Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Austin’s Starlings, TN teams up with Converse to re-record two of the band’s decade-old classics.

 Two-song single is prelude to band’s seventh album “All The Good Times,” out November 11th.

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Starlings, TN (L-R): Steven Stubblefield, Mitchell Vandenburg, Bryan Robison, Tim Bryan. Photo credit: Jason Flowers.

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The Cumberland is taken from “Converse Rubber Tracks Sessions” by Starlings, TN



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Austin-based country-roots artist, Starlings, TN (pronounced “Starlings, Tennessee”), has re-recorded “Forbidden Fruit Makes a Sticky Jam” and “The Cumberland,” two songs from the band’s masterful 2004 album Between Hell and Baton Rouge.  In a review of that album broadcast by NPR’s “All Things Considered” program in January of that year, journalist Meredith Ochs stated that “This unique approach to roots music requires a certain disregard for convention, so it’s not surprising to discover that the members of Starlings, TN used to be in a punk rock band.”

Besides Doc Martins, the footwear of punks is certainly Converse All-Stars, and perhaps this fact was an unconscious factor in band leader Steve Stubblefield’s decision-making when the shoe company approached him just before South By Southwest earlier this year. Offering to pay for recording time at Austin’s Shine Studios in exchange for promotional use of the resulting tracks in the company’s South By Southwest advertising campaign, Converse left the commercial rights to the tapes with Stubblefield, who has released them as a two-song digital single entitled “Converse Rubber Tracks Sessions,” available for purchase via iTunes here.  A stream of the updated version of “The Cumberland” can be heard here.

“We wanted to give these two songs a new breath of life,” says Stubblefield, who chose the songs because the updated arrangements incorporate current Starlings, TN band members Bryan Robison and Mitch Vandenberg in ways that resulted in vastly different versions than those recorded a decade ago.  The sessions also yielded a new relationship for Starlings, TN with engineer, Justin Douglas.

“We knew before the day ended that we wanted to work with Justin again,” says Stubblefield.  Indeed, Starlings, TN and Douglas convened earlier this summer to record the band’s next album All The Good Times, which is scheduled for release on Austin’s Chicken Ranch Records this November 11th.  “His attitude about music was exactly what we had been searching for, and if I was going to give up the reigns as engineer, I knew there was no one else that I would rather turn it over to,” Stubblefield explains. In a recent interview with local Austin NBC television affiliate KXAN about the sessions, he Stubblefield elaborated further saying, “This is the first time in 20 years where I’ve been in a studio where I haven’t also been the engineer. I get to relax and have a fun day today.”

The Starlings, TN two-song single “Converse Rubber Tracks Sessions” is out now.  The new Starlings, TN full-length album All The Good Times will be released on November 11th.   Steve Stubblefield is available for interviews.  Contact Josh Bloom at Fanatic for more information.

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Starlings, TN
“Converse Rubber Tracks Sessions”
(Chicken Ranch, Out Now)


01. Forbidden Fruit Makes A Sticky Jam
02. The Cumberland (STREAM)

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Starlings, TN Links


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Contact Josh Bloom at Fanatic Promotion


Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Oakland-based trio Mortar & Pestle releases “LSD-fueled, 80’s-style” music video for “U.V.” via Diffuser.fm.

Band reveals that this tune, Michael Jackson, The Cure all provided sonic blueprints for upcoming debut LP.

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Mortar & Pestle (L-R): Sean Paul Duke, Janaysa Lambert, Paul Shinichi. Photo by Sequoia Emmanuelle.

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“U.V.” is the first single and video from the self-titled debut EP by Mortar & Pestle





 
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See the premiere of the “U.V.” music video by Mortar & Pestle via Diffuser.fm!


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“We created a campy 80’s-style day in the life of two friends as they run through Oakland on a LSD-fueled quest to find their shaman,” explains Paul Shinichi of Mortar & Pestle about the band’s first music video.  The clip, premiering via Diffuser.fm is for the song “U.V.,” which recently premiered via SPIN and is taken from the band’s debut EP released earlier this year. “The song is all about how things that normally feel good can be harmful to you,” Shinichi says of the tune’s darker tones.

The band also explains that “U.V.” is an essential sonic jumping off point for the debut album that they are now working on in earnest. “It is the most comparable track to our new material because of the mix of natural and electronic drum tones and the thick layering of synth bass and melodies,” says Shinichi. “We already have nine tracks almost finished and more in the works.”

Drummer Sean Paul Duke elaborates, saying, “Over the last few years, I have fallen completely in love with pop music. Old hits such as ‘Beat It’ by Michael Jackson as well as minimalist structures like ‘Close To Me’ by The Cure.  This music has rung true for decades now, and has recently captivated me in new ways that are playing a major role in Mortar & Pestle’s direction.”

Born on the kitchen piano of a studio apartment, days after Shinichi and singer Janaysa Lambert first met at a mutual friend’s party, the two were joined within the year by Duke. Tragically, the friend who brought them together met with an untimely death shortly after she gave the band its name.

“She wanted to be the one to name us,” says Shinichi. “We were struggling with a name for months, and then she came up with Mortar & Pestle. I think honoring her life is one reason why we are together.”

Mortar & Pestle’s debut has already gained significant attention for its melding of avant-garde electronic sounds with pure soul singing.  In addition to notices from SPIN, BlackBook, Earmilk, Mass Appeal, and more, the entire new EP is streaming now via hometown paper East Bay Express.

Members of Mortar & Pestle are available for interviews.  Contact Josh Bloom at Fanatic for more information.

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Mortar & Pestle
(Post Primal – Out Now)


Track Listing:

01. U.V. (STREAM | DOWNLOAD | MP3 | VIDEO)
02. Pristine Dream (STREAM | DOWNLOAD | MP3 | REMIX)
03. Lady 7
04. Lighthouse (REMIX)
05. Switchblade Bandita
06. Electric Angel

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Mortar & Pestle Links


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Contact Josh Bloom at Fanatic Promotion

Monday, August 26, 2013

Austin-based duo Loves It briefly pauses permanent tour to record new album, out Oct. 29th.

Hear “Wild,” the first single from upcoming “All We Are,” courtesy of Rolling Stone now.

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Loves It (L-R): Vaughn Walters, Boxie, Jenny Parrott. Photo Credit: Laura Partain.

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“Wild” is the first single from the upcoming album “All We Are” by Loves It





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See the exclusive premiere of “Wild” by Loves It courtesy of Rolling Stone!

“We played 200 shows in 2011 supporting our first album,” says Vaughn Walters of Austin-based duo Loves It, which will release its second album All We Are on October 29th via local label Team Austin.  “It would have been 220 shows,” Walters continues, “But we had to cancel a month of shows because we got plowed by a beer truck.” “Wild,” the first single from All We Are is streaming now after recently making its exclusive debut via Rolling Stone.

After getting their sea legs in no time as a touring act that first year, Walters and Loves It bandmate Jenny Parrott decided to put their belongings into storage in April of 2012, and hit the road full-time.  “We booked as we went and we’ve been on the road ever since,” Walters explains.  Then, when it came time to make their second album, Walters wondered, “How do we find time to record and where, since we don’t live anywhere?!”

The harmony driven pair plays with a veneration for tradition, and was determined to bring a modern voice to their favorite folk, country, gospel and punk sounds on this latest recording.  Ultimately, the band booked some time at EAR Studio during some down time in Austin and burned through the whole album in three days.

For the uninitiated, the “Wild” single expertly displays the artistic camaraderie that makes this duo’s combination of influences work under the reality of a tireless schedule that sees Loves It on tour more often than not. “Basically, we’re two songwriters who learned to back each other’s songs up on the road,” says Parrott.

“Wild” is one of the pair’s collaborative tunes.  As Parrott explains, “I started writing this song at a time when I was mad at Vaughn, so I exaggerated some of the things he does,” Parrott says of this Springsteen-style rocker. “Then I needed help to finish it, so he wrote some exaggerated stuff about me. Ultimately, the song is about fighting with a lover who is distant and freedom seeking, and just saying to them ‘The heck with this fighting crap, let’s just take off and conquer the world together as a team.”

All We Are by Loves It is scheduled for release on October 29th via Team Austin.  Vaughn Walters and Jenny Parrott are available for interviews.  Contact Josh Bloom at Fanatic for more information.

Loves It is always on tour.  See below for dates.

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Loves It
All We Are
(Team Austin – Oct. 29th, 2013)


Track Listing:

01. Katydid
02. Wild (STREAM | DOWNLOAD | MP3)
03. The Angels Sing
04. Rocketship
05. Flag
06. Peace
07. Anne-yr-sm
08. (Would You Like To Be) My First Divorce
09. Dancin’
10. Western Swing Murder
11. Scab
12. Choose
13. Appalachian Ballad

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Loves It Live

08/27 Livingston, MT @ Murray Bar
08/28 Ammon, ID @ The Cellar
08/29 Seattle, WA @ Darrell’s Tavern
08/30 Manzanita, OR @ Vino
08/31 Portland, OR @ Plews Brews
09/01 Ashland, OR @ Grizzly Peak Winery
09/05 Fresno, CA @ Fresno Brewing Company
09/07 Mendocino, CA @ Dick’s Place
09/08 Knight’s Ferry, CA @ Sheatherfest
09/12 Bolinas, CA @ Smiley’s
09/13 San Jose, CA @ House Show lovesitmusic@gmail.com
09/14 Santa Rosa, CA @ Arlene Francis Center Music Art and Movement Celebration
09/16 Los Angeles, CA @ Redwood Bar
09/17 San Diego, CA @ Tin Can Ale House
09/18 Los Angeles, CA @ Taix
09/19 Boulder Creek, NV @ The Dillinger
09/20 Prescott, AZ @ Raven Cafe
09/23 Phoenix, AZ @ Joe’s Grotto
09/26 Tucson, AZ @ Plush
09/27 Gallup, NM @ Coal Street
09/28 Enid, OK @ Fling at The Springs Festival
10/04 Huntsville, AL @ Lowe Mill Concerts on The Dock
10/05 Sarasota, FL @ House Concert lovesitmusic@gmail.com
10/08 Sarasota, FL @ Packinghouse
10/10 Orlando, FL @ Will’s Pub
10/12 Tallahassee, FL @ Mockingbird
10/16 Sarasota, FL @ Packinghouse
10/18 St. Augustine Beach, FL @ Jack’s BBQ
10/20 Tampa, FL @ Skipper’s Smokehouse
10/30 Austin, TX @ White Horse 10PM, CD Release Show, w/ Leo Rondeau
10/31 Llano, TX @ Badu House Wine
11/05 Marble Falls, TX @ River City Grill
11/07 Austin, TX @ The Driskill
11/16 Austin, TX @ Hargrave Arcade
11/22 Wharton, TX @ Milam Street Coffee
11/23 Decatur, GA @ Shootout at Eddie’s Attic
12/08 Portsmouth, NH @ Press Room
12/11 New Haven, CT @ Cafe 9
12/13 Brooklyn, NY @ Red Hook Bait and Tackle
12/14 Philmont, NY @ Main Street Pub
12/21 Morgantown, WV @ Gene’s
12/22 Thomas, WV @ Purple Fiddle

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Loves It Links


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Contact Josh Bloom at Fanatic Promotion