Amy Speace "Manila Street"

I am ever struck as I sit in the midst of marvelous music, at just how many talented creatures I encounter on an almost daily basis. Every single person that came to play my concert series this week at Threadgill’s, The School Night Sessions, was incredible. On Sunday night we had the fabulous harmony of Texas Renegade. Monday night was an in the round with Raina Rose, Will T. Massey, and Mack Fockler. All were wonderful, all were entities unto themselves. And Tuesday night brought Ali Holder and The Broken Hearted, and the mercurial John Evans. There is so much talent around, that it is an even bigger shame that radio doesn’t feature folks like this. There is something so soul satisfying about connecting with music that can move you.

I think that is why I am bummed that I didn’t get to go to Folk Alliance, besides seeing friends, of course. So much music, the communication raw and real and high touch. Amy Speace didn’t make it to Folk Alliance last week either. She was doing a tour in Colorado, including playing the Historic Boulder Theater with Judy Collins. Good thing that there are more dates coming with Miss Collins later in March. Two glorious songbirds; what a well matched evening’s entertainment. We bring you vintage Amy today, from our Americana Music Association sessions from the previous event year, September 2010, to be exact. As I recall, it was very early in the morning when Amy showed up, and drenched us in elegance and sorrow with a song of lost love, “Manila Street.”

- Jessie Scott

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

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