The Bowmans "Southern Sky"

I really missed Folk Alliance this year. I know I said that earlier this week, but it is true. It's hard not to be there when you know your friends are all attending, and now that the tales are being told and the pictures are being posted on Facebook, I am sighing. Oh well, I guess there is always next year. While the crew was working on other Music Fog projects, I kept busy spring cleaning and trying to catch up before the next wave of madness starts as SXSW® is approaching. Hey, I even assembled my Weber grill and cooked out for the very first time this season. Maybe my moodiness is made more so by the music I am listening to.

It is The Bowmans, twins from Davenport, Iowa now living in New York City. Drummer and percussionist Mike Meadows introduced us to them at last year's Folk Alliance in Memphis. They seem to sing with almost one voice, it was magical to watch them, even very first thing in the morning coming aboard the Music Fog bus, as I recall. Last winter, they recorded an album Songs for the Holidays which will be released next year. This past Fall, The Bowmans released their Live at Powerplay Studios, which was recorded in Maur, Switzerland. They head back to Europe for a tour in April. Here are Claire and Sarah with the Fog recording of "Southern Sky," a song you'll find on their self-titled CD, and on the new album.

- Jessie Scott

James McMurtry "Too Long In the Wasteland"

It is warming up in Austin. Trees are starting to bud, and the air feels great. There were kids playing in the street after school. This evening, folks were outside grilling in the neighborhood, with clouds of fragrant smoke wafting in the wind. I am so excited about the coming of SXSW®, now just weeks away, because that says spring in Austin more than anything else. It is like a rite of passage. We are busy confirming our Music Fog Marathon four day event at Threadgill’s South. We will be joined by some brand new and some longtime friends, too. Can I name drop? OK...but this is a partial list: Malford Milligan, Ian Moore, Foster & Lloyd, The Civil Wars, Dave Alvin, Dash Rip Rock, Tim Easton, Susan Gibson, Jon Dee Graham, Carolyn Wonderland, Bruce Robison & Kelly Willis, Eilen Jewell, Sons of Bill, The Trishas, just to name some. I could go on and on, but we have to confirm everyone first, and that should be very soon.

I am thinking with delight about the back room at Threadgill’s South. It always feels like home when we get to work there. We love being part of the Austin legacy that Threadgill’s has had such a mighty part in building. I love the coming craziness of Austin at this time of year, after all it IS the "Live Music Capital Of The World," I would add with bells on, and tats and purple hair, or no hair for that matter. Austin is pretty weird, anyway. This event, as the world descends, goes a long way to further illustrate that “Keep Austin Weird” campaign.

Today’s vid is “Too Long In The Wasteland” from James McMurtry, taken from his Threadgill’s performance in front of the Music Fog cameras last year. It is the title track from James' 1989 debut, and also can be found on 2004’s Live In Aught-Three CD. That CD has been remastered and rereleased, including in vinyl. The Childish Things CD was just reissued as well. We had hope to get to see James again this year at SXSW, but alas, he is on a solo tour! Kinda like this video!

- Jessie Scott

Exene Cervenka "Alone In Arizona"

In so many ways, I am a Luddite, except for the violent aspect, though certainly the meaning has changed a bit from its original usage. I refuse to combine my electronics into the one convergence unit; I am PC, not Mac; I still like to shop in stores rather than online. There is something really wonderful about the atmosphere of a well done retail environment. I am particularly sad about the closing of 200 Borders Stores nationally. I have spent countless hours perusing the racks for music, magazines and books. There was a closing sale in my local store this weekend, and I loaded up on as many books as I could stack up and carry, to stand on line for the registers with the other old school readers. What it says about publishing scares me. I look at the printing press as the beginning of mass communication, and we are seeing all that devolve. Yes, the internet is an incredible forum, but I, for one, still think books are important to have and to hold. Having worked in a digital environment, I know that data can be wiped out in a moment. I think it is important to have a backup. And I do not like the idea that one can’t impact the population the way one used to be able to do, be it via newspapers, magazines, television, radio, CDs and yes, books. But we at Music Fog believe in the internet, and we thank you for finding us here, and for telling your friends about us. This period of development is pretty exciting, as the paths have not matured yet; there is no status quo. In so many ways, it is still becoming. We ride the wave, and it is infinitely interesting seeing where it takes us and what is possible. At the end of the month, we will celebrate our 3,000,000th view on the Music Fog YouTube channel. We are forging on, pioneering in our own way.

It is so wonderful to be able to follow careers that have been iconic and innovative on these pages. Take Exene Cervenka, for instance. She has a new album, The Excitement of Maybe, coming out in a few weeks, and it continues paving the path that this Renaissance woman walks. Exene, of course, is best known for her work as the singer for the legendary punk band X, as well as The Knitters and The Original Sinners. She has lived an exotic life, has explored creation in many modes. The Excitement of Maybe is her next solo project. She graced us with a song from it when she stopped by our Sweet Suite at the Sheraton Nashville Downtown, back in September during the Americana Music Festival & Conference. Here is “Alone In Arizona,” with Cindy Wasserman from Dead Rock West, and Cheryl Lyndsey from The Breeders.

- Jessie Scott