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

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

Nakia "Parachute"

We love Nakia! And congrats go out to him as he got his 'work' done a few days ago, when he hit his number for his Pledge Music campaign. He was looking to fund production costs for his new album, and he hit his goal on July 12. We are honored that a bit of our Music Fog session with him in March makes a quick cameo on screen in his “ask” video. Of course, now the actual process goes on, the recording, mixing, mastering, packaging and planning for the release of the music.

Even though he hit his goal, the Pledge campaign will remain open until the album is about to come out. I like this, as it is the opportunity to see one’s own vision through to completion. When corporations get involved, other agendas can be set in place that obscure the original goal. Of course, we know what the deal is, as Music Fog did a Kickstarter campaign to get us to Austin during SXSW. We are about to unveil our next campaign, to allow us to travel to Nashville for Americana Fest in September. We hope you will help when we launch that, in the next couple of days.

Today we revisit another song from the powerful voice and presence that is Nakia. Hell yeah, it is another unreleased tune, “Parachute,” from our Spring Music Fog Marathon in Austin at Threadgill’s.

-Jessie Scott