Tinariwen Kick Off U.S. Tour in April

Possibly the world’s favorite African band, Tinariwen return to the U.S. after a long desert hiatus and fresh off a UK tour with folk/electronic group Tunng. With a new concert dvd entitled Live in London (World Village 458086), Tinariwen’s mesmerizing live show is infamous among both world music and rock fans alike, as the group’s music and fascinating story have captured imaginations across genres. Once actual warriors in the heavily turbulent homeland of the taureg – nomads in the southern Sahara – the members of Tinariwen first turned to music as a more profound weapon in 1982, but remained underground until 1999 when the group moved to Bamako, the capital of Mali. Tinariwen have since become a symbol for the plight of the taureg, a people plagued by ethnic cleansing, eternal warfare and merciless drought.

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Dirty Linen Gig Guide updated

The Dirty Linen Gig Guide by-artist and by-state listings have been updated for February.

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Manu Chao to appear on PBS/Austin City Limits Saturday Night

Manu Chao will make a rare U.S. television appearance Saturday night, January 24th, with a full performance on Austin City Limits on PBS. To coincide with the special premiere, a new ‘La Vida Tombola’ EP will be released on iTunes. The EP includes the original track, a special stripped down version recorded at Abbey Road Studios as well as the music video. The video for the hit tribute to soccer legend Diego Maradona features footage of Manu and Maradona together in Buenos Aires in addition to vintage footage of Maradona playing. ‘La Vida Tombola’ is off Manu Chao’s Latin Grammy-winning La Radiolina, which was also recently certified Gold by the RIAA.

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Dirty Linen Gig Guide updated

The Dirty Linen Gig Guide sections “By Artist” and “By State/Province” have been updated for December, a few days late, sorry!

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World Music Institute Challenge Grant

World Music Institute (New York, NY) has been awarded a special challenge grant from the Mary Flagler Cary Charitable Trust.

Because of this grant, every dollar you give to WMI before December 31, 2008 will be doubled by a matching gift from the Cary Trust (up to $300,000, in case anybody has won the lottery).

As you can imagine, this is a remarkable boon for WMI at a time when we greatly need it. Any gift you make now, regardless of its size, will have twice the impact of a regular donation. Where else have you heard such good news lately?

The year 2008 has been very… dynamic. We’ve all lived through incredible highs and lows for the past 11 months, including an uncertain economy, and a historic presidential election. At times like these, we all turn to our closest community for comfort, strength and celebration. All of us at WMI think of it as more than a typical nonprofit organization. It is a living community of artists and listeners, dancers and audience members who are brought together by their desire to share the powerful expressions of the human spirit that reach beyond language and culture.

In July, World Music Institute sent out its first ever email appeal, asking for help with a deficit that came as a result of the changing economic times. We were touched by the support our community gave back to us: 41 donors made electronic gifts small and large to help WMI, and more support came in by mail. We are most grateful to all of you who stepped forward at that time to keep WMI’s doors open. As the year comes to a close, we are asking the rest of our friends to step forward and take advantage of this special challenge grant by making any gift you can to help us meet the match.

Some of WMI’s oldest friends have been sharing their thoughts about the WMI community, and how much it means to them over the past few weeks. One longstanding member, Johanna Climenko, has written:

After 9/11… We took stock and realized that WMI concerts were a core of our cultural, and spiritual life. We realized that if we were to lose WMI it would irrevocably change the quality of our life. It was at that time that we decided to “tithe” WMI. Actually it was good to have a rationale for placing a lot of our disposable income in WMI concert tickets, because actually we were doing that already. Fortunately that crisis passed, and our habits stayed the same. We could go back to enjoying the range of everything that WMI offers, from Malian Griots, to Eastern European accordionists, to Delta blues, Cape Breton Celtic fiddlers and Syrian Dervishes.

With your support, WMI looks forward to continue to be a haven of sound and spirit through uplifting, illuminating, infectious and simply beautiful concerts.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Robert H. Browning
Artistic & Executive Director

P.S. Please be sure to mark you calendars! Wednesday, December 10th, the club Drom will be hosting a special WMI Benefit Bash from 7:00 p.m. – midnight; a separate invite will be sent next week.

About World Music Institute: Since its founding WMI has presented more than 1,100 ensembles and soloists from over 100 countries and ethnic minorities, including: Lura, Estrella Morente, Simon Shaheen, Hassan Hakmoun, Don Cherry, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Kevin Burke, Ravi Shankar, Zakir Hussain, Doc Watson, Andy Statman, Blind Boys of Alabama, Orchestra Baobab, Dixie Hummingbirds, Kayhan Kalhor, Paco de Lucia, Farruquito, BeauSoleil, Johnny Cunningham, The Klezmatics, Chava Alberstein, Eleftheria Arvanitaki, Master Musicians of Jajouka, Tahuantinsuyo, Sabah Fakhri, Djivan Gasparyan, Bale Folclorico da Bahia, Nana Vasconcelos, Altan, Bulgarian Women’s Choir Angelite, Ivo Papasov, Yuri Yunakov, Canray Fontenot, Ilyas Malayev, Wu Man, Qi Shu Fang Peking Opera, Eva Ayllon, Peru Negro, Candido, Dewey Balfa, Los Munequitos de Matanzas, Orquesta Aragon, Hamza El Din, Kornog, I Muvrini, Foday Musa Suso, Rustavi Choir, Les Ballets Africains, Emeline Michel, Ray Kane, Muzsikas, Halau O Kekuhi, Birju Maharaj, Cudamani, Ghazal Ensemble, Mohammad Reza Shajarian, Altan, Boys of the Lough, Solas, Aramire, Emil Zrihan, Burning Spear, Soh Daiko, Ondekoza, In-Young Sohn, Marcel Khalife, Esma Redzepova, Salif Keita, Dimi Mint Abba, Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano, Orchestra of Fes, Cristina Branco, Mariza, Ana Moura, William Cepeda, Giovanni Hidalgo, Taraf de Haidouks, Huun-Huur-Tu, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Noche Flamenca, Carmen Linares, Gyuto Monks of Tibet, The Mighty Sparrow, Whirling Dervishes of Turkey, Children of Uganda, Othar Turner, Koko Taylor, David Honeyboy Edwards, Lakota Sioux Dance Theater, Art Ensemble of Chicago, Vijay Iyer, Marion Williams, Ephat Mujuru, Terry Riley, Cecil Taylor.

Submitted by: World Music Institute

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Annual Folk Alliance Conference

The  Folk Alliance
510 South Main Street, 1st Floor
Memphis, Tennessee  38103
Phone: 901/522-1170
Email: fa@folk.org
Website: folk.org

For Immediate Release: November 13, 2008

A Time for All – the 21st International Folk Alliance Conference in Memphis is Developing into to a Powerhouse of Information Through Music – Register by 11/18/08 for Earlybird Discount.

(Memphis, Tenn.) November 11, 2008 – A Time for All – the International Folk Alliance Conference in Memphis, Tenn. is developing into to a powerhouse of information through music. From films and words to songs and stories, special events and guests will fill the days and nights February 18 – 22, 2009 at the Downtown Memphis Marriott. The deadline is November 18 for early registration and showcase entry.  Go online to attend: www.folk.org.

Special guests, events, and film screenings during the conference include the legendary Roger McGuinn as our Keynote Speaker, an interview with music legend Charlie Louvin, Bela Fleck‘s documentary Throw Down Your Heart, a documentary on jug band music Chasin’ Gus’ Ghost, with film host John Sebastian and director Todd Kwait, Kathy Mattea‘s Inconvenient Truth presentation, Gene Shay‘s Song Critique, a Children’s Music showcase hosted by Sara Hickman, and a special feature year on Traditional Music.

Feature performance shows this year include: A Tribute to Phil Ochs, Tradstock, Tribute to Utah Phillips, NewSong Contest Winners, Club Passim 50th Anniversary, and the Blue Door Tribute.

Don’t miss our special Wednesday Super Sessions, including Folk University hosted by Andy Cohen, Festival Roundtable hosted by David Baskin, Management Training hosted by Steve Garvan, and Non-Profit Workshop hosted by Susan Schmidt from the University of Memphis.  These day long intensive sessions are included in registration.

Helping educate and inform the international community is what the conference and Folk Alliance organization is about. Showcase artists are the reason we exist. The initial list of artists this year are:

• amilia k spicer, Los Angeles, CA – Piano player sings with the tone of Norah Jones, the demeanor of Fiona Apple.
• Amy Speace, Jersey City, NJ – Alongside her Tearjerkers, Speace balances natural country-honk tendencies with a clear-as-day voice.
• Anne McCue, Melbourne – Australia, Now operating out of Nashville, McCue splits her focus on folk and Americana roots rock.
• Anthony da Costa, Pleasantville, NY – Do-it-himself songwriter plugs in and sings from the heart over a deadened crunch.
• Audrey Auld, Nashville, TN – Tasmanian-born folkster puts acoustic guitar songwriting on edge with her Down Under background.
• Baskery, Stockholm – Sweden, A European take on bluegrass and Americana sung in three-part harmony.
• BettySoo, Austin, TX – Kerrville and Wildflower song contes winner, Bettysoo’s impactful modern day songs come straight from her heart.
• Bill Jackson, Melbourne, Australia – Americana roots rock from a songwriter hailed by Australian music promoter Andrew Pattison as “Australia’s Lyle Lovett.”
• Blind Corn Liquor Pickers, Lexington, KY – Hard-nosed bluegrass singers “Slash and Burn” with quick picking and gritty lyrics.
• Blue Moose and the Unbuttoned Zippers, Boston, MA – Fiddle heavy bluegrass done just as often instrumental as not.
• Boulder Acoustic Society, Boulder, CO – Quirky folks in line with They Might Be Giants bring in accordions and offer a bluegrass variation to Dylan’s “Maggie’s Farm.”
• Breabach, Glasgow – Scotland, Riverdance-ian folk music in line with Scottish traditional music that will also cross over to more guitar based instrumentals.
• Charlie Louvin, Henagar, AL – Grizzled folk and bluegrass music sung with an experienced perspective.
• Chatham County Line, Raleigh, NC – Bluegrass folk music out to “Let It Rock” with back country picking on both guitar and banjo.
• Chris O’Brien, Somerville, MA – Acoustic New England folk singer sings with a raspy voice.
• Chris Pickering, Brisbane – Queensland, Australian folk rocker is just as capable on the pieno as he is on the guitar.
• Christabel and the Jons, Knoxville, TN – Slinky songwriter with a breathy voice jazzes out over a tight band definitely made for a smokey venue.
• Cliff Eberhardt, Williamsburg, MA – Gravel voiced singer songwriter stays just on the folk side of Americana music.
• Cloudstreet, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, Old-timey folksters carry out British and Celtic traditions with a sense of humor.
• Dave Sutherland, London – English singer-songwriter steeped in the traditions of American country honk.
• David Ferrard, Edinburgh – Dynamic vocalist is mostly subdued in his folk tendencies, though he does offer a hint of country rock.
• Debra Cowan, Westborough, MA – Traditional folk singer will sing a capella and with a band.
• Diana Jones, Nashville, TN – Throaty traditional folk singer generally accompanied only by guitar and another voice.
• Dirtfoot, Shreveport, LA – Alternative roots weirdos get quirky with their multiple harmonies and bizarre subject matter.
• Eclectica, Nashville, TN – Lauded by BBC as “The greatest living exponent of the electric violin,” Tracy Silverman puts fiddling in the context of pop, jazz, and contemporary folk.
• Ellis, Minneapolis, MN – Expressive folk singer offers a bright perspective amidst clean guitar work.
• Emmet Scanlan & What a Good Thought, Galway – British follkster and his band are at their best when harmonizing.
• Enoch Kent, Toronto/Scotland, ON, Canada/UK, Scottish born singer works within the confines of traditional Scottish music.
• EZIO, Cambridge, England – Acoustic folk rockers sometimes slow, sometimes fast (especially when they break out the harp).
• Farmer Jason, Nashville, TN – Lighthearted rockabilly music for the kids.
• Frank Fairfield, Glendale, CA – Old time banjo player in the classic folk tradition.
• Fribo, Edinburgh – Celtic scatting, yodeling in very traditional British folk mold.
• Grannar, Malmo, Sweden – Woodwind player specializes in saxophone but isn’t afraid to grab a hurdy gurdy or flute.
• Ian McLagan and the Bump Band, Austin, TX – Former Faces keyboardist continues on with 1970′s styled rhythm and blues.
• John Elliott, Venice, CA – Lyrically driven folkster offers his viewpoint accompanied usually only his guitar.
• Jon Vezner, Nashville, TN – Full-bodied vocalist sings folk music that’s generally piano based.
• Jonathan McEuen, Ventura, CA – Sometimes plays 1970s Americana, sometimes nods at modern pop.
• Jules Mark Shear, Philadelphia, PA – Straightforward rocker changes it up and goes acoustic, but only on occasion.
• Kate Bradley & The Goodbye Horses, Brisbane, Australia – Singer songwriter rocks out with a flat delivery and some Celtic intonations.
• Kim Carson, New Orleans, LA – NOLA country singer sings booze-oiled songs and urges, “don’t fear the twang.”
• Lisa Haley & The Zydekats, Los Angeles, CA – Violin led Americana music with dynamic vocal expressions and a hint of bluegrass.
• Lorna Brooks, Edinburgh – United Kingdom, Tasteful folk music sung by a singer who’s learned a lot vocally from Stevie Winwood.
• Lucky Fonz III -  Amsterdam, Subtle folk singer singing in American folk traditions, often just with a guitar.
• Lucy Wainwright Roche, New York, NY – Breathy-voiced daughter of Loudon Wainwright plays very accessible contemporary folk.
• Mia Sable, Los Angeles, CA – Smokey, elegant songwriter keeps her songs mellow in following subtle keyboard arrangements.
• Nels Andrews, Brooklyn, NY – 2002 recipient of Kerrville’s New Folk Competition sings acoustic roots rock and Americana with a husky growl.
• Nibs Van Der Spuy, Durban, South African – acoustic guitarist sings a simple song with his expressive voice.
• Noelie McDonnell, Galway – Ireland, Hard strumming, appealing and bright Irish singer playing contemporary American folk.
• Patrice Pike, Austin, TX – Soulful singer leads a funky band through her punchy, well written songs.
• Pierce Pettis, Mentone, AL – Pettis is a clean-cut Alabama folkster singing very accessible lyrics.
• porterdavis, Austin, TX – Harp-featured trio relies on balanced harmonies as they provide a steady dose of blues based folk music.
• Red Molly, New York City, NY – Lighthearted female trio singing Americana songs.
• Sally Spring, Kernersville, NC – Non-confrontational folky has a voice like Natalie Merchant but still brings that southern twang.
• Si Kahn, Charlotte, NC – Si Kahn is a socially charged folksinger with material often about the working class and their families.
• Sisters 3 Music, Glenmore, PA – Familial ties make for balanced harmonies over contemporary folk that borrows from the indie world.
• Steve Poltz, San Diego, CA – Eclectic singer/songwriter covers a broad range from new-surf music to contemporary folk to California nerd-punk.
• Still on the Hill, Fayetteville, AR – Duo strums and fiddles out original bluegrass folk.
• Susan Cowsill, New Orleans, LA – Americana rocker sings with some attitude.
• Terri Hendrix, San Marcos, TX – Finger-picking blues that’s more playful than her influences.
• The Audreys, Adelaide – 2008 ARIA award winners offer acoustic roots rock with a sultry singer.
• The Ebony Hillbillies, New York City, NY – String trio that plays much more Bayou than New York City.
• The Folk Brothers, New York City, NY – Traditional folk music played with accordions that cover relevant, political ideals.
• The Old 78′s, Kingston, AR – Fiddle and two banjos put together traditional bluegrass music.
• The Refugees, Los Angeles, CA – All-female trio plays acoustic Americana music supplanted with three-part harmonies and refined mandolin picking.
• The Spring Standards, New York, NY – Indie rockers fall the way of the morose, despite their ability to find some honky-tonk “In The Underground.”
• Travis Linville, Chickasha, OK – Classical guitarist picking out bluegrass, ragtime, and honky tonk.

Since 1989, the Folk Alliance has served as the headquarters for the folk music and dance industry. The international organization currently has 2,578 members worldwide with Organization Memberships of 418 and Canadian Members of 271.  The international conference is one of the five largest music gatherings in North America.

Over the years, the Folk Alliance organization has grown to include artists, folklore societies, record companies, publishers, presenters, agents, managers, music support services, schools, and manufacturers, that deal in the folk world. It has six regional affiliates that provide  grassroots efforts in their respective markets. The Folk Alliance continues to grow and mature providing a unique range of member services to our community.

Folk Alliance Mission: The North American Folk Music and Dance Alliance exists to foster and promote traditional, contemporary, and multicultural folk music, dance, and related performing arts in North America. The Folk Alliance seeks to strengthen organizational and individual initiatives in folk music and dance through education, networking, advocacy, and professional and field development.

Submitted by: Folk Alliance

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