For the month of September, Bakery Lorraine is donating a portion of all proceeds from their SA Phil Mocha Macaron to San Antonio Philharmonic. Photo: Bakery Lorraine, used with permission.
Bakery Lorraine, a local favorite and nationally recognized pastry shop, is partnering with the San Antonio Philharmonic through the entire month of September to donate a portion of all sales from their mocha macaron. A portion of all proceeds will be donated to the organization whose mission it is to involve new audiences in the transformative power of music. Offer good at all Bakery Lorraine locations. (Bakery Lorraine, 2022)
The SA Phil Mocha Macaron will benefit the SA Philharmonic throughout the month of September. It will be sold as a single macaron priced at $2.65 or available to be included in their assortment boxes. Assortment boxes can be purchased in two different sizes, holding 6 macarons for $14.00 or 12 macarons for $26.00. The SA Phil Mocha Macaron will be available at all Bakery Lorraine locations in San Antonio for dine-in or to go. Portions of sales will be donated to the SA Philharmonic through September 30, 2022.
Bakery Lorraine is a San Antonio favorite and nationally recognized pastry shop famous for its colorful macarons and exquisite French pastries. Owned by chefs Anne Ng, Jeremy Mandrell, and operator Charlie Biedenharn, Bakery Lorraine was named one of the best new bakeries in the U.S. by Food & Wine as well as one of the “13 Destination Bakeries” by Conde Nast Traveler. Bakery Lorraine serves handmade French pastries and macarons using the finest ingredients. The bakery serves an all-day menu including items like its Croque Madame, the quiche Lorraine, an assortment of salads and soups and artisan sandwiches. Bakery Lorraine has four locations in San Antonio including one in the Historic Pearl district, one in the Medical Center, one in the RIM shopping center, and one inside The DoSeum. Bakery Lorraine also has an Austin location at the Domain NORTHSIDE.
Jeremy Squires’ new album Hymnal will be out October 14, 2022 via Blackbird Record Label. Photo: Jeremy Squires
North Carolina songwriter Jeremy Squires’ new upcoming full length album Hymnal will be out October 14 via Blackbird Record Label. The music video for the single “Into The Fog” is out now. Hymnal is an album with a tender and life-affirming quality, where Squires’ warm singing voice, shimmery guitars, sparkling ukulele voicings, and Brand’s vocal harmonies and heartfelt violin melodies stand out just as much as the poignant lyrics. Squires handled almost all the aspects of the album’s making, including the recording of his vocals and string instrument parts, production, and mixing. (Jeremy Squires, 2022)
“These songs are true stories that I wanted to tell without any clutter. I didn’t add any overdubs of instruments. I recorded my parts here at my house live and then sent the album to Autumn Rose Brand, a fantastic violinist and singer who lives here in North Carolina, who played and sang her parts and sent them back to me.” – Jeremy Squires
What sounds like a simple process, though, is anything but. The events, trials, and tribulations that led up to Hymnal center around his dissolving marriage, and the music, reflecting the subject matter, is scaled back compared to his previous full-length efforts. The Alternative shared the music video for “Into the Fog” off of Hymnal, a tenderly strummed song about, in Jeremy’s words, “realizing that you can’t save someone—no matter how hard you try—if they won’t put forth the effort to truly help themselves. It’s about delusions, dreams, and eventually, reality shining through like rays of light at the end.” Brand’s violin highlights the song’s ending refrain: “Oh, I won’t see you in the morning.”
Hymnal track list: 1. Don’t You Cry 2. Lament 3. Moon Coin 4. Hymnal 5. Juniper 6. To the Moon and Back 7. Balancing 8. Into the Fog 9. Echo Roads 10. Nightingale
Catch Jeremy Squires on tour: September 15 – Nashville, TN – ACME Feed & Seed September 16 – Nashville, TN – Brown’s Diner
Hymnal, due out October 14, 2022. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Artist, author, and musician Tod Lippy has released a new EP titled Midterms. Photo: Tod Lippy Music, used with permission.
Tod Lippy, the polymath creative force behind the award-winning arts publication Esopus, has released his latest musical project, Midterms, a six track EP this month following the recent release of the single “Bob” which features on the project. (Tod Lippy, 2022)
Midterms is the third album from Lippy following the well-received LPs Here We Are (2019) and Yearbook (2021), both produced by the legendary Kramer (Low, Galaxy 500). The message behind the rest of Midterms EP is anything but vague: “This country is grappling with a dark period of hyper-polarization, distrust in institutions, and economic instability,” Lippy says. “Midterms is my attempt to come to terms with, and maybe even try to make some sense of, this reality.” The other songs on the album deal with issues ranging from toxic television personalities and celebrity culture to armchair activism and apathy in general.
Acclaimed artist Steve Keene, perhaps best-known for his iconic album art for bands like Pavement, The Apples in Stereo, and Silver Jews, has painted a series of 7 different covers on 50 chipboard sleeves containing the forthcoming lathe-cut 10” vinyl release of Midterms. The paintings include Keene’s interpretations of the EP’s original cover in addition to 6 images corresponding to each track on the release.
Lippy has always been at the forefront of creating art that helps find meaning in life. Starting in 2003, he produced ESOPUS, the esteemed arts publication declared “a thing of lavish, eccentric beauty” by The New York Times. For his “one-man magazine,” Lippy handled all design, editing, publishing, distribution, and selection of/interaction with contributors, ranging from writers like Karl Ove Knausgaard and Francine Prose to art world superstars like Jenny Holzer, Marilyn Minter, Anish Kapoor, and Kerry James Marshall, from filmmakers such as actor Lisa Kudrow and director David Lynch to musicians and composers like Kimya Dawson, Sharon Van Etten, and Carter Burwell.
Lippy has also made a name for himself as a book designer, most recently creating the cover for Louis Menand’s critically acclaimed The Free World (FSG); artist, earning a coveted MacDowell Colony Residency in 2018 to complete a series of drawings related to his work on Esopus); curator, responsible for exhibitions at White Columns and Pioneer Works, among other venues); writer for Artforum and other publications; and filmmaker, whose 2000 short film Cookies played at 20 film festivals around the world.
Tod Lippy may be best-known as the creator of the award-winning arts journal ESOPUS, the multidisciplinary publication that attracted readers from around the world over the course of its 25-issue run and is now in the permanent collections of The Museum of Modern Art and the Library of Congress, among many other institutions. Every issue of ESOPUS included a CD of brand-new music Lippy commissioned from musical acts such as Grizzly Bear, Dirty Projectors, Neko Case, Cloud Nothings, and Kimya Dawson. Lippy, who studied classical guitar for over a decade, was inspired by their contributions to start making music on his own. When ESOPUS ceased publication in 2018, he started spending a significant amount of time honing his songwriting and recording skills.
The California Honeydrops let loose in the studio for new album Soft Spot, due out October 7, 2022. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
In their fourteenth year together, bay-area soul/R&B favorites The California Honeydrops hits the post-lockdown ground running. Tour dates and festivals returned, including the Honeydrops’ first headlining show at Red Rocks, and, much to the delight of the band and fans alike, the group returned to the recording studio to lay down a new full-length album. The Honeydrops are sharing the very first taste of their upcoming release Soft Spot—out October7, 2022. (The California Honeydrops, 2022)
The first single “Takin’ My Time” kicks off with a slinky groove that the Honeydrops are known for, having made a career out of their signature blend of Bay Area R&B, Southern soul, Delta blues, and New Orleans second line. With tasty horn-section interjections dancing around well-timed background vocals, “Takin’ My Time” embodies exactly what guitarist, trumpeter, and lead singer Lech Wierzynkski wanted to channel with the song’s lyrical content—as he describes, “Slow down, erase your social media, smoke some weed, watch the sunset, get out of the rat race.”
The Honeydrops have come a long way since Wierzynkski and drummer Ben Beaullieu started busking in an Oakland subway station, but the band has stayed true to that organic, street-level feel. Listening to Lech sing, it can be a surprise that he was born in Warsaw, Poland, and raised by Polish political refugees. He learned his vocal stylings from contraband American recordings of Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, and Louis Armstrong, and later at Oberlin College and on the club circuit in Oakland, California. With the additions of Johnny Bones on tenor sax and clarinet, Lorenzo Loera on keyboards, and Beau Bradbury on bass, they’ve built a powerful full-band sound to support Wierzynski’s vocals.
Soft Spot track list: Honey and Butter Gonna Be Alright Nothing at All I Miss You Baby, Pt. 1 Tumblin’ Takin’ My Time The Unicorn Soft Spot In Your Arms Lil Bit of Love Sneakin’ into Heaven I Miss You Baby, Pt. 2
Catch The California Honeydrops On Tour: September 9 – St. Helena, CA – Charles Krug Winery September 10 – San Luis Obispo, CA – SLO Gathering September 11 – Perris, CA – Same Same But Different Festival 2022 September 19 – Buena Vista, CO – Ivy Ballroom at Surf Hotel September 20 – Crested Butte, CO – Center for the Arts September 22 – Telluride, CO – Sheridan Opera House September 24 – Aspen, CO – Belly Up October 14 – Tempe, AZ – Marquee Theatre October 16 – Flagstaff, AZ – Yucca North October 18 – Durango, CO – Animas City Theatre October 19 – Santa Fe, NM – Meow Wolf October 21 – Denver, CO – Mission Ballroom October 22 – Kansas City, MO – Knuckleheads October 23 – St. Louis, MO – The Big Top October 25 – St. Paul, MN – Turf Club October 26 – St. Paul, MN – Turf Club October 27 – Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall October 29 – Indianapolis, IN – HI-FI Annex October 30 – Ferndale, MI – Magic Bag October 31 – Kalamazoo, MI – Bell’s Brewery November 2 – South Burlington, VT – Higher Ground November 3 – Portland, ME – Aura November 5 – New York, NY – Sony Hall November 6 – Boston, MA – Royale Boston November 8 – Philadelphia, PA – World Cafe Live November 9 – Washington, DC – Lincoln Theatre November 11 – Charlottesville, VA – The Jefferson Theater November 12 – Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel November 13 – Highlands, NC – Highlands Food and Wine Festival 2022 January 15-22, 2023 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Sandy Beaches Cruise 2023
Jonathan Terrell welcomes you to his home state on new single ‘Texas’ from his new EP A Couple, 2,3. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
“To be from Texas means to be a good neighbor and to be a good friend to that neighbor,” says Austin-based recording artist Jonathan Terrell. His new single “Texas,” out now on Range Music, reads like a postcard and acts as an open invitation to anybody wanting to visit the great state of country music, barbeque and Willie Nelson. Written by Terrell and Jess Carson of Midland, “Texas” is a ‘come as you are’ anthem for all walks of life. (Jonathan Terrell, 2022)
Terrell recently released the music video for “Texas,” in partnership with Desert Door Texas Sotol’s Unreleased music series, which supports local Texas artists. Raised Rowdy premiered the single as well, calling it, “velvet-warm with a healthy dose of soul.” Produced by Beau Bedford at Dallas’s beloved Modern Electric Studios, like the rest of A Couple, 2, 3, “Texas” is available to stream or purchase. Fans can also pre-save or pre-orderA Couple, 2, 3 ahead of its September 9 release via Range Music.
Terrell will be supporting wildly popular country trio Midland on a string of U.S. dates starting where he will also be performing as part of their touring band.
A Couple, 2, 3 track list: Samantha I Know Paint By Lightning Texas Place Out Back Better For You
With his new EP, A Couple 2, 3, the singer-songwriter now signed to Range Music has translated his philosophy into a staggeringly coherent, funny, heartbreaking, and gorgeous project. Highlighted by brilliant singles like “Better For You,” which comes alongside a self-directed video with frequent collaborator Shakey Graves onboard as a producer, it is clear that two decades into this game, Terrell is firmly in his prime. There is a bravery in Terrell’s storytelling on this new project that only comes from repetition and honing the craft. The way he owns these songs—honors the stories he tells with joy and bravado—comes from his tenacious work ethic; all those days on the road, engaging in musical conversations with his fans to figure out what works best.
Catch Jonathan Terrell on tour: September 8 – Cheyenne, WY – Outlaw Saloon w/ William Clark Green September 10 – Billings, MT – Pub Station w/ William Clark Green September 11 – Great Falls, MT – The Newberry w/ William Clark Green September 15 – Spokane, WA – Lucky You Lounge w/ William Clark Green September 16 – Portland, OR – Ponderosa Lounge w/ William Clark Green September 17 – Medford, OR – The Rocky Tonk Saloon w/ William Clark Green September 20 – Seattle, WA – Tractor Tavern w/ William Clark Green September 21 – Boise, ID – The Olympic w/ William Clark Green October 21 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Union w/ Midland October 22 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks w/ Midland November 12 – Kennewick, WA – Toyota Center w/ Midland November 16 – Bellingham, WA – Mount Baker Theatre w/ Midland December 7 – Annapolis, MD – Rams Head On Stage w/ William Clark Green December 8 – Richmond, V – The Broadberry w/ William Clark Green December 9 – Sellersville, PA – Sellersville Theater w/ William Clark Green December 10 – Worchester, MA – Off The Rails w/ William Clark Green
The Inaugural ‘Fajita Lounge Showdown’ will feature five local chefs competing for the ‘Best Fajita Taco’ title. Photo: txtroublemaker, used with permission.
The Squeezeboxis excited to announce its inaugural “Fajita Lounge Showdown” featuring five local chefs competing head-to-head for the title of “Best Fajita Tacos” in San Antonio. All summer long The Squeezebox has been throwing Sunday carne asadas that have become the popular Fajita Lounge adored by all its fans with free fajita tacos for all customers, hosted by Chefs Aaron Peña, Matt Garcia and Jake Gonzales. This event will take place on Sunday, September 4, 2022 and door open at 8p.m. (The Squeezebox, 2022)
To commemorate the Labor Day holiday weekend, a competition will take place with five local chefs featuring their best take on the fajita taco. With a $10 cover at the door, tacos will be free for all on a first come, first served basis and will feature the following chefs:
Kenny Loo of Golden Kirin Restaurant
Sergio Flores of La Tortuga Cocina Latina
Eddie Barrera of Sijang Korean Corn Dogs
Rory Torres of Crispy Bao Gang
Steve Lopez
In addition to traditional fajita tacos, a “wildcard protein delicacy” will also be provided to test out the chefs’ creativity. The chefs will compete for a grand prize of $500, with Peña, Garcia and Gonzales as the judges. Live music by local favorite The Texases will keep the party going as well as music by DJ Plata. The Texases will play at 9:30p.m. This event will have a $10 cover per person at the door, must be 21 or older.
The Squeezebox 2806 N St Mary’s St. San Antonio, TX 78212
The Liar will be out September 30 via Blue Dirt Records and Thirty Tigers. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Since his critically acclaimed album Songs, the public at large has not heard much from John Fullbright. Eight years seems unthinkable for someone with so much hype—including a GRAMMY nod, an Americana Music Association Emerging Artist nomination and awards from ASCAP and the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame—surrounding his early career. On September 30, Fullbright is set to end the dry spell with the release of his new LP, The Liar, opening up his newfound trust in musical collaboration for the world to hear. (John Fullbright, 2022)
Fullbright released the first taste of The Liar with the album’s ever-developing second track. “Paranoid Heart” starts out as a plaintive little folk song and explodes into a memorable, Petty-esque rocker bolstered by drummer Paddy Ryan and Jesse Aycock’s just-unhinged-enough slide guitar solo. “Paranoid Heart” is an indicator of what is to come from Fullbright’s newly minted, community-driven output. Fans can hear “Paranoid Heart” now and pre-order or pre-saveThe Liar ahead of its September 30 release via Blue Dirt Records and Thirty Tigers.
The Liar was recorded at Steve and Charlene Ripley’s farm-to-studio compound in northeastern Oklahoma. After Steve’s passing, Charlene flirted with the idea of selling the studio property, so Fullbright quickly mobilized to make sure he was able to record there before it changed hands. He threw together a band made up of, as Fullbright calls them, “the usual suspects.” Anyone vaguely familiar with Oklahoma music will recognize the roster, which includes Jesse Aycock, Aaron Boehler, Paul Wilkes, Stephen Lee, and Paddy Ryan, all of whom are in more bands than seems possible. Along with a few more friends stopping in to lay down takes, they finished the songs and tracked the album with engineer Jason Weinheimer in a whirlwind four days.
The grab-and-go momentum landed Fullbright in the studio with some old songs (“Unlocked Doors” also appeared in 2009’s Live at the Blue Door), some new, and some unfinished, making his newfound trust in musical collaboration essential to the arrangements and reflected fully on the final album. The Liar, as a result, utilizes emotional and instrumental dynamics in ways Fullbright has not allowed himself to fully explore before. There is a noticeable slack here, an indulgent instrumental break there, and the general feeling that the tight-lipped John Fullbright who agonized over the writing process and then hesitated to talk about the meanings behind his songs in the past has eased up.
The Liar track list: 1. Bearden, 1645 2. Paranoid Heart 3. Stars 4. The Liar 5. Unlocked Doors 6. Where We Belong 7. Social Skills 8. Lucky 9. Blameless 10. Poster Child 11. Safe To Say 12. Gasoline
Catch John Fullbright on tour: August 26 – Muskogee, OK – Hatbox Field August 27 – Enid, OK – Park Street Palooza September 3 – Martinsville, OH – Nowhere Else Festival September 8 – Tahlequah, OK – Diamond Head Resort September 25 – Glen Ellen, CA – Jack London State Park September 30 – Oklahoma City, OK – Blue Door October 1 – Oklahoma City, OK – Blue Door October 2 – Tulsa, OK – Fassler Hall October 8 – Austin, TX – C-Boys Heart & Soul October 9 – The Woodlands, TX – Dosey Doe October 13 – Kansas, OK – Bushyhead Farm Fall Festival October 23 – Pittsburgh, KS – Mountain Stage
David Beck’s new album Bloom & Fade will be out September 30, 2022. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
When it came time to take his new collection of songs into the studio, noted bassist, songwriter, producer, and recording artist David Beck started the process with a simple, albeit off-the-wall, question that led the entire project into a new, adventurous atmosphere. “I’d discovered this idea with my buddy Ryan Quiet when I was producing his single,” says Beck. “We talked about these hypothetical situations—what if Dwight Yoakam did a record that was produced by The War On Drugs? What if Robert Earl Keen-like stories were seen through a Coldplay soundscape lens?” Having an affinity for both Texas storytellers like Keen, Guy Clark, and Rodney Crowell and the modern indie rock of Coldplay, The War on Drugs, and Big Thief, Beck’s upcoming album Bloom & Fade creates a cinematic world built around endearing storytelling and a soft, airy sonic palette. While Keen and Coldplay may seem like polar opposites of the musical spectrum, finding the connective tissue between those two worlds gave Beck additional perspective for Bloom & Fade’s pensive, visceral reflective nature. (David Beck, 2022)
BrooklynVegan premiered the first single off of Bloom & Fade, “Miner’s Song” hailing the first single stating “ it embraces country tradition but fits in with modern indie rock too.” “This song is about acquiring burdens and living through them, the pushing on from hard times to good. It took on an old west vibe, which happens when you get two boys from Texas in the same room,” Beck says of the song which was written with Conner Arthur of The Droptines. While the lyrics do occasionally mention ponies, the sonic characteristics of the song are more akin to the melodic indie rock of yesteryear; pumping bass and drums under a soaring instrumental hook.
Bloom & Fade plays out like a patchwork quilt where each scrap of fabric is another story inspired by cherished love tales, heart-worn narratives, familiar helping hands, and words of wisdom passed down from one generation to the next. Nestled within, Beck melds contemplative, self-discovery, and the occasional Hill Country haiku for splendid moments that stimulate and reassure.
Throughout his illustrious career, artist David Beck has been a daydreamer. Reared in the Texas Hill Country, Beck was raised by a musical family who continuously encouraged and reassured his fearless pursuit of creativity as a songwriter, noted bass player, and emerging producer. From his days as co-front man of the dynamic and electrifying alt-country outfit Sons of Fathers to his Tex-Mex border-blending Tejano crew David Beck’s Tejano Weekend, Beck’s diverse range and imaginative style have been prevailing characteristics. A gifted storyteller, Beck’s introspective lyrics and infectious melodies feel right at home on a burgeoning San Antonio boardwalk as they do a crowded honky tonk night, or riveting summer festival stage.
Over the past decade, the multifaceted Beck has repeatedly delivered albums that have been praised by critics and a devout fanbase. Armed with a bold, organic, and rootsy brand of Americana music, Sons of Fathers saw Beck and company play at renowned establishments such as The Grand Ole Opry, Gruene Hall, Bonnaroo, and Austin City Limits. David Beck’s Tejano Weekend has garnered approval from acclaimed legends such as David Lee Garza for their authenticity and sincerity. As a budding producer and engineer, the Tall Texan has worked with the likes of Eric Burton of Black Pumas, The Droptines, and Pake Rossi. His latest solo efforts, the cosmic storyteller Bloom & Fade, mirrors his artistic mantra and spirit and honors the familial past with Texas singer-songwriter precision and a robust sonic palette that shimmers and radiates.
Tickets are now on sale for Mabon, taking place September 16 – 18 in Lyons, Colorado. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Planet Bluegrass, organizers of Rockygrass, Lyons Folks Fest, and the famed Telluride Bluegrass Festival—which has coincided with the summer solstice for 5 decades—are pleased to announce Mabon, a new concert series programmed in conjunction with longtime Planet Bluegrass fan-favorite, Watchhouse. Mabon will take place September 16-18 in Lyons, Colorado, at the Planet Bluegrass Ranch during the Autumn equinox. Tickets are on-sale now. (Planet Bluegrass, 2022)
The series kicks off on Friday, September 16 with Regina Spektor and a special duo set from hosts Andrew Marlin and Emily Frantz—aka Watchhouse. Saturday, September 17 continues with a could-only-be-at-Planet-Bluegrass billing of Emmylou Harris with Watchhouse as her backing band and sets from Thee Sacred Souls, Big Richard, and a performance from one half of Watchhouse, Andrew Marlin with his instrumental string band. Sunday will kick off with Yasmin Williams and fans will ease into the fall season and afternoon with Waxahatchee and The Lil’ Smokies. The weekend will be bookended by a final, full band Watchhouse set.
“We are so excited to be curating this series with Watchhouse!,” says Grace Barrett, Planet Bluegrass’ director of partnerships and communications. “They are dear friends whose music has inspired us for years. The Planet Bluegrass calendar really functions around the sun, and we can’t think of a better way to say ‘so long’ to summer.”
Frantz and Marlin share in that enthusiasm. They add, “We’ve been lucky enough to play so many festivals and events and have always loved the ones hosted by Planet Bluegrass. We haven’t been able to sit in on the curation side until now and we’re so grateful for the opportunity to reach out to artists whose songs have meant a lot to us over the years, or just recently. Autumn solstice feels like the perfect time to cozy up and sink into some feely songs together.”
For over 30 years, Planet Bluegrass has been redefining the musical festival by creating exceptional experiences that protect the planet through environmental leadership and a strong community. Fiercely and decidedly independent, their three festivals make a unique musical mark: each takes place in breathtaking natural Colorado environments, each features the world’s finest musicians and songwriters, and each embraces a “Leave No Trace” ethic that defines Planet Bluegrass as a leader in Sustainable Festivation. Planet Bluegrass presents Telluride Bluegrass, Rockygrass, Rocky Mountain Folks Festival, all bucket list musical gatherings for artists and fans alike. Planet Bluegrass is invested in the next generation of songwriters and musicians as evidenced by Rockygrass Academy and Song School.
Another World is a guitar-driven foray into the world of hard rock music. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
New Jersey rocker Chris Luciani, founder, and leader of the hard rock band Lucidity, and his label Precision Records have formally announced the release of a brand new solo side-project for the artist. Another World is the eponymous debut single from his solo album of the same name which is now available for purchase. An inquisitive composition that not only externally asks the age-old question of, “Is there really anyone out there?” but also the self-doubting inner conundrum of, “Is there really anyone in here?” Some of the conclusions Luciani arrives at are sure to unsettle quite a few who hear this song. (Mia Mind Music, 2022)
Another World is a guitar-driven foray into the world of hard rock music. Chris works with a flesh and blood ensemble of live musicians who come together to help him forge molten lyrics and metal riffs together to allow the artist to get the heavy edge into the track and take it into the realm of mainstream active rock.
Artist: Chris Luciani Release: Another World Genre: Hard Rock Label: Precision Records
SA Examiner 