Submit to the Couch! #CXCW '14

CXCW is an annual online music festival that is for everyone. No badges, lanyards, bracelets, parking fees, ticket lines, exclusive parties, VIP tents, porta-potties, babysitters, dogsitters, expensive beer prices, or crappy hotel rooms…just the sweet comfort of your own couch. Here’s how it works, artists and bands from all over the globe record a video performance for us from their living rooms, kitchens, porches, bathrooms, you name it…pretty much anywhere but a stage…and are posted during the week of the festival.

This year's Couch By Couchwest dates are March 9th through March 15th

Musicians: Please upload your unique to CXCW 2014 video (i.e. for the CXCW festival) to YouTube or Vimeo and send the link to us via the below form or to cxcwest at gmail dot com. (Think of this video as your performance for the Couch by Couchwest audience.) For video and photo submissions, please see the Submissions page.

• Videos do not have to be recorded on a couch, but they should be recorded essentially anywhere but a stage (we strongly encourage creativity). See these videos from CXCW 2012 for examples.
• Submitted videos should be unique (i.e. for the CXCW audience). Please do not send us promos, EPK’s, live concert footage, music videos, slideshows, etc…
• Low-budget iPhone videos are absolutely acceptable, in fact, they are encouraged.
• For the love of god, no lip syncing.
• You may do more than one video, but if we run out of time we may post both videos at the same time, or post only one. Your best bet is to do one kick-ass video that knocks our socks off!
• Please tag your video with “CXCW2014″ so that we may keep track of it on our YouTube channel (if you use Vimeo or some other service, please do the same).
• Also please include where you are from and any links you wish us to use (website, facebook, twitter, etc…) so that we may point our readers to you.
• We love all types of music and will try to post everything (unless overly offensive of course…i.e. Nickleback covers). Only Darius Rucker* is allowed to send in a video of “Wagon Wheel.”

*The Darius Rucker “Wagon Wheel” provision was enacted in 2012 well before his version was even recorded, and quite frankly, we are amazed and sickened at the power we wield. Proof. This provision still stands and is henceforth known as the Darius Rucker Wagon Wheel Provision of 2012.

Those in the crowd: we want to see how you spend the CXCW festival! Send us pics of your CXCW festivities, recipes, haikus, pet photos, avant garde performance art, kegerator, moonshine still, etc… via cxcwest at gmail dot com.

PRESS

2013

News
USA Today (US National)
The Aquarian Weekly (New York/New Jersey)
Impose Magazine (Brooklyn)
Examiner (National)

Blogs/Webzines
One Cord to Another (Finland)
Beat Surrender (England)
Buster Fayte’s Rockabilly Romp (Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin)
Because Whit Happens (Nashville, Tennessee)
The Spill (UK)
Cincy Groove (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Bucket Full of Nails
Country Fried Rock (Florence, South Carolina)
WJSG Internet Radio blog (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
Review Stalker (New Brunswick, New Jersey)
Ear To The Ground (Nashville, Tennessee)

PRESS

2012

News
USA Today (US national)
Digital Music News (US national)
Hypebot.com (US national)
No Depression (US national)
MTVhive.com (US national)
Folk Alley (US national)
Alan Cross (Canada national)
Humber College Newspaper (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
NBC33 WVLA (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
Albany2Cents (Albany, New York)
Roanoke Times (Roanoke, Virginia)
Fox 44 (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
Real Gone Rocks (New York, New York)

Blogs/Webzines
Nine Bullets (Tampa, Florida)
Twang Nation (San Francisco, California)
Beat Surrender (England)
Moon Runners (Southern US)
One Cord to Another (Finland)
Grass Clippings (New York, New York)
Captains Dead (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
Pete Hates Music (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
This is Our Jam (Washington, D.C.)
My Aimz is True (Boston, Massachusetts)
Cover Lay Down (Western Massachusetts)
My Music Thing (Washington, D.C.)
Popa’s Tunes (New York/New Jersey)
Troubador Beat (Los Angeles, California?)
Rawhide and Velvet (Texas)

Contact us at cxcwest@gmail.comVisit the CXCW Archives for a list of past performers, and highlights from previous year’s CXCW festivals.

Visit our Youtube channel for videos from past CXCW fests

On Twitter, Facebook and Instagram

Text: 240-CXCWEST (240-292-9378)

The Lonely Wild - Winter's End Tour w/ The Apache Relay

 

The Lonely Wild are Andrew Schneider, Andrew Carroll, Dave Farina, Jessi Williams and Ryan Ross  their debut LP, The Sun As It Comes, Released last April via the band’s own Ursa Major Recordings. Combining male/female vocal harmonies, poignant lyrics, Americana twang with a flash of Ennio Morricone an unbridled gallop across musical plains. Join the mailing list for a free download of "Buried In the Murder" Watch their recent session with Relix Magazine 

Winter tour dates with The Apache Relay

Feb 19 2014	Zanzabar, Louisville, KY	Tickets
Feb 20 2014	The Bishop, Bloomington, IN	Tickets
Feb 21 2014	Do317 Lounge, Indianapolis, IN	Tickets
Feb 22 2014	Bottom Lounge, Chicago, IL	Tickets
Feb 23 2014	Highdive, Champaign, IL	Tickets
Feb 24 2014	The Ark, Ann Arbor, MI	Tickets
Feb 27 2014	The Frequency, Madison, WI	Tickets
Feb 28 2014	The Turf Club, Saint Paul, MN	Tickets
Mar 1 2014	Maintenance Shop, Ames, IA	Tickets
Mar 4 2014	The Rozz-Tox, Rock Island, IL	Tickets
Mar 5 2014	Mojo’s, Columbia, MO	Tickets
Mar 6 2014	Old Rock House, St. Louis, MO	Tickets
Mar 7 2014	Czar Bar, Kansas City, MO	Tickets
Mar 8 2014	The Conservatory, Oklahoma City, OK	Tickets
JUST ANNOUNCED WEST COAST DATES
Mar 20 2014	The Roxy Theatre, Los Angeles, CA	Tickets
Mar 21 2014	Don Quixote's, Felton, CA	Tickets
Mar 23 2014	Hopmonk Tavern, Novato, CA	Tickets
Mar 25 2014	Lola's Room, Portland, OR	Tickets
Mar 26 2014	Tractor Tavern, Seattle, WA	Tickets
Mar 27 2014	Cozmic, Eugene, OR	Tickets
Mar 28 2014	Howiee's, Medford, OR	Free Show
Mar 29 2014	The Chapel, San Francisco, CA	Tickets

"We're pleased to release our first full-length album, The Sun As It Comes, in multiple physical and digital formats for your musical consumption. This album was a true labor of love for us, completely independently recorded and produced. By purchasing it today, you help us to continue to do what we love to do. And while we greatly appreciate your financial support, our ultimate goal is to get our music in as many ears as possible. So please spread the word and share these songs with everyone you know. Thanks for keeping independent music alive!"

Graciously,
The Lonely Wild
credits
Released 02 April 2013

The Westies - West Side Stories

The Westies independently released an EP, West Side Stories, in October 2013 along with a series of music videos that were made entirely on iPhones. The EP serves as an introduction leading in to the release of their debut album in April 2014.
The album is a song cycle inspired by the real life Westies – a ruthless gang of Irish mob punks that ruled Hell’s Kitchen in the ‘60’s. The gangsters serve as a metaphor for the dark side that lurks inside of all of us…the unexplained forces that cause internal struggles, destroy relationships and leave us clinging to love as just a memory.

“I write what I know, and much of what I know, isn't pretty,” Drawing from his personal life experiences, songwriter and front man Michael McDermott continues, “All I ever wanted to do was write songs and tell stories, like my grandparents and parents did from a long Irish lineage. With that lineage came a proclivity for drink, for mayhem, and a wee bit of crime.”

Download: Hell's Kitchen.mp3

With a nod of comparison to the Westies gang, Chicago’s OnTour webzine describes the “musical” Westies as, “a group of hardened individuals …their intentions entirely more pure…manage to sink into the ever-dark, tragic, and romantic notions that result in a poetic allure…through music this time.” Along with McDermott on vocals and guitars, The Westies are Mrs. McDermott, Heather Horton (Fiddle, Vocals), and a collective of band mates that include: John Pirruccelo (Pedal, Lap, Mandolin, Guitars), Robert Dicke (Drums), Dan Ingenthron (Bass, Keys), Chris Merrill (Bass), and Danny Mitchell (Piano).


The Westies kick off their schedule of 2014 tour dates with a performance on 93XRT’s New Year’s Eve at the Copernicus Center, sharing the evening with The BoDeans. Along with The Westies, McDermott will continue to perform solo, duo and with his two other bands.

Tour Dates
Feb 4 – Pittsburgh, Club Café, Westies
Feb 5 - Asbury Park The Saint, Westies
Feb 6 - New York City, Rockwood Music Hall, Westies
Feb 7 - Philadelphia, Tin Angel, Westies
Feb 8 - Cambridge, MA, Atwoods, Westies
Mar 6 - Memphis, Hi Tone Café, Westies

Stream> Woodman's Debut Sonicdelic Self-Titled LP

Denver's Psych Trio Woodsman first LP album drops Febuary 4th, but you can stream and purchase now to ensure it gets to your door first. Put the headphones on and get your freak on with these sonic excursions of Psychedelic sounds.
Tracklist:
1. Pre 00:31
2. Gravelines 04:39
3. In The End, Remember When? 03:48
4. Healthy Life 05:21
5. Rune 03:16
6. Loose Leaf 06:09
7. Obsidian 03:25
8. All Tangled Up 05:17
9. Teleseparation 05:02

Tour Dates:
Jan 29 Rancho Relaxo Toronto, Canada
Jan 30 MOTR PubCincinnati, OH Free
Jan 31 The Burlington Chicago, IL
Feb 01 Der Rathskeller @ UW Madison, WI
Feb 02 Trumpet Blossom Iowa City, IA
Feb 03 7th St. Entry Minneapolis, MN
Feb 04 Quarters w/ MOSS FOLK Milwaukee, WI
Feb 05 Happy Dog Cleveland, OH
Feb 06 Smiling Moose Pittsburgh, PA
Feb 07 Kung Fu Necktie w/ Lantern Philadelphia, PA
Feb 08 Death By Audio w/ White Bike, Shorts Brooklyn, NY

Download Lydia Loveless 'Really Wanna See You' from Somewhere Else – Release date: 2/18/14

Writing from a new-found place of conviction, Lydia Loveless crafted 10 songs that are stark in their honesty, self-examination, and openness. Without ditching the ribald, spit-in-your-eye attitude of her previous recordings, Loveless travels into some parallel-universe, roots-born Exile In Guyville territory. These are songs that find her asserting stylistic choices, while baring themes of insatiable desire, unrequited emotion, and mistake-making on life's crooked, fucked up path.

Recorded at Sonic Lounge in her hometown Columbus, OH, Somewhere Else is more elemental than any of Loveless’ previous material; it’s about longing for the other - whether that’s something emotional, physical, or mental.

SPIN has already covered Lydia in advance of the album (as one of the 5 Best New Artists of January, on their 50 Albums to Hear in 2014, and in a This Is Happening feature) and ELLE.com just premiered a new track “Head.”

NEW ALBUM 'SOMEWHERE ELSE' OUT FEBRUARY 18TH ON BLOODSHOT RECORDS (PRE-ORDER)

Download 'Really Wanna See You'

Tour Dates:

03.01.14 OH Columbus Rumba Cafe

03.05.14 MO St Louis Off Broadway

03.06.14 MO Kansas City Czar Bar

03.07.14 MO Columbia Blue Note

03.08.14 OK Tulsa Mercury Lounge

03.20.14 CA San Diego Seven Grand

03.21.14 CA Los Angeles The Satellite

03.22.14 CA Ventura Ventura Fairgrounds

03.25.14 NV Las Vegas The Hideaway

03.26.14 CA Fullerton Slidebar

03.27.14 CA Modesto The Brewhouse

03.28.14 CA San Francisco Thee Parkside

03.29.14 CA Mammoth Underground Lounge

04.02.14 OR Portland Doug Fir Lounge

04.03.14 OR Eugene Sam Bond's Garage

04.04.14 WA Seattle Tractor Tavern

04.05.14 WA Bellingham The Green Frog

04.08.14 ID Boise Neurolux

04.09.14 UT Salt Lake City Garage on Beck

04.10.14 CO Denver Hi-Dive

04.19.14 AL Waverly Standard Deluxe

04.23.14 WI Madison High Noon Saloon

04.24.14 MN Minneapolis 7th St Entry

04.26.14 IN Indianapolis Do317 Lounge

08.31.14 TN Cookeville Muddy Roots Festival

Download Scott H. Biram Slow & Easy from Nothin’ But Blood – Release date: 2/4/14

On Scott H. Biram's ninth album (and fifth for Bloodshot Records) ‘blood’ is many, often inherently contradictory, themes: life, death, suffering, evil, commitment, legacy, atonement. Throughout Nothin’ But Blood, recorded at Biram’s home studio and Cacophony Studios in Austin, TX, SHB’s distinct songwriting style encompasses his penchant for sludge metal and palm muting (“Around the Bend”), the raw sucker punch of punk rock (“Only Whiskey”), profound truths of sentimental acoustic blues and country (“Never Comin’ Home”), the cleansing powers of gospel hymns and spiritual ballads (“When I Die”), and folk tales from the early 20th century (there has never been a more beautifully creepy and morosely slinky take on “Jack of Diamonds”).
Download

Scott H. Biram – Nothin’ But Blood – Release date: 2/4/14 on Bloodshot Records

Pre- Order

Scott H. Biram US Tour Dates with with Larry and His Flask and Whiskey Shakes

Friday February 28 @ Three Kings - Denver, CO – NO LAHF

Saturday March 01 @ The Garage - Salt Lake City, UT – NO LAHF

Sunday March 2 @ Mangy Moose Saloon – Jackson Hole, WY – NO LAHF

Monday March 3 – OFF

Tuesday March 4 @ Neurolux – Boise, ID

Wednesday March 5 – OFF

Thursday March 6 @ Tractor Tavern – Seattle, WA

Friday March 7 - OFF

Saturday March 8 @ Hawthorne Theater – Portland, OR

Sunday March 9 – OFF

Monday March 10 @ Harlows – Sacramento, CA

Tuesday March 11 @ Rickshaw Stop – San Francisco, CA

Wednesday March 12 @ The Catalyst Atrium – Santa Cruz, CA ***TENTATIVE***

Thursday March 13 @ The Echo – Los Angeles, CA

Friday March 14 @ The Casbah, San Diego, Ca

Saturday March 15@ The Crescent Ballroom – Phoenix, AZ

Sunday March 16 – OFF

Monday March 17 – OFF

Tuesday March 18 – OFF

Wednesday March 19 @ Red 7 (inside) – Austin, TX

Thursday March 20 @ Continental – Houston, TX

Friday March 21 @ Gas Monkey Bar & Grill – Dallas, TX

Saturday March 22 @ The Lizard Lounge – Wichita, KS

Sunday March 23 @ Off Broadway – St. Louis, MO

Monday March 24 – OFF

Tuesday March 25 @ The Brass Rail – Fort Wayne, IN

Wednesday March 26 @ Grop Shop – Cleveland, OH

Thursday March 27 @ Reggie’s – Chicago, IL

Friday March 28 @ The Frequency – Madison, WI

Saturday March 29 @ Triple Rock – Minneapolis, MN

Sunday March 30 – OFF

Monday March 31 @ Bourbon Theatre – Lincoln, NE

Tuesday April 1 @ Mercury Lounge – Tulsa, OK

Those Darlins Announce Tour Dates

Those Darlins Tour Dates 

With Bully

1/29 – New Orleans, LA @ Gasa Gasa *Tickets*
1/30 – Houston, TX @ Fitzgerald's *Tickets*
1/31 – Dallas, TX @ Club Dada *Tickets*
2/01 – Little Rock, AR @ Sticky'z *Tickets*


With Diarrhea Planet

2/14 – Raleigh, NC @ Kings *Tickets*
2/15 – Washington, DC @ The Rock & Roll Hotel *Tickets*
2/16 – Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg *Tickets*
2/18 – Philadelphia, PA @ Boot & Saddle *Tickets*
2/19 – Pittsburgh, PA @ The Brillobox *Tickets*
2/20 – Columbus, OH @ The Rumba Café *Tickets*
2/21 – Bloomington, IN @ The Bishop *Tickets*
2/22 – St. Louis, MO @ Off Broadway *Tickets*

GET THE NEW ALBUM HERE: THOSE DARLINS / BLUR THE LINE

Get 'In The Wilderness' Download

Deer Lodge Records: A Tribute to George Jones Compilation

What we have here is a Possum stew, spicy, hearty, flavorful, and thick with gristle and fatback as an assortment of bands/artists offer their interpretations of George Jones songs proving how far his influence goes.

Country music legend George Jones tribute, Deer Lodge: A Tribute to George Jones, released on Portland, OR-based indie label Deer Lodge Records

Country music legend George Jones (aka "The Possum"), a man credited with having the finest voice in the recorded history of country music, passed away on April 26, 2013, following being hospitalized earlier that month for a fever and irregular blood pressure.

In honor of the man who started out as a hardcore honky tonker in the tradition of Hank Williams but, over the course of his career, developed an affecting, nuanced ballad style, Portland, Oregon-based independent record label Deer Lodge Records put together a two-CD, thirty-track collection of songs from artists across the West Coast, paying homage to "The Possum."

Produced by Deer Lodge's Ezra Meredith and Bert Sperling, the album spans the gamut from punk, bluegrass, post-modern pop, and even reggae, putting Jones' songs in a different light while giving them praise.

"It's always interesting to have a framework to start with, to take someone else's song and make it your own," says Brush Prairie's Zia McCabe, who's band covered "Tennessee Whiskey."

"Tribute albums do just that by honoring another artist through an original version of their song," she continues.  "It's been great getting to know Bert Sperling through this process.  I know I've made a lifelong friend and I look forward to working on more projects with him."

On choosing "Tennessee Whiskey," McCabe admits she hadn't heard the song prior, but really liked the lyrics.

"I chose 'Tennessee Whiskey' based on the lyrics - it wasn't a song I was familiar with - without listening to the original track.  Once I related to the lyrics, then I gave the song a listen.  I believe this helped me deliver a performance that was genuine."

When asked why Deer Lodge decided to do a tribute to George Jones, Deer Lodge Studios owner and co-producer Ezra Meredith quickly states, "he's the greatest singer of all time."

"George Jones is a lifelong hero of mine, as well as one of the best singers of all-time in any genre," adds Sperling.

The process for picking the bands on the tribute album, which includes heavy Northwest hitters including Sassparilla, Fernando, Water Tower, Drunken Prayer, Lewi Longmire & Portland Country Underground, Hearts of Oak, and Meredith Brothers, to name a few, started with Sperling and Meredith picking artists they knew and respected, then they "reached out to some personal heroes of mine and artists that I'd always wanted to work with," says Sperling.

Furthering that, Meredith states, "I got all the bands that have put out albums on the Deer Lodge label over the years to contribute (Drunken Prayer, Hearts of Oak, Gabe Rozzell, Drugstore Cowboy, NoPoMoJo, and my band Meredith Brothers), and then asked a few friends like Erik Clampitt (Hook & Anchor) & W.C. Beck to do a song.  Also, I had a few people email me about getting on it."

Of the tribute album, Clampitt states, "Nick Tosches hit the nail on the head when he wrote that George Jones was 'a singer from whose invisible depths torrents of perception and emotion emerge with impossible eloquence.'  Jones' voice erases the distance between the singer and the listener, makes you forget that you dropped the needle, pushed the play button.  We chose 'We're Gonna Hold On' to pay tribute to George's legendary duet work with Tammy Wynette, and have had a great time working with Deer Lodge Records.  Their dedication to the project and love for the music rings through the album."

Not only did Deer Lodge Records get to work with bands they admire, while paying homage to one of their favorite musicians of all-time, they also got a valuable and rewarding experience working with new acts in this capacity.

"The experience was one of the most rewarding and transcendent of my life," says Sperling.  "All the artists brought their A-game to their interpretations.  This is a project I will be proud to look back on forever.  Working with Shawn Smith has been a lifelong dream for me.  And, I met Zia McCabe from Brush Prairie, whose voice is beautiful and whom I can't wait to work with again.  Water Tower is a fun and youthful talent, and meeting locals Fernando and Catherine Feeny, who are sublime vocalists, was also wonderful.  I also met The Wellspring through this tribute - I love their harmonies and their track just blew me away."

Adding to that, Meredith says, "it was kind of strange having a new band come in to my studio every day or so.  It's hard to develop a consistent work flow.  Overall, it went pretty smoothly and everyone was happy."

The end result is something Sperling and Meredith are very proud of, something they are happy to stamp the Deer Lodge name all over.

"It came out better than I ever could have dreamed," beams Sperling.  "It started out as a small seed of an idea as a single disc tribute with close friends, and swelled to a 30-track double album with some of the best talent out there.  I'm still in shock at how much heart and soul these artists put into their submissions, and how quickly they were able to work.  It has filled me with faith in the positive nature of the world, and has made me believe in the power of being optimistic and listening to the small voice in your head that encourages you to dream."

A must have for George Jones fans, the album will also find new converts to the world of Jones, with each band bringing their own, unique style to Jones' classics, making those unfamiliar with Jones' work want to go and listen after hearing a stunning re-make.

Order the Deer Lodge George Jones tribute album now! $15 + shipping. This is a 30 track double album folks! Featuring: Fernando, Sassparilla, W.C. Beck, Drunken Prayer, Shawn Smith, Water Tower, Lewi Longmire & The Portland Country Underground, The Tumblers, Countryside Ride, Copper & Coal, Hearts of Oak & more!!!

Track Listing:

Disc 1:

1. White Lightning - Sassparilla
2. She Thinks I Still Care - The Wellspring
3. Still Doing Time - Lewi Longmire & Portland Country Underground
4. The Race Is On - Water Tower
5. When the Grass Grows over Me - Tyler Stenson
6. Walk Through This World with Me - Copper & Coal
7. The Grand Tour - Keeter & Ali
8. Selfishness in Man - Drunken Prayer
9. Seasons of My Heart - The Tumblers
10. He Stopped Loving Her Today - Stephanie Lynn
11. Tennessee Whiskey - Brush Prairie
12. Finally Friday - Honky Tonk Union
13. I Always Get Lucky with You - Hank Sinatra
14. The Ghost of Another Man - Shawn Smith
15. Where the Soul Never Dies - Brandon Schott w/ Andy Reed

Disc 2:

1. Wings of a Dove - Fernando
2. We're Gonna Hold On - Hook & Anchor
3. The Battle - Meredith Brothers
4. If You Couldn't Get the Picture - Bert Sperling
5. Must've Been Drunk - Hearts of Oak
6. Golden Ring - Neon Renaissance
7. The Door - Owen Grace
8. I Just Don't Give a Damn - Gabe Rozzell
9. Choices - NoPoMoJo
10. Bartender Blues - Countryside Ride
11. If I Don't Love You (Grits Ain't Groceries) - Bad Assets
12. Milwaukee, Here I Come - The Rocky Butte Wranglers
13. Her Name Is... - Drugstore Cowboy
14. Too Much Water - The Fall To Pieces
15. Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes - W.C. Beck