Day: June 9, 2021

New album release: Parallax – Awaken

The full length album Awaken from Parallax is available now on all streaming platforms. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Hailing from the Air Capitol, Wichita Kansas, Parallax is here to disrupt traditional sound of modern heavy metal with their distinctive mashup of chaotic yet atmospheric Groove, Hardcore, Tech, Death, Alternative, and Nu-Metal. Their newest release Awaken, is a concept album about one’s descent into evil and madness. The character finds himself infected with a demonic parasite that brings about the destruction of planet Earth. The full length album was self-produced, recorded, and mixed by guitarist Jason Catlett and Parallax at Magnitude Creative Recording Studio in Wichita, Kansas while mastering duties were handled by legendary mastering engineer, Alan Douches at West West Side Music in New York. Alan is known for his work with the bands Dillinger Escape Plan, Every Time I Die, Converge, and Mastodon. (Parallax, 2021)

** Parallax has just announced a brand new live show date. They will be playing at The Cotillion in Wichita, KS on Thursday August 26 supporting Trivium along with Revisionist. Tickets are on sale now here.

The band will follow up the December 2020 release of Awaken’s heavily streamed lead off track “Hands” with the premiere of their anticipated music video for the official second single, “Esoteric” on July 30, 2021. The full length album, Awaken from Parallax is available now on all streaming platforms.

Since forming in December 2015, Parallax has released 3 EPs, including 2016’s In The Path Of A Cannibalistic Galaxy and 2018’s Disease & Disposition. In late 2019 the band signed with Fine Swine Records and began working on their newest album, Awaken.

Awaken Track listing:
1. Awaken (03:03)
2. Descent (03:12)
3. Sleep (04:19)
4. Solstice (03:07)
5. Blood Moon (04:05)
6. Hands (03:03)
7. Symbiotic (03:03)
8. Esoteric (04:19)

Parallax is:
Nick Hale – Vocals
Jason Catlett – Guitar
Mike Reed – Bass/Vocals
Clayton Gossett – Drums/Vocals

Parallax – Hands

David Ferguson to release ‘Nashville No More’ on Fat Possum Records

Legendary producer David Ferguson steps out of the control room and up to the microphone to make his own album Nashville No More. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

David Ferguson’s name frequently comes up when one starts to dig into who is behind Nashville’s most revered recordings of the last 40 years. A Grammy Award-winning recording engineer, studio owner, video game soundtrack composer, and collaborator with the likes of Johnny Cash, John Prine, and Sturgill Simpson, there is one title Ferguson has never been called until now – a recording artist. That is all about to change with his upcoming, star-studded release on Fat Possum Records, Nashville No More. Out September 3, Nashville No More finds Ferguson—better known around town as “Fergie”—exiting the control room and entering the spotlight with a self-produced, ten-song collection that will erase any doubt about his lack of history as the name on the marquee. (Fat Possum Records, 2021)

This is no greenhorn debut album, but a long-marinated and much-awaited reveal of a warm and familiar voice of a generation. Fans were recently treated to the first track from Nashville No More, the sweet fiddle and steel waltz of “Knocking Around Nashville.” The Pat McLaughlin-penned song has swirled around in Ferguson’s mind for a couple of decades now. “I’ve known this song since I recorded the first demo on it in the mid-90s,” he says. After his famed studio, The Butcher Shoppe, closed in 2020 when the entire property was sold, the weight of the song grew in Ferguson. “It just seems to become more relevant with every day that passes.” Fans can hear “Knocking Around Nashville” now at this link and can pre-order or pre-save Nashville No More ahead of its September 3 release right here.

The company Ferguson keeps on Nashville No More speaks much more highly of him than written words in promo materials can. Bluegrass power couple Sierra Hull and Justin Moses lend their voice and instrumental prowess to album closer “Hard Times Come Again No More” and reigning Americana queen Margo Price jumps in on the country-meets-bossa nova feel of “Chardonnay.” But it keeps going beyond those featured tracks—the entirety of Nashville No More’s roster is A-lister after A-lister. Bluegrass fans will easily pick out the playing of Jerry Douglas, Stuart Duncan, Béla Fleck, Ronnie McCoury, and Tim O’Brien, to name a few, and the more guitar-minded will catch the six-string picking and strumming of Dan Auerbach, Mark Howard, Billy Sanford, and Kenny Vaughan. Add in Nashville studio greats like Russ Pahl on pedal steel, Sam Bacco on percussion, Mike Rojas on keyboards, and Mike Bub and Dave Roe on bass, and the end result is a mutual admiration society of taste and respect not equaled in most Nashville recordings of today. All of those instruments and all of those people are in turn enveloped by Ferguson’s resonant baritone singing his favorite songs and the results are breathtaking.

Nashville No More Track list:
Four Strong Winds
Boats to Build
Fellow Travelers
Nights With You
Looking for Rainbows
Chardonnay
Early Morning Rain
Knocking Around Nashville
My Autumns Done Come
Hard Times Come Again No More

David Ferguson – Knocking Around Nashville
2021-09-03T12:29:00

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Release of David Ferguson’s Nashville No More

First impression: Raw Xocolat

Raw Xocolatl in Brownsville. Photo: Sandra Cruz

I love weekends because I get to explore not only my town but the surrounding cities in the hopes of finding new and interesting places to shop or eat, especially if it is a small, locally owned business. Sunday I headed over to Brownsville to check out a new, at least to me, health food store/chocolate shop. From what I understand, Raw Xocolat has been around for some time, selling their goods online and in farmers markets but they recently got a brick and mortar in Brownsville. I am in constant search for healthier food options and when my nephew recently pointed this one out to me, I could not wait to try it. I mean, chocolate, raw goods, healthy snack options, this place was calling my name.

It was not hard to find and luckily there was no waiting because, again, I prefer to do my shopping early in the day. I was not sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised when I saw tables for dine-in and a menu that offers drinks and pastries, along with their chocolate products. The interior is brightly lit and beautifully decorated with a combination of chocolates and coffee bean products, coffee mugs, and other knickknacks. The black and white color palette gives it an aura of elegance and sophistication. I was already hooked and decided to try a sampling of several items.

From comments on social media, I knew that their Aztek Gold beverage is one of their best sellers, so I ordered mine on ice with almond milk. I am not thrilled that there is a .75 extra charge for the almond milk but for now that is not important. This drink is their version of Golden Milk, an Indian beverage that is hyped for its healing, anti-inflammatory properties due in part to the curcumin found in turmeric. Turmeric has been used for thousands of years to treat conditions such as breathing problems, joint pain, fatigue, digestive issues, and more. The other spices it contains are ginger and cinnamon, both of which are also known for their anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory benefits. My husband ordered it hot with regular milk. I was not disappointed at all. It is so delicious, whether iced or hot.

I needed something to eat with my Aztec Gold so I ordered two of their tamales: the bean and cheese and the (vegan) jack fruit with red peppers. For dessert, I ordered two Madeleines, two macarons (French pastries), a chocolate biscotti, and a 2oz. vegan white chocolate Matcha spread for use at home. Everything is reasonable priced, so I ended up spending $23.82, not including the tip afterwards. That is not too bad because everything is so delicious and I am definitely coming back for more. I have found my go-to place for scrumptious chocolates and treats, and of course, those vegan tamales alone are worth a return trip.

The vegan white chocolate Matcha spread, Madeleines, macarons, chocolate biscotti, and hot Aztek Gold. Photo: Sandra Cruz

A big thank you to the staff and owner Jesse who took the time to talk to me and patiently answered my questions about this family-owned business. According to them, their recent ‘soft opening’ was a success and business is going well. Everyone is so courteous and attentive so if you come in and are unsure what to order, they take the time to explain their products. It is rare to have a shop in Brownsville that sells these types of quality products, so do yourself and your taste buds a favor and shop small, shop local. Your community will thank you and so will Raw Xocolat.

$$

Business hours:
Monday – Friday 9a.m. to 8p.m.
Saturday 10a.m. – 8p.m.
Sunday 10a.m. – 8p.m.

Raw Xocolat
500 E. Morrison Rd. Ste. H
Brownsville, TX 78526

Rating: 4 out of 5.