Zoe Muth [and The Lost High Rollers]

Good to see alliteration breaking forth in those new Muth titles, Lefty. And I love “I’ve Been Gone,” despite its blatant lyrical hostility toward the men of west TN. A propos of which, there goes another one to intra-band wedlock; these frontwoman/percussionist couplings among Americana-type artists are bringing me down. That rock on her fourth finger in Louisville last year braced me for the latest post, however. Best to them–I actually have drummer/groom Greg’s cellphone number because I picked up the sound cue sheet from the ground in Bristol last September. I believe I’ll restrain myself from putting it into play, however. Let’s call this upcoming European tour jaunt a pre-honeymoon, and look forward to the third Lost High Roller record coming out soon. . . .

Just bought Zoe’s new EP Old Gold (makes me want to buy a pack, the “poor man’s Marlboro” as Ms. Muth herself expressed it), Signature Sounds, five covers plus an original. It’s not officially out yet, but was available from her guitar pick-strewn merch case last night in Kansas City. J Prine among others, and I’ve heard her play most of them live. Small crowd but hoping for better tomorrow night in St. Louis.

The High Rollers have a new guitarist–no pedal steel in play on this tour.

A propos of another post in this thread, the liner notes include this: “I received a lot of my musical education while riding in my sister’s car.”

Thank you, southpaw. The St. Louis show was superb, a built-in emphathetic crowd because it was the last of four nights of Twangfest, one of my favorite festivals since it’s (1) low-key and (2) indoors! John Doe headlined final night, two acts after Zoe, (more on him below), and of course I had played hooky the second night to go all the way across the Show Me State in a train for Muth in KC.

In-between, the Lost High Rollers played Springfield, IL, which Zoe described to the St. Louis crowd as a venue “where seven people showed up, four of whom were listening” (would that I myself had formed a fond fifth). The St. Louis set was shorter than Kansas City’s, no covers, but great sound and great vibe. A propos of the “Let’s Just Be Friends. . .” song, she improvised, “that’s probably good advice, especially if he shows you a picture of his four-year-old kid and walks around with a rifle in each hand.” None of the three new originals mentioned in this thread from the Seattle radio show were done either night, though one (the title stripped down to “Walking the Line”) is on the new EP.

In less public news, the wedding day for Zoe and her drummer Greg is August 4. I ascertained this by asking him, not her, as we were standing listening to Kevin Gordon; he answered by flipping open his cellphone and noting the number “56” in its lit-up left top corner–the countdown as to number of days remaining. Very charming gesture.

Also, I took the liberty of printing out the Forum page where Zoe’s sister Phoebe posted (actually, I printed out the whole thread and gave it to her). She had said in KC that she “can’t imagine” the sister actually doing this; I speculated maybe it was a hoax and she thinks maybe her parents were involved somehow. At any rate, she can see now what you good people have said about liking her work.

As for John Doe, he just filmed a movie playing A P Carter, called Ring of Fire. Who can guess the actress cast as June Carter Cash? Hint: Doug Pettibone has played with her. Further hint: this can be answered in one syllable.

@tonyg wrote:

Jewel?

Shit, syllable not word. 😳

You are the grand winner, Tony (though is there a double “l” on the end of hers? Or am I thinking of Eileen?). At any rate, congrats. I’ll have to take R Witherspoon over her in that role, however.

Forgot to mention that Zoe and Greg met at the Tractor Tavern, where Greg once ran sound. The one show I saw there was Anne McCue some years back, and he verified he was there. Also told a great story about John Doe tripping over his (Greg’s) dog one time, sending him sprawling. I don’t think Greg wanted to approach John at St. Louis’ Duck Room, for fear of invoking that memory. But you gotta like a music venue where staff pets are permitted.