Chip Taylor "F**ck All The Perfect People"

I admire Chip Taylor for all that he has done in an illustrious career that spans the decades. Even more, it is amazing what he has been up to of late. He just got back from a tour of Sweden and Norway in frigid temperatures which included performances at prisons. Chip’s globetrotting is an inspiration, and his continuing thirst to create is a thing of wonder. I don’t know if you have checked out the website that Chip started a while back called Rock and Roll Joe: A Tribute To The Unsung Heroes of Rock N’ Roll. It shines lights on lesser known, yet influential characters that occupy the dark corners of our musical history. There are essays from Chip and others, and word is that Rosanne Cash and Buddy Miller will be adding some reflections to the site soon.

Last year, Chip released an album on Smithsonian/Folkways, Golden Kids Rule by Chip Taylor & The Grandkids. Yes, it really does feature his three granddaughters, Riley, Kate and Samantha. It gave Chip the opportunity to mentor and collaborate, celebrating  love of family and their communal music. And not to go from the sacred to the profane, but today is the day that the new album, F**ck All The Perfect People comes out. Chip recorded it  with the New Ukrainians, his Scandinavian touring band. The album features longtime guitarist John Platania and keyboardist Goran Grini along with bassist Bjorn Petterson, guitarist Orjan Maki, drummer Magnus Olsson and additional musicians. The video for the title track was directed by Juno Award winner Jeth Weinrich. There is also a ‘clean’ version; “Screw All The Perfect People.” (Whew!)

-Jessie Scott

Ian Moore & The Lossy Coils "Secondhand Store"

On a Saturday night in Texas, you WILL hear a good band playing. There is just something about the gravitational pull of the local dancehall, tavern, bar, or club that attracts you to it. And people are not shy here; you can talk to anyone. Nor does it embarrass them to get up and dance, whether they know you or not. It is all fair game. I was at Billy’s Icehouse in New Braunfels, when the rush to the dance floor occurred during Flywood’s performance, not on one of their fine originals, but during a rousing version of Bob Seger's “Old Time Rock & Roll.” We were there to see the headliner out of Norman, OK, The Damn Quails, who will be gracing the stage of this year’s Music Fog Marathon just a few weeks from now at Threadgill's WHQ. Their album Down The Hatch, which was produced by Mike McClure, is sitting in the top ten on the Americana Radio Chart.

Ian Moore & The Lossy Coils brought the ’good ole rock’ themselves during last year’s Spring Music Fog Marathon at Threadgill’s WHQ in Austin. Ian started hitting those establishments around Austin in the 90’s. We had the pleasure of presenting the band on the heels of the release of El Sonido Nuevo. Ian Moore, Matt Harris, and Kyle Schneider played us this rocking tune called “Secondhand Store,” which appeared on that album. There are a couple of key tour dates posted for March on Ian’s website. You will have a rollicking fun time, to be sure.

-Jessie Scott

He's My Brother, She's My Sister "Tales That I Tell"

The Music Fog Marathon schedule for March 14 through the 17 in Austin, TX is just about baked. I am hoping to be able to share the whole thing with you early next week. I can tell you we are going to have a blast, though, with Reckless Kelly, Ray Wylie Hubbard, John Fullbright, James McMurtry, Chris Smither, The Sweetback Sisters, Ruthie Foster, The Hobart Brothers (Jon Dee Graham and Freedy Johnston) with Lil’ Sis Hobart (Susan Cowsill,) Bruce Robison & Kelly Willis, Sons Of Fathers, Mike Farris, The dB’s, Lydia Loveless, and Sugar & The Hi-Lows. Oh, there is way more, and yes, we will be webcasting it all from Threadgill’s WHQ. We are not an official SXSW showcase, so it is open to the public, with no badges or wristbands needed for entry. Remember to tip your waitresses, though, that is after having that fine comfort food: chicken fried steak with loads of vegetables, or pot roast, or my favorite, their barbecue chicken, which is the Wednesday special. If you are hungry and in Austin right now, Threadgill’s is at 301 W Riverside Drive in South Austin. While you are there, make sure you look at the memorabilia lining the walls.

We are about to make memories of our own, adding to the long legacy of the Live Music Capitol of the World, Austin, TX. If you love music, Austin in March is the place to be. There is something, actually multiple things, for every kind of music lover. It used to be that SXSW was about breaking bands, it was an insider industry event. But through the process of going direct to the audience, without the filters of record labels and radio station playlists, Austin is the epicenter of the new model. The SXSW website is featuring videos; here is one from the band He's My Brother, She's My Sister. They won’t be taking part in our Music Fog Marathon, cause we just can’t film everyone, though you know we would love to. There will be over 2,000 bands doing official showcases! He’s My Brother, She’s My Sister is a Los Angeles band featuring sibling vocalists Robert Kolar and Rachel Kolar, Lauren Brown, who is a bombastic tap dancing drummer, Oliver Newell rocking the standup bass, and Aaron Robinson, who takes his leads on a lap slide. Fun for a Saturday!

-Jessie Scott