In House #1589: Chris Volpe's Refugee Blues; Clumsy Lovers and Rocky Votolato In the Area This Weekend

Chris Volpe is a promising San Francisco-based singer-songwriter whose music draws obvious comparisons to the likes of Dylan, Drake and Paul Simon. His 2005 self-release Refugee Blues had already garnered plenty of attention when it was recently named the Independent Music Awards 2006 Folk Album of the Year, an honor that has in the past been bestowed upon the likes of Chris Whitley, among others. Given the way the album sounds, it's amazing when one considers the fact that all fifteen tracks were recorded in one take, nor were there any overdubs. One gets the feeling that the young Volpe is just getting started.

Chris Volpe

Elsewhere, live music hits the area this weekend as Rocky Votolato goes the unpredictable route by playing in Provo, UT at some place called Velour. Votolato, as you may know, is touring in support of his 2006 release, makers, which came out on Barsuk in January. The album has more or less completed Votolato's transformation into a straight-up country/folk singer-songwriter-- given where he was and where he is, it's been a fairly impressive one.

Rocky Votolato

Meanwhile, the long and unending road that Vancouver's Clumsy Lovers travel comes back around once again, as they play Ego's in Salt Lake City tonight and the First National Bar in Pocatello, ID tomorrow night. The band's most recent release, Smart Kid, came out last year on Nettwerk after a string of self-released titles. Despite the nearly non-stop touring, the band never seems to fail in delivering a high-energy, sweat-soaked show.

Clumsy Lovers


In House #1589. Airdate: 3/31/06 Focus: Recent release from San Francisco's Chris Volpe, Refugee Blues, plus the Clumsy Lovers and Rocky Votolato play live dates in the area this weekend. Also, new music from Neko Case, Scott Miller and more.



PLAYLIST

In House #1588: New Cassandra Wilson, Ben Harper; Snake Oil Stompers Live In Studio



Cassandra Wilson's latest, Thunderbird, is due out April 4th on Blue Note


In House #1588.
Airdate: 3/30/06
Focus: New music from Cassandra Wilson and Ben Harper, plus Pocatello's Snake Oil Stompers live in studio.

BONUS- from today's live acoustic set with the Snake Oil Stompers:
1- "Way Down in New Orleans" (MP3)

2- "Shake Your Curios" (MP3)

3- "Marie Laveau" (MP3)


PLAYLIST

In House #1587: Dwight Yoakam & Eddie Spaghetti in Salt Lake City

Singer-songwriter Dwight Yoakam has spent years now fighting the good fight of reminding the country music establishment of its roots. In turn, he's been accepted and rejected by that establishment more than one can count-- given that his recent work has been perhaps the best of his career, that acceptance currently appears to be on the waning side of things. A 2004 best of collection, The Very Best of Dwight Yoakam, reveals the double-sidedness of his career, with mainstream country radio hits like "Guitars, Cadillacs," and "A Thousand Miles from Nowhere," included alongside lesser known gems like "The Late Great Golden State." Yoakam plays at The Depot in Salt Lake City tomorrow night with opener Eddie Spaghetti.


In House #1587.
Airdate: 3/29/06
Focus: Dwight Yoakam & Eddie Spaghetti tomorrow night in Salt Lake City, plus a new live album from Southern Culture On the Skids and new music from Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson and more.


BONUS MP3s-
Southern Culture On the Skids: "Doublewide" (LIVE) (MP3)
Eddie Spaghetti: "I Don't Wanna Lose You Yet" (MP3)


PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #82

In House #1586: Quasi's When the Going Gets Dark; New Yeah Yeah Yeahs


The question that Quasi seems to be posing on their sixth album, entitled When the Going Gets Dark, is, "Just how much ruckus can a guy on a keyboard and a girl on a drumkit make?" The answer, apparently, is quite a lot. Add to the mix production from Dave Fridmann and it becomes an alltogether new kind of ruckus. The effort is another in a string of albums that feature Sam Coomes and Janet Weiss creating their own unique brand of piano-based indie rock. Weiss, you will recall, has a regular gig as 33.3% of Sleater-Kinney, while Coomes is a veteran of the Portland indie scene including stints with Motorgoat, Heatmiser and Elliott Smith's touring band. When the Going Gets Dark dropped last week on Touch & Go.


In House #1586.
Airdate: 3/28/06
Focus: New release from Quasi, When the Going Gets Dark, plus new music from the Yeah Yeahs and Built to Spill, and the Cloud Room in Salt Lake City tonight.


BONUS MP3s-
the Yeah Yeah Yeahs: "Turn Into" (MP3)
Quasi: "Peace & Love" (MP3)


PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #81

In House #1585: Loose Fur's Born Again In the U.S.A.; New Billy Bragg Single

It might be said, and rightly so, that side projects generally play out as vanity exercises, with artists tending toward the more experimental, and not always more listenable, side of things. This argument, in fact, could be made about the first release from Loose Fur, the trio made up of Wilco's Glenn Kotche and Jeff Tweedy, as well as hand-in-everything Jim O'Rourke. Born Again In the U.S.A., the band's sophomore effort out last week on Drag City, is another story all-together, however, as it tightens things up a bit and brings the average track length down to a much more manageable four minutes or so. The band mines power pop, classic rock and rootsy balladry through ten tracks that, while more listener-friendly than those on the debut, are still full of the unpredictability Loose Fur established with that release. The result is an album that plays out less like a release made up of studio jams and Wilco throwaways and more like a band establishing its own sound.


In House #1585.
Airdate: 3/27/06
Focus: New release from Loose Fur, Born Again In the U.S.A., plus a new politically-charged single from Billy Bragg, and the latest from the Minus 5, Portastatic, Gus Black and more.

BONUS MP3-
Billy Bragg: "Bush War Blues" (MP3)

BONUS Video-
Loose Fur: "Hey Chicken" (YouTube)


PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #80

In House #1584: New Scott Miller; Steam Powered Airplane in Pocatello


Citation is the third full-length from Scott Miller and his band the Commonwealth, out last week on Sugar Hill records. Miller's sound has always been favorably comparable to the likes of Dylan, as well as the rootsier sides of Petty and Springsteen. The new album ups the ante on the storytelling, with songs like "Freedom Is a Stranger," and "Jody," playing out like short stories. Also interesting is a cover of Neil Young's "Hawks & Doves," the political content of which is right at home in the mix. The album was recorded in Memphis, produced by Jim Dicksinson.

Scott Miller

Also today, music from the most recent release from Jackson Hole-based bluegrass act Steam Powered Airplane. The band plays the First National Bar in Pocatello, ID tomorrow night, just a bit ahead of an extensive east coast tour.


Steam Powered Airplane

In House #1584.
Airdate: 3/24/06
Focus: New release from Scott Miller & the Commonwealth, Citation, plus Jackson Hole's Steam Powered Airplane in Pocatello tomorrow night and new music from Shawn Mullins, Jolie Holland, Josh Ritter and more.

BONUS MP3-
Scott Miller & the Commonwealth: "Only Everything" (MP3)


PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #79

In House #1583: Willie Nelson's You Don't Know Me; The Little Willies


While the man himself certainly needs no introduction, the subject of Willie Nelson's new album, You Don't Know Me might, at least by name. Hailing from Texas, Cindy Walker penned scores of country swing tunes, many of them becoming oft-covered standards. The album's title track is probably her most famous, having been recorded by the likes of Elvis Presley, Dean Martin, Ray Charles and Eddy Arnold, to name just a few. Nelson also revives several Walker tunes recorded and made famous by Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys, including "Bubbles In My Beer," and "Take Me In Your Arms." For Nelson, the album is a return to form, eschewing the Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow guest appearances that a music exec somewhere has deemed as essential for keeping his music "relevant." In any case, it's a breath of fresh air as Nelson and his band breeze through a collection of tunes that they've clearly known for decades. The result is both a tribute from one Texas music legend to another, as well as yet another impressive chapter in the career of a true American original.


In House #1583.
Airdate: 3/23/06
Focus: New release from Willie Nelson, You Don't Know Me: The Songs of Cindy Walker, plus the debut album from the Little Willies and new music from Wanda Jackson and more.

BONUS MP3-
Willie Nelson: "Bubbles In My Beer" (MP3)


PLAYLIST

In House #1582: Mates of State's Bring It Back; Velvet Teen in Salt Lake


San Francisco's Mates of State returned this week with their fourth full-length, Bring It Back. The release marked the first on the Barsuk label for the couple, united in music, love and lately, parenthood.

The duo has built a sizable following over the course of the past few years, and a reputation, in particular, for always "bringing it" live (thus, an apt title for the new album). As in those instances, the new effort seems to spill with soul, with songs like "For the Actor," "Think Long," and "So Many Ways," all reaching an impressive level of grandeur-- indeed this appears to be the closest that the duo has come to capturing their live spectacle in a recording. Take notice, Rosebuds, the Mates of State have laid down the gauntlet in the ever-competitive Married Indie Pop Duos arena.


In House #1582.
Airdate: 3/22/06
Focus: New release from Mates of State, Bring It Back, plus the Velvet Teen in Salt Lake City tonight and new music from the Crystal Skulls, Stereolab and more.

BONUS MP3s-
Mates of State: "Think Long" (MP3)
Velvet Teen: "Naked Girl" (MP3) and "Captive Audience" (MP3)
Crystal Skulls: "Baby Boy" (MP3)


PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #78

In House #1581: Rhett Miller in Park City Tonight; New Josh Rouse


Old 97's frontman Rhett Miller hits Club Suede in Park City tonight, touring in support of his recent solo effort, The Believer. While his last release, 2002's The Instigator, was more of a pure pop departure from his work with the 97's, his latest features threads of twang in the mix here and there-- even going so far as to re-record a couple of Old 97's songs in the process. As always, the songs feature Miller's breezy delivery and heart-on-his-sleeve lyrics.


Rhett Miller

As far as tonight's show goes, it's the beginning of an extensive tour that will see Miller hitting both coasts. Of note, Swedish singer-songwriter Nicolai Dunger opens things up. Dunger, who's drawn countless comparisons to the likes of Van Morrison for both his songwriting style and lyrical delivery, recently had his 2004 release Here's My Song, You Can Have It... I Don't Want It Anymore/Yours 4ever, Nicolai Dunger given a proper North American release by Zoe records.

Nicolai Dunger


In House #1581.
Airdate: 3/21/06
Focus: Rhett Miller with Nicolai Dunger tonight in Park City, plus new music from Josh Rouse, Ray Davies and more.

BONUS MP3s:
Rhett Miller (with Rachel Yamagata): "Fireflies" (MP3)
Rhett Miller: "My Valentine" (MP3)


PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #77

In House #1580: Beth Orton in Salt Lake City Tonight





In House #1580.
Airdate: 3/20/06
Focus: Beth Orton & Willy Mason in Salt Lake City tonight. Plus, new music from Ambulance Ltd, Hem and more.

BONUS MP3s-
Willy Mason: "Oxygen" (MP3)
Beth Orton: "Conceived" (Real Audio)


PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #76

In House #1579: St. Patrick's Day Special; Loftus Jones Live




In House #1579.
Airdate: 3/17/06
Focus: St. Patrick's Day Special featuring music from the Pogues, Flogging Molly and Loftus Jones live in the studio.



PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #75

In House #1578: Diamonds In the SXSW Rough; The Rubes in Pocatello This Weekend


Unless you have no interest whatsoever in independent music, in which case it's odd that you're reading this, you're likely well aware that the 20th Annual South by Southwest Music Conference is going on this week in Austin, TX. It's truly massive, and seems to grow larger every year, now expanding into areas of film and interactive conferences. I would imagine it's something of an amazing experience just to be in town this week, if also a bit overwhelming. For the rest of us, as in those who don't generally get to go, there are solaces here and there. Take, for example, the festival's showcasing artists pages, which provide (mostly) detailed information on every musician that's playing this week, as well as high-quality mp3 downloads for most of them. It's scouring through these pages, pouring over the names of hundreds of acts, where the real rewards come about. We all know that Neil Young, Morrissey and Ray Davies will be there, but what about the Whigs or the Femurs? Furthermore, who in the hell are they, where do they come from, and, most importantly, what do they sound like? These are the diamond in the rough discoveries. We delivered some of them here and here.


Back in flyover country, Salt Lake City's Rubes return to Pocatello this weekend for a Saturday night show at the First National Bar.


The band is fresh off playing their initial show as rockabilly legend Wanda Jackson's backing band and never fail to bring it. As you may recall, we featured them here and here.


In House #1578.
Airdate: 3/16/06
Focus: We spotlight a handful of bands playing this week's South by Southwest Festival that you've probably never heard. Plus, the Rubes return to Pocatello this weekend and new music from Destroyer, Bishop Allen and more.



PLAYLIST

In House #1577: Cordero's En Este Momento; New Calexico; Iron & Wine Covers Will Oldham

Originally from Atlanta, it might be said that Cordero creates music within that rarest of genres, indie latin. Led by vocalist Ani Cordero, the band released En este momento this week, their third full-length overall but first for the venerable Bloodshot label. Singing in both English and Spanish, Cordero combines elements of traditional latin and mariachi music with the spontaneity of rock, at times coming across as an Exene Cervenka-fronted Calexico. It's Frida Kahlo at a Mexican disco and dusty border towns run by a man they simply call "Gelb."

In House #1577.
Airdate: 3/15/06
Focus: New release from Cordero, En este momento, plus new music from Calexico, Iron & Wine covers Will Oldham and more.

BONUS MP3s-
Cordero: "La Piedra" (MP3) and "Close Your House Down" (MP3)


PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #74

In House #1576: Ambulance Ltd's New English EP; Portastatic Covers Ryan Adams




In House #1576.
Airdate: 3/14/06
Focus: New EP from Ambulance Ltd, New English, plus new music from Gomez, Casey Dienel and more.



PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #73

More SXSW Goodness

Some names you may recognize, some you may not.

Curt Kirkwood: "Beautiful Weapon" (MP3)

Sam Champion: "Slow Rewind" (MP3)

Mazarin: "New American Apathy" (MP3)

Mark Pickerel: "Forest Fire" (MP3)

Jenny Owen Youngs: "Fuck Was I" (MP3)

Shearwater: "Seventy-four, Seventy-five" (MP3)



Your donation of a round-trip ticket to Austin is, of course, tax-deductible.

In House #1575: Tres Chicas' Bloom, Red & the Ordinary Girl, New Music from Jon Langford

Bloom, Red & the Ordinary Girl is the second full-length effort from Tres Chicas, out recently on Yep Roc. The band consists of three female singer-songwriters, Lynn Blakey, Tonya Lamm, and Caitlin Cary, who have enjoyed success as both solo artists and as part of other projects-- kind of a female supergroup of sorts.

This is probably most notably true of Cary, who got her start as the yin to Ryan Adams' yang as part of Whiskeytown and has since fostered a solid reputation as a solo artist. Tres Chicas play several shows in Austin, TX this week as part of the South by Southwest music festival.



In House #1575.
Airdate: 3/13/06
Focus: New release from Tres Chicas, Bloom, Red & the Ordinary Girl, plus new music from Jon Langford, Neko Case, and more.

BONUS MP3 from today's show:
Tres Chicas: "Drop Me Down" (MP3)

PLAYLIST

Radio Gone Wild (Vacation Post)

Hi. I work hard. It's cold here. I'm going some place warm for a while. Nevertheless, the shows must go on. Here, then, is what you can expect from next week's broadcasts/podcasts. Listen and enjoy, but not before the airdate! For real, no peeking.

The Robot Ate Me: "On Vacation" (MP3)



Monday 3/6/2006:
In House #1570
Focus: New release from Van Morrison, Pay the Devil, plus new music from Kris Kristofferson, Wanda Jackson, Hank Williams III and more.
PLAYLIST
In House PODCAST #69

Tuesday 3/7/2006:
In House #1571
Focus: New release from Stereolab, Fab Four Suture, plus new music from Morrissey, Mogwai, I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness and more.
PLAYLIST
In House PODCAST #70

Wednesday 3/8/2006:
In House #1572
Focus: New release from Neko Case, Fox Confessor Brings the Flood, as well as new music from Josh Ritter, the Deadstring Brothers, Mark Pickerel and more.
PLAYLIST
In House PODCAST #71

Thursday 3/9/2006:
In House #1573 (Repeat)
Focus: Land Sound Record #1 featuring Van Morrison's Astral Weeks, plus new music from Rhett Miller, Teddy Thompson and more.
PLAYLIST

Friday 3/10/2006
In House #1574
Focus: Debut release from Band of Horses, Everything All the Time, playing Boise tonight and Salt Lake City tomorrow night. Plus, new music from Bishop Allen, Destroyer, Loose Fur and more.
PLAYLIST
In House PODCAST #72


Sayonara.

In House #1569: This weekend: Voxtrot in Salt Lake City, Will Sartain in Pocatello

Austin, TX-based act Voxtrot plays Kilby Court in Salt Lake City tomorrow night, touring in support of their upcoming ep, Mothers, Sisters, Daughters & Wives.

Meanwhile, Salt Lake City-based singer-songwriter Will Sartain plays at the First National Bar in Pocatello, ID. The appearance is a first for Sartain, who will actually be serving as the opening act for a band of which he's also a part: The Tremula. Both acts have recent releases on Salt Lake City's exumbrella records.

Will Sartain

In House #1569.
Airdate: 3/03/06
Focus: Voxtrot in Salt Lake City, Will Sartain in Pocatello this weekend. Plus, new music from Belle & Sebastian, Irving and more.

BONUS MP3s:
Will Sartain: "Piano Song #2" (MP3) and "Fall" (MP3)



PLAYLIST

In House #1568: Wanda Jackson's I Remember Elvis

Wanda Jackson has enjoyed a rather unlikely resurgence of popularity in the last few years-- a rebirth that has included 2003's comeback release, Heart Trouble, featuring the likes of Elvis Costello, Dave Alvin and others, as well as a wonderful tribute album that included Neko Case, Robbie Fulks, Wayne Hancock, and a host of others that carry on with music in the tradition of recordings she made over fifty years ago.

Wanda Jackson

Now the Queen of Rockabilly is back with a new album paying tribute to longtime friend and one-time boyfriend Elvis Presley. I Remember Elvis features Jackson's new versions of thirteen songs associated with Presley, including takes on "Blue Moon of Kentucky," and "Heartbreak Hotel." Still going strong at nearly 70, Jackson tour constantly-- in fact, those in the intermountain west will get a chance to see her in person when she plays at Idaho St. University this April.


In House #1568.
Airdate: 3/02/06
Focus: New release from Wanda Jackson, I Remember Elvis, plus new music from Neko Case and more.

BONUS MP3-
Wanda Jackson: "Blue Moon of Kentucky" (MP3)

PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #68

In House #1567: New Live Elvis Costello, Rhett Miller's The Believer


The only man who has earned the right to be known simply as "Elvis" is at it again-- this time lending his chameleon-like musical persona to a new live collection recorded at the 2004 North Sea Jazz Festival. My Flame Burns Blue features Elvis Costello, backed by the 52-piece Metropole Orkest, both reworking classics and unveiling new material from his metropolitan side. Of particular interest is the version here of Charles Mingus' "Hora Decubitis," to which Costello added lyrics in the aftermath of September 11th. The release adds yet another chapter to the creative life of a true artist. Costello tours in the U.S. this spring with the Boston Symphony Orchestra.


In House #1567.
Airdate: 3/01/06
Focus: New live release from Elvis Costello, My Flame Burns Blue, plus new music from Rhett Miller's The Believer, Sondre Lerche and more.



PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #67