Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore
Dear Companion
Cold Spring’s very own Daniel Martin Moore has teamed up with renouned cellist Ben Sollee (of Abigail Washburn’s Sparrow Quartet), for a collaboration seemingly sent from the heavens above. Recorded close to home, the two focus on “the problem of mountaintop removal coal mining and its impact on the people and heritage of central Appalachia.” A portion of the proceeds will benefit Appalachian Voices, an organization devoted to putting a stop to mountaintop removal. The album was produced by another Kentucky native, Jim James of My Morning Jacket. They’re currently out touring the material, and have assembled a live band including Dan Dorff on percussion and Cheyenne Marie on violin and electric guitar. They’ll tour all thru the midwest and all over the east coast, which include stops locally at Shake It Records and the Northside Tavern on Friday, February 19, and an in-studio performance on the World Cafe in Philadelphia with host David Dye. Have a listen to a track from the album below.
500 Miles to Memphis
We’ve Built Up to NOTHING
The Cincinnati country/punk outfit has released the long-awaited follow-up to 2005′s Sunshine In A Shotglass. I haven’t heard the new album yet, but I understand the songs have “dramatic differences” from their previous record, which include a full orchestra. The album is being “shopped to major record labels” and is onsale right now only on their website. Make sure to check them out February 26 at Newport’s historical Southgate House. Also on the bill that evening are The Kentucky Struts, duppy a jamba, Nashville’s Shotgun Lover, Pennsylvania’s Underground Saints, De Los Muertos, Six Nights Alone, The Mudpies and Paul K.
Pop Empire
Rainy Child EP
Make sure to return to the Southgate House on the following night (February 27) where the newest band in town, Pop Empire, will release their first collection of songs. Cam Cochran (The Sheds/Lion’s Rampant) unveils a different side of his musical persona in this band, leaving behind the folky-storyteller songs for alternative, electro pop. Also on the bill are a couple of Cincinnati’s most popular acts, The Seedy Seeds and The Lion’s Rampant. The Seeds are set to return to Austin’s South by Southwest Festival next month, while the Lion’s will release their long-awaited debut.