Some News… and a Show

So we have some pretty significant news coming out of The Dive Poets corner of the internet… We had a band meeting a few weeks ago and for a number of reasons, Rachel has decided to leave the band. We wish her the best and support her in all of her future endeavors (you can occasionally catch her playing in The Who Band around town).

In other news, we are going to be soldiering on as 5-piece (we were actually a 6-piece for a few months there) and have a show TOMORROW NIGHT in COLUMBIA, MO at The Blue Fugue (formerly known as Music Cafe). Cover is $5 and we will go on sometime between 10 and 11 pm.

Monsters of Folk

Monsters of Folk makes me happy:

The Tallest Man on Earth

So I am a big fan The Tallest Man on Earth, which is the moniker of of Kristian Matsson, a Swede with a serious Americana/folk fixation.

Here he is performing my favorite song of his, “Pistol Dreams” at the House of Blues in Dallas:

Here he is performing “It Will Follow the Rain” on Swedish television — tell me this doesn’t remind you of Townes Van Zandt…

News – Upcoming Shows and Other Things

Hey kids,

Just a TCB Post…

We just added some shows to our “upcoming shows” page:

11/07 – The Blue Fugue, Columbia, MO w/ TBA
This will be our first show in Columbia, and it’s on a Saturday… holy crap. Awesome road trip!
The Blue Fugue is a cool venue just a few steps from MU’s campus, so it’s shaping up to be a crazy awesome night. We’ll let you know once the final details emerge.

11/20 – The Firebird w/ Jon Hardy & The Public, Anders Parker
Holy crap this will be awesome!

12/18 – The Schlafly Tap Room w/ TBA
We make our return to the venerable Tap Room to quaff some holiday cheer. Perhaps we’ll have some additional surprises as well? Stay tuned…

Also…

We just finished tracking two songs… one old one new. Mixing is a go, then mastering, then we give it to you. Holy crap! Stay tuned (again)…

New John Henry & The Engine Song

50% of The Dive Poets went to catch John Henry and the Engine at Off Broadway lsat Friday, and I gotta say, they were great. Their sound has changed a little over the years, and in my opnion, it’s been for the better. They just released a new single and A to Z has it here…

Here’s to playing with them one of these days.

Show next Thursday the 15th!

Hey kids! We’re playing a show next Thursday at Off Broadway. What’s that you say? Is this a special show? Why, in fact it is a special show!

Eric, Rachel & Anna are playing an ACOUSTIC set as part of a night of fabulous songwriting. They’ll do versions of Dive Poets tunes and some choice selections by other artists. It’s bound to be super fun, and I know you will dig it just as much as this pug digs cigarettes. Which is to say, a lot.

Also on the bill are Musikanto and Orange Opera

Head to Off Broadway’s website for more information. Be there!

This guy was awesome.

And you’d better know who he was.

Annie and the Beekeepers

Lovely song. Lovely voice. Looks like you can get it here.

L’accordéon

It has become my opinion that the Accordion is the most versatile instrument in the world.  You can play anything on it!

Bach Toccata and Fugue in D minor.  I’m sure you’ve heard it before.

This is one of the most ridiculous displays of musicianship I have ever seen.  The Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto is one of the most difficult violin pieces ever written….and this kid can play it on accordion, note-for-note, along with the orchestra parts.   His phrasing is impeccable.   Watch and be amazed:

Anna: “Did you see that thumb extension?  Beautiful…”

start ‘em young

Fast forward to 0:35 for some sweet hand motions.