Rachel Unthank and the Winterset Nominated for Mercury Prize

Rachel Unthank & The Winterset have been nominated for the prestigious Mercury Prize - for best United Kingdom album. Rachel will make her North American touring debut this September in support of her critically lauded 'The Bairns' cd (Real World/Ryko), described as "a bewitching, dream-like, down-to-earth masterpiece" in the Observer Music Magazine's Top 50 Albums of the 2007




Samantha Crain joins Concerted Efforts

Selected by Paste Magazine as one of the "Best of What's Next" in its September issue comes the news that Samantha Crain has been added to The Hotel Cafe tour with Ingrid Michaelson, Rachel Yamagata and more.

Samantha recently released her debut EP on Ramseur Records (home of Avett Bros.), and is currently recording her debut full length cd with Danny Kadar (My Morning Jacket, Wilco, Chris Whitley).

Rounder Records to Release The Best of Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys

20 Years of Great Cajun Music! Matching their uncompromising respect for tradition with a forward-looking vision, Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys have set the standard for modern Cajun music. Their musicianship, songwriting skills, harmony vocals and irresistible grooves mark them as one of the best bands to come out of South Louisiana. This 2 CD set collects the best of their recordings, along with three exciting new songs.

"They get their kicks doing the real thing really well. They’ve become addicted to excellence, and we get to listen." – Barry Jean Ancelet

Holmes Brothers and Irma Thomas Win 2008 Blues Awards

The 2008 Blues Music Awards were announced in the Mississippi Delta on Thursday, May 8.

The Holmes Brothers won Soul Blues Album of the Year with State of Grace.

Irma Thomas took home Soul Blues Female Artist of the Year.

For more information, click here.

Juliana Hatfield Releases How to Walk Away

Juliana Hatfield will release How To Walk Away on August 19th on Hatfield’s own label, Ye Olde Records (distributed via Redeye).

Produced by Andy Chase (of revered alt-rock/pop band Ivy) and recorded at Stratosphere Sound, the NYC studio co-owned by Chase, Adam Schlesinger (Fountains Of Wayne) and James Iha (formerly of Smashing Pumpkins), How To Walk Away features guests Richard Butler (Psychedelic Furs) and Matthew Caws (Nada Surf) on vocals, Jody Porter (Fountains of Wayne) on guitar, Tracy Bonham (violin) and more.

Toumani Diabate Release the Mandé Variations (World Circuit)

"The Mandé Variations" is the work of a modern virtuoso rethinking an age-old instrument."
- Jon Pareles, The New York Times

The Malian kora master releases his first solo album in 20 years. Featuring visionary interpretations of classic themes alongside ground-breaking improvised pieces, 'The Mandé Variations' is probably the most ambitious and challenging African instrumental album yet released. It is at once the definitive statement on where the kora is today and simply one of the most beautiful and melodically accessible albums you will hear this year. An important album for Africa, an important album for the world.