Neko Case - She is not a Canadian

Neko Case is often referred to as a Canadian. She was actually born in Alexandria, Virginia in September 1970 and she grew up in Tacoma, Washington, a place she still refers to as her home town. She did however get her start in the music business while she was living in Vancouver, British Columbia, from 1994 until 1998.

Her involvement in country music started with the release of her album The Virginian in 1997. She began her assoication with the Tucson Arizona crowd when she recorded the album Blacklisted in 2003. Noted Tucson artists such as Joey Burns & John Convertino (Calexico) & Howe Gelb (Giant Sand) worked on the album as did Dallas Good (Sadies)and notable Bloodshot artists such as Kelly Hogan (Vocals) & Jon Rauhouse (Pedal Steel).She has continued her association with these artists on her later albums & has made regular guest appearances of her own. Moving to Chicago in 2000, she has fallen in with the alt-country crowd via the Bloodshot Records label, home of many US alt-country artists such as the Waco Brothers, Sadies, Paul Burch, Bobby Bare Jr and Wayne Hancock.

In 2006 Case released Fox Confessor Brings the Flood this time on the Anti Records label. Once again the members of Calexico (Joey Burns & John Convertino), the Sadies (Dallas & Travis Good), Kelly Hogan, Howe Gelb, Jon Rauhouse and Garth Hudson from The Band all make siginificant contributions. The album was well received making several Best of 2006 lists, most notably No.2 on the No Depression Best of 2006.

In February 2007 Neko Case returns to Australia (She was here just last November with the New Pornographers). She has two gigs in Melbourne the first at the Spanish Club with Emily Ulman & the sold out gig at the Prince Bandroom with support from Jon Langford.


Links:
Bloodshot Records
anti records
Neko Case
myspace/nekocase

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Neko Case

Jon Langford Tours Australia

Best known as the front man for the Mekons, Jon Langford was one of the most resilient pop-punk bandleaders to emerge from Britain in the 1970s. Now a resident in Chicago, Langford has since become a leading force in alt-country music with the Waco Brothers, the Pine Valley Cosmonauts, and on his own solo releases. He has also worked with the likes of the Sadies, Old 97's, Kelly Hogan, Alejandro Escovedo and long time sparing partner Sally Timmns.

He is also an Artist of growing repute with he work described by his distributor Yard Dog as follows:
"His multi-layered paintings take imagery from old country music publicity photos and sheet music and envelope them in a haze of ironic nostalgia. He describes his painting technique thusly: "Long process of layering, scraping, minute attention to detail. Basically, I create a very unstable surface with acrylics and pastel on top of each other and work on top of that with Sharpies, felt pens, white out, gunk, snot and whatever comes to hand." Langford produced a book (including bonus CD) in 2006 called "Nashville Radio", a book of his paintings distributed in Australia by Verse Chorus Press.

Last here in May 2006 Langford returns in 2007 primarily to perform during the Tamworth Music Festival. He is also showing some of his art in Tamworth at his exhibition called "Buried Treasure" (the name is inspired by Clinton Walkers book of the same name about the forgotten history of Aboriginal Country Music). Jon is also appearing in support of Neko Case in Sydney and Melbourne during her tour in late January, early February as Jon Langford & the Bronte Pool Cosmonauts (The band consists of Nev Anderson, Dave Hastings and Roy Payne of Fat Dusty + Jason Walker from the Last Drinks). The Melbourne gig is at the Prince of Wales St Kilda tickets SOLD OUT. He is also performing at a House Party on Saturday 2nd February (Invitation Only).

Langford will also be dropping in to PBS-FM in Melbourne on Monday 5th February during 5 Feet High & Rising (3-5 pm) with Myles to talk about his art, his music & to perform a few songs live in the studio.

Links:
myspace.com/jdfanglord
Bloodshot Records
Yard Dog
Verse Chorus Press
5 Feet High & Rising

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Jon Langford


The Waco Brothers


The Pine Valley Cosmonauts

"Sneaky" Pete Kleinow Dies

"Sneaky" Pete Kleinow died on January 6th 2007 in California after complications with Alzheimer's disease. He was 72.

Kleinow is best know for his work on the first two Flying Burrito Albums, Gilded Palace of Sin & Burrito Deluxe. A regular on the live scene in L.A. Kleinow was recruited by Gram Parsons & Chris Hillman to add pedal steel guitar to their sound but with a difference. Kleinow's unique recording methods & ability to extract previously unheard of sounds from his instruments was integral to the Burrito's sound. Parsons himself was to say "I just couldn't understand this guy doing like, eight steel guitar overdubs over himself ... but I liked it" (Gram Parsons "God's Own Singer by Jason Walker page 96 Helter Skelter Publishing).

Kleinow left the Burritos in 1971 & went on to a successful career as a session musician. He worked with many artists including, Jackson Browne, Dillard & Clark, John Lennon, Little Feat, Doug Sahm & Linda Ronstadt just to name a few. Outside music Kleinow also enjoyed a successful career as a special effects artist for the movies & tv programs. He worked on such films as The Empire Strikes Back, Terminator 1 & 2 & Gremlins. Prior to his music career he worked on the Gumby animated kids program & even wrote the theme tune.

Links
sneakypetekleinow.com
wikipedia

Richmond Fontaine - Thirteen Cities

Richmond Fontaine have scheduled the release of their new album "Thirteen Cities" for February/March 2007. The album was produced once again by JD Foster (Foster also produced the 2005 release "The Fitzgerald"). Foster has worked in the past with the likes of Calexico & Richard Buckner.

The new album is said to be more upbeat than the near acoustic outing of the previous album. Songwriter & vocalist Willie Vlautin describes the new sound as being more "like a soundtrack". The album was recorded at the Wavelab Studio in Tucson Arizona by Foster with the help of studio owner Craig Schumacher.

The line up of the band is the same as "The Fitzgerald" with Vlautin on vocals & guitar plus Sean Oldham (Drums), Dave Harding (Bass), Dan Eccles (Guitar) & Paul Brainard (Pedal Steel & Trumpet). The album also features some contributions from some of Tucson's many music luminaries such Calexico members Joey Burns, Nick Luca and Jacob Valenzuela. Howe Gelb even plays the piano on a track.

Richmond Fontaine are heading to Europe in February for an extensive tour. There is no word yet on another visit to Australia - the bands first tour here was in early 2006. Nonzero, the bands Australian label have not yet listed a date for the local release on "Thirteen Cities"

Links:

There is a great interview with Willy Vlautin on the altcountrytab website
www.richmondfontaine.com
www.myspace.com/richmondfontaine

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Richmond Fontaine