Robert Francis @ the Long Beach Festival

What a great surprise at the Long Beach Blues Festival!
Amazingly soulful young Robert Francis and his band gave an energetic and gripping performance Saturday afternoon. Tapped into a deep root, Francis plays and sings who he is, representing folk here in true form.
A prodigiously talented songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Francis took the stage singing and playing guitar, backed by all-star players.
His music simply cuts to the core, an enjoyable yet haunting mirror of tucked away dark places.



Check out his NPR interview in which he shares about his family, his heavy connection to Townes Van Zandt and his own music as a way to keep him from "completely losing his mind" rather than a mission to help others.

One by One is his new album.

Little Girl

Robert Francis on MySpace

We can't wait to hear what Robert Francis has in store for us next.

Old to new, Pinetop's still got it going on.

Tickling the keys at this year's sunny Long Beach Blues Festival was a sweet piece of living history, a guy born in 1913, one of the last living blues greats.
Pinetop Perkins replaced legendary piano player Otis Spann in Muddy Waters' band in 1969. He played with Muddy for twelve years. In 1980 he and other Waters alumni formed the Legendary Blues Band.
This cat has been around for a long time. He even has a state marker in his name by the side of the road in Mississippi.
What's impressive about Pinetop, though, is not just that he's alive at nearly a hundred years old or even that he plays at this age. Or that he still looks so good.....Man! It's that he is very much alive and turned on. His playing is tender and friendly, evoking a quilt of community and reverence as he delivers classic songs in a mellow, settled way.
Pinetop knows how to ride the crest of the wave. He's 95 years old. He tours, plays piano and sings. He has a website with digital downloads and a MySpace page with YouTube videos. He records. In his 80s, he went solo. His new release, Pinetop Perkins and Friends, is coming out on Telarc in June 2008.

I came to the festival today to see Pinetop.
Early on, I decided I probably wouldn't get a chance to meet him in person.
But then i felt it about an hour after his set -that scientifically unacnowledged sense that someone's attention is focused on you. I turned to see Pinetop pointing directly at me. Totally out of the blue. I did one of those movie scene bits, scanning over my shoulder to see if it was actually I he meant. Boy did i feel it. Everything around me stood still and i walked right to him. His mojo was working strong.
Perhaps a bit of a scoundrel like Muddy, his charm is hypnotic. He reached out to me and said 'I like you, pretty girl'. He gently took my hand in his, a customary introduction, and we just held hands there for some long minutes.
His hands are sensitive and firm, his fingers long and soft. Guitarist buddy Bob Margolin warned me later to watch those hands of Pinetop's which like to travel.
We locked eyes. The brown was right here with me, the blue layer beckoned company from a time afar. I tried for something like conversation - we covered his great performance and where he was headed next - then he declared he wanted to steal me away. My husband turned up and that's when, i swear, those mesmerizing eyes - big blue and brown rings with hugely dilated pupils - turned off and Pinetop looked away. He'd had enough. Party over.

Check out his story and more:
http://www.myspace.com/pinetopperkins
http://www.pinetopperkins.com/

A snippet of How Long

Luxury Grace's comments: "I like his tie."

Fat Dog's World Famous Subway Guitars, Berkeley 8/23/08

We floated in on a buzzing cloud at the tail end of a mammoth road trip to Berkeley with the sole purpose of encountering Fat Dog and his World Famous Subway Guitar Shop. It couldn't have been a nicer day or a better way to drop into the Fat Dog alternate universe. We first spotted his illustrious cloud-painted building in its pleasant neighborhood, a gentle yet noticable beacon of friendliness in accepting white-bread liberal-land. The parking was easy enough, and in what seemed to be random order, we pulled up directly behind the Fat Dog mobile, a cloud-painted vintage hunk of iron. Strolling into the old shop jarred the senses - we were greeted by a friendly giant in a cloud-painted t-shirt that said 'Berkeley' in a rainbow across the chest. The room dripped with frankensteined guitars and assorted other string instruments, additionally adorned by funky amplifiers and posters akimbo. Blues infusing the airspace, it felt like we had stepped into an obsessive collector's living room a half-dollar ago.
Fat Dog's vibe is kind and welcoming. He's a jolly soul who likes clouds and rainbows, Howlin' Wolf and Buddy Guy, and of course, guitars.
He collects them, builds them, modifies and repairs them.
Several times in the hour or so we were there he eagerly urged patrons to take down his creations and play.
Delighted pride danced in his icy blue eyes as the room filled with captivated shoppers who were there for the experience as much as the string instruments.
In conversation, he reminds me of my dear younger brother who has always tapped into peace and love and dropped waaaay too much acid at one time in his life. Fat Dog's excitement is unbounded and the discourse seemingly unfiltered.
His streaming consciousness alluvially revealed his love for Chester (Howlin' Wolf) and fascination with musical days of yore. We learned he has a ranch outside of Berkeley where he's fashioned a juke joint recording studio with 'pre-1963 everything'. Peering into a window of space invisible to our average eyes, there was talk of something about 30's and 40's cars lining the path to the joint where players would go to drink and party before engaging in a hearty jam session, a seemingly romantic reflection on a fond memory that ended with, " and they never come back..."



Here's his website: Fat Dog's World Famous Subway Guitars

Fat Dog's strange world goes on and on and on.

Oh, and you can buy a bike, too! Tuning into the present, Fat Dog thinks saving the planet is a pretty good idea.

Molino, Live@Chessvolt 8/12/08

Molino is a motley assemblage of four interesting musicians who come together and create thoroughly spaced out music in a marvelous way.
Cliff on bass, Suki on keys, Jason on drums and Abraham, the creator, on guitar and extremely David Byrne-esque vocals - they play songs that are kind of about love - sucky love - and freedom that isn’t so free....like a relationship in which you're not really sure if you're in or out - all with a sticky rhythm like the gum on the bottom of your shoe on a hot afternoon. Between the vibe that suggests Talking Heads, B52s and Buddy Holly and the way they ride a groove to the edge of Pink Floyd, Molino is intriguing, relaxing and exhilirating at once, like a cat in and out of a paper bag.
The song, Everybody, opens reminiscent of Simple Minds' tune from The Breakfast Club.
At a short 5 minutes, its easy repetition feels open, like standing stripped at the edge of the ocean.
Salvation is an experience unto itself. The bass groove vibrates so deep you think maybe your tire’s blown, but in this state it wouldn’t really matter. Rushing trippy keys fly through like epiphaneal cracks of light. It sounds like the first sparks of life in a dark crisp universe.
The unhurried 8 minute lead-in gives way to a celebratory, revelatory jam galore that
culminates in a joyous release, returning to a spaced out but crunchy, charged, confusing satisfaction, all of which ends with a tiny revelatory reprise.
Think 2001, A Space Odyssey.
Space. Lots of space. Molino will give you the space to enjoy their nice ride.
Check out their upcoming Silverlake shows.
Everybody Needs Somebody
Salvation

Molino on Myspace

Austin Hartley-Leonard, Live@Chessvolt 8/11/08

He’s witty, smart, polite and charming. Clean cut and well-kempt, a bit of edge and some interesting twists. Austin Hartley-Leonard recently graced Chessvolt Studios, playing acoustic guitar and singing his original songs backed by buddy and bandmate, Matt Ramsey, on tenor banjo and vocal harmonies.
Influenced by Ryan Adams, Austin Hartley-Leonard (his name is a mouthful that goes back to his grandmother who hyphenated way-back-when) writes memorable songs with a pretty wholesome vibe - aside from an occasional yet nicely enunciated ‘fuck’ (Heroes). His sweet melodies accompanied by guitar, banjo, harmonica and even whistling (On Top of My Shoulders) emit an organic vibe packaged in a golden honey glow. All of the elements that make a song a good song are present in his writing. But his clever lyrics, like ‘drinking beer and sneaking Flinstone vitamins,’ meet up with a certain presence in his voice that keep his songs interesting, unpredictable enough and real, as in not yesterday.
Austin joked about breaking new ground by writing songs about girls and ‘the man keeping him down.’




Autobiographical and far from corny, it really works for him.
After his set, Austin kindly shared candidly about his evolution as a musician/songwriter. He described his process of writing as real work, an endeavor that at times suggests multiple mental illnesses, in special moments flows with inspiration, ultimately alluring and rewarding as a practice.
To hear him talk about writing, his first instrument, favorite foods and the easiest tattoo he’s ever gotten, check out the Austin Hartley-Leonard Interview podcast.
His album will be released on iTunes September 9th, 2008. The party’s at Hotel Café, 9 pm. Go. You won’t be disappointed.
Heroes
On Top of My Shoulders
Little Latin Girl
Sunday Morning
On Top of My Shoulders - Acoustic Version

Austin Hartley-Leonard on Myspace

EXTREEEEEME Sunday - Luxury Wafers heads to Magic Mountain

Sick. Prepare yourself. Watch the video - perspective from the front seat........

LISTEN

That was the sound of sheer terror. I feel like I sent my seven year-old off to war. I worried after the fact (like any reasonable parent would) that she might have ended up with a serious case of PTSD requiring years and tens of thousands in therapy to get right.

My head still pounds. Days later.
From riding the kiddie coasters.
That's right, ladies and gentlemen, I am the worlds biggest chicken.
I broke into a cold sweat and tears at the prospect of being flung through the air at top speed upside down and backward, falling face first with shitty fear music pounding in my ears.

Check out the big-drop Goliath Coaster below...




Lucky for us the economy has sucked, so outside of the X2, there were hardly any lines.
Much fun was had: a few bitten tongues, various headaches, a fair share of sunburn, bellies full of frozen lemonade and other assorted trash - your typical aberrant American cultural celebration.

It's Wednesday now. Luxury Wafers is back to work. A bottle of Advil and a few more live sessions behind us, we've got new stuff to post. I promise to get it to ya ASAP.

Mack Winston & the Reflections, Live@Chessvolt 7/29/08

Mack Winston & the Reflections: Mack, Ben, Jesse, Sweet Joey, Brady

"For the Benefit of Mr. Kite, Bob Dylan challenges Jeff Lynne to a game of Pac-Man in the green room at the Ed Sullivan Theater." That was Peter's description of the band's track, Dark Dark Night.

An adaptation of a famous operatic orchestral interlude written by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov in 1899 swarms the opening of the song like a dizzy hive of drunken bees that just got stirred up. It's a brilliant composition with all of the elements to keep you eager for more till the last drop of the song.

Brady with his kick-ass '64 Gretsch bass

Mack Winston's clever lyrics are dappled with 4-syllable words, and the combination of his alluring voice with strong rhythm section and the sweet extra compliment of Jesse, the keyboardist, on the house B3, concocts a hunger for the songs that creeps under your skin. There's even a hint of the Doors (could it be that's just because Ben, the guitarist, slightly resembles that guy......what was his name?...).














Mack on the Flying V Sweet Joey on drums









Anyway, this is rock 'n' roll, no foolin' around. Intelligent, aesthetically pleasing, the real deal.

Awesome guys, too. We could have hung around all night, a few enjoying their ride on the NightTrain Express, geeking out about gear and enjoying the company.

Listen to the tracks (option/click to download):
Dark Dark Night
Kiss and Tell
Dreamer
Lust for You
Eyes Behind Me

myspace.com/mackwinstonandthereflections

Renee & Jeremy, Live@Chessvolt 7/31/08

Mellifluous tunes with valerian undertones ooze naturally from the 'songcatching' team, Renee and Jeremy. They are a vibrant and complimentary pair, like salt & pepper or bacardi & ice: Renee supplies the smooth, Jeremy adds the energetic and together they bring the fun, in a comfy, feel-good way.
Renee's voice is velvety melted chocolate you wouldn't mind having smeared all over your skin. Jeremy is the foundational sunshine, playing guitar and offering vocals from a whisper to an occasional lead. Together, they are a bomb of enveloping warm enthusiasm, delivering uplifting messages in a lullaby format. Their songs simply put forth a raw, compassionate truth applicable to 'kids of all ages,' as they say.
According to the number of years I've been around, I'm technically a grown-up. I must admit I relate to the songs of Renee & Jeremy. They possess an addictive, narcotic quality, in a healthy kind of way. Not only have I been humming the tune and singing the lyrics to 'Share' since Renee & Jeremy graced us at Chessvolt, but I also know I keep returning to them for their piercing accuracy. They sneakily unclothe hidden layers of univeral feelings with their mesmerizing tunes. And then there's the whole vibe. Renee's maternal magnetism grabs at you. After their set, I could hardly resist the urge to settle into her lap for a snuggle and some applesauce. Our seven year-old daughter, captivated from the beginning, insisted we open their CD, it's a big world, and listen right away.

Recording notes: Simple and sweet. For Jeremy's Gibson acoustic, we used a KM88. For his vocals, the Shure SM7 was his preference. On Renee, we used the Neumann U87.

Listen here (option/click to download):
Share
Free
Night Mantra
Is It Really Any Wonder?
We Are One


reneeandjeremymusic.com

The Bowmans, Live@Chessvolt 7/31/08

The Bowmans: Sarah and Claire

These adorable girls are sweet as sunshine and mind-bogglingly talented. Don't let their innocuous laughter or their air of innocence fool you: The Bowmans, who have shared a rhythm since conception, are dead-on. Creating a rich sound adventure as though from a bygone era, the pair is not afraid to linger on a note or in a mood. They'll lull you into the eye of their hurricane and then surprise attack. Claire, the spokesperson for The Bowmans out in the world, handles business for the largely DIY pair. On stage, she plays tambourines, egg shaker, violin, and sings background vocals that are so locked in they are, at times, nearly inseperable from Sarah's mighty lead. A powerful dynamo onstage, Sarah is the songwriter, guitar player and lead vocalist. She is a stunningly strong singer and a dramatic composer who employs striking changes and a wide range of mood, sound, and time. The Bowmans are linked by a force stronger than static cling or dog hair on a black sweater. Although they swear they have no 'psychic twin' thing going on, it's apparent they have grown together since before birth. They are impeccable in timing from beginning to end. In fact, the most apt description I can find for their performance is perfection.
Not surprisingly, there's a buzz around them. Fiona Apple recently covered one of their songs. LA has embraced the duo during their short stay here. Stay tuned for more of them. And say 'hi' when you have the pleasure of encountering them somewhere in this wide world.
100% authentic, The Bowmans are as modest and friendly as they are talented.

Listen to their Live@Chessvolt tracks (option/click to download):

Forever
The Kitchen Song
Make It Last
You're Right
Digging For Gold
On The Road
Far From Home

The album, Far From Home
thebowmansmusic.com
myspace.com/thebowmans