momo's | real. live. music

Starting with Tabla Drum Master Aloke Dutta,  followed by the Grooveline Horns, Wayne Sutton’s Spit and Tears and Dertybird side project The Dank Trio

Oh, and it’s also Momo’s owner Paul Oveisi’s birthday. He needs tube socks.

tix avail here

Roadworks v.1 ‘American Idle’ a prelude to 20^th Anniversary of Arkansas Traveler

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — This year’s Folk Alliance in Memphis TN will bear witness, among other things, to the enduring legacy of Michelle Shocked’s acclaimed and highly controversial Arkansas Traveler. The epic travelogue, originally released in 1992 on Mercury/PolyGram, reissued on her own Mighty Sound label in 2004, continues to inspire like-minded musicians to stake their claim on that curious notion of ‘Americana’ – a musical style as diverse and varied as the land that conceived it. Ironically, Shocked will showcase the material in Memphis to a generation who grew up hearing it as part of their parent’s record collection. The tour will continue through 2010 as part of her Roadworks project.

Roadworks is an ongoing 5-year touring project which curates songs that are audience favorites while developing new, unreleased material.

For example, this year’s theme, ‘American Idle,’ will search across the country for new songs that chronicle the chilling effects of a ‘jobless recovery’, inviting fellow songwriters to share the spotlight as the audience helps determine material to be selected for a limited-edition recording available at year-end exclusively to Roadworks ticketholders.

Simultaneously, Roadworks will gear up for the 20th Anniversary edition of Arkansas Traveler, slated for late next year, by featuring young bluegrass musicians who, perhaps, grew up listening to Arkansas Traveler as part of their parent’s record collection…

“My dad was the influence and inspiration for Arkansas Traveler. First a school teacher, later a carpenter, he never gave up his day job. Usually after work he’d sit by the old woodstove and pull out his Gibson mandolin and teach himself, plink by plink, how to play old-time tunes from a Mel Bay music book. My brother and I both watched him, thinking, ‘Well, if he can do it, I know I can.’ He turned us on to his record collection; Texas songwriters, Texas blues, and most significantly, hipster cats like Hot Rize, Norman Blake, Doc Watson, the Red Clay Ramblers and others the mainstream music world dismissed as hillbillies. My brother and I considered them rock stars.”

Her father also took them to bluegrass festivals, Winfield KS’ National Flatpicking Championships in particular – and exposed them to a wealth of homegrown talent that the world didn’t recognize. With the exposure of a national platform via her album on Mercury Records, Shocked showcased and celebrated her heroes. She also featured young rising stars – Alison Krauss and Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy are notable examples, and even recruited her brother to join Tweedy’s band.

Ultimately, however, Roadworks will be the vehicle Shocked uses to launch her ‘Indelible Women’ series of new compositions. Collaborating with her sweetheart, fine artist David Willardson, they will present portraits of iconic women, both in song and on canvas as part of their innovative HeART Project; Hear Art, See Music.

From NYC to Austin, Harris Radio has been bringing intelligent music to intelligent minds for 8 years.  Join us Wednesday to celebrate their 8 years leading into our 10 years.

5 days to the big 1-0. advance tix avail.  more details here

Austin natives Joe and Jon Beckham open up for Wisebird and a rauncy lil nightcap of the Bus Stop Stallions with special guests Comanche Club: Sat Aug 21

wisebird

seth walker

john fullbright

515p happy hour with tricia mitchell  |  630p tony moore  |  8p john fullbright with travis linville  |  10p seth walker  |  12:15 ouachita

After a 4 year hiatus, indy-duo The Weepies announce a US tour including Momo’s on November 20th.  Tickets now available here.

Wednesdays at 10:15: featuring a healthy blend of most of the following: Ed Jurdi (Band of Heathens), Dan Dyer, Suzanna Choffel, Warren Hood, Brad Houser, Jeff Botta and occasionally a surprise guest or two.

just added to the lineup: Papa Mali

tix avail here

Malcomb Holcombe followed by La Tampiquena, Curtis McMurtry and God’s Chosen People and Greg Schroeder

malcolm holcombe

go here to win a pair of tickets

also with Winter Wallace, Melanie Edwards and Pete Minda

and introducing From Where They Run  | early show Scott Warren

early show with Jeff Lofton/Vintage 15/Mason Reed

skyrocket staff fave: goudie’s “Hot Child in the City” (sample here)

“The group’s evolving fusion of local funk muscle, jam-rock improvisation and the horns’ big-band harmonic movement has never disappointed on stage, since I first bumped into one of their Fest shows in 2002.”  Presented by funkybatz

-David Fricke, Rolling Stone

Followed by Noble Dog, Jonathan Clay CD Release, Bruce James Soultet and Dan Dyer

dan dyer, photo by stevan alcala

Watch the fireworks from the deck immediately followed by Warren Hood and the Good.  Come early for La Tampiquena, stay late for Greg Schroeder.

“… their instrumental virtuosity … and sophisticated songwriting touch moves their music beyond fun revivalism. … They’re capable of moving in most any direction they wish.” – Nashville Scene

“… the sextet is one of Austin’s most musically accomplished and adventuresome, mixing gypsy swing, big-band jazz, a touch of bluegrass and some Walter Hyatt covers into a unique mix that flows like a whiskey river.” – The Austin Chronicle

“Mix hot-saucy Texas honky-tonk, city-slicker indie pop, jam-grass mischief, cool jazz and big-band swing, and you’ve about half-described this hot Austin band …” – The Boston Globe

“…an Austin band that captures the best of the hippie-friendly roots string band zeitgeist, without succumbing to it… this really is a band to watch.” – No Depression

“The debut album [WANDERIN’] captures the rich musical heritage of The Outfit’s influences, coming across with skill and confidence that often eludes such a young group.” – Creative Loafing-Atlanta

“[The talented 20-somethings … take elements of jazz, swing and newgrass and blend it all together in new and interesting ways.” — R&R/Billboard Americana Artist Spotlight

“... When pianist Connor Forsyth locks in with Hunt’s violin on 'Caroline' or guitarist Marshall Hood locks in with her on 'Wanderin',' it’s musical beauty of the highest order. ...” — ACL Music Festival 2008 review, Austin American-Statesman

“… Violinist Phoebe Hunt’s sultry alto colors guitarist Rob Teter’s high, reedy tenor like a ribbon of caramel, while Connor Forsyth’s high-spirited piano keys the sextet’s hip-swinging caper. …” - Independent Weekly

“… This music isn't simple three-chord pop. These are … complex tunes musically featuring some of the best playing you’re likely to hear! How they have been able to develop such a tight sound this quickly is a testament to the band’s talent. …” - Americana Roots

“[WANDERIN’ is] toe-tapping … The violin player Phoebe Hunt is phenomenal … with some great Grapelli-Reinhardt-style guitar-violin interplay on the original ‘Caroline.’ And the group’s twin guitars, Rob Teter and Marshall Hood, seem to be able to play any style of music with ease and panache. …” – The Monterey County Herald

“As produced by Rich Brotherton, Margo Valiante’s blues on five-song EP I Can’t Pray favor the Bonnie Raitt/Americana style. That’s a comfortable and expressive place for Valiante to be since relocating to Austin. With warm organ work from Riley Osbourn and supple suede vocals, there’s an overall soulfulness that buys her a ticket into the ranks of Austin’s established female vocalists.”    – Margaret Moser – Austin Chronicle

“It’s a voice like hers that will move you. Valiante’s EP “I Can’t Pray” is a good preview of her forthcoming full-length release…” – Laurie Gallardo – KUT Radio