Sidi Touré, singer-songwriter from Mali honors African sonic traditions at the Iron Horse in Northampton this Tuesday, October 4th at 7PM

Sidi Touré is a singer-songwriter from Mali who has garnered global acclaim for thought provoking songs that honor African sonic traditions in a manner that appeals to listeners from any continent.

Born in 1959 in the ancient town of Gao, Mali, he made his first guitar as a child, constructing it from his wooden writing slate. Growing up, Sidi Touré faced a conflict between the inexorable pull of music and the expectations of family and society, plus the significance and onus of a past that came with being born into a noble family. The Touré family had been sung about, and sung to, by traditional griots for centuries, but until Sidi challenged the rules as a small boy, the Tourés did not sing.

Throughout his time making music, Sidi's sound has both captured and challenged his roots. His music moves from the translucent swaying takamba to the trance inducing Holley, while the lyrics often address many non-traditional issues. Sidi has a critical mind and his songs have a purpose. His just-released album, 'Sahel Folk', a SPIN pick, features spontaneously recorded duets with other Malian musicians.

Sidi Touré is a worthy successor to Ali Farka Touré. Among Songhaï musicians, Sidi is the best. Sidi Touré has all the talent, quality, simplicity, playing and singing skills, it's incredible. We need people like Sidi." –  Bassekou Kouyaté.

 Tickets are available at Northampton Box Office,76 Main Street. 413-586-8686 and online at IHEG.com

The Lemonheads perform It’s A Shame About Ray at Pearl Street in Northampton at 8PM on Saturday, October 15th

Evan Dando-led three piece THE LEMONHEADS will be performing their classic 1992 album, IT’S A SHAME ABOUT RAY, from beginning to end in the Pearl Street Clubroom in Northampton on Saturday, October 15th.  Joining Dando at the show, one stop on an extensive US and UK tour, will be guitarist Josh Lattanzi  (The Candles) and drummer Brian Nolan (American Hi-Fi), along with support from San Diego’s The Shining Twins plus The New York Rivals opening.

It’s A Shame About Ray was released in 1992 and was The Lemonheads’ second album for Atlantic Records. The album featured the trio – Evan Dando (guitar, vocals), David Ryan (drums) and Juliana Hatfield (bass, backing vocals) – breezing through 13 songs in just under 30 minutes, including the title track, “My Drug Buddy,” “The Turnpike Down” and a romping cover of the Simon and Garfunkel classic “Mrs. Robinson.”

Rhino Records re-released a collector’s version of the classic album with bonus tracks and a DVD in 2007 for the US and now the UK will get their chance thanks to the Edsel imprint of the UK-based Demon Music Group later this fall.

The Lemonheads’ released Varshons – a collection of covers including tracks by GG Allin, Wire, Gram Parsons, Leonard Cohen and more – in 2009. The album was produced by Butthole Surfers frontman Gibby Haynes and featured guest vocal performances from Liv Tyler and Kate Moss.

The past year has seen Evan Dando performing sold-out acoustic dates in the US with former band-mate Juliana Hatfield as well as performing both solo and band dates in the UK, Australia, and Europe.

Tickets are available at Northampton Box Office,76 Main Street. 413-586-8686 and online at IHEG.com

IT’S A SHAME ABOUT RAY track listing:

1. “Rockin Stroll”
2. “Confetti”
3. “It’s A Shame About Ray”
4. “Rudderless”
5. “My Drug Buddy”
6. “The Turnpike Down”
7. “Bit Part”
8. “Alison’s Starting To Happen”
9. “Hannah & Gabi”
10. “Kitchen”
11. “Ceiling Fan In My Spoon”
12. “Frank Mills”
13. “Mrs. Robinson”

http://www.thelemonheads.net/

http://www.facebook.com/TheLemonheads

http://twitter.com/thelemonheads

Local rock renaissance men Orange Television's new EP is due October 22nd preceded by the single Assembly Line

 Orange Television can get about as quirky as their band name. Getting their start playing parties at Umass Amherst, 'OTV' has transformed itself to a local rock n' roll act to be reckoned with.

Well planned and meticulous about their craft, Orange Television is constantly writing new material and reworking older songs already beloved by OTV fans. As they take the stage knowing what they expect from themselves, they are also aware of the mental journey their audience takes on, similar to psychedelic rock bands of the sixties such as Pink Floyd and The Doors. Their sound, spanning from post-rock to alternative, jam, psychedelia and classic, cannot be pinned down to one genre. 

In their recently released single “Assembly Line,” Feibusch brings you in with a lap steel guitar intro reminiscent of early blues, quickly culminating into a head banging yet danceable rock influenced jam, completed through Arnstam’s use of the cowbell and Heffernan's heavy bass lines. Feibusch’s vocals, which are quickly accompanied by newcomer Nate Martel’s, have a very different feel than that of Orange Television’s previous EPs, One Old Fashion Doughnut & Welcome to the Pink House, recorded with former members. Feibusch and Martel croon in perfect harmony, each allowing the other’s radically different vocal styles to accompany and compliment the other.

 

Fans of Orange Television have come to expect the band’s continually diverging sound from EP to EP as well as the intensity OTV delivers during live performances, showcasing their enthusiasm by dancing wildly to new tracks, which include; Aisha, Bill Cosby, What to Do, Before I Part, and others. OTV newcomers can expect to be spellbound by the band’s use of distortion, delay, and other modulation effects that create their heavily psychedelic stage performance one beat short of hypnosis, while old fans wait eagerly to see what will come from this highly anticipated third EP, wondering what mental journey Orange Television will take them on next.

Their upcoming EP, "Extended Play" will be released October 22nd.  For more information, visit www.orangetelevision.tv or facebook.com/orangetelevision

 

By Amanda Ressler.

Two greats from Mali come to the Iron Horse: Boubacar Traore this Wednesday and Sidi Toure on Tuesday, October 4th at 7PM

 Boubacar Traoré (click photo for hish res) is one of the great veteran exponents of the African blues, a guitarist, singer and songwriter with a long, and sometimes pained history. At the time of Mali's independence, 50 years ago, he was a national celebrity, and the young sharp dressers of Bamako would dance to his songs such as Mali Twist and Kar Kar Madison: he was known as Kar Kar ("Dribble") because he was also a footballer. But by the late 1960s he had returned to his home region to work as a tailor and farmer, and later, after the death of his wife, he moved to France as a migrant labourer on building sites. Thankfully, he was persuaded to start recording again in 1990, since when he has revived his career in Mali. Mali Denhou (2011/Lusafrica/Proper ) is his first album in six years and shows he's still in impressive form, matching his thoughtful, soulful voice against an acoustic guitar style that mixes blues riffs with west African influences. His easy going, gently rhythmic playing is backed by n'goni, calabash and balafon, with outstanding contributions from the French harmonica player Vincent Bucher, whose inventive, sensitive or driving solos perfectly complement Traoré's laid back style. In his late 60s, he's still one of Mali's finest musicians.

Boubacar Traore “Mariama” Video (heartbreaking)

“Sidi Touré is a worthy successor to Ali Farka Touré. Among Songhaï musicians, Sidi is the best. Sidi Toure has all the talent, quality , simplicity, playing and singing skills, it's incredible. We need people like Sidi." - Bassekou Kouyaté  

Sidi Touré (click for high res) was born in 1959 in the ancient town of Gao, Mali. He made his first guitar as a child, constructing it from his wooden writing slate. Growing up, Sidi Touré faced a conflict between the inexorable pull of music and the expectations of family and society, plus the significance and onus of a past that came with being born into a noble family. The Touré family had been sung about, and sung to, by traditional griots for centuries, but until Sidi Touré challenged the rules as a small boy, the Touré’s did not sing. Despite his family’s disapproval, Sidi became the lead singer of his school’s band, and then became the youngest member of Gao’s regional orchestra, the Songhaï Stars, who played bi-annual festivals like the Bamako Biennale and toured both regionally and nationally. After winning the award for best singer twice, he took the band to the northern regions of Mali and to Niger, and toured much of the western Sahel region. Throughout his time making music, Sidi’s sound has both captured and challenged his roots. His music moves from the translucent swaying takamba to the trance inducing Holley, while the lyrics often address many non-traditional issues. Sidi has a critical mind and his songs have a purpose. 

Sidi was featured on The Takeaway Show with Vincent Moon. Watch the film here!

SPIN EDITOR'S PICK: Meet Malian Singer Sidi Toure

Tickets for all shows at the Iron Horse in Northampton are on sale at Northampton Box Office, 76 Main Street, 413-586-8686 and online at IHEG.com.

"For the Committed," a Sean McCann ticket offer for Iron Horse show on Monday, October 3rd. Win an extra FREE pair of tickets to their show for two of your friends plus a chance to introduce your guests to Séan, who will provide a private bodhran lesson before the show!

A message from Great Big Sea's Sean McCann and his band The Committed: We've been inspired by fans who have been telling us that they're bringing friends and family along to some of the upcoming US shows in the northeast (can't wait to see you!) and we love that you continue to help spread the word about Sean & The Committed and Great Big Sea. The group really DOES have some of the best fans in the world.

To honour your commitment, Sean would like to offer any advance ticket buyers the opportunity to win a FREE pair of tickets to their show for two of their friends. Not only will you be able to introduce your guests to the live Sean McCann & The Committed experience, but you will also have the opportunity introduce your guests to Sean at a pre-show meet and greet! Just email toshcontest@greatbigsean.com, post on the Facebook tour event page, or tweet@greatbigsean - letting us know which show you've committed to and who you're looking to bring along!

As a follow up to last year’s release, Lullabies for Bloodshot Eyes, Great Big Sea’s Séan McCann returns with the release of his second solo effort, Son of a Sailor. Having grown up in Newfoundland and spending nearly 18 years touring with the band, it’s not difficult to hear the musical and maritime influences on songs like “Rather Be a Sailor” and the title track. Drawing inspiration from the road, family, home, love and longing, Son of a Sailor provides the listener with a collection of first person narratives. When he’s not on the road, Séan returns home to his native St. John’s to write and spend time with his family.

Tickets for Sean McCannat the Iron Horse on Monday, October 3rd are available at Northampton Box Office,76 Main Street. 413-586-8686 and online at IHEG.com

Texas guitarist Carolyn Wonderland comes to the Iron Horse on Wednesday, October 19th. Her new album is out on 9/27 and includes a collaboration with Mike Nesmith of the Monkees.

“Carolyn Wonderland is the real deal! She’s an amazing guitar player. And damn, can she sing.” – Los Angeles Times

On ‘Peace Meal’ (9.27, Bismeaux Records), “blues guitar goddess” (NY Post) Carolyn Wonderland reaches into the depths of the Texas blues tradition with the wit of a poet and the grit of a survivor. Best known for her astounding vocal energy and musicianship, Wonderland is a true legend in her time, equipped with the soulful vocals of Janis Joplin and the guitar slinging skills of Stevie Ray Vaughan.

‘Peace Meal’ is a career benchmark for Wonderland. She collaborated with expert producers Larry Campbell, Ray Benson and famed musical impresario Michael Nesmith of The Monkees. Not one to take comparisons to Joplin Joplin lightly, Wonderland dug deep into Joplin’s vault to find a rare, bootleg recorded in Austin of the little-known gem “What Good Can Drinkin’ Do.” Additional stand-out tracks include the Vince Welnick / Robert Hunter composition “Golden Stairs” as an epic goose-bump-inducing ride, “Two Trains,” a tribute to Wonderland’s Houston mentors like Little Screamin’ Kenny and Wonderland’s fresh take on Bob Dylan’s “Meet Me In The Morning.”

‘Peace Meal’ shows just how far Wonderland has come in her career, touring non-stop across three continents, performing on PBS’ Austin City Limits, and a Janis Joplin tribute at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and collaborating with a long list of luminaries such as Levon Helm, Guy Forsyth, Susan Tedeschi and John Jorgenson. For some time after relocating to Austin from Houston, Wonderland was living out of an old van – flat broke and looking for a gig. It’s been a tough fight and the experience lends a unique credibility to her music and to her life. As a constant advocate for the homeless and peace, the Texas Homeless Network’s John Paul DeJoria Award recognized Wonderland’s efforts in 2010.

Tickets are available at Northampton Box Office,76 Main Street. 413-586-8686 and online at IHEG.com

The Kind Buds, who play the Iron Horse this Saturday at 10PM, represent everything that is beautiful about the music of The Grateful Dead and the scene that grew up around the band.

Bud & Budd ~ The Kind Buds take the stage at The Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton, Ma for a special Rex Musical Caravan Event this Saturday, Sept 10, 2011 for a 10 PM show.  Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door.  The performance will also feature A.minor who will be projecting live video art behind the musicians.

The Kind Buds entertain their audiences with inspiring covers & incendiary originals, trading fiery-sweet licks on a roller coaster of tension & release. A truly acoustic duo, Bud and Budd perform raucous, intuitive, wide-open jams with stunning guitar interplay. Tight vocal harmonies compliment and complete their sound. No effects of any kind are used in live performances.

 

Coming off a busy East Coast Festival Tour including The Gathering of the Vibes, StrangeCreek, Bears Picnic, Bella Terra Fest, Sterling Stage and the Grateful Dead Fest at Warwick Wineries,  The Kind Buds are eager to share with thier fans new Kind Bud originals to be showcased at the Iron Horse Music Hall.

The Rex Foundation genesis was the Grateful Dead and today continues as part of that family and legacy.  Since 1984 the Rex Foundation has granted over $8.6 million to cover over 1,000 recipients.  The Rex Foundation aims to help secure a healthy environment, promote individuality in the arts, provide support to critical and necessary social services, protect rights of indigenous people and ensure their cultural survival, build a stronger community, and educate children and adults everywhere.

Other collaborating musicians with the Rex Foundation include: Bob Weir & Ratdog; Trey Anastasio. Dark Star Orchestra; The String Cheese Incident; David Gans; Steve Kimock; Warren Haynes;  Peter Rowan; Railroad Earth; New Riders of the Purple Sage; Bruce Hornsby; Mickey Hart.

Uncle Dave of the syndicated radio show "Dead Air" 88.7 WNCW out of Spindale, North Carolina says of The Buds, "The Kind Buds represent everything that is beautiful about the music of The Grateful Dead and the scene that grew up around the band."  They have opened for such greats as The New Riders of the Purple Sage; Jefferson Starship; Big Brother and the Holding Company; Tom Constanten and David LaFlemme of Its a Beautiful Day.   The Kind Buds were also a part of U-Mass @  Amherst’s Symposium on the Legacy of the Grateful Dead held in November of 07.

For more information, listen to The Kind Buds’s music and see pictures of this dynamic duo, please log on to http:www//thekindbuds.com or on Facebook log on to Bud & Budd ~ The Kind Buds.

Tickets are available at Northampton Box Office,76 Main Street. 413-586-8686 and online at IHEG.com

BoomBox mixes Southern rock with vintage Motown and psychedelic dance beats at Pearl Street in Northampton on Thursday, September 15th at 9PM. Psylab opens.

Boombox: Zion  Rock Godchaux and Russ Randolph are both producers and multi-instrumentalists. They both bring diverse musical backgrounds containing a rich history from Muscle Shoals, AL. They had a vision for a unique sound and culture that only could be achieved together.

BoomBox creates a digital blend of Southern rock and roll with a vintage mix of Motown and psychedelic dance beats. Using a multi-track platform, they are free to create their sound on the fly with a rhythm that moves the people and opens eyes into Godchaux and Randolph’s way of life.

Each live show is unique to the venue and the crowd, who are the driving force of the live, rhythmic BoomBox experience. Since there is no set list, it’s about taking in what is presented to them that night, and serving the music to that group of people, for that experience. It’s about what feels right and making each note play for the better of the music.

Performing at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado was one of the summer’s highlights. The vibe of the amazing venue that is Red Rocks alongside the energy of the fans was electric and Russ and Zion felt every second of it. To capture the day, they were joined by the multi-media production company NoCoast, to document their set. The footage includes both live the performance and interviews about the allure of Red Rocks, their new direction and the forthcoming release. Check it out here.

Openers Psylab have been Holding down the sounds of the Boston underground since 2004; touring the Northeast, performing at clubs, lofts, raves, festivals, and regional Burning Man events for thousands of fans, friends and freaks.

Tickets are $12.50 in advance at Northampton Box Office,76 Main Street. 413-586-8686 and online at IHEG.com

Coming soon:

Umphrey’s McGee- Friday, September 16^th- Calvin Theatre

MASS EDMC presents MSTRBASS- Friday, September 23rd Pearl Street Ballroom (The newest dance night from our friends at MASS Electronic Dance Music Society featuring a mix of local and national DJs spinning your favorite bassheavy tracks!

Beats Antique- Friday, October 7^th –Pearl Street Ballroom

EOTO – Sunday, October 9^th- Pearl Street Ballroom

Lotus- Friday, October 21st- Calvin Theatre

MiMOSA- Saturday, November 12^th- Pearl Street Ballroom

April, come she will. April Verch, master fiddler and step dancer, plays the Iron Horse- Wednesday, September 14th at 7PM

 
Canadian fiddler April Verch, doesn’t just perform music, she exudes it. Her ability to play any kind of roots music as though it was her native tongue is awe-inspiring. Whether singing or playing her own songs, exploring Appalachian traditional tunes, playing Ottawa Valley music, or stepdancing the rhythms of these traditions, April is always being April. Dirk Powell, a multi-instrumentalist, who’s worked with Jack White, Joan Baez, and Riverdance, is awed by April’s ability to play any kind of roots music as though it was her native tongue. Powell says. “She’s so fluent in the language of music that she never needs to imitate. She hears the heart of it and lets that become part of her core. April’s just got that, man; she’s always speaking the language for real.”

On her eighth CD, That’s How We Run, April explores the Southern mountain traditions known as old time music, but always brings her Northern roots with her. Plucky, straight-backed Canadian tunes fit so snugly beside ancient Southern airs that you’d think they’d been neighbors for centuries.

 Verch is not only a world-class fiddler in many styles, but also sings rich melodies and is a wickedly fast step dancer, achieving speeds approaching undanceable. She explained that the Ottawa Valley style of dance was born in logging camps inhabited by Irish, Scots, French, Germans, and Poles, “so it’s a mixture. A little bit of tap dancing, a little bit of clogging, some Irish hard shoe, some French Canadian, all rolled into one.”

Tickets for April Verch plus Abby and Harrison Adams at the Iron Horse on Wednesday, September 14^th are $12.5o at Northampton Box Office, 76 Main Street. 413-586-8686 and online at IHEG.com

Eric Olsson Band celebrate the release of "Dirty Little Secret" this Friday at 7PM at the Iron Horse with cameos from the Trailer Park Horns, the MaryJane Jones, the Giggle Water Girls, and Elvis.

Retiring the name of his old band Unit 7,  Eric Olsson’s songwriting has evolved significantly since he mostly shelved the guitar and began obsessing over the piano. Dirty Little Secret showcases every aspect of this transformation, from ragtime to jumpy, Blues Brothers/zydeco-inspired fare to intimate ballads. At its best, it’s achieved something as genuinely Chicago blues/New Orleans Cajun as you can get in New England (we’ll call it “Dr. John Kerry” gumbo-chowdah groove). Some tunes nearly verge on the icky commercial blues/pop of Randy Newman, though mostly it’s too legitimately jazzy to get there and instead veers into melodic English rock/pop a la Queen or cabaret-style numbers (“Broken Clock”) that recall the Dresden Dolls or Bowie’s Aladdin Sane, and certainly don’t come from any place that’s sunny all the time. There are truly soulful moments in numbers like “November Song” that are 1970 Van Morrison-worthy. —Tom Sturm

Tom Mahnken reports that the Trailer Park Horns (Tom, Rick, and Greg) will be performing 4 songs with the Eric Olsson Band this Friday and you can also expect appearances from the MaryJane Jones, the Giggle Water Girls, and Elvis.

Tickets are available at Northampton Box Office,76 Main Street. 413-586-8686 and online at IHEG.com or at the door.