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Saturday, 31 July 2010

Lee Alexander  * Andy McWilliams * Leatherbag  

Lee Alexander- (Houston, TX ) Lee Alexander is back again and has just released his second CD “Mayhaw Vaudeville.” A quasi-conceptual album, “Mayhaw Vaudeville” is the follow-up to his critically acclaimed debut album “Out of Place” of 2006. Like previous works, the new album contains the same lyrical depth and poignant wit. “Mayhaw Vaudeville” is saturated with storytelling and a distinctively rustic Texas flavor, while skillfully skirted with contemporary folk pieces as well. Drawing from an influential palette of Harry Nilsson, Patty Griffin, Elvis Costello, and Steve Earle, Alexander’s catchy melodies and razor sharp lyrics have placed him as a finalist in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, a the Bugle Boy Songwriting Competition, The Songwriters Serenade Competition, The Independent Music Awards, a regional finalist in the Mountain Stage Newsong Folk Festival, and a semifinalist in the UK Songwriting Contest. Alexander has also been a featured artist in Performing Songwriter Magazine, the 2007 Mardi Gras Festival, the 2006 Summer NAMM Showcase, the 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 Houston Press Music Awards, the 2006 Houston Fair Compilation, and the 2006 Houston International Music Conference and Festival. Alexander also continues to donate a portion of performance proceeds to human rights initiatives through Amnesty International and the Adopt-A-Minefield program. Proceeds from online sales of "Wheel" go to the Lightnin' Hopkins Historical Marker fund.

Andy McWilliams- (Highlands, TX ) "I wasn't sure what to think the first time I listened to The Shoegazer EP by Houston-based multi-instrumentalist Andy McWilliams. It's just 16 minutes of mostly instrumental songs (only one of the seven short tracks has vocals), and some of the guitar lines feel an awful lot like smooth jazz (cue death rattle). But there's a playful irony in these songs that kept me listening and wanting more. The Shoegazer EP, a mostly appropriate title, is quirky but wonderfully moody. Delicate, twinkling electronics linger in warm washes of reverb and needle-drop static. Lush string arrangements mingle with retro, analog drum machines and ethereal, digital textures. "Mailbomb," the only cut with vocals, showcases McWilliams' warm, affecting voice. The production holds together nicely, and though it does feel very much like a first release from an artist still finding his voice, it leaves me curious to hear what else he can come up with." - Robin Hilton NPR's All Songs Considred

Leatherbag- (Austin, TX ) Anyone who has experienced a live Leatherbag show can attest to its full strength...one of the city's biggest little-known names.--- Austin Monthly Chances are very good you've never heard of Randy Reynolds, nor his stage name/project Leatherbag. Chances are also very good that that won't be the case much longer.---npr.org ...his songs shine as a brilliant and sincere musical statement from one of Austin’s most talented songwriters.---tapebombs.com ...balancing American classic rock & roll and New Sincerity realism.---Austin Chronicle one of the most promising, striking young songwriters in a city defined by them, a keen listener melding killer guitar pop hooks with subtle and thoughtful lyrics.---austin360.com Turns out spare emotional honesty jibes with electrified three-chord rock...---avclub.com ..the songwriting sweep of Austin's Leatherbag is so broad and enveloping, it's an epic listen.---Austin Chronicle The most refreshing thing about Leatherbag is their complete disregard for whatever everyone else seems to think is hip musically. Their songs are both familiar and shockingly fresh thanks to this happy ignorance.---austinist.com ...immediately accessible, but not simple. Thanks to SXSW for a chance encounter with yet another band flying under the radar...---hearya.com Each song is different, its own page in a book bound by thematic elements, instrumentation and Reynolds’ distinctively appealing voice.---bigdiction.net ...Reynolds' exceptional songwriting and archival ear...display a talented artist exploring his range while further defining his own voice.---Texas Music Magazine Leatherbag has emerged as one of the most talented new songwriters in a town where such praise is not lightly given...Reynolds strength lies in subtly scripted lyrics steeped in nostalgia for loves remembered and places imagined, all for the sake of the song.---The Austin Independent

Last Update Saturday 3 July, 2010