Steve Poltz "The Windows Of Halifax"

I think we should all take a breather from these summer temps and enjoy a little Christmas in August. Why now? Well, just the thought of snow and a roaring fire in the fireplace makes you remember, just for the moment, what that feels like on one’s skin. Blast the AC while you are doing it, and let’s just hope we don’t blow the power grid like they did in a major portion of India these last few days. We are halfway through the summer, and the fall clothing will be in stores soon. I just can’t get behind that yet. Though, if you are in the mountains (or the Southern Hemisphere) I guess the thought of trying on sweaters might be comforting. But I digress.

Today Steve Poltz regales us with a warped tale of Christmas, as yet unreleased. Of course, Steve has a brand new album, Noineen Noiny Noin that just came out, but this song is not on it. And just because it has a Christmas theme, by no means it is safe to play with the kids around. Let this be fair warning, there is language within.

Of course, Steve Poltz is on the road, which is a pretty endless process. Tonight, though, you can catch him in all his celestial zaniness, as he will be performing live from The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf on Sunset and Argyle in Los Angeles, CA. Ya gotta buy a ticket to be a part of this special event which will be streamed on StageIt. There are more tour dates here. Music Fog loves us some Poltz…here is one of the tunes we recorded during the Spring Music Fog Marathon at Threadgill’s in March, The Windows Of Halifax.”

-Jessie Scott

Mic Harrison And The High Score "Out Of The Blue"

The Music Fog Kickstarter campaign to raise money to allow us to Nashville in September is off to a slow start. We hope that if you enjoy our videos, you would in essence “pay it forward,” with a pledge to support our travels and production costs. We also hope you’d retweet and post our Kickstarter link on your Facebook page.  We have only 24 more days to hit our goal. If we don’t make it, the pledged money reverts back to you. Not to mention, Music Fog would not be in attendance at The Americana Music Association Conference IF WE DON”T RAISE THE MONEY. Sorry to yell, but we know our videos travel through the social networks, to thirsty people who are looking for music discovery delivered in a quality package. WE KNOW IT’S WORKING, and we really need your help to make our next trip a reality. We have no corporate sponsorship - eventually it will come, but not in this economic environment. we are on a mission to seek Americana Music out, and deliver it to you.

We have another exclusive video debut for you today. A couple of weeks ago, we put up another song we filmed at Americana Fest last year with Scott Miller and Mic Harrison, AKA The V-Roys. The had put out an album and did a year end concert together in 2011, and made some appearances in support of the project. They are both continue their solo pursuits, too.

Mic Harrison and The High Score have released three previous albums: Push Me On Home (2007), On the Right Side of the Grass (2008) and Great Commotion (2010)  Today’s video is “Out Of The Blue,” from their brand new album Still Wanna Fight, just released in early July. Crank it kids! This is a summer rocker, then go and see them for a fun night out.

-Jessie Scott

Ponderosa "Never Come Back"

Shall we talk today about one of the still cool things in the music biz, the indie record store? In this day of file sharing and music discovery being done on one’s own, having an outpost with informed clerks and a community culture that takes out the virtual and makes it real is so important. If you consider yourself a music junkie, here is hoping you have a store near you dedicated to ferreting out the good stuff. One of the great ones is Grimey’s New & Preloved Music in Nashville. There you will find limited editions only available at indie music stores, and a grand march of fabulous in store performances. The band Ponderosa will be there today in Nashville at 6pm.

Ponderosa has been hard at work, crafting a new album and refining and building on their sound. Pool Party comes out today, and it represents an amazing growth spurt for the band from Atlanta, Georgia. This is the follow up to 2011’s Moonlight Revival. Kalen Nash on lead vocal and guitar, JT Hall playing bass and singing, John Dance on keys and vocals, Kris Sampson on guitar, and Darren Dodd on drums, came en masse to our Spring Music Fog Marathon in March at Threadgill’s WHQ in Austin. They brought us some powerful stuff. Here is one of the new songs, recorded Music Fog style. “Never Come Back.”

-Jessie Scott