Asylum Street Spankers "Didn't It Rain"

The stage at Threadgill's was filled to capacity. There were so many folks on stage that their were two rows of them! The Asylum Street Spankers brought Broadway to us. The word TROUPE comes to mind, yes, and Vaudeville. There are old and loved concepts. They have been at it a long time themselves, with roots that stretch back to 1994 when Christina Marrs met Wammo at a mind expanding party in Llano, Texas. Within a year they conquered Austin, playing three SRO weekly residencies. In 1997 the band began venturing out into the wider world. Since then, Christina and Wammo have pushed their ever-evolving troupe from the early American music forms to new works for the stage and sociopolitical commentary. They are audacious, irrereverant, bubbling over with talent, and hallelujah - there is a brand new album, God's Favorite Band, their ninth.

We dedicate "Didn't It Rain" to the fine folks of Nashville who are rebuilding from the deluge. We direct your attention again to the Red Cross to help if you can.

- Jessie Scott

Jess Klein "Travelin' Woman"

It's been a life of moving and grooving. From growing up in New York to spending some time as a teenager on the island of Jamaica in the Caribbean, to the music scene in Boston, to a relocation to Texas in 2008, Jess Klein sure gets around. Austin afforded her the opportunity to live among a community of roots artists and she began writing and then testing the songs in front of small groups of fans at local club gigs. In December 2008 she went into the studio to record her seventh studio album, Bound To Love at The Aerie in Austin, TX with producers Mark Addison and Scrappy Jud Newcomb. The label situation is interesting. United For Opportunity describes itself as: "an organization of experienced, independent-thinking music industry activists that have come together to create a new model for a record label/music distribution company. A company founded on the principles of a fair deal, hard work, transparency, and realistic expectations, whose mission is to foster the art of artist development in conjunction with motivated career oriented artists. Harvesting our years of experience operating in the independent music sector as artist managers, lawyers, publishers, booking agents, and producers, we have formed UFO to support independent and disenfranchised artists who desire to maintain control of their music career." Amen! If you are interested in finding out more about their philosophy and operations, click through here.

Jess Klein came to visit us solo at Threadgill's during SXSW in March. There is something powerful, dangerous even, about the way she addresses the mic and the crowd. There are a few shows in the Northeast this week, before she makes her way back to Austin. Catch her if you can. "Travelin' Woman."

- Jessie Scott

Miss Tess & The Bon Ton Parade "That Oo Oo Oo"

Some music springs forth from a joyous place, instantly enriching the soul. Timeless, elegant, Miss Tess and The Bon Ton Parade brought "everything that is fashionable" (from the French translation of Le Bon Ton) with trills and counterpoint, sprightly vocals, and expressive playing. Miss Tess got in touch with us through Eilen Jewell, who is also part of the burgeoning Boston roots scene. Miss Tess and the band: Alec Spiegelman (sax & clarinet), Paul Dilley (upright bass), and Matt Meyer (drums) call their music 'modern vintage.' It is a grand amalgamation of styles, era, and genres blended into the cohesive flavor of hipster swing. Critics have had a hard time labeling Tess’ music; in 2008 she won a Boston Music Award for "Outstanding Folk Artist of the Year," yet in 2009 she received a nomination for "Best Jazz Act." I love the latest Miss Tess CD, her fifth. It is called Darling, oh Darling, and I have to say, you will "get it" instantly, in just one listen, it's that accessible!

The band is spending time in Brooklyn, NY, which is seemingly becoming quite the musician hang out these days. And there is road-tripping going on, in the Northeast, Midwest, and South, so you have lots of chances to see them through the spring and summer---check their website for dates. You can also keep up on their exploits on Miss Tess' blog.

From Boston to Austin, to Brooklyn and beyond...we are so happy they came to light up the stage at Threadgill's for the Music Fog cameras. "That Oo Oo Oo" - laissez les bons temps rouler!

- Jessie Scott