Honky-tonk blues youngun Justin Townes Earle, 26, hits McGonigel's Mucky Duck tonight. Rocks Off called him up last week to ask about last year's first round of tours behind debut release The Good Life, his early hip-hop influences, his new record and how he'll handle a venue with no room to dance.
Rocks Off: Your sound really bridges this gap between old fans of country and their kids. I mean, country music kind of went to hell and your sound reminds a younger generation of the honky-tonk s
After a hot minute, Mail Call returns in a slightly revamped format...
Pick of the Litter
Diagonals (Austin), Valley of the Cyclops (Monofonus Press)
They Say: "A sweet-and-sour dark-pop soundtrack for the dawn of the post-Bush era."
Rocks Off Says: Loose-fitting, lo-fi melodic garage that may have been inspired by a bong hit or two (think the desiccated Sub Pop '90s blues of Chicago's Red Red Meat). Never cooks, never stalls, but Steve Garcia's lyrics keep it interesting - "Suitc
Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit
Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit
www.jasonisbell.com
Jason Isbell just turned 30 this past February, so calling him an old soul might be soft-pedaling things a bit. You just can't be callow and pen a line like "She left me alone with these pills, and the last of my youth." That's from "Cigarettes and Wine," Isbell's ode to a bygone female bartender/mentor and one of a few songs from his band the 400 Unit's self-titled album that makes it clear he respects
