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I must request that all Forum-watchers here proceed haste post-haste to their record store of choice (or, failing that, their online merchant of choice) and purchase Starlight Hotel, the 2011 release from Zoe Muth and The Lost High Rollers. This Seattle-based frontwoman and her band were the highlight of Bristol’s Rythm and Roots Fest last weekend: a set on the Virginia side on Saturday, another in Tennessee territory across State St. Sunday afternoon.
“Birthplace of Country Music?” The claim is legitimate on Bristol’s part. Murals adorn the downtown, and streets have been [re]named Carter Family Way, Jimmy Rodgers Drive, etc. I didn’t get to stay for Carrie Rodriguez, Michelle Malone, and others at the closing tribute Sunday, hosted by Cruz Contreras (shout-out here to Forum member Stevarino) of The Black Lilies.
Zoe did 80-85% original material, but how about those covers of everyone from Doc Boggs to Janis Joplin, Carter Family to Charlie Feathers? There was some rowdiness in the crowd show one, most notably an elder with a cane who got up right during a Muth slow tune and started flagging down Jim Lauderdale at high volume, cutting a diagonal swath near the stage to apprehend JL as he was ducking through an alley en route to his next set. She didn’t miss a beat, and the Lost High Rollers rock out on mandolin, bass, drums, and pedal/electric respectively.
So buy the record, and look for Zoe Muth on tour in North Carolina (rainydayman, winston-salem is tonight I believe) this week, beyond in the weeks ahead. I talked to her briefly after show one, and she managed to mask her discomfort that fellow Pacific Northwest singer-songwriter Sera Cahoone had landed the Portland Lu-opener slot two years back instead of her. Actually, I probably shouldn’t have initiated that aspect of the conversation. She’s very nice and witty, as one of multiple siblings named by parents who are J.D. Salinger fans are wont to be.
Two other highlights: the Malpass Brothers of NC calling Blaze Foley “great” before launching into a beautiful “If I could Only Fly,” and Chris Thomas King’s stirring “Hard Time Killing Floor Blues” on the main stage.
Great report. I do not ordinarily argue literature with college teachers but isn’t the J.D. Salinger character Zooey? It was a long time ago that I read the book.
I will hunt the CD down and listen to it.
I don’t wanna be too (post-)hasty here, but I like the sound of the snippets on ZM’s website. Will rush out to the Amazon mall to make a purchase!
http://www.zoemuth.com/music.html
@tonyg wrote:
Great report. I do not ordinarily argue literature with college teachers but isn’t the J.D. Salinger character Zooey? It was a long time ago that I read the book.
I will hunt the CD down and listen too it.
Dang you Tony, I think you’re right. My lapse there. No wonder ZM herself was a little disinclined to take my Salinger talk and run with it, mentioning that her mother had a good friend named Zoe by way of explanation. You’ve caught me out.
Keep raising high those roofbeams, Stooger
Zoe’s first album is excellent as well. I’m partial to “The Last Bus”, Middle of Nowhere”, and “Wasting My Time”. She’s set to play an in store show at the Electric Fetus on October 3. I don’t believe she’s played in MN as of yet and I’m looking forward to the show. I’ll let you know how it goes.
@vinylfan wrote:
Zoe’s first album is excellent as well. I’m partial to “The Last Bus”, Middle of Nowhere”, and “Wasting My Time”. She’s set to play an in store show at the Electric Fetus on October 3. I don’t believe she’s played in MN as of yet and I’m looking forward to the show. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Yes, the first, self-released record has some gems on it. Hard to beat “If I Can’t Trust You with a Quarter. . .” from the newbie though. I hear she’s been drawing mediocre crowds (quantity-wise, anyway) in North Carolina, so perhaps a return to the Great Midwest will boost her following and her spirits. Maybe she’ll sneak in a show at a Minn. club too? 7th St. Eatery? That other one whose name I’ve forgotten, also with a street address in its title? That one has Olson-Louris and Replacements pictures on its wall, I recall. Saw Raul Malo there once.
I was hoping for a club show but, from what I understand, there wasn’t a venue available that worked with her schedule. There are plenty of other spots I’d rather see her at than the “eatery”, but anything would be good.
The dude that set up the Fetus in store is concerned about a mediocre crowd as well. Hopefully that will not be the case, I’m bringing all two of my friends.
It’s a busy music month here in Mpls. Next week is The Low Anthem, then Zoe followed by The Black Angels, Hayes Carll, John Scofield, Dawes / Blitzen Trapper (right next door to the “Eatery”, whatever the name of that place is w/ stars on the wall and such), and finally Medeski Martin and Wood. The only thing that would make the month better would be if Lu could take the long route from Buffalo and play a show here on her way to Kansas. I’m just saying…. there are 5 days between shows…
Back to the original topic, I agree, her new album is very hard to beat.
Thank you, Roger, for posting about this young lady. She’s become a GREAT FIND for me in 2011. Heartily recommend both of her records.
Before the night is gone
Won’t you tell me our love will linger on?
And knock that chip off your shoulder
Into your heart of stone to start a spark
‘Cause I need someway to see in the darkGood stuff.
Vinyl Fan, how did the Minn. in-store go? Lefty, I got to see ZM again in Louisville, headlining, and it was sublime. Those Lost High Rollers (T Van Zandt allusion there) are mighty fine. Moderator, you better get on amazon.com in short order.
Folks, stoger is dead on about Zoe Muth & The Lost High Rollers. Based on his initial recommendation, I purchased their latest release, Starlight Hotel. Based on my loving it, I picked up a copy of their first, eponymous, CD. It is harder to find, but CDBaby.com carries it. I love it, too. This is indeed good stuff – highly recommended!
I love the artwork on each album, as well. Stoger tells me the artist is Zoe’s sister, Phoebe…
Zoe Muth & The Lost High Rollers
Starlight HotelTom
http://www.registerguard.com/web/entertainment/27229193-41/muth-music-song-zoe-seattle.html.csp
“Muth’s father listened to Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams, Bruce Springsteen and classic rock that leaned toward Americana, she said.”
@Lefty wrote:
“Muth’s father listened to Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams, Bruce Springsteen and classic rock that leaned toward Americana, she said.”
So, she comes by it honestly… 😉
Tom
Zoe will be performing live on Seattle’s www.kexp.org at 7:30 pm on Wed., Jan. 11. Have to assume that’s Pacific Std Time.
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