In House #1877: The Hold Steady in Boise Tonight


The Hold Steady

In House #1877.
Airdate: 5/24/07
Focus: The Hold Steady with The Heartless Bastards in Boise tonight, plus Patti Smith covers The Decemberists, and new music from Buffalo Tom, Superdrag, and more.


PLAYLIST

In House #1852: New Cowboy Junkies, Playing Boise Tonight

Twenty-one years ago, the Cowboy Junkies issued a fairly unassuming debut made up almost entirely of covers, featuring songs by the likes of John Lee Hooker, Bruce Springsteen, Robert Johnson, and others. Whites Off Earth Now!! was marked in its hazy, almost drugged-out take on classic country and blues, the beginnings of a signature sound from a band that has been called "country on valium." Low meets Neil Young might have been an apt descriptor if the band hadn't predated the former. The Junkies released their twelfth studio album earlier this week, entitled At the End of Paths Taken, and while they've certainly branched out and expanded their sound over the past two decades to include rock, pop, and folk, the deliberate pace remains in many cases, not to mention the cool coo of Margo Timmins. The album, however, also continues a recent trend with the band's music to eschew traditional song structure resulting in the kind of extended jams and meditations that are the anti-3-minute-pop songs. One need look no further than the 7-minute plus "Mountain," for proof, as it spreads an atmospheric soundscape over a recording of the Timmins' (Margo and Peter, who are both in the band) father reading from what sounds like it could a personal history piece. It's a long way from Robert Johnson, to be sure, but there are plenty of more traditional moments here, including the electric blues dirge "Cutting Board Blues," and the stunning "Spiral Down." The Cowboy Junkies play the Egyptian Theatre in Boise tonight.

Cowboy Junkies

In House #1852.
Airdate: 4/19/07
Focus: New release from the Cowboy Junkies, At the End of Paths Taken, also playing Boise tonight. Plus, new music from the Golden Smog, Ian Hunter, Grant-Lee Phillips, Patti Smith, and more.

BONUS MP3-
Cowboy Junkies, from At the End of Paths Taken:

"Spiral Down" (MP3)

PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #296

In House #1845: The Asylum Street Spankers Play Boise Tonight

The irreverence of the Asylum Street Spankers makes a rare appearance in the region tonight, as they play The Neurolux in beautiful downtown Boise. The Austin, TX-based outfit has been bringing their unique and varied sound (marked by instances of political smart-aleckry, blue humor, and assorted strains of retro) to the people since 1994. Their seventh and latest studio full-length, Mommy Says No!, is a bit more "child-oriented," shall we say, than we've heard from The Spankers in the past, but still manages to come across like they might sound if Shel Silverstein joined the group. Still, for a band whose past catalog includes EPs with titles like Naughty Novelties and Dirty Ditties, not to mention the full-length ode to substance use Spanker Madness, the new release represents uncharted territory.

Asylum Street Spankers

In House #1845.
Airdate: 4/10/07
Focus: The Asylum Street Spankers in Boise tonight, plus new music from Asleep at the Wheel, Jon Rauhouse, John Doe, and more.

BONUS MP3s-
Asylum Street Spankers, from Spanker Madness (2000):

"Winning the War On Drugs" (MP3)
...and recorded live in Rochester, NY (2004):

"Asylum Street Blues" (MP3)

John Doe, from A Year In the Wilderness (due 6/12):

"The Golden State" (MP3) (with Kathleen Edwards)

The Linemen, from Through Side One:

"Through Side One" (MP3)

BONUS Vid-
Asylum Street Spankers' "Stick Magnetic Ribbons On Your SUV":


PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #291

In House #1842: Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, & Ray Price Release Last of the Breed

The trio of musicians behind the new 2-CD release Last of the Breed hardly need introductions. Between the three of them, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, and Ray Price have amassed a century and a half's worth of recordings, many of which are unarguably some of the most important and influential in the history of country music. They're hardly relics, however-- Haggard and Nelson in particular have managed to stay busy and musically relevant with a number of new projects and recordings over the past few years (though you'd never know it if you listened to mainstream country radio). Prior to this release, Haggard issued last year's Kickin' Out the Footlights...Again with George Jones and 2005's Chicago Wind, while Nelson's two new releases in 2006 were part of a period that saw him offer four full-lengths in a span of three years. Price, meanwhile, has seemed more content with his legend status in recent years, playing the Branson circuit but hardly diminishing his standing as a true living legend. The new collaboration from the three (plus guest additions from Vince Gill and Kris Kristofferson) features new versions of a host of classic country tunes from the likes of Harlan Howard ("Pick Me Up On Your Way Down"), Cindy Walker ("Goin' Away Party," and "Night Watch"), and Lefty Frizzell ("Mom & Dad's Waltz"). Haggard and Nelson also contribute an original or two along the way. With tasteful, classic production from Fred Foster, the results are what one might expect: musically solid updates far removed from mere nostalgia. Last of the Breed is out on Lost Highway.



As long as we're hearing from country music legends, we also get to music from Charlie Louvin. Touring in support of his recent self-titled comeback, Louvin plays Boise's Neurolux this Saturday night following an in-store performance at the Record Exchange earlier in the day. Louvin originally made his name five decades or so back with his brother Ira, as the Louvin Brothers. Beginning in 1940, the duo set the standard for close harmony duet singing with classics like "The Christian Life," and "Cash On the Barrel Head." Louvin's inspired return this year on Tompkins Square features guest appearances from the hipster set (Lambchop's Kurt Wagner, Wilco's Jeff Tweedy, Will Oldham), as well as long established and respected pop (Elvis Costello) and country artists (George Jones, Tom T. Hall, Bobby Bare Sr.). Louvin turns 80 in July.

In House #1842.
Airdate: 4/5/07
Focus: New release from Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, & Ray Price, Last of the Breed, plus Charlie Louvin plays Boise this weekend. Also, new music from Jon Rauhouse, Dale Watson, and more.

BONUS MP3s-
Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, & Ray Price, from Last of the Breed:

"My Life's Been a Pleasure" (MP3)

"Pick Me Up On Your Way Down" (MP3)

Charlie Louvin, from Charlie Louvin:

"Why Must You Throw Dirt In My Face?" (with George Jones)

"My Long Journey Home" (MP3) (with Paul Burch)

PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #289

In House #1838: Ted Leo's Living With the Living; Apples in Stereo in Boise, SLC

The fifth full-length from the consistently interesting, always passionate Ted Leo and his band The Pharmacists dropped last week on Touch & Go, marking the band's initial release for the label. Living With the Living once again puts Leo's fiery delivery and heart-on-his-sleeve politics on display, this go around with an unexpected element or two. "Bottle of Buckie," is pure pop jaunt, bouncing along to a vaguely Irish beat before breaking out the pennywhistle for a Lord of the Dance midsong solo that actually works well. Elsewhere the band mines the dub-tones of The Clash or The Jam on "The Unwanted Things," and even brings early Springsteen into the mix on "La Costa Brava." This being a Ted Leo album, there are politics to be had as well, and Leo's been given plenty of ammunition to work with over the past few years. "Bomb. Repeat. Bomb.," as the title might suggest, is an absolute in your face to the current American government and its war, while similar themes pop up amongst the tunes "Army Bound," (which also features a mean guitar solo) and "Annunciation Day/ Born On Christmas Day." In short, the album exudes everything Leo has become known for over the years. It's passionate and diverse. It's thoughtful and indignant. In the end, it's these qualities in the music that will reward upon repeated listens, and forgive Leo the occasional tendency to overreach. Touring in support of the new release, Ted Leo & the Pharmacists play The Venue in Boise on April 20th and Club Sound in Salt Lake City on the 21st.

Also today, music from the Apples in Stereo, currently touring in support of their recent triumphant return, New Magnetic Wonder. Robert Schneider and friends showed no signs of rust after five years between albums with their new work standing amongst some of the best from their late 90's hey day. The band plays with opening act Casper & the Cookies tonight at The Neurolux in Boise before moving on to The Depot in Salt Lake City tomorrow night.




In House #1838.
Airdate: 3/30/07
Focus: New release from Ted Leo & the Pharmacists, Living With the Living, plus the Apples in Stereo play Boise and Salt Lake City this weekend, and new music from Cloud Cult, The Eames Era, Arcade Fire, and more.

BONUS MP3s-
Ted Leo & the Pharmacists, from Living With the Living:

"A Bottle of Buckie" (MP3)

"The Sons of Cain" (MP3)

Apples in Stereo, from New Magnetic Wonder:

"Energy" (MP3)

Casper & the Cookies, from Oh!:

"Take It Away, Kathy" (MP3)

BONUS Vids-
Ted Leo & the Pharmacists' "Bomb.Repeat.Bomb.":


Apples in Stereo's "Same Old Drag":


PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #285

In House #1836: Headlights, Page France Tour the Area






In House #1836.
Airdate: 3/28/07
Focus: Headlights & Page France play Boise tonight and Salt Lake City tomorrow night. Plus, new music from The National, Sufjan Stevens, Pela, and more.

BONUS MP3s-
Headlights, from the Enemies EP:

"Tokyo" (MP3)
...and from Kill Them With Kindness:

"TV" (MP3)

Page France, from Hello, Dear Wind:

"Junkyard" (MP3)

"Bush" (MP3)
...and from ...and the Family Telephone (due 5/8):

"Hat & Rabbit" (MP3)

Sufjan Stevens, from A Tribute to Joni Mitchell (due 4/24):

"Free Man In Paris" (MP3)

PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #283

In House #1834: Great Lake Swimmers' Ongiara; Laura Gibson In the Area

Upcoming from the Great Lake Swimmers is Ongiara, the band's third album full of the kinds of beautifully stark and organic tunes that an Ontario winter might produce. Frontman Tony Dekker's songs easily recall Neil Young's early work, with nods to later artists like the Red House Painters and Iron & Wine included in the mix. He's at his best when he mixes imagery that is at once geographic and lovelorn romantic on the banjo-fueled "Your Rocky Spine," an ode to natural beauty found in disparate places. Ongiara, already available digitally, gets an official release next week in Canada, in April in Europe, and finally in the U.S. in May.




In House #1834.
Airdate: 3/23/07
Focus: Upcoming release from the Great Lake Swimmers, Ongiara, plus Laura Gibson and the Magnolia Electric Co. playing separately in the area this weekend, and new music from the Avett Brothers, Paul Duncan, Western States Motel, and more.


PLAYLIST

In House #1831: Patty Griffin in Boise Tonight; New Grant-Lee Phillips

In many ways, Children Running Through, the fifth and latest full-length from Patty Griffin, is an album that finally gets her completely right. It's certainly her most accomplished and confident sounding release, serving as a statement of absolute arrival just over a decade since her debut appeared. Not to discount her past work or suggest that it hasn't won her a dedicated following along the way, but there's something different, something more going on this time out. Immediately noticeable is the classic R&B vibe, as in Aretha Franklin and Sam Cooke, that appears over the course of the album. "Stay On the Ride," is a horn-fortified slice of soul that sounds born of Washington, D.C. street marches, while "Heavenly Day," a song borrowed to R&B great Solomon Burke for last year's Nashville, sounds like a companion piece to Sam Cooke's endlessly moving "A Change Is Gonna Come." Elsewhere Griffin brings a gospel flair to "Up to the Mountain (MLK Song)," a gorgeous number based in part on Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech. It's here that Griffin might be said to achieve a level that is spiritual, but not religious-- a line similar to the one that she walks in the rollicking "No Bad News," a song that clearly addresses a political situation without becoming polarizing. Another highlight finds Griffin joined by Emmylou Harris as she mines her Americana roots (also done on "I'm Getting Ready," but at a much faster speed) on "Trapeze," which sounds as good as one might expect given the duo joining forces. It all adds up to what can really only be summed up as a moment that is "career-defining" for Griffin, who clearly deserves to be mentioned in the same circles as contemporaries like Lucinda Williams, among others. In the latest in an impressive string of artists to grace its stage so far this year, Patty Griffin plays the Egyptian Theatre in Boise tonight.

Patty Griffin

In House #1831.
Airdate: 3/20/07
Focus: Patty Griffin in Boise tonight, plus new music from Arthur Dodge, Grant-Lee Phillips, Cowboy Junkies, and more.

BONUS MP3s from today's show-
Patty Griffin, from Children Running Through:

"Stay On the Ride" (MP3)

Grant-Lee Phillips, from Strangelet (due 3/27):

"Hidden Hand" (MP3)

PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #279

In House #1824: Rocky Votolato in Boise, Provo; Bigsby Jones in Pocatello

With a fifth solo full-length coming later in the year (the brag & cuss is due out June 19th on Barsuk), singer-songwriter Rocky Votolato plays venues in Boise and Provo this weekend. While fronting the emo-tinged Waxwing, Votolato released his self-titled debut in 1999, an album made up of quiet indie-folk tunes that revealed another side to his muse. Last year's makers, his first solo effort since the disbanding of the band in 2005, showed Votolato walking even further down the country road, with flourishes of harmonica and pedal steel backing up mostly voice and acoustic guitar arrangements. Songs like "White Daisy Passing," and "Uppers Aren't Necessary," displayed his skill for matching soft harmonies with contagious melodies, and the album skirted territory claimed by M. Ward and Bright Eyes while achieving a certain ragged charm of its own. The word on the new album is that it veers even further into classic country territory, fleshed out by a full band that includes Jesse Sykes & the Sweet Hereafter's Bill Herzog and Pedro the Lion's Casey Foubert (who also produced the album), among others.


Also today, music from the full-length debut by Bozeman, Montana's Bigsby Jones. The quartet released memories & dreams just this week, and make their Pocatello debut tomorrow night at the First National Bar. There are plenty of influences evident in the band's sound, due largely to the fact that they consist of four contributing songwriters. One hears the roots-leaning rock of Neil Young alongside the alt.country of Uncle Tupelo and jamband sounds of Leftover Salmon. Showtime is 9:30, downtown Old Town.


In House #1824.
Airdate: 3/9/07
Focus: Rocky Votolato in Boise tonight and Provo tomorrow night, plus Bozeman, Montana's Bigsby Jones in Pocatello tomorrow night. Also, new music from Willy Mason, Ferraby Lionheart, and more.


PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #272

In House #1823: Douglas Cameron Live

It's a live session today with Boise singer-songwriter Douglas Cameron, who returns to the show and to the area for performances tonight in Pocatello. Cameron dropped by twice in 2006, each with Seattle's Darren Smith, with whom he toured with extensively in the latter half of the year. This go-around, it's just Cameron and his dog as he makes a quick mini-tour to the area before heading off to Nashville for a festival one-off and returning for dates in the northwest before the month is out. His latest effort is last year's Remedies, an excellently recorded collection that, among other things, shows off Cameron's skill as a storyteller.


In House #1823.
Airdate: 3/8/07
Focus: Boise's Douglas Cameron live In House and in Pocatello tonight. Plus, new music from Lucinda Williams, Charlie Louvin, and more.

BONUS MP3's from today's in-studio set from Douglas Cameron-

Whiskey Ginger" (MP3)

"Let Me Show You How" (MP3)

PLAYLIST

In House #1819: Graybeard Live; Todd Snider in Boise This Weekend

It's a localized edition of the show today, as Pocatello's Graybeard stops by the studio for a performance and interview. The long-running quartet's new full-length, Trailer Trash American Dream, is full of the rhythm & blues-country-folk-rock mixing kinds of songs they've become known for in the region. The band celebrates the new album tonight at Portneuf Valley Brewing in Pocatello.


Also today, music from Todd Snider, who plays the Egyptian Theatre in Boise this weekend. He released his eighth studio album, The Devil You Know, last year on New Door recordings.


In House #1819.
Airdate: 3/2/07
Focus: Graybeard live In House, plus Kate MacLeod & The Pancakes tonight in Pocatello and Todd Snider tomorrow night in Boise.



BONUS MP3s-
Graybeard, from today's live in-studio set:

"Man In the Moon" (MP3)

Todd Snider, from East Nashville Skyline:

"Conservative Christian, Right-Wing Republican, Straight, White, American Males" (MP3)

PLAYLIST

In House #1809: New Apples in Stereo; The Shins in Salt Lake, Boise

It's been five long years since Robert Schneider's Apples in Stereo graced us with a new album, and even that one lacked the sunny, fuzzed-out pop the band had built their name upon. The unexplained gap, plus what were essentially Schneider's solo side projects The Marbles and Ulysses, caused some to begin to wonder if the Apples in Stereo would go the way of their once upon a time Elephant 6 brethren Neutral Milk Hotel, fading into a permanent hiatus. New Magnetic Wonder, the new album out on Elijah Wood's Simian label (along with co-conspirators yep roc), says no to that notion and in a big way. The album ranks well with anything Schneider's Apples have ever done, fitting in nicely in tone and substance with efforts like Her Wallpaper Reverie and The Discovery of a World Inside the Moone. In other words, it's a return to form with bouncy, psyched-out pop numbers like "Same Old Drag," and "7 Stars," alongside ambient snippets with names like "Vocoder Ba Ba," and "Droplet." The relative absence of drummer Hilarie Sidney, who split to spend more time on her own project High Water Marks, is noticeable, but she does contribute vocals and writing duties on two songs, including the splendid "Sunndal Song." The band is currently on the road supporting the new release, and will play Salt Lake City and Boise on March 31st and April 1st, respectively.


Also today, music from The Shins, who hit Salt Lake City's In the Venue tonight and Boise's Egyptian Theatre tomorrow night. The Portland-based band is, of course, touring in support of their third album, Wincing the Night Away, out late last month on Sub Pop. Not surprisingly, the generally well-received new effort has catapulted the band to new heights, marking Sub Pop's highest charting release since Nirvana's Nevermind. Despite that kind of popularity and (*yawn*) predictable hipster backlash, the album never even comes close to sucking.

In House #1809.
Airdate: 2/16/07
Focus: New release from the Apples in Stereo, New Magnetic Wonder, plus The Shins play Salt Lake City tonight and Boise tomorrow night. Also, new music from Aqueduct, Of Montreal, Yo La Tengo, and more.

BONUS MP3-
Apples in Stereo, from New Magnetic Wonder:

"Energy" (MP3)

PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #259

In House #1796: Heartless Bastards in Salt Lake City, Boise; New Tribute to The Band

Cincinnati's Heartless Bastards are a rare musical creature. It's not a lot of bands, after all, that manage to toe the line between indie, rock, and blues, and please fans of all of those styles when all is said and done. Then again, it's not a lot of bands that are fronted with a vocal powerhouse like Erika Wennerstrom, who garners comparisons to the likes of Janis Joplin and PJ Harvey for her emotionally-driven delivery. Last year's All This Time, the band's second album on the Fat Possum label, has caught the attention of a growing number of listeners thanks to steady touring and more than a few appearances amongst "Best Overlooked" types of year end lists. Much like fellow Buckeye staters The Black Keys (who also brought the band to the attention of Fat Possum), The Heartless Bastards do a lot with a little, and the trio has no problem raising a respectable ruckus. The band brings its loud and blue hues to the indie venue in Salt Lake City, Kilby Court, tonight before playing Boise's Neurolux tomorrow night.

The Heartless Bastards

In House #1796.
Airdate: 1/30/07
Focus: The Heartless Bastards in Salt Lake City tonight and Boise tomorrow night, plus new music from Xavier Rudd, John Hammond, and selections from the new tribute album Endless Highway: The Music of The Band.

BONUS MP3s-
Heartless Bastards, from All This Time:

"All This Time" (MP3)

"Into the Open" (MP3)

John Hammond, from Push Comes to Shove (out today):

"Push Comes to Shove" (MP3)

PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #248