The Damn Quails "California Open Invitation"

So here it is Monday, and I haven’t heard yet who won the Mega Millions Lottery, although one winning ticket was sold in Baltimore Country Maryland. Could Beans be heading for a cushy future? He hasn’t told us yet if it was him. Hmmm... I like that we all collectively allowed ourselves to dream last week as Lotto Fever took hold. Taking time out from the daily treadmill to think about the future and what you would love to have happen is a pretty powerful exercise, whether you have a ticket in hand or not. Frankly, it is the only way to move the ball down the field, when you listen to your heart. You know what they say, “If you can dream it, you can do it.

The Damn Quails did just that a while ago in Norman, Oklahoma. I had heard their music long before I set eyes on them. I was kind of amazed upon first meeting, that those sweet sounds were embodied in these gruff looking guys. The sounds they make are matched with fine songwriting from Gabriel Marshall and Bryon White, who are drinking from a deep well of indigenous Red Dirt songwriters like Tom Skinner, Gene Collier, and Mike McClure. In fact, Mike signed on to produce their debut album Down The Hatch on his new record label, 598 Recordings, with Joe Hardy co-producing. I love that I got to see them again on Saturday night at Floore’s Country Store in Helotes, Texas, where there are signs painted in red on the wall which say there is a $100 fine for fighting. Yes there are also T-shirts. There was none of that going on, just the DQs fine music. We bring you a taste today from our Music Fog Spring Marathon last month in Austin at Threadgill’s WHQ. Forthwith, the Music Fog recording of “California Open Invitation,” here’s Bryon and Gabe along with John Knudson, Luke Mullenix, and Tom Young.

-Jessie Scott

Honor Finnegan "Internet Junkie"

I was a captive audience this week, listening to an Adult Contemporary radio station while sitting in a waiting room. I was kind of shocked, as in the half hour that I was there, I couldn’t have identified any of the artists. They were seemingly all auto tuned, though…(meaning their performances were electronically altered.) I found that pretty disconcerting. If indeed music is written into our DNA as an ages old human communication device, what exactly is communicated by a half robotic delivery? I won’t spend a lot of time about the quality of the songs. Suffice it to say there wasn’t even one I heard that compelled me to find out what it was. It all just seemed to be going through the motions. It is no wonder radio is losing audience. And it is no wonder people are going to the internets for music discovery. A recommendation from a friend to listen to a song might just carry more weight than the soul-less stuff I heard delivered through the airwaves.

Of course, the process of discovery on the Internet has its own problems. The fact that there is JUST SO MUCH STUFF makes it daunting. And then even if you have the intent, it is so easy to get waylaid. I can’t tell you how many times I have cruised Facebook for a particular item, only to be diverted down some rabbit hole looking at new baby pictures or travel vistas from a friend’s latest trip. Honor Finnegan knows. She combines elements of musical theatre, comedy, traditional folk, and poetry, to bring an all too true commentary on our ‘connected’ lives today. Oh yeah, and she is not auto-tuned! The song “Internet Junkie” is from her latest album, The Tiny Life.

-Jessie Scott

King Mob "Selene Selene"

I don’t know if you watch Real Time on HBO, but I want to do a take on Bill Maher’s "New Rules" here today. My mailbox has been filling up with submissions to Music Fog, it is overwhelming, really, with how many people are sending us press releases and downloads who want some attention. So I figured I would let you know what we look for when we post a video from an outside source. If you watch our daily posts here on musicfog.com, you already know that we produce most of the videos we put up.

Twice a week, we search through the submissions. Though many people ask us to, we don't do reviews of albums, as we would rather post a video when we write about you. Here's some other stuff: the video has to be available for viewing on YouTube, it shouldn't have a commercial front loaded onto it which the audience has to sit through to get to the song. Oh, and one more thing, it has to be professionally produced - multiple cameras and GREAT audio. If you would like to be considered for coverage, please make sure you include the link to your video on YouTube.

Photo by Shu TomiokaToday’s video is one of those outside ones. Americana is not just from America, you know? King Mob began in England when vocalist Stephen W Parsons approached his old friend Chris Spedding to form a new band. Also joining were Martin Chambers, Japanese bassist Toshi Ogawa, and a guitarist simply named Sixteen. The album Force 9 was recorded in four days, drawing on the spirit of the early days of rock for its inspiration. Here is “Selene Selene,” and yes, there is a dancing girl. With feathers, even!

- Jessie Scott