Briefs

New release shows local growth

Hamelin CD Release Party

Date: Saturday, Sept. 13, doors at 9:30 pm

Venue: Soul Kitchen (219 Dauphin St.) www.soulkitchenmobile.com

Tickets: $7 at the door

Alternative rockers Hamelin used their 2004 debut “Paintings on the Wall” as a foundation upon which to build a following. Years passed and they earned a steady, monthly rotation on WABB 97.5 FM with their song “Whispers.”

“Whispers” was also chosen to be included in the Atlantis Music Conference’s compilation CD. With 1,600 copies of “Paintings on the Wall” sold and a cache of new songs, Hamelin went back to the studio with the end result being “What You Make of It.”

Fans of their debut will no be disappointed to learn a large number of the songs found on this release are quite reminiscent of “Paintings on the Wall,” such as the first two tracks “Just Like You” and “Lay Here.”

However, Hamelin seems to have decided to delve into a little alt. country, and it seems to fit them well. Songs such as “Oh Suzanna (the Circles that You Do)” and “Matador” are quite catchy and will definitely force those familiar with their music to see them in a new light.

New school NOLA jazz

Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue

Date: Saturday, Sept. 13, 8 p.m.

Venue: 30 Something Eatery and Lounge (2961 Dauphin Island Pkwy.) 476-3030

Tickets: TBA

30 Something has become the Port City’s home for spoken word poetry, comedy, hip-hop and now jazz, with “Trombone Shorty” Andrews making a stop on Sept 13.

Look for a high-intensity evening of new school NOLA jazz straight out of the Sixth Ward’s legendary Treme neighborhood. This horn virtuoso started leading bands at age 6 and earned his street creds playing on the streets of the Crescent City.

As a graduate of the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts, he joined the ranks of Harry Connick, Jr. as well as Branford and Wynton Marsalis (with Wynton claiming to be his biggest fan).

Trombone Shorty’s live performances are no less than an intense cavalcade of various genres and this quality has allowed him to share the stage and studio with Lenny Kravitz, U2 and Green Day. Their sets tend to be a mélange of jazz, hip-hop, funk, which they are fond of calling “Super Funk Rock.”

Star-crossed musicians shine

Megan Jean and the Klay Family Band

Date: Thursday, Sept.11, 7:30 p.m.

Venue: Dr. Music Records (9 N. Church St., Fairhope) 990-3412

Tickets: $10 available at Dr. Music Records

Guitarist Megan Jean grew up just outside of Seattle and was inundated with music from her parents. Meanwhile, Byrne Klay was in New York concentrating on the more technical and intellectual side of music.

While Klay was studying at the Oberlin Conservatory, Jean leaned more towards the organic side of things by concentrating on folk, blues and bluegrass. When Jean opted for formal training at NYU’s Tisch School of Arts, she met Klay in New York’s legendary folk scene.

Jean and Klay have immersed themselves in the rich Americana scene. On their release “Autumn,” a listener can hear their traditional roots on songs such as “The West” and “Oh Brother Oh Sister,” and more eclecticism on “Black and Amber,” “Cold Dark Morning” and “This Ain’t Anger.”

Songsmiths gather

L.A. Songwriter’s Festival

Date: Sept. 18-20 from 7 p.m.-12 a.m. each day

Venue: American Legion Post 199 (700 S. Mobile St., Fairhope) 928-9132

Tickets: $15 per day/$30 for all three days

For four years running, songwriters hailing everywhere from Mobile to Nashville have converged upon the ESho to show off their compositions and have a little fellowship with their musical brothers and sisters.

This year boasts 36 songwriters from across the nation who will be performing their original songs on the “intimate but spacious” indoor hall stage. Evans Davis and Charles Davis (the Leavin’ Brothers) will be this year’s host songwriters. A nightly guitar jam with the songwriters will be held the last hour of each night.

There are many locals that will be appearing at this year’s festival such as Lisa Mills, Hank Becker, Justin Fobes, Donna Hall, Tyler Champion, Blind Dog Mike and many others.

Other songwriters scheduled to appear include Johnny Barbato, Chris Graham, Alvin Porter, Doug Forshey, Charles Davis, Mark Robinson and John Reno. In addition to the music, there will be various vendors, festival activities and food.

Stephen Centanni is Lagniappe music editor. Contact him at scentanni@lagniappemobile.com.

Archives