San Francisco Bay Area-based power quintet Howlin Rain’s come howlin’ back with their third album, The Russian Wilds. Having been formed by bandleader-singer-guitarist Ethan Miller in 2004, as a melodic offshoot of blazing new-psych innovators Comets On Fire, Howlin Rain soon caught the attention of uber-producer Rick Rubin, who signed them to his American Recordings label and involved himself deeply in their subsequent musical evolution thereafter.
“There was a point when we were really trying to blend Jimi Hendrix’s Electric Ladyland, Steely Dan’s Gaucho and Bruce Springsteen’s Darkness On The Edge of Town,” says Ethan Miller. “I love the Boss’ singing, where he’s just blowing out his voice even when it’s just a pop ballad moment. And we were inspired by some of the grooves and close mic stuff on Gaucho, and by how Electric Ladyland runs the gamut from super long jams to blues numbers to drifting psychedelic pieces. There’s a sense of audacity to these records – a band chasing down strong, invisible connections – and there’s moments like that on our record. We didn’t always do the smartest or safest things [laughs].”
I’ve heard The Russian Wilds, and the album is incredible. If any of the above makes any sense to you, then you’ll want to pick up this record when it drops on Valentine’s Day. Check out “Phantom In the Valley” to get a first taste…
In the meantime, you can enter to win two tickets to see Howlin Rain on Tuesday at Mercury Lounge! The fucking fantastic D. Charles Speer & the Helix open the show. Just comment below with your favorite classic rock record. Or simply by Tweeting this post (tag it with @BBiB). Cool? Well, get to it then! Winner will be notified by Monday morning.
Prepare thine self to be enveloped in the hot molten goodness that is Magma…this week on Beyond Beyond is Beyond! The epic French progressive rock band (if we had to pin them down to one genre) founded in Paris in 1969 by classically trained drummer Christian Vander, will be performing one of their only two U.S. shows this year at the Highline Ballroom on Monday, September 20th…and you could possibly go for free if you tune in to Beyond Beyond is Beyond on East Village Radio on Thursday, where I’ll be giving away a couple pairs of tickets.
Not only that, I will also be talking on the phone to Magma’s Stella Vander. So be sure to show up on time to Beyond Beyond is Beyond on East Village Radio at noon eastern, Thursday, 9/9/10!
- Info for the Magma show at Highline Ballroom on 9/20
- East Village Radio
- Beyond Beyond is Beyond archive page
UPDATE: GO TO THIS SHOW ARCHIVE AT EVR!
Hey! Whoa! Wow!
This Thursday at noon eastern on Beyond Beyond is Beyond on East Village Radio, I am proud to be welcoming Ian Anderson who will be phoning in to talk about Tull’s current tour and much more…all whilst standing on one leg!
And you can still enter to win tickets for the Jones Beach, NY show or Holmdel, NJ show by clicking here and following directions!
Fuckin’ A…B…and C! Tune in Thursday at noon eastern to East Village Radio.
