Frontier Ruckus "Nerves Of The Nightmind"

I know that I have written this before, but it bears repeating; there is a whole new crop of twenty-something’s who are emerging. They might just have cut their teeth in an environment that included the stripped down sonics of the landmark album Oh Brother Where Art Thou? It set T Bone Burnett on an amazing path for this last decade exploring roots sounds. And I attribute this new wave to these flavors, these instruments, percolating through their formative years. I think that album marked a watershed event, and that things changed after that.

There is an explosion of young bands with great taste and unique personalities. We got introduced to Frontier Ruckus originally in Baltimore when Music Fog was new, at Andy Rubin’s eclectic book and objets d’art shop, Cyclops Baltimore. They hail from Michigan. There is yearning in the wind of their music, there is a stoicism, a questioning. Yet Frontier Ruckus’ website is poetic and quirky. They are hard at work on a new album, which is slated for release next month called Eternity of Dimming. There is a tour forthcoming as well that starts in mid-March. They weave a spell, that is for sure. We filmed them during last year’s Music Fog marathon during Americana Fest in Nashville. The track we bring you today can be found on Deadmalls & Nightfalls. This is the Music Fog version of “Nerves Of The Nightmind.”

-Jessie Scott

Colin Gilmore "The You That I Knew"

Oh my, oh gee….. I have started to sift slowly through the stuff I had in storage for two and a half years. Now understand, in order to even move out of my house in Maryland, I worked with an organizer to whittle it down to what would fit in an 8’ x 16’ POD. I thought I did good. But being without all this stuff for this long, it shocks me what I kept! Not to mention it shocks me how much fits in a POD! Can anyone say “Yard Sale?” Seriously, I want to get rid of three quarters of it. I am yearning for the simple, uncluttered life again! Organizing involved a five pile process: keep, think about it, shred, giveaway, and trash. That is my tip, and one that I am, unfortunately going to have to tackle again. One other thing, pick a room, or a corner of the room and start there. Work your way around. That is my public service announcement for today.

Photo By Devin BoldtOf course so much of my bulk is from the relentless march of CDs that come into my life. I dunno, for an audio format that is being phased out, you sure couldn’t tell from my house! I find it almost impossible to get rid of them,  even after I digitize. There is always some tidbit; who sang backup, who produced, who co-wrote; that I just HAVE to know. And don’t even get me started about vinyl. Yeah, of course I have some of that too!

Colin Gilmore is dapper, sophisticated, and writes a mean pop song. He deserves to be enshrined in vinyl, actually. I don't know if he did a run of it for his last album, 2010’s Goodnight Moon, but as he is recording his new one right now maybe he will consider vinyl. Colin is playing Folk Alliance on Saturday, then he heads to California for a couple of other dates. As we get ready for this year’s Spring Music Fog Marathon at Threadgill’s next month in Austin, we throw back to last year’s event for “The You That I Knew,” originally released on his EP 4 Of No Kind. Colin Gilmore on the Fog.

-Jessie Scott

Elephant Revival "Nostalgia #28"

The Folk Alliance International starts today in Memphis, Tennessee. We hear that for next year’s event it will head north to Toronto, Canada. The Foggers have such fond memories of being parked in front of the Memphis Marriott in the Music Fog Bus. The first year we were there, everyone had a different conjecture as to what luminary was camped out on it. Some even though Mr. Dylan was aboard. This time around, we are hard at work on our March Music Fog Marathon during SXSW® music week, and so we just can’t get away. FAI is such a simpatico affair, that provides a platform for a tight knit community of those that make music, and those that support it with opportunities. As a special treat, the keynote address will be delivered by industry insider and caustic critic Bob Lefsetz, who writes the Lefsetz Letter. He has an opinion about everything entertainment oriented, and his passion makes for a great read. So I wish I could be there for that, as well as the wonderful lineup. So many friends have been reaching out to me...who knows, maybe I’ll just jump in the car and drive. I am feeling an irresistible pull...but the drive from Austin is ten hours. Getting the tribe together, I think that is written into our DNA from our hunter-gatherer days. Music Fog so enjoyed being on site for the couple of years we were in attendance filming.

Here is the list of official performers at this year's Folk Alliance. There are 200 official showcases, and one of the bands is Elephant Revival. We got to catch up with them in all their earthy, rootsy glory during Americana Fest in Nashville this past October. Here are there forthcoming tour dates. Hot, hot, hot! ER incorporates an engaging mélange of influences. The neo-acoustic quintet are purveyors of ‘Transcendental Folk.’ We are simply entranced by them, beautiful sounds, beautiful voices, a beautiful song. Here is the exclusive Music Fog recording of “Nostalgia #28.” Drink deep.

- Jessie Scott