David Beck & The Well Dressed Thieves "Grand Island"

I first met David last October at the 36 D Management "Come For The Boobs, Stay For The Music" all day event at beautiful White Water Amphitheater in New Braunfels, TX to benefit the Susan B. Komen Foundation. Matt King was debuting a brand new band that night and David Beck was on upright bass. We got introduced and started talking. The next day, I listened to some tracks he had written and recorded, and then we met to discuss. The last 6 months has been a productive period for him, culminating in a 6 song project which is almost ready to be unveiled. And as of a few months ago, David Beck has started to play around Austin with his band The Well Dressed Thieves to thunderous applause. They are young, they are tight, and they are soulful.

David is still gigging with Matt's band, The Cutters. We had them play back to back for our Music Fog showcase in Austin, which made the equipment shuffle just a bit easier. Saturday of SX was the day. Every set was true to itself. We were wrapped in the magic of it, so stoked ALL DAY LONG. This is the very beginning of the story. Here is the title track from his forthcoming EP, Grand Island.

-Jessie Scott

Elliott BROOD "West End Sky"

I'm such a fan of Elliott BROOD, the Canadian boys that make that sweet foot-stomping music from a suitcase and tiny instruments. It was just last September when they recorded with Music Fog on the bus in Nashville, but they've since managed to bag several gigs for the Olympics and record their first soundtrack. Grown Up Movie Star is a film set in Newfoundland which debuted at the Sundance Film Festival. They've jumped several career steps in just a few months and show no signs of slowing down as they are currently working on a new album due out in 2011.

You might think that all of this sudden high-profile attention would easily go to their heads. But when I met all three members of Elliott BROOD (Casey LaForet, Steve Pitkin, and Mark Sasso) at our showcase during SXSW last week, I was struck by how down-to-earth they are and that they are still eager to learn. They showed up early and then hung out after their set, watching the other artists intently with respect. I made a special request, but they said they first wanted to play a new song off of the Grown Up Movie Star soundtrack, "West End Sky." Exclusive? Oh hell yeah, lucky us! And now...lucky you!

-Denise

Peter Wolf - Midnight Souvenirs

I was just on Peter Wolf's MySpace page, and he lists himself as "Rock/Americana/Classic Rock." Nice. Welcome in! Now, do I have to remind you who this is? The VOICE of the J. Geils Band, he of (Angel is a) "Centerfold," "First I Look At The Purse," and "Love Stinks!" We played his 2002 solo CD Sleepless on X Country; I loved the groove and vibe, plus the guests he brought in like Mick Jagger, Steve Earle, and Keith Richards.

Peter's new solo album Midnight Souvenirs is upon us, getting ready to hit the street on April 6. This time he brings more guests; Neko Case, Merle Haggard, and Shelby Lynne. In fact, the first single from the album is "Tragedy," a duet with Shelby. The song was co written with Peter's longtime collaborator and GRAMMY winner Angelo Petraglia (Kings of Leon). "We were just tossing lines back and forth," Wolf says, "and thinking how perfect this song would be for me and one of our vocal favorites, Shelby Lynne." He recalls that "I've always been a fan of Shelby's, but I never met her." It was just three weeks later that they met in LA and fast became friends. Take a listen to "Tragedy" on his MySpace page, or get your own copy by clicking here. Ain't it a beautiful thing?

Peter began his life in the arts as a painter, growing up in the Bronx. You can find his original paintings throughout the album artwork on Midnight Souvenirs, including the front cover.

The making of the CD has been rendered to video. Here it is in two parts.

-Jessie