The Round Table

Just last month, AP broke news that Conor Oberst and the Desaparecidos reunited to perform at a Concert for Equality, a show to raise awareness in opposition of a proposed anti-illegal immigration bill in Nebraska.

Well, perhaps the stage bug bit the elusive Mr. Oberst as he now announced four solo tour dates this Fall. The catch is, if you’re dying to check him out, you’ll need to head out to California. No official word if these shows will spark additional dates across the country, but you can bet we’ll keep our eye on this.

Check out full dates below and be sure to check out AP’s exclusive interview with Denver Dalley (Desaparecidos).

Conor Oberst:
09-28 Pioneertown, CA – Pappy & Harriet’s ^
09-30 Santa Barbara, CA – Soho ^
10-01 Big Sur, CA – Fernwood ^
10-02 San Francisco, CA – Hardly Strictly Bluegrass

^ with the Felice Brothers
[via Pitchfork]

Last week, we profiled the up and coming roots-rock group Truth and Salvage Co. in our “Makin’ It” feature.

This week, singer, songwriter and keyboardist Walker Young was kind enough to sit down and answer some questions about the band, it’s beginnings and the future.

Enjoy!

First things first – how did all of you guys ever end up in the same place? Collectively, your resume reads like a more of an adventure novel than band origins story.

Four of us lived in Asheville, NC and played together for about ten years in a band called Scrappy Hamilton. When we moved to LA about five years ago, we started jamming with other players. Smitty (drums) met Tim Jones and Adam Grace and played with them in Jones’ solo project.

Over about a year’s time, numerous beers, impromtu jam sessions, and the urging of friends who heard us sing together, we decided to meld our minds and talents into one band. This was the inception of Truth & Salvage Co. About 2 1/2 years ago.

How did you land on the name Truth and Salvage Co.? Is there a story behind it?

Originally our band was called The Denim Family Band. We were a collective of many songwriters who were more concerned with sharing and playing each others music and enjoying ourselves on and off stage than stroking any one particular ego. Every member contributed to songwriting and singing.

As the group evolved, the name changed but the spirit of the project remained concrete. We are definitely a company of brothers, our truth is our music, and we salvage ideas and ideals from the past to carry us through to a new tomorrow.

To me, T&C sounds like it should have been playing in 1971 – probably with CCR or The Byrds (circa Gram Parsons). Who would you cite as major influences and were you going for that classic sound? Is that just the type of music you all found common ground with?

The T&S Co. project has always seemed natural and unforced from its inception. We never sat down and decided to start a band that sounds any particular way. Yet, when the six of us play together there is definitely a common chord with those great rock/alt country bands of the late sixties early seventies. Our influences are all across the board but great harmony and melody is a common thread.

We like songs.

A good song is what we want to deliver, apart from anything else. It always interests me to hear  the other bands people compare us to. From the Band, to the Flying Burrito bros., to Bill Monroe, Waylon Jennings, and The Jayhwaks, we feel honored to be able to carry on a rich musical tradition and give back to the culture which has given so much to us.

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Monday night, NPR’s Zoe Chace’s interview with Lauryn Hill aired as part of the series “50 Great Voices.” Ms. Chace looks back on the short-lived, yet magnificent career of Ms. Hill with profound nostalgia, much like any of us fans do.

Before even launching into the recorded interview piece, Ms. Chace lays much of the groundwork for the story by interviewing fans, Ms. Hill’s managers, and of course, mentions all the rumors she’s heard of the erratic singer/rapper.

The quotes from Ms. Hill are minimal at best, but they are encouraging to us fans who have waited in vain for more music from the singer/rapper. Her voice is as raspy as we remember, she speaks eloquently as she (somewhat) answers the question we’ve all been dying to ask: “Why did you stop putting out music?”

“There were a number of different reasons,” she says. “But partly, the support system that I needed was not necessarily in place. There were things about myself, personal-growth things, that I had to go through in order to feel like it was worth it. In fact, as musicians and artists, it’s important we have an environment — and I guess when I say environment, I really mean the [music] industry, that really nurtures these gifts. Oftentimes, the machine can overlook the need to take care of the people who produce the sounds that have a lot to do with the health and well-being of society, or at least some aspect of society. And it’s important that people be given the time that they need to go through, to grow, so that the consciousness level of the general public is properly affected. Oftentimes, I think people are forced to make decisions prematurely. And then that sound radiates.”

Ms. Hill goes on to discuss her desire to get back into music now that her children are old enough where she can leave them to perform with more ease as well as when she discovered her voice and love of music. It’s an interesting interview to say the least, but not nearly as much as we wanted it to be. Nonetheless, it’s more than we’ve had in the past from Ms. Hill. I’m still holding out that she’s come back someday with a follow up to Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.

Listen to the interview with Lauryn Hill at NPR. Be sure to read the transcript of the interview as well for more detail. What do you think — are you still interested in hearing more music from Ms. Hill or is it time we all move on?

Boyce Avenue are the latest band of brothers who are looking to become household names with their blend of melodic and acoustic rock. Alejandro (lead vocals, guitar, piano), Fabian (guitar, vocals), and their older brother Daniel (bass, percussion, vocals) formed Boyce Avenue in 2004 while attending high school, but put their dreams of rock stardom on hold as they all pursed college degrees.

The brothers wrote and performed compulsively and started to gain notoriety by posting their acoustic performance videos on YouTube. Their dedication paid off as Boyce Avenue was signed to Universal Records and released their debut single “Every Breath” off the upcoming album, All We Have Left (available today). We had time to to chat with Boyce Avenue’s Daniel Manzano about music, brotherhood, the power of YouTube, and slippery leaves…

Since you’re immensely talented performers who happen to be brothers, is it fair to say you come from a family who emphasized music? When did you fall in love with music?

Music was definitely always a part of our lives. Our grandfather was always playing classical guitar and singing songs when he’d visit on holidays, and our mom would join in. Singing, dancing, and making noise has always been a big part of our culture, and I think we inherited that. But, we are the first in our family to really take music this far.

The band originally formed almost 9 years ago, during a High School talent show, but then music was put on hold while you all pursued college educations. Was it hard to take a hiatus from performing? Why was it important to get college degrees?

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If you’re not already aware of Minneapolis’ banging hip-hop scenes and the talented MC’s putting the Twin Cities on the map … friend, where have you been? No worries, though. We can work through this – and we’ve got a guest to help educate the masses.

T.Q.D., from TC’s own Background Noise Crew, was kind enough to stop by The Round Table and give us a look inside his head – as well as his new EP, The Appetizer, Volume 2. (Background Noise Crew is also the home of Analyrical, my favorite Minneapolis rapper, and a lot of other really talented dudes.)

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Despite relatively humble beginnings and early shows under unlikely circumstances, The Dirty Rooks have quickly built a loyal following desperate to be reminded of what real rock sounds like.

Drawing on influences from the 70s, The Dirty Rooks have helped revive booze rock in the Chicago area, and are on their way to making their presence known in pubs across the nation. And their sophomore album, Sugar Mama, is only encouraging more success.

The title track, while more upbeat than many of the album’s other songs, didn’t come by accident. In fact, the now infamous line, “I got a girl that brings home the bacon” holds more truth than listeners not familiar with the group might know.

“Sugar Mama is actually about exactly what it sounds like,” manager, mascot and spokesperson Wayne Hammersmith says. “Two of our ladies are lawyers who make almost all of the money in the relationship. It’s not a bad gig, if you can get it.”

With a duo of lawyers close at their sides, The Dirty Rooks aren’t afraid to push the limits, and proved as much by dressing as cupid-like characters in their Sugar Mama promo video. And if that isn’t enough to catch your attention, they’ll make sure to draw you in with pristine guitar riffs and mind-blowing horn lines that will leave you thirsting for an encore and begging the bartender for another round.

The guys were busy at work prepping for upcoming shows, but Wayne Hammersmith took a few minutes to answer some questions for The Round Table.

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In the past, I’ve referred to singer-songwriter Tony Lucca as one of the hardest working musicians in the game. A perpetual touring artist, he has entertained crowds across the U.S. for well over 12 years. And truth be told, there is no artist other than Mr. Lucca that I’ve personally crossed state lines to see perform. Yeah, he’s that good.

Armed with his acoustic guitar (and sometimes electric!), heartfelt, beautifully crafted lyrics and a soulful voice, Mr. Lucca’s sound is instantly identifiable, yet uniquely his own.

Recently, Mr. Lucca took time out of his busy touring schedule to chat with us about his musical stylings, lyrical inspirations, the need to go electric and, of course, road fun with his ex-tourmate, Sara Bareilles. Read the full interview below. Keep your eye out for his next record, which hits this summer (details TBD). Be sure to check this man out when he’s in your neck of the woods – you will not regret it – tour dates.

TRT: Over the years your music has incorporated different genres and styles but at the core of all these songs are very real, poignant lyrics, where do you get your inspiration from?

TL: Traveling. Seeing what stays consistent in an ever-changing environment. Those are the things that most people identify with. That’s where specifics become universal.

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In the last six months, singer-songwriter Ashley Arrison has become one of the most talked about indie artists at The Round Table, culminating in being crowned our first-ever March Music Madness Champion. Based on the sheer number of votes submitted, it’s apparent Ms. Arrison has made a lasting impression on music fans, not to mention she has won the hearts of some of the site’s toughest critics. All impressive accomplishments for an artist who has yet to release her first full-length album, which is slated for July 1st.

Ms. Arrison took time out from her busy recording schedule to chat with TRT. She was kind enough to give us some insight as to her musical influences, what fans can expect from her upcoming album, and her reaction to taking the March Music Madness title. And while Ms. Arrison takes her music very seriously, wasn’t afraid to let her guard down and let her personality shine through. She even indulged our desire to name-drop some of the industry’s greatest whom she calls her friends. Read our interview with Ashley Arrison below.

TRT: As the reigning champion of TRT’s first ever March Music Madness tournament voted on by the fans, can you tell us what it meant to you to have tremendous fan support pushing you through each round? Were you surprised at all?

AA: Are you kidding? So surprised. First, I thought it was cruel to pit me against Rhianna in the first round! After I won that round, I knew this was a battle of indies, so I was sure I didn’t have a chance against Tony Lucca, who I love! And then Matthew Mayfield started talking smack and the heat was turned up! But seriously, every single one of these artists have bigger fan bases than I do at this point, so it is a true testament to my fans that they rallied like they did. The re-tweets and mass emails were in effect!

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Just last month we (re-)introduced you to Kimberly Caldwell, a former American Idol finalist (Season 2) who is gearing up for the release of her debut album, Without Regret. She set the tone with her first single “Mess of You,” a solid pop-rock song that showcases her trademark throaty vocals, Ms. Caldwell is out to show the world she’s a multi-faceted artist and while it’s been nearly seven years since she last graced the music stage, her return is sure to get people talking.

Recently, we had the opportunity to ask Ms. Caldwell some questions about her return to music, her country roots, and of course, how a “new” artist gets hooked up with legendary songwriter Diane Warren. Check out the interview below – and don’t forget to pre-order Without Regret (July release).

TRT: Your debut album “Without Regret” is (finally!) set for release nearly 7 years after your amazing run into the Top 10 contestants of American Idol (2003). Fans want to know — what took so long?

KC: Right after I was on American Idol, I was lucky enough to land a job working on television, but it left little time to really focus on my true passion, which is songwriting and singing. So, I’m glad that I put everything else aside, for now, to dedicate 100% of myself to this album.

TRT: Lead single “Mess of You” beautifully showcases your powerful rocker-chick vocals, very reminiscent to past performances on American Idol. Did you intentionally lead with this song to remind fans of your vocal chops?

KC: All of the songs on the album, including “Mess Of You,” challenged me vocally and I’m really able to show my fans how much my voice has matured and how much I’ve grown as an artist through “Without Regret.” “Mess Of You,” in particular, for me, has a great message. If you get in a messy situation, remember that you’re the one that put yourself there and you’re the one that can take yourself out of it.

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Just last week, we introduced you to The Postelles, one of our favorite up-and-coming bands who are set to release their debut EP, White Night (March 2nd). The Postelles, comprised of Daniel Balk (lead vocals & guitar), David Dargahi (supporting vocals & guitar), John Speyer (bass) and Billy Cadden (drums), brilliantly mix power pop and rock with a touch of Motown/doo-wop flair.

Recently, we had the opportunity to ask bassist John Speyer some questions about their unique sound, producer Albert Hammond (The Strokes), the future of music, and dance parties.

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