#60 February 2010/Disc 1
SONG “Annalee”
AVAILABLE FOR AIRPLAY now
CD The Day After Everything Changed (Black Wolf Records)
ON SALE now
PRODUCED BY Thad Beaty, Jason Collum
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HOME Boston
AIRPLAY WFUV, WYSO, WMVY, WUMB
SHOWS all around the country posted through October (dates)
AND ANOTHER THING The Day After Everything Changed, Ellis Paul's first studio album in five years, was 100% fan-funded. Over the years, Paul has won 14 Boston Music Awards and he’s shared the stage with, among others, Patty Griffin, John Mayer, Arlo Guthrie, Dar Williams and Jonatha Brooke; he was recently voted the #2 Performer on Non-Comm Triple A station WUMB Boston’s listener poll (Bob Dylan beat him by only 8 votes).
QUOTE “The Day After Everything Changed [is] a sharply detailed, lushly appointed collection of 15 new tracks.”—The Boston Globe
CONTACT Marc Ratner (Mishara Music/Ralph Jaccodine Mgmt) 207.236.4833
SONG “Sooner/Later”
AVAILABLE FOR AIRPLAY now
CD Nowhere Nights (Red River Records)
ON SALE now
GUEST MUSICIANS Eric “Roscoe” Ambel (keys, guitar)
PRODUCED BY Eric “Roscoe” Ambel (Nils Lofgren, Marshall Crenshaw)
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HOME Portland, Oregon
AIRPLAY KINK, KEXP
AND ANOTHER THING Kasey Anderson says that Nowhere Nights, the title of his fourth full-length CD since 2004, is “shorthand for whatever it is people get lost in, or sink into.” In the studio, Anderson called on his regular touring band—guitarist Dan Lowinger, bassist Bo Stewart, drummer Julian MacDonough and keyboardist Lewi Longmire—to provide much of the instrumentation.
QUOTE “A literate workingman’s poet.” —Paste Magazine
CONTACT Kasey Anderson, Lydia Sherwood (promotion/publicity) &
Josh Friesen (management)
SONG “700 Lb. Piano”
AVAILABLE FOR AIRPLAY now
CD El Porto (Rock Ridge Music)
ON SALE now
PRODUCED BY Jimmy Messer
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HOME Los Angeles
AND ANOTHER THING From 2005-2009, Joe Firstman was the bandleader on NBC’s Last Call With Carson Daly, which allowed him to play with all of the show’s musical guests. Before that, Firstman toured with Sheryl Crow, Jewel and Willie Nelson behind The War Of Women, his 2003 Atlantic release. El Porto, his third album, is named after the surf town in LA’s South Bay that the North Carolinian calls home these days. Firstman played everything on El Porto.
QUOTE “In the songs of Joe Firstman, sensitive young men prowl the hills of Los Angeles, searching for fame and beauty, only to find self-destructive behavior and egos gone wild. While Hollywood's peaks and pitfalls have been prominently charted by songwriters from Don Henley, Stevie Nicks and Jackson Browne to Warren Zevon, Firstman aims to reinvent the milieu for his own generation.” —New York Daily News
CONTACT Eric Cole 917.373.7985 & Brad Hunt (The WNS Group) 845.358.3003
SONG “Mylow”
AVAILABLE FOR AIRPLAY now
CD Mylow (Red River Records)
ON SALE now
PRODUCED BY Eric “Roscoe” Ambel (Steve Earle, Nils Lofgren, Ryan Adams)
HOME Brooklyn
AND ANOTHER THING Chip Robinson was the lead singer/guitarist for Raleigh, North Carolina, alt-country band The Backsliders, who released three albums in the late ’90s, one of which, Throwin Rocks At The Moon, hit #1 on the Americana Radio chart. After The Backsliders disbanded, Chip moved to Brooklyn and started work on what eventually would become his first solo CD, Mylow.
QUOTE “Go ahead and give the sounds on Mylow a standing ovation: The record positions Robinson as Tom Waits’ nephew, courtesy of the artful clang of the opening ‘Preface,’ and Dan Penn’s country-soul son on the southern stroll ‘Closer To The Light.’ Or he’s Malcolm Holcombe’s brother on ‘Story,’ and just by hanging on, he’s a rumpled pop to any number of youngsters still death-gripping the roots-rock blueprint.” —Indy Week
CONTACT Kasey Anderson
SONG “(Don’t Go Back To) Rockville”
AVAILABLE FOR AIRPLAY now
CD YellowHammers (UP Records)
ON SALE now
PRODUCED BY Jon Langford (Old 97’s, Alejandro Escovedo, The Mekons)
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HOME Chicago
AIRPLAY WXRT, WGN
AND ANOTHER THING YellowHammers started in 1994 when songwriters Terry White, Rob Pierce and Kevin James left LA for the Windy City’s West Side; there they met up with Phil Levin and Tom Kneesel. YellowHammers have shared stages and/or studio time with Joe Walsh, Billy Preston, Jane’s Addiction and Smashing Pumpkins, and their version of the R.E.M. nugget “(Don’t Go Back To) Rockville” is from their fourth LP.
QUOTE “[Their] songs are almost as beautiful as they are haunting.” —Chicago Tribune
CONTACT Terry White 708.642.2723, Rob Pierce 708.205.1777 & Kevin James 312.961.8735
SONG “I Am A Tiger”
AVAILABLE FOR AIRPLAY now
CD The Weather Here (Bedlamb Records)
ON SALE now
PRODUCED BY Salim Nourallah (Old 97’s, Rhett Miller)
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HOME San Antonio, Texas
AND ANOTHER THING The Weather Here is the third full-length from Buttercup, a quartet that formed in 2003 with Erik Sanden and Joe Reyes on guitar, Jamie Roadman on drums and Odie on bass; all four members contribute vocally. They have also been known to use an assortment of accessories to enhance their sound, including—but not limited to—old rotary telephones, glockenspiels and various homemade musical instruments.
QUOTE “I can honestly say that I’ve never witnessed any musical performance quite as wildly inventive, unique and fun as Buttercup’s ‘Grackle Mundy’ shows. When you write about music for a living, it’s sometimes all too easy to get a little jaded and occasionally flat-out weary of seeing live music on a regular basis. But, Buttercup, bless ’em, made me a believer all over again.” —Richard Skanse, Texas Music Magazine
CONTACT Rose Baca (Buttercup Management) 210.324.0297
SONG “Who’s To Blame, Senorita?”
AVAILABLE FOR AIRPLAY now
CD Está Bueno! (Bismeaux Records)
ON SALE now
PRODUCED BY Shawn Sahm
HOME San Antonio, Texas
AIRPLAY KUT, KPFT
AND ANOTHER THING The story of the Texas Tornados could fill a book; even before their debut in 1990, each of the original members (Doug Sahm, Augie Meyers, Flaco Jiménez and Freddy Fender) had enjoyed a successful career. They stopped performing in 1999 when Sahm passed away, but his son, Shawn Sahm, has united with Meyers, Jiménez and the rest of the original players for a new CD, Está Bueno!, which utilizes some of the late Fender’s final vocal recordings.
QUOTE “Surprise! Who’d a thunk that 20 years since their debut, the Texas Tornados’ new Está Bueno! would find these Lone Star legends still sounding fresher than ever, sporting a wide-eyed sense of musical discovery that makes you wanna dance, laugh, cry and hit your knees in gratitude.” —Jody Denberg
CONTACT Kimiko Tokita (radio) 512.358.8508 & Heather Wagner (publicity) 713.208.3891
SONG “The Circus”
AVAILABLE FOR AIRPLAY now
CD Back To Basics (Stoneroom Recordings)
ON SALE now
PRODUCED BY John Ryan (Santana, The Allman Brothers Band, Styx)
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HOME London, England
AIRPLAY KTAO, KRVO, KROK, WRRW, KFAN
AND ANOTHER THING Singer/songwriter Finlay Morton was born and raised in the fishing port of Aberdeen, Scotland, and moved to London when he was 18. Following the release of Back To Basics, his second CD, Morton toured the States and made a point of dropping by to play live at Triple A stations across the Western US, including KMTT, KINK, KRVM, KPND, KRVO, KUNM, KBAC, KTAO and several others.
CONTACT Dave Darus (Darus Music) 818.357.5458
SONG “I Would Wait Forever”
AVAILABLE FOR AIRPLAY now
CD 4th & Broadway (Independent)
ON SALE now
PRODUCED BY Eryn Shewell, Pat Ruh
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HOME East Brunswick, NJ
AND ANOTHER THING Though Eryn Shewell has been singing professionally since 13 and writing songs since 14, she just started performing her own music in 2007—and already she and her group have been nominated for Top Americana Band and Top Blues Band at the Asbury Music Awards, while her debut CD, 2008’s Window Pane, was nominated for Top Local Release. This year, Shewell won the Top Female Vocalist honor. 4th & Broadway is her second CD.
QUOTE “4th & Broadway continues to blend genres in a similar fashion as her first. The songs Eryn writes are so strong that they transcend the standard blues, jazz and soul we hear so often and Eryn always adds something of her very own.” —Rootstime
CONTACT Eugene Foley (Foley Entertainment) 908.684.9400 & Dawn Van Arsdale
SONG “It Was A Really Bad Year”
AVAILABLE FOR AIRPLAY now
CD Drinking Songs For Lovers (Radia Records)
ON SALE now
PRODUCED BY Jack Grace
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HOME Brooklyn and Bearsville, NY
SHOWS scheduled in and around New York through early July (dates)
AND ANOTHER THING Jack Grace formed his first band, Steak, in Boulder in 1993 before going solo in 1999; since then he’s opened for Jerry Lee Lewis and Merle Haggard, to name two. Drinking Songs For Lovers is Grace’s third CD, a largely autobiographical work and an unintentional concept album, with titles like “Morning Margaritas,” “If You’re Gonna Raise A Drunk,” “I Drank Too Much Again” and “Drinkin’ And Gamblin’” being representative of the lot.
QUOTE “He sounds like that Cash kid, only good.” —Jerry Lee Lewis
CONTACT Jordan Zucker (Infirst Promotion) 678.475.0627, Jeff Appleton (Marathon Entertainment) 810.797.2287, Ed Gertler (sales/marketing) 615.378.1104 & John Pancaldo (booking/management) 845.684.5227
SONG “Still She Thanks God”
AVAILABLE FOR AIRPLAY now
CD Ghosts (Rock & Sock Records)
ON SALE now
PRODUCED BY Tokyo Rosenthal, Chris Stamey
HOME Chapel Hill, North Carolina
AIRPLAY WRRW, WNRN, KUWR, KAXE, KOPN, WMMM, KRSH, KKCR, KTAO, KVNF, KPFT, WNTI, WERU
AND ANOTHER THING After three decades making music, Tokyo Rosenthal finally released his debut solo CD in 2007; since then he has toured Japan, Europe and North America, and opened for onetime Byrd and Flying Burrito Brother Chris Hillman and America. Stints in Rhode Island, New York and Los Angeles preceded his recent move to North Carolina, where Rosenthal teamed up with artist/producer Chris Stamey to record Ghosts, his third CD.
QUOTE “Tokyo Rosenthal is a great wordsmith. Take ‘Toke’ out for a spin, this is a no-lose proposition.” —USA Today
CONTACT Brad Hunt (The WNS Group) 845.358.3003
12
RICK McGUIRE
SONG “Breathe”
AVAILABLE FOR AIRPLAY now
CD Dust And Tears (Independent)
ON SALE now
PRODUCED BY Rick McGuire
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HOME Minneapolis
AND ANOTHER THING For Dust And Tears, his second full-length CD, Rick McGuire wrote everything and played nearly everything; Donnie La Marca (Jonny Lang) played all the keys. A veteran guitarist of Minneapolis bands, McGuire got started on his own with a CD in 2003 and followed that up with an EP a year later; each featured players from both Five For Fighting and Jonny Lang’s band. His CD, Screaming, got heavy spinnage at over 100 College stations.
QUOTE “I am hearing a seasoned studio pro in the making that knows how to cut a damn solo record! I can even see this entire album being extremely radio-friendly, so watch out radio stations.” —Skope
CONTACT Rick McGuire & “Notorious” Liz Cousins (Notorious Promotion & Marketing) 718.545.9816
13
SADE
SONG “Soldier Of Love” (radio edit)
AVAILABLE FOR AIRPLAY now
CD Soldier Of Love (Epic Records)
ON SALE now
PRODUCED BY Sade, Mike Pela
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HOME London, England
AIRPLAY KINK, WXPN, KCRW
AND ANOTHER THING “Soldier Of Love” is the title track from multiple-Grammy-winning Sade’s sixth album—their first full-length in a decade. Since 1984, Sade has sold over 50 million albums worldwide, while each of their previous releases has gone Top 10 on Billboard. They take their name from singer Sade Adu, and the other longtime members are Stewart Matthewman (guitar, sax), Andrew Hale (keys) and Paul Denman (bass).
QUOTE “Suave production? Check. Heart-piercing lyrics? Check. Sensual, husky-voiced singer? Check. Those are just some of the things Sade fans can expect from the group’s new album, Soldier Of Love. The release is Sade’s first new material in 10 years, but the act hasn’t lost a beat.” —Billboard
CONTACT Lisa Sonkin 212.833.4364
14
BEN ROBINSON
SONG “Heart Of Stone”
AVAILABLE FOR AIRPLAY now
CD Best Served Loud (633 Records)
ON SALE now
PRODUCED BY Robert Willis
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HOME Jacksonville, Florida
SHOWS booked around Florida through July (dates)
AND ANOTHER THING Ben Robinson got his first guitar at the age of 8 or 9 and he was already sitting with the CBS Orchestra on Letterman by the time he was 13; he also did a stint in Shaffer’s Nickelodeon super band. A veteran of the Southern California blues scene, Robinson was called one of the top 10 young players by Guitar Player magazine…and he’s just now in his early 20s. Best Served Loud is his latest CD.
QUOTE “Ben is the best that has ever sat in with the CBS Orchestra. He is a soulful guitar player—one of the best—at any age.” —Paul Shaffer, CBS Orchestra/Late Show With David Letterman
CONTACT Monte Willis 478.335.6293
SONG “Caught In The Crowd”
AVAILABLE FOR AIRPLAY now
CD Curiouser (SIN/Sony Australia)
ON SALE now
PRODUCED BY Mickey Petralia (Beck, Eels, Ike Reilly), Keir Nuttall
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HOME Australia
SHOWS An extensive 2010 US tour is in the works, beginning with appearances at SXSW and at Coachella (dates)
AND ANOTHER THING Kate Miller-Heidke’s second CD, Curiouser, has already gone double-Platinum and hit #1 Down Under. “Caught In The Crowd” won the Grand Prize in the International Songwriting Competition, whose judges included Tom Waits, Neil Finn and Ray Davies, while online play of the native Australian's “Are You F*cking Kidding Me (The Facebook Song)” and her October run opening shows for Ben Folds have introduced Miller-Heidke to the US.
QUOTE “I think she’s one of those people that actually does deserve to be called a unique talent…I’m lucky to have her as an opening act. I’ll open up for her one day if I’m lucky.” —Ben Folds
CONTACT Andy Cahn (Public Media Service) 718.674.6677, Jesse Barnett (Right Arm Resource) 508.238.5654, Harry Levy 310.403.5327, Ellena Osis (RED) 212.404.0677, Danny Buch (RED) 212.404.0608 & Steve Henriksen (Team Clermont) 888.548.8326
SONG “Better”
AVAILABLE FOR AIRPLAY now
CD Five Chances Remain Hers (Independent)
ON SALE now
PRODUCED BY Paul Moak
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HOME Birmingham, Alabama
AIRPLAY WWMM
AND ANOTHER THING “Better,” the first track from former Moses Mayfield frontman Matthew Mayfield’s debut full-length album, Five Chances Remain Hers, was just featured on Grey’s Anatomy in late January; this is familiar territory for Mr. Mayfield, whose “First In Line” was played on Grey’s Anatomy previously. With his 2008 EP, The Fire, and Five Chances Remain Hers under his belt, Mayfield has toured with Pete Yorn, Blue October and NeedToBreathe.
CONTACT Brian Klein (IMINMUSIC) 323.697.1090
SONG “Breakin’ The Chains Of Love”
AVAILABLE FOR AIRPLAY now
CD Songs For A Break Up—Volume 1 (Independent)
ON SALE now
PRODUCED BY Chris Seefried, Fitz
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HOME Los Angeles
AND ANOTHER THING Fitz & The Tantrums started after Fitz picked up an old church organ for $50 on a tip from his ex-girlfriend; “Breakin’ The Chains Of Love” was written the night Fitz got that organ home. Their debut EP, Songs For A Break-Up Vol. 1, was recorded in Fitz’s living room using just one mic; a full-length CD is due out this May. Fitz & The Tantrums toured with Flogging Molly and Maroon 5 in the summer/fall of 2009.
QUOTE “Fitz & The Tantrums is the best band I’ve heard in a long time.” —Adam Levine, Maroon 5
CONTACT Brian Klein (IMINMUSIC) 323.697.1090
18
KEB’ MO’
SONG “Victims Of Comfort”
AVAILABLE FOR AIRPLAY now
CD Live & Mo’ (Yolabelle International)
ON SALE now
PRODUCED BY Keb’ Mo’
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HOME Los Angeles
AND ANOTHER THING Multiple Grammy- and W.C. Handy-winner Keb’ Mo’ has been covered by B.B. King, Buddy Guy and others, and he’s appeared on CDs by Bonnie Raitt, Solomon Burke, The Dixie Chicks, Willie Nelson and more. Live & Mo’, his first CD since 2006, features four new studio tracks (including “Victims Of Comfort”) and six live ones. Keb’ participated on the recent Playing For Change and did a song for the new benefit CD Keep The Light Alive: Celebrating The Music Of Lowen & Navarro.
CONTACT John Boncimino 310.823.0101
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