Justin Townes Earle Announces New Record

[mp3] Justin Townes Earle: "Nothing's Gonna Change The Way You Feel About Me Know"

Longtime Stark staple, and sometime neighbor Justin Townes Earle, today announced the release of his new record, Nothing's Gonna Change the Way You Feel About Me Now, on 3/27 via Bloodshot. The trailer is above, and the title track is there too. Go to his site and drop your email in the box!

Caitlin Rose Does It All, Signs to ATO

[mp3] Caitlin Rose: "Own Side Now"

[mp3] Caitlin Rose: "Shanghai Cigarettes"

What can't Caitlin Rose do? After releasing her debut record earlier this year, Own Side Now, Rose took the UK by storm ruffling feathers at NME, BBC and Q Magazine. Shortly thereafter, she returned to the states garnering album reviews from the New York Times, NPR, LA Weekly and more. Doing what a good young artist does best, Rose kept to the road spreading her crystalline voice, cheekily-creative lyrics and southern charm. This Nashville-native was making friends in the right places; ultimately those friendships landed her a record deal with ATO Records. Home, or former home, to such artists as Drive By Truckers, Dawes, My Morning Jacket and Gomez, ATO will add a much needed stiff-label backing to Rose's exponential career path. Soon to join the likes of Justin Townes Earle/Jason Isbell and Hayes Carll on a Fall tour, Rose is poised and positioned for continued success; keep your eye on her...we have for the past four years and it is paying off.

Tour dates with Justin Townes Earl/Jason Isbell and Hayes Carll after the jump!

Justin Townes Earle and Jason Isbell Do Letterman

[mp3] Justin Townes Earle: "Harlem River Blues"

Justin Townes Earle hit Letterman with Jason Isbell last night for a rousing rendition of album highlight/title track "Harlem River Blues" - which also happened to make our top albums of the year. Nice to see Justin recovering from a rough few months, glad to have him back in the hood - and clearly, well dressed. Also great to see Mr. Isbell taking the lead lines here - waiting on some new tunes from him!

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Justin Townes Earle to Release Harlem River Blues

Justin Townes Earle: son of the infamous Steve Earle, illustrious emerging songwriter on the Americana/Folk scene, sharply dressed man, and at times, our neighbor. It's hard to miss this roughnecked, finely suited, lanky fellow when romping around in the East Village -- on occasion, Earle can be found sipping a pint at 11th St. Bar, or wandering Ave. A with Jason Isbell. Either or, once you listen to JTE's music, he will manage to stay with you one way or another.

We are very pleased to announce the upcoming release of this, JTE's thrid record, Harlem River Blues on Bloodshot Records, September 14. After releasing Midnight at the Movies to much critical acclaim in 2009, JTE slowly began emerging from his father's shadow (if he was ever even in it to begin with) and making a name for himself. With songs as grippingly powerful as "Mama's Eyes"  and "Midnight at the Movies" coupled with playfully jaunting tracks such as "South Georgia Sugar Babe," and "Black Eyed Suzy," JTE is the whole package. His music works for those lonely days in 11th St. Bar, or that night out at your favorite honky tonk -- Earle knows music, and does not disappoint.

Justin Townes Earle: New Track, Best Dressed, Tour Dates

Justin Townes Earle and Dawn Landes - "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind"

Justin Townes Earle is a busy man; aside from rubbing elbows with us Starkians in the East Village, frequenting our local haunts like a...local, he just released a new track titled "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind", was named one of GQ's Top 25 Best Dressed Men, and is embarking on a nice string of 2010 tour dates with Dawn Landes, Joe Pug and Carrie Rodriguez. Phew. Justin will be coming to Bowery on March 5 and we are going to do our best to make it out! This new track from JTE is a slight departure from some of his more ballad-driven musical pursuits; lyrically this song is about love-loss, but the tune bounces, and jaunts with joyousness. On Wednesday, JTE will play Nashville's Mercy Lounge with not only Dawn Landes, but local songstress and close Stark friend, Caitlin Rose.  Very exciting.

On a side note, we just updated our posting format here on Blog Spot and wanted to take this time to say it is F-ING AMAZING. Thank you for simplifying our lives. Saves me about five minutes a post.

Rock! See JTE tour dates after the jump.

Justin Townes Earle: 2010 Headling Tour Dates

Hey, we saw Justin Townes Earle (name must be written in full) a few months ago parading around the East Village with Jason Isbell (formerly of the Drive By Truckers.) He looked like the above song "Mama's Eyes" sounds -- dark and raw. One of our many motos here at Stark is "that's what we expect out of our artists --" not to be too sadistic, but we want our favorites to be drunks, disturbed, do drugs, have promiscuous sex, over extend their welcomes (insert Wild Yaks' drummer at After The Jump here) -- it just makes things more interesting and real. Regardless, we know it's not "healthy," but neither are our lives. So it goes. Justin Townes Earle's most recent release, Midnight at the Movies, continues to impress and back in September won him "Emerging Artist to Watch" at September's Americana Music Awards. Go forth Justin.

Check out his 2010 tour dates w/ Dawn Landes and Joe Pug after the jump.

Justin Townes Earle on tour 2010

1/26 - 2/6 with support from Dawn Landes. 2/8 - 3/7 with support from Joe Pug

Tuesday January 26 - Indianapolis, IN - Radio Radio
Thursday January 28 - Knoxville, TN - Barley's
Thursday February 4 - Austin, TX - Stubbs BBQ
Friday February 5 - Houston, TX - The Mucky Duck
Saturday February 6 - Dallas, TX - The Granada Theatre
Tuesday February 9 - San Diego, CA - The Loft at UCSD
Thursday February 11 - Los Angeles, CA - The Echo
Friday February 12 - Santa Cruz, CA - Crepe Place
Saturday February 13 - San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall
Saturday February 14 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir
Monday February 15 - Seattle, WA - The Tractor Tavern
Tuesday February 16 - Vancouver, BC - The Biltmore
Thursday February 18 - Salt Lake City, UT - The State Room
Friday February 19 - Denver, CO - The Bluebird
Saturday February 20 - Telluride, CO - Sheridan Opera House
Tuesday February 23 - Iowa City, IA - The Mill
Thursday February 25 - St. Paul, MN - Turf Club
Friday February 26 - Madison, WI - High Noon Saloon
Saturday February 27 - Chicago, IL - Lincoln Hall
Sunday February 28 - Detroit, MI - The Magic Stick
Monday March 1 - Toronto, ON - Horseshoe Tavern
Tuesday March 2 - Buffalo, NY - The Mohawk
Sunday March 7 - Alexandria, VA - The Birchmere

After the jump.

The Big Surprise Tour

Photo Cred:http://www.twinsdays.org/geauga_lake/surprise.gif

To join forces for your touring pleasure: Old Crow Medicine Show, Dave Rawlings Machine (feat. Gillian Welsh), The Felice Brothers, and Justin Townes Earle.

Show notes: the concerts will consist of two 90-minute sets with an intermission. Performances will be a collaborative effort on behalf of all artist, playing variations of traditionals, each other's songs, and impromptu jam sessions.

Side notes: 1) Old Crow is still touring behind their newest Sept. release Tennessee Pusher. 2)Dave Rawlings and Gillian Welsh need no real introduction 3) The Felice Brothers are touring behind their April release, Yonder is the Clock and 4)Justin Townes is touring behind his latest, Midnight at the Movies and we also saw him and Jason Isbell in the East Village on Friday.

Tour dates for all this magic after the jump.

AUGUST 2009

04 - Hampton Beach, NH @ Casino Ballroom
05 - Boston, MA @ House Of Blues
06 - New York, NY @ Beacon Theatre
07 - Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory
09 - Charlottesville, VA @ Charlottesville Pavilion
10 - Cary, NC @ Koka Booth Amphitheatre
12 - Louisville, KY @ Waterfront Park
13 - Nashville, TN @ Riverfront Park
14 - Knoxville, TN @ World's Fair Park

Steve Earle Pays Tribute to Townes

If I ever did one of those Facebook 25 things posts (I won't), one of the facts would be that Townes Van Zandt is my favorite songwriter of all time. In my short career, I've also had the privilege to work on one of Steve Earle's records, meet him, and see him live a few times. That Steve Earle would record a tribute album to friend and hero Townes Van Zandt comes as no surprise to anyone who has heard Earle's now infamous quote: "Townes Van Zandt is the best songwriter in the whole world and I'll stand on Bob Dylan's coffee table in my cowboy boots and say that." Needless to say, I'm really excited for this record, even though Earle's last outing Washington Square Serenade left me feeling a little shaky about the direction of his music. Luckily, Dust Brother John King produces only one tune "Lungs" on which Tom Morello guests. Yeaaah. But it's ok, most of the other tracks feature bluegrass favorites and even Justin Townes Earle's first appearance on one of dad's records. Townes comes out May 12 on New West. See the full track list (which is great) after the jump. Pitchfork is streaming "Lungs." Whoo. Weird cover art though.

"This may be one of the best records I've ever made. That hurts a singer-songwriter's feelings. Then again, it's some consolation that I cherry picked through the career of one of the best songwriters that ever lived."

Townes:

01 Pancho and Lefty
02 White Freightliner Blues
03 Colorado Girl
04 Where I Lead Me
05 Lungs
06 No Place to Fall
07 Loretta
08 Brand New Companion
09 Rake
10 Delta Momma Blues
11 Marie
12 Don't Take It Too Bad
13 Mr. Mudd and Mr. Gold
14 (Quicksilver Daydreams of) Maria
15 To Live Is to Fly

New Videos from Q-Tip, Vivian Girls and Justin Townes Earle

Q-Tip with Robert Glasper "Getting Up"

Today's featured video is a new one from Q-Tip. What really gets us hot and bothered about this video is the inclusion of rising piano star Robert Glasper. Glasper is another in a slew of musicians changing the face of modern jazz. Glasper often collaborates with Q-Tip, Mos Def and other prominent members of the hip hop community. Yet, Glasper draws praise from jazz aficionados as well, who compare him with greats such as Chick Corea, Keith Jarret and Mulgrew Miller. Glasper has two records out now via Blue Note Records, Canvas and In My Element. Both highly recommended. Thanks to Greg "Don't call me Thomas" Thomas for this one. See after the jump for great new videos from the Vivian Girls and Justin Townes Earle.

Vivian Girls "Tell the World" via pitchfork.tv


Justin Townes Earle "The Good Life"

Justin Townes Earle, "The Good Life" from Bloodshot Records on Vimeo.



After the jump.

Justin Townes Earle - The Good Life

It has taken me a bit to get to the debut record The Good Life (Bloodshot) from Justin Townes Earle, but ultimately I am glad I did. As a listener I have done my best to put aside the fact that he is the son of all-time great Steve Earle, and the that he blatantly uses his middle name "Townes" for what can only be self serving purposes. I prefer his more modest nickname "JT." Let his music be the story - not his name.

With that said, Earle's music surprises with its buoyancy, and distance from the quagmire that the genre "alt-country" has become. With its authentic barroom-country arrangements and generally lighthearted feel, The Good Life comes off as more happy and enjoyable than I'm sure Earle intended. The highlights are the album's title track and cheeky opening tune "Hard Livin'."

One of the album's best songs, the downcast "Lone Pine Hill," captures the spirit of his father Steve to a fault. While the feel of the tune echoes the style of his other namesake, Mr. Van Zandt, the lyrical setting too closely mirrors his father's classic tune "The Mountain." Both take place on a lonesome hill stripped bare by company mines, and yes, both use the word "hollers".

The Good Life makes a solid case for Justin Earle as an emerging songwriter in the Americana genre. The 10 songs on this record breathe a welcome breath of fresh air into what is becoming an increasingly stale music style. Earle needs a few more years under his belt before his work can come close to that of the artists with whom he shares his name. If Earle can let his music be the focus, he will certainly continue to impress with his refreshing, and ok, well-bred songwriting talents.

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