Surround Sounds

Clay Parker to release Any Old Time

Justin McGowan — Thu, 23 May 2013 08:52:00 EST

Thibodaux native and current Baton Rouge resident Clay Parker recently finished a new record entitled Any Old Time, and is celebrating its release with two local shows which are being billed as The Levee Road Revue.The shows will feature Parker himself sharing the new material with a host of friends who lent their talents to his album. Parker's previous effort, 2011's The Wind and The Warble, showcased his ability to craft beautifully simple but engaging narratives built from the stuff of country and folk legends. His songs sound like the sum of a lifetime spent walking lonely back roads with a crooked woman in mind. Astride his folk leanings, Parker's songs also harken back to the golden era of country music when singers delivered meaningful stories embellished only with workingman's poetics, before trifling songs about trucks and cold beer came to dominate the airwaves.First and foremost, Parker is an outstanding writer, one who also happens to be a first-rate guitar picker whose croon is natural and controlled. Parker is a model of efficiency in terms of song craft and performance; no single note or word is wasted or misplaced. Best of all, he manages to deliver the genuine emotion and sentiment found in some of those classic country standards, but with none of the contrived twang or labored swagger we have come to expect from those who endeavor to try.These upcoming shows will feature a robust lineup of supporting acts from the thriving local Roots and Americana scene, including Denton Hatcher & the Soapbox Blues, Ryan Harris & Co., Flatbed Honeymoon, Ms. Emily & The Collard Greens, Barrett Black, Martin Flanagan, and other special guests. The Levee Road Revue rolls through Chelsea's Caf� on Friday, May 24, and Mud & Water Saturday, June 1.

Photo courtesy of Allie Stevens.Check out a live performance below:

David Bazan house show

Justin McGowan — Wed, 08 May 2013 09:48:00 EST

Singer-songwriter David Bazan has done anything but take the easy road during his music career. As the creative force behind Seattle-based Pedro the Lion, Bazan won over legions of fans with cleverly constructed, and undeniably catchy songs with a socio-religious bent. Bazan wrote every song and played almost every instrument on the band's first two LP's.When Pedro The Lion disbanded in 2006, Bazan began a solo career in which he has continued exploring some of the same political and theological narratives that were at the heart of his early songwriting, albeit with some very different and constantly evolving views on these subjects. Many of Bazan's songs explore themes of morality and good versus evil, and how those ideas apply to personal politics and religion.While these may seem like heavy ideas to try and tackle with only a guitar, a few words, and less than five minutes time, there are none better than Bazan at cutting to the heart of these issues in a way that is accessible, incisive, non-pretentious, and most of all, hugely entertaining. Aside from his razor-sharp wit and intelligence as a writer and scientific precision as an arranger, Bazan is one of the most compelling solo performers I have ever seen. He has an immense voice that immediately commands attention, but is also capable at times of a sweetness and clarity at lower volumes that is seldom seen in songwriter circles. He sings with a conviction and passion that is simply mesmerizing and wills listeners to immerse themselves in a given song's content with zero effort or labor whatsoever.While he could easily fill much larger venues on tour, Bazan prefers the intimacy and immediacy of small house concerts, where he feels (and I agree) that his songs are most potent and available to interested and focused audiences. I strongly urge anyone with even a passing interest in the either the craft of songwriting or the human condition in general to go see this very exclusive show at an undisclosed location. Very few tickets remain, so act as quickly as possible at the link given below. I guarantee you will wonder how you were ever so lucky as to witness such a huge talent, in such close proximity, and in so small a room.David Bazan House Concert, Friday, May 10. To purchase tickets and get the show's location, click here.

Duke Bardwell: The Duke and The King Screening and Performance

Justin McGowan — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:35:00 EST

The Manship Theatre is hosting a unique performance and film screening this Thursday night. The film, a full-length documentary titled The Duke and The King, chronicles the life and times of Baton Rouge native Duke Bardwell. Bardwell was a promising musical talent growing up in Baton Rouge, and received the break of a lifetime when he had the opportunity to meet his idol Elvis Presley, for whom Bardwell then became the regular touring bass player. The documentary chronicles Duke's individual talents, which many believe were substantial enough to propel him to great success as a solo writer and performer, and how his individual ability and aspirations were hampered by becoming an important cog in the support machinery of his hero. The film provides an interesting glimpse into the remarkable story of a local whose life became inextricably linked to one of the most iconic figures in the history of music. Screening of the film will be immediately preceded by a live performance by Bardwell, who after all these years still possesses in droves the musical gifts that once had him on track for solo stardom and seized the attention of the King of Rock n' Roll."The Duke and The King" Screening ft. Live Music by Duke Bardwell, Manship Theatre, Thursday May 2 @ 7PM. For further information or to purchase tickets, click here.