Twisted South Radio

These are dynamic times. These are trying times. It takes humility, creativity and above all else, it requires courage to produce relatable art which seeks to tackle and address the orchestrations of the beast, while bringing an energy that encourages us to both meet and rise above the dilemmas and machinations designed to divide us. Enter, New Orleans. Enter, The Honorable South. New Orleans. It has a breath of innocence, a breeze of wonder and cheerfulness that makes us feel younger; a reminder of what it used to be like on the playgrounds of youth. And yet, there exists a simultaneous underlying tone in all the glamour of the Mardi Gras parades, balls, and celebrations, which serve to ground us and remind us of just exactly why we no longer feel so young and conveniently aloof- of why those around us appear corrupted, bigoted, ignorant, and abusive. You can see it in the themes of floats and the vomit in the street. You can see it in the mass-produced t-shirts and the throws left among the heaps of trash lining a route. You can sense it in the smoke and stickiness of the bars and nightclubs, and you can smell it while cruising the sidewalks of the night. It is precisely this youthful essence The Honorable South seeks to cultivate in the listener: a celebration, a unity, and an awareness of individual significance. The band was formed in late 2008 by founding members MS. (Charm Taylor), an accomplished educator, vocalist/songwriter and Matthew Rosenbeck, a credited videographer, composer, and guitarist. Since then, THS has steadily refined and developed a progressively sharpened and unique indie and afro-rock sound that is reminiscent of the eclectic blend of Modest Mouse, the raw rock anthem energy of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, the feel good verse of Outkast, and the soulful commentary of Nina Simone.     

Truckstop Honeymoon play tough, funny, hi-octane songs about interstates, pinball arcades and true love. Katie Euliss pounds a doghouse bass while Mike West punishes a banjo mercilessly. Together they charm festival crowds and drive roadhouse drinkers to the dance-floor. Since hurricane Katrina washed them out of New Orleans, Truckstop Honeymoon have traveled to the ends of the Earth and back, performing in Australia, Holland, Germany, Britain and throughout the US. Their music tells a story so honest and strange you know they didn’t make it up. Katie learned whore-house piano and bucket bass in the streets of the French Quarter. There she met Mike, a banjo-slinging grifter who sold CDs he claimed cured hangovers and small-mindedness. After a court house wedding, the pair hit the road. They spent their wedding night in a truck stop somewhere between Lafayette and the Atchafalya Swamp. And so Truckstop Honeymoon was born. On August 29 2005, flood waters submerged their home base in the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans. Truckstop Honeymoon were on tour when the storm hit and so on-tour is where they stayed. Mike and Katie played shows every night, lived out of their van and kept their two daughters entertained in convenience stores across America. But eventually, the road weary family parked their rig as far from any large body of water as they could get: Lawrence, Kansas. When they are not traveling, Katie and Mike run The 9th Ward Pickin’ Parlor, a small studio where they produce songwriters, bands and eccentrics from all over the United States.    

"My band lately walks the line between a caveman airplane up in the sky at high speed almost ready to fall apart, and a fine glimmering jewel..."-Amelia White Raised In Virginia, and based in Nashville, Amelia White cut her musical teeth in the New England area, in the same scene that produced Mary Gauthier, Lori McKenna and Sarah Borges. Her music has been described as hard rocking -folkin -alt-art country… Her Albums BLUE SOUVENIRS and BLACK DOVES (funzalo Records 2006) put her on the map with critical acclaims nationwide, steady non-com radio play, appearances on E-Town and NPR’s All Songs Considered and various TV placements. ... the most current being a spot on FX JUSTIFIED ...an episode which features Dave Alvin. "The bones of Amelia White's songs on "Beautiful and Wild" rattle my heart with her swaying melodies that rock her always engaging poetry. This is my favorite of hers for sure, I especially love her song to Duane Jarvis, Beautiful and Wild.'- Rosie Flores Sue Donahoe, author of "Never Herad of "em" about the 90's musical  explosion in Austin Texas will be checking on on what is happening on her book signing tour and other events during SXSW. 

Taylor Hollingsworth and Kate Taylor singing together is a match made in heaven, (or maybe hell, if the devil has anything to do with this, which would not be surprising). You might know Taylor from previous solo albums or bands but most likely from Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band. He was the guitar player who also wrote and sang “Snake Hill” and “Air Mattress” on the album “Outer South”. If you’ve seen Maria Taylor play then you have most likely seen Kate in her band either playing keys, drums, or bass, and most importantly, harmonizing the soft beautiful background melodies. Nowadays, Kate and Taylor have joined hand in hand and formed a band. Ladies and Gentlemen, “Dead Fingers”, might just be what you’ve been waiting for! In a time when guy-girl duo’s are becoming quite popular, this one is not just some gimmick, however perfect the timing and package may be. You would almost think Kate was married to her manager, or record label exec., who was having them act like they were romantic just to sell tickets and albums. But in fact, this Alabama duo are recently married and the two just recorded their first self titled full length with Bruce Watson (RL Burnside, Junior Kimbrough , AA Bondy), and is being released on Big Legal Mess/ Fat Possum Records early 2012. While showing a wide range of styles, ranging from duet styled songs like those of John Prine and Iris DeMent, X, or Lee Hazelwood and Ann Margaret, to straight up great classic rock bands like the Stones, Beatles, or even Traveling Wilburys, this band should find a nice home with fans of more current duo’s like She and Him, Jenny and Johnny, or Civil Wars.

Hot from Mardi Gras 2012 Twisted South Radio welcomes the Lagniappe Brass Band. They'll bring bringing their Second Line to your house tonight through our show. Join us while we talk with them about New Orleans, Mardi Gras and what it takes to work in a musical town like NOLA and more.

Amy Hart was born and raised in the Chicago area, Amy Hart got her start playing Blues on festival stages. In the eighties as a youngster she won a few radio contests and ended up outselling the Rolling Stones "Emotional Rescue" with her cut "Sad Love Song" at number one for two weeks on WLUP FM98 from the station sponsored Chicago Rocks Volume One compilation. In 1985 she moved to L.A. and drifted more toward R&B, writing and recording with Tim Tobias under John Ryan's (Styxx, Doobie Bros.) production. She scored a spot on the teen hit soundtrack to the movie, "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" with "Too Cruel" released on Mercury Records. Moved to Nashville in the nineties and released her first cd, "Every Beat of My Heart" on her label , Painted Rock Records in 2000. Toured the SE both as a band and as a solo acoustic artist. Moved to FL in 2001 and played the Gulf Coast circuit for ten years until the Horizon Oil Spill cut her gig schedule in half. Moved back to Nashville and recorded "Congratulations" newly released again on Painted Rock Records in November 2011.  

Layla Zoe has been called "the Reincarnate of Janis Joplin" and deemed Canada's "Darling of the blues." She is a young powerful vocalist who was born in British Columbia, Canada but now calls Montreal her home. Layla Zoe has been singing since the tender age of four years old, including performances with her father's band at the age of fourteen. She has performed all over the world and has been "wowing" crowds with her vocal power since her first steps on stage. Layla has worked to release an album every year, and has five independent releases to date: You Will, Shades of Blue, Hoochie Coochie Woman, Live at Errington Hall and The Firegirl. Layla's albums can be heard on radio across the world and showcase Layla's original songs as well as classic cover tunes. Layla Zoe took home the "Female Vocalist of the Year" award at the Vancouver Island Music Awards in 2006 and won the Compo 10 International blues songwriting competition in Jaarvenpaa, Finland in 2006. She was the only woman and the only Canadian to make it to the finals of the Compo 10 contest in Finland and she humbly took home the prize. Layla Zoe has performed with the late great Jeff Healey, the Downchild Blues Band, Danny Marks, Henrik Freischlader and countless others, who have sung high praises of Layla's ability to channel her strong emotions into her performances. The new album was produced by Henrik Freischlader and recorded by Martin Meinschäfer in Germany. Layla Zoe will tour the new album in Europe in November of 2011, with a release in Canada following the European tour. Henrik Freischlader and Layla Zoe's musical partnership has already caused excitement on the European Blues scene as well as Canadian Blues scene, and the new album is sure to impress Blues lovers of all ages. Layla Zoe is a force to be reckoned with, and is changing the face of the blues and roots music scene.

Jake Haldenwang is a contemporary guitarist, singer/songwriter sensation. He delivers electrifying performances with amazing searing guitar solos and intense soulful vocals that belies his youth and are rarely witnessed in someone so young. Jake began playing guitar at age 11, was performing live by age 12 and by age 13 he was leading his own band ensemble. In February 2009, he represented Charlotte NC at International Blues Challenge Youth Showcase in Memphis TN and he has been mesmerizing audiences with his performances at hundreds of club, theatre and festival dates throughout the South Eastern United States ever since.Already a veteran musician front man, at age 16, Jake has shared show billing with; Warren Haynes, Greg Allman, Buddy Guy, Jimmie Vaughan, Kevn Kinney & Drivin N’ Cryin, Steve Miller, Leon Russell, Elvin Bishop, Moreland & Arbuckle, Tommy Castro and Trombone Shorty. Jake has also appeared as a guest guitarist with Umphrey’s McGee, Buddy Guy, Marshall Tucker, Walter Trout, Tommy Castro, Robin Rogers, Bryan Lee, WSNB, Mississippi Morris, Mac Arnold and has opened for Webb Wilder and Tom Hambridge.“Halden Vang Trio” is the electrifying power group led by prodigy guitarist/singer/songwriter, Jake Haldenwang, with Tyler Broom on bass and Brock Whitfield on drums/percussions. Halden Vang is setting the music world on fire fusing a blend of rock, blues and funk for an original sound that can only be described as intense, soulful and fiery. Cut in the mold of iconic bands such as Phish, Rival Son’s, Gov’t Mule and Black Country Communion. “Halden Vang” is a must see act that delivers Jake’s brand of scorchin’ rock, funk & blues in a fresh new style with an undeniable stage presence that is uniquely all his own. His astounding performances and rising popularity, has established him as a sought after artist, whose star continues to grow and shine brightly  

The Mississippi Society of Paranormal Investigators was born in November 2007 and went public in Jan 2008. All of our original members have investigated together prior to that, with a different paranormal group (which we still work with from time to time) , prior to forming our own team. We all had the same interest in taking our team in a certain direction and we are all great friends and colleagues from many walks of life and occupations including Computer Experts, Nursing, Law Enforcement, Mechanics and Customer Service Related fields. We are a group of Paranormal Researchers and Investigators who take pride in how we conduct ourselves on investigations and outings. We do volunteer community projects to help preserve our Mississippi Cemeteries and Historical Places as well as investigate unexplained phenomena, legends, stories and experiences. We work with EVP, Video, Audo and Photography and spend a great deal of time researching books, articles and historical information that might help us better understand ghosts, spirits and the field of paranormal studies. We have fun but we also take our responsibilities seriously. White Ghost Shivers is an eclectic American band based in Austin, Texas. They mix cabaret, jazz, vaudeville, hokum, western swing, hillbilly, jugband and ragtime into a theatrical and infectious good time. They must be seen to be believed. They also win various awards daily.Peeling faces off the unexpecting for nearly a decade, we revel in stringband music from the 20's and 30's, mixing early jazz, vaudeville, ragtime, western swing, and hillybilly, while unleasing the gutterous underbelly of a psuedo-rock-world gone wrong.    

Though born in a coal-mining town in Yorkshire, England, Jan Bell pays homage to American musical idioms through her own takes on traditional country, folk, old time, and blues music, as well as through her own original songs. After some time teaching storytelling and touring folk festivals, Jan returned to New York City, staged the Urban Cowgirl Cabaret and soon founded a collective called Little Red Hen Music to support itinerant folk musicians. Jan has won accolades for her original songs and performances, and she has even been given the opportunity to write and perform her own music to lyrics from the Woody Guthrie Archives Jackson Taylor tells stories about what he knows -- life. Jackson’s lyrics paint tales of lives filled with passion and joy as much as of a life tainted by sorrow and disappointment – his life. Jackson sings of heaven and hell, beauty and grit – Jackson sings of real life. Born one of eleven siblings to parents of migrant workers, his life began in Moody, Texas, a small town just north of Austin. It was a nomadic existence stripped of the comforts and security that most take for granted. Jackson’s roots instead became deep seeded in his love for music, a passion passed on to Jackson at an early age by his father who would steal away whenever possible to see and hear country greats like Waylon, Willie, and Billy Joe Shaver perform, often with Jackson in tow. Billy Joe Shaver summed up it up best when he said, “Jackson’s songs are so real and honest, you know straight off he's been there and done that. He writes and sings like he lives, great songs that I believe will live forever."

KING MOB is a brand new English beat combo comprising guitar legend Chris Spedding (Roxy Music, Elton John, John Cale, Paul McCartney), Glen Matlock - bass (Sex Pistols, Iggy Pop, Faces), Martin Chambers – drums (Pretenders), Stephen W Parsons aka Snips – vocals (film composer and vocalist of legendary 70’s band Sharks) and introducing hot new guitar talent Sixteen. The Mob are heavily influenced by two great composer band leaders, Duke Ellington and Jimmy Page. Photos by Shu Tomioka and Chris Musto  

The Outlaws were born to the blue-collar port city of Tampa, Florida in the early 1970’s. The band was made up of Hughie Thomasson, Henry Paul, Billy Jones, Monte Yoho, and Frank O’Keefe. Joining the likes of Tom Petty and other regional acts at the time, The Outlaws quickly became a favorite of the Tampa college crowd. With the help of newly recruited manager Charlie Brusco, the band set its sights on taking the show on the road. Earning a reputation as a great live band, they lit up the clubs from Macon to Nashville and honky-tonks throughout the southeast. Following in the footsteps of such great bands as The Allman Brothers and The Eagles, The Outlaws developed their own high-powered, guitar-driven country-rock, complete with exciting self-penned music and stellar three-part harmony.The Outlaws’ debut album rode the momentum of AOR classic “Green Grass and High Tides” to #13 on Billboard’s Hot 100. The Outlaws established themselves as premiere players in the phenomenon that came to be known as Southern Rock. After decades of triumph, The Outlaws have endured repeated tragedy in the loss of original members Frank O’Keefe, Billy Jones, and most recently signature singer/songwriter/guitarist Hughie Thomasson. Today, The Outlaws are at the threshold of a new era. Along with original singer/songwriter/guitarist Henry Paul and original drummer/songwriter Monte Yoho, the Outlaws feature Chris Anderson, Billy Crain, Randy Threet, and Dave Robbins. Photos courtesy of: Mars Blomgren, John Gellman ( offical photographer of http://www.outlawsmusic.com/, and Hank Hart.

The hill country of Southern Illinois is home to one of the Midwest’s friendliest and most talented musical trios - the Whistle Pigs. Their live shows, consisting of vocal harmonies, banjo, accordion, and upright bass, are energetic yet humorous and interactive, making them suitable for the sit-down crowd as well the dancers and the drinkers. Traveling over 70,000 miles and playing about 200 shows annually, the Whistle Pigs have had the honor to share the bill with the likes of The Legendary Shack Shakers, Split Lip Rayfield and Black Oak Arkansas while playing at a wide range of venues including national festivals, ballrooms, bars and dives, weddings and fish fries. The Pigs combine old-timey and honky tonk musical sensibilities. The Gills are a 4 piece rock band consisting of 2 sets of brothers. The Wheeler Brothers,(Jesse and Chris)and The Prince Brothers (Matt and Andy). The Gills are 4 siblings on a mission to build a dream of creating and sharing music they love, spreading hope and strength through Jesse's story, and raising money and awareness towards helping other people who are going through the absolute hell of cancer. The main motto on stage is to pour every ounce of sweat and emotion out, and spill it into every human soul that's present.

As the title suggests, the debut album from The Kenneth Brian Band is an introduction to the New South, by way of a relentless attack of tracks- featuring masterful song-crafting, blistering guitar work, spot-on harmonies, and a take-no-prisoners-rhythm section- all tied together by Brian's honest voice and unapologetically strait-forward point of view. While dark times have seen the Southern farms and small businesses of old paved over and toppled by the ever-increasing growth of suburban sprawl, Welcome To Alabama shines like a beacon for those who fear that Southern Culture is all but lost, and moreover, proves that it isn't lost at all. 

Chef Todd Richards brings exuberance and imagination together with ingredients from the finest farmers, artisans and purveyors across the region to his Modern American menus at The Café, creating a new culinary experience in the South’s most vibrant city. On Devil Got His Way, Damon Fowler fulfills the tremendous potential that his acclaimed Blind Pig debut, Sugar Shack, promised. His remarkable songwriting skills and vocal expressiveness are maturing, and his instrumental voice, by turns incendiary and deeply lyrical, is even stronger. The styles and moods of the songs on Devil Got His Way run the gamut. The brooding title cut tells a sordid tale, punctuated by furious slide guitar runs. "After The Rain" is a beautiful, meditative ballad. "Tight Rope" recalls the playful tone of Leon Russell's version, without sounding derivative. From the swampy nighttime heat of "Cypress In The Pines" to the wistful, R&B feel of "You Go Your Way" to the ironically rock anthemic "American Dream", Damon has the uncanny ability to make all the flavors of American rock'n'roll uniquely his own.