The Brothers Comatose "The Scout"

Just when you think all the good band names have already been taken, along comes The Brothers Comatose, an exceptional string outfit from San Francisco. Their second full-length CD, Respect The Van, comes out today and it provides a showcase for the quintet’s prodigious talents. Brothers Alex and Ben Morrison, vocals, banjo and guitar; Gio Benedetti, vocals and bass; Philip Brezina, fiddle; Ryan Avellone, mandolin, are rocking the room at places like the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, The Strawberry Festival, and High Sierra Music Festival. By the way, the comatose assignation comes from the trance that Alex enters when he plays banjo.

The Brothers Comatose simmer a stew that combines old and new for soul satisfaction. A quick note about what separates old school bluegrass from this music - it's the rock and roll structure to the composition. You gotta see these guys on their ambitious summer touring adventure, Respect The Van indeed! Speaking of ‘seeing’ them, there is a series of strip poker-esque photos, as the band did a countdown to this week’s album release. A layer of clothing was removed by each member for each photo, culminating here. Here is one of the songs from the new album, “The Scout,” which of course, features the van. I wonder if it has a name...

- Jessie Scott

Connor Christian & Southern Gothic "Sheets Down"

Did’ya see Mick Jagger on Saturday Night Live? He did a great job hosting, and made an especially joyful noise when he performed “The Last Time” with Arcade Fire. He also did performances with the Foo Fighters and Jeff Beck. I guess it takes three bands to replace the rest of the Stones (LOL). Lately, I have been picking tracks for my new radio show at KDRP and I have to tell you that there is plenty of early Rolling Stones in the mix. There is something so eternal about how they translated the great American blues and R&B traditions, and then brought it back to the shores of the U.S. The roots music movement owes those Brits a huge debt of gratitude.

Connor Christian & Southern Gothic’s music lives at the intersection of Southern music: Roots Rock, Americana and Country. CCSG's latest release, New Hometown (Part 1), an eight song set, is actually two EPs that were recorded at the same time. New Hometown strips down what the band did on the 2009 release 90 Proof Lullabies. Back in January none other than Billboard, the venerable music biz trade magazine, cited CC&SG as a “Best Bets 2012.” We had them come to our lair, the Music Fog Marathon at Threadgill’s during SXSW® music week, and I was most impressed with their honest, passionate, and impeccable delivery. Here is a taste, “Sheets Down.”

- Jessie Scott

The Defibulators "You'll Never Get Your Papers On Me"

Lost dog alert! Kate in New Orleans found a really cute pup in the park on Thursday, and so far, no one has claimed her. What to do? The microchip implant is registered to a phone number that is not in service. No one has reported a dog with her description missing. I just might have to drive to New Orleans to bring her home with me if no one claims her. I have been thinking about getting a dog. Dogs rule here in Austin. And what a face!

We have an unreleased track today from one of our favorite bands, The Defibulators. They simply bring joy and energy in their hybrid of bluegrass, rockabilly, honky-tonk, and punk. The first time we filmed them was at the Americana Music Association’s Americana Fest almost two years ago in Nashville. Plans are already underway for this year’s event which takes place September 12th through 15th. It was great to see the whole band at Threadgill’s WHQ a few months back during our Spring Music Fog Marathon. They have some dates this summer for you to catch up with them. Here they are: Erin Brueggemann- VOX, Bryan Jennings - VOX, banjo, acoustic guitar, Justin Smith – fiddle, Chris Hartway - Electric Guitar, Spencer Zahn – Bass, Dave Scalia – drums, and Michael Ginsberg - washboard, harmonica; doing “You’ll Never Get Your Papers On Me.” Woot!

-Jessie Scott