They are Americana pioneers, well before Americana was coined. The subdudes came to the Music Fog bus and brought the grace of New Orleans, and the stewpot of various roots music to life in our front lounge. I had asked Aaron, our audio engineer, how many bandmates we could comfortably accomodate, and he said three. But then I talked to Tommy Malone and he gathered up ALL the guys, and five of them squeezed in, got really cozy, and serenaded us from the Beatles catalog while we were setting up. Yowsa! Someone said, “There’s way too many subdudes on the bus,” to which one of them replied “Get The Spray!” Another said, "The spray would only make them scurry, but then they would come out again at night!" Too true. There is such ease with this band of brothers from another mother. We are so happy to have had them. They just keep getting better and better. Love!
There are still some places left on earth that are not super served by modern communication in all its glory. We have been on site at the Cherokee Creek Music Festival in Cherokee, TX, for a beautiful weekend of unplugging. Talking to each other, sharing the experience, sharing the music, which, by the way WASN’T unplugged. The sound was awesome under the big tent, as we were entertained by a stellar lineup. We are sorry we haven’t posted more from here, but connectivity was an issue. Imagine if you will a day that lasts until 3 am recording and editing, and then a morning wake up for a 25 mile drive to Llano, where we would “appropriate” wi-fi from somewhere in town so we could post a video to the Music Fog site.
We filmed David Jacobs-Strain, Dustin Welch, John Fullbright, Sam Baker, Griffin House, Kevin Welch, subdudes, Paul Thorn, Stonehoney, and Jimmy Lafave. In the next days and weeks, we will be bringing you videos from these sessions. Yes, there were more artists here, some that we didn’t get to record...but there is always next time! A word about Jimmy Lafave. He is a visionary and bridge builder. He looks to bring people together who love music with integrity, and had a hand in the crafting of the lineup. Thanks to Fred, Mark, and Kelcy from Music Road Records for making us welcome! This was a sweet retreat, indeed.
We met Griffin House yesterday. Watching him play in the front lounge of our bus recalled the years many artists spend behind closed doors, in solitude in their bedroom or basement: songwriting, rehearsing, playing for the sheer love of it. When artists become sure of their path, and start performing their music for other people, WE love being to amplify it. His new album The Learner comes out on June 22nd. This song, featured on that album, is so quiet and gentle, it brings you to that moment in the stillness of night, behind closed doors, translating thought and feeling into song. Griffin House, drink it in.
Day one of the Cherokee Creek Music Festival brought another first-timer to the Music Fog bus, David Jacobs-Strain. He was quick to work up his "video version" of songs he had performed earlier on stage, obviously always looking to change things up every time he performs.
While warming up with the twelve string, he broke one string only moments before we rolled tape. That didn't phase him in the least. "Oh well, we'll just have to do it with eleven strings," he said. Then he proceeded to tear up the "Hurricane Railroad." A real bluesy and powerful artist performance.
-Beans
Update on 2011-11-05 02:52 by Music Fog
The Music Fog version of this song is now available to download at either of the stores below:
