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| Hello to Everyone-- Hope this finds you all feeling footloose and fancy free as we hit the last month of 2007. All's well here. The Winter nip is starting to bite in New York City, and as much as I dread the long, cold months ahead, there's something about it that's also quite invigorating. As for this past year, I'm sure you've all heard it's been a tough one in the music business. But we've made it, still standing. The credit goes to the super-inspired artists we have the good fortune of working with each and everyday, as well as, all of you guys out there who know that good music is like sunshine. And you can't steal sunshine off the internet. So speaking of which, onto the music. We've just released three new albums, and in the process, we've welcomed two new artists into the HYENA family. |
| SETH WALKER There ain't no way to fake it in Austin, Texas. It's one of the greatest music towns in the world. As a musician there you either bring it each and every time you get up on the stage or you find another profession. When artists like Dale Watson are setting the bar, you know what I'm saying is true. That being said, we introduce you to Austin's Seth Walker and his new self-titled album. Seth is a wicked guitar player. He's got a voice that Taj Mahal compared to a "a little white Ray Charles." Most importantly, he writes songs that speak to our hearts. When he sings "Change My Way Of Living" on the album opener, we've all been there ourselves. A song like "Steady" is nothing short of classic. I'd also mention Seth's reading of Tom Waits' "Picture In A Frame." It's stunning. Pick up the whole album here. You can always catch Seth playing around Texas and you'll be seeing him more and more in other parts of the country next year. SETH WALKER Tour Dates for the remainder of 2007: November 30 / Cosmo's / Houston, TX |
| THE BRIDGE We caught The Bridge here in New York City earlier this year and by the first chorus of the first tune, we knew this was a band on its way to becoming an institution. They play with that loose tightness that comes from staying out on the road for 250 shows a year. They draw deeply from the entire spectrum of great American music. New Orleans rhythms dance with big harmonies. Laid back California rock comes East and promptly heads South of the Mason Dixon line. Muscle Shoals soul finds room for bluegrass pickin' and jazz improvisation. Here's an mp3 of the opening track "Get Back Up." The album is out now, simply entitled The Bridge. Be one of the first 100 people to order it direct from HYENA and get a free ticket to The Bridge show of your choice. Get it here. THE BRIDGE Tour Dates are: November 21 / Rams Head Live / Baltimore, MD |
| GRAYSON CAPPS About two years back, Grayson gave us a CD with early acoustic recordings of songs like "Slidell," "Guitar," "I Can't Hear You" and "Psychic Channel Blues" that he cut at the 9th Ward Pickin' Parlor in New Orleans prior to the creation of what became his debut album If You Knew My Mind. The tracks feature just Grayson playing guitar and harmonica with his old friend and gigging partner Tom Marron on fiddle. He passed it on without the intention of it ever being released, but just for us to listen. I found myself going back to this collection all the time. For me, it was like being transported to a front porch on a summer night in Louisiana. His songs in this stripped-down setting were humid, immediate, personal and, I'd go as far as to say, absolutely timeless. After bugging him for awhile, finally this August, Grayson gave us the green light to offer it as a limited edition release as something to hold folks over while he works on his new studio album, which will be a double disc set coming out sometime in 2008. So here it is, SONGBONES. In the meantime Grayson and his band The Stumpknockers sing for their supper down South...which strangely enough resonates for some people, including myself, like going to church. Thanks to all our friends in the UK who made his solo tour such a resounding success. Grayson Capps' Tour Dates are: November 23 / Old Auburn Ale House / Auburn, AL |
| HYENA HOLIDAY SALE Buy Any 3 HYENA CDs and Get 2 FREE!!! After adding 3 CDs to your shopping cart, simply list the 2 FREE CDs you would like in the "Special Instructions" box of the "Check Out" Form. We'll add the 2 FREE CDs to your order when we mail it to you. |
| Alright, that should catch you up on what we've been up to here at HYENA Records. Just a few other quick asides: --For James Blood Ulmer fans out there, check out Living Blues Magazine this month for a cover story. And if you haven't yet picked up Bad Blood In The City: The Piety Street Sessions, why wait any longer... |
| --Tune into NPR's World Cafe with David Dye on December 12 for an interview and in-studio performance with Dale Watson talking about his most recent album, From The Cradle To The Grave. And if you're wondering where the video for "Hollywood Hillbilly" went, let's just say the oh-so-precious cardboard cutout appearing alongside the "Hollywood Hillbilly" Johnny Knoxville got a little persnickety, so the video will be re-released with the far hipper Rip Taylor. |
| --Mushroom's new album with Eddie Gale called Joint Happening continues to buzz among musos. I have to mention this because this is a dope record very much worth adding to your collection. A reclusive collection of musicians, they'll make a rare live appearance on December 13 at The Starry Plough in Berkeley. |
| --And finally, Bethany & Rufus wrap 2007 and kick off 2008 with a number of shows: December 7 / Cellar Stage / Baltimore, MD |
| Thank you as always for supporting independent music coming to ya straight from the soul...not from the board room...hell, we don't even have a board room. Keep it real. Much love to you all this Holiday season... Stay tuned and keep in touch. Kevin hyenarecords.com p.s. Just as we were about to hit send on this email, we confirmed that we'll be bringing you the brand new studio album by Marco Benevento entitled Invisible Baby in early 2008--the tracks will be available at iTunes on January 8, the CD will be in record stores on February 12. He made this record with the help of some amazing musicians, including our very own Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey's Reed Mathis on bass and drummers Matt Chamberlain and Andrew Barr. We've got the tune "Atari" available to you here. We can't tell you how stoked we are to be working with Marco. The mixes are pure ear candy! More info on Invisible Baby coming soon. xoxoxo MARCO BENEVENTO |
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Hyena Records Press Release
Just got this press release in the email from Hyena Records.
HYENA Records | November 2007
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