadeth with Lamb of God, Alan Parsons Project, Shinedown, Dirty Honey, Black Crowes, Ministry, Deicide, and The Dead Daisies. ShipRocked 2022 has even been announced. There’s going to be a lot of live music hitting the road before the end of the year. Be sure to check out all the tour announcements and ads in this issue. If you’re a publicist and your act doesn’t have a tour announcement in here, then you’re client is really missing out. Don’t leave them by the wayside.

And now on to the July issue of Rock And Blues International. In this issue you can read stories about Chicago, Blues singer Casey Hensley, Styx, Traffic, Pablo Bonfanti, Martin Sexton, Local H, Crobot, christopher Shayne, Karaboudjan, Brockhampton, Dru Down, and more! As you can see, there are a lot of varied genres of music here for you to check out, or as we like to say, there’s a little of something for everyone here. We have even included the current installment of the novella, “The Biker”. Chapter 4 is being presented here this month and we are looking forward to your feedback on it. Read it and than email us back with your thoughts on this. Should we continue it or should we scrap it?

I sincerely hope that everybody reading this publication finds something here that they like and I would like to encourage you to let your friends and colleagues know about us. Just look for us every month at http://www.rockandbluesinternational.com. I would also like to encourage you to email us for a free subscription to Rock And Blues International as well. Just email us at rockandbluesinternational@gmail.com and in the subject line simply put “Sign Me Up” and we’ll email you a link to the magazine each month when it is published.

Kevin Wildman Kevin Wildman Editor and Publisher

Rock And Blues International Kevin Wildman Editor and Publisher

Web Address Http://www.rockandbluesinternational.com Mailing Address Box 1162, League City, TX 77573 Phone 281-650-1953

For Advertising email us at rockandbluesinternational@gmail.com or call 281-650-1953 For A Free Subscription email us at rockandblues international@gmail.com and in the subject line put “Sign Me Up Now” July 2021 • Rock and Blues International

3

Contents

VOL. 1 NO. 12

JULY 2021

6

ISSUE NO. 12

CHICAGO Chicago’s Robert Lamm talks about Chicago’s New Tour, The Pandemic, The New Album, and more!

12

6 CASEY HENSLEY

12

Blues Singer Casey Hensley Talks About Her New Album Good As Gone

18 18

STYX Styx’s Lawrence Gowan Talks About Styx’s New Album Crash Of The Crown

PABLO BONFANTI

22

Edoardo Fassio Talks About Pablo Bonfanti”s New Album Elastic Blues

22

30 30

CHRISTOPHER SHAYNE Christopher Shayne and Niceride Clothing Join Together For The Release Of the Perfect Summertime Song and Video, “Niceride.”

4

Rock and Blues International • July 2021

Contents

VOL. 1 NO.12

JULY 2021

48

48

ISSUE NO. 12

LEON CREEK Leon Creek (Chris Pierce) Announces Debut Album Far From Broken

74 LOCAL H

74

Local H Announce 2021 Tour With Soul Asylum & Juliana Hatfield Plus Headine Tour With Radkey As Support

84

84

THE BIKER LIMITED EDITION SHORT STORY EMAIL US AND LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF THIS ONE AND IF YOU WANT MORE OF THIS SERIES.

In This Issue: 6 10 12 18 22 23 26 30 34

Chicago Jeff Fetterman Casey Hensley Styx Pablo Bonfanti (English Pablo Bonfanti (Italian) Traffic Christopher Shayne Lenka

38 40 42 46 48 50 52 53 54

The Day Of The Bast Elder Island Hiatus Kaiyote Nick Flessa Leon Creek (Chris Pierce) Karaboudjan Mr. Linen Martin Sexton Hayley And The Crushers

56 58 60 72 74 78 80 84

Brockhampton Dru Down MOTÖRHEAD Crobot Local H Deathchant Flying Cupid The Biker

July 2021 • Rock and Blues International

3

Chicago’s Robert Lamm Talks About Chicago - The New Tour, The New Album and More!

6

Rock and Blues International • July 2021

By Kevin Wildman The year was 1969 and I had just left the movie “Easy Rider.” I walked across the street to the local record store to see what new arrivals were in. After looking around for a few minutes, I stumbled across this new album whose cover had caught my attention. On one side was a large logo of the band and on the other was the same logo, but a little bit smaller. I had never heard of the band before, but what struck me was that this was a double vinyl album. Not very many double vinyl albums were being issued in those days, so this was a bit of a rarity. Being a 16-yearold kid, finances were a bit slim for me, but I thought, ‘wow, two records for the price of one.’ That’s right, not only was there two records in this release, but it also was the same price as a single album. I immediately bought it and when I got home, I put it on the turntable and began hearing a new kind of music filled with great rock songs filled with horns. The first two sides were packed with some great tunes, such as “Introduction,” “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is,” “Beginnings,” and “Questions 67 & 68.”

By the time I got to side three and heard Terry Kath tear it up on “Free Form Guitar,” and “South California Purples,” I

was hooked. Since then I’ve been a Chicago fan, so I’m very happy to see Chicago on the road again.

Since the day I picked up their first album, Chicago, originally known as Chicago Transit Authority has gone on to sell over 100 million albums worldwide, garnering 21 Top 10 singles, 5 consecutive Number One albums, 11 Number One singles, and 5 Gold singles. With 37 albums under their belt, 25 of them have been certified platinum or multi-platinum.

The band has received a total of 47 gold and platinum awards. They have also had 20 Top-Ten singles on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart.

Chicago has gone on to release many great songs, including: “Make Me Smile,” “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?,” “25 or 6 to 4,” “Saturday In The Park,” “Beginnings,” “Questions 67 and 68,” “(I’ve Been) Searchin’ So Long,” “Introduction,” “Old Days,” “Free,” “Just You ‘N’ Me,” “Feelin’ Stronger Every Day,” “If You Leave Me Now,” “Hard To Say I’m Sorry,” “Wake Up Sunshine,” “Hard Habit To Break,” “Baby, What A Big Surprise,” “Colour My World,” “You’re The Inspiration,” and many, many more.

This year, Chicago again returns to the road to perform for their vast fan base.

In fact, 2021 marks Chicago’s 54th year of touring. I’m happy to say that I’ve seen just about every Chicago concert that has come through Houston, Texas. Yes, like I said before, Chicago is one of my favorite bands and I just couldn’t wait to see them this year. In fact I saw them again this past month. It was a fantastic concert as I expected.

I had a chance to sit down with original keyboardist and principal songwriter of the band, Robert Lamm, this past month and we discussed the past along with the current tour and what he has been doing during the pandemic. Of course, I shamelessly started out our talk with the same story that I told at the beginning of this article, and he replied back, “ Well, you know, that’s great to hear because at that time, we were very aligned with our producer at the time. We were very determined. We were sort of anti-record company, even though we were on a very big label ourselves. We were really interested in trying to give people as much continued on next page July 2021 • Rock and Blues International

7

Chicago’s Robert Lamm Talks About Chicago continued from previous page music as we possibly could and later on, music plus posters. We stuffed as many posters as we could into each of the first few albums. It kind of drove the music company crazy, and it definitely cut into their profit margin. That’s for sure.”

Chicago definitely kept up with that for quite a while. When they reached their fourth album, it was a live album. Not just a live album, but a 4 record set, Chicago Live At Carnegie Hall. That was unheard of then. They filled that up with paraphernalia as well… a couple of posters, and even a small booklet. I asked Robert how the record company took that request…

Did they look at the band funny? “Yeah,” said Robert, “That was a great album.

Fortunately we had a record producer for the firstPhoto dozenbyorJeff so albums Fasano who really, really, faced those guys down whenever

8

Rock and Blues International • July 2021

they got a little nervous. But I think that the thing that enables us to do that was that we were very lucky and those albums were very successful. One after the other, they were very successful and that kind of enabled us to continue on to do that for as long as we could. When our sales began to slip some albums later, then all bets were off.”

Record labels seem to have a formula that they work with that makes them demand a top ten single out of just about every band that they work with.

Chicago was no exception, they were just cogs in the wheels of the record company.

“Yeah, it’s could be almost the same single that you did in the previous album that was a big single. That would be better,” adds Robert.

Despite all of the lineup changes that Chicago has gone through all these years, they have barely deviated from the original sound that made them so popular. That’s quite a feat for a band that formed some 54 or 55 years ago. Considering the different backgrounds that all the musicians have come from all these years, Chicago has managed to keep that ‘Chicago sound’. As Robert tells us, “Well luckily I think, whenever we did have a personnel change, usually they were a year or two or a few years younger than we were. So they were already familiar with the music and most of the time anybody who is interested in joining in with us really badly wanted to continue the sound and the tradition that we had started. Replacing Terry Kath was difficult obviously, but the other changes that we had to address by and large were okay and were easy enough to do because as I said, most people coming in more familiar with the music and they really wanted to be a part of this going forward.

That was really it. A friend of mine in another band, and I won’t mention the name of the band, who has had had a long continued on next page

Chicago’s Robert Lamm Talks About Chicago continued from previous page career said, every time they had a personnel change, the band got better.” And Robert feels pretty much the same way, with very few exceptions.

Probably one of the hardest things for a band to do after all these years is maintaining their sound and also making the new music sound fresh. “Well, we’ve always been a working band. We very rarely have taken a lot of time off. We love performing and part of staying fresh as a musician and really as a songwriter is to do it... Don’t stop doing it, don’t rest. And I think that, fortunately, we’ve had people in the band who are songwriters including myself. There’s always some curiosity about what else can I learn by writing something new, and that’s it, that’s really essentially what keeps it fresh.”

With the Covid pandemic still looming, I asked Robert about what he has been up to and what has kept him sane throughout this whole process. After touring the world for 54 years, and loosing the last year and a half because of this pandemic, what has he learned about himself. Robert was very candid about this and tells us that he has been working on unfinished pieces and being there with his wife of over 30 yeas has helped him greatly. “Well, the really important thing about it is that I’ve been with the same woman for over 30 years and I realized quickly that I married the right woman.

She has made such a difference in my life and I’ve had a year and a half of the most incredible experience of a relationship. I wouldn’t say that I took it for granted before that, because I didn’t, but that’s been the big revelation. Other than that, you know, having a lot of time to really sit down and play and also look at unfinished pieces of music, and really get into serious steps with my lyrics. All of that was made possible by being home and doing a lot of writing. I did a number of co-writing using file sharing, which turned into kind of a demo for the new Chicago Album, which we are now working on.”

The prospect of having a new Chicago album out soon is really exciting for Robert and the rest of the members of the band. However, with Chicago catching up on their touring schedule, they will have to wait a little bit for it. He’s looking at the beginning of next year for the new release “I would say the first quarter of 2022

because when were really on the road, we can’t to stop and do the finishing. So we do have a bit of a producer who’s currently mixing the first half of it, and we will be continuing to add parts and decide on what songs are going to be part of the album.

Everybody is doing a good job of writing and arranging. Our producer is Joe Thomas, who’s just a great producer and a great musician. So we’re in good hands.”

Robert has stayed in constant contact with the other members of the band throughout the pandemic. Of course, they didn’t hang out as Robert lives in California, James Pankow lives in Nashville and Lee Loughnane lives in Arizona. The rest of the band is even more spread out. “ We didn’t hang out or anything like that,” says Robert. “I live in Southern Caliornia, Jimmy (Pankow) lives in Nashville. Lee (Loughnane) lives in Arizona, and the other guys are really all spread out. We would have conversations. We would have conference calls, that kind of thing. We did a lot of chatting about this project. You know, what is it? What’s it going to be?

And then some other topics that come up?

When you’re in a band, you got to stay in communication. So fortunately, we’ve always had a knack for being pro-band and pro-each other’s happiness as musicians.”

Robert tells us that he and the rest of the band have been preparing for this tour.

Each of them has been rehearsing their parts individually at their own homes.

Robert tells us that, “ I cannot depend on muscle memory, with the large repertoire that we play. So, about a month ago, I started to play some scales and listen to live recordings from the last time we were out in 2019 and just really listened to what the guys are playing. You know, am I playing too much? Do I need to lay back, you know, that kind of stuff. So I’m really kind of refining and remembering the approach and keeping a big mindful of the music, rather than how I feel about it. So yeah, it does take a little bit of warming up.

So I’m basically in the last two weeks of being home. Probably every day out I’ll play a little bit. Just kind of randomly jump around in the 20 or 25 songs that we pull our shows from, and try to be familiar with the material and be ready, you know?

Basically, I’m going to be ready.”

In addition to rehearsing on their own, the band will get together a couple of

days before the first gig and spend some long hours together rehearsing their show over and over again. When it comes to the individual rehearsals, Robert tells us that, “Everybody’s Honor Bound to do that or not do that, but we will set up a couple days before the first gig we’ll spend some long hours rehearsing, getting back on the same page.”

With the popularity of their repertoire, Chicago has to play a huge percentage of their hits all the time. When people go to their shows, they want to hear certain songs, and Chicago is definitely in tune with their desires. Because of all the hits that they have, there are always songs that the band would love to perform, but find it hard to get them into the show. As Robert reflects on this, he tells us that, “ Yes, that’s kind of been a two-sided coin. I’m glad that people love these songs and it’s too bad that we can’t play more of what I guess you would call the album cuts. We tried from time to time to ignore playing the more popular songs in favor of the some of the album cuts, but the audience and most audiences, would rather we play songs that they hear on the radio all the time. They want to hear in a live context and frankly, I understand it entirely. If I was going to see an artist whom I like, I want to hear the songs that I that I’ve heard often on the radio or off the CD or record. I want to hear that live. I want to hear that band play that live. Can they play it play it live. So I understand the feeling of most audiences.

There’s always going to be somebody in the audience that’s dissatisfied or had wished we played this song or that song.

We try to keep the show well paced and we try to cover all the bases. We almost always start with the first song that you heard when you first got the first album, ‘Introduction’ by Terry Kath. We almost always start the show with that song because that’s where we started and it’s also a tip of the cap to Terry Kath.”

Well, Chicago hit the road on the 23rd of last month and their tour of the United States is well under way. Here’s a band that has had their shares of ups and downs, mainly ups… Despite what the world has to throw at them, deaths, illnesses, pandemics, this band continues to tour and produce great music. Personally, I just can’t wait to hear their new album when it comes out this next year. In the meantime, I’m going to go now and put their first album on my turntable now and start listening again and remembering the first day I heard Chicago Transit Authority after I walked out of Easy Rider. (And yes, I still have that same album that I bought in 1969 - not a scratch on it - rock on!).

Rock And Blues International July 2021 • Rock and Blues International

9

producer and guitarist for Rick Estrin and the Nightcats. “Jeff Fetterman and his band are top notch. Jeff plays and sings his ass off...It was an absolute joy to make music with these guys,” Kid said.

Fetterman has supported numerous national acts, including Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Ana Popovic, Steven Stills, The Rides, Jimmy Thackery, Indigenous with Mato Nanji, Chris Duarte, Jimmy Vaughan, Samantha Fish, Joe Louis Walker, Robert Randolph, Popa Chubby, and Vanessa Collier Jeff earned a coveted position in the 2017 and 2018 IBC in Memphis and has endorsements with Zemaitis Guitars and Nicola strings. Jeff’s goals are to continue touring, writing, and playing to both national and international audiences. For Jeff Fetterman, the end of the road is nowhere in sight. “”Jeff Fetterman is one of the blues world’s best-kept secrets. His fourth album, Southern Son, features a dozen new songs that highlight his ferocious guitar playing” AMERICAN SONGWRITER

Jeff Fetterman Band Embark on “Southern Son/ Tour ’21” Jeff Fetterman is a blues/rock guitarist who delivers the promise to keep the blues alive and well. Inspired

by Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Mato Nanji, Chris Duarte, BB King, and numerous other blues greats, he incorporates their style into his own July 3 (Sat.) July 18 (Sun.) Aug. 7 (Sat.) Aug. 12 (Thur.)

Aug. 13 (Fri.) Aug. 14 (Sat.) Aug. 21 (Sat.) Aug. 25 (Wed.)

and plays with a fiery passion that has earned him the nickname “Boss of the Blues.” Southern Son has been a project in the making for the past two years, coming together in California at Greaseland Studios working with Kristoffer “Kid” Andersen, established

Jeff Fetterman Tour Schedule ALTERED STATE DISTILLERY Erie, PA PERFMG ARTS COLLECTIVE ALLIANCE Erie, PA STRUTHERS LIBRARY THEATER Warren, PA KETTLE CREEK MUSIC FEST Crossforks, PA MUSIC IN THE PARK Warren, PA PORT ALLEGHENY CLAMBAKE Allegheny, PA JAMEYS HOUSE OF MUSIC Lansdowne, PA WATKINS GLENN SUMMER CONCERT SERIES Watkins Glenn, NY BISON BEER CONCERT SERIES Waterford, PA ROOM 33 SPEAKEASY Erie, PA PITTSBURGH BLUES CHALLENGE Pittsburgh, PA RIVERSIDE BREWING CO. Cambridge Sprgs, PA ALTERED STATE DISTILLERY Erie PA

Aug. 26 (Thur.)

Aug. 27 (Fri.) Sept. 5 (Sun.) Sept. 11 (Sat.) Sept. 18 (Sat.) 10 Rock and Blues International • July 2021

Rising blues guitarist-vocalist Jeff Fetterman and band finally embark on their long-awaited “Southern Son/Tour ’21,” in support of his most recent album, kicking off locally at Altered State Distillery, 1535 W. 8th St., Saturday, July 3. Showtime: 6pm. Free. Info: (814) 790-9822 or visit https:// www.alteredstatedistillery.com/events/ event/07/03/2021/jeff-fetterman-band.

JFB also appears at Altered State Distillery on September 18. Complete Southern Son/Tour ’21 Itinerary below.

“Jeff Fetterman has released his best work to date. Jeff is a true, dyed-inthe-wool blues-rock force. He may be from Pennsylvania, but he is surely a Southern Son. Trust me when I say, you’ll want this album in your collection and you’ll play it again and again.”

AMERICAN BLUES SCENE “Southern Son is a solid album which ranges across blues and other styles, including a couple of noteworthy songs, making it a good listen.”

BLUES BLAST jefffetterman.com facebook.com/jefffettermanband twitter.com/JFetterman1 instagram.com/jeff.fetterman

July 2021 • Rock and Blues International

11

Casey Hensley Talks About Her New Album Good As Gone 12

Rock and Blues International • January July 2021 2021 2021

By Kevin Wildman Bay Area Blues sensation Casey Hensley is out talking about her first all original solo album, Good As Gone. In addition to that, she has been nominated in two categories at the San Diego Music Awards. Those award nominations are for “Album Of The Year” and “Best Blues Album,” so if that doesn’t give you an idea just how wonderful Good As Gone is, I don’t know what will.

Casey’s talent and vocals are overpowering. Her vocals and singing style have been compared to the likes of Big Mama Thornton, Koko Taylor, Candye Kane, and even Janis Joplin. Whichever artist you want to lean to, please be aware that the powerful vocals of Casey Hensley are all her own. She has her own distinctive style and she is one of the most powerful new voices in Blues today.

Good As Gone was originally released in March of 2020 and was completely overshadowed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Unfortunately, the Covid-19 crisis was the thing to talk about and the music scene was dying a painful death. Many projects out there were struggling to be known. Now with the pandemic somewhat under control, the music business is starting to rise again and people are talking about those projects now that they should have been talking about then.

Casey Hensley and Good As Gone is one of them and of course the subject of this article.

Good As Gone features 9 songs that run the gamut between Rock ‘N’ Roll, Blues, Soul and Swing. Believe me, there is a little something for everyone in the well-crafted project. Song titles on the album include: “All In,” “Be My Baby (What Do You Say)”, “Don’t Want To Stop,” “Good As Gone,” “If I Pray,” “Love Will Break Your Heart,” “Searching For A Man,” “What’s A Woman To Do,” and “You Should Be So Lucky.”

Here are nine great songs filled with a variety of musical styles punctuated with great melodies and heart-provoking lyrics. The album was recorded at Jason Mraz’s studio, Ohm Grown Studios.

We got a chance to sit down with Casey recently to talk about her new album and found out a lot about her writing process, as well as her association with guitar sensation Laura Chavez who used to perform and record with the late, great, Candye Kane.

In addition to writing the songs on this, her first album, she also produced it herself.

As she tells us, “I felt good about producing this album. I really, really knew where I wanted all these songs to go and I was working with such great musicians. Even though I’m young and in my twenties, it was awesome. This is my first all original album.

It was all very respectful and professional and they would always listen and hear me out.

They understood where I was going. It’s amazing to produce your own album. It’s a really good feeling. It’s something I’m really

proud of. I feel very accomplished. This album is nominated at The San Diego Music Awards. To know that I not only just sang on the album, but also produced it is very cool.

It’s a very cool way to come out of the crazy last two years we’ve had.”

As Casey tells us, her association with Laura on some of these songs was quite the collaborative and inspirational process. “I would come to work with an idea and lyrics and I would sing her my ideas. We worked so well together and we get each other so musically, she would understand where I was coming from and pretty much pull it out of my brain. She was incredible throughout the whole process. It was definitely a team effort.”

When it came to pulling the thoughts out of Casey’s brain in the songwriting process, it varied from song to song. The technique’s varied from song to song. “It just depended on the song,” explains Casey, “It was different on every one, like ‘Love Will Break Your Heart’ or ‘What’s A Woman To Do.’ With those two I initially, in my head, heard the horn part, and I sang it to my phone, and then years later I brought that to her so she could hear my idea as it was in my head.”

Although Casey did not play an instrument at the time, she definitely could get the idea down in her phone by way of her voice, whether she would sing it, hum it, or do whatever it took to get the idea out of her head on to some sort of recording for future use. As she states, the simpatico between the

two of them brought them very close and Laura could interpret the song the way Casey meant it. “She worked with me so well, she knew what I was going for and it was magic.”

Take for instance the song, “Love Will Break Your Heart. The inspiration for that song happened just as she was getting ready to go to a gig and a great horn part popped into her head. “I was getting ready for a gig and I heard this horn part over and over in my head. I was like ‘I need to record that’”, and she pulled her phone out and started. “I pushed record and the whole song just started flowing… I didn’t even write it down… it spilled out of me and into my mail and I ended up bringing it to her. It just kind of worked out like that.”

When it came to the song, “All In,” Casey immediately thought of Laura Chavez.

“All In” is pretty much done as a Swing song, and Casey decided that it would be right up Laura’s alley, as Laura can really capture that Swing style on her guitar arrangements.

“She’s an amazing West Coast Swing guitarist. She’s the Queen, if you ask me. So I wanted to make sure I did a couple of Swing songs with her. ‘All In’ is a song I wrote about a festival in Las Vegas called the Big Blues Bender. It was such a great time and I was sitting there after my show thinking and listening to great music, playing poker and winning. It was just a great time and I was thinking… wow, two of my favorite things, Blues and Gambling. So that’s how that song kind of came about.” continued on next page July 2021 • Rock and Blues International

13

favorite song on the album. I love that song.

I want to make a video for that song.”

Believe me, I was a bit surprised to hear that she had a favorite song on the album. Most artists I interview don’t really want to admit that they have a favorite, but Casey was very adamant that this was a very special song for her. “I think to perform, that one is just so much fun. It’s kind of like choosing a favorite child, but that one is definitely fun to perform. It is one of my favorites.”

Another one of her favorites off the new album, is a song that was recorded on her previous album, however that album was a live album. Yes folks, the live album came before the studio album and the song in particular that we’re talking about here is the soulful, “Don’t Want It To Stop.” “That’s one that I actually put on my last record, but it was a live record. Everybody really loved that song. It was one of the only originals I had. I had three originals on that release.

Everybody really loved that song, and I get requests to play it at shows all the time. I just thought it deserved a studio version, a real nice, clean, perfected version of the song.

And Laura’s guitar solo in the song is just amazing. I wanted people to know that I can be a belter, but that I can also sing pretty also.

And my dad said I could write a love song. It was one of the only love songs I wrote, and I’m proud of it.”

The title song of the album, “Good As Gone,” has a specific message to it, Casey tells us. It’s a girl empowerment song. The song is something very close to her heart. “I wrote that song as a woman empowerment anthem. As a woman, I’ve had friends and family and have seen in general… You see these amazing women that just get stuck in these situations. It’s like ohhh. If only you could see yourself the way I see you, you could get out of it. So I wanted to write a song that a woman could listen to and maybe might give her the strength to get on and get going with her fabulous self.”

Casey Hensley continued from previous page For the song, “Be My Baby,” Casey reached back into her love of R&B. She wanted more a fun song, as a lot of her songs were a bit more serious and they’ll end up pulling at your heartstrings. In fact, it turned out to be her favorite song off the album, as she tells us. “So, on ‘Be My Baby,’ I wanted

14

Rock and Blues International • July 2021

to make a little ‘date night’ kind of fun song.

Almost all of my songs are kind of serious.

I’m really good at writing a heartbreak song or an angry song. It’s kind of what I always do. I wanted people to know that I’m fun too.

I was listening to a lot of old R&B records and it was definitely influenced through them… by a lot of that. It is actually my

Another really personal song on the album for Casey is “If I Pray.” Evidently she had a pretty hard year and almost lost a member of her family. Perhaps one might say that this song was a bit cathartic for her when she wrote it. It has several different interpretations to it, but it does indeed deal with a troublesome year that she had to endure. “If I pray was really a very therapeutic song for me. The year prior I had a really hard year. I almost suddenly lost my dad to a diabetic complication. He like literally almost had an hour to live, in New York. He was really sick for a long time. He got better, but I was dealing with that. I was trying to make this record and I kept hitting roadblocks. Life kept kicking me down and kicking me down. It was kind of my way to continued on next page

Casey Hensley continued from previous page write to the universe, ‘okay, I’m done… I’ve had enough… I didn’t even know that Covid was going to happen. I think that it’s definitely open for interpretation. It’s just something you can sing at the top of your lungs when you think you’ve had enough.’

We briefly touched on “Love Will Break Your Heart,” but Casey tells us that this is another favorite of hers off the album, and one that she can’t wait to perform. It came to her in a way that she can’t forget. In fact, she tells us that the first thoughts of that song are still on her phone. “That one, like I said earlier, just kind of came to me. I was getting ready for a gig. I was thinking about Soul songs that just get you deep down. I heard the horn part in my head and the song just spilled out of me. I still have it in my voice memo’s… the bridge, the hook, everything.

It just came together beautifully… the horns on it… Laura Chavez on it… The whole band was incredible. That’s another one of my favorites. I really, really love that song. I haven’t played it much live and I’m really looking forward to playing that one live.’

One song on the album that took kind of a different direction when it was first written is the song, “Searching For A Man.” Originally written as a slow blues song several years ago, it segued into something quite different. “Actually that was written quite a long time ago… about six years ago.

And that was written as a slow Blues, but lyrically I thought it sounded like a Country song. So, I put a little bit of a Country spin on it. I had hoped that it wouldn’t be too far out of what people are used to hearing from me, but I do like all styles of music and I think this album is a good representation of who I am as an artist and what I want to do.

And so, I went for it. I really enjoy that, and if you’re a Country fan, check it out, cause I like that one a lot too.’

On the song, “What’s A Woman To Do”, Casey again started out the writing on the song with a horn part in her head. For this song, she wanted an old R&B Motown feel as she describes, “Again with that one,” Casey continues, “I had the horn part in my head. I sang that to Laura Chavez and I wanted like a Motowny feel that the crowd could sing back at me. At the end it goes, ‘Somebody Tell Me, Tell Me.’ I haven’t got to perform a lot of these songs live yet since Covid, and that’s another one I’m looking to

performing live. That’s one that’s going to definitely connect with the crowd and it’s just a lot of fun. It’s a fun song.”

The song, “You Should Be So Lucky,” just proves that you should be careful if you are dating a songwriter and singer. This one is deeply personal for Casey, as she explains, It’s about an ex-boyfriend. “‘You Should Be So Lucky’ is a really easy quick story. Pretty much, I was in a relationship with a guy and he cheated on me. Men, if you’re listening, don’t date a singer and cheat on her if you don’t want a song written about you, because she will write a song about you, like I wrote a song about him. It’s therapeutic… what can I say.”

As with a lot of recordings, some songs are easier to record than others. For Casey and her team, the song “What’s A Woman To Do” wound up with a technical issue that proved to be a bit of a problem, but Casey and her team finally managed to finish it. “We were having some trouble with the bassline on ‘What’s A Woman To Do.’ We had to go in and redo it. We actually lost it and that was a nightmare. It really freaked me out because our bass player was gone.

His mom was sick and he wasn’t around and I didn’t know how we were going to get it done. That was a really big obstacle, getting that one done, but we figured it out thank god. Thank God, because I think that one

really belongs on this record.”

She further tells us that one of the songs on the album was the easiest to do. It came along quite effortlessly. “Probably the easiest one was “You Should Be So Lucky,” because it was one of those that I had written earlier and I was already performing that one live just to see how it would go with the crowd and everything. So we already had that one really, really tight. I think it was like two takes and we had that one gone.”

In conclusion, Casey wants everybody to know, “that this album is my baby and I hope everybody likes it. Be sure to share it around with your friends. We can’t tour on it now, but I really hope the word gets out on it.

I promise to get out on the road and support it as soon as humanly possible.”

Casey’s new album is totally amazing.

It’s hard to believe that it was written, recorded and produced by a twenty-something year old woman, and on top of that, it’s her first studio album. Good As Gone should be an inspiration to young songwriters, male and female out there. There are no limits when you set your sights on something and that’s exactly what Casey Hensley did with this project. The entire album is filled with great heartfelt moments, fueled by great melodies and heartfelt lyrics. Be sure to get your copy today.

July 2021 • Rock and Blues International

15

16 Rock and Blues International • July 2021

July 2021 • Rock and Blues International

17

Styx’s Lawrence Gowan Talks About Styx And Their New Album Crash Of The Crown

24 18

Rock and Blues International • July July2021 2021

By Kevin Wildman Another band hitting the road on tour is Styx. Here’s another band that has toured consistently since their first album and has found themselves sidelined by the Covid pandemic. Their current tour started out on the 18th of last month and will continue this year through November 20th. They are already lining up dates for next year starting out at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on the 6th of January. Heading out on tour with them will be the ever-popular Collective Soul. This is the first time that both bands have been on a tour like this together.

In addition to being on tour, the band has something else to celebrate. Last month they also released their newest album, Crash Of The Crown. This is the 17th studio album

by Styx, featuring 15 great songs that will be getting your musical senses to peak performance. While the songs on the new album were written prior to the Covid outbreak, the final tracks were recorded during the middle of the crisis. The final product was released on the band’s own label, Alpha Dog 2T / UMe. It has been released on clear and black vinyl, CD and all digital platforms. Be sure to check it out at Styxworld.com.

Already two singles from the album have been released, and you may have even heard them already. The first one is the title track, “Crash Of The Crown,” which premiered on Eddie Trunk’s “Trunk Nation” on SiriusXM. The second single is the song “Reveries.”

Will Evankovich, whom you may remember from their previous album, The Mission, produced Crash Of The Crown.

Will was the producer The Mission. He also co-wrote Crash Of The Crown with Tommy Shaw. The recording of Crash Of The Crown mainly took place in Nashville at Tommy Shaw’s home studio. “Because we connected so well as a band when we recorded The Mission, I just had to go there to make my contributions,” recounts bassist Ricky Phillips. “Tommy and Will are very clear about what they wanted for each song, and my job is to play the best parts I can to make every song better.” Adds original Styx bassist Chuck Panozzo — who provided his signature low-end tone for the inspirational “Our Wonderful Lives” and the acute aquatic fever dream “Lost at Sea” — “I traveled over 900 miles by car to record with Will and Tommy in person. They’re both so good at getting the best bass performances out of me in the studio. Making that trip to Nashville was the highlight of my year!” Will also talked JY into doing multiple takes when needed to get his and Tommy’s vision exactly the way they wanted. “Will would sometimes ask me to do up to eight passes on various things, and I never like to do more than two or three,” Young recalls. “But I respect Will as a producer and Tommy’s vision for the album, so we made it work. I gave them plenty of options.”

I had a chance to sit down and talk to keyboardist Lawrence Gowan about his contributions to the album, and he was quite candid about the whole process.

At first look when one sees the album with the name Crash Of The Crown, and sees names of songs such as “The Fight Of Our Lives,” “Crash Of The Crown,” “Sound The Alarm,” “Lost At Sea,” and “Long Live The Crown,” it’s easy to misinterpret this album as another concept album, possibly based on a theme such as Game Of Thrones, but you couldn’t be further from the truth. This is not another concept album. As Lawrence tells us, “I don’t think it is. I think it’s actually more metaphorical to the state of the world today. I think the word “Crown” in Crash Of The Crown may be sending you into that direction. You could personalize it and read it that way. There’s nothing to discourage you from doing that, but really, when we were writing the album we were trying to use as many metaphors as to the state of the world as we possibly could. I think for example, “the Crown.” The Crown to me represents something akin to a mountaintop, the apex at the very highest level. You’re at the top. So what you’re left with is kind of a volcano that’s spewing forth with all kinds of possibilities and all kinds of obstacles, as well as opportunities that are arising. I think that’s what’s at the center of this album to me and there’s a lot more metaphorical ways of expressing that. It’s really an album of

renewal. And I think a lot of people on Planet Earth can relate to that this year.”

Besides performing keyboards and vocals on the songs of Crash Of The Crown, Lawrence was quite instrumental in the writing of several songs on the album. He wrote or co-wrote the songs, “A Monster,” the title song “Crash Of The Crown,” “Common Ground,” “Save Us From Ourselves,” and “Lost At Sea.” When I told him that my first impression after seeing these song titles and even listening to the songs was that it had some medieval theme, he replied, “Will Evankovich wrote “Long Live The King.” And of course we had “Crash Of The Crown,’ so I can see how some people may take it into that Game Of Thrones territory. If you look at the album overall, you’ll see that, as I mentioned before, it’s an album of songs that mainly focused on renewal after a cataclysmic event. It’s like after a great fall, opportunities can suddenly arise and it’s how people can deal with that. I also think of it as a volcano that suddenly erupts and yet there’s terror and there’s also trial if you bring things forward in a positive way. I think a lot of the songs on the album, like “Sound The Alarm” and “Common Ground” for sure… almost the entire album, alludes to that. I would encourage you to take it any way you feel, because that’s the best way to enjoy music anyway.” continued on next page July 2021 • Rock and Blues International

19

Styx’s Lawrence Gowan continued from previous page A lot of music and songs are up to different interpretations and that goes the same with Styx songs. While they may have been written for one reason or another, they might mean something different to everybody who listens to them. The same goes for the new album, as Lawrence reflects a bit on the music. “Styx has… before I was ever in the band… and I’ve been in it for 22 years now… I think the reasons the songs have such longevity is because people can find themselves in that thought…They can find themselves in that song “Blue Collar Man” or “Renegade” or “Come Sail Away.” You look at the lyrics even 40 years later and you can still kind of see yourself in them regardless of your walk of life. We tried to walk that line with these songs. It’s obvious that one person might come to think it’s all about getting in a boat… That’s the obvious interpretation… and another person can see it as taking a new path in life. That could be as much in space as it could be on the ocean. I think personalizing the songs is the most important key to whether the album is enjoyable or not.”

When one listens to Crash Of The Crown, you can’t help but notice the intricacy of the keyboard work. Without a doubt it is totally fantastic and at times there is a bit of a classical influence with the keyboard melodies. It’s become one of the features of the new Styx albums over the last couple of decades. Every keyboardist has his own style and with that, Lawrence Gowan definitely

20

Rock and Blues International • July 2021

throws a bit of that classical influence in there as he describes, “I think you’re right. I have a degree in classical piano. It’s not a big deal in Rock music to have that or not, but I’m always trying to bring my classical element or that classical rock element into Styx because that’s a part of the band that really turned me on to them years ago.

Take the song, “A Monster.” I’m sure that many of you are going to envision some sort of creature causing havoc or destruction, but when the song was written, the subject line couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s a bit deeper than that and not quite as superficial as some sort of creature as Lawrence explains. “When we speak of the song, “A Monster,” I have my own interpretation.

Three of us wrote it… Tommy Shaw, Will Evankovich, our producer and myself. I think we all have our own angle. To me, “A Monster” is a song about… I think we started thinking about the state of the planet and how we’re in this cycle where we are devouring ourselves. On one level we thought of it as that. And then on another level we thought of it as humanity in general. We’ve come up with some great inventions over the years and yet they have just as much kept us down as they can free us. So I think that’s the ‘monster’ that I hear emerging in that song.

But I think it’s something to be defeated in everyone’s life, however you perceive that ‘monster’. Again, I see that song as more of a declaration on the state of humanity and the spirals that we find ourselves in from time to

time.”

When it comes to the song, “Crash Of The Crown,” Lawrence tells us that it’s kind of a mish mash of several different songs put together. “It’s really an interesting song musically. It’s like three songs mashed together into one 4-minute piece. I love the fact that it was intentional that JY (James Young) sing that opening section, beginning with that melody and those lyrics, “See the waypoint On that distant blue horizon on the ocean At that point of real tranquility’s devotion Where I see my life one day with you.”

With that low resonance it was decided that JY should sing this, which he did. And then it transitions into kind of a jam session.

The song starts with a declaration of commitment. That’s JY’s section of protecting someone. And then it opens up into this broader statement of “It won’t weigh me down with the crash of the crown”.

You can make of it what you will what the crown is. And then it finally resolves into this new phase of dedication to something greater than what was left behind and that’s the end section that was written by Tommy were “The truth will be the light through the darkness tonight.”

And that’s how it resolves and that’s how it comes to my mind.”

Lawrence tells us that the song “Common Ground” started out as a snippet of continued on next page

Styx’s Lawrence Gowan continued from previous page a song that Tommy Shaw had given him and he just ran with it and turned it into what it is today on the album. “‘Common Ground’ was a little snippet of music that Tommy had a few years ago and he gave it to me on the tour bus one morning. I took it to my room and listened to that opening guitar jangle that’s in there with a nice melody and I kind of took it to that progressive rock section that comes in. All through it we were constantly hearing things about how divided the world is right now in so many ways, economically, and in so many other kinds of areas where we are divided, and yet how much we share in common, quite obviously as the title alludes to. The song was just finished up just before the pandemic hit, because I just began to look at it as if it were written during the pandemic. It talks about all the common things that we have that bind us together, and overcoming the pandemic really brought a lot of people together and hopefully overlook some of the dividing factors in our lives.”

One of the shortest songs on the album is titled “Lost At Sea,” and for that one, Lawrence focused on a body of water close to his house for inspiration. That song segues into “Coming Out The Otherside,” so we discussed the inspiration behind both of those songs. “I really like ‘Lost at Sea’ and ‘Coming Out The Otherside.’

That song was written by Tommy, Will Evankovich, and Ricky Philips, our bass player. I really like that song and they asked me to sing it. I thought, ‘I really think this song needs something to set it up.

It needs a little something to kick it off.’ I was down on the lake here.

I live right by Lake Ontario. Toronto is right on Lake Ontario, which is not quite as big as the Gulf of Mexico, but it’s pretty big… It’s pretty darn big. It’s a lake that’s almost the size of an ocean. I pictured coming out the other size as being metaphorical to crossing a great body of water. As you know, when you’re trying to cross any body of water there’s a possibility of getting lost, especially when you can’t see land on either side of you or 360 degrees around you. That little song about ‘Lost at Sea’ would lead seriously into ‘Coming Out The Otherside.’ That’s why I brought that song into the fold. As short as it is, it kind of sets up ‘Coming Out The Otherside.’”

The last song that we talked about that he had co-written was “Save Us From Ourselves.” It was more of jam song that the band had that developed into something more. “‘Save Us From Ourselves’ is really kind of a freeway kind of jam song that we had between Tommy Shaw, Will Evankovich and myself. The song is a hopeful feeling that we’re just going to get beyond the obstacles in our lives.”

Lawrence tells us that since the songs were written prepandemic, all of the songs were written in Nashville at Tommy’s home studio. They would get together and jam on the songs and see what might happen or what they might blow up to. All of the songs on Crash Of The Crown just seemed to jell and come together fairly quickly. They might work on them for a couple of weeks, take a break and then return with a fresh outlook and bang them into shape. He said the same thing took place with the previous album, The Mission.

When it came to the drums, drummer Todd Sucherman recorded his drums at his home studio in Austin using Audiomovers Listento plugin. Utilizing Audiomovers allowed him the freedom to use as many drums as needed on the songs with compromising the quality of his performance. “You know how meticulous I am when it comes to recording my drum parts,” Sucherman affirms, “and using Audiomovers ensured I could do everything I wanted on each track with nothing left to chance.”

Although Lawrence didn’t write on all the songs, his keyboards make a huge difference in all of them, not to mention his vocals.

“Absolutely,” continues Lawrence. “One of the first songs that’s going

to come out is called ‘Reveries.’ I sing lead on that song and I didn’t write it. So yeah, there’s always that moment of finding the right voice to sing those lyrics. Having all the resources that Styx has in this band with three lead singers… James Young, Tommy Shaw, and myself, we can kind of share it around. The whole thing balances out with the band. Even though the writing might be done by a smaller group of people, it has to balance out that everyone is well represented whether they wrote it or not.”

Without a doubt, Crash Of The Crown is going to be a great ride for Styx. The band is always hitting uncharted territory with each and every new album as it materializes. Those of you who have followed this band throughout the years have definitely seen and heard the evolution of this band, and without a doubt it always gets better and better with every new album. The fifteen songs on Crash Of The Crown can be defined or interpreted in many ways, but the bottom line is that it is pure musical enjoyment. Whether you think that song is about a ‘monster’ or a vision of humanity or the cycle of the planet, it is always a great ride.

Well, as I said, Styx is back on the road and very happy to be there. Being sidelined by the pandemic wasn’t a lot of fun for this band that first and foremost has always been a touring band. If you get the opportunity, be sure to get out there and see one of their shows.

Hopefully they will be performing somewhere close to you. “I can’t wait to feel that group energy when we get back on the same stage together again,” Shaw admits. “We did something extraordinary in creating Crash Of The Crown. It came to us so naturally, and we can’t wait to bring these songs to life the way they’re meant to be played.”

Rock And Blues International July 2021 • Rock and Blues International

21

video

Paolo Bonfanti: The blues is elastic

By Edoardo Fassio He opened for Stevie Ray Vaughan, recorded with Zora Young, cut the first double live LP of an Italian band (with Big Fat Mama), played for years in a quartet called Downtown, along with Dick Heckstall-Smith, drummer Mickey Waller (Jeff Beck and Rod Stewart), and bassist Bob Brunning, a founding member of Fleetwood Mac and Savoy Brown. He has struck loud boogie for bikers and aged college students, shameless rockers for boomers with built-in ponytails, but also fine songwriting music (own and others), western swing, folk, Americana and Liguriana.

Yep, Liguriana, as in the songs composed in or translated into the typical Genoese dialect from the district of Sampierdarena, above all “Going Down The Road Feeling Bad”, the hillbilly song adopted by Big Bill Broonzy, or the new “Fìn de zugno” (End of June), a tribute to the anti-fascist traditions of proletarian Genoa, his beloved hometown.

A left-handed guitar master and omnidirectional performer, Paolo Bonfanti boasts fourteen albums as a frontman and at least as many as a supporting musician. He shares a lesson learned from Heckstall-Smith, which the sax player with John Mayall and Colosseum claims in his autobiography’s very title: “the safest place in world is on the bandstand”.

The pandemic have rarefied his public appearances, not his power as a global artist, influenced by the blues in a most creative way. To celebrate sixty years, “Bonfa” gathered 40 fine players among those who accompanied him in the past and in the present, recorded 16 songs and released an album available as well tucked in an attractive 80-page book.

The blues, Paolo maintains, “is like gold. It is ductile and malleable, as brain power and conscience should be”. He seems to know exactly how and when to approach to the style, or either move away from it, thus recognizing its adaptability as its vital force.

Elastic Blues reveals (or confirms) coherence and unpredictability, modesty and leadership, skill and elegance, eclecticism and perennial quest for challenge. The set starts with a wicked instrumental ride a la jam-band mode, goes on with an ballad straight from the Irish peatbog, has its say in the street talk of cosmopolitan electric jazz (“A o Canto”), mashes up Genoa with Naples and New Orleans (“Sciorbì/Sciuscià”), has tears drown in a pint of beer (“Heartache By Heartache”) and includes, as the only cover song, a rare gem from a spin-off of the Grateful Dead. Is the blues elastic enough?

You bet it! www.paolobonfanti.com https://paolobonfanti.bandcamp.com/ album/elastic-blues 22

Rock and Blues International • July 2021

Paolo Bonfanti: Il blues è elastico

By Edoardo Fassio Ha aperto per Stevie Ray Vaughan, inciso con Zora Young, realizzato (con Big Fat Mama) il primo live doppio di una band italiana, militato nei Downtown insieme a Dick Heckstall-Smith, sassofonista di John Mayall e Colosseum, Mickey Waller, batterista di Jeff Beck e Rod Stewart e il bassista Bob Brunning, membro fondatore di Fleetwood Mac e Savoy Brown. Ha interpretato boogie di piazza per biker e universitari fuori corso, rockettoni senza vergogna per boomer con codino incorporato, ma pure fine musica cantautorale (propria e altrui), western swing, folk, americana e liguriana. Già, come nei brani composti o tradotti nel genovese originale di Sampierdarena, su tutti “Going Down The Road Feeling Bad”, la canzone hillbilly amata da Big Bill Broonzy, o la nuova “Fìn de zugno”, omaggio alle tradizioni antifasciste della Genova proletaria.

Maestro mancino di chitarra e interprete onnidirezionale, Paolo Bonfanti, una carriera disseminata in quattordici dischi da leader e almeno altrettanti da comprimario, condivide l’insegnamento appreso da Heckstall-Smith, che è pure il titolo della sua autobiografia: “il posto più sicuro al mondo è sul palco”.

Emergenza sanitaria e lockdown hanno rarefatto le sue apparizioni in pubblico, non la sua forza di performer globale. Per celebrare i sessant’anni, “Bonfa” ha radunato 40 comprimari tra chi lo ha accompagnato in passato e nel presente, registrato 16 canzoni e pubblicato un album disponibile pure infilato in un seducente libro di 80 pagine.

Elastic Blues rivela (o conferma) coerenza e imprevedibilità, modestia e autorevolezza, tecnica ed eleganza, eclettismo e perenne ricerca della sfida. È opera di una personalità artistica intelligente e vivace, influenzata dal blues nel più creativo dei modi, che sa quando avvicinarsi e quando allontanarsi dallo stile, riconoscendone la forza vitale proprio nella sua adattabilità. Il blues, confessa Paolo, è “come l’oro. È duttile e malleabile, come il cervello e la coscienza dovrebbero essere”.

Elastico, perciò?

Eccome, se non temi di aprire la raccolta con uno scellerata cavalcata strumentale, proseguirla con una ballad al sapore di torbiera irlandese, dire la tua nel linguaggio dal jazz elettrico cosmopolita (“A o Canto”), scambiare Genova con Napoli e New Orleans (“Sciorbì/Sciuscià”), annegare di lacrime in un boccale di birra (“Heartache

By Heartache”) e includere come sola cover nel mazzo un’aspra “Haze”, ricavata da uno spin-off dei Grateful Dead. www.paolobonfanti.com https:// paolobonfanti.bandcamp.com/ album/elastic-blues July 2021 • Rock and Blues International

23

Rock And Blues International Employment Opportunities Available!

Rock And Blues International Is Looking For A Sales Manager and ad salespeople!

Please Email Your Resume To rockandbluesinternational@gmail.com

June 2021 • Rock and Blues International 29 June 2021 • Rock and Blues International 31

6 Classic Traffic Albums Reissued as Vinyl Deluxe Editions; Available Now

By Kevin Wildman Island/UMe has released six Traffic albums, Mr Fantasy, Traffic, John Barleycorn Must Die, The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys, Shootout At The Fantasy Factory, and When The Eagle Flies.

My first experience with the music of the band Traffic started with their first album, Mr. Fantasy. I was so captivated by the song “Dear Mr. Fantasy.” I had never heard anything like it before. It was a trippy little tune featuring the keyboards and vocals of Steve Winwood singing in somewhat of a sad tone. I had been a bit familiar with Winwood from his days with the Spencer Davis Band, and this was quite a departure. I always wondered who Mr. Fantasy was. While the song started at sort of a slow tempo, by the end of the song it closes at rather a frantic pace. That was in 1967. Steve Winwood was only 18 years old at this time. “Dear Mr. Fantasy” has become kind of an anthem for this band. When people talk about Traffic, this Capaldi, Winwood, Wood written song is usually the first one people talk about.

Also performing on the album were drummer Jim Capaldi, multiinstrumentalist Chris Wood, and guitarist Dave Mason. Although Dave Mason would eventually drop out of the band a couple of times, the core of the project, Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi, and Chris Wood would remain throughout the entire run of the band and were always the principal songwriters. Throughout the years they would have several other musicians participate with them, but the three of them would always remain.

By 1968, Traffic was back again with their second album titled simply Traffic and a tune that caught my ear, 26

Rock and Blues International • July 2021

titled “Forty Thousand Headmen.” It started off fairly slow again with just a flute and an acoustic guitar, then the drums slowly slipped in before Steve’s vocals started. All of a sudden we’re in the tales of the Arabian nights. The story unfold as he finds their hidden cave and starts filling his pockets with their plunder. And then soon 40,000 headmen are chasing after him. It wasn’t the usual subject of songs back then and it really got my attention. The song had that mystical Arabian feel to it, as far as rock songs go. Yes, I added that one to my collection. Traffic peaked at number 9 on the UK charts and at number 16 on the US Billboard Chart.

After Traffic came out, the band broke up. In 1969 their record label released another album comprised of one side of studio outtakes and a side recorded live at the Fillmore, but for the sake of this story, we’re not going to talk about that one.

By the time they came out with John Barleycorn Must Die in 1970, I was hooked. This was one of my favorite groups. I may have only mentioned a couple of songs on the previous albums,

but I really liked every bar of music on both of the albums. Then John Barleycorn arrived. Oh My God! This album to me was even better than the previous ones. This was extraordinary.

Every song on the album called out to me. “Glad,” “Freedom Rider,” and “Empty Pages.” The first side was on fire. Then the second side erupted…

“Stranger To Himself,” “John Barleycorn (Must Die),” and “Every Mother’s Son.” All I can say is WOW!!! I must have worn out at least 4 copies of this album over the years. I still can hear the needle grinding deeper and deeper into the tracks as I write this. What was first intended to become Steve Winwood’s solo album reunited the group minus Dave Mason, and a new era of Traffic was born. John Barleycorn went on to peak at number 5 on the US Billboard Chart.

With every album, the style of Traffic changed… Yes, you knew it was Traffic, Steve Winwood’s voice is unmistakable. 1971 rolled around and fresh on the record shelves appeared Traffic’s The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys and an epic almost 12-minute song of the same name that just blew me away. It even had the coolest jacket you’ve ever seen with the top right and bottom left corners cut off. It was totally different for it’s time, but bands were starting to be very clever with their covers around then. Also on the album was another fantastic song titled, “Light Up Or Leave Me Alone.” Well, we all knew the reference to that one back then and no telling how many things were lit up when that song came on the turntable.

Yes, it was another fantastic album by one of my favorite groups. Thank you Traffic. It was certified Gold less than a continued on next page

Traffic continued from previous page year after being issued and eventually reached the Platinum status.

interesting moments on it. It featured another epic piece, “Dream Gerrard” which just went over 11 minutes in length. The entire album was a bit subdued. However, two of my favorites off the album are “Graveyard People” and “Walking In The Wind.” After a brief tour to celebrate the release of this album, Traffic disbanded for the next 20 years finally returning in 1994 with another album, but that’s a story for another day. This album too reached the Top Ten status and was certified Gold as well.

Forty Thousand Headmen Cryin’ To Be Heard No Time To Live Means To An End Traffic - John Barleycorn Must Die Side A Glad Freedom Rider Empty Pages Side B

I had to wait two years before another Traffic album hit the shelves. I was like a musical junkie looking for a vinyl fix and it finally appeared in 1973 with Shoot Out At The Fantasy Factory.

It was their sixth studio release and featured the title song, “Shoot Out At The Fantasy Factory” along with another epic masterpiece, “Roll Right Stones,” which clocked in at around 13 and a half minutes. The album ended with the song “(Sometimes I Feel So) Uninspired”.

While “Roll Right Stones” was a bit subdued, the title song really rocked. I was especially taken with “Uninspired.”

The album cover on this album continued the same theme as their previous album, with the top right and bottom left corners trimmed off. Shoot Out At The Fantasy Factory did well also, peaking at #6 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart.

Now, on to the point of this whole story…. Island / UMe has just reissued the six albums that I have discussed here with you. I got my review copies in the mail and I’ve been listening to them over and over. The sound is fantastic, as they have completely remastered this entire catalog. Each album is pressed on a 180gram vinyl record. Each album is equipped with a deluxe insert sleeve to protect the album, and the album covers are as close to the originals as they could reproduce. No, the edges aren’t cut off the two albums that I mentioned earlier, but really, who cares. If you’re a Traffic fan, or just want to explore their music, then this is a must-have for your collection.

Tracklisting: Traffic – Mr. Fantasy

Stranger To Himself John Barleycorn Every Mother’s Son Traffic - The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys Side A Hidden Treasure The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys Rock ‘n’ Roll Stew Side B Many A Mile To Freedom Light Up Or Leave Me Alone Rainmaker Traffic - Shootout At The Fantasy Factory

Side A Side A Heaven Is In Your Mind Berkshire Poppies House For Everyone No Face, No Number, No Name Dear Mr. Fantasy

Shoot Out At The Fantasy Factory Roll Right Stones Side B

Side B

Evening Blue Tragic Magic (Sometimes I Feel So) Uninspired

Dealer Utterly Simple Coloured Rain Hope I Never Find Me There Giving To You Traffic - Traffic

Traffic - When The Eagle Flies Side A Something New Dream Gerrard Graveyard People

Side A Side B

The following year Traffic issued their seventh studio album, When The Eagle Flies. Although the album didn’t seem to have the punch for me that the previous albums had, there were some

You Can All Join In Pearly Queen Don’t Be Sad Who Knows What Tomorrow May Bring Feelin’ Alright?

Side B Vagabond Virgin

Walking In The Wind Memories Of A Rock N’ Rolla Love When The Eagle Flies

Rock And Blues International July 2021 • Rock and Blues International

27

FULLER’S VINTAGE GUITAR IS NOT ONLY A VINTAGE GUITAR STORE, WE ALSO CARRY THE LARGEST SELECTION OF NEW GUITARS IN THE SOUTH

WE BUY, SELL & TRADE

LESSONS REPAIRS

(713) 880-2188 116 NORTH LOOP • 610 AT YALE HOUSTON, TX 77008

Thank Your For Supporting Us During The Pandemic!

BEST SELECTION OF MARTIN ACOUSTICS

BEST SELECTION OF BILLY BO’S BEST SELECTION OF GIBSON ACOUSTICS

BEST SELECTION OF TAYLOR ACOUSTICS

BEST SELECTION OF STRATS

continued on next page

BEST SELECTION OF RICKENBACKERS

BEST SELECTION OF LES PAUL CUSTOM SHOP

BEST SELECTION OF TELES

AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR RICKENBACKER • GIBSON • EPIPHONE • ROBERTSON • TRUSSART • WATERLOO • FENDER • JACKSON USA • CHARVEL • ELLIS • GRETSCH • COLLINGS • SANTA CRUZ • GALLAGHER • 18 2020 January 2021 International • Music News 359 34 Rock Rockand andBlues BluesInternational International •• August June 2021 February 2021• •DEERING Rock and Blues NATIONAL • MARTIN • YAMAHA • TAYLOR • EASTMAN

Maybe You Should Run Your Next Tour Schedule In Rock And Blues International! email: rockandbluesinternational@gmail.com or call today 281-650-1953 For Fast Service

July 2021 • Rock and Blues International

29

Christopher Shayne 30

Rock and Blues International • July 2021

Arizona southern rocker CHRISTOPHER SHAYNE has partnered with the NICERIDE lifestyle clothing brand for the release of his latest song, “NiceRide,” to celebrate summertime good vibes and fun. It’s available on digital outlets here @ https://smarturl.it/ Niceride.

An accompanying video—directed

by Frank Borin—features appearances from four of Instagram’s hottest influencers Jay Alvarez (over 6.5 million followers), Jourdan Sloane (over 516k followers), Ashley Marie Dickerson (over 280k followers), and Christian Hogue (over 1.1 million followers). It premiered today exclusively on VentsMagazine.com and is available now on SHAYNE’s official YouTube page at https://youtu.be/sfphmcDOQV0.

NICERIDE created a partnership with SHAYNE and his band after seeing them play at a NASCAR event a few years ago. Not only did the brand start sponsoring SHAYNE, he and the NICERIDE team became good friends and soon asked the band to create a song that could be used in one of their summer 2021 ad campaigns.

Since 2013, NICERIDE has set out to promote a lifestyle that emphasizes the three most important aspects of our lives: Family, Friends, and Fun! NICERIDE was founded on a vision to create a clothing brand that embraces all walks of life, locally, regionally, and worldwide. NICERIDE is a brand that provides quality apparel and products.

As NICERIDE continues to strengthen and grow, their mission and goals have not changed. Their motto is “Life is 1NICERIDE!” As SHAYNE explained to VentsMagazine.com, “’NiceRide’ was written with fun in mind. We wanted something upbeat with a good groove.

Once we found the riff, the rest was easy from there and everything clicked into place. When we went to work on the lyrics, we wanted something about not just having fun for right now but to carry that feeling the rest of your life. The song is really about letting go and carrying that feeling with you wherever you are. The video took our concept and our ideas and really ran with it. It’s got all the makings of good time.” continued on next page

Christopher Shayne and Niceride Clothing Join Together For The Release Of The Perfect Summertime Song and Video, “Niceride,” Out Now! “Ten High” video (ok to post online): https://youtu.be/P7Jp5VPHtOw “Any Given Sunday” video (ok to post online): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RC2hT17jQvQ “Pour the Bottle” video (ok to post online): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OObGtIfmGb0 “Bad Guy” cover video from 2019 (ok to post online): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jp4a1aT_2cI&feature=emb_logo TEN HIGH buy link: https://smarturl.it/TenHighpresave July 2021 • Rock and Blues International

31

page at https:// urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url He’s long traveled the crossroads where rogues, renegades, and thieves are tossed aside and only the best hard-livin’ and hard-rockin’ sound practitioners get to move forward. Fact is, the Phoenixborn, whiskey-tinged vocalist/guitarist has been more than up to the task. “I want to deliver something that people out in the world have both heard and not heard before, in a way that everybody can grasp onto,” SHAYNE explains.

“That’s my personal goal. As an artist, I want to take those ideas and really remind people what guitar harmonies and passionate vocals sound like in a real rock setting. I want to develop something musically that feels like home but is still kind of fresh.”

Christopher Shayne and Niceride Clothing continued from previous page About the partnership with NICERIDE, SHAYNE continued, “After we’ve been embraced by the family at NICERIDE, we’ve really gotten know the people and the company. Chris Merziotis, the owner, has been incredibly supportive of us and we are so appreciative of welcoming us into his family.

When they wanted to pick up the song, we were elated! It was an easy melding of the minds for this particular project.

They have embodied some of our internal values as we’ve gotten to know them and it seemed to click immediately; although they may be a little more active than us! We’ll cheer them on from the beach with a beer in our hands!”

“The time has come to live life like its one niceride,” says NICERIDE owner Chris Merziotis, who had the thought and vision of how to live a great life.

“Visually, I wanted everyone to experience NICERIDE. The music and lyrics exemplifies living the ‘niceridelife.’ The video’s vision brought to life one of the song’s lyrics, ‘When you have had enough pop the throttle open wide and leave it all behind.’”

32

Rock and Blues International • July 2021

CHRISTOPHER SHAYNE’s TEN HIGH debut EP was released January 22, 2021 via Carry On Music. Videos for the EP’s first two singles, “Any Given Sunday” and “Pour the Bottle,” can be seen now on the label’s official YouTube

The music you’ll find on TEN HIGH is as sincere as it gets. “There’s a lot of room now for rock bands that wasn’t there 2-3 years ago,” SHAYNE believes. “I just want to hammer that point home and deliver something as real and as honest as humanly possible, in those veins. The fun is in the struggle and in the challenge of doing that. Music can be anything it wants to be — but it has to mean something to you. Making that happen for our fans is something I’ll be focusing on for the next handful of years, I think.”

Rock And Blues International

CHRISTOPHER SHAYNE Website https://christophershaynemusic.com Facebook https://www.facebook.com/christophershaynemusic/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/Christophershaynemusic/ YouTube https://youtu.be/yW-UPKioTrI NICERIDE CLOTHING Website https://1niceride.com Facebook https://www.facebook.com/1NiceRide/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/1niceride/ YouTube https://ymlps8.com/9f230ejswhalaewesmacabsmavahubj/click.php

June 2021 • Rock and Blues International 39

Acclaimed Australian Singer / Songwriter LENKA Releases 80s inspired single “Ivory Tower” Glowing Pop Track Filled With Retro Lightheartedness Is A Heady Exploration Of Power, Wealth, And Fame Listen here @ https://lnk.to/enXxTExY Watch Teaser Here @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6n9QEctkHuM Acclaimed Australian singer, songwriter, and performer, Lenka, continues to master her craft, using music as the key to unlocking her emotions.

Her latest single, “Ivory Tower,” a smile-inducing, 80s-inspired romp is certainly no exception.

care about themselves while others suffer,” divulges Lenka.

“I tried to find a way to relate; that feeling of needing to protect yourself and maybe a bit of enjoyment in being a villain? But really this song is a criticism. And perhaps a warning.”

Produced by Dave Jenkins Jr., “This song is essentially about me “Ivory Tower,” which draws influence trying to get inside the heads of the rich, from artists like Cyndi Lauper, Blondie, powerful, selfish ‘princesses’ that only continued on next page 40 Rock and Blues International • November 34 July 2021 2020

LENKA continued from previous page and Prince, officially drops on June 4, 2021 via Lenka’s own label, Skipalong Records.

Along with the track, Lenka is also releasing an official video for “Ivory Tower,” which she co-directed with artist Mitch Hertz.

“I worked with Mitch to put me inside a photo-copied cartoon world of towers that drift and eventually collapse, only to rise up again and continue evolving on a fake planet Earth,” explains Lenka. “We were going for an aesthetic somewhere between 80s video art and Monty Python-like animations. I shot the footage of myself on an iPhone in my five-year-old’s bedroom. The effect of the lockdown on creating content with whatever resources you have at home was actually quite liberating.”

Lenka released her eponymous debut solo album in September of 2008.

The album’s first single, “The Show,” was used in the Nickelodeon film Angus, Thongs, and Perfect Snogging, the 2011 Academy Award-nominated film Moneyball, and in a variety of nationwide advertisements, including a campaign for Old Navy. To boot, Billy Crystal sang “The Show” at the 2012 Oscars.

In 2011, Lenka released her second album Two, which appeared on the US Billboard 200 chart. The album featured the songs “Everything at Once,” which was used in a Windows 8 commercial, and “Everything’s Okay,” which became the theme song to ABC’s sitcom, Splitting Up Together. In 2013, Lenka released her third album, Shadows, to critical praise.

In 2015, Lenka released her fourth album The Bright Side via her own label Skipalong Records, which became her release vehicle following her tenure on Epic/Sony and involved a partnership for recordings with her long-time publisher, SonyATV. The Bright Side featured the single “Blue Skies,” a remix version of which was released on the YouTube channel Trap Nation and has amassed over 49 million views.

Last year, Lenka released two EP’s, Recover and Discover. Both are odes to music and the power it has to transform a state of being.

Lenka’s music has always offered a whimsical optimism, whether it is through her time with Decoder Ring or her whirlwind career as a solo artist.

Lenka has toured the world, garnering a massively loyal fan base on every continent along the way. She has millions of views on YouTube and over two million followers on Facebook.

WEBSITE https://lenkamusic.com FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/lenka INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/lenkamusic/ TWITTER https://twitter.com/lenkamusic YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/user/LenkaVEVO/videos

July 2021 • Rock and Blues International

35

42

Rock and Blues International • June 2021

Subscribe Now To

Rock and Blues International and have it delivered directly to your email when it comes out every month!

Just email us at rockandbluesinternational@gmail.com and in the subject line put “Sign Me Up Now” and we will email you your own personal copy every month!

Rock And Blues International Employment Opportunities Available!

Rock And Blues International Is Looking For A Sales Manager and ad salespeople!

Please Email Your Resume To rockandbluesinternational@gmail.com 68

Rock and Blues International • February 2021

December 2020 • Rock and Blues International

71

Indisputably Carnivorous tracklist: 1. Corruptor_Infestor 2. Disturbing Roars at Twilight 3. Indisputably Carnivorous 4. Enter The Witch House 5. Annihilation Prayer 6. Venomous Procession 7. On Top Many Layers of Horror 8. Black Forms Materialize 9. Judas in Hell Be Proud 10. On Wyverns Wings to Oblivion The Day Of The Beast have today released their fourth album, Indisputably Carnivorous, via Prosthetic Records.

Accompanying the album release, the US based blackened death metal band are also today premiering a new music video for Enter The Witch House, via Distorted Sound.

Photographer credit: Chris Joao

The Day of the Beast, ‘Indisputably Carnivorous’, out now; Music video for ‘Enter the Witch House’ premiere Listen to Indisputably Carnivorous, via Spotify @ https://open.spotify.com/ album/4KwddHuRG5cAdS4HTDrGN1?si=iK8XnwuSZax26OhDckPVQ&dl_branch=1, Apple Music @ https:// music.apple.com/gb/album/indisputably-carnivorous/1549015357 and Bandcamp Q https://thedayofthebeast.bandcamp.com.

WATCH THE MUSIC VIDEO FOR ‘ENTER THE WITCH HOUSE’ AT https:// youtu.be/e8WCsfObOZY Order Indisputably Carnivorous here @ http://smarturl.it/TheDayoftheBeast.

Speaking on the album release, the band comments: “This album was a blast to write and record. It’s really like nothing we’ve done before and yet, it’s 100% The Day of the Beast. We poured a lot into this record and we think people will be able to hear that. We hope everyone digs it!”

On Enter The Witch House’s music video, the band adds: “The story in the video is essentially teenagers being lured into a witches lair, and their parents trying to track down their kids while also hunting the witch. The song was originally self-released on a short EP last year but we really felt it belonged on an album.”

Dripping with pure aggression and channelling evil through all inputs, Indisputably Carnivorous is the soundtrack to every raging nightmare brought to life. Shining a light on the darkest, filthiest corners of the human psyche by way of apocalyptic, horror-inspired storytelling - The Day Of The Beast have created a monster. Each track revolves around its own specific tale or theme, with inspiration coming from the likes of Clive Barker, Bram Stoker, and Lovecraft. The album name is taken from the Graham Masterson novel The Wells of Hell, and the title track is primarily based on that book.

Recorded August - October 2020, in Hampton Roads, Virginia with the band overseeing all elements of recording the meat of the album themselves, they then enlisted Tony Petrocelly of Trepan Studios to track vocals. The album was mixed and mastered by Zach Ohren at Castle Ultimate Studios. Taking control of production themselves allowed the band - which features Steve Redmond from fellow Prosthetic signees, Foretoken - to set their own pace - they took the time to look back over past output, cherry-picking the elements they rated the most and bringing them together in one cohesive rager of an album. The result is a whiplash inducing thrash-via-death metal record; celebrating the legacy of the genre whilst adding their own indisputably blood-thirsty, indisputably abominable, indisputably carnivorous spin on it.

Watch the previously released lyric videos for Indisputably Carnivorous: Disturbing Roars at Twilight @ https://youtu.be/2cWQS4j9GWo Black Forms Materialize @ https://youtu.be/v-_W_WOq9HA • Indisputably Carnivorous @ https://youtu.be/nZQCosgzyNM THE DAY OF THE BEAST is Justin Shaw: Bass, Jeremy Bradley : Drums, Steve Redmond : Guitars, Bobby Phippins : Guitars, Steve Harris : Vocals

38

FOLLOW THE DAY OF THE BEAST ONLINE: facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thedayofthebeast/ tweets - https://prostheticrecords.us6.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33fd7185ce9751ccfa7639eb1&id=9299ace36e&e=3833abc280 Instigram - https://www.instagram.com/the_day_of_the_beast_official/ Rock and Blues International • July 2021

June 2021 • Rock and Blues International 45

Photo credit: Nic Kane

Bristol-based Electronic-pop Trio ELDER ISLAND Announce Headline U.S. 2021 Fall Tour Sophomore Album Swimming Static Out Now @ https://orcd.co/swimmingstatic ‘Making Of’ Documentary Out Now @ https://youtu.be/qdGrIsY9EQo Hot on the heels of their sophomore album release Swimming Static (independently released on May 28, 2021), Elder Island will be returning to the U.S. this November and December for a nineteen-date headline tour. Kicking off on November 9th at Boston’s Sinclair, the band will hit many major markets in the US with stops in DC (Union Stage on November 10th), NYC (Irving Plaza on November 11th), Chicago (Lincoln Hall on November 16th), San Francisco (Regency on November 26th), Los Angeles (Fonda on November 28th), and wraps up December 8th in Atlanta.

40

Rock and Blues International • July 2021

Elder Island’s live shows have taken on a shape and reputation of their own; refusing to rely on electronic backing tracks or pre-recordings, the band create unique and atmospheric experiences where multi-layered beats and melodic broodings stir emotions and never fail to get crowds dancing.

Following 2019’s acclaimed debut album The Omnitone Collection, Elder Island’s newly released ten-track record Swimming Static, recorded over the past year in their home studio, sees the band reach new heights of expertly crafted experimentation. Flitting between the surreal dream-state of electronica

and the storytelling-esque lyricisms of indie, the new album tempers introspection with a coveted taste of feel-good pop, offering dashes of neo-soul at the core. You can expect to hear the infectious songs that shapeshift and captivate such as “Feral,” “Small Plastic Heart,” “Purely Educational,” “Sacred,” and “Queen Of Kings” live this fall.

The collaborative nature of the group’s work shines during live performances where vocalist and cellist Katy Sargent, bassist and beat maestro Luke Thornton and guitarist and continued on next page

ELDER ISLAND continued from previous page synth master David Havard charismatic friendship radiates as much from their music as from their on-stage interaction. Elder Island’s past UK headline tours have been a sold-out success, and 2019 saw Elder Island take The Omnitone Tour to Europe and North America twice, with over 60 dates in total. That included selling out shows in New York’s Bowery Ballroom, Los Angeles’s El Rey Theatre, and London’s Roundhouse. In February 2020, the band played as special guest coheadliners alongside Maribou State to a sold-out crowd of 5,000 fans at London’s Printworks, and the band have now set their sights on 2021 touring.

The band released five singles from Swimming Static, and garnered plays from the likes of 6Music’s Steve Lamacq and Radio 1’s Huw Stephens among others. They’ve been playlisted by Spotify on over 39 New Music Fridays (UK, US, Global, Philippines + more), New Alternative, and featured on the cover of both Indie Dancefloor & Release Radar.

Elder Island are vocalist and cellist Katy Sargent, bassist and beat maestro Luke Thornton and guitarist and synth master David Havard.

Carving out a genre-defying space for themselves in our musical landscape, Elder Island captivate with shapeshifting songs.

The trio’s sound cherry-picks and transforms elements from genres as diverse as electronica, indie, pop and neo-soul. The result is a web of sound that threads poetic lyricism and unfamiliar instruments over a backdrop of electronic elements and synth-heavy dance beats.

Their sophomore album Swimming Static follows 2019’s acclaimed debut The Omnitone Collection, which has seen the band amass a massive 200 million global streams and over 1 million monthly listeners on Spotify.

Listen to Swimming Static HERE: https://orcd.co/swimmingstatic

Elder Island - Swimming Static 1. Embers 2. Purely Educational (watch video at https://youtu.be/ErOcdoarzxYU ) 3. Small Plastic Heart 4. Sacred (watch video at https://youtu.be/j6Mfl7iNKpA ) 5. Here Am I 6. Queen Of Kings 7. Feral (watch video at https://youtu.be/PiUHKm16cEk ) 8. Intertwine 9. Cannonball 10. Late At Night TOUR DATES with Support by CLAVVS November 9 - Boston, MA @ Sinclair November 10 - Washington DC @ Union Stage November 11 - New York, NY @ Irving Plaza November 13 - Montreal, QC @ Fairmount November 15 - Toronto, ON @ Mod Club November 16 - Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall November 18 - Boulder, CO @ The Fox Theater November 19 - Denver, CO @ Bluebird November 22 - Vancouver, BC @ Imperial November 23 - Seattle, WA @ Neumos November 24 - Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom November 26 - San Francisco, CA @ Regency November 27 - San Diego, CA @ Music Box November 28 - Los Angeles, CA @ Fonda November 30 - Phoenix, AZ @ Valley Bar December 2 - Dallas, TX @ Deep Ellum Art Co. December 3 - Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall December 4 - Austin, TX @ The Parish December 6 - Nashville, TN @ Basement East December 8 - Atlanta, GA @ The Earl July 2021 • Rock and Blues International 41

Mood Valiant, is the follow up to their 2015 album Choose Your Weapon, which Rolling Stone described as “a stunning step up.” The new project comes after being sampled on songs by The Carters (Beyonce & Jay-Z), Kendrick Lamar, Anderson .Paak, Chance The Rapper, and Drake—with whom Nai Palm also collaborated with on his Scorpion album.

Listen to “Chivalry Is Not Dead” above, find further album details below, and stay tuned for more from Hiatus Kaiyote coming soon.

Melbourne-based, worldwidebeloved, twice-Grammy-nominated Hiatus Kaiyote returns in 2021 with their new album Mood Valiant, on Brainfeeder Records/Ninja Tune.

photo credit: Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore

Hiatus Kaiyote Shares New Song “Chivalry Is Not Dead” Now Mood Valiant out now Via Brainfeeder Records/Ninja Tune LISTEN: “Chivalry Is Not Dead” https://hiatuskaiyote.lnk.to/moodPR Twice Grammy-nominated, Melbourne-based group Hiatus Kaiyote shares a new song from their forthcoming album Mood Valiant, out June 25th via Brainfeeder Records / Ninja Tune.

The third single from the album, “Chivalry Is Not Dead” talks about the bizarre mating rituals of leopard slugs (they turn fluorescent) and seahorses (they lock tails and dance).

a song that’s 3:40 long, and it’s about sex, but I’m gonna make it fucking weird.

Examples from the natural world that are fucking with the status quo.”

“Chivalry Is Not Dead” follows previously-released singles “Red Room” and “Get Sun” featuring legendary Brazilian arranger Arthur Verocai, and the band have received co-signs from Kehlani, Doja Cat and Virgil Abloh, among others.

Singer Nai Palm explains further: “After we did Choose Your Weapon, we had to make radio edits of our songs, Hiatus Kaiyote is Naomi “Nai and all of our shit is like 6 or 7 minutes Palm” Saalfield (guitar, vocals), Paul long! So ‘Chivalry’ was me fucking with Bender (bass), Simon Mavin (keys), and the ‘hit record’ formula. I’m gonna write Perrin Moss (drums). Their new album, 42 Rock and Blues International • July 2021

Comprised of Naomi “Nai Palm” Saalfield (guitar, vocals), Paul Bender (bass), Simon Mavin (keys), and Perrin Moss (drums), Hiatus Kaiyote broke internationally in 2012 with their first LP, Tawk Tomahawk, which was praised by simpatico musical travelers from Erykah Badu to Questlove to Prince, and embraced by DJs like the BBC’s Gilles Peterson, DJ Jazzy Jeff and Anthony Valadez (KCRW/Morning Becomes Eclectic). Their first R&B Grammy nomination, for their song “Nakamarra,” was followed by a second for “Breathing Underwater,” from their sophomore album, 2015’s Choose Your Weapon.

Still, their music defied categorization: Some called it “neo-soul,” others “future soul”; the band calls it, simply, wondercore. Their music found fans in hip-hop, sampled on songs by The Carters (Beyonce & Jay-Z), Kendrick Lamar, Anderson .Paak, Chance The Rapper, and Drake—with whom Nai Palm collaborated on his Scorpion album; and in jazz, when Robert Glasper invited the band to appear on his album of Miles Davis remakes, Everything’s Beautiful. Their records and live shows won them raves in The Guardian, Rolling Stone, and in the New York Times, where Jon Pareles wrote that “Hiatus Kaiyote’s music stretches and bends every parameter.”

That spirit of blending began with Nai, growing up in her mother Suzie Ashman’s Melbourne home, vibrating with the sounds of Motown and flamenco, African music and hip-hop. After continued on next page

Hiatus Kaiyote continued from previous page her mother died of breast cancer, the 11year-old Nai went to live with a foster family high in the Australian Alps. By the time the adolescent Nai found her way back to Melbourne, she had acquired three things: an abiding, spiritual connection to the land; an uncanny, selftaught mastery of two instruments, the guitar and her own voice; and the ability to write songs that were as complex as her influences. That’s what struck Paul Bender, a multi-instrumentalist from Tasmania who’d studied music at the University of Miami, who saw Nai playing at a bar and offered to put a band together for her.

It would be a year before Bender and Nai began working together, in 2011.

Early on, they invited two other musicians to play with them — drummer Perrin Moss, self-taught like Nai; and keyboardist Simon Mavin, like Bender, a university-trained professional of ample chops. The chemistry instantly yielded a solid unit. The four began recording their first album in Mavin and Moss’s “share house” on Clarke Street in Melbourne’s Northcote suburb, and Hiatus Kaiyote quickly developed a following on the local scene. A gig opening for Taylor McFerrin made the headliner an instant fan, and the American artist spread the Hiatus gospel to tastemakers around the world, triggering the series of events that would lead to their first two full-length releases, which transformed them from a local band into a global touring act.

After four years of recording and touring — from Glastonbury in England to Fuji Rock in Japan, from rocking the Roots Picnic to selling out the Sydney Opera House — the band took a break.

In 2017, Nai Palm released a sublime, stirring guitar-and-voice solo LP called Needle Paw, while her bandmates crafted their own projects: Bender’s Pet Soundsinspired The Sweet Enoughs; Perrin’s travelogue of his multi-instrumental selfeducation, Clever Austin; Simon’s collaboration with Aussie soul outfit, The Putbacks; and the boys’ instrumental trio,

Swooping.

By October 2018, recording for Mood Valiant was already well underway, and backing tracks were largely in place, ready for Nai’s vocals. Then, during a brief swing through the U.S., Hiatus’s frontwoman was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her mother’s death from the same disease was never far from her mind: “I became so acutely aware of my mortality.” Nai rushed back to Australia and into the hospital, where she underwent a life-saving mastectomy. Bender was there when Nai was wheeled to her room after surgery. “She came back in like a champion,” he says. “I’ve never seen anyone go through something like that and be so triumphant, vibrant, present, grateful. She was alive. It reframes what things you should put your energy into: Let’s just all be alive.”

recorded the song ‘Get Sun,’ and it already sounded good,” says Bender.

“We had no idea what he had written for it.” When Verocai fired up his horn and string sections, it was a release for everyone. “Tears were running down my face,” Bender recalls.

“Verocai is such a lovely man,” Perrin says. “The engineer never stopped smiling, the set-up was beautiful, so after Arthur finished, we asked if we could use the studio for the rest of the evening.” The all-night session brought two new songs onto the album. Nai and Simon tracked an epic ballad, “Stone or Lavender,” while Bender and Perrin banged out a bass and drum groove that that band then turned into the song “Red Room” in an act of spontaneous composition. continued on next page

As Nai recovered, the band turned back to their work with altered perspectives. Her lyrics, even those written before her illness, took on a prescient quality. Then a trip to Rio de Janiero in late-2019 to work with legendary Brazilian arranger Arthur Verocai shifted the vibe of the entire album. “We had

Connect with Hiatus Kaiyote: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiatuskaiyote/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiatuskaiyote TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiatuskaiyote July 2021 • Rock and Blues International

43

Nai evoked, again, the spirit of Suzie Ashman: “My mother had two Valiant station wagons, iconic, vintage Aussie cars,” Nai says. “One was white and one was black. And depending on what mood she was in, she would drive one or the other. She was a single mother with six kids: If she drove the black one, you knew not to fuck with her.”

“The title of the album really encapsulates the whole spectrum of the journey,” Bender adds. “Everyone’s been through some big challenges. I feel like we charged through the mud to get this thing done. And there’s just this valiant, victorious feeling, coming out of storm into calm waters. The sun is shining, we see the shore. We did that! I feel proud of the way this sounds, the emotional depth of it. And I hope that it brings people some sort of comfort in this hard time.”

For Bender, the act of making the album brought him solace, too, and clarity about the nature of friendship: “At the end of the day, who was there for me? The band. They’re my homies.”

Hiatus Kaiyote continued from previous page The result is an album, bookended

by Verocai’s strings, that relaxes into a groove: sunlit, beguiling, masterful.

Behind everything is Hiatus’ familiar sense of musical adventure, their knack for making the complex sound simple: Simon’s experiment with an odd rhythm in groups of 5 becomes a cascading jam called “Rose Water.” Bender and Simon’s trading of single notes, back and forth, to make a melody becomes “All The Words We Don’t Say.” Nai’s cheeky take on sex-obsessed, three-minute pop hits becomes “Chivalry Is Not Dead,” a song about the bizarre mating rituals of leopard slugs (they turn fluorescent) and seahorses (they lock tails and dance).

came time to decide which songs made the lineup. The album ends with the delicate “Blood and Marrow,” a Bender bassline to which Nai and Perrin improvised, that Simon pegs as his favorite: “It’s a classic Hiatus studio song that’s got beautiful exploration and mystery.” For Nai, the lightness of the track was a foil for her grief: “This was post-surgery. I lost my breast. Four months later I lost my parrot, Charlie, who was like my bird-child. Losing Charlie, I grieved him more than I grieved losing my titty. Before he died, we were watching all the Disney films together, so that’s the reason the song has this kind of Disney sonic palette.”

“In this mysterious, democratic approach to making music, you just never know what’s going to happen.” says Simon. “Sparkle Tape Break Up” started with Simon’s idea for a crazy layer-cake of synth sounds; though Nai wrote the lyrics, they resonated deeply with Bender who championed it when it

The irony of the completion of Mood Valiant was that it coincided with another health crisis, the COVID pandemic. In the Great Pause, the band found more time to tweak, and more time to create. The ups and downs, the starts and stops of the process, inform the very name of the album, for which

44

Rock and Blues International • July 2021

“When you think your life is going to be taken away from you, it makes you think about who you are,” Nai says. “I guess after the breast cancer scare I decided that I needed to prove to life that the offering I have is genuine. My only wish is to live and offer my experience of time and beauty.”

Mood Valiant is an act of love, of courage, of altered perspective, of sisterand-brotherhood.

Hiatus Kaiyote Mood Valiant Brainfeeder Records / Ninja Tune June 25, 2021 1. Flight Of The Tiger Lily 2. Sip Into Something Soft 3. Chivalry Is Not Dead 4. And We Go Gentle 5. Get Sun (feat. Arthur Verocai) 6. All The Words We Don’t Say 7. Hush Rattle 8. Rose Water 9. Red Room 10. Sparkle Tape Break Up 11. Stone Or Lavender 12. Blood And Marrow

Rock And Blues International

July 2021 • Rock and Blues International

51

Photo Cred: Mario Luna

Nick Flessa Shares Music Video for “Ditch the Dirtbag” (Directed by Michael Abitz) @ https://youtu.be/F9NGGlaxhUg Excerpt from “The Investors” Music Video: “Guillotine Machine” For Sale as NFT on Foundation @ https://foundation.app/@rasterbahn_punished/guillotine-machine-44459 New EP Hey Partner Out Now at https://nickflessa.bandcamp.com/album/hey-partner-2 WATCH & SHARE: Nick Flessa - “Ditch the Dirtbag” [Official Music Video] YouTube @ https://youtu.be/F9NGGlaxhUg WATCH & SHARE: Nick Flessa - “The Investors” [Official Music Video] YouTube @ https://youtu.be/t8HB5Vu3qDM LISTEN & SHARE: Nick Flessa - Hey Partner Bandcamp @ https://nickflessa.bandcamp.com/album/hey-partner-2 LA-based experimental indie artist stock footage, slowly building alongside Nick Flessa shares a new dark satire a surfy drum machine drone and my music video for his karaoke-inspired layered vocal admonition to ‘ditch the country-disco single “Ditch the Dirtbag,” dirtbag.’ directed by Michael Abitz, via Ghettoblaster. In the video, Abitz’s weird Flessa and collaborator Rasterbahn world of animated screen time validation have listed “Guillotine Machine” from and phallic competition weaves in and their prior music video “The Investors” out of readymade commercial grade as an NFT on Foundation, now available 52 Rock and Blues International • November 46 July 2021 2020

for purchase.

On the video, Flessa shares: “On the surface the song is a piece of advice addressed to a friend to break up with an unsavory partner, but it was also written as a response to observing creepy power continued on next page

Nick Flessa continued from previous page dynamics in the art and music spaces where I’ve performed it. Michael’s video elevates it all to a surreal, free-associative reflection about male validation across a multiplicity of screens in a variety of settings. It was created during quarantine and I think speaks to the way a distorted, abstract, mediated version of our lives played out on social media and over phone screens while ‘reality’ became something more elusive. It also speaks to the absurdity of petty competition as played out in digital spaces. This is my fifth music video with Abitz, and the second animated video we have done together.”

Earlier this year, Flessa released Hey Partner, a country-disco romp for drum machine and voice, featuring Casio Sax arrangements by Oozelles’ Greg Marino. Hey Partner covers a range of topics stemming from Flessa’s experiences as a young artist during the late 2010s in Los Angeles. Equal parts sincere and humorous, this selection of lounge-adjacent music draws inspiration from the likes of Arthur Russell, Alex Cameron and Blue Jazz TV. Flessa’s unique approach brings a wonderful and disarming spaghetti western twist to his world of twangy glam and lofi boogie.

His last music video for “The Investors” (a diabolical anti-capitalist fantasy animated and directed by Campbell Logan AKA Rasterbahn) received glowing praise form Indie88, Northern Transmissions, and Glide.

Hey Partner is a flagship release on the new artist-run label Different Pep, founded by Taggie Coppins (Beetsblog) and Siena Riley. Proceeds from the release were donated to Look at Us Zine’s emergency relief fund for queer and trans black artists and musicians in LA, with Flessa and the label donating 1$ per stream for the first 24 hours of the release.

Nick Flessa hails from Cincinnati but has spent the better part of his life in Los Angeles. Nick’s work has shown in places like REDCAT, Echo Park Film Center, UCLA and the University of Puget Sound. From late-2016 to mid2019 he helped guide programming and printing at Los Angeles Contemporary Archive, where he presented his solo

exhibition Death Production: The Archive of Janna Flessa (executed by Nick Flessa) in 2018. His book Case Number: 87-447 can be found in national and international library collections. This year he presented work in Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery’s first digital exhibition, Archive Machines, and was awarded the Time Space Money Residency from Human Resources Los Angeles. His recent work focuses on abolishing capital punishment in his native state Ohio, and will be on view at Actual Size Los Angeles from October 31 through November 13 2020.

Flessa is also an active singer and saxophonist who has performed at venues such as the Bootleg Theater, the Hit Hat, Resident LA, Lodge Room, Zebulon Café Concert and others. LA Record describes him as “a languidly monotone man of letters with deft turns of phrase and a complete command of straightforward country-influenced indie rock.” He has toured as Nick Flessa Band in the US and internationally. In 2018 Eliterecords (Germany) released Flessa’s full-length LP Flyover States, produced by Neil Wogensen of Valley Queen. Upcoming releases include Sax Beat — a collaborative split on Symbol

Group Records with Kern Haug (Young Jesus), Ross Chait (Total Heat, Girlpool) and Joshua Sushman (Eyeshadow, Wild Nothing). In 2020, Flessa released Hey Partner via LA’s Different Pep. Following the release of the 2020 record, Flessa will be releasing a slew of collaborative videos with various visual artists, with the first being a collaboration with Rasterbahn (Campbell Logan) for “The Investors.”

HEY PARTNER TRACKLISTING 01. There Comes a Time 02. Social Club Theme Song 03. The Investors 04. Ditch the Dirtbag 05. Hey You NICK FLESSA LINKS Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nickflessaband Website http://www.nickflessaband.com Bandcamp https://nickflessa.bandcamp.com/album/heypartner-2 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nickflessa/ July 2021 • Rock and Blues International

47

Leon Creek (Chris Pierce) Announces Debut Album Far From Broken LP Out September 21st

On the outskirts of San Antonio, Texas lies Leon Creek: a small river that served as the first rest stop and watering hole for travelers, cargo, mail and stagecoaches making their way from Texas to Southern California in the 1850’s and 60’s. As Americana and country music moved west and absorbed the influences from the cultures and history, along the way it helped shape what we know today…

With the new band Leon Creek, a new project from Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter Chris Pierce, Matthew Stevens, and producer Erik Janson, a variety of influences converge to bring forth a new take on the traditional Americana/roots sound.

Ascending soul man Chris Pierce, who recently gained national prominence with his hit co-write “We Can Always Come Back To This,” that aired on multiple episodes of the #1 NBC primetime series This Is Us, brings stirring depth and power to his performances. This is evident in his Sunny War collaboration War & Pierce, and his phenomenal new full length LP American Silence: a Bob Dylan-esque reflection of his realities as a Black man in the modern United States (featured on NPR Music All Songs Considered, Rolling Stone, SiriusXM) For Leon Creek, Pierce’s vocal and blues harmonica prowess are showcased in a new light, combining with the finger picking, bluegrass melodies of Matthew Stevens, who has previously recorded World and Cumbia inspired tracks with the likes of Ozomatli’s Asdru Sierra and rapper Thurz, resting perfectly on the vibrant and maximalist production talents of Erik Janson (of Wildling & Left Field Messiah fame).

This band of brothers have come together to reflect the broadening horizons of contemporary Americana/Country, Blues and Roots music, drawing from the influences from which the genres originated, while embracing eclectic and unexpected inspiration as well. Their debut single “Call it a Day” from the full-length album Far From Broken is due out now.

LINKS Facebook https://www.facebook.com/leon.creek.35 YouTube https://tellallyourfriendspr.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=63f1674ecdb2a4574b77e600b&id=c75ac86760&e=28146e6e7b Website https://www.leoncreek.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/leoncreekofficial/

Shares “Call It A Day” Via https://tellallyourfriendspr.us10.list-manage.com/track/ click?u=63f1674ecdb2a4574b77e600b&id=2577bb34c7&e=28146e6e7b 48 Rock and Blues International • July 2021

June 2021 • Rock and Blues International

55

Karaboudjan (mem. Tycho) Shares Single “I’ll be Just Fine” via UTR, Debut EP ‘IMAGO’ Out September LISTEN & SHARE: Karaboudjan - “I’ll Be Just Fine” Spotify https://open.spotify.com/track/54sZLuQnT3wRMfCmgJHhHp?si=e8a55e57eaef411b Soundcloud https://tellallyourfriendspr.us10.list-manage.com/track/ click?u=63f1674ecdb2a4574b77e600b&id=091ed63229&e=28146e6e7b LISTEN & SHARE: Karaboudjan - “Let Go” Spotify https://open.spotify.com/track/3cC2Awq5DGp5ebskW1gKmm?si=s339WukOQiKaWtVJGN9hKQ Soundcloud https://tellallyourfriendspr.us10.list-manage.com/track/ click?u=63f1674ecdb2a4574b77e600b&id=921bd471c9&e=28146e6e7b Pull of Niagara Falls Is Available Now Southern California-based indie psychrock artist Karaboudjanshares his third single, “I’ll Be Just Fine” via Under the Radar who praised how he “paints soundscapes of nostalgic beauty and sweetly romantic lyricism.” “I’ll Be Just Fine” is the third single off his solo debut, IMAGO, due out September this year.

Fans of Flume, Tame Impala, or Grizzly Bear, look no further. In a tidal wave of synths, electronic drum kits, and fuzzy lo-

50

Rock and Blues International • July 2021

fi harmonies, Karaboudjan’s “I’ll Be Just Fine” is a nostalgic electro-rock ode to falling in love at the Beauty Bar (of all places).

Nostalgic, sweet, and summery, the airy ambience of “I’ll Be Just Fine” is the perfect soundtrack for the summer.

The story behind the song is also ridiculously cute. Karaboudjan shares: “I’ll Be Just Fine” is actually the last track of the EP, Imago. Initially the verse is about finding my way through the world, fresh out of a 7 year relationship. I left town as soon as I

could, and I ended up visiting a buddy living in the Upper East Side in NYC. We were hanging out with a group of friends at the time, and I’ll never forget the moment of us finding our way into the Beauty Bar, where I eventually fell instantly head over heels for my old friend from 6th grade. We’ve been happily married since 2018! This is the closest thing to a “love song” that I’ve ever created, as I’ve tended to avoid writing continued on next page

Karaboudjan continued from previous page them.”

Karaboudjan’s debut solo EP, IMAGO, is due out September 2021.

Karaboudjan is the solo project of multi-instrumentalist Billy Kim, who has toured with musician and composer Tycho since 2016. Born in Inglewood, California, but raised a stone’s throw to the east in Fullerton, Billy grew up watching his parents sing together at home. While his parents saw music as more of a hobby, Billy knew he wanted to be a professional musician at the age of 13. By the time he was 17, he had already embarked on his first real nationwide tour with his post-hardcore band, The Prisoner’s Dilemma. He also experienced some mild success playing in a band called the Steelwells.

At the age of 23, Billy was featured in Rolling Stone after getting an opportunity to record an album with Grammy AwardWinning producer, Jacquire King (Kings of Leon, Modest Mouse, Tom Waits). While enjoying the high from this remarkable opportunity, Billy lost his father from Alzheimer’s. Karaboudjan is a tribute to Billy’s father. “The name had always fascinated me - it was the name of a ship in The Adventures of Tin Tin,” shares Billy. “I remember begging my parents to take me to the library so I could check out the next book in the series with which I was so infatuated.

For me, Karaboudjan reminds me of the purity of my youth and it’s enormous curiosity of life unlived.” Though Fullerton played an integral role in Billy’s love of music, in 2016, he joined the band that accompanies Tycho and relocated to Union City, New Jersey. Union City, in fact, is

where he wrote the majority of his solo debut project, IMAGO. “Our apartment faced the Hudson River and we had the most incredible view of the Empire State Building. It was magical to have that view every time I looked up from my computer. It was the first time I ever lived away from home, and there was something so enchanting about the city for me. Probably because that’s where I fell in love with my wife.”

Much like Karaboudjan, IMAGO is also something of a tribute to Billy’s youth.

“There are two definitions, and I’m using both,” explains Billy. The first definition is quite literal as I’ve reached adulthood while completing my first solo endeavor. It’s like I’ve finally reached a stage in my life where I

am comfortable enough to finally release my own music that relates to personal topics for me. The second definition is an homage to my father, who definitely influences my behavior, especially after his death.”

Now living back in Fullerton, Billy is hugely proud of what he’s accomplished so far. He has played two sold-out shows at Red Rocks as well as the sunset slot at Coachella.

He also got to attend the 2020 Grammy Awards with Tycho.

IMAGO - TRACKLISTING 01. Same Mistakes 02. Let Go 03. Seems Like 04. Falling Forwards 05. I’ll Be Just Fine

LINKS Facebook https://www.facebook.com/karaboudjann Twitter https://tellallyourfriendspr.us10.list-manage.com/track/ click?u=63f1674ecdb2a4574b77e600b&id=22b14596b6&e=28146e6e7b Website https://karaboudjanmusic.com SoundCloud https://tellallyourfriendspr.us10.list-manage.com/track/ click?u=63f1674ecdb2a4574b77e600b&id=7c21fbf0d4&e=28146e6e7b YouTube https://tellallyourfriendspr.us10.list-manage.com/track/ click?u=63f1674ecdb2a4574b77e600b&id=3604b1ffda&e=28146e6e7b Instagram https://www.instagram.com/karaboudjan__/ July 2021 • Rock and Blues International 51

Austin-Based Yacht-Pop Group Mr. Linen Announces Debut LP, ‘Stay Cool’, Out Now! Nearly five years after their debut single, MR LINEN releases eight brandnew songs by a charismatic yet mysterious French Bulldog “Linen isn’t just a fabric, it’s a state of mind.” - MR LINEN Same Sky Records has announced that Austin-based yacht-pop group MR LINEN has released their debut, full-length album “Stay Cool. The project has been five years in the making and is a spin-off project inspired by the 2016 track “MR LINEN,” a quirky tribute to the beloved KUTX Eklektikos host, John Aielli. See here @ https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=ofGhxOv_6Skfor the original “MR LINEN” music video. To check out MR LINEN online, visit mrlinenmusic.com.

“The eclectic, electric and eccentric record will inspire listeners to grab your linen pants, run to a body of water and jump on a stranger’s boat,” said MR LINEN. “It’s that kind of unabashed spontaneity that may also cause excessive dancing with said strangers.”

Like so many other records, “Stay Cool” was originally slated to be released the summer of 2020, before the COVID-19 shut down the global music industry leading to the record being postponed.

Now, with vaccination well underway, MR LINEN wants to see “Stay Cool” as the official soundtrack of our long-awaited summer of togetherness. Heavily influenced by pop sensibilities of the ‘80s and ‘90s, “Stay Cool’” is a party album tailormade for pool parties, beach trips and backyard BBQs. “I’m on a mission through the galaxy,” said MR LINEN. “It’s a mission to move your body, shake your soul and an invitation to embrace the linen way of life.”

The songs are steeped in irreverent charm with topics varying from boats (that go fast), learning kung fu (in outer space) and falling head over heels in love with a girl who makes amazing tacos. MR LINEN encourages that you pull up a beach chair, a frosty cocktail (such as a Dirty Banana), and always #StayCool.

The album was produced, recorded and mixed at Same Sky Productions in Austin, Texas by David Messier, Dave Madden and Andre Cantave. Other notable musicians who played on the record include BettySoo and Ange Kogutz

52

Rock and Blues International • July 2021

(vocals), Kevin Flatt (trumpet), Russell Remington (flute), Greg Williams (saxophone) and Paul Deemer (trombone).

About MR LINEN: MR LINEN is a five-year-old French Bulldog with a really good ear. He was born April 2, 2016 in Houston, Texas.

The runt of a three-puppy litter, he was adopted at only three months old, given the name “Larry” and moved to Austin with his new family. The young shy pup was not quick to come out of his shell. He was afraid of even crossing a threshold from a tiled floor to a carpet. What began to build young Larry’s confidence was music. Larry’s parents owned and operated a busy recording studio in Austin, where Larry was exposed to all kinds of music and the wild world of musicians. At four months old, he appeared in his first music video and from that moment he had stars in his eyes. He was destined for a life in show business. Larry began spending hours watching other famous dogs on YouTube; Lassie, Rin Tin Tin, Beethoven, Pluto, and Toto. However, after seeing the film “Old Yeller,” he decided that his true calling was music and he would never act again.

Growing up with his parents and their musician friends’ playlists, he was exposed to the pop and R&B classics of the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s and his large ears were always quick to pick out the yacht rock (it may have been all the high pitched flutes).

Larry would spend his days laying underneath the large pecan trees behind the studio, munching on pecans and dreaming up the melodies and rhythms that would become his debut album. He wanted his music to cross between yacht rock, pop and R&B and most importantly he wanted humans to love it. Humans, after all, have the treats and the scratches.

Being a Frenchie, covered in fur and with no snout means the hot Austin summer is not easy. But under those pecan

trees, Larry would stay cool. He thought about what humans do to stay cool in the summer and that’s when it hit him: “They wear Linen! I’ll become MR LINEN!” Larry formed MR LINEN by taking his ideas into the studio. He collaborated with Andre Cantave, Dave Madden and David Messier at Same Sky Productions in Austin, Texas to create “Stay Cool,” a collection of nine original songs that take the listener on a sonic journey through the greatest Pop Music and Yacht Rock productions of our times. The songs are steeped in irreverent charm with topics varying from boats (that go fast), learning kung fu (in outer space) and falling head over heels in love with a girl who makes amazing tacos (I mean, haven’t we all?)

MR LINEN encourages that you pull up a beach chair, a frosty cocktail (such as a Dirty Banana), and always #StayCool. For more information on MR LINEN, see www.mrlinenmusic.com.

The “Stay Cool” track list is as follows: Go Fast Boat The Taco Song Make It On Her Own Cindy MR LINEN Space Kung Fu Soul Shaker The Dirty Banana I Got You

Renowned singer-songwriter Martin Sexton has announced that his new EP 2020 Vision will be released on September 10th via Kitchen Table Records. His first new release in six years, the 4-song collection snapshots moments of clarity during the past year and beyond. The lead single “Hold On” is out now, a sun-shining-through-the-rain song brimming with soul guitar fixings, punchy horns, and a touching narrative about the simple pleasures of spending time with loved ones.

“The silver lining in the pandemic was more actual facetime with my family,” said Martin. “We cut each other’s hair, we biked, and I got around to finally building that treehouse with my son. We finished building it on a sunny summer day, and I grabbed my old Gibson and sat down inside the new fort and this tune presented itself to me.”

American Songwriter featured the new single and stated, “‘Hold On’ opens 2020 Vision with the soulful beauty of a moment in time.”

The ability to hone in on defining moments has long been evident in Martin’s songwriting. Produced by three-time Grammy-nominee John Alagia (John Mayer, Paul Simon, Lukas Nelson), 2020 Vision is a poetically emotive and an elegantly evocative pandemic scrapbook. “In one song, I’m building a treehouse with my son. In another song, I’m crossing America and seeing the beauty in people rising through adversity and loving each other,” detailed Martin.

Extensive touring in support of 2020 Vision will begin this summer throughout the US. Tickets are on sale now for select dates with more shows announcing soon. For more information, visit www.martinsexton.com/ tour.

2020 Vision will always have its lessons and remain in Martin’s sight, even as the miles out on the road put pandemic life in the rearview mirror. One of those lessons is the power of togetherness. “My mission statement for the past 15 years has been unity through music, and I am committed to sharing peace and harmony through my songs.”

Track List: 01) Hold On 02) Calling On America 03) Riding Through The Rain 04) Penny from the Land of Plenty Tour Dates: 07/16 - North Truro, MA @ Payomet Performing Arts Center 07/17 - Exeter, NH @ The Word Barn (5pm show) 07/17 - Exeter, NH @ The Word Barn (8pm show) 07/18 - Arundel, ME @ Vinegar Hill Music Theatre 08/14 - Burlington, VT* 08/15 - Lake Placid, NY* 08/20 - Oak Bluffs, NY* 08/21 - Amagansett, NY @ the Stephen Talkhouse

Credit: Jo Chattman

Martin Sexton Announces New EP 2020 Vision Releasing On September 10 On Tour Now Hear Lead Single “Hold On” at https://youtu.be/oqaAO07nMsg 08/22 - Montgomery, NY @ City Winery Hudson Valley 10/16 - Syracuse, NY* 10/21 - Salisbury, MA* 10/22 - Uncasville, CT* 10/23 - Portland, ME* 11/10 - Charlotte, NC*

11/11 - Rocky Mount, VA* 11/12 - Charlottesville, VA* 11/13 - Richmond, VA* 11/21 - Lexington, MA* 12/10 - Old Saybrook, CT* 12/11 - Tarrytown, NY* 12/17 - Northampton, MA*

Martin Sexton: Website: http://martinsexton.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialmartinsexton Twitter: https://ymlpsend3.net/7f7cdeswhmyaoaewuymagausqafajbbsy/click.php Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martinsexton/ July 2021 • Rock and Blues International 53

legendary punk producer Paul Roessler (TSOL, Josie Cotton, Richie Ramone) at Kitten Robot Studios in LA and mastered

by Mass Giorgini, who has worked with Green Day’s Billie Joe and Mike Dirnt to All American Rejects, Rise Against, and Anti-Flag.

The video—a foreboding, technicolor nightmare that slowly closes in on the viewer—features dynamic vignettes shot by Thomas Ignatius that take full advantage of San Luis Obispo, California’s vivid (if brief) spring display. Located on the coast midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, what the band’s selfcreated “Crusherverse” lacks in nightlife, it surely makes up for in prime shooting locations.

Photo credit: Thomas Ignatius

Poolside Glitter Trash Cosmic Rockers Hayley And The Crushers Release Vibrant Video For New Single “Cul-de-Sac” Watch @ https://youtu.be/Vse4QKXAhkM Listen @ https://ffm.to/culdesac Like so many practice spaces left abandoned during the pandemic, Hayley and the Crushers’ San Luis Obispo, CA performance space became nothing more than an empty room—lifeless, save for the smell of old sweat and a little spilled beer.

Although the band’s sunny “poolside glitter trash” sound took a major pause during Covid-19, the scrappy surf punks found a way to craft their way back to sanity (read: an ungodly amount of paint pens were used during the filming of their new music video). Premiering on Buzz Bands, the band’s “Cul-de-Sac” video is an unflinching reflection of “the silent screaming feeling simmering under the surface that so many of us felt during 2020,” said front woman and guitarist Hayley Crusher Cain.

Comprised of Hayley Crusher Cain on vocals and guitar, Dr. Cain ESQ on bass and “Action” Ben Cabreana on drums—the

54

Rock and Blues International • July 2021

band knows a thing or two about feeling trapped in a sunny place (they spent all of 2020 literally stuck in their own real-life cul-de-sac). Lyrically inspired by Ira Levin’s 1972 satirical book The Stepford Wives, the new single is a moody detour through quiet, manicured lawns where everyone waves hello, but no one can hear you scream.

With dark guitars, wormy hooks and the band’s soaring candy-coated vocals locked and loaded, “Cul-de-Sac” is a powerful first single for the band’s recent partnership with L.A.-based Kitten Robot Records, helmed by iconic New Wave artist and label president Josie Cotton.

Downtime from a rigorous touring schedule allowed these new creative relationships to blossom, “which was a massive silver lining,” according to the band. The track was recorded and mixed by

“We shot at the rose garden at the Madonna Inn, a pastoral hiking trail and a freaky tomb erected in our local cemetery back in the 1930s... Basically our favorite spots around our neighborhood,” Cain said.

“In the past, we’ve filmed at our favorite local hot dog place, a mid-century shell shop, the Sunset drive-in. One good thing about living in a small town is you can DIY to your heart’s content. No one will ever try to stop you.”

The video incorporates striking neon-drenched live band shots (shot by Curtis Campbell), giving the Crushers a fresh edge that might surprise fans of the group’s summer 2020 Jacaranda E.P., a carefree romp reminiscent of Blondie and The GoGo’s.

Indeed, the band’s latest output is proof that the most sugary pop rock artists are feeling the collective COVID-19 hangover. Exploring the idea of feeling trapped by both internal and external forces, Cain recalls the new normal: “I’d walk the dog ten times a day, waving to the same neighbors. The paranoia and despair of a global pandemic unfolding day-to-day became part of the daily ritual, like watering the vegetables. In many ways, we are all still grappling with this cosmic heaviness.”

Although several elements of “Culde-Sac” were recorded remotely, the project came together in producer Paul Roessler’s capable hands.

“Paul was the perfect guy to help us express this visceral, uneasy feeling that simmers below the surface,” Cain added. continued on next page

ADVERTISE HERE

“Cul-de-Sac” single artwork (hi-res) Photo credit: Thomas Ignatius

“Together, we were able to achieve this lush, bittersweet chorus that soars toward freedom. It’s like candy, but it’s got this nasty aftertaste; just what we were feeling at the time.”

Cain, a perpetual optimist (evident if you’ve ever met the gal or heard a Crushers tune), is beyond ready to step out of the darkness and into the light. “Cul-de-Sac,” it seems, has cleared away the Crushers’ cobwebs for now.

Advertise in a revolutionary new magazine that will be taking the music world by storm! call us now at 281-650-1953

“Sure, we’ve let some muscles atrophy during COVID-19, but other parts of our music have deepened in surprising ways,” she said. “‘Cul-de-Sac’ represents our dive into the deep end of the pool. There is post traumatic growth to all of this. And there is always a reason to dance, to laugh and to spread joy.”

Hayley and the Crushers are Hayley Crusher Cain (vocals, guitar), Dr. Cain, ESQ (bass), and “Action” Ben Cabreana (drums). “Cul-de-Sac” is available on DSPs via Kitten Robot Records here: https://ffm.to/culdesac.

Twitter https://reybee.us13.list-manage.com/track/ click?u=f67b4587af2b2ef9aa80ed984&id=7b8b42899b&e=3c988113d5 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hayleyandthecrushers Website https://www.hayleyandthecrushers.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hayleyandthecrushers/?hl=en YouTube https://reybee.us13.list-manage.com/track/ click?u=f67b4587af2b2ef9aa80ed984&id=138eb3a180&e=3c988113d5

Rock And Blues International

February April 2021 2021 •• Rock Rock and and Blues Blues International International

47 61

Brockhampton Announces North American “Here Right Now” Tour Deluxe Version Of Roadrunner: New Light, New Machine Plus Pack + Vinyl Out Now! BROCKHAMPTON has announced their North American “Here Right Now” tour. The headlining tour, which will kick off after a European run and a performance at Lollapalooza, starts in Salt Lake City on February 26th and embarks on a string of dates spanning the East Coast, Midwest and West Coast before ending in Portland on April 13th.

The group, who will be supported by Jean Dawson, Paris Texas and HVN on the North American tour, shared a video teaser to promote the dates here. Tickets and VIP packages will be available here at chttps:// brckhmptn.com/dates/.

The tour announcement comes on the heels of the release of the deluxe version of ROADRUNNER: NEW LIGHT, NEW MACHINE, which Rolling Stone called “their most cohesive project yet.”

ROADRUNNER: NEW LIGHT, NEW MACHINE PLUS PACK features the new song “JEREMIAH (ORIGINAL)” as well as three songs previously exclusive to physical copies: “PRESSURE / BOW WOW,” “SEX,” and “JEREMIAH (RMX).” Alongside the announcement of the deluxe version of the album, BROCKHAMPTON shared the video for “DON’T SHOOT UP THE PARTY” at https://smarturl.it/DSUTP, which was codirected by Kevin Abstract and frequent collaborator Dan Streit. The deluxe version of the album, along with two different vinyl configurations are available on ?Brockhampton’s Online Store at https:// shop.brckhmptn.com.

WATCH: “Here Right Now” Tour Teaser https://youtu.be/yYtwF—MKfM “DON’T SHOOT UP THE PARTY” https://smarturl.it/DSUTP

ROADRUNNER: NEW LIGHT, NEW

56

Rock and Blues International • July 2021

MACHINE features the likes of A$AP Rocky, A$AP Ferg, Charlie Wilson, and JPEGMAFIA next to newcomers like Baird and fellow Corpus Christi rapper SoGone SoFlexy, who is signed to Kevin Abstract and Romil Hemnani’s new label, Video Store.

The album and the ROADRUNNER S/S 21 collection are now available.

Following the commercial success of GINGER and its standout single, “SUGAR,” BROCKHAMPTON’s lives were knocked off the tracks as the world shut down last March.

Over the following year, the members of the group found themselves further removed from each other than they had been since moving to Los Angeles together in 2016, each grappling with the weight of isolation, identity and unexpected personal loss.

As fate would have it, the headwinds of 2020 served as a potent reminder of the strength of friendship.

The album’s tone reflects the highs and lows of the period from which it was born — both tragic and celebratory, built around the recurring theme of finding “the light” in your life. As such, ROADRUNNER: NEW LIGHT, NEW MACHINE is equal parts braggadocio and empathy — the once young, wideeyed boyband returns more self aware and self assured than ever before.

The creative process for ROADRUNNER also found BROCKHAMPTON opening its doors to a wider group of collaborators for the first time. The opening track on the album, “BUZZCUT,” features a show-stopping Danny Brown verse as well as vocals from in-house producer Jabari Manwa, who is stepping out as a vocalist and performer in 2021. The BROCKHAMPTON that emerges on ROADRUNNER: NEW LIGHT, NEW MACHINE is one working at the height of their powers and marks an important inflection point in the band’s career. continued on next page

ROADRUNNER: NEW LIGHT, NEW MACHINE PLUS PACK cover art BROCKHAMPTON ROADRUNNER: NEW LIGHT, NEW MACHINE PLUS PACK Question Everything/RCA Records June 4, 2021 1. BUZZCUT (feat. Danny Brown) 2. CHAIN ON (feat. JPEGMAFIA) 3. COUNT ON ME 4. BANKROLL (feat A$AP Rocky and A$AP Ferg) 5. THE LIGHT 6. WINDOWS (feat. SoGone SoFlexy) 7. I’LL TAKE YOU ON (feat. Charlie Wilson) 8. OLD NEWS (feat. Baird) 9. WHAT’S THE OCCASION? 10. WHEN I BALL 11. DON’T SHOOT UP THE PARTY 12. DEAR LORD 13. THE LIGHT PT. II BONUS TRACKS: 1. PRESSURE / BOW WOW 2. SEX 3. JEREMIAH (RMX) 4. JEREMIAH (ORIGINAL) BROCKHAMPTON ROADRUNNER: NEW LIGHT, NEW MACHINE (VINYL) 1. BUZZCUT (feat. Danny Brown) 2. CHAIN ON (feat. JPEGMAFIA) 3. COUNT ON ME 4. BANKROLL (feat A$AP Rocky and A$AP Ferg) 5. THE LIGHT 6. WINDOWS (feat. SoGone SoFlexy) 7. I’LL TAKE YOU ON (feat. Charlie Wilson) 8. OLD NEWS (feat. Baird) 9. WHAT’S THE OCCASION? 10. WHEN I BALL 11. DON’T SHOOT UP THE PARTY 12. DEAR LORD 13. THE LIGHT PT. II BONUS TRACKS: 1. ROBERTO’S INTERLUDE 2. JEREMIAH 3. SEX 4. PRESSURE / BOW WOW (feat. ssgkobe) Connect with BROCKHAMPTON: Website https://www.brckhmptn.com Facebook https://www.facebook.com/brckhmptn Upcoming Tour Dates: 2021: 8/1 - Chicago, IL @ Lollapalooza 2022: 1/14 - Oslo, NO @ Sentrum Scene 1/15 - Copenhagen, DK @ Grey Hall

1/16 - Copenhagen, DK @ Grey Hall 1/18 - Stockholm, SE @ Annexet 1/20 - Berlin, DE @ Huxleys 1/21 - Munich, DE @ Tonhalle 1/22 - Cologne, DE @ E-Werk 1/24 - Brussels, BE @ Ancienne Belgique 1/25 - Tilburg, NE @ O13 1/27 - Glasgow, UK @ Academy 1/28 - Sheffield, UK @ Academy 1/30 - Dublin, IE @ Olympia Theatre 1/31 - Dublin, IE @ Olympia Theatre 2/1 - Belfast, UK @ Ulster Hall 2/3 - Bristol, UK @ Academy 2/4 - Manchester, UK @ Apollo 2/5 - Birmingham, UK @ Academy 2/7 - London, UK @ Brixton 2/8 - London, UK @ Brixton 2/10 - Paris, FR @ Elysee Montmartre 2/26 - Salt Lake City, UT @ The union 3/1 - Denver, CO @ The Mission Ballroom 3/4 - Irving, TX @ The Pavillion at Toyota Music Factory 3/5 - Austin, TX @ Moody Amphitheatre 3/8 - Atlanta, GA @ Coca-Cola Roxy 3/11 - Orlando, FL @ Hard Rock Live 3/12 - Miami Beach, FL @ The Fillmore 3/14 - Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore Charlotte 3/15 - Raleigh, NC @ The Ritz 3/17 - Washington D.C @ The Anthem 3/18 - New York, NY @ Hulu Theater at MSG 3/22 - Philadelphia, PE @ The Fillmore 3/25 - Toronto, ON @ Coca-Cola Coliseum 3/26 - Detroit, MI @ Masonic Temple Theatre 3/27 - Pittsburgh, PE @ Stage AE 3/29 - Columbus, OH @ Express Live! Indoor 4/1 - Chesterfield, VA @ The Factory at The District 4/2 - Kansas City, MO@ Arvest Bank Theatre 4/3 - Oklahoma City, OK @ The Criterion 4/6 - Phoenix, AZ @ Ariona Federal Theatre 4/7 - Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theatre 4/8 - Las Vegas, NV @ The Chelsea at Cosmopolitan 4/9 - San Francisco, CA @ Bill Graham Civic Auditorium 4/11 - Seattle, WA @ WaMu Theater 4/12 - Vancouver, BC@ Thunderbird Sports Centre 4/13 - Portland, OR @ Veterans Memorial Coliseum 6/3 Barcelona, ES @ Primavera Sound Barcelona July 2021 • Rock and Blues International

57

credit: Robin Parsons

Oakland Legend Dru Down (Bootsy Collins’ Son) Shares “What” Video, #10 All Time Streamed Dru Track, New LP ‘Living Legend (God Willin) Part 2’ Out Now

64

Rock and Blues International • July 2021

Oakland Legend Dru Down (Boosty Collins’ Son) Shares “What Are You Lookin At” Video at https://youtu.be/ CZuG6Vhepjw Single Reaches #10 All-Time Streamed Dru Down Track On Spotify Making It A New Classic Livin Legend (God Willin) Part 2 LP Out Now Via All DSPS Available Now On CD at https://www.merchbucket.com/ collections/dru-down WATCH & SHARE: Dru Down - “What Are You Lookin At” YouTube @ https://youtu.be/CZuG6Vhepjw LISTEN & SHARE: Dru Down - Livin Legend (God Willin), Pt. 2 LP Stream @ https://smarturl.it/LivinLegendPt2 LISTEN & SHARE: Dru Down - “Audi On That Azz” Stream @ https://smarturl.it/AudiOnThatAzz LISTEN/WATCH & SHARE: Dru Down - “What Are You Lookin At” Stream @ https://smarturl.it/AudiOnThatAzz Legendary Bay Area hip-hop artist Dru Down shares the music video for “What Are You Lookin At”. Livin Legend (God Willin) Pt. 2—the follow-up to his 2020 release Livin Legend (God Willin) Pt. I is out now. “What Are You Lookin At” has amassed over 220k streams on Spotify alone in just over a month, already making it an all-time top 10 streamed Dru Down song on the platform. The album is available now on CD, along with other Dru Down merch at https://www.merchbucket.com/collections/dru-down.

On the video, Dru says “hey y’all, what’s hanging with it, it’s Dru Down, the one and only, no phoney, mac without the roni, my new video What Are You Lookin At, check it out.

Hellooo!!!”

Dru Down released his debut album ‘Fools from the Streets’ in 1993. The local success of this record led to him signing with Relativity Records, a Sony Music imprint, to release his second album, ‘Explicit Game’, in 1994. The album spawned Dru Down’s most successful single to date, “Pimp of the Year”, which peaked at #65 on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed on the Billboard charts for 24 weeks.

His third album, Can You Feel Me was released in 1996 and spawned a single by the same name that was a minor commercial hit. Known as the illegitimate son of ParliamentFunkadelic bass icon, Bootsy Collins, Dru Down had his first collaboration with Collins on Can You Feel Me, which was followed by a guest appearance on Collins’ album, Fresh Outta ‘P’ University.

Can You Feel Me peaked at #54 on the Billboard 200, and was critically praised, receiving a 4/5 star rating from Allmusic. That same year, Dru Down began his acting career appearing in the movie Original Gangstas as Kayo. He also appeared on the 2Pac song “All About You” from 2Pac’s fourth studio album, All Eyez on Me, which reached 10x Platinum.

In the 2000’s Dru launched his own label, Pimp On

Records and began working with other Bay Area artists, as well as releasing some of his own music. He again appeared on a Bootsy Collins album with the track “Pusherman” from the 2017 album World Wide Funk. Dru spent most of 2020 working with producer Donatello on tracks for Livin Legend (God Willin) Pt. 2 which includes featured guests like Krayzie Bone of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Keak Da Sneak, and Yukmouth & Kuzzo Fly of the Luniz.

Livin Legend (God Willin) Pt. 2, is out now on Pimp On Records/Deko Entertainment (ADA/Warner).

Livin Legend (God Willin) Pt. 2 LP TRACKLISTING 01 Intro 02 What Are you Lookin At 03 Everywhere I Go 04 Bag On Me (featuring Stagmotta) 05 Audi on that Azz (featuring Krayzie Bone) 06 3 Word Quote (featuring Jinx MC) 07 Pullin All Nighterz (featuring Dawn Da Dutchess) 08 Matter Fact That (featuring Yukmouth and Kuzzo Fly) 09 Read Between The Lines (featuring Lee Majors) 10 Natural Born Hustla 11 Lights On (featuring. Bay Heff) 12 Make the Call 13 What yu Saying (featuring Torque MC) 14 Mine Again (featuring Keak Da Sneak) 15 Thin Line DRU DOWN LINKS YouTube https://tellallyourfriendspr.us10.list-manage.com/track/ click?u=63f1674ecdb2a4574b77e600b&id=87ddc0a215&e=28146e6e7b Instagram https://www.instagram.com/therealdrudown500/ Bandcamp https://drudown.bandcamp.com July 2021 • Rock and Blues International

59

Photo: Rick Saunders

Unpublished 1981 No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith-Era MOTÖRHEAD Interview Unearthed by Esteemed Journalist Malcolm Dome Deluxe CD Box-Set and Special 40th Anniversary Editions of No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith out now!

A never-before-published interview with legendary MOTÖRHEAD frontman Lemmy has been unearthed by veteran journalist Malcolm Dome, who conducted the interview in 1981 and recently happened upon the handwritten transcript in his personal archive.

Four decades later, Rolling Stone

has presented the unpublished interview for fans to enjoy. Read the interview today at the bottom of this page The 30-minute interview with the iconic singer/bassist took place in the London offices of MOTÖRHEAD’s then-record company, Bronze Records, prior to a festival where the band was

performing in support of the original release of No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith, which will be reissued via BMG on June 25.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of this number one album, it is being continued on next page

Read the Full Interview Today via Rolling Stone @ https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/motorhead-lemmy-kilmister-no-sleep-til-hammersmith-lost-interview-1183208/ 60 Rock and Blues International • July 2021

Shoot You In The Back The Hammer Jailbait Leaving Here Fire Fire Capricorn Too Late Too Late No Class (We Are) The Road Crew Bite The Bullet The Chase Is Better Than The Catch Overkill Bomber Motörhead LIVE AT NEWCASTLE CITY HALL 30/3/1981

MOTÖRHEAD

Ace Of Spades Stay Clean Over The Top Metropolis Shoot You In The Back The Hammer Jailbait Leaving Here Iron Horse Fire Fire Capricorn Too Late Too Late No Class (We Are) The Road Crew Bite The Bullet The Chase Is Better Than The

continued from previous page presented in new deluxe editions. There will be hardback book-packs in two CD and triple LP formats, featuring a new venue demolishing remaster of the original album, bonus tracks and the previously unreleased - in its entirety concert from Newcastle City Hall, March 30, 1981, the story of the album and many previously unseen photos.

Also, the album will be released as a four CD box set of all three concerts recorded for the album released here in their entirety for the very first time and primed to gleefully shatter what’s left of your grateful eardrums. Get a teaser of the set in the newly revealed soundcheck version of “Stay Clean” at https:// youtu.be/nTEGnEgUrY4.

The No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith CD box set contains: The No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith album, remastered from the original master tapes, featuring extra bonus tracks and newly unearthed, previously unreleased sound check recordings.

The three full recordings of the concerts that made up No Sleep, never before released in their entirety.

The story of No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith told through previously unpublished and new interviews with the people that were on the road at the time.

Never before seen photos and rare memorabilia.

Double sided, A3 concert posters from 1981.

Reproduction USA ’81 tour pass.

MOTÖRHEAD ‘England’ plec-

trum.

1981 European tour badge.

Reproduction Newcastle City Hall ticket.

Port Vale gig flyer post card.

See below for full details of the No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith releases and be sure to visit www.iMotorhead.com for news and updates!

CD BOX SET TRACKLISTING Catch

Overkill Bomber Motörhead

NO SLEEP ‘TIL HAMMERSMITH Ace of Spades Stay Clean Metropolis The Hammer Iron Horse No Class Overkill (We Are) The Roadcrew Capricorn Bomber Motörhead Over The Top Train Kept A Rollin’ Stay Clean (soundcheck) Limb From Limb (soundcheck) Iron Horse (Soundcheck) LIVE AT NEWCASTLE CITY HALL 29/3/1981 Ace Of Spades Stay Clean Over The Top Metropolis

LIVE AT LEEDS QUEENS HALL ?28/3/1981 Ace Of Spades Stay Clean Over The Top Metropolis Shoot You In The Back The Hammer Jailbait Leaving Here Fire Fire Capricorn Too Late Too Late No Class (We Are) The Road Crew Bite The Bullet The Chase Is Better Than The Catch Overkill Bomber Motörhead July 2021 • Rock and Blues International

61

68

Rock and Blues International • June 2021

June 20211 • Rock and Blues International

69

70

Rock and Blues International • June 2021

Junel 2021 • Rock and Blues International

71

72

Rock and Blues International • June 2021

Subscribe Now To

Rock and Blues International and have it delivered directly to your email when it comes out every month!

Just email us at rockandbluesinternational@gmail.com and in the subject line put “Sign Me Up Now” and we will email you your own personal copy month!

Photo Credit: Scottevery Kinkade, Aaron Jones, Ryan Wagner

Rock And Blues International Employment Opportunities Available!

Rock And Blues International Is Looking For A Sales Manager and ad salespeople!

Please Email Your Resume To rockandbluesinternational@gmail.com March 2021 • Rock and Blues International

73

74 Rock and Blues International • June 2021

[Photo Credit: JT Ibanez]

Black Metal Duo STORMRULER Announce U.S. “Midwest Maelstrom” Headline Tour Dates Debut Album, Under The Burning Eclipse, Out Now via Napalm Records Order here at https://www.napalmrecordsamerica.com/stormruler The banners of imperial black metal brigade STORMRULER are flown high!

Fast-rising St. Louis, MO, USA based black metal export STORMRULER just recently released their fantasy battle-inspired full-length offering, Under The Burning Eclipse, via Napalm Records, and are about to bring its infernal sounds to your door!

The band will hit the road in the United States this summer on their “Midwest Maelstrom” tour, visiting a total of five cities between July 27-July 31. Tickets are available via individual venues or www.stormruler.net/tour. See below for a full listing of dates.

STORMRULER “Midwest Maelstrom” Tour: 7/27 - Fort Wayne, IN @ Piere’s 7/28 - Chicago, IL @ Reggie’s Music Joint 70

Rock and Blues International • July 2021

7/29 - Des Moines, IA @ Lefty’s 7/30 - St. Louis, MO @ Sk8 Liborious 7/31 - Kansas City, MO @ Riot Room STORMRULER says about hitting the road: “After months of being put to the grindstone and laying the foundation for our new album, Under The Burning Eclipse, we are incredibly excited to be announcing our first run of shows this July!

For five days, STORMRULER will be at the reins laying down our brand of Pure Imperial Black Metal Warfare to cities around the Midwest.

We’ve all had an entire year now, so don’t be sleeping on this!” continued on next page

STORMRULER – featuring the dark lyrical genius and deft skill of guitarist/vocalist Jason Asberry and drummer Jesse Schobel – have built a noteworthy subterranean following since their formation, leading to their recent signing with Napalm Records. Combining unrelenting black metal atmosphere and vision from varying metal genres with a brutal, modernized twist of inspiration, careful listeners may just be able to identify themes from some of their favorite stories, games and more…

Featuring 19 tracks alternating between ominous instrumental ambience and incendiary black metal riffs and fury, Under The Burning Eclipse tells harrowing tales of war, death, victory and defeat, and delivers an unmatched, hellscaped auditory experience. The album is a solid hour of fantasy-laden, grim fables transfixed in blackened scourge. Fans of extreme metal will not want to miss this debut offering from the mighty STORMRULER! Under The Burning Eclipse tracklisting: 1. The Shine Of Ivory Horns 2. Reign Of The Winged Duke 3. The March Onto Golden Lands 4. Age Of Steel & Blood 5. Culling Of The Blood Moon 6. Blood Of The Old Wolf 7. Journey To The Unknown 8. Under The Burning Eclipse 9. Prithee, Chosen 10. Of Hollowed Souls & Distant Flames 11. An Empire Of Ash & Dust 12. At The Cliffs Of Azure City 13. Illuminating The Ancient Sky 14. Dawn Of The Eternal Fire 15. A Message From A Foreign King 16. Mark Of The Valkyrie 17. Blood Ritual 18. Fear The Old Blood 19. Fields Of Mortal Shame Under The Burning Eclipse is available in North America in the following formats: -CD Digipack -2LP Gatefold Vinyl Black -Limited DieHard Edition: 2LP Gatefold Vinyl Orange/Black Splatter + Slipmat & Logo Patch (Napalm Mailorder Only – only 200 copies

Limited DieHard Edition: 2LP Gatefold Vinyl Orange/Black Splatter + Slipmat & Logo Patch (Napalm Mailorder Only – only 200 copies worldwide) worldwide) -2LP Gatefold Transparent Orange (Napalm Mailorder Only – limited to 300 copies worldwide) -Digital Album

STORMRULER is: Jesse Schobel - Drums Jason Asberry - Vocals & Guitars

“Reign Of The Winged Duke” Music Video https://youtu.be/yYlF5KJ0X7Y Under the Burning Eclipse Virtual Live https://youtu.be/FvUy4okpwGs Order Under The Burning Eclipse here https://www.napalmrecordsamerica.com/stormruler

STORMRULER online: WEBSITE https://www.stormruler.net/ FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/StormrulerOFFICIAL INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/stormrulerofficial/ July 2021 • Rock and Blues International

71

Crobot and Mascot Records / Mascot Label Group have announced the global release of an EP titled Rat Child on June 18. The complete track listing features “Mountain” (featuring Frank Bello), “Kiss It Goodbye” (featuring Howard Jones), “Everyone Dies,” (featuring Stix Zadinia), and “Rat Child.” To purchase, click here: https://smarturl.it/Crobot-Band.

Today, the band and Mascot Records present the music video for “Everyone Dies” featuring Steel Panther’s Stix Zadinia, who also co-wrote and mixed the track. He appears in the official video alongside the members of Crobot here: https:/ /youtu.be/BEvs3ZSaoIQ. Zadinia shares, “I think this song will floor people. You haven’t heard Crobot quite like this before. Writing this song with them has been a fantastic experience, and I can’t wait for people to hear it!” Crobot singer Brandon Yeagley offers, “Whether you’re jammin’ in your Delorean or Mini-Cooper, we’ve always got something to take you back to the future. Riffs? Check. Spandex? Check.

Sequins? You bet yer sweet Granny’s ass...So when you’re ready to rock, just call on your neighborhood friendly Crobot.

We’ve got a real mutha for ya!” The music video was directed and edited by Wombat, and is dedicated to Brandon’s father Rick Yeagley who passed away in October, 2019.

Crobot and Mascot Records Present “Everyone Dies” feat.

Steel Panther’s Stix Zadinia - Rat Child EP Out Now Steel Panther’s Stix Zadinia Co-Wrote and Mixed the Recording, Alongside Appearing in Official Music Video Premiering Today To Screen, Click Here: https://youtu.be/BEvs3ZSaoIQ To Purchase: https://smarturl.it/Crobot-Band BAND RETURNS TO THE ROAD ON JULY 8 IN AUSTIN, TX WITH CONFIRMED APPEARANCES IN TEXAS, OKLAHOMA, MISSOURI, IOWA AND WISCONSIN Crobot feat. Stix Zadinia - “Ev ... ne Dies” (Official Music Video) https://youtu.be/BEvs3ZSaoIQ Crobot - “Kiss It Goodbye” feat. Howard Jones (Official Music Video) https://youtu.be/TnUYrd75vIE Crobot - “Mountain” (featuring Frank Bello) https://youtu.be/_8uLFqkpSyo 72

Rock and Blues International • July 2021

Previously, the band and label presented “Kiss It Goodbye” featuring Light The Torch’s Howard Jones, which can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/TnUYrd75vIE. On the announcement of the Rat Child EP, the first reveal was “Mountain,” featuring Anthrax’s Frank Bello which can be screened here: https://youtu.be/_8uLFqkpSyo. The band’s most recent studio album Motherbrain was a global hit. Cumulative streams surpassed 20 million plays, 14 million of which were of the single “Low Life.” The accompanying music video for the track has been viewed over 1.5 million times, while the song was a Top 10 hit at Rock radio in America with a lengthy 29 week run on the Billboard charts.

The follow-up “Gasoline” had a strong run on the U.S. charts as well.

Crobot has announced upcoming appearances in the markets below. Them Evil’s will support all performances in Texas. Looking towards the planned performances and next studio album Yeagley states, “The future is looking starbrite, Beardos! We’re hitting the streets then locking ourselves in between four studio walls until we leave with the most rockin’ record the World’s ever seen! Cause Crobot never really goes away, we just hibernate.”

July Tour Schedule July 8 July 9 July 10 July 11 July 13 July 14 July 15 July 16 July 17

Austin, TX Come and Take It Live!

Houston, TX Scout Bar Dallas, TX Trees San Antonio, TX Paper Tiger Oklahoma City, OK 89th St Joplin, MO Guitars Iowa City, IA Gabes Cadott, WI Rock Fest Janesville, WI Back Bar

March 2021 • Rock and Blues International

79

Local H Announce 2021 Tour With Soul Asylum & Juliana Hatfield Plus Headline Tour With Radkey As Support LIFERS LP Out Now via Anti Fragile Records WATCH & SHARE: Local H - “Winter Western” @ https://youtu.be/LGDS-0b7DIQ WATCH & SHARE: Local H - “Sunday Best” @ https://youtu.be/J2Khcmxtop0 LISTEN & SHARE: Local H - LIFERS @ https://ffm.to/localh_lifers WATCH & SHARE: Local H - “Hold That Thought” Live Video @ https://youtu.be/mSUjVu1Hi8E 74

Rock and Blues International • July 2021

Local H Announce 2021 Tour continued from previous page Local H have announced their 2021 tour supporting Soul Asylum, alongside Juliana Hatfield. They also announced headlining dates with Radkey as support for the fall for The Lifers Retour.

On 10/22, Local H will be performing at Shaky Knees Festival in Atlanta.

LIFERS features contributions by an array of respected friends and guests — including Juliana Hatfield, John McCauley of Deer Tick, and legendary rock engineer Steve Albini— LIFERS is the first album from Local H in five years, and the release coincides with the group’s 30 year anniversary (and our collective doom).

LIFERS was released April 10th, 2020 on AntiFragile Music. Physical Orders of the album are available here.

“It feels kind of weird to have a record coming out while all of this is happening. The only thing that I’ve ever seen that’s been anything close to this is 9/ 11. Our fourth record was supposed to come out that month in 2001, but after THAT day it got pushed back to the following year. Tour dates got cancelled. A bunch of shit got shut down. At the time, those delays and setbacks felt like everything. Like it was the worst thing that could happen to us. It was childish and more than a little selfish — and I’m ashamed to admit that I even felt that way.

And now, even MORE shit has been shut down. More people are going to be directly affected. And what’s worse, we can’t gather together and try to make sense of it — not in the way we used to be able to. We can’t go out and see our friends.

Most of us can’t even visit our families. On top of that, people are losing their jobs.

People are losing their LIVES. So once again, I’m a little ashamed. I’m ashamed to ask anybody to pretend that our little fucking record means anything in this time of great and collective tragedy.

But you know what? If nothing else, sticking to the schedule and insisting on releasing this record on time has certainly helped keep US sane. All the small mundane tasks that go into promoting a new record —the bios, the interviews, the FaceStagram updates and TwitTube posts (ESPECIALLY when we can’t play live in continued on next page July 2021 • Rock and Blues International

75

Local H Announce 2021 Tour continued from previous page front of actual people!) —that’s been a lifeline for us. It’s given us a reason to get out of bed. Maybe it’s not much, but it’s something. And we’re grateful for it. We’re also grateful for the feedback that we’ve received and the sense of connection that it’s given us. Even if it’s been transmitted through a screen — it’s felt real. (And we surely can’t be the only band out there that’s felt like this.)

So yeah, it’s weird and it’s silly and it can seem like none of what we’re doing actually means anything. But I’m glad we have a record coming out while all of this is happening.” -Scott Lucas On the genesis of the album, Lucas explains: “When the re-release of the White Album came out a few years ago, I became re-obsessed all over again. One aspect that really hit me about it (this time) was how it’s not really a concept record — but it feels like a concept record. I wanted to do that with LIFERS. This might be a concept record about the end of the world.

Or it might just be a party record with loud guitars and cowbells.”

Unlike so many of their peers from the 90s, Local H have refused to slow down. Since the band’s formation in 1990, they have released 8 studio albums, countless EPs and live records, a wellreceived series of “Mix Tapes” featuring a surprising mix of cover songs, and a steady stream of memorable singles that include “Eddie Vedder”, “Hands On The Bible”, “California Songs” and the rock radio staple “Bound For The Floor”. In addition to all of that, guitarist/vocalist Scott Lucas and drummer Ryan Harding have maintained a near constant international touring schedule — forging a blistering live show that has amassed a loyal and enthusiastic fan base.

LIFERS - Tracklisting: 01 Patrick Bateman 02 Hold That Thought 03 High Wide And Stupid 04 Turn The Bow 05 Winter Western 06 Beyond The Valley Of Snakes 07 Sunday Best 08 Demon Dreams 09 Farrah 10 Defy And Surrender 11 Innocents

76

Rock and Blues International • July 2021

LINKS FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/LocalH INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/local_h YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2mxcWnX3PAhT1W3PVuEgA WEBSITE http://www.localh.com

June 2021 • Rock and Blues International

83

theirs is a special, transcendent sound.

Waste, the band’s sophomore album and first for RidingEasy Records, is anything but. The 33-minute, 7-song blast flows seamlessly from song to song, aided by droning segues, while simultaneously slithering between genres and moods.

Rumbling noise, chiming guitar melodies, bluesy boogie, NWOBHM thrash, COC grunge and punk fury all rear their head at times, sometimes all at once.

Though you wouldn’t be able to tell by the concise structures and well-crafted songs, a lot of Deathchant’s music is improvised, both in the studio and live. That’s not to suggest their songs are jammy — they’re very tightly organized compositions. But the four musicians have that special musical telepathy that allows them to keep the song structures open-ended.

“Improv is a huge things for us and always has been,” singer/guitarist T.J. Lemieux says. “The musical freedom to look at the other dudes in the band and be able to take things wherever we want to go is magical. I like the feel of flying off the hinges.”

Likewise, the band itself is similarly amorphous in its membership. “We run the band with an open door. No lineup is definitive,” Lemieux explains. On Waste, the lineup is: Lemieux, George Camacho on bass, Colin Fahrner on drums, and John Belino on second guitar.

Deathchant share “Rails” single from forthcoming album, MTV Cribs style home tour video Hear/share “Rails” YouTube @ https://youtu.be/UJaU33sDAW4 Watch/share “Deathchant Cribz” video YouTube @ https://youtu.be/ggWZRbW8Qj0 L.A. quartet Deathchant share a new single from their forthcoming sophomore album Waste today, alongside a hilarious MTV Cribs style video via CvltNation. Waste is the band’s debut on RidingEasy Records.

Hear & share “Rails” and watch “Deathchant Cribz” here at https://cvltnation.com/seedeathchant-on-mtv-cribz-and-hear-thepsycho-rock-of-rails/. Or, via Bandcamp ( https://deathchantnoise.bandcamp.com/ album/waste ) and YouTube ( https:// youtu.be/UJaU33sDAW4 ).

Revolver Magazine recently shared the hilarious and insane video for “Holy Roller”

78

Rock and Blues International • July 2021

HERE. @ https://www.revolvermag.com/ music/see-deathchant-new-holy-roller-video (Direct YouTube) Brooklyn Vegan previously launched the single “Gallows” HERE ( https:/ /www.brooklynvegan.com/deathchantsgallows-puts-a-raw-punk-spin-on-classicheavy-metal-listen/ ).

Heavy music’s evolution has always been a murky swamp of sub-genres. So, combining Thin Lizzy’s glistening twin guitar harmonies with Melvins-grade sludge and a hearty dose of proto-metal psych probably shouldn’t sound so revolutionary as it does in the hands of L.A. quartet Deathchant. But

Waste was recorded live in a rented cabin in the mountains of Big Bear, CA. “We packed a big-ass van and set up in the living room and kitchen,” Lemieux says. “Tracked it live, with overdubs after.” The whole album was recorded over two separate weekends, engineered by Steve Schroeder, who also recorded the band’s 2019 self-titled debut album.

“I’d say it has sort of a DIY LA punk aesthetic,” he adds. “Very ironically going hand in hand with a classic metal vibe: Thin Lizzy, Judas Priest, classic Deep Purple, Uriah Heep and other melodic heavy rock bands.”

Waste is available on LP, CD and download via RidingEasy Records @ https:// www.ridingeasyrecs.com.

Artist: Deathchant Album: Waste Label: RidingEasy Records Release Date: June 25, 2021 01. Rails 02. Black Dirt 03. Holy Roller 04. Gallows 05. Waste 06. Plague 07. Maker On The Web: deathchantnoise.bandcamp.com instagram.com/deathchantnoise ridingeasyrecords.com

June 2021 • Rock and Blues International

85

sounds such as Killswitch Engage with modern “djent” bands like Periphery to create a modern sound. A native of Dehli, India, 19-year-old Patowary is a multi-instrumentalist whose musical journey began 11 years ago with piano, followed by drums five years later and guitar the year after. He began studying at the esteemed Berklee School of Music, but due to the pandemic was forced to return to his native India where he continued work on FLYING CUPID debut album.

Progressive Metalcore Act FLYING CUPID Debuts Video for Title Track from Long-Awaited Debut, All Turns to Dust All Turns to Dust Available Listen here @ https://distrokid.com/ hyperfollow/flyingcupid/all-turns-to-dust All Turns to Dust has already produced the single “Into the Light,” available as an animated short @ https://youtu.be/2yI51Nj6kTA, and “Oasis” @ https://youtu.be/ _xv7SX2bMG4. Patowary also offered an amazing playthrough for “Into the Light” @ https://youtu.be/cXSK_BvJ5cU featuring the track sans vocals.

All Turns to Dust is available via https://flyingcupid.bandcamp.com/releases and https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/flyingcupid/all-turns-to-dust.

Progressive metalcore act FLYING CUPID has revealed a new animated video for “All Turns to Dust,” the title track from the long-awaited debut album of the same name.

“The video reflects the journey of a man near his end of the life as he cherishes all the memories and experiences that he has had, even though all turns to dust one day,” says guitarist Abhiruk Patowary. Watch the video now at https://youtu.be/ xDi1LtsuRh8.

The solo project of guitarist and composer Patowary, FLYING CUPID blends

FLYING CUPID online: www.facebook.com/Flying-Cupid101207044787946 www.instagram.com/flying_cupidband 80

Rock and Blues International • July 2021

To complete his vision, Patowary enlisted the help of notable musicians, including members of Veil of Maya, Intervals, I Built the Sky and Itayil.

“The writing process of the album included writing 77 demos in the span of a year and then narrowing it down to 12 songs,” he says. “It was also tracked across four different continents.”

All Turns to Dust track listing: 1 – Oasis 2 – Hell Beneath Paradise 3 – Paralyse 4 – Timelines 5 – Through the Stars 6 – Into the Light 7 – United 8 – Storm 9 – Purges Our Lam 10 – Conspiracy of Madness 11 – Changes 12 – All Turns to Dust A prolific writer, Patowary also spends his time playing bass and guitar in the bands Acid Pit and Gaia and working on other diverse musical endeavors outside of the metal realm, including pop, hip hop, a long orchestral piece and a jazz quintet.

July 2021 • Rock and Blues International

87

88

Rock and Blues International • June 2021

Subscribe Now To

Rock and Blues International and have it delivered directly to your email when it comes out every month!

Just email us at rockandbluesinternational@gmail.com and in the subject line put “Sign Me Up Now” and we will email you your own personal copy every month!

July 2021 • Rock and Blues International

83

The Biker, The Blues, Midland / Odessa and OMG! I checked out of the motel in Roswell, pulled over to Denny’s and grabbed a Grand Slam. I needed to check the oil and fuel levels and then I was ready to hit the road. One cool thing about this bike is that I ordered the frame without mounting bungs for an oil tank. The frame is actually the oil tank. You loosen the seat, swing it out of the way and you just fill the vertical tube with oil. Pretty cool. The oil level was fine, but I needed to top off the gas level. I was ready to leave, anxious actually as I have two friends in Midland that host the annual Tall City Blues Fest there.

From Roswell, NM to Midland, TX takes about three and a half-hours no matter which route you take there. I chose 380 South to 214 and then rode on in to Midland. Some clouds formed along the way and I remembered that I had wanted to check out the weather forecast before leaving, but being anxious got in the way. I mean I was ready to get down the road so my mind wasn’t on what to expect weather wise. No big deal, but I’ve got experience with riding on roads that get super slick due to the heat right after a slight rain and normally, but not always, I ride a bit slower.

However, on this day it didn’t matter, I was anxious to see Lisa Grissom.

Lisa works with a team that produces one cool annual blues festival. I mean they book the stars and some righteous up and comers. So while the festival would not be going on when I arrived I was hoping to learn about the upcoming line up and this year’s show dates. Now I have to tell you that the first time I met with Lisa was in Memphis at the International Blues Challenge.

She was there with Ronn Reeger to scout the international talent that would be flying in and I was there to judge at the event. If you’ve never attended the IBC and you love blues this is a fantastic event that is held the last week of January. I was also on assignment for a radio station in Athens, Greece. My role was to interview established promoters, managers, record label managers and artists. I had wanted to meet Lisa and Ronn because we had spoken on the phone a number of times but never met. So this event could be perfect and it was. The following year I believe it was we met up at the IBCs again and that time I was able to introduce Lisa and blues rocker Clay Melton to each other. So on this trip I am a bit anxious to see a familiar face and catch up. If anybody would know the places and people of the blues world in Midland it will be Lisa.

Arrived in Midland and was clued in that a cool biker kind of place named Riley’s was open. So I went over and OMG to my surprise my friend from El Paso, Sam Barlow, an over the top blues rocker will be on stage there. His latest blues rock album “Faith In The Blues” was spun on radio internationally and gained rave reviews. How cool is this going to be? So I rested my scooter outside of Riley’s and went in for a cool one or maybe ten.

I immediately liked the place as these people were down to earth folks and the music was already on, no stupid game shows on a television changing the vibe of the place. Music was coming at me as soon as I walked in with the volume at the right level no less. I was hearing Barlow’s title track “Faith In the Blues” right out of the gate, I mean how cool is that? I let my eyes adjust a bit and then spied a couple of empty bar stools and made a bee line in that direction. Bar keep came up to me immediately asked me if I was thirsty and I said yep and he asked what would be your pleasure? ‘By any chance do you sell Stella,’ he said ‘yes. but we’re hoping we don’t get raided again.’ Now that’s funny.... He asked if I was hungry and I said sort continued on next page

84

Rock and Blues International • July 2021

Continued - The Biker, The Blues, Midland/Odessa and OMG! of, I told him I was meeting someone there shortly and I don’t know what we will be doing.

Just then Lisa arrived and after exchanging pleasantries we began to talk about their annual festival, Tall City Blues Fest.

She told me that due to the Co-Vid situation there wouldn’t be a blues festival this year, but there will be one in 2022. Festivals all around the world have had to do the same as the virus has effected both audience attendance and the availability of class acts.

However, Lisa did tell me about something they are cooking up on a smaller scale that will definitely bring the blues crowds out, they call it Wang Dang Doodle and they are looking at late this summer. Since she books talent from around the world we began to talk about blues performers overall and one of her favorites is Joe Bonamassa’s “Had To Cry Today” album, especially the “When She Dances” track. The music had stopped and Lisa went over to the machine and chose the song. A young lady sitting at the bar smiled my way and said, “I dance to that at work”. Well I didn’t know for sure what kind of work she did, but being the gentleman I am I asked her. Without saying a word she got up and began to sway to the music and then added some moves that were well let’s just say, suggestive, is a good word. Hmm, bar keep more beer, I am thirsty please. Soon the song ended and believe it or not the patrons in the club gave her a round of applause. I really liked this place.

Lisa and I continued our conversation and of course if you talk about Joe Bonamassa generally speaking, you talk about Beth Hart too. Lisa brought up her rendition of “I’d Rather Go Blind” and we were in 100% agreement that track gets it done. An interesting footnote I learned that day from Lisa - the Tall City Blues Fest has been in existence since 2011 and already hosted over 180 acts.

That’s a lot of blues for any area of the country especially in the middle of Texas, wow that’s hot.

Lisa needed to get going and I was halfway through a beer and not sure what I wanted to do other than play that song again.

My hunger alarm was going off so I decided to stay there and try some bar food. Good choice actually. The place was alright. Then it was time to show my jukebox skills so I made my way to the machine. I punched up “Radar Love” and “Walk This Way”.

Thumbs up coming from all over the place, cool, yep I was in the right place. Someone bought me a beer and had the bartender ask me to play some more tunes. Over on the box I spotted Carole King and remembered “Smackwater Jack” and that led me to Creedence and their “Suzie Q” track. The little stripper girl was up and bopping around to “Suzie Q” I was having a good time.

Well it was motel check in time so I ordered a chicken tenders basket to go and made tracks to the motel. Checked in, took a shower, and then chomped down on those chicken fingers and fries. So here I was with no particular place to go, no need to get up in the morning and go to a job. I just needed to know what the weather was going to be and then decide on where I wanted to go next. I knew I was going to go see Sam perform that night and it was cool for sure. Midland was a cool experience and I wondered where I might go next. That night a gal riding a nice 2010 dresser told me that she was heading to Abilene and asked where I was headed. I told her I thought the Dallas/Fort Worth area and she told me that Abilene was on the way and I would go right through it. So we agreed that I would tag along with her and a few other scooter folks and off we would go in the morning.

At about 11am we pulled out of Midland, got onto I-10 east heading to Abilene. About fifty miles into the trip a state trooper pulled us over and wanted to see our driver’s license, registration, and proof of insurance. I ride a custom bike and I know the drill when it comes to my bike, so I told the others not to feel they needed to hang around, but they said no and stayed with me. Good people, all of them Texans.

July 2021 • Rock and Blues International 85