Ticker: News Bits from Charleston’s Music Scene
Shovels and Rope Earn High Marks at American Songwriter
Not too long ago, it would have seemed silly to imagine Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent’s Shovels and Rope sandwiched between Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and Leonard Cohen on a national music publication’s best-of-the-year list, but damn if it didn’t happen this month. Released this summer via Dualtone Records, Shovels and Rope’s critically lauded studio album O’ Be Joyful landed on American Songwriter‘s Top 50 Albums of 2012 list. The magazine wrote that the duo “came out of left field with an entirely different breed of male-female interaction … instead of the graceful choreography of trading off between lead and supporting vocal roles, on O’ Be Joyful Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent tend to attack their robustly tuneful melodies and harmonies with equal and simultaneous force, coming off more as comrades than typical paramours.” Congrats to Cary Ann and Michael. Fans can’t wait to watch the forthcoming rockumentary The Ballad of Shovels and Rope (by the Moving Picture Boys), coming soon. Visit shovelsandrope.com for more.
Coker and Co. Halt Attack on Folly
Congrats to local musician Jefferson Coker and his bandmates for breaking up a violent attack that occurred on Folly Beach last weekend. Live 5 News’ Ray Rivera posted a story on Dec. 10 covering an altercation behind popular bar and restaurant Snapper Jack’s (10 Center Street), in which a man was assaulted by another man with a weapon (“either a tire iron or a blackjack,” according to the report). Coker and his band were performing at the venue that night. During their set break, they stepped out to the back porch, witnessed the assault, and chased after the attacker, who quickly drove away. The victim was treated at a local hospital.
Hall and Oates hit the PAC, Hall Aims for Charleston
A few tickets are still on sale for for $56 and $68 the big Daryl Hall and John Oates concert on Wed. Dec. 12 at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center. The soulful pop/rock act has been cranking out hits since the mid 1970s, including “She’s Gone,” ”Sara Smile,” “Rich Girl,” “Kiss on My List,” “Private Eyes,” “I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do),” “Maneater,” “Out of Touch,” and others. Hall’s latest project is a multi-award-winning monthly web series Live from Daryl’s House. Oates recently released a solo album titled Mississippi Mile. Hall’s latest solo disc is called Laughing Down Crying. The act’s new box set is titled Do What You Want, Be What You Are: The Music of Daryl Hall & John Oates.
According to a music feature by local freelancer and Metronome contributor Stratton Lawrence in last week’s Charleston Scene, Hall will likely be relocating to Charleston for an extended visit after the holidays. “I’m a big fan of antique architecture, and you’ve got a town full of it,” Hall told Lawrence in the piece. “I love coming down there, so I rented a house downtown. I’ll be out walking around. I’m going to be a resident.” Visit hallandoates.com for more info.
BB King (provided)
Big Shows at the PAC: Shimabukuro, BB King, Carrington
Speaking of the North Charleston Performing Arts Center, the venue recently announced three new concerts on its winter/spring schedule. Hawaiian ukulele player and vocalist Jake Shimabukuro will visit the PAC stage on Fri. March 1 in support of his latest album Grand Ukulele, a lavishly orchestrated collaboration with legendary producer/engineer Alan Parsons. Shimabukuro has headlined several big concerts in Charleston in recent years, including two sold-out shows at the College of Charleston’s Cistern during the Spoleto Festival U.S.A. Tickets for the PAC show go on sale for $42.50, $32.50, and $22.50 Fri. Dec. 14 at 10 p.m.
Blues/soul legend BB King is set to perform at the PAC at 8 p.m. on Tues. April 23. King, 87, last toured through the Lowcountry in 2009 when he visited Hilton Head Island. An insightful documentary about the singer/guitarist’s career titled BB King: The Life of Riley was released in October. Reserved seat tickets for $69 and $49 (plus applicable fees) are available now.
Fans of goofy country singer/comedian/actor Rodney Carrington will be excited to see him when he performs at the PAC on Sat. Feb. 9 at 8 p.m. Carrington is a fixture on syndicated radio program The Bob and Tom Show, broadcast locally on Q-104.5 FM. The Texas native has recorded eight top-selling comedy albums (two of which have been certified gold). His North American tour is titled “Laughter’s Good.” Tickets go on sale for $42.75 at 10 a.m. on Fri. Dec. 14.
All tickets are available at the PAC box office, Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 1-800-745-3000, and online at ticketmaster.com. Visit northcharlestoncoliseumpac.com for more.
Dusty Slay is Still the Champ
Local stand-up comedian Dusty Slay recently who won first place with the audience vote and judges’ vote on Dec. 1 in Charleston Comedy Festival Stand-Up Competition Finals at Theatre 99. It’s Slay’s second win in two years. Andrew Rider took second place and Lauren Krass won third. All three comics will performing at the Stand-Up Winners Showcase in the Charleston Comedy Festival at 8 p.m. on Fri. Jan. 18 at the Lighthouse at Shem Creek. The festival runs from Wed. Jan. 16 through Sat Jan. 19. A full schedule of sketch, improv, and stand-up shows is available at charlestoncomedyfestival.com.
Tarheel Christmas at the Pour House
Raleigh, N.C.-based bluegrass/Americana quartet Chatham County Line is in the holiday spirit. The dapper string/vocal group kicks off their 2012 Electric Holiday Tour in Charleston with a showcase at the Pour House at 8 p.m. on Thurs. Dec. 13. The band will open with a straightforward acoustic set before welcoming guest singer/guitarist Johnny Irion (bandmate of Sarah Lee Guthrie, formerly of Queen Sarah Saturday, Dillon Fence) drummer Zeke Hutchins (Tift Merritt, Sara Watkins, Hotel Lights), and singer/bassist Jay Brown (Tift Merritt, Stillhouse) to the stage for a full-band electric set of deep cuts, holiday faves, and unusual renditions. The tour continues through December in Georgia, Virginia, and the Carolinas. Visit chathamcountyline.com for more. Click the clip above for a sneak preview of the Electric Holiday show.
Lindsay Holler at the Tin Roof (photo by Ballard Lesemann)
‘Jinglebang’ Bash at the Tin Roof
Scheduled for Sun. Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m. at the Tin Roof, Jinglebang 2012 is local music holiday showcase organized by singer/songwriter Lindsay Holler. She’s stayed busy all year putting such gatherings together. This time around, the roster will feature the Silverbells, Aaron Firetag, Mackie Boles, Brad Edwardson, Jordan Igoe, Danny Infinger, Kevin Hanley & Laura Jane Vincent, Rachel Kate, Eric Rickert , Beattie Porter, Steel Petals, Scott Dence, Lindsay Holler, Clint4, the Fairy God Muthas, Maya Morrill, the Specs, the V-Tones, Livy Conner, and others performing classics and Christmas-themed originals. Check out reverbnation.com/venue/tinroofwashley for more.
Hearts & Plugs To Issue New Stuff From Brave Baby
Charleston’s Hearts & Plugs record label celebrates its fifth official release next month with pop/rock band Brave Baby’s (pictured up top) debut album Forty Bells. The 11-song collection is due on Tues. Jan. 15. Brave Baby (previously known as Wylie) is a synth-heavy pop project led by songwriter Keon Masters. Guitarist Jordan Hicks, bassist Christian Chedester, drummer Ryan Zimmerman (all three are also in Hearts & Plugs band Elim Bolt), and newly enlisted keyboardist Stephen Walker round out the Brave Baby lineup. The band tracked the jangly, melodic new tunes at Zimmerman’s home studio the Space earlier this year.
Elim Bolt and Brave Baby hit the road in mid-January as part of a Hearts & Plugs showcase tour through the Southeast and the Midwest in support of Forty Bells and Elim Bolt’s killer EP Nude South. Both bands plan to perform at a CD release show in town on Thurs. Jan. 17 at the Pour House with opening act Octopus Jones.
Brave Baby’s first single “Living in a Country” is available for free download here. Check out bravebabymusic.com, elimbolt.com, and heartsandplugs.com for more.
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About the Author
Ballard Lesemann is a musician and writer. Born and raised in Charleston, S.C., he spent years playing in bands and working for Flagpole Magazine in the bustling music town of Athens, Ga. He returned to his hometown and served more than seven years as the Charleston City Paper's music editor. He's better at drumming than he is at playing guitar.
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