Tuesday Night Music Scene & News -- May 27, 2014

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Plenty happening for the first night after a holiday weekend!

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In this edition…

♪  NEW RELEASE:
.  √  FOXING's "THE ALBATROSS," OUT TODAY ON TRIPLE CROWN RECORDS

♪  TUESDAY’s MUSIC & ART EVENTS

♪  ONGOING MUSIC & ART EVENTS

♪  FESTIVALS! in Southern Cal:
.  √  Annual "CLAREMONT FOLK FESTIVAL" COMING THIS WEEKEND

♪  FESTIVALS happening ELSEWHERE this month:
.  √  Annual “Kerrville Folk Festival” runs 18 straight days, Thu, May 22-Sun, Jun 8, at Quiet Valley Ranch in the Texas Hill Country.



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♪  NEW RELEASE...
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√  FOXING's "THE ALBATROSS," OUT TODAY ON TRIPLE CROWN RECORDS

by Talia Miller

St. Louis, Missouri-based band FOXING recently signed with Triple Crown Records, which releases a remixed and remastered version of their debut album, "The Albatross" today, May 27.  The group's tour with SEAHAVEN began this month.

It feels impossible to be a casual fan of the quintet, FOXING, and this freshly remixed and remastered version of their swelling orchestral, raw and starkly personal debut full-length "The Albatross" demonstrates why. There's a vulnerability to the band, a certain fragility that encourages a rare kind of connection between band and listener. Those who are already in the know about Foxing feel like the lucky few who've been let in early on a secret.

Each of the 10 tracks on "The Albatross" are imbued with a connective, emotional core. At the album's very center is "Rory", a spellbinding, overwhelmingly honest song rich with horn arrangements and an emotionally shattering chorus that Pitchfork called "devastating." The video for "Rory," which was conceived, shot and produced entirely by the members of Foxing, captures the song's quiet tension to gorgeous effect, with the A.V. Club explaining the video as "Wes Anderson-meets-The Wicker Man."

There name has an interesting origin. If you’ve ever looked at an old document and noticed brown spots on it, what you are seeing are signs of aging. It’s not exactly clear what specifically causes them, but one day, the page will completely brown over and be no more. This is called "foxing."

The group of St. Louis musicians seized this idea and turned it into a band. “From the conception of the band, we realized: we’re not gonna be around forever,” says Foxing singer Conor Murphy.

He continues, “There’s classic literature that over time grows really old. But hopefully, you can make something that meant something at some point and will mean something down the road, even if it is aged and dated. That’s always what keeps me going, the idea that we’re writing something now that we won’t be able to write in ten years.”

At only 21, Murphy is wise beyond his years and Foxing’s debut album, "The Albatross," is proof of that. The Albatross has an epically beautiful, almost cinematic quality to it, a fact which the band members, some of whom were film students, are acutely aware of.

Listening to their song “Rory,” along with the music video they made for it, is not only an emotionally jarring experience but highlights the fact that Foxing have a bigger picture in mind than simply making music.

It’s not just a sound, it’s a deeper, fuller concept fueled by a palpable sense of raw honesty and soul-bearing. It’s not just a band, it’s the most vulnerable parts of their lives, reflected back at them.

Coll and Murphy write the lyrics together and cull from their lives and current real-life experiences. They are open and genuine about themselves in their lyrics, almost to a fault, sometimes putting a strain on their relationships with those around them. “The people that those songs are about, there’s no way they wouldn’t know it was about them,” says Coll.

“Sometimes, there’s the desire to not put your life so far out there. But it’s also important to not hold back.”

The two have a unique process of co-editing each other’s songs. “When we were writing the record, one of the biggest things I’d talk to Conor about was: I don’t care if people like this record or not. I mean, I want people to enjoy it, but the one thing that would gut me would be if people said the lyrics are disingenuous.”

Foxing’s forthright lyrical honesty paired with their stunning orchestral sound quickly started earning them devoted fans, some of whom have been so emotionally moved that they’ve openly wept at the band’s live shows. It’s something Foxing didn’t expect and certainly were not prepared for.

“I was really surprised at the reception we got from this record because it’s very, very specific and personal so it’s weird to have people grasp that and feel a kindredness to it, that’s insane to me,” says Coll.

In addition to the new fans who were responding to Foxing’s music in such a personal way, the band also caught the attention of Triple Crown Records. The label took notice of the organic buzz surrounding the band and are re-mastering and re-releasing "The Albatross." Believing the album has a distinctly timeless quality it about it, Foxing recognized that while they’re proud of the album, it won’t hold up forever.

Much like their namesake, the pages their words are written on will eventually brown over and fade away. “The thing that binds everybody together is the idea that death is completely imminent. age is an ever-looming idea that we can all agree on,” notes Murphy.

“We make this music, we release it, and then, one day, it dies.”

For now, it's very much alive, lyrics, horns and all.

Foxing embarked May 8 on a full US tour, opening for Seahaven. They make a stop in Los Angeles to play the Troubadour on June 1.

Watch a teaser of their music at:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XRASwDbn-0E

More at:
http://triplecrownrecords.com
http://foxingtheband.tumblr.com



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♪  TUESDAY’s Today/Tonight-Only
MUSIC & ART EVENTS
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Tuesday, May 27, 2014
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Tue, May 27, in VC (Camarillo):
5:30 pm SONGMAKERS monthly "CAMARILLO SONG CIRCLE." Location & info, www.songmakers.org

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Tue, May 27, in Downey:
6 pm  Monthly "DOWNEY FOLK MUSIC JAM" welcomes all acoustic instrument players and singers, at the Barbara J. Riley Community & Senior Center, 7810 Quill Dr, Downey 90242; 562-904-7223.

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Tue, May 27, in Ventura:
6-10 pm  Monthly "VENTURA BLUEGRASS JAM" at Milano’s Italian Restaurant in the Ventura Marina, 1559 Spinnaker Dr #100, Ventura; 805-658-8311.

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Tue, May 27, in VC (T.O.):
6-10 pm Monthly "THOUSAND OAKS SONG CIRCLE" at the Greenhouse Café, 652 Janss Rd, Thousand Oaks 91360.

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Tue, May 27, in San Diego:
6 pm  Monthly "SDBS BLUEGRASS SLOW JAM LEARNING SESSION" at Boll Weevil Restaurant, 7080 Miramar Rd, San Diego 92117.

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Tue, May 27,
BENEFIT,
in Arcadia:
7-9:30 pm "BILLY BLOCK FAMILY FUND BENEFIT" brings performances by many L.A.-based touring musicians, at Matt Denny's Ale House Restaurant, 145 E Huntington Dr, Arcadia 91006.
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Billy Block is fighting in a battle for his life with cancer. "Our L.A. music community is coming together to give back a little to Billy and his family in their time of need," the organizers tell the Guide.
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Billy has touched the lives of so many of us in the Los Angeles Music Community in many ways over the years. He co-founded the "Western Beat" with Wendy Waldman & Brad Parker in the '90s, and it was a musical landmark and phenomenal success. Billy did so much to energize the L.A. music scene before moving to Nashville. 
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This is sure to be a wonderful evening with an incredible line-up of talent, sponsored by JC Hyke’s "Songwriter Serenade" and hosted by Ed Tree.
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Performers (in alphabetical order):
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√ Jane Bolduc
√ Severin Browne
√ JC Hyke
√ I See Hawks in L.A.
√ Ted Russell Kamp
√ Jeff Kossack
√ Jimmy Yessian
√ Lisa O'Kane
√ David Serby
√ Amilia K. Spicer
√ Brooks Taylor
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100% of proceeds from the tip jar, CD sales, and auction items will go to help the Block family with their expenses during this challenging time.

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Tue, May 27, in SFV (Toluca Lake):
7 pm  Weekly "TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC SESSION" at Timmy Nolan's Tavern & Grill, 10111 Riverside Dr, Toluca Lake 91602; 818-985-3359.

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Tue, May 27, in Signal Hill:
7 pm  Weekly "BLUEGRASS SOUP JAM" at Convert-A-Tape, 2420 Gundry Av, Signal Hill 90755.

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Tue, May 27, in San Diego:
7-8:30 pm  Monthly "SDBS BLUEGRASS SLOW JAM LEARNING SESSION" sponsored by the San Diego Bluegrass Society at Morse Academy, 4434 30th St, San Diego 92116; 619-200-7498.

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Tue, May 27, in OC (Costa Mesa):
7:30 pm "THAIS," with PLACIDO DOMINGO in the L.A. OPERA premiere of the lyric masterpiece by JULES MASSENET, journeys to OC for only this one night, at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa.
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See the legendary Plácido Domingo in a concert performance of this lyric masterpiece with L.A. Opera in OC.
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In French with projected English subtitles.
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The most beautiful courtesan in Alexandria, Thaïs holds an entire city in her thrall as she embraces life’s most sensual delights. One man alone, the monk Athanaël, weeps for her sins, but his pilgrimage to save the sinner’s soul becomes a tortured journey of erotic obsession. As seducer transforms into saint, the holy man falls victim to his own passions.
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The incomparable Nino Machaidze returns as Thaïs, with Plácido Domingo as her would-be savior. Patrick Fournillier conducts a thrilling production by Nicola Raab that has taken European opera houses by storm. Filled with intoxicating melodies and exotic colors, Thaïs seduces both eyes and ears with a glittering treasure trove of pleasures.
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Company Premiere. Production from the Finnish National Opera, Helsinki. Parental discretion advised.
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Tix start at $45, at www.scfta.org

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Tue, May 27,
PREMIERE NIGHT,
in L.A.:
Time tba  "YVONNE RAINIER: DANCES AND FILMS" runs May 27–Oct 12, 2014 at the Getty Center in L.A.
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Dancer, choreographer, filmmaker, and writer Yvonne Rainer is one of the most influential artists of the last 50 years. Drawn from Rainer's archive at the Getty Research Institute, this exhibition surveys her major dance, film, and performance works.

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Tue, May 27, in Santa Barbara:
8 pm  SARAH LEE GUTHRIE & JOHNNY IRION play SOHo Restaurant & Music Club, 1221 State St, Santa Barbara 93101; 805-962 7776.

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Tue, May 27, in Altadena:
8 pm  GONZALO BERGARA QUARTET brings Djangostyle gypsy jazz and more to the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 92675; reservations at 626-798-6236.

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Tue, May 27, in L.A.:
8 pm "AN EVENING WITH JOHN WAITE" in the Clive Davis Theatre at the Grammy Museum. Tix at 213-765-6803, or www.grammymuseum.org.
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With a career spanning nearly four decades, legendary singer-songwriter John Waite will be releasing his new greatest hits record, "BEST," on May 13, 2014. The album features 18 songs spanning his illustrious career and including 11 of his studio hits -- three of which were recently re-recorded, us five live songs and two unplugged tracks.
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Waite has been successfully writing, recording and performing some of the most listenable, enduring and appreciated popular music for more than 35 years. He rose to fame as bassist and lead vocalist for The Babys, who rocketed to Top 20 chart positions with a pair of infectious hits -- "Isn't it Time," from the band's 1977 sophomore LP, "Broken Heart," and the monster ballad, "Every Time I Think of You," off 1978's "Head First."
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After the breakup of The Babys, Waite began an abundant and prodigious solo career, ignited by the well-received release, "Ignition," which featured the single, "Change," and his next solo effort, 1984's "No Brakes," which featured top chart singles, "Missing You" and "Tears." Then, in 1988, Waite fronted the supergroup Bad English.
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Since returning to the recording studio as a solo artist in 1995, John has produced a string of solid, existentially eccentric, courageously eclectic and blisteringly electric rock n' roll records. It's especially timely that John Waite's "BEST" is coming out now, given that New York Times Best-Selling author Harlan Coben's new thriller "Missing You" is named after Waite's signature 1984 chart-topper.
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Tonight's recognizes the musical journey and career of the bold and talented John Waite, just days after the release of his new greatest hits record, "BEST." The event is hosted by Vice President of The GRAMMY Foundation and MusiCares, Scott Goldman, and features a performanceof by Waite.
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Doors at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased in person at the Museum Box Office or online.

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Tue, May 27, in SFV (Chatsworth):
8 pm COLDWATER CANYON plays the first of two nights at the Cowboy Palace in Chatsworth.



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♪  ONGOING MUSIC & ART EVENTS
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ONGOING, through Jun 1, in L.A.:
“THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS,” presented by Center Theatre Group, opens tonight, runs Apr 22-Jun 1, at the Ahmanson Theatre at the L.A. Music Center, 135 N Grand Av, Los Angeles 90012; www.musiccenter.org
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Winner of the 2012 Tony Award® for “Best Musical Revival,” The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess arrives at the Ahmanson Theatre with award-winning members of the Broadway cast in this stunning and stirring new staging. This re-envisioned Broadway production includes such legendary songs as “Summertime” and “I Got Plenty of Nothing.”

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ONGOING at the Getty Villa, through Aug 25, in Malibu:
“Heaven and Earth: Art of Byzantium from Greek Collections” at the Getty Villa, 17985 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu; 310-440-7300; parking, $15.
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Marked by glittering mosaics, luminous icons, and opulent churches, the Byzantine Empire (A.D. 330–1453) flourished for more than one thousand years. Over 170 national treasures from Greece illustrate the development of a mighty empire, from its pagan origins to a deeply spiritual Christian society. This exhibition is presented in conjunction with “Heaven and Earth: Byzantine Illumination at the Cultural Crossroads” at the Getty Center.
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The exhibition was organized by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports, Athens, with the collaboration of the Benaki Museum, Athens, in association with the J. Paul Getty Museum and the National Gallery of Art, Washington. The exhibition is supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities.

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ONGOING at the Getty, through Jun 1, in L.A.:
“JACKSON POLLOCK’S MURAL,” and “HATCHED! CREATING FORM WITH LINE,” are two concurrent temporary exhibitions at the Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Dr, L.A. 90049; 310-440-7300; parking is $15.

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ONGOING at the Getty, through Jun 8, in L.A.:
“A ROYAL PASSION: QUEEN VICTORIA & PHOTOGRAPHY” and “HIROSHI SUGIMOTO: PAST TENSE” are two concurrent temporary exhibitions at the Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Dr, L.A. 90049; 310-440-7300; parking is $15.

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ONGOING at the Getty, through Jun 22, in L.A.:
“HEAVEN AND EARTH: BYZANTINE ILLUMINATION AT THE CULTURAL CROSSROADS” is a new temporary exhibition at the Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Dr, L.A. 90049; 310-440-7300; parking is $15.



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♪  FESTIVALS! CLAREMONT FOLK FEST  COMING THIS WEEKEND in Southern California:
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√  Sat, May 31,
FESTIVAL,
in Claremont:
Annual “CLAREMONT FOLK FESTIVAL” features a wide range of music, art and learning experiences, housed within the natural beauty of Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, at 1500 N College Av, Claremont.
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Performers include:
♪  Ben & Ellen Harper
♪  Dave Alvin & the Guilty Ones
♪  The Gonzalo Bergara Quartet
♪  The Coals
♪  The Chapin Sisters
♪  Rick Shea
♪  Phoebe Bridgers
♪  The Ooks of Hazzard
♪  Blue Highway
♪  Steve James
♪  Ross Altman
♪  Peter Harper
♪  Old Brown Shoe
And more, tba.
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Plus Storytellers, Workshops, and all-day Kid’s Activities. General Admission and VIP Seating tickets are available. Children age 12 and under are admitted free, except in the VIP section, where they require VIP tix.
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Last year sold-out in advance, so get your tix now, at:
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http://m.bpt.me/event/573893



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♪  FESTIVALS
this month,
ELSEWHERE
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√  Annual “KERRVILLE FOLK FESTIVAL” runs 18 straight days, Thu, May 22-Sun, Jun 8, at Quiet Valley Ranch in the Texas Hill Country.
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Celebrating songwriters for 43 years, the Kerrville Folk Festival is the longest continuously running festival of its kind in North America. It was created by Rod Kennedy, affectionately known as “The RodFather,” who died in April. In addition to concerts each evening, Kerrville features “Ballad Tree” song-sharing sessions, campfire jam sessions, concerts and activities for children, organized canoe trips on the Guadelupe River and Hill Country bike rides, a professional development program for teachers, as well as a three-day songwriters school and instrumental workshops. All the info and schedules are at: www.kerrville-music.com.
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See feature story #2 in the Guide's NEWS section for May 22, available at a separate click.



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More, soon, as always.
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♪  The Guide has made some CH-CH-CHANGES – turn, embrace the change – with more to come as spring becomes summer of 2014. There are, and will be, points of departure to make room (and time) for the new. We’ll do what we can, because as always, we operate with the editor’s motto, “One does what one can.”

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Direct to the current editions /
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MOBILE-DEVICE-FRIENDLY editions load quickly at
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www.acousticamericana.blogspot.com
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CONTACT US at / send Questions / Comments to:
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tiedtothetracks@hotmail.com
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Contents copyright © 2014,
Lawrence Wines & Tied to the Tracks.
All rights reserved.
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The ACOUSTIC AMERICANA MUSIC GUIDE endeavors to bring you NEWS and views of interest to artists everywhere, more specifically to musicians and the creative community, and music makers and fans of acoustic and Folk-Americana music, both traditional and innovative. We provide a wealth of resources, including a HUGE catalog of acoustic-friendly venues, and schedules of performances in Southern California venues large and small. We cover workshops and other events for artists and folks in the music industry, and all kids o’ things in the world of acoustic and Americana and accessible classical music. From washtub bass to musical spoons to oboe to viola to banjo to squeezebox, from Djangostyle to new-fangled-old-time string band music, from sweet Cajun fiddle to pre-bluegrass Appalachian mountain music to proto blues.
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The Acoustic Americana Music Guide. We’re on it.
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