Yonder Mountain String Band w/ Horse Feathers ~ January 28, 2015 ~ The Vogue, Indianapolis, IN
Photography by Keith Griner, Phierce Photography
Photography by Keith Griner, Phierce Photography
Written by: Mike Gregory
Photos by Lucas Armstrong
Eddie’s Attic prides itself on being a “listening room” where music fans are discouraged from talking during the performance, by the occasional “sshhh!” from the bartenders. The club is serious about music, and touts an impressive history, helping to launch careers of stars such as John Mayer, Sugarland, Shawn Mullins, and The Civil Wars, though tonight it would be Dangermuffin!
Dangermuffin is currently touring in support of their new album, Songs for the Universe, though nothing in their discography was off limits, as well as a few covers sprinkled in. Aside from their music, these guys don’t take themselves too seriously and prefer to hang with their fans before the show. Lead singer and rhythm guitarist, Dan Lotti, shared stories about everything from past fishing contests with Umphrey’s McGee in Colorado to vegan lifestyle choices while Steven Sandifer, and plucked his upright bass for the crowd with a big smile. Lead guitarist, Mikie Sivilli, is equally charismatic and enthusiastically greeted fans anxiously awaiting sound check.
The first set was all acoustic leading off with, “Forgot To Question,” and “Nowhere Path,” both from their latest release. The crowd really started to feel it when they broke into “Masquerade” off of Beermuda (2007). The band encouraged fans to boogie when the mood moved them, and poked a little fun at the “sshhhing” rule, saying “this is the only place that will let you boogie, but you can’t talk!” He laughed it off with a big smile and soldiered on with “Jaula” from Olly Oxen Free (2012). The band’s sound lends itself to many genres of music, reggae being no exception; a soothing rendition of Bob Marley’s, “Soul Rebel” seemed a logical fit. Like a switchback on a mountain road, things turned a little gritty when they played “Banjo Love” and “Seafoam Tumbles.” At one point, the bassist used a violin bow to create a haunting country sound. Set one ended with “The Rising Souls” with a heart-felt jam at the end.
The all-acoustic set gave way to an all-electric set and as there isn’t much room for the artist to catch a breather in private, the second set got going pretty fast. Steven laid his bass down on the stage and hopped on the drums while Dan played the bass parts on guitar (a style of playing he credits to Martin Sexton). The drums added a new dimension to the night. “Slumber” was first up and the tones Mike Sivilli gets out of his guitar are like the feeling of warm sunshine on a perfect spring day. “Lady of fire” kept the good vibes flowing until they did a request, for “Homestead” which morphed into “Ancient Wind” from their 2010 release Moonscapes. As lovers of the Grateful Dead, “Franklin’s Tower” was thrown into the mix and spawned a spectacular chain reaction of songs—“Moonscapes,” “200 Degrees,” & “Ancient Golden Star.” The reoccurring reggae theme surfaced again with “Big Suit” transforming another new song named “Cicada” which is destined to become a fan favorite. The mega-jam ended with “Ancient Golden Star.”
Dangermuffin is all about the music and when the audience was asked how many more they wanted to hear someone piped up “17” which made Dan Lotti smile, but two more would have to do. “Fuego” started another reggae-style jam that built in intensity, with Mike’s solos tapping into those endorphins in your brain that make you feel so good. The last song of the night was an up-tempo gritty song entitled, “Lawman,” about a night some of their equipment got stolen and they found out who actually did it, but the cops couldn’t do anything. Shrugging his shoulders, he said with his light-hearted spirit and warm smile, “but hey, we got a song out of it!” They then proceeded to get down and dirty one last time!
The jams at a Dangermuffin show are like a rolling ocean tide gently retreating, as a new powerful one crashes over top absorbing what is left. Sincere and genuine, they are the real deal and heck of a lot of fun!
Written By: Mike Gregory
Near the close of 2014, Dangermuffin released their fifth album, Songs For The Universe. True to form, the album spans a wide-range of genres incorporating acoustic and electric rock, country and blues. Dangermuffin looks to nature for inspiration; the ocean, earth and sky are reoccurring themes though this album focuses more on an inner connection with the universe as a whole. Their music is like an open-ended sabbatical.
Songs For The Universe opens with “Ancient Golden Star” which has a catchy little riff which leaves the listener wondering what is else is in store on this 17-track album. Refreshingly, each track flows from one to the other and it is obvious a lot of thought went this album. Keller Williams also makes an appearance on the quirky tune, “Little Douglas,” playing bass and singing backup vocals.
You can dive as deep as you want into Songs For The Universe as there is much to chew on for the jam band music lover to the introspective “study-the-lyrics” type. It is a well-thought out album with a lot of replay value.
Written and Photos by Clayton Roberts
Shovels and Rope Carolina Rose put on one excellent show Friday night at the Soul Kitchen in Mobile, AL. The evening started off with Carolina Rose, and then moved straight into Cary Ann Hurst and Michael Trent doing what they do best. Both outright music professionals, the team duo of Shovels and Rope, just as a married couple they merge seamlessly on the stage. The crowd was able to really connect with the band on many emotional levels. Never a dull moment in the show the fans were left craving more. We thank Brad and Maggie at the Soul Kitchen for their efforts to bring us quality music into the port city of Mobile!
The Forecastle Festival will return this summer led by Louisville hometown heroes My Morning Jacket; soulful breakout star, Sam Smith; southern rock heavyweights, Widespread Panic; and indie veterans, Modest Mouse. The three-day music celebration, now in its 13th year, will take place July 17–19, 2015, at the award-winning Waterfront Park, a sweeping green space on the banks of the Ohio River framed by the skyline of downtown Louisville.
Hailing from Bowling Green, Kentucky, and New Albany, Indiana, respectively, Cage the Elephantand Houndmouth add to the stellar regional talent atop this year’s Forecastle bill, the former currently working on their follow-up to the Grammy-nominated Melophobia and the latter eyeing a March 17 release of the highly-anticipated Little Neon Limelight via Rough Trade Records.
The family duo of Wilco frontman Jeff and his son Spencer Tweedy will showcase their recent collaboration as TWEEDY, while The Word, featuring pedal steel virtuoso Robert Randolph, B3 maestro John Medeski and the incomparable North Mississippi Allstars will bring the gospel stylings of Soul Food, their first album in 14 years, coming out May 5. Others notable acts include Tallest Man On Earth, Portugal. The Man, RL Grime, First Aid Kit, Desaparecidos, Shovels & Rope, Big K.R.I.T. and more. A full list of confirmed artists from the initial lineup can be found below. Additional artists will be announced in the coming weeks.
Weekend passes go on sale this Friday, January 30, 2015, at noon EST at ForecastleFest.com and all Ticketmaster outlets. VIP experiences, travel packages and payment plan options will also be available. Full details can be found at ForecastleFest.com.
written by: Mike Gregory
Umphrey’s McGee feel right at home in Atlanta, selling out all five nights of their New Year’s run. Located in the heart of downtown Atlanta in Centennial Park, the Tabernacle has a way of merging fans with the band like solder on an old moonshine still and is the ideal setting for a New Year’s Umph-love-fest!
The first night opened with the tension-building jam “Nipple Trix” bleeding into “Andy’s Last Beer.” Brendan Bayliss briefly greeted the crowd stating how much the band missed Atlanta and then, on with the face-melting. While the night had a slight metal edge to it, they interjected some funk with fan favorites such as “Pay The Snucka” and “Much Obliged.” Night one closed with “Mantis” leaving Umphreaks satisfied, for a few hours anyway.
The anticipation for the New Year’s show was heavy in the air; Umphreaks were ready to soak up night two like a dry sponge about to be dunked in a bucket of water. Fans relished in a 3-set night as UM rose to the occasion on all fronts accompanied by Jefferson Waful’s mind-bending lightshow. Out of the stillness on the stage, “Nothing too fancy” got things roaring! “All In Time” came out swinging next and ended in a mysterious musical void. The void was immediately filled by “Cut The Cable” evolving into a version of “Mad Love” that is one for the ages (seriously, check it out). Unarguably, Umphrey’s McGee takes music where your ears didn’t know they wanted to go. After “In The Kitchen,” Mad Dog’s Filthy Little Secret accompanied by saxophonist, Jeff Coffin (Dave Matthews Band) backing up the debut of “Piranhas.” The horn section joined in for the rest of the night including Jake Cinninger belting out a Joe Cocker version of Dave Mason’s, “Feeling Alright.” They also played “Last Call” in remembrance of band member, Mike Mirro, who quite clearly left a mark on the lives of this super group. “Bad Friday” started out set 3 and faded into “Auld Lang Syne” as the New Year rang in with confetti and balloons raining down on the crowd. Throughout the night, the audience jammed to their standards as well as quite a few covers including Herbie Hancock’s, “Hang Up Your Hang Ups,” and The Rolling Stones’, “Honky Tonk Women.” The encore concluded the evening with “Similar Skin” and funk legend James Brown’s, “Living in America!” Two down, three to go!
The first night of the New Year kicked off with “Bathing Digits.” Stunt guitarist, Jake showed a little diversity switching over to the keys for “Sociable Jimmy,” during set two. For the encore, fans were treated to Zeppelin classic, “Immigrant Song” and Michael Jackson’s, “Don’t Stop ‘til You Get Enough” melded together with “Ja Junk.”
Night after night, music flowed and the band became more comfortable than ever as evidenced by the band coming out in their bathrobes for the encore Friday night! Brendan and Jake also played matching acoustic guitars on “Nemo” and the Crosby, Stills & Nash tune, “Southern Cross.” Every night was full of surprises, and tonight would be no exception with special guest STS9’s bassist, Dave Murphy, replacing Ryan Stasik for “In The Flesh” and “Another Brick in the Wall” by Pink Floyd. Saturday would complete UM’s stay of residency at the Tabernacle with two sets playing mainly original tunes. The only covers played were Jeff Beck’s “Led Boots” and for the encore, REM’s “It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)”
Throughout the 5 nights in Atlanta, chants of “Joel, Joel, Joel” could be heard. The view from the stage looking out into the Tabernacle must have looked like thousands of happy face stickers! Gracious and humble, Brendan repeatedly spoke of the band’s love for Atlanta with a big grin each time he mentioned it. If you didn’t get to catch UM this time around, you are still in luck because they are coming back to Kingston Downs, GA on May 22-24, 2015 for the Counter Point Festival; but you better pick up your tickets soon as 3-day early bird tickets are already sold out!
PHOTO GALLERY
SET LISTS – And Links to the show downloads on UMLive.
Set 1: Le Blitz > Wappy Sprayberry > The Bottom Half, Syncopated Strangers > Partyin’ Peeps, Professor Wormbog, Rocker Part 2, Led Boots[1] > Mulche’s Odyssey
Set 2: Bridgeless > Hajimemashite, Dump City, The Crooked One[2] > Women Wine and Song, Cemetery Walk, Cemetery Walk II, No Comment[3] -> Bridgeless
Encore: It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)
[1] debut, Jeff Beck
[2] with Pop Goes the Weasel tease
[3] with The Woody Woodpecker Song (Tibbles/Idriss) tease
Purchase via UMLive: 01.03.2015, The Tabernacle, Atlanta, GA
Set 1: You Got the Wrong Guy > Higgins, Der Bluten Kat > The Message > Der Bluten Kat, 2×2[1], Uncle Wally[2], Nemo[2] > Sweetness[2] > Nemo[2], Southern Cross[3]
Set 2: Hurt Bird Bath[4] -> Upward > Hurt Bird Bath, Push the Pig > The Fussy Dutchman, Conduit, In the Flesh[5] > Another Brick in the Wall[5], Mail Package
Encore: Glory, Slacker[6]
[1] with (I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life (Medley/Warnes) teases
[2] with Brendan and Jake on acoustics
[3] debut, Crosby Stills & Nash; with Brendan and Jake on acoustics
[4] with Baker Street (Gerry Rafferty) tease
[5] with Dave Murphy replacing Ryan on bass
[6] with Jake on keys; with The Message (Grandmaster Flash) jam
Notes:
the band came out wearing robes for the encore
Purchase via UMLive: 01.02.2015, The Tabernacle, Atlanta, GA
Set 1: Bathing Digits > Hindsight[1], Hangover, Domino Theory, Prowler > 2nd Self, Utopian Fir[2], Don’t You (Forget About Me), Resolution -> 1348
Set 2: Tribute to the Spinal Shaft[3] > Sociable Jimmy[4], Miami Virtue -> Lively Up Yourself, Full Frontal[1] -> Phil’s Farm, The Floor
Encore: Immigrant Song, JaJunk[5] > Don’t Stop ’til You Get Enough[6] > JaJunk
[1] debut, original
[2] with The Ocean (Led Zeppelin) tease
[3] with Bridgeless teases
[4] with Jake on keys
[5] with Entrance of the Gladiators (Julius Fučík) tease
[6] with Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ (Michael Jackson) quotes
Notes:
1348 finished previous evening’s version
with Xxplosive (Dr. Dre) tease before Immigrant Song
last Lively Up Yourself 05.22.2003 (1,410 shows)
Purchase via UMLive: 01.01.2015, The Tabernacle, Atlanta, GA
Set 1: Nipple Trix > Andy’s Last Beer, Padgett’s Profile, Thin Air, Blue Echo[1] > 40’s Theme, Preamble > Mantis > Proverbial > Miss Tinkle’s Overture
Set 2: Educated Guess, Ocean Billy[2] > Frankie Zombie, The Triple Wide[3], Pay the Snucka[4], Divisions > Ocean Billy
Encore: Much Obliged[5] > Mantis
[1] with The Linear teases
[2] with Hang Up Your Hang Ups (Herbie Hancock) teases
[3] with Rhiannon (Fleetwood Mac) and Relax (Frankie Goes to Hollywood) teases
[4] with Stranglehold (Ted Nugent) and Mantis teases
[5] unfinished
Notes:
there were FOH issues with Preamble
Purchase via UMLive: 12.30.2014, The Tabernacle, Atlanta, GA
Set 1: Nothing Too Fancy > All In Time > Cut the Cable, Mad Love, In The Kitchen, Piranhas[1], Feelin’ Alright[2]
Set 2: Puppet String[3] -> Hang Up Your Hang Ups[4], August, 1348[5] > Day Nurse > Nothing Too Fancy, Black Messiah[3], Last Call[3], Bright Lights, Big City[6]
Set 3: Bad Friday[7] > Auld Lang Syne[3], Honky Tonk Women[3], Ringo[3], Plunger > Puppet String, No Diablo, The Linear > All In Time
Encore: Similar Skin[3], Living In America[8]
[1] debut, original; with Mad Dog and His Filthy Little Secret horns
[2] debut, Traffic/Joe Cocker; with Mad Dog and His Filthy Little Secret horns
[3] with Mad Dog and His Filthy Little Secret horns
[4] debut, Herbie Hancock; with Mad Dog and His Filthy Little Secret horns
[5] unfinished
[6] with Uptown Funk (Mark Ronson) teases
[7] with Mad Dog and His Filthy Little Secret horns; unfinished
[8] debut, James Brown; with Mad Dog and His Filthy Little Secret horns
Notes:
Feelin’ Alright played for Joe Cocker
Last Call played for Mike Mirro
with (Don’t Fear) The Reaper (Blue Oyster Cult) tease before Plunger
last Black Messiah 12.31.2007 (779 shows)
last Last Call 12.14.2002 (1,471 shows)
last Honky Tonk Women 11.04.2005 (1,048 shows)
Purchase via UMLive: 12.31.2014, The Tabernacle, Atlanta, GA
STAY TUNED FOR OUR NEXT CONTEST HERE OR VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE HERE FOR OTHER CONTESTS IN THE MIDWEST!!
Listen to Dale Taylor chat away with TOWN MOUNTAIN’S own JESSE LANGLAIS (banjo) regarding all things Town Mountain and an exciting 2015!
Town Mountain Set To Record 5th Studio Album At The Cypress House with Dirk Powell in Jan 2015
ASHEVILLE, NC — Town Mountain’s hard drivin’ bluegrass sound, tight harmonies, and stellar in-house songwriting have become the band’s trademark. They light up the stage with their honky tonk edge and barroom swagger, featuring a Jimmy Martin-style bounce and confidence that is countered at times by a laid-back John Hartford-esque groove. Town Mountain includes Robert Greer on vocals and guitar, Jesse Langlais on banjo and vocals, Bobby Britt on fiddle, Phil Barker on mandolin and vocals, and Nick DiSebastian on bass. The band will be heading to Breaux Bridge, Louisiana the first week of January 2015 to record their 5th studio release at The Cypress House with Grammy Award winner Dirk Powell, who will be acting as audio engineer and producer.
DATE |
CITY |
VENUE |
COUNTRY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01/16/15 | BLYTHE, CA | BLYTHE BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL | UNITED STATES |
| Age restrictions: All Ages. Address: 591 North Olive Lake Blvd. BUY TICKETS | |||
| 01/17/15 | BLYTHE, CA | BLYTHE BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL | UNITED STATES |
| Age restrictions: All Ages. Address: 591 North Olive Lake Blvd. BUY TICKETS | |||
| 01/23/15 | ATLANTA, GA | TERMINAL WEST | UNITED STATES |
| Time: 9:00pm. Age restrictions: All Ages. Address: 887 West Marietta. BUY TICKETS | |||
| 01/24/15 | ATHENS, GA | GEORGIA THEATER | UNITED STATES |
| Time: 9:00pm. Age restrictions: All Ages. Address: 215 North Lumpkin Street. With the Infamous Stringdusters! BUY TICKETS | |||
| 02/06/15 | LANCASTER, PA | LANCASTER ROOTS AND BLUES FESTIVAL | UNITED STATES |
| Time: 9:00pm. Age restrictions: All Ages. Address: 24 E King St.. BUY TICKETS | |||
| 02/07/15 | LANCASTER, PA | LANCASTER ROOTS AND BLUES FESTIVAL | UNITED STATES |
| Time: 2:00pm. Age restrictions: All Ages. Address: 24 E King St.. BUY TICKETS | |||
| 02/08/15 | BLAIRSTOWN, NJ | THE HISTORIC BLAIRSTOWN THEATER | UNITED STATES |
| Time: 7:00pm. Age restrictions: All Ages. Box office: 908-349-1428. Address: 30 Main St. BUY TICKETS | |||
| 02/14/15 | ROSENDALE, NY | ROSENDALE CAFE | UNITED STATES |
| Time: 8:00pm. Age restrictions: All Ages. Address: 434 Main St.. BUY TICKETS | |||
| 02/15/15 | FRAMINGHAM, MA | JOE VAL BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL | UNITED STATES |
| Age restrictions: All Ages. Address: 1657 Worcester Rd. BUY TICKETS | |||
| 02/21/15 | CARBONDALE, IL | THE HANGAR 9 | UNITED STATES |
| Time: 9:00pm. Age restrictions: All Ages. Address: 511 South Illinois Avenue. BUY TICKETS | |||
| 02/24/15 | LANCASTER, WI | THREE SPRINGS BARN | UNITED STATES |
| Time: 7:00pm. Age restrictions: All Ages. Address: 9527 Three Springs Road. BUY TICKETS | |||
| 02/25/15 | CHICAGO, IL | MARTYR’S | UNITED STATES |
| Time: 9:30pm. Age restrictions: All Ages. Address: 3855 N. Lincoln Ave. BUY TICKETS | |||
| 02/26/15 | MILWAUKEE, WI | ANODYNE COFFEE ROASTING CO. | UNITED STATES |
| Time: 9:00pm. Age restrictions: All Ages. Address: 224 W. Bruce St. BUY TICKETS | |||
| 02/27/15 | MCHENRY, IL | MACKEY’S HIDEOUT | UNITED STATES |
| Time: 10:00pm. Age restrictions: All Ages. Address: 2601 S. River Rd. BUY TICKETS | |||
| 02/28/15 | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | CEDAR CULTURAL CENTER | UNITED STATES |
| Age restrictions: All Ages. Address: 416 Cedar Ave S. Pert Near Sandstone’s Winter String Band Gathering!! BUY TICKETS | |||
| 03/01/15 | MADISON, WI | HIGH NOON SALOON | UNITED STATES |
| Time: 7:00pm. Age restrictions: All Ages. Address: 701A E. Washington Avenue. BUY TICKETS | |||
| 03/06/15 | WASHINGTON, DC | GYPSY SALLY’S | UNITED STATES |
| Time: 9:00pm. Age restrictions: All Ages. Address: 3401 K Street NW. BUY TICKETS | |||
| 03/07/15 | BERRYVILLE, VA | BARNS OF ROSE HILL | UNITED STATES |
| Time: 8:00pm. Age restrictions: All Ages. Address: 95 Chalmers Ct. BUY TICKETS | |||
| 03/20/15 | LIVE OAK, FL | SUWANEE SPRINGFEST | UNITED STATES |
| Age restrictions: All Ages. Address: 3076 95th Drive. BUY TICKETS | |||
| 03/21/15 | LIVE OAK, FL | SUWANEE SPRINGFEST | UNITED STATES |
| Age restrictions: All Ages. Address: 3076 95th Drive. BUY TICKETS | |||
| 03/27/15 | TUPELO, MS | THE BLUE CANOE | UNITED STATES |
| Time: 9:30pm. Age restrictions: All Ages. Address: 2006 N. Gloster St. BUY TICKETS | |||
| 03/28/15 | SELMER, TN | ARTS IN MCNAIRY “LIVE! AT THE LATTA” | UNITED STATES |
| Time: 9:30pm. Age restrictions: All Ages. Address: 205 West Court Avenue. BUY TICKETS | |||
| 05/07/15 | CHARLESTON, SC | CHARLESTON MUSIC HALL | UNITED STATES |
| Time: 7:00pm. Age restrictions: All Ages. Address: 37 John Street. BUY TICKETS | |||
| 07/10/15 | SUGAR GROVE, NC | MUSIC FEST N’ SUGAR GROVE | UNITED STATES |
| Time: 9:00pm. Age restrictions: All Ages. Address: 207 Dale Adams Rd.. BUY TICKETS | |||
Town Mountain is in it for the long haul… check out out where they’ll be travelin’ to next and keep and eye on TownMountain.net for further dates and updates from the road at facebook.com/TownMountain and twitter.com/TownMountain.