Nickel Creek breaking up, Chris Thile playing shows, album stream PLUS Strokes stuff

After honing his skills at numerous small Living Room shows over the past year, Chris Thile from Nickel Creek has graduated quickly to headliner of NYC’s much larger Bowery Ballroom (one of the best venues in the country according to David Bazan). That show is tonight (August 29, 2006), and its not yet sold out. Catch him now, or wait until March 17, 2007 when he plays CARNEGIE HALL (like Devendra).

Speaking of Nickel Creek…

Subject: Message From Nickel Creek

Dearest Listener,

After seven years of extensive touring in support of three records (seventeen years as a band), we’ve decided to take a break of indefinite length at the end of 2007 to preserve the environment we’ve sought so hard to create and to pursue other interests. It has been a pleasure to write, record, and perform for you through the years and we’d like to heartily thank you for your invaluable contribution to our musical lives.

Yours,

Nickel Creek
(Sean, Sara, and Chris)

Chris Thile covers Gillian Welch, The White Stripes and The Strokes on his new album called How to Grow a Woman from the Ground. Its streaming here (thx J).

The Strokes’ Albert Hammond Jr. has solo songs streaming at his MySpace too.

All Chris Thile tour dates below…

CHRIS THILE | TOUR DATES
Aug 29 2006 8:30P Bowery Ballroom New York, NY
Aug 30 2006 7:00P The Belcourt Theatre Nashville, TN
Aug 31 2006 9:00P The Fox Theatre Boulder, CO
Sep 12 2006 8:00P How To Grow A Woman From the Ground – RELEASE DATE New York, NY
Oct 19 2006 7:30P The Birchmere Alexandria, VA
Oct 20 2006 6:00P Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens Richmond, VA
Oct 22 2006 6:00P Mountain Stage – The Cultural Center Theatre Charleston, WV
Oct 23 2006 6:45P Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour – Kentucky Theatre Lexington, KY
Oct 25 2006 8:30P Music Mill Indianapolis, IN
Oct 27 2006 8:00P The Ark Ann Arbor, MI
Mar 17 2007 8:30P Zankel Hall – Carnegie Hall Complex – INTRODUCING THE TENSIONS MOUNTAIN BOYS New York, NY

PRESS RELEASE
CHRIS THILE, HOW TO GROW A WOMAN FROM THE GROUND
SEPTEMBER 12, 2006

“There are few musicians with as much talent and drive as CHRIS THILE.”-ACOUSTIC GUITAR

“THILE has both the chops and the vision to alter the landscape of his genre forever.”-USA TODAY

HOW TO GROW A WOMAN FROM THE GROUND is the sound of a brilliant musician stretching out to reach new things-but also returning to the source that originally inspired his amazing talents. In the process, CHRIS THILE gathered together some of the hottest young players out there-Chris Eldridge, Greg Garrison, Noam Pikelny, and Gabe Witcher-for a spirited run through tracks new and old.

For his latest album, HOW TO GROW A WOMAN FROM THE GROUND, THILE decided to record the project live to two-track tape in order capture the energy of bluegrass as it originally evolved. Little separation. Almost no compression. The communal feel of bluegrass that embodies raw energy and subtle harmonies expressing emotion without artifice.

In some ways HOW TO GROW A WOMAN FROM THE GROUND is a point of departure. A reconciliation of origin and experience. A musical exploration refreshed … and begun anew.

· Chris Thile is a member of the Grammy®-winning acoustic trio Nickel Creek, which has sold 1.5 million records and was named one of Time Magazine’s “Music Innovators for the New Millennium.”

· Includes songs by The White Stripes (“Dead Leaves And The Dirty Ground”), Gillian Welch (“Wayside/Back In”), Tom Brosseau (“How To Grow a Woman From the Ground”), Jimmie Rodgers (“Brakeman’s Blues”), The Strokes (“Heart in a Cage”), and more, including Chris Thile original songs and brilliant instrumentals-hearkening his landmark album NOT ALL WHO WANDER ARE LOST.

The Band

Chris Eldridge (a.k.a. Critter): guitar, vocals
Performed with Chris Thile, Tony Rice, Bill Keith, Emory Lester, The Seldom Scene, and many others.
Currently: The Infamous Stringdusters

Greg Garrison: bass, vocals
Toured with The Motet, the Matt Flinner Quartet, Drew Emmitt and Freedom Ride, and Speaking in Tongues.
Currently: Member of Leftover Salmon

Noam Pikelny: banjo, vocals
Former member of Leftover Salmon.
Currently: Solo artist, member of John Cowan’s touring band, and occasional member of Casey Driessen’s Colorfools

Gabe Witcher: Fiddle, vocals
Performed with Beck, Willie Nelson, and more. Played on recordings by Randy Newman, Sean Watkins, Lee Ann Womack, Lyle Lovett, Michelle Shocked, and more.
Currently: Member of Jerry Douglas’ touring band

TRACK LISTING
Watch ‘at Breakdown
Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground
Stay Away
O Santo De Polvora
Wayside/Back In Time
You’re an Angel, and I’m Gonna Cry
How To Grow a Woman From the Ground
The Beekeeper
If the Sea Was Whiskey
Brakeman’s Blues
Cazadero
Heart in a Cage
I’m Yours If You Want Me
The Eleventh Reel

Previously
Chris Thile playing 4 shows @ Living Room in May
Chris Thile of Nickel Creek & Friends, Living Room