Elephant Revival "Go On"

As I write this,  I am watching Hurricane Isaac coverage, and as I just visited New Orleans last week, I am feeling especially kindred with the folks in that town. I know that a lot of people didn’t evacuate with this storm, thinking it wasn’t going to be that dangerous. My son lives in NOLA, and I am texting him every few hours, as they are hunkered down, without power. It is hard to monitor these kinds of events from afar, and it is sure unsettling trying to second guess Mother Nature. With all of that, I am sweating out how slow moving this storm is, wondering if the infrastructure, which was rebuilt after Katrina, will hold up to the winds and rain and possible flooding. I am praying for everyones safe passage through the storm.

Today’s tune is one of encouragement to seize the moment and run with it. “Go On” from the amazing Colorado based band Elephant Revival. You know, I read all the comments that are posted on our YouTube channel, and the sentiments about these guys, by far and away, are raves. They are spectacular to see in concert, really special players and wonderfully intuitive as an ensemble. The good news is their fall tour takes them across the country eastbound, and then back! Here are Bonnie Paine, Sage Cook, Dan Rodriguez, Bridget Law, and Dango Rose with a tune from their Break In The Clouds album, filmed at the 2011 Americana Fest in Nashville at Marathon Recorders.

-Jessie Scott

Lucero "Women & Work"

The Larry Joe Taylor Songwriters Contest preliminary rounds wrapped up on Monday night at Poodie’s Roadhouse. The finals are September 10th and are being judged by Larry Joe himself, as the grand prize is passage for two on his January cruise, with a performance slot on a guitar in the round session. I have been at 7 of 8 of these weeks, and so many times, it has been hard to just pick one winner to be a finalist. It has been great getting to know a whole crop of new artists too. I have to say that it takes a lotta guts to stand up and play your songs to be judged, especially. But everyone that hears the muse has to start somewhere.

The band Lucero has been around for 14 years, and you know it had to start way back with the vision of a life of music; the idea of crafting songs, the endless hours to get good and then to get out there and ply their craft. I got to play their music a decade ago at XM, and have avidly watched them progress into the force they are today. Women & Work is the 8th album for the band from Memphis, on this offering you will find horns, pedal steel guitar, all manner of keyboards, and a gospel chorus. Music Fog has the honor of debuting the video for the title cut, which by the way is the first one the band has made in their 14 year history. It was directed by Jonathan Pekar from Memphis’ legendary Ardent Studios, at beautiful Massey Farm in the North Mississippi Hill Country of Senatobia. It’s time to kick up your heels and party.

-Jessie Scott

Uncle Lucius "Got Over Myself/Fire On The Rooftop"

I think back on the first time we laid eyes on Uncle Lucius. Music Fog was in the back room at Threadgill’s in 2009 in March during SXSW. It was our first outing there, and we had been working hard all day with a full dance card. The connection was made because we were part of the Threadgill’s family, and so was the band. We wound up doing a set with them in the evening. We were so jazzed by what they were doing that we sent them the entire set. I know they were able to use it to get gigs and to plant the seeds that would grow into what they are today.

Uncle Lucius is a testament to using the finest ingredients to bake the cake. They have worked hard these last four years, and I have to say that they are even better with every turn of the season. The new Uncle Lucius album, And You Are Me, comes out today. They kicked off a new tour in support of it at home in Austin this past Saturday at Antone’s Night Club. Here is where they are gonna be. It makes me really happy to see Uncle Lucius knocking on the door of success. They are great guys, besides the talent, and it is especially satisfying when good guys win. Today we bring you back to the Threadgill’s stage a year ago in March of 2011. "Got Over Myself/Fire on the Rooftop" cannot be found on the new album, though “Fire” is from the 2009 release Pick Your Head Up. We offer this up for those of you who have not seen this amazing band in action. Remember, your Uncle loves you!

-Jessie Scott