Elliott BROOD "Riding In Time"

It is an awesome thing to immerse oneself in music. I just got to see The Trishas again, more powerful than ever, as they played Shady Grove in Austin on Thursday. Their long awaited EP is out! They Call Us The Trishas features five tunes, and just whets the appetite for more. Then, on Saturday, it was enigmatic post-folk singer Tom Freund, accompanied by hipster maestro Chris Masterson, delivering easy lyrics, playing with their articulation and twisting the cadence. Tom will be heading south to play Austin City Limits Festival, and has a new EP out called Collapsible Plans. Last night, it was the magnificent Walt Wilkins and the Mystiqueros, whose new CD is called Agave. And as I am traveling with them, it is a joy indeed to be treated to their artistry. We hope to soon be bringing you some Walt and the gang, and some solo Mystiquero Bill Small, who recently released an album too, The Next Time. I could go on and on with recommendations, but I will stop here. Maybe I'll do another installment in another article. Just know that there is great music out there, if you look for it. The creative spirit is alive and well. It is almost too much to keep up with.

When Music Fog took over the stage at Threadgill's, during SXSW, we encountered the "problem" of just having too many artists that we wanted to book. We are ever vigilant to bring you more. Some that you know, some that you might have heard of, and some that might be totally new to you. Here's hoping that this wasn't your first rodeo with the Elliott BROOD. They are about to head out on another leg of their tour on August 26th, this time to Europe. Wish we could go with them! Let's talk Zen, let's celebrate gentle harmonies and introspective licks that don't scream, but wash upon you as the water laps the shore. Elliott BROOD, "Riding In Time."

- Jessie Scott

Miss Tess & the Bon Ton Parade "Train Ride to Caroline"

Americana. It is a term batted around more these days, but still ill defined. It combines roots forms; country, rock 'n roll, gospel, R&B, blues, folk, and is none of these things purely, but the synthesis creates something wholly its own. It is a melting pot of music, much as American is a melting pot society. If you are new to the term Americana, it is described on the Americana Music Association's website: "Americana is music that honors and is derived from the traditions of American roots music. It is music inspired by American culture traditions which is not only represented in classic man made / roots based sounds but also through new and contemporary artists whose music is clearly inspired by these great traditions."

In some cases, it isn't even American roots, but other ones that wind up in the musical stew. Like Tex-Mex, or the French influence in Zydeco, or the Gypsy and Jewish influence of jazz included in the music of Miss Tess and The Bon Ton Parade. She and the band are New York based. When I think about it, it is a pretty amazing collection of young artists living there: Annie & the Beekeepers, The Wiyos, Yarn, and The Bowmans, just to name some. They have a new EP release called The Waltz Set coming soon, and are doing a show to celebrate that in New York on Thursday, September 30th, in the big room at Rockwood Music Hall. Interesting to have this music in one of its historical touchstones, the Lower East Side of New York. Perfect melting pot scenario.

Back in March we had the honor of Miss Tess and The Bon Ton Parade performing during Music Fog's artist showcase at Threadgill's in Austin. "Train Ride to Caroline" comes from that session.

- Jessie Scott

Guy Forsyth "Things That Matter"

I called the cops a few nights ago; there was a domestic altercation next door. It raged for three hours until 4 am. Maybe even more disturbing than the yelling, is that the cops never came. One would hope they would have if they thought it was a more dangerous scenario, and not just two people having a set-to against each other. It set me to wondering how love turns to hate. Whether substance induced, jealousy inspired, or as a response to issues of dominance; how the passion gets diverted and turns inwardly destructive. As Muddy Waters said "...everybody's fighting about the same thing." I had a conversation with Barbara Jo from KGSR the other night, about why the blues is still evocative. We ran into each other at Jenni Finlay's 4th Anniversary Bash at Cheatham Street Warehouse in San Marcos, and we were talking about the ability the blues has to heal, to soothe, to articulate feelings, even through its sometime heaviness. It is with interest that I watch so many marquee artists, Elvis Costello, Robert Plant, Sheryl Crow, and Cyndi Lauper, just to name a few, embracing earlier musical forms like the Blues, Folk, Bluegrass, and R&B. It says something to me about them, moving back to that music which is eternal.

Guy Forsyth came to visit us at Threadgill's this past March. He graced us with a couple of as yet unreleased tunes. "Things That Matter," a country blues tune, is one of them. As usual, Guy nails the simple, yet sublime, sentiment; the real golden rule. It speaks to perspective. Both the music and the message are stripped down to what's important. It is a beacon of simplicity to illuminate the way.

Guy is doing some dates in Texas before heading to Europe at the end of the month. You can see his full schedule in the tour dates section on his incredible website! And though I hate to be the first to mention Christmas, I am hoping that the magnificent holiday show Guy does with Carolyn Wonderland comes to a venue near you at the end of the year. It is a must see. So is this. "Things That Matter," a tune which he dedicates to the late Stephen Bruton.

- Jessie Scott