Waylon (a fictional character played by Justin's dad)

Mr. [Justin Townes] Earle said he began using hard drugs at age 12, while sharing a house with his father, singer-songwriter Steve Earle, who's had his own bouts with addiction and jail time. Though he admitted he's reluctant to take his father's advice, Mr. Earle said they occasionally go to 12-step meetings together.

"It takes a lot for someone with the substance abuse issues I have to stay away from such things," said Mr. Earle, who added that he was consuming a half-gallon of vodka a day, cocktail by cocktail. "If you hang around the barber shop long enough, you're going to get a haircut. I'd just gotten to a point with my drinking that it required a medical detox. Alcoholics and junkies tend to become stupid when it comes to that. We need giant catastrophes to hip us to the fact that we're f----- up."

Back on his feet, Mr. Earle will embark from his East Village apartment on Thanksgiving for his first concerts since September, with shows in Nashville this weekend, followed by a Dec. 18 rain date at New York's Webster Hall. [Wall Street Journal]

Justin Townes Earle is out of rehab and ready to rembark on his rescheduled tour. Jessica Lea Mayfield opens the NYC show which is on sale.

Steve Earle opens for Levon Helm at Beacon Theater on 11/26.

All Justin dates below...

Continue reading "Justin Townes Earle talks about his addiction, embarking on rescheduled tour (dates) "

Justin Townes Earle @ Governors Island in August (more by Chris La Putt)

Justin Townes Earle has decided to suspend the remaining dates on his tour and enter a rehabilitation facility. Earle is strongly committed to confronting his on-going struggle with addiction and thanks his family, friends and fans for their continued support through this difficult time.

In regards to the misdemeanor charges recently filed in Indianapolis, Earle released the following statement earlier this week: "Unfortunately, reports surfacing online about the incident in Indianapolis are not accurate. I have been advised by counsel that I should not comment on a pending criminal matter, but suffice to say that I am looking forward to having my day in court. I would also like to say that I oppose violence against women in any form."

Earle looks forward to resuming the tour in support of his critically-acclaimed third album, Harlem River Blues, on independent record label Bloodshot Records. The album enters this week at #47 on the Top 200 in overall Soundscan.

The postponed dates include October 19th at Webster Hall in NYC (which also happened to be part of CMJ). Jessica Lea Mayfield and The Sadies were set to open that show, and Bowery Presents says "Refunds are available at point of purchase if requested, but a new date will be announced shortly and all tickets will be honored. We apologize for any inconvenience." All postponed dates below...

Continue reading "Justin Townes Earle postpones tour, enters rehab "

DOWNLOAD: Justin Townes Earle - Harlem River Blues (MP3)

Justin Townes Earle @ Governors Island Sunday (more by Chris La Putt)

Now that Justin Townes Earle played his show on Governors Island, a hole in his schedule has been filled. He and Jessica Lea Mayfield will play Webster Hall in NYC on October 19th. Tickets go on AmEx presale Wednesday and then general sale Friday at noon.

Grab the title track from Justin's new record, Harlem River Blues (out September 14th on Bloodshot Records), above. More dates HERE.

Dan Auerbach @ Bowery Ballroom 3/3 (more by Toby Tenenbaum)

Dan Auerbach's Black Keys partner Patrick Carney has a tour and album on the way with his new side project Drummer. Auerbach will continue his own solo expoits (behind his debut, Keep it Hid) when he heads out on the road again this November and December.

That tour will take him to NYC for a show at Webster Hall on Wednesday, November 11th. Jessica Lea Mayfield opens. Tickets go on AmEx presale today at noon. General sale starts Friday, July 17th at noon.

The singer will also be at Lollapalooza on August 9th and Austin City Limits Fest in October.

Two videos of Auerbach live at Rolling Stone, with all tour dates, below...

Continue reading "Dan Auerbach (Black Keys) - 2009 tour dates (Webster Hall)"

DOWNLOAD: Annuals on AOL's The Interface (Jan 9, 2009) (MP3)

"Since we first welcomed Annuals on the [AOL] Interface in 2006, a lot has changed. For starters, most of the members are able to legally enter the 21+ venues that they play in. Still, while their sound has also matured, the band's inspirations remain the same, particularly when it comes to visuals. "It comes from these fantasy books that I've been reading since I was twelve or thirteen by Terry Goodkind," keyboardist Anna Spence tells Spinner. "He's really awesome. We always wanted to be animated 'cause we're really bad actors. We're not good in videos."

The North Carolina sextet has been touring relentlessly behind their latest album, 'Such Fun,' but stopped long enough to unload their equipment into our Los Angeles studio, replete with two drum sets and four percussionists, for some drum-laden chaos." [Spinner]

Annuals are on tour now and hit Bowery Ballroom in NYC TONIGHT (January 28) with Jessica Lee Mayfield and What Laura Says. All dates below...

Continue reading "Annuals - 2009 Tour Dates (NYC tonight), Spinner podcast"

photos by Tim Griffin

DeVotchKa @ Webster Hall - January 24, 2009

1. Death Cab For Cutie - "Love Song" (Cure cover)
2. Katy Perry - "Black And Gold" (Sam Sparro cover)
3. DeVotchKa - "Hot Burrito #1" (Flying Burrito Brothers cover)
4. Department Of Eagles - "Love Me" (Elvis Presley cover)
5. Jessica Lea Mayfield - "Words Of Love" (Buddy Holly cover)
6. Ben Bridwell - "Your Love Is Forever" (George Harrison cover)
7. Kate Tucker - "I'm On Fire" (Bruce Springsteen cover)
8. Rogue Wave - "Maps" (Yeah Yeah Yeahs cover)
9. A.C. Newman - "Take On Me" (a-ha cover)
10. Jem - "Yellow" (Coldplay cover)
11. Richard Hawley - "Early Morning Rain" (Gordon Lightfoot cover)
12. Daniel Martin Moore - "I Hear Music" (Billie Holiday cover)
13. She & Him - "I Put A Spell On You" (Screamin' Jay Hawkins cover)
14. Lila Downs - "My One And Only Love" (Frank Sinatra cover)

The above cover art and tracklist is from the previously-mentioned Starbucks Sweetheart CD they're putting out this year for Valentine's Day.

The makers of track #3, DeVotchKa, recently announced some dates with Les Clapool, played an NPR-streamable show in Philly on Friday, and played Webster Hall in NYC one night later (1/24). More pictures from that show below...

Continue reading "Devotchka - Webster Hall pics, an NPR Philly show stream & the Starbucks Sweetheart CD tracklist"