American Aquarium has a new record, as the North Carolina band has released Small Town Hymns. It follows 2009’s Dances for the Lonely . The Whiskeytown connections continue on the new album, which finds Caitlin Cary returning for backup vocals. North Carolina has produced some damn fine alt-country/Americana bands (or key members of those bands) recently – Truth & Salvage Co., Old Crow Medicine Show, Ryan Adams, and bands like the Flat Duo Jets and Southern Culture on the Skids made the Chapel Hill scene worthwhile in the 80’s. American Aquarium is one to check out.
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Foo Fighters guitarist Chris Shiflett revealed details of a new band, The Dead Peasants, on his website. He’s got them playing Americana and classic country. Look for the band’s debut on July 12. The debut album was recorded in Foo Fighters’ California Studio 606 over December and January, and features the Mavericks’ guitarist Eddie Perez. Added Note: Shiflett (and his brother Scott) are members of the quirky cover band Me First and the Gimme Gimmes. “One of my favourite kinds of music is old country and old rockabilly and modern Americana like Son Volt, Wilco and Ryan Adams, I love all that stuff,” Shiflett told the NME.
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Jethro Easyfields leaks his own song – Here a rough mix version of “Lenny Bruce”, from the upcoming (August is the latest projectionBloodletting album from Indianapolis Americana singer/songwriter Jethro Easyfields
Robert Plant is back with Band of Joy, his first album since 2007’s Raising Sand. It was recorded in Nashville and will be out Sept. 14. Plant and guitarist Buddy Miller co-produced.