The Policeman’s Lineage features the stars of the movie Parasite and will be available on digital, Video on Demand and cable on June 7, 2022. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Parasite’s Choi Woo-sik stars in director Kyu-mann Lee’s riveting crime drama The Policeman’s Lineage, premiering on Cable and Digital Rental/Purchase this June from Echelon Studios. A rookie policeman teams up with a veteran cop to investigate a serious criminal case that will rock the police force to its core in the new film. (The Policeman’s Lineage, 2022)
The Policeman’s Lineage– Parasite’s Woo-sik Choi stars as Choi Min-Jae, a rookie police officer and a man of principle, who teams up with Park Gang-Yoon, the chief of an investigation team that has an unrivaled arrest record but includes corrupt methods. Together, the two very different policemen dive deep into a massive case that shakes the police force upside down.
CAST: Woo-sik Choi (Parasite), Cho Jin-woong (The Handmaiden), Park Myeong-hoon (Parasite), and Hee-soon Park (Apple TV+’s Dr. Brain)
The Policeman’s Lineage is directed by Kyu-mann Lee (Wide Awake), produced by Han-seung Lee (The Tower), and executed produced by Hyun-joo Jung (The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil). The production team includes production designer Chae Kyoung-sun (Squid Game), editor Nam Na-young (Squid Game) costume designer Kyeong-mi Kim (Okja), composer Young-gyu Jang (Train to Busan), and makeup artists Hyo-kyun Hwang & Tae-Yong Kwak (Parasite).
The Policeman’s Lineage will be on digital, VOD and cable* June 7, 2022 from Echelon Studios.
The Policeman’s Lineage will be available on: *Cable and Digital Transactional Video On Demand including: Comcast Charter-Spectrum DirecTV iTunes Cox Cable Dish Network Sling TV Google Play Verizon Fios Fandango / VUDU InDemand Vubiquity Rogers Vimeo on Demand
Chef and music line up includes Ashley Christensen, Fermin Nunez, Chris Shepherd, Joe Beddia, Chris Bianco, Superchunk, Shannon and the Clams, DJ Jazzy Jeff with DJ Mel, and more. Photo: Hot Luck Fest, used with permission.
Hot Luck Fest is officially back and returning to Austin this Memorial Day Weekend, May 26 – 29. Founded by James Beard Award–winner Aaron Franklin, Guerilla Suit principal and Mohawk owner James Moody, and Mike Thelin, cofounder of Feast Portland, Hot Luck feels more like a family get-together and a backyard cookout than just another big music and food festival. It brings together some of Aaron’s favorite chefs, cooks, and musicians from all over the country and beyond. Individual tickets and weekend passes for the four-day fest are available online. (Hot Luck Fest, 2022)
“Super stoked that we’re able to bring Hot Luck back this year. I’ve invited a whole lot of my homies to come down to Austin to cook,” said Aaron Franklin. “We’ve all been through a lot in the last year and a half, and it’s going to be fun to all get together and catch up, and help our friends at Southern Smoke, who continue to serve our industry unfailingly.”
The Hot Luck weekend means fun food events by day, featuring some of the most talented chefs in the world making food and serving good times at beloved Austin-area venues. At night, the focus shifts to music as guests can experience Austin nightlife with shows at some of Austin’s most iconic clubs, including Mohawk and Antone’s. This year, Hot Luck is excited to welcome Superchunk, Shannon and The Clams, DJ Jazzy Jeff with DJ Mel, Cam Cole, Joe Marcinek Band featuring George Porter Jr., (of The Meters) and more.
Hot Luck and the Southern Smoke Foundation are joining forces in a forward-looking partnership focused on helping folks in our industry when they need it most. To that end, the Hot Luck team announced recently that Southern Smoke will become the charity beneficiary of the Hot Luck festival.
Whether you want to attend every event for four days straight with the Whole Enchilada Pass or come check out one food or music event, Hot Luck has got you covered. Ticket prices for music shows start at only $10.
The 2022 events and chef lineup is as follows:
THURSDAY, MAY 26
The Giddy Up: Mohawk
Guests can expect to taste some of the best pies (among other things) gathered together in one place (plus tasty treats from Whole Foods and Christina Tosi’s Milk Bar). If you are into high-quality pizza, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and heroic excess in general, look no further than The Giddy Up event at Mohawk in downtown Austin. Presented by YETI and Whole Foods Market and with DJ Mel on the decks to get things started.
This event is from 6p.m. to 9p.m. and is accessible only via the Whole Enchilada Ticket Package. No individual tickets are available for this industry event. DJ Jazzy Jeff will follow immediately after the food event. Individual tickets for DJ Jazzy Jeff (with DJ Mel continuing) will be available at the door at 9p.m. Early entry for Whole Enchilada buyers is at 5:30p.m.
FRIDAY, MAY 27
Hi, How Are You?: Franklin Barbecue
Welcome to Hot Luck ’22, and for a lot of you, welcome to Austin. Join us for our extravagant East Side backyard get-together featuring Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue — famous for the longest lines in the history of lunch. We will eat, drink, and hoot with the chefs and culinary nerds behind all this prandial extravagance. All are welcome. Presented by our friends at Creekstone Farms.
SATURDAY, MAY 28
Al Fuego: Wild Onion Ranch
What happens when the masters of flame and forge gather together on a Texas ranch to sacrifice sparks unto the heavens? The answer is Al Fuego, Hot Luck’s celebration of live-action, flame-fueled cooking styles that run the gamut. A place where we ask chefs to utilize fire as inspiration and where chefs use all types of cooking contraptions, Al Fuego is an obsessively imagined and passionately executed showcase of the most inspiring food on the planet. If you ever wonder what chefs cook for their friends in their backyard, this is the shindig for you. Boots optional. Koozies required.
This event is from 7p.m.–10p.m. and is included in the Whole Enchilada Ticket Package who can get in early at 6:30. Individual tickets are also available.
TICKETS
The Whole Enchilada Ticket Package: $500 for adults, $150 for ages 12-20; $75 for 12 and under, and $1,000 for family (two adults and two kids).
Hot Luck is offering a limited opportunity to experience the full weekend of the fourth annual Hot Luck food and music festival. Enjoy main events, music shows and more. Come hang with chefs, mingle with the industry and enjoy the most intimate festival experience available. For a behind-the-scenes look into Hot Luck, look no further. Limited to a handful of (really) lucky folks.
The Whole Enchilada Ticket Package includes:
The Giddy Up — Thursday night industry welcome party (only available with Whole Enchilada Pass)
Hi, How Are You? at Franklin Barbecue — Main event Friday evening with early entry
Al Fuego at Wild Onion Ranch — Main event Saturday evening with early entry
The Whole Enchilada Pass is the only way into the industry kickoff Giddy Up at Mohawk and offers access to every music show
As always, Whole Enchilada passes as well as industry passes can be picked up at the YETI Austin Flagship on Thursday, May 26 where Luis ‘Beto’ Robledo from Cuantos Tacos will be cooking. There will be a window early on the 27 to pick up passes there too.
Hot Luck would like to thank its partners, YETI, Whole Foods Market, Goldbelly, Karbach Brewing Co., Knob Creek, Hornitos, VANS, Creekstone Farms, Tillamook, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, KeVita, Performance Food Group, Fernet, Vital Farms, Rambler Sparkling Water, Big Green Egg, Johnnie Walker, American Lamb Board, Oatly, Desert Door, Tabasco, Montinore Estate Wine, Minamoto Foods, Genji Sake, William Chris Vineyards, Medici Roasting, Spiritless, LoLo, Alaska Seafood, Thaan Charcoal, Jacobsen’s Salt Co., Rock Sound Rum, JuiceLand & Music Water.
Fairmont Austin continues to be Hot Luck’s preferred accommodations partner, along with Austin Motel, Hotel Magdalena, South Congress Hotel, East Austin Hotel, Hotel Van Zandt, The Carpenter Hotel, Hotel San Jose, Hotel Saint Cecilia, and Hotel Ella.
Hot Luck is a food and live music gathering in Austin, Texas, brought together by James Beard Award–winner Aaron Franklin, Guerilla Suit principal James Moody, and Mike Thelin, cofounder of Feast Portland. Hot Luck is inspired by friendly tailgates, family reunions, get-togethers, and potlucks of our past and present. It is a fun, chef-driven celebration of fire, food, music and camaraderie. An a la carte, eat-with-your-fingers picnic and party experience that highlights open-pit feats of culinary know-how and music in your ears that is as thoughtfully curated as the food on your plate. Come hungry, thirsty, and bring your dancin’ boots.
Master Musicians Festival will be held in Somerset, Kentucky in July. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
When festival organizers dreamed up the Master Musicians Festivalnearly three decades ago, their idea was simple: to honor those whose contributions have had a significant effect on their respective genres and to highlight the up-and-coming acts who are carrying the torch of their forebears. For every Guy Clark they booked, a Jason Isbell shared the bill, for every Doc Watson, a Nickel Creek, and for every Willie Nelson, a Tyler Childers, highlighting a thread that runs through all generations of world-class musicians; a bonafide mastery of their craft. Tickets as well as more information about the festival is available online. (Master Musicians Festival, 2022)
This year, over the weekend of July 15-16 in Somerset, Kentucky, Master Musicians Festival, presented by the City of Somerset, will welcome GRAMMY-nominated roots-rock mainstay Grace Potter, the eclectic influences of super-trio The Wood Brothers, a long-time favorite of music fans and fellow musicians-alike, Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives, and the easy-going swagger of Rayland Baxter to the Horse Soldier Bourbon main stage. This same stage has seen the likes of the aforementioned Doc Watson, Guy Clark, and Willie Nelson, plus many more—the festival’s last few years alone saw Steve Earle, The Counting Crows, and the late, great John Prine take the stage. Additionally, acts like Boy Named Banjo, John R. Miller, and Leah Blevins will give Master Musicians Festival a taste of what the well-equipped future of this music holds.
“The MMF family is not only a collection of artists who have performed on our stages, it is a family in the most literal sense. Many of our board members over the years have been sons and daughters of founding members; many families and friend groups in our community have made attending MMF an annual tradition. Festivals like ours cement a generational love of and appreciation for music and community. And that is the reason we devote ourselves as volunteers to the cause—to ensure that love lives on.” – Master Musicians Festival President and Media Director, Julie Harris.
The full lineup of July 15-16’s Master Musicians Festival includes Grace Potter, The Wood Brothers, Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives, Rayland Baxter, Boy Named Banjo, John R. Miller, Bendigo Fletcher, Leah Blevins, SG Goodman, Justin Wells, Cole Chaney, Tee Dee Young, Multi Ultra, Short & Company, Eric Bolander, The Minks, The Jessie Lees, Ciggy Tuna, Don Rogers, If Birds Could Fly, Daniel Stroud and the Sleeping Dogs, Dark Moon Hollow, Tommy Cate’s Kids Jam, and Sydney Adams.
On that list is a multitude of Kentucky’s finest musicians—pickers and singers who have been steeped in some of America’s finest musical traditions since birth—further cementing the Bluegrass State’s legacy in history, written and yet-to-be. Beyond tradition, the land that straddles the Mason-Dixon line and the folks who inhabit it have long been influential on the music being written in Kentucky. Like the state itself, Master Musicians Festival has spent the last 28 years reaching into what it means to be from Kentucky—what makes the artist’s soil so fertile—and translating the feeling into a shared musical experience for the world to see.
Passing the torch along to the next generation is a cornerstone of the Master Musicians Festival ideology, so it only makes sense that the festival is exciting for fans of all ages. Kids 12 and under receive free admission with a ticket-holding adult and there are a plethora of activities for youngsters to enjoy. MMF partners with The Shine House Art Studio to offer a free kids camp throughout the weekend. Kids can participate in instrument making, water balloon fights, bubbles, making glow jewelry, and participating in a special music set curated just for them. This year, local Master Musician and harmonica player Tommy Cate will host the kids’ jam at 3:50p.m. Saturday in the Somersession Tent. More details will be available on MMF’s website as the event approaches.
Make Myself Me Again is set for release on May 20, 2022. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
If Cristina Vane’scritically acclaimed debut Nowhere Sounds Lovely was her “road trip” album, then her much anticipated follow up represents the return home; musically and personally. Out May 20 on Red Parlor Records, Make Myself Me Again finds rising slide-guitar star Vane growing roots in her Nashville home and taking a moment to grow into herself as well. “I’ve been trying to peel back the layers, to understand who I am, and I think that process has translated to this record,” she explains, “The production is straightforward, more minimal, and a bit of a return to my rock roots but still paying homage to the music I’ve explored since then.” Make Myself Me Again was co-produced by Brook Sutton and Jano Rix and features appearances by Vane’s world-class musician friends like Bronwyn Keith-Hynes and Billy Contreras. (Cristina Vane, 2022)
DittyTV premiered the music video for the album’s first single, “How You Doin’,” calling it “a feel-good piece of movie magic released in support of her innovative and infectiously-good upcoming studio album, Make Myself Me Again.” Guitar Girl Magazine also sat down with Vane to talk about the inspiration behind the single, how her sound has evolved over the years, guitars, and much more. Fans can check out the video now and listen to “How You Doin'” right here.
Many songs on Make Myself Me Again delve into Vane’s personal relationships, and document her quest to find strength and independence in a new town. The album’s title track rings of tenacious resilience, with Cristina’s beautiful yet understated fingerstyle and slide guitar playing. It is the sound of the calm that comes with finally feeling at home with one’s self, conceived from the place of optimism that sometimes comes after a brutal shakedown. “Sometimes I lose, sometimes I win” sings Vane, “I’m gonna make myself me again…I’m giving up on giving in / I’m gonna make myself me again.” Despite the myriad of musical touchstones, the record remains cohesive, centering itself around Vane’s experiences and musicianship. “After being exposed to all of this music that I love, I’m slowly figuring out how to find my own voice,” she says, “It is the sound of growing up.” With class and adventure, Vane brings us all back home to ourselves on Make Myself Me Again, an album so honest that you would be hard-pressed not to root for it, along with its vulnerable and tenacious creator.
Catch Cristina Vane on tour: May 20 – Nashville, TN – Dee’s Country Cocktail Lounge – Album Release Show* May 21 – Louisa, KY – Fallsburg Summer Stage* June 2 – Knoxville, TN – Barleys Taproom* June 3 – Lexington, KY – The Burl (supporting Town Mountain)* June 4 – Asheville, NC – Isis Music Hall* July 7 – Nescopeck, PA – Briggs Farm Blues Fest* August 18 – Minturn, CO – Minturn Summer Concert Series August 31 – Prescott, AZ – Folk Session @ Kiwanis Amphitheater September 2 & 3 – Pagosa Springs, CO – Four Corners Folk Festival October 22 – Greenville, SC – IPI Festival
The Summer Night Markets will feature free live music curated by Stable Hall and a wide variety of art, artisan goods, and food from local vendors. Photo: Pearl, used with permission.
If the summer weather makes it too hot to shop during the day, then this series of events is right up your alley. Pearl is excited to announce 2022 Summer Night Markets beginning in May. Guests are invited to spend their summer nights at Pearl while exploring products from local vendors, including San Antonio staples such as Kin Khao and Last Place Burgers, in addition to goods like beautifully handwoven baskets from The Koncierge or the intricate hand-pressed greeting cards from Works of a Quirk. The SummerNight Markets will feature more than 40 vendors each week. (Pearl, 2022
Along with the variety of vendors, guests can also enjoy free live music curated by the highly anticipated Stable Hall group, a new music venue opening at Pearl in Spring 2023. The local artists include The Brothers WayFare, Mariachi Las Coronelas, Noah Harris, Spud Sims, Kathryn Legendre and Juliette McConkey.
May 18 – 5p.m. to 9p.m.
Performance by Mariachi Las Coronelas
June 1 – 5p.m. to 9p.m.
Performance by Noah Harris
June 15 – 5p.m. to 9p.m.
Performance by Spud Sims
July 6 – 5p.m. to 9p.m.
Performance by Kathryn Legendre
July 20 – 5p.m. to 9p.m.
Performance by Juliette McConkey
Pearl is a dynamic neighborhood built around the historic Pearl Brewery, which operated from 1883 to 1999. Located just north of downtown San Antonio on the banks of the San Antonio River, it is home to architecturally significant buildings like the brewhouse and stable—both built in 1894—and numerous plazas. Today, Pearl is home to dozens of unique culinary concepts, one-of-a-kind retail, weekend markets, residential communities, innovative office tenants, the San Antonio campus of the Culinary Institute of America, and the award-winning Hotel Emma. Pearl is a vibrant district where community gathers to play, work, and live; it is a place where things are made and celebrated with purpose and sincerity. We invite all to gather and experience the best of what San Antonio has to offer.
‘From The Potato to Star Trek and Beyond’ will be out June 21, 2022. Photo: amazon
In new books to read news today: an upcoming memoir by a retired aerospace engineer and inventor with 19 patents.
Chester L. Richards recently turned 80. With a number of odd close encounters with the grim reaper under his belt, he has always boldly gone where few have dared. Chester’s mantra — view all that comes your way, the good, the terrifying and the ugly, as a series of adventures —took shape early. After narrowly escaping mortal injury from The Great Potato as a lad a few years later in college, Chester and friend Judy Burns co-authored a spec script for Star Trek on a lark. The story they were brought in to write, The Tholian Web, became one of the original series’ most popular episodes. “From The Potato to Star Trek and Beyond: Memoirs of a Rocket Scientist” will be released on June 21, 2022. Author and Star Trek contributor Chester L. Richards tells his life’s adventures as a rocket scientist, screenwriter, musician, and world traveler in this action-packed memoir. Drawing inspiration from his late wife Sarah, Chester is baring all in his debut book release. (Chester L. Richards, 2022)
A veteran writer advised the young man, “You should write. Write your passions.” But I have nothing to say, Chester thought. That was the moment he decided the real message was to fill his life with adventures. And he did — adventures in surfing, learning and performing music, traveling to exotic places for river rafting, and his work as a rocket scientist. It was the loss of Sarah, the love of his life, which caused Chester to write his first book of stories. At the house in Thousand Oaks they once shared, the hair-raising adventures Sarah loved continued to occur, though, as the author says, he no longer has much hair. A man of grand adventures, Chester relates why taking the plunge into voluntary adventures is so enriching — they will change you forever, and sculpt your life’s story.
“From The Potato To Star Trek and Beyond” reveals his passion, his most exciting journeys, and brushes with death. Chester believes one must view all that comes your way – the good, the terrifying, and the ugly – as a series of adventures. He shares an almost fatal encounter with a potato (yes, a potato), his experience as co-writer of one of the most iconic episodes of the original Star Trek, several wild African adventures, and more.
Says Steve Pastis (author, and writer/editor of The Good Life publication for seniors): “I would highly recommend From the Potato to Star Trek and Beyond. The book is informative, even educational, but author Chester Richards maintains a friendly, conversational tone throughout. The stories were a definite surprise. Who knew that this mild-mannered, soft-spoken gentleman I’ve known for years had so many harrowing adventures, and was so accomplished in the scientific community? If there is a lesson to be learned from these pages, it’s that everyone should get to know the people in their lives on a deep level, especially the mild-mannered, soft-spoken ones.”
“From The Potato to Star Trek and Beyond: Memoirs of a Rocket Scientist” by Chester L. Richards is available for pre-order on Amazon
Publisher: Pawpress ISBN: 978-1880882306 Pages: 334 Available in Paperback, Hardcopy and Ebook
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From writer/director Jon Binkowski and Terror Films comes Scare Zone, premiering on the Terror Films Channel May 27, 2022. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Welcome to Scare Zone, just another strip-mall Halloween Horror House …or is it? From the strobe room to the masked maniacs wielding chainsaws, knives, and pitchforks as they chase paying customers through the halls of this haunted maze, it is one good jump scare after another. However, as terrible things begin to happen and people end up dead, the visitors of Scare Zone think it is all just part of the “show”! (Terror Films, 2022)
From writer/director Jon Binkowski and Terror Films comes Scare Zone, premiering on the Terror Films Channel May 27 and on wide digital and Video on Demand June 3 (worldwide). SEAL Team’s Neil Brown, Jr, Arian Ash (Lonely Hearts), Michele Simms (Sex Drive), Jordan Woods-Robinson (The Walking Dead), Chris Burns (Bloodline), and Simon Needham star.
“Ever since I first walked through a Halloween haunted house, I’ve had the same dreadful thought; ‘What if a killer has nested in the attraction and, dressed like one of the actors, just walks up and hacks me with an axe… would anyone notice that it’s not part of the show?’” says Binkowski. “Then, as I was contemplating shooting my first feature film… an opportunity presented itself. The Universal Orlando Resort had built an awesome haunted maze right in the middle of one of their sound stages for Halloween Horror Nights. And, because they wanted to feature the attraction in a late November theme park convention, the maze was going to just sit there for 3 weeks doing nothing. That was my chance to answer my own horrifying question! So, my team and I leapt into action! The script practically wrote itself and it was a blast shooting for three crazy weeks on the Universal soundstage. Although I always had that nagging feeling someone was going to leap out and hack me with an axe! “
Fortress of Sin will be released in digital and DVD coming this June from Wild Eye Releasing. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
A father searching for his trafficked daughter finds a religious cult in Fortress of Sin, coming this June from Wild Eye Releasing. Digital and DVD coming this June from Wild Eye Releasing. (Wild Eye Releasing, 2022)
Winner Best Feature Film at Vesuvius International Film Fest, Fortress of Sin is called “captivating” (Horror Geek Life) and “tackles a very real world horror” (Wicked Horror).
Paul Chomicki (Slayer: The Replentless Killogy, Deadly Xmas, Paranormal Halloween), Katie Otten (Inner Worlds, Infinite Adventures), Avi K. Garg (The Shield, UFO Files), and Paul Guay (Liar, Liar, The Little Rascals) star in a Paul Chomicki and Christian Voss film, Fortress of Sin.
Outta Sight will be out June 3 via Warner Music. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Hailing from Saskatoon, The Sheepdogs are one of Canada’s most successful bands amassing a legion of fans worldwide with their rich harmonies, rounded guitar tones and classic rock influenced sound. The Sheepdogs have had 9 top 20 songs including 3 number one singles in their native Canada. Their albums Learn & Burn and The Sheepdogs both went platinum and yielded the platinum singles “I Don’t Know” and “Feeling Good.” They were the first unsigned band on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine, performed on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon twice and have been nominated for 10 Juno Awards, winning four. Their new album Outta Sight will be out June 3 via Warner Music. (The Sheepdogs, 2022)
The Sheepdogs took all of their pandemic-induced feelings from the past two years and channeled them into the one thing that made sense: good, old-fashioned, non-bummer rock and roll music. The band—Ewan Currie, Ryan Gullen, Sam Corbett, Jimmy Bowskill, and Shamus Currie—were, like the rest of us, confused, cast ashore, and feeling isolated during COVID, but their output during that time produced the grooviest, simplest, and most penetrating album of their career, Outta Sight. With no roadmap and an overall uncertainty hanging over the universe, the band circled up, plugged into their amps, shared riffs and melodies, and leaned on each other for inspiration. The guys say it was the least prepared they have been while cutting a record since their self-titled album in 2012, but bassist Ryan Gullen calls the music they made a “life raft,” claiming that their initial sessions for Outta Sight saved them from their anxieties. “Playing rock music kept us grounded…kept us going.”
The Sheepdogs shared another piece of Outta Sight with album-track “So Far Gone,” a J.J. Cale-sounding slow burner recorded with a vintage Rhythm Ace drum machine and fuzzy, straight-into-console electric guitars. Keeping with a simple “get in the room and play the song” mentality, the band landed on most of the album’s final tracks within three or four takes, letting a vibe, rather than a concept, guide their hands. Fans can hear “So Far Gone” now at this link, check out the Sheepdogs’ previously-released single, “Find The Truth,” right here, and pre-order or pre-save Outta Sight ahead of its June 3 release here. The Sheepdogs’ North American tour throughout the fall is on sale now. A full list of tour dates can be found below.
The strength of The Sheepdogs in full throttle straight-up appeals to your senses. Without pretension, it is urgent, rhythmic, clear, and fun; it is a break from slick production and gazing at your navel and proclaims the joy and jubilation of drums, bass, horns, and electric guitar. The Sheepdogs make tunes that make you nod your head. The artistry, however, beneath the stadium riffs—the harmonies, the multiple guitar parts, the groove behind a rhythm section that hangs out together when they are not on the clock—is battle-honed and spit-shined between vans, garages, thousands of soundchecks, and, yes, headlining shows.
“Rock ‘n’ Roll is about cheering us up. Simple as that. We hope our music does the same for the listeners at a time where things still can feel very tough. There’s no greater truth than rock ‘n’ roll.” – Ewan Currie
Catch The Sheepdogs on tour: September 16 – Fredericton, NB / Harvest Music Fest September 18 – Charlottetown, PEI / PEI Brewing Company September 20 – Burlington, VT / Higher Ground September 22 – Montreal, QC / MTelus September 23 – Quebec City, QC / Palais Montcalm September 24 – North Bay, ON / Capitol Centre October 7 – Bristol, UK / Thekla October 8 – Manchester, UK / Gorilla October 9 – London, UK / Electric Ballroom October 13 – Toronto, ON – Massey Hall October 14 – Belleville, ON – The Empire Theatre October 15 – Woodstock, NY – Levon Helm Studios October 17 – Boston, MA – The Sinclair October 18 – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom October 20 – Ardmore, PA – Ardmore Music Hall October 21 – Washington, DC – Union Stage October 22 – Durham, NC – Motorco Music Hall October 24 – Asheville, NC – The Grey Eagle October 25 – Nashville, TN – Basement East October 26 – Atlanta, GA – Masquerade – Purgatory October 28 – Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall (Upstairs) October 30 – Dallas, TX – Tulips November1 – Austin, TX – The Ballroom November3 – Indianapolis, IN – Hi Fi November4 – Detroit, MI – El Club November5 – Kitchener, ON – Centre In The Square November18 – London, ON – London Music Hall November19 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall November20 – Minneapolis, MN – Turf Club November22 – Winnipeg, MB – Burton Cummings Theatre November23 – Regina, SK – Casino Regina November25 – Saskatoon, SK – TCU Place November26 – Calgary, AB – The Palace Theatre November27 – Edmonton, AB – Midway November28 – Red Deer, AB – Bo’s Bar & Grill December 1 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom December 2 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom December 3 – Seattle, WA – Tractor Tavern December 4 – Portland, OR – Doug Fir Lounge December 6 – San Francisco, CA – The Independent December 7 – Los Angeles, CA – The Moroccan Lounge December 8 – San Diego, CA – The Casbah December 9 – Phoenix, AZ – Valley Bar December 11 – Denver, CO – Globe Hall December 12 – Omaha, NE – Slowdown December 14 – Lexington, KY – The Burl December 15 – Cleveland, OH – Beachland Ballroom December 16 – Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom
South Carolina good times rockers Blue Dogs are back with new album Big Dreamers, due out June 3, 2022. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
With a wild drum fill and a swirl of chorus-affected guitars, Carolina’s favorite band Blue Dogs kick off their brand new single “That’s How I Knew”—their first studio-recorded music released since 2004’s Halos and Good Buys. For fans of the long-running band, it is only the first of more to come from an entire album of new music. Big Dreamers is set for release on June 3, 2022. (Blue Dogs, 2022)
Produced by accomplished guitarist and longtime Blue Dogs fan—and at times, guitar player—Sadler Vaden (Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit), Big Dreamers marks a long-awaited comeback for the band and an inevitable full-circle moment for their producer. “I have a history with these guys,” Vaden says. “They used to hire me when I was 18 or 19 years old to play with them. I’ve always admired their sound, even on their albums before I started playing with them, but this record represents the best part of the Blue Dogs in my mind. It’s return to form that also brings out the highlights of their last record. Some things are polished and some things are a little more raw.” Vaden is not the only fan of Blue Dogs contributing to Big Dreamers; legendary Texas songwriter Radney Foster sings background vocals on “That’s How I Knew,” which he co-wrote with Bobby Houck along with the greasy, mid-tempo “If Ever,” and dobro master Jerry Douglas joined the boys on the bluegrass-inspired “The Road You Don’t.”
JamBase premiered the music video for “That’s How I Knew,” Blue Dogs’ irresistible ode to finding the right relationship, and BrooklynVegan highlighted the track, calling it, “a warm, breezy song that finds the long-running band in fine form.” Fans can watch the videoat this link and pre-orderBig Dreamers ahead of its June 3 release. The band will be celebrating the release of Big Dreamers with a concert at Isle of Palms, South Carolina’s famed Windjammer beach stage on June 3. Tickets are still available.
Founded in 1987 and based in Charleston, the group is still led by songwriters Hank Futch (bass) and Bobby Houck (lead singer, acoustic guitar), who grew up together in Florence, South Carolina. After nearly two decades on the road, the Blue Dogs took an extended break from touring in 2007 as Futch and Houck accepted jobs outside of music to support their new families. Yet they both filed away occasional phrases and potential titles just in case they ever had a chance to make another album together. For this project, they were joined in the studio by guitarist Dan Hood, steel guitar player Charlie Thompson, and longtime drummer Greg Walker. Keeping it all in one big Blue Dogs family, former member Phillip Lammonds co-wrote three of the new songs.
“We’re doing this to follow that dream of playing music and sharing our sound with whoever wants to listen,” Futch says. “We’ve probably been Americana before that became a term. But we didn’t feel like we had to be anything other than ourselves to write these songs.” Houck adds, “We still have something to say. We can write good songs that we like, knowing other people will like them too. We’ve got a lot more to do, more places to play, and maybe bigger places to play. Because of this album, we get to live this dream longer than we thought.”
Big Dreamers track list: The Good Ones Big Dreamers Young Love All Night Long That’s How I Knew Love Is Love Is Love The Good Road If Ever The Road You Don’t Carolina Grand All Out Of Time
SA Examiner 