Have any of you heard of Justin Towne Earle? Does the last name sound familiar? Well he is indeed the son of Steve Earle but also is an amazing Americana/Country/Folk artist from Nashville who captured my attention at Bonnaroo this year.
This Bloodshot Records artist thankfully kept going after he was fired from playing in his father’s band due to bad habits and overcame them. I may have mentioned him before here on the BHP site but today I was killing some time today and came across the video for “Midnight At The Movies” and was reminded of how much I really love this guy…
Honestly I feel like this guy is a modern day Hank Williams.
I recently found out that Justin Towne Earle will be coming to Cleveland for a December show with Dan Auerbach (The Black Keys) and his protege Jessica Lea Mayfield. You can bet your you know what I will be there that night. That is going to be an amazing show to end the year with.
Until then I have my copy of Midnight At The MoviesI will continue to spin here and there as well as the internet to watch countless videos and live performances.
I also found some downloads from his Daytrotter session. I adore his cover of The Replacements‘ “Can’t Hardly Wait”. Click HERE to check it out for yourself as well as a few other great tracks.
Here are a couple videos I found lately that I enjoy…
Folk/punk/rock has never sounded so good thanks to former UK post-hardcore singer Frank Turner who took elements of the genres and self-formed it into something simply wonderful on his latest release. Not to be considered a solo attempt this round, it is clear throughout the album that he has an amazing backing band that helped him and perhaps even added a little of their own style to it.
Having been in multiple bands over the years and working non-stop while doing so, Frank Turner continues his desire to be an amazing musician. After what seemingly felt like an eternity since I first heard word of the release, the hardworking Frank Turner has finally dropped Poetry Of The Deed in the US thanks to Epitaph Records. How hardworking you ask? This will be his third release in three years.
“Live Fast Die Old” starts of the album full forced with more so of an indie rock that immediately captured my attention. As if his singing was not an attraction enough, the supporting music from the full band including keyboard and back up harmonies just seemingly invited me into his world and I must say I felt welcomed. It’s the type of song you tap you foot to and bop your head as well.
“Try This At Home” had a slight upbeat feel that exploded with great, well thought out lyrics about the real DIY musicians in the world who care and work for what they believe in and called out the superficial money hungry performers. One line in particular that stood out over the rest to me declared that there is “no such thing as rock stars, they’re just people who play music, and some of them are just like us, and some of them are dicks.” Well said Mr. Turner.
“Dan’s Song” is the type of song I could only wish was written about me. The reminiscent jam goes from past history to future with sick harmonica playing. “Poetry Of The Deed” to me sounded like a heavy Avett Brothers song with Frank Turner repeatedly bolting out “life is too short, to live without poetry, if you’ve got soul darling, now come on and show it me” at the end of the track.
“The Road” was a sing along favorite of mine on the album. Heavy on the folk and added country twang made for a catchy and happy listen. I especially enjoyed the end of the song that almost sounded like and excited Frank Turner was not done recording the track when everyone else was.
“Our Lady Of The Campfire” had some fun percussion backed with strings reminding me of the folk that helped Frank Turner make this album what it is. The song is well thought out lyrically and musically and there was just so much going on but it fit so well.
Some of the songs seemed to slow up towards the conclusion of the CD as compared to the first half but they were still great listens. The soothing keyboard playing and acoustic strumming were enjoyable especially during “Sunday Nights” and the album ending “Journey Of The Magi”.
I’m serious when I tell you I got a good feeling throughout when hearing this release, the kind of feeling that keeps me going back for more. I remember the first time I heard bands like the Avett Brothers, Gaslight Anthem, Ben Folds, Joe Strummer, and Wilco (just to name a couple) who I knew instantly I would love and cherish for the rest of my music listening years on this planet because of what they created and how they executed it. I can now add Frank Turner to that list because his music just had such an amazing effect on me.
I admit, I had never heard of Frank Turner until just before this album was released. When I started hearing about the hype about him from various musicians and music fans, my curiosity led me to a YouTube video (see below) of him playing an after-party in someone’s house. Just by seeing that one acoustic jam he played surrounded by singing and screaming fans I understood why so many have been talking him up. He is that talented and with help from an amazing backing band Poetry Of The Deed was worth all the hype.
I expect big things from Frank Turner in the following months even years to come. Slated to be touring with the Gaslight Anthem this fall as well as just finished a tour with The Offspring I think it is pretty clear he is starting to make a bigger name for himself here in the US and very quickly at that.
This is one act fans of music need to at least extend an ear out to even if punk or folk is not your thing. It is that damn good.
I got the chance to check out the opening track of the album and thanks to the good folk at Thirty Tigers I can share it with you. The song titled “If You Ever Get Famous” really has this haunting Simon & Garfunkel feel to it. I really can not wait to check out the rest of the album.
Check out The Duke and the King in their cabin kitchen performing “The Morning that I Get To Hell”:
The Duke and the King are going to be on tour too:
Aug 4 – Mercury Lounge – CD RELEASE SHOW – New York, New York
Aug 6 – LOCAL 506 – Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Aug 7 – EDDIE’S ATTIC – Atlanta, Georgia
Aug 8 – BOTTLETREE – Birmingham, Alabama
Aug 10 – THE BASEMENT – Nashville, Tennessee
Aug 11 – SOUTHGATE HOUSE (PARLOUR) – Newport, Kentucky
Aug 13 – LOCALS ONLY ART & MUSIC PUB – Indianapolis, Indiana
Aug 14 – SCHUBAS – Chicago, Illinois
Aug 15 – CLUB CAFE – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Aug 16 – IOTA CLUB & CAFE – Arlington, Virginia
Sep 11 – SALISBURY – End Of The Road Festival Southwest
Sep 12 – SWANSEA – THE CHATTERY Wales
Sep 13 – GLASGOW – KING TUTS Scotland
Sep 15 – LEICESTER – THE MUSICIAN Midlands
Sep 16 – LEEDS – THE BRUDENELL Northwest
Sep 17 – NEWCASTLE – THE CLUNY Northeast
Sep 18 – LONDON – THE GARAGE (Club Uncut) London and South East
Sep 19 – NOTTINGHAM – THE MAZE Midlands
Sep 20 – BIRMINGHAM – THE GLEE CLUB Midlands
Sep 22 – BEDFORD – THE CIVIC East
Sep 23 – BARCELONA – BAM FESTIVAL Barcelona
Sep 27 – BELFAST – Open House Festival Northern Ireland
The onetime member of hardcore act Million Dead has been doing things his own way just prior to Million Dead calling it quits. Since then Frank Turner has been doing things his own way with a more folk approach and this September he’s releasing an all new album on Epitaph Records titled Poetry Of The Deed.
I can not even tell you how excited I am for this release.
Epitaph was kind enough to send me a link to share his first single off the track titled “The Road”. The song is insane and I think it would be in your best interest to download it now and thank me later.
Friday night in downtown Akron was one of those nights to remember for many thanks to The Avett Brothers. It was one of those nights that anyone who came to the show will think of for years to come with help from their amazing performance. Intimate at times as well as a full on rock show, everyone who had a ticket to that show left satisfied.
North Carolinian brothers Scott and Seth Avett once used to fill the quaint Kent Stage in Kent, OH but thanks to their success as a folk rock band they needed a bigger place to play. With help from the Kent Stage crew the boys left that smaller stage for the classy Akron Civic Theatre, a stage I think suited them perfectly.
Having no idea that there was even an opening act, I was thrilled when the curator of the Kent Stage announced that Samantha Crain & The Midnight Shivers were taking the stage. Having just recently been introduced to the country rock act I found myself even more excited to be at the show.
Samantha Crain and crew took the stage and received a warm welcome just after eight o’clock. After a few songs in it was clear that the crowd had accepted them into their ears, thanks to her unique singing style and country rock, and were cheering loudly after each song.
During one moment after a song Samantha Crain stated she missed a note and declared “everyone hits a wrong note” and continued on how she is hard on herself for doing so even though she knows it happens. The crowd all seemed to agree with what she said and not once did I hear any wrong notes played. Then again I only had heard a couple of songs prior to seeing her set live.
Samantha Crain admitted it was only the second show her and the band had played with The Avett Brothers and thanked them for the opportunity to share the stage. Admitting she came from a small town in Oklahoma she basically confessed to living the dream. Seeing her jump around excitedly on stage as she strummed her acoustic guitar just proved how excited she was to be up on that stage.
Shortly before the Avett’s took the stage, die-hard fans started screaming out “Happy Birthday Scott!” Clearly many of the fans knew that one of the members was celebrating their birthday in Akron that night.
With the curtains still drawn The Avett brothers along with Bob Crawford started their set off with “PGFA”. Everyone in the house went wild upon hearing the music begin and once the curtains were opened it was clear to everyone how great this band truly is. With an array of instruments behind the trio everyone’s attention was focused on the amazing folk-rock playing from the banjo, the stand up bass, and acoustic guitar as well as dual signing that had just begun. To add to the stage’s appeal there was a giant backdrop of a ship that resembled Scott Avett’s art.
While standing in literally the middle of the venue I felt that I had the best place to hangout at for the night while taking in all that The Avett Brothers dished out. Their songs, as my friend Seth said it best, gave me that feeling that many in the past had to have felt when the Beatles first started playing their music live. I was heavily sucked into each song they played and had a smile on my face that lasted pretty much until I got home that night and finally fell asleep.
Throughout the set Joe Kwon would join the trio and add cello to some of the songs. The brothers would share singing duties and seemed to swap out guitars during every song and at times even during some of the songs. It was really interesting to see Seth Avett swap guitars and narrowly miss continuing the song but he is a pro at what he does and there were no interruptions.
Playing through songs such as “Please Pardon Yourself”, “Die Die Die”, and “It Goes On & On” The Avett Brothers sounded as amazing as I thought they would. I missed many the opportunity to see this band live in the past and regretted it each time. Finally though I found myself at one of their live shows feeling privileged to be in their presence.
In between songs fans were screaming out requests to the stage in hopes that their favorite song would be performed spur of the moment but The Avett Brothers thanked them for their requests and continued on. Seeing them smile up on stage as they performed just proved how great of a time they were having as well. At one time a fan screamed that she loved them and Seth Avett responded “we love you too.” The band even played a new song from their upcoming album to be released in September.
That one new song the band played just made my night. It was titled “I & Love & You” off of their upcoming late summer release I & Love & You. With Scott Avett taking the drumming duties as well as signing out the I and love and you with his hand as the crowd sang along I found myself getting chills. It was a great feeling and a great love song.
After the band played “Skin & Bones” they exited the stage. Fans screamed and applauded the amazing performance while at the same time were still hungry for more. Luckily the Avett’s were not quite done yet and returned to the stage moments later with a couple of extra helpers, Kent’s very own folk star Jessica Lea Mayfield and her bearded brother David. It was the perfect end to an amazing evening.
The Avett Brother’s live show turned me into a bigger fan than I already was. I really think the live experience just intensified their talent. While leaving the historic Akron Civic Theatre I heard no complaints at all and everyone was just in a great mood. I do not think I have ever attended a show quite like the one I did on that warm Friday night. I can not wait till the next time these boys come back to a city near me. I know I will be there in a heartbeat.
The Avett Brothers Setlist (as taken from the band’s web forum):
PGFA
Solomon
Paranoia
Please Pardon Yourself
Die Die Die
PGFR
Down With The Glistening Shine
Gift For Melody Ann
Song Of The Dying Sailor
Greensboro Woman
Salina
It Goes On & On
I & Love & You
At The Beach
Murder In The City
Swept Away
Talk Of Indolence
Matrimony
Skin & Bones
Encore (with Jessica Lea & David Mayfield)
Talk Of
Will You Return
