With our trip to Austin oh-so close, I figured there’s no better time to post on one of the city’s favorite sons: Alejandro Escovedo.

Escovedo’s biography and body of work are too prolific to detail here. But if you’re looking for a place to start, alt-country bible No Depression named Escovedo its “Artist of the Decade,” which is quite an honor considering the genre’s growth and the artists it spawned.

Regardless, I was taken aback the first (and only) time I saw him live, close to 10 years ago at a club in Tempe on a bill with Richard Buckner. There are shows you leave and think, “Huh. That was good, I had fun.” Then there are shows that just leave you emotionally charged and drained at the same time. Escovedo’s performance definitely fits the latter category.

If he comes to your city, you would do well to see him. In April 2003, he collapsed after a performance in Phoenix and was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver caused by hepatitis C. His illness brought musicians together for benefit concerts and the fantastic double CD Por Vida: A Tribute to the Songs of Alejandro Escovedo, which includes covers by artists like Calexico, the Jayhawks and Son Volt (to name only a few). Proceeds helped pay Escovedo’s mounting medical bills.

This Washington Post story details Escovedo’s battles with his illness and the medicine and how he found his way back to music.

He’s playing Continental Club in Austin on Saturday night after all the ACL festivities, and as I write this I’m leaning more and more toward wanting to see that show.

Alejandro Escovedo | I Was Drunk

Alejandro Escovedo | As I Fall

BONUS
Alejandro Escovedo | Wave
Calexico | Wave

Although No Knife appears to be broken up, the San Diego quartet is one of my favorite bands. So I was more than excited to come across Three, Four, the solo debut EP of No Knife guitarist/singer Ryan Ferguson.

Where No Knife was all jagged guitars and cryptic lyrics, Ferguson takes a decidedly more straightforward approach, founded on acoustic-based melodies. In fact, just on Monday he won best pop album at the 15th annual San Diego Music Awards (No Knife won in 2003 for best alternative album for Riot for Romance and in 1999 for best punk album for Fire in the City of Automatons).

Outside the confines of a group setting, Ferguson’s songwriting is honest and introspective … words and music to which we can all relate.

Nice guy that he is, Ferguson gave us his blessing via e-mail to post a couple tracks. You also can check his page at Pure Volume. Buy the EP (only $6) here or at iTunes. He’s also featured on the compilation My Favorite Song Writers.

Ryan Ferguson | Suddenly
Ryan Ferguson | Windshield (feat. Rob Crow of Pinback)

I know, I know. I’ve been pushing Elbow’s new album, Leaders of the Free World, for the past few weeks. But having listened to a stream of the record, I’m even more convinced now that it will make its way to my favorites of 2005. (I must make a correction: Release in the UK is Tuesday; release in the U.S. is Sept. 27. Sigh. Anyone in the UK wanna hook me up? Would also love Cast of Thousands on vinyl, too.)

I took the liberty of ripping the streams (using Audio Hijack) to make a couple of mp3s for you, my loyal readers. Station Approach already has nudged a permanent spot into my brain; you’ll understand once you feel the buildup near the three-minute mark of the song.

Elbow | Station Approach
Elbow | Picky Bastard

First off, let me say thanks to Royce, whose debut post was a nice hint of things to come. And that picture absolutely disturbs me … in a good way.

Now, has this new Iron & Wine/Calexico project made the rounds everywhere except here? (Don’t answer that; it’s a rhetorical question.) Regardless, I’m jumping on the bandwagon and posting one of EP’s seven tracks, History of Lovers. It features a few of my favorite musical elements: a pedal steel guitar, a healthy 4/4 drum beat and lots o’ horns. It’s also strangely upbeat for these two usually somber acts.

Iron & Wine/Calexico | History of Lovers

Hello to all.

A year or two after the supposed “Year of the Blog” I have finally realized that this internet thing isn’t just a passing fad. I like music and hope to add to Kevin’s wild circus of music discovery. Embarking in this union, I will present a customary offering.

Something old: Arizona – Jack Bryant

Something doom: Impending Doom – Daedelus (with, you guess it, MF Doom)

Something borrowed: Africa – The UNCG Spartones (borrowing from TOTO for an acapella onslaught)

And something… TV on the Radio: Ambulance (2008 X-tra effort mix) – TVOTR

I was snooping around the Solesides Web site (and I suggest you do the same) when I came across a snippett about the group Stateless, from Leeds, England. Turns out, DJ Shadow is a huge fan and has enlisted singer Chris James to provide some vocals for Shadow’s 2006 album.

Now, I don’t know about you, but whenever one of my favorite artists recommends another group, I tend to listen. No less an authority than Shadow had this to say about the group’s Bloodstream EP: “Their EP is stunning … As close to perfection as I’ve heard in a long time.” Ahhh, got your attention now, eh?

In addition to James (vocals, keyboards, guitars), Stateless is Kidkanevil (turntables, sampling, programming), Jon Taylor (bass, keyboards, guitar), Jimmy Sturdy (drums, piano, string arrangement) and Rod Buchanan Dunlop (FX, programming, keyboards).

The combination of piano, sampling and James’ voice offers a big, enthralling sound — not unlike what you’d hear from UNKLE. Don’t take my word for it — although you might want to take DJ Shadow’s. Check the three tracks below or visit them on My Space.

Stateless | Down Here (really, highly recommended. really)
Stateless | Horizon
Stateless | Running Out

At this rate, I may surpass Chris as Brendan Benson’s No. 1 fan … no, that’s just not possible. I do have to give a shout-out to Chris for introducing me to him, though.

Anyway, I’ve had a few requests (OK, like two … shut up) for this Metarie EP by Brendan Benson and the Wellfed Boys I found in Los Angeles. There’s five tracks, but I’ll post three: the two versions of Metarie and a sorta tweaked version of Alternative to Love (probably my fave BB track so far). The UK version of Metarie, which seems more melancholy than the original, includes the female vocals of Emma J (per liner notes), which gives it a nice change of pace.

This version of Alternative to Love is a little more sparse than the original. It matters not: The song is aces, my friends.

Brendan Benson | Metarie (Wellfed version)
Brendan Benson | Metarie (UK version)
Brendan Benson | Alternative to Love

A guy I met in Los Angeles this past weekend introduced me to Joan as Police Woman (born Joan Wasser). She’s a trained violin player, and incorporates that instrument into an indie setting. More intriguing is her voice: not strained or forced and never setting out to steal the spotlight. It’s somehow complementary to the music but still stands out.

Her bio is impressive, and her work includes an opening slot for Rufus Wainright in Europe this past spring. She also was a violinist/vocalist for the Dambuilders.

Find three songs here off her solo EP, available at CD Baby.