The Cornbread Cafe #2 — Keeton Coffman, Alicia Beale, Whiskey Treaty Roadshow, much more

Published on March 8, 2017May 10, 2018 by editor

Podcast (cornbread-cafe): Play in new window | Download

Welcome! brothers and sisters to Episode #2—of the Cornbread Cafe. We’ve got Keeton Coffman, Alicia Beale, The Whiskey Treaty Roadshow, and SO much more!

Keeton Coffman discusses Life, The Universe, and Everything (especially music) in our extended interview below. We hear "Killer Eyes" and "What We're Reaching For" from his 2016 release, Killer Eyes; photo courtesy Keeton Coffman — Keeton Coffman discusses Life, The Universe, and Everything (especially music) in our extended interview below. We hear “Killer Eyes” and “What We’re Reaching For” from his 2016 release, *Killer Eyes*; photo courtesy Keeton Coffman

I am the mongrel, and I will be your waiter today. Cazh and cozy, we’re located at the five-corners of Blues, Americana, Folk, Country, and Gospel. And you can sometimes catch an express to Rock ’n’ Roll at the bus stop across the way. We are the Internet’s new hang-out for the best in a sprawling menu of American Roots music.

On this Episode:

“Killer Eyes,” Keeton Coffman, Killer Eyes
“What We’re Reaching For,” Keeton Coffman, Killer Eyes
“Beautiful,” Alicia Beale, Ignite
“Take That Bath,” Francesca Brown, Collide
“Whiskey In My Tea Master,” Signs Point East
“Nothin But My Whiskey,” Honey Whiskey Trio
“Big Ol Bottle of Wine,” Whiskey Treaty Roadshow, The Heart of the Run
“Bad Man Road,” The Walker Avenue Gang, Bill Tilghman and the Outlaws
“Homewrecker,” Sam Sliva, The Drained
“What You Took,” Faint Peter, Redoubt
“Swansong,” Molly Pinto Madigan, Wildwood Bride
“Goodnight,” Oh Susanna, Namedropper

Alicia Beale, with "Beautiful" from <em>IGNITE</em>; image courtesy Alicia Beale — Alicia Beale, with “Beautiful” from *IGNITE*; image courtesy Alicia Beale

I want to start off this show with a HUGE thank you to the listeners who shared links to our launch episode on Facebook, Twitter, and elsewhere. Without even being in iTunes, without even any marketing to speak of, Episode #1 racked up over 600 downloads almost right out of the gate, which is wicked good for a show that’s not produced by, you know, like WNYC or RADIOTOPIA or somebody. So, the management and staff of the Cornbread Cafe would like to acknowledge that we owe it all to YOU, you crazy roots-music lovin’ fools, you!

Francesca Brown with "Take that Bath," from Collide; photo courtesy Francesca Brown — Francesca Brown with “Take that Bath,” from *Collide*; photo courtesy Francesca Brown

Well, I’d never say that we’re trying to “top” a previous episode, but we did set a pretty high bar with that first show, so I’ve definitely been feeling the pressure. Choosing today’s music, and obsessively arranging each song in exactly the right order was kind of like making the first mix-tape for my sophomore year girlfriend in high school. It had to be juuuuuust perfect to demonstrate my undying adolescent love. And I’m not sure we want to go too deep into the analogy, but my promise to you is that I’ll use the same neurotic perfectionism in every single episode until you are convinced of my devotion to you and your musical edification. When I get a phone call from your parents telling me to stop leaving sticky notes with links to the show on your car windshild, then I’ll know I’ve hit the sweet spot.

Signs Point East, with "Back to the Start," off their EP Back to the Start; photo courtesy Signs Point East — Signs Point East, with “Back to the Start,” off their EP *Back to the Start*; photo courtesy Signs Point East

And what do we have for you today? We have another set of twelve exceptional tunes ranging from old-school Bluegrass to the very edge of the DMZ between Country and Rock ’n’ Roll. And, to make it a baker’s dozen, we also have an interview with Houston-based Keeton Coffman. In Episode #1, we heard his recent hit “The Mountain” off his 2016 album Killer Eyes. The song resonated with a lot of you, and my guess is that it straddled the line between Alt-Country and Rock so comfortably, that you just couldn’t help but get hooked on it. Well, let’s have another round of that top-shelf tunage with the title track off Killer Eyes.

Extended Interview with Keeton Coffman

The Honey Whiskey Trio with “Nothin But My Whiskey,” which may or may not be included on their debut release later this year—only time will tell!

That was Keeton Coffman, with “Killer Eyes.” When Keeton accepted our invitation to come on the show and talk about that album and the just-released video for “What We’re Reaching For,” I knew exactly what I wanted to ask about. I wanted to know what drives the upbeat optimism that fuels his extremely danceable anthems. You can hear the full interview by clicking the player in the shownotes at cornbread.cafe, but here’s a preview of that conversation right now in the Cornbread Cafe.

I didn’t mean to start off this show with two Texans, but after getting into such a good mood with Keeton’s music, I was reminded of a song by our friend Alicia Beale, a Texas girl who now makes her home in Nashville. Alicia’s latest release, IGNITE, did exactly that to the Indie music scene last year. She was our guest on another show back in October, so you can imagine how excited we were for her when she took home the prize for Best Pop Single at the Independent Music Awards in November with “New Fling,” featuring Kristo Rewlz. Many of the tracks off IGNITE are perfect examples of the blurring of musical lines that this Cornbread Cafe was built to celebrate. Flavors of Country accent this deep track, “Beautiful,” off that breakout release by Alicia Beale.

Facetime Interview with Alicia Beale

The Whiskey Treaty Roadshow, with “Big Ol Bottle of Wine," off their live 2016 Heart of the Run release; photo courtesy The Whiskey Treaty Roadshow — The Whiskey Treaty Roadshow, with “Big Ol Bottle of Wine,” off their live 2016 *Heart of the Run* release; photo courtesy The Whiskey Treaty Roadshow

Well, I think I’ve heard myself talk about as much as I can stand for a little while, so why don’t we get some musical momentum started here, right? And, I should warn you, we’re going to go on a little bit of a bender at this point. I’ve been looking for an excuse to fire up the Dodge and make a whiskey run for a while now. Are you game? Joining us are some new friends Signs Point East with “Whiskey In My Tea,” followed by the soon to be everywhere Honey Whiskey Trio with “Nothin But My Whiskey.” And cashing out our tab are our good buds the Whiskey Treaty Roadshow, and a live “Big Ol Bottle of Wine,” First though, Francesca Brown is going to intoxicate us with some poison of her own with my favorite track from her latest release, Collide, “Take that Bath”

The Walker Avenue Gang perform “Bad Man Road,” on the soundtrack of the film Bill Tilghman and the Outlaws, slated for a 2017 release; image courtesy The Walker Avenue Gang — The Walker Avenue Gang perform “Bad Man Road,” on the soundtrack of the film *Bill Tilghman and the Outlaws*, slated for a 2017 release; image courtesy The Walker Avenue Gang

You want to know how popular Roots music is getting? I’ll tell ya’. The largest contemporary art museum in the country, MASS MoCA in North Adams, Mass., is home to the Fresh Grass festival, now in its sixth season. The Whiskey Treaty Roadshow are actually playing a show there on St. Patrick’s Day. What kind of a wild time does THAT sound like, eh? Of course I want you to get to know all the artists on this show better—that’s why I put links every seventh word or so. But I want to make a special suggestion that you visit the Honey Whiskey Trio’s website and check out their videos section. Their harmonies on songs like “The Lone Wild Bird” are so defined and so clear as to be dizzying. They tell me that an album is due out this Spring, and when it shoots to the top of the charts, just remember you got your first taste of that sweet Honey Whiskey right here on the Cornbread Cafe.

Sam Silva, with "Homewrecker" from The Drained; photo courtesy Sam Silva. — Sam Sliva, with “Homewrecker” from *The Drained;* photo courtesy Sam Silva.

Sadly, there’s usually a good amount of air between sweet liquor and sound judgement, you notice that? And I reckon it’s a good time to throw a couple of cautionary tales into the mix to sober us all back up a bit. From the soundtrack to the movie Bill Tilghman and the Outlaws, scheduled to be released this year, we’ll hear “Bad Man Road,” by the The Walker Avenue Gang, followed by Sam Sliva with “Homewrecker,” here on the Cornbread Cafe. Buzzkill, I know, right?

Molly Pinto Madigan; artwork for Wildwood Bride, photo by Joey Phoenix Photography

Well, I think we have time for a little bit Roots music news don’t we? Not much, but some. First of all, this weekend kicks off the South By Southwest festival, which has gotten so big that Vice President Joe Biden is a speaker and the festival has its own app for navigating time and space while you’re gliding through the marvels assembled in Austen, Tejas.

But SXSW ain’t the only game in town—not by a stretch. Rounding out the rest of March is:

South By Southwest (SXSW) • Austin, TX • Mar 10 – Mar 19
Suwanee Spring Reunion • Live Oak, FL • Mar 23 – Mar 26
Savannah Music Festival • Savannah, GA • Mar 23 – Apr 8
Paluxy River Bluegrass Festival • Glen Rose TX • Mar 30 – Apr 1
Big Ears Festival • Knoxville TN • Mar 23 – Mar 26

Joseph De Natale, performing as Faint Peter; photo courtesy Faint Peter

And, of course, you can find the link to more info on AmericanaFest 2017 WHERE? Yes, in the shownotes. You’re catching on.

We’re going to serve up a triplet of singer/songwriters who represent some of the best in poetic wordsmithing you could hope to hear on this or any show. First up is Faint Peter with “What You Took,” from the 2016 release Redoubt. Faint Peter is the Boston-born, Seattle-based Joseph De Natale, who, with this album of piercing storytelling, proves he might just be THE standard-bearer for new American folk.

Next, Molly Pinto Madigan mesmerizes us with Swan Song off her 2016 release, Wildwood Bride, which enraptured critics with brilliant lyrics sung with otherworldly elegance.

Suzie Ungerleider of Oh Susanna; photo by Heather Pollock

And closing out the episode will be beautiful, graceful, melancholy “Goodnight,” from Oh Susanna, off Namedropper. We’ve had the good fortune to speak with Suzie Ungerleider, who was born in Northhampton, Mass., and crafts her gorgeous melodies in Toronto, Canada.

I hope you enjoy the dessert course, starting right now with “What You Took.”

I think it’s best if I let Oh Susanna have the last word. Join us next time right here in the Cornbread Cafe.

This show was engineered and hosted by me, the mongrel, and I’m looking forward to serving up more great Roots to you and your kin next week. No reservations needed. Just bring your appetite for great music.

Save

The Cornbread Cafe #001—Serving Roots for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner!

Published on February 13, 2017May 10, 2018 by editor

Podcast (cornbread-cafe): Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Android | RSS | More

Welcome, cousins to Episode #1 of the Cornbread Cafe—your new fave hang-out for the best in a sprawling menu of American Roots music.

"Torch Song," from Echo Sparks' release, Ghost Town Girl, was one of the earliest inspirations for the launch of the Cornbread Cafe! — “Torch Song,” from Echo Sparks’ release, *Ghost Town Girl,* was one of the earliest inspirations for the launch of the Cornbread Cafe!

I am the mongrel, and I’ll be your waiter today. Cazh and cozy, we’re located at the five-corners of Blues, Americana, Folk, Country, and Gospel. And you can sometimes catch an express to Rock ’n’ Roll at the bus stop across the way. We are the Internet’s new hang-out for the best in a sprawling menu of American Roots music.

Each week, we’ll be serving up appetizers of event schedules, side items of music news, and the occasional sweet treat of an interview. But our heaping portions of house-made entrées are why the parking lot’s always packed. So sit back. Relax. And tuck in to one whole hour of stick to yer ribs tunes, including “Remember Wild Horses,” by Birds of Chicago, off their 2016 release, Real Midnight, and Echo Sparks with “Torch Song,” from Ghost Town Girl, but let’s kick off this first course with a new single by Karianne Jean Perpoli, entitled “Cactus,” here at the Cornbread Cafe.

Karianne Jean Perpoli, with "Cactus," from her EP, Don't Miss — **Karianne Jean Perpoli,** with “Cactus,” from her EP, *Don’t Miss*

When you’re running a music show, fresh ingredients are a must, and we have those in good supply. But if you don’t keep both the kitchen AND the dining room impeccably clean and tidy, the customers aren’t gonna keep coming back. That’s why when you visit the show notes to each episode, you’ll find everything spic and span. If you stumbled into the Cornbread Cafe through your local independent online newsthing, well, then you already know how to find the show notes. If you found your way here through iTunes or Google Play: Music, or some side door, just go to cornbread.cafe (and yes, that’s a real domain name) to find track names, links to the bands’ websites, photos, and news. A place for everything—everything in it’s place.

Birds of Chicago, with “Remember Wild Horses,” from Real Midnight — **Birds of Chicago**, with “Remember Wild Horses” from *Real Midnight*

Now, this first episode was released just a little before Valentine’s Day, so perhaps you’ll forgive me if my selections are weighted a little heavily towards the subject of romance. But, because that little flying ankle-biter drops in on the lonely as well as googley-eyed swooning lovers, I made sure to put a couple of songs of heartache on special tonight.

Hailing from Wenatchee, Wash., Gideon’s Daughter dispenses a little girl-to-girl advice in “Never Gonna Love You,” from their latest release, Steel Octopus Arms, which you can pick up right now through CD Baby or Bandcamp. I bring this up because I was JUST at their website, like, a week ago, and everything was there, and I just went to check today and see that they have a coming soon page up. I’m betting that this means great things from the band, but it also means I can’t tell you to just go to their site to pick up the release. And that’s cool—both CD Baby and Bandcamp are perfectly respectable outfits.

**Echo Sparks,** with “Torch Song,” from *Ghost Town Girl*

After that Jordan Patterson guides us solidly into the Blues cuisine section of the menu. Off his latest release, The Back on Track Recording Project, he pleads, “Can We Fall in Love Again?” I don’t know ladies—what do you think? Listen and let me know if he’s made a convincing argument.

We’ll wrap this block up with Joe Olnick’s “Glendale Avenue,” from Defiant Grooves, released just this past fall. We’ll polish this course off with Joe Olnick’s “Glendale Avenue,” from Defiant Grooves, released just this past fall. It’s a little bit like what might happen if Eric Johnson sat down with the Allman brothers and picked up where Led Zeppelin left off with” Over the Hills and Far Away.”

Gideons Daughter, with "Never Gonna Love You,” from Steel Octopus Arms — **Gideons Daughter**, with “Never Gonna Love You,” from *Steel Octopus Arms*

Now, let’s fire that order for “Never Gonna Love You,” by Gideon’s Daughter.

It’s true that most of the Roots and Folk festivals take place mainly around Harvest time. But not all, dear brothers and sisters, not all…first up is Wanderlust: Hawaii, which they describe as a one-of-a-kind festival bringing together the world’s leading yoga teachers, top musical acts and DJs, renowned speakers, top chefs and winemakers, and much, much more — all in a setting of breathtaking natural beauty. Not Now, all this is going on in O’ ahu, Hawaii, February 23–26, and last I checked, you could still get tickets via wanderlust.com. Check out their site, and you’ll see that, while it’s definitely not a Roots-specific festival, it might be the four days in paradise you need before 2017 gets much older.

Jordan Patterson, with The Back on Track Recording Project — “Can We Fall in Love Again?” from The *Back on Track Recording Project* – The Jordan Patterson Band

On deck is the Okeechobee Music Festival taking place in Florida March 2–5. The festival’s home, Sunshine Grove, is widely regarded amongst the best music festival destinations in the world, featuring lush grassy flat lands, a sandy beach, stunning tufts of tropical jungle and a majestic grove that houses the main stages. Tickets at okeechobeefest.com/

And that same weekend is the McDowell Mountain Festival. This 100% nonprofit music festival uses its success in attracting audiences to promote Community, Culture, and Charity in and around Phoenix, Arizona. This year, the Festival is celebrating its 14th year, attracting visitors to the State with previous headliners such as Beck, Porter Robinson, Kid Cudi, The Avett Brothers, and more. Go to mmmf.com for tickets and more information

Joe Olnick, with “Glendale Avenue,” off Defiant Grooves — **Joe Olnick**, with “Glendale Avenue,” off *Defiant Grooves*

Like any good waiter, right now I’m checking back with you to refill your coffee, clear off some plates, and let you get back to enjoying this feast of great tunes.

A new Old-Timey morsel from Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams entitled “Did You Love Me At All,” should send you to their website, larryandteresa.com to find out more about them and their self-titled debut album. When you see the list of artists they’ve worked with, either together or individually, you’ll understand how a debut album can be so pristine. We’re talking about Paul Simon, Mavis Staples, BB King, Elvis Costello, The Dead, Roseanne Cash, Jackson Browne, Bob Dylan, among others. Remember that you heard Larry and Teresa here at the Cornbread Cafe FIRST.

Tanya Gallagher, with “Virginia,” off the eponymous release — **Tanya Gallagher**, with “Virginia,” off the 2016 release “*Virginia*“

I’d be remiss, this week, if I didn’t include a tune from our friend, Xavier Dphrepaulez, who, as Fantastic Negrito, just won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Blues Album for his 2016 release, “The Last Days of Oakland.” In keeping with the theme of this episode, I’m actually going to play “The Time Has Come,” from his debut, self-titled EP.

Another debut album, No Fences, from And the Neighbors yields pure Roots bliss with “Long Season.” I got to meet the core creative duo, Debra DeMuth and Dave Houghton last summer, and have been looking for every chance I can find to turn people on to this release which also features Terry Adams from NRBQ and Robin Lane of Robin Lane and The Chartbusters as well as Neil Young’s Everyone Knows This Is Nowhere, among others.

Love comes back to town as we finish up the show with “Stay Up Late,” by Codie Prevost, off of All Kinds Of Crazy and then Keeton Coffman, with “The Mountain,” from Killer Eyes.

Right now, though, you’ll be getting a taste of Virginia, with the delectable title track from the new release by Tanya Gallagher.

Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams, with “Did You Love Me At All,” off their self-titled debut release — **Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams**, with “Did You Love Me At All,” off their *self-titled debut release*

Well, how was everything, folks? Good? Are you full? Glad to hear it. And you finished everything! That’s great, because the one thing we don’t have are doggie bags. Remember, you can find all the information and links that we mentioned in the show notes. Check them out either at your favorite Indie news site that carries this show or swing by and see us at cornbread.cafe. If you know of musicians who’d like to be featured on the Cornbread Cafe, tell ‘em to drop by and introduce themselves.

Fantastic Negrito with “The Time Has Come,” from his debut, self-titled EP. — **Fantastic Negrito** with “The Time Has Come,” from his *debut self-titled release*

Debra DeMuth and the Neighbors, with “Long Season,” from their debut release, No Fences — **Debra DeMuth and the Neighbors**, with “Long Season,” from their debut release, *No Fences*

Roots Music Report

#1 Bluegrass Chart
The Infamous Stringdusters
Laws of Gravity
Label: Compass

#1 Country Chart
Gillian Welch
Boots No. 1: the Official Revival Bootleg
Lable: Acony

#1 Blues Chart
John Mayall
Talk About That
Label: Forty Below

Cody Prevost, with “Stay Up Late,” Cody Prevost, off All Kinds Of Crazy — **Codie Prevost**, with “Stay Up Late,” from *All Kinds Of Crazy*

Festivals

Wanderlust Hawaii
Space: O’ ahu, HI
Time: February 23–February 26, 2017

Wanderlust is a one-of-a-kind festival bringing together the world’s leading yoga teachers, top musical acts and DJs, renowned speakers, top chefs and winemakers, and much, much more — all in a setting of breathtaking natural beauty.

Okeechobee Music Festival

Space: Okeechobee, FL
Time: March 2–March 5, 2017

The festival’s home, Sunshine Grove, is widely regarded amongst the best music festival destinations in the world, featuring lush grassy flat lands, a sandy beach, stunning tufts of tropical jungle and a majestic grove that houses the main stages.

Keeton Coffman, with “The Mountain,” from Killer Eyes — **Keeton Coffman**, with “The Mountain,” from *Killer Eyes*

McDowell Mountain Festival

Space: Phoenix, AZ
Time: March 3––March 5

McDowell Mountain Music Festival is a 100% nonprofit music festival that was established in 2004 and quickly became a musical destination for festivalgoers. This year, the Festival is celebrating its 14th year attracting visitors to the State with previous headliners such as Beck, Porter Robinson, Kid Cudi, The Avett Brothers, and more.

McDowell Mountain Music Festival is a great opportunity to experience the spirit cultivated when people join together to enjoy themselves and help the community.

Save

Previous 1 2

The Berkshires' Independent Alternative Newsthing

Cornbread Cafe - page 2