An abrupt end to one of the best bands in Indiana – The Seymour-based rock band The Elms announced on their website today that they are breaking up.
on theelms.net – from lead singer Owen Thomas
“It is with equal parts gratitude and humility with which I write you today to say that this July, after ten extraordinary years of life lived closely together, the members of The Elms will very amicably part ways and end our tenure as a rock and roll band. There are no salacious discrepancies between band members to report to you, and no dramatic elements to run through the rumor mill! Simply stated, the time has come to move on.”
Rob Nichols
New Todd Snider and the Eastside Bulldogs video
Todd Snider has evolved from young 20-something strummer, playing Jerry Jeff Walker tunes around Austin because he felt he must, to a straight-up, full-blown rock and roll band leader with the should-be-and-maybe-they-are legendary Nervous Wrecks, to now having built a seemingly solid career as a barefoot neo-folkie who can whip your ass with his lyrics. Along the way, he’s proven himself to be the singer of great songs, writer of words that show his near-genius respect and understanding of the human condition, and smoked a lot of weed.
Indiana Music: Chase Coy -"Picturesque"
Chase Coy , a smart 19-year-old singer-songwriter from Greenwood, Indiana, will release his major label debut Picturesque on June 1st. Written and produced by Coy, it’s a quiet, poetic piece of acoustic-and-string sprinkled music. It’s best moments ring of a McCartney sensibility. Not comparing the two artists’ careers; simply noting that the template for mature-beyond-your-years songs was created by the Beatle, and there is a thinking, searching pop quality to the upcoming album.
Coy is a busy boy. He’s already released a pair of albums, Dear Juliet and Look How Far We’ve Come, and some iTunes songs. This year, Coy’s catalog tracks were compiled into a single digital album available at iTunes, entitled Where the Road Parts.
As Taylor Swift has built her career of singing to 15-25 year-old girls, the Picturesque album would seem to aim for a similar demo, but to guys – though the girls will find reasons to listen to the words, since the muse of Coy is his girlfriend Mallory Koons. The subject matter gives a soft, introspective side to most of the songs. Nothing rocks. The drums are a surprise when they show up. It’s not a party album; the songs are produced to highlight lyrics. The album is unlike anything I have heard in a long time. It’s poetry, set to muted music.
Backstage at Letterman: Indiana guitarist Jason Wilber’s night in NYC with Dave, Don Rickles and Paul Shafer
Wanted to follow up on our post earlier this week about Hoosier guitarist and singer/songwriter Jason Wilber playing on Late Night with David Letterman. Wilber, fresh from the performance backing John Prine on Letterman Wednesday night, posted to his blog/website a number of behind-the-scenes moments he experienced as the guitar player, both on stage and off.
Roots-Rock Music Notes: Indiana Americana w/ Jeff Byrd, Gamblin' Christmas. Plus Hank III full of attitude
+ Indianapolis roots-rock guy Jeff Byrd has formed a new band, and we should start to hear some music from them soon. Fans of the Gear Daddies and BoDeans will like what he’s putting together. Byrd’s most recent release was in 2008, an album called Stereoville.
+ Gamblin’ Christmas has been busy recording a third release, and have added hosting duties on the first Friday Hillbilly Happy Hour of every month at the Melody Inn. Watch for the folk duo with the sweet Everly Brother harmonies to be posting songs from the new album as they finish mixing. The website is gamblinchristmas.com.
+ Watch for two good shows June 4 (next Friday): alt-country darlin’ Elizabeth Cook at Spencer’s Stadium Tavern and former Drive-By Trucker Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit rock at Radio Radio. More on both shows early next week.
+ Hank Williams III’s new album “Rebel Within” is out. It’s the final record for Curb Records, and the rocky relationship will end.
In an interview with Outlaw Radio Chicago, he said “It’s got the slow ones, it’s got the fast ones, and a little attitude. Hopefully they’ll see that I gave them a good record. I could have gave them nothing but static and noise and been like ‘Ah, here ya go, it’s been nice knowing you.’ But I gave them a good record man.”
Cross Canadian Ragweed To Stop Touring
Hard-touring country rockers Cross Canadian Ragweed announced they’re coming off the endless road to allow drummer Randy Ragsdale to care for his son. Ragsdale, who has an autistic son, let the band know that he needed to be at home with his family.
“For many years my band has been my top priority,” Ragsdale said in a press statement. “Being in a touring band you have to give it your all, give it 100%.”
Ragsdale went on to say that his 10-year-old son J.C. is struggling in his development and needs his father at home. He said he encouraged the band to get another drummer and forge on, but they declined.
“We’ve always said from the start, we’re Ragweed as the four of us, or not Ragweed at all,” said front man Cody Canada. Bassist Jeremy Plato added, “We’ve been at this for a long time, we’ve all had to spend time away from home missing birthdays, holidays? It’ll be good for us to have a breather.”