Band of Heathens "Golden Calf"

Man, do these guys bring it! We've now recorded the Band of Heathens on a bus and in a condo, but their sound always cuts through as if we were in a traditional studio. They're all about the vibe and feel.

We nicknamed their Music Fog Steamboat session "Bloody Fingers and Broken Strings." On the previous tune we posted, "Somebody Tell the Truth," Colin busted a string towards the end of the tune, and kept on blazing. On the next tune we recorded, the song featured in this post, Jurdi had bloody fingers afterwards and quietly asked for a napkin. Hardcore. But they had fun, too. Gordy forgot a line while singing this one, but wanted to keep this version. They joked, "That makes it more special." Ha! You've gotta love how real this band is. I'm sure that's why so many people connect with them. They bleed Americana.

Dig on this haunting version of "Golden Calf."

-Aaron

Sean McConnell "Reckless Love"

Wow. Beautiful songwriting here, only upstaged by Sean's powerful vocal performance on this song. I love the ebb and flow of the dynamics---really takes you for a ride.

We all knew that we had recorded something special once Sean McConnell's three-song session was complete. There was down time between the next artist, so we invited him to stay behind for a bowl of chile verde and tortillas, which had been simmering all morning. It was this session that spurred the now infamous "Verde & Videos" day at the Music Fog condo in Steamboat, as each following artist grabbed a bowl and a Shiner. It's hard to beat the combination of good food, trusted friends, and tasty music!

-Aaron

Micky Braun with Reckless Kelly "Rock Springs to Cheyenne"

This was one of those sessions that was just loose. Ray Wylie Hubbard had just finished his set at the condo in Steamboat, and a few of the Braun Brothers were in the house tasting the goodies in the kitchen and testing the Tito's with the Fog crew.

Rosin Cody Braun opened the fiddle case to expose the instrument to the elements. I noticed that it looked like a white spray paint can had hit it right in the middle and commented as such. Cody looked at me and said, "That ain't spray paint my friend," and proceeded to run the instrument under his nose while remarking, "F*#K Amy Winehouse! She's got nothin' on me." We all had a good laugh after I had realized that it was rosin from the bow. The whole conversation with the brothers was like that. Really a fun bunch of guys. And Micky didn't care that he was sitting on a chair for this set, instead of a stool, even though Aaron was concerned that it might look weird.

I think this song, from Micky & the Motorcars' Careless CD, is based on real life experience. Even though I haven't driven the 260 miles between Rock Springs and Cheyenne, WY, I imagine that it could get just miserable in the winter. I looked it up in my trusty RoadMaster Road Atlas and discovered all kinds of notations about winter closings, and 11 to 12,000 foot elevations. The Old Frontier Prison museum is out there, too. This is the only place in the US where you can get yourself locked into a real gas chamber or experience a shower Shivving. The gift shop features shot glasses and t-shirts. A real pick-me-up for the next family vacation!

-Beans