Boo City

Here's the way we went about this. It's a "Readers' Poll" so we took posts from Facebook, Twitter, email and comments into account when choosing the nominees. We have covered these artists, albums etc. in the magazine over the course of the past year. These artists, their publicists or management companies have supported us with press releases, product and access to the artists for interviews, etc. We then narrowed each category down to 15 for the final ballot. Some of them just came down to what we, the editors and writers, thought were the best in each category. As always, there are artists that many readers will feel are missing, but when kept within the context of our criteria, these are not omissions for any reason other than what we used to create the list of nominees.

The 2012 Readers' Choice Awards drew over 25,000 votes in the 10 Catagories and produced some surprise winners and some that were, well, less than surprising. This year we have added new categories for Favorite Debut Artist, Artist, Duo or Group Pushing the Americana Roots Envelope and Favorite Roots / Americana Venue. The nominees in the 13 categories are:

Roots / Americana Group
Band of Heathens
Old Crow Medicine Show
YARN
The North Mississippi All-Stars
The Avett Brothers
Reckless Kelly
Uncle Lucius
The Alabama Shakes
Girls Guns and Glory
The Mavericks
Tedeschi-Trucks Band
Blackie and the Rodeo Kings
Son Volt
Carolina Chocolate Drops
Drive-By Truckers

Roots / Americana Performer Solo or Duo
James McMurtry
Hayes Carll
Todd Snider
Corb Lund
Paul Thorn
Over the Rhine (Karin Bergquist, Linford Detweiler)
Rebecca Loebe
Steve Forbert
Gretchen Peters
Marshall Chapman
David Olney and Sergio Webb
Amelia White
Seth Walker
Eric Brace and Peter Cooper
Daddy (Tommy Womack and Will Kimbrough)

Roots / Americana Artist, Duo or Group Pushing the Envelope
Bow Thayer and Perfect Trainwreck
Jimbo Mathus and the Tri-State Coalition
Hymn for Her
Uncle Lucius
The Howlin' Brothers
Birds of Chicago
The Maldives
The Wild Rumpus
The Wood Brothers
Spindrift
Elephant Revival
Jonny Fritz
Wagons
Vintage Trouble
Blitzen Trapper

Roots / Americana Debut Artist, Duo or Group
Littlewolf
The Howlin' Brothers
The Carper Family
Sons of Fathers
Southern Hospitality
Pete Ahonen
Milk Carton Kids
Garrett Lebeau Band
The Trishas
Boo City
Nakia
Amy Black Band
Jimbo Mathus & The Tri-State Coalition
Vintage Trouble
Royal Southern Brotherhood

Roots / Americana Female Vocalist
Kacey Chambers
Gillian Welch
Eilen Jewell
Gretchen Peters
Alison Krauss
Kim Richey
Christine Ohlman
Grace Potter
Patty Griffin
Emmylou Harris
Audrey Auld
Carrie Rodriguez
Lucy Kaplansky
Rhiannon Giddens
Susan Tedeschi

Roots / Americana Male Vocalist
Raul Malo
Eric Brace
Mike Farriss
James Hunter
Ward Hayden
Cruz Contreras
Seth Walker
Justin Townes Earle
Jim Lauderdale
John Nemeth
Nakia
Kevin Galloway
Damon Fowler
Derek Hoke
Corb Lund

Roots / Americana Songwriter
James McMurtry
Peter Cooper
Rodney Crowell
Todd Snider
Hayes Carll
Paul Thorn
Gretchen Peters
Otis Gibbs
Steve Earle
Justin Townes Earle
Steve Forbert
Mary Gauthier
Willie Nile
Tom Waits
Jon Byrd

Roots / Americana Guitar Player
Kenny Vaughan
Will Kimbrough
Buddy Miller
Eric "Roscoe" Ambel
Mark Robinson
Darrell Scott
Dave Rawlings
Colin Linden
Derek Trucks
Richard Thompson
Rosie Flores
Bonnie Raitt
Patterson Hood
Pete Anderson
Sergio Webb

Roots / Americana Mandolin Player
Tim O'Brien
Andrew Adkins
Sid Griffin
Chris Thile
Sierra Hull
Brent Truitt
Andrew Hendryx
Kym Warner
Jay Lapp
Tim Brennan
Jeff Austin
John Skehan
Jimmy Ryan
Sarah Jarosz
Kevin Breit

Roots / Americana Banjo Player
Bow Thayer
Steve Martin
Noam Pikelny
Abigail Washburn
Dom Flemons
Gregory Liszt
Chris Luedecke
Dan Wheetman
Ian Craft
Lucy Tight
Kristin Scott Benson
Richard Bailey
Trent Wagler
Ketch Secor
John Breese

Roots / Americana Violin/Fiddle Player
Fats Kaplin
Elana James
Carrie Rodriguez
Alison Krausse
Rhiannon Giddens
Kendel Carson
Carly Frey
Bridget Law
Chance McCoy
Cody Braun
Hubby Jenkins
Billy Contreras
Gabe Witcher
Nicky Sanders
Michael Doucet

Roots / Americana Album (2012)
Peter Karp and Sue Foley - Beyond the Crossroads
Justin Townes Earle - Nothings Gonna Change the Way You Feel About Me Now
Paul Thorn - What the Hell Is Going On?
Corb Lund - Cabin Fever
Carloina Chocolate Drops - Leaving Eden
Uncle Lucius - And You Are Me
Kevin Gordon - Gloryland
Shemekia Copeland - 33 1/3
Girls Guns and Glory - Sweet Nothings
Old Crow Medicine Show - Carry Me Back
Alabama Shakes - Boys and Girls
Otis Gibbs - Harder Than Hammered Hell
Lucy Kaplansky - Reunion
Don Gallardo and How Far West - The Art of Troublesome Times
Tommy Womack - Now What?

Roots / Americana Music Venue/Club
The Family Wash, East Nashville, TN
Clu - The Alternate Root Magazine

Here's the way we went about this. It's a "Readers' Poll" so we took posts from Facebook, Twitter, email and comments into account when choosing the nominees. We have covered these artists, albums etc. in the magazine over the course of the past year. These artists, their publicists or management companies have supported us with press releases, product and access to the artists for interviews, etc. We then narrowed each category down to 15 for the final ballot. Some of them just came down to what we, the editors and writers, thought were the best in each category. As always, there are artists that many readers will feel are missing, but when kept within the context of our criteria, these are not omissions for any reason other than what we used to create the list of nominees.

The 2012 Readers' Choice Awards drew over 25,000 votes in the 10 Catagories and produced some surprise winners and some that were, well, less than surprising. This year we have added new categories for Favorite Debut Artist, Artist, Duo or Group Pushing the Americana Roots Envelope and Favorite Roots / Americana Venue. The nominees in the 13 categories are:

Roots / Americana Group
Band of Heathens
Old Crow Medicine Show
YARN
The North Mississippi All-Stars
The Avett Brothers
Reckless Kelly
Uncle Lucius
The Alabama Shakes
Girls Guns and Glory
The Mavericks
Tedeschi-Trucks Band
Blackie and the Rodeo Kings
Son Volt
Carolina Chocolate Drops
Drive-By Truckers

Roots / Americana Performer Solo or Duo
James McMurtry
Hayes Carll
Todd Snider
Corb Lund
Paul Thorn
Over the Rhine (Karin Bergquist, Linford Detweiler)
Rebecca Loebe
Steve Forbert
Gretchen Peters
Marshall Chapman
David Olney and Sergio Webb
Amelia White
Seth Walker
Eric Brace and Peter Cooper
Daddy (Tommy Womack and Will Kimbrough)

Roots / Americana Artist, Duo or Group Pushing the Envelope
Bow Thayer and Perfect Trainwreck
Jimbo Mathus and the Tri-State Coalition
Hymn for Her
Uncle Lucius
The Howlin' Brothers
Birds of Chicago
The Maldives
The Wild Rumpus
The Wood Brothers
Spindrift
Elephant Revival
Jonny Fritz
Wagons
Vintage Trouble
Blitzen Trapper

Roots / Americana Debut Artist, Duo or Group
Littlewolf
The Howlin' Brothers
The Carper Family
Sons of Fathers
Southern Hospitality
Pete Ahonen
Milk Carton Kids
Garrett Lebeau Band
The Trishas
Boo City
Nakia
Amy Black Band
Jimbo Mathus & The Tri-State Coalition
Vintage Trouble
Royal Southern Brotherhood

Roots / Americana Female Vocalist
Kacey Chambers
Gillian Welch
Eilen Jewell
Gretchen Peters
Alison Krauss
Kim Richey
Christine Ohlman
Grace Potter
Patty Griffin
Emmylou Harris
Audrey Auld
Carrie Rodriguez
Lucy Kaplansky
Rhiannon Giddens
Susan Tedeschi

Roots / Americana Male Vocalist
Raul Malo
Eric Brace
Mike Farriss
James Hunter
Ward Hayden
Cruz Contreras
Seth Walker
Justin Townes Earle
Jim Lauderdale
John Nemeth
Nakia
Kevin Galloway
Damon Fowler
Derek Hoke
Corb Lund

Roots / Americana Songwriter
James McMurtry
Peter Cooper
Rodney Crowell
Todd Snider
Hayes Carll
Paul Thorn
Gretchen Peters
Otis Gibbs
Steve Earle
Justin Townes Earle
Steve Forbert
Mary Gauthier
Willie Nile
Tom Waits
Jon Byrd

Roots / Americana Guitar Player
Kenny Vaughan
Will Kimbrough
Buddy Miller
Eric "Roscoe" Ambel
Mark Robinson
Darrell Scott
Dave Rawlings
Colin Linden
Derek Trucks
Richard Thompson
Rosie Flores
Bonnie Raitt
Patterson Hood
Pete Anderson
Sergio Webb

Roots / Americana Mandolin Player
Tim O'Brien
Andrew Adkins
Sid Griffin
Chris Thile
Sierra Hull
Brent Truitt
Andrew Hendryx
Kym Warner
Jay Lapp
Tim Brennan
Jeff Austin
John Skehan
Jimmy Ryan
Sarah Jarosz
Kevin Breit

Roots / Americana Banjo Player
Bow Thayer
Steve Martin
Noam Pikelny
Abigail Washburn
Dom Flemons
Gregory Liszt
Chris Luedecke
Dan Wheetman
Ian Craft
Lucy Tight
Kristin Scott Benson
Richard Bailey
Trent Wagler
Ketch Secor
John Breese

Roots / Americana Violin/Fiddle Player
Fats Kaplin
Elana James
Carrie Rodriguez
Alison Krausse
Rhiannon Giddens
Kendel Carson
Carly Frey
Bridget Law
Chance McCoy
Cody Braun
Hubby Jenkins
Billy Contreras
Gabe Witcher
Nicky Sanders
Michael Doucet

Roots / Americana Album (2012)
Peter Karp and Sue Foley - Beyond the Crossroads
Justin Townes Earle - Nothings Gonna Change the Way You Feel About Me Now
Paul Thorn - What the Hell Is Going On?
Corb Lund - Cabin Fever
Carloina Chocolate Drops - Leaving Eden
Uncle Lucius - And You Are Me
Kevin Gordon - Gloryland
Shemekia Copeland - 33 1/3
Girls Guns and Glory - Sweet Nothings
Old Crow Medicine Show - Carry Me Back
Alabama Shakes - Boys and Girls
Otis Gibbs - Harder Than Hammered Hell
Lucy Kaplansky - Reunion
Don Gallardo and How Far West - The Art of Troublesome Times
Tommy Womack - Now What?

Roots / Americana Music Venue/Club
The Family Wash, East Nashville, TN
Clu - The Alternate Root Magazine

Not so long ago, the Roots and Americana field was an open playing ground. It was a place where artists could take chances with their music and develop sounds that were outside the borders that corralled music into certain shapes and forms. Like any genre or style, once a bar is set, up and coming artists can choose to follow or lead into the future. Innovators like Buddy Miller, Bela Fleck, The Band, Sam Bush, Ricky Skaggs and Jerry Douglas set the standard. Many bands have gone the easy route of simply sounding like the originals. Luckily, there are many others that avoid falling into the same old ruts and decide not to join the 'band wagons'. Here is a list of artists that are moving the genre forward, taking chances and deciding that is better to lead than follow, better to die on your feet than live on your knees worshipping at the altar of what has gone before.

These artists are the 'progressive' artists of the Roots Americana genre. Pushing the envelope in terms of sound, recording techniques, instrumentation and amplification. They are bringing new influences of Indie rock, swamp, post punk and psychedelic into the indigenous forms of music that lie at the roots of the sound. Risk takers, innovators and definitely worth checking out. Here are The Alternate Root's 20 Bands Pushing the Envelope.

1 - Uncle Lucius

Uncle Lucius is an Indie Rock band out of Austin, Texas that lets the roots of rock shine in its sounds and songs. The band borrows from classic rock, taking influence from The Black Crowes and The Tragically Hip. Lead vocalist Kevin Galloway takes to the mic like he is on a mission to save the world one song at a time. Uncle Lucius makes it all seem easy on their most recent release, And You Are Me.

2 - Bow Thayer and Perfect Trainwreck

Bow Thayer plays electric banjo, running the instrument through both a bass and guitar amp to get the desired sound. The band’s latest effort, Eden, is a Roots album that follows one story line throughout the entire release with the topic that it’s the economy that kills people, not guns. Thayer writes deep, heavily textured music with complex layers both sonically and lyrically and has the band and the chops to pull it all together.

3 - Jimbo Mathus and the Tri-State Coalition

Former Squirrel Nut Zipper frontman, Jimbo Mathus, drives Southern Rock, Blues, Soul and Roots sounds as a vehicle for his smart, Southern Gothic-influenced story lines. The music created could receive a Southern Gothic Rock name tag, with The Tri-State Coalition setting fire to notes and beats that send smoke signals to announce the start of something big on the album White Buffalo.

4-The Wood Brothers

Two brothers decide to form a band, adapting the blues, folk and other roots-music sounds they grew up with into a sound that is unique. They have that natural lonesome harmony and a blend that could only come from blood. For many years, the brothers took separate musical paths, Oliver brought soul, funk and country elements into the blues that he loved and Chris attended New England Conservatory of Music to study bass at the feet of jazz men. As the Wood Brothers, they bring family back together and create a new sound in the process on Smoke Ring Halo.

5- Birds of Chicago

Birds of Chicago, is a collective based around JT Nero and Allison Russell. The group tours both as a duo and with the full family band. JT Nero has country soul vocals that fit well with the warm, sun-dappled voice of Allison Russell. Somewhere between street corner doo-wop and folk soul sounds, Birds of Chicago bring the power of voices and play them out over banjo and guitar accompaniment.

6 - Vintage Trouble

Los Angeles-based Vintage Trouble have a sound and live show best described as live-wired, straight-shootin’, dirty-mouth'd, pelvis-pushing juke music. The four-piece bring Soul back into a Rock’n’Roll band format using guitar, bass and drums to fuse songs. Manager Doc McGhee (Bon Jovi) took the band to England where they were honored with Music Weekly’s “Breakout Artist of the Year” title. Vintage Trouble have released The Bomb Shelter Sessions on home turf to grab the same love.

7- Elephant Revival

Elephant Revival filters their existence as a band through five words, “Where words fail... music speaks”. They believe that we can be moved by a rhythm and soothed by a song. The five souls in Elephant Revival share vocals and play an arrangement of instruments that include banjo, guitar, mandolin, bass, fiddle, washboard, djembe, musical saw, and stompbox. Group member Bonnie Paine delivers additional beats via footstomps on plywood, her stockinged feet doing near jigs as her hands, encased in antique leather gloves, rub silver nickel against corrugated metal you can hear in beatiful scratchings on their most recent E.P., It's Alive.


8 - The Wild Rumpus

The hills of Fayetteville, West Virginia are home to the three men of The W - The Alternate Root Magazine

Soul music took its first steps in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame sees Soul as "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of funky, secular testifying.”

Originally relegated to the Black Music charts, Soul music was picked up by a generation of British teens through late-night radio shows coming from U.S. military bases in Germany. The big stage production of horns, background vocals and stacked instrumentation was stripped down to guitar, bass and drums. Northern Soul became a cherished part of the U.K.’s music structure, their love for the genre far surpassing that of American listeners.

Soul music is an inclusive form. Any instrument can come to the party; what you use is not as important as how you use it. Soul can be the steady line of a rhythm section as much as a ten note flash of a flute that is there one minute and then gone the next. It is the little touches that are as important of the big beat.

Our Top 50 list is for bands and individuals who are currently delivering Soul music. Not neo-soul, not retro-soul but Soul music as it was meant to be. Unlike other genres that claim “not your mama’s…”, this crop of Soul artists varies only from what your folks heard by the social situations the characters find themselves living in.

1. Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings – Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings have come a long way in 10 years. After their previous album barely crept up to 100,000 sales, their most recent release in 2007, I Learned the Hard Way, sold 23,000 in its first week. In four months, 100,000 units had already been sold. Steeped in the gilded and gritty sounds of gospel, soul, and funk, the nine-piece group delivers a heartfelt Soul sound. Their devotion to soul music is clearly demonstrated on all four studio albums, all captured and released by the independent, the all-mighty Daptone Records, in Brooklyn, NY.

2. The James Hunter Six – James Hunter leads his band, The James Hunter Six, through fall-down-on-your-knees-and-scream style Soul. Coming out of England, James Hunter at time channels Memphis Soul in the vein of Rufus Thomas, even referencing the man’s favorite fowl with the tune “Chicken Switch” on the recent release from The James Hunter Six, Minute By Minute.

3. Mavis Staples - The name Staples implies soul. An original member of the Staples Singers who embodied the definition of soul music, Mavis Staples now works along side some of the top Americana/Roots acts whenever an infusion of "real soul" is needed. Her prolific solo career has garnered countless accolades. She's worked with, well, just about everyone from Bob Dylan to Ray Charles. She's been honored by Presidents, Kings and Queens and the industry that she's been part of for over 50 years.

4. Peter Karp & Sue Foley – Peter Karp and Sue Foley’s recent release, Beyond the Crossroads is a loud celebration of triumph over tragedy, optimism over despair and faith over hopelessness. It delivers on the promise of their critically acclaimed 2010 song-cycle, "He Said - She Said"; an inspired and compelling anthology of original songs, adapted from long distance letters and e-mails the two shared over a particularly difficult and dark period in their lives.

5. Justin Townes Earle – Justin Townes Earle has always brought an Indie feel and form to his music. On earlier albums, Justin let that Indie rearrange and remake itself amid songs that landed on the Americana side of Roots Rock. With his most recent Bloodshot album, Nothing’s Gonna Change the Way You Feel About Me Now, he trades open Country for Memphis Soul stew.

6. JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound – JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound are a rock’n’soul band, taking cues from 1960’s British bands that delivered true Soul with guitars, bass and drums. They rock the band crafts into their songs has a punk edge that lands them front and center for the Indie Rock Soul takeover that is a wave about to crash over the world. Their Bloodshot Records debut, Want More, crackles with life and hints at the frenzy of their live show.

7. Mike Farris - Pick any of the configurations that Mike Farris travels with; Roseland Rhythm Revue, Cumberland Saints, solo, whatever and you'll find one of the truly stirring blue-eyed soul singers out there today. Farris left his southern rock, roots band 'Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies' in 2001 and hasn't looked back yet. His fusion of soul, blues and gospel compliment his intense vocal range and new found spirituality like a glove.

8. Bettye Lavette – Bettye Lavette’s family moved to Detroit in the early 50’s. Her parents sold corn liquor while their living room was full of gospel bands like Sam Cooke’s, The Soul Stirrers, and a jukebox full of contemporary soul, C&W and blues hits. After some late 60’s chart success and early 70’s Muscle Shoa - The Alternate Root Magazine

Soul music took its first steps in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame sees Soul as "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of funky, secular testifying.”

Originally relegated to the Black Music charts, Soul music was picked up by a generation of British teens through late-night radio shows coming from U.S. military bases in Germany. The big stage production of horns, background vocals and stacked instrumentation was stripped down to guitar, bass and drums. Northern Soul became a cherished part of the U.K.’s music structure, their love for the genre far surpassing that of American listeners.

Soul music is an inclusive form. Any instrument can come to the party; what you use is not as important as how you use it. Soul can be the steady line of a rhythm section as much as a ten note flash of a flute that is there one minute and then gone the next. It is the little touches that are as important of the big beat.

Our Top 50 list is for bands and individuals who are currently delivering Soul music. Not neo-soul, not retro-soul but Soul music as it was meant to be. Unlike other genres that claim “not your mama’s…”, this crop of Soul artists varies only from what your folks heard by the social situations the characters find themselves living in.

1. Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings – Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings have come a long way in 10 years. After their previous album barely crept up to 100,000 sales, their most recent release in 2007, I Learned the Hard Way, sold 23,000 in its first week. In four months, 100,000 units had already been sold. Steeped in the gilded and gritty sounds of gospel, soul, and funk, the nine-piece group delivers a heartfelt Soul sound. Their devotion to soul music is clearly demonstrated on all four studio albums, all captured and released by the independent, the all-mighty Daptone Records, in Brooklyn, NY.

2. The James Hunter Six – James Hunter leads his band, The James Hunter Six, through fall-down-on-your-knees-and-scream style Soul. Coming out of England, James Hunter at time channels Memphis Soul in the vein of Rufus Thomas, even referencing the man’s favorite fowl with the tune “Chicken Switch” on the recent release from The James Hunter Six, Minute By Minute.

3. Mavis Staples - The name Staples implies soul. An original member of the Staples Singers who embodied the definition of soul music, Mavis Staples now works along side some of the top Americana/Roots acts whenever an infusion of "real soul" is needed. Her prolific solo career has garnered countless accolades. She's worked with, well, just about everyone from Bob Dylan to Ray Charles. She's been honored by Presidents, Kings and Queens and the industry that she's been part of for over 50 years.

4. Peter Karp & Sue Foley – Peter Karp and Sue Foley’s recent release, Beyond the Crossroads is a loud celebration of triumph over tragedy, optimism over despair and faith over hopelessness. It delivers on the promise of their critically acclaimed 2010 song-cycle, "He Said - She Said"; an inspired and compelling anthology of original songs, adapted from long distance letters and e-mails the two shared over a particularly difficult and dark period in their lives.

5. Justin Townes Earle – Justin Townes Earle has always brought an Indie feel and form to his music. On earlier albums, Justin let that Indie rearrange and remake itself amid songs that landed on the Americana side of Roots Rock. With his most recent Bloodshot album, Nothing’s Gonna Change the Way You Feel About Me Now, he trades open Country for Memphis Soul stew.

6. JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound – JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound are a rock’n’soul band, taking cues from 1960’s British bands that delivered true Soul with guitars, bass and drums. They rock the band crafts into their songs has a punk edge that lands them front and center for the Indie Rock Soul takeover that is a wave about to crash over the world. Their Bloodshot Records debut, Want More, crackles with life and hints at the frenzy of their live show.

7. Mike Farris - Pick any of the configurations that Mike Farris travels with; Roseland Rhythm Revue, Cumberland Saints, solo, whatever and you'll find one of the truly stirring blue-eyed soul singers out there today. Farris left his southern rock, roots band 'Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies' in 2001 and hasn't looked back yet. His fusion of soul, blues and gospel compliment his intense vocal range and new found spirituality like a glove.

8. Bettye Lavette – Bettye Lavette’s family moved to Detroit in the early 50’s. Her parents sold corn liquor while their living room was full of gospel bands like Sam Cooke’s, The Soul Stirrers, and a jukebox full of contemporary soul, C&W and blues hits. After some late 60’s chart success and early 70’s Muscle Shoa - The Alternate Root Magazine

The black country soul rocksteady sounds of Boo City took the floor next and continued the night of dynamic music to the delight of the audience. Bringing the funk, soul reggae, blues that make up one of best ground-breaking acts ever, it's always a good time when Boo City plays. "Go And Tell Yo Mama", "Take It Easy On Me", "Tiny Little Daggers", "Bring It On Home", "You're No Good", a hip-hop infused reggae jam session followed up with "Closer" had everyone going crazy and the room was jumpin'. Boo City will be playing with the godfather of soul power Ty Jesso at Local 121 on January 26th and they have their brand new Anchortown EP available, you better get it because it'll put you in a state of absolute bliss. - GoLocalProv

Saw these guys last night, killer band. Amazingly tight, and both singers are good. Not sure exactly what genre they should be in, but give them a shot, I think you'd like them:

- Music Banter

The "rocksteady blues and R&B" crew Boo City is in the booty-shaking business, and business is booming. Boo City's artistic blend of styles is impossibly seamless and on full display on the full-length debut, Midnight Folklore.

Vocalist Tai Awolaju and guitarist Andrew Moon Bain formed Boo City in 2009, and they refer to their 2012 debut release as a "mixtape," which could be taken in the literal sense considering that Boo City is all over the place and then some (the band deems Folklore "an unhinged musical roller coaster").

Scoop up the download (name-your-price for the digital files, or $12 for the limited-edition disc with silkscreened artwork and poster) at boocity.bandcamp.com. Elements of R&B and reggae intertwine ("Don't Deny Me," "Sugar Skull Lover," "Long Gone"), and Bain cruises alongside Awolaju on "We'll Be Just Fine." Bain's acoustic picking and vocals take centerstage on "Goin' Down to Wall Street." "Take it Easy" (with guest vocalist Miss Wensday) is a gem, as is the closing, six-minute love jam "No Good."

This is one act that truly transcends genres; they've gained plenty of new fans at Foo Fest, Wooly Fair, and other shows around the region, and have shared stages with Olneyville Sound System, the Famous Winters, Triangle Forest, Sit Down Baby, and the Agents, to name a few.

The band traveled to Nashville earlier this summer and recorded a single with producers Adam Landry and Justin Collins (Deer Tick, Diamond Rugs), with plans to return early next year and complete a full-length album. Next up is a self-produced five-song EP recorded at Machines With Magnets titled Anchortown, with a CD release party tentatively scheduled for November 9 at Local 121's Speakeasy (plus a Thanksgiving Eve show at Nick-a-Nee's lined up). Expect a packed room for Boo City's "Endless Summer" bash on Saturday.

"We have sold out the Fête lounge twice before, and we're hoping for a third," said Bain via email.



Read more: http://thephoenix.com/boston/music/143929-boo-city-and-fall-andamp-bounce-strut-their-stuff/#ixzz2DfCSduhM - The Phoenix

On a frigid Friday night in downtown Providence, Boo City warmed everybody up with their brand of bluesy funk-soul reggae rock to celebrate the release of their Anchortown EP at The Speakeasy located in the lower level of the swanky Local 121. With Zak Drummond in his DJ alter ego Born Casual on the 1's and 2's spinning between sets, the mood was just right for another awesome night of amazing
local music. With people groovin' on the dancefloor and good vibes all around, Local 121 was definitely the place to be.

Zak Drummond/Born Casual

You might know him as one of the thunderous guitarists for Providence hardcore punk band Verse, but Zak Drummond as Born Casual started off the show with spinning some R&B and hip-hop to set the mood for the evening. Spinning Drake, Schoolboy Q, R. Kelly, Hudson Mohawke, Kendrick Lamar and Lil' Wayne just to name a few, Born Casual was putting on a clinic. Born Casual will be back at Local 121 with local rock & rollers Party Pigs on November 21st, a date you should definitely mark off your calendar.

Boo City

The place was packed and Boo City took the stage featuring Tai Awolaju's beautiful, smooth as silk voice kicking off a dynamic performance. With Andrew Moon Bain's excellent skills guitar, Harrison Milloff slappin' the bass and a fantastic horn section with Grayson Farmer on trumpet and Frank "Ranks" Moniz on saxophone, Boo City brought the soul, funk and a whole lot more. "What's Your Deal?",
"Long Gone", "Take It Easy On Me", "Bring It On Home", "You Ain't Ready", "Go And Tell Yo' Mama", a version of Damian Marley's "Welcome To Jamrock" but this time it was called "Welcome To Boo City", a cover of Janis Joplin's "Mercedes Benz", "Closer" with Jahdan Blakkamore guesting on vocals, "Speak Out" and "We'll Be Just Fine" had people shuffling their feet and movin' to the beat.

Boo City's emphatic combination of jazz, ska and hip-hop along with every other genre I've mentioned earlier makes them a band that has a sound so unique without having any contemporaries and anything you can truly compare them too. Boo City has the Anchortown EP available on their website at www.boocitymusic.com and you can also pick up a hard copy anywhere Boo City brings those infectious rhythms everybody loves.

Another great night for local music in The Creative Capital at one of the best little music venues in the world today, next time you want to see the next kickass show at Local 121, check out the calendar page on www.local121.com for everything you need to know - GoLocalProv

Tai Awolaju (Boo City)
Tai Awolaju is known for both her stage costumes and her sweet harmonies as a co-lead vocalist for Boo City. This sultry vixen of Boo City has both the pipes and charisma to dominate the room from the stage. Boo City had a big 2011 between winning the WXIN Rock Hunt and the December release of their Midnight Folklore mixtape. As I’ve said in past Midnight Folklore was really more of experimental fusing of different styles, Boo City are planning on releasing a full length that will keep more to their traditional R&B and soul roots. That said, I really dug the tracks I’ve heard of Midnight Folklore. Boo City are currently holding a kickstarter to raise funds so they can go to Austin to perform at the SXSW Festival. If you can spare any change to support a great band, go to http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/boocity/help-boo-city-goto-south-by-southwest-in-austint to donate. - Motif Magazine

"Still a relatively young band, having formed just under two years ago, Boo City's inspired ad eccentric genre hopping has been impressing people all over the city. Most notably at a swanky New Year's Eve gig, and at a recent show at the beautiful ballroom at the new Fete in Olneyville, and what seems like every other stage, floor and warehouse space in Rhode Island as well. With vocal duties split between the lovely Tai Awolaju and guitarist Andrew Moon Bain, the band sprinkles a remarkable amount of stuff across their songs: country blues in vein of Taj Mahal's forays into the genre, candy-sweet rhythm and blues (as on their own "Don't Deny Me"), and dalliances in liquid smooth rocksteady and reggae, evident on the intensely atmospheric "Surgar Skull Lover," a gorgeous song that would sound right at home on Sade's Lovers Rock.

One of the highlights of Boo City is Ms. Awalaju, whose perfectly placed voice keeps the sizzying array of musical styles from spinning off the rails. Her impeccably tasteful live performances, along with her near perfect reading of their own "You're No Good," find her simply killing it in classic soul singer territory.

The band has an album ready to drop, and apparently another already written. With a more focused and refined approach to their own songwriting, Boo City could easily position themselves as a more worldly and eclectic Providence answer to New York soul revivalists Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings." - Providence Monthly

by Timothy O'Keefe, GoLocalProv Contributor

Boo City describes themselves as “rooted in Soul, Rock, Rhythm & Blues”, and as offering an alternative to the “noise and hardcore sound that has epitomized the Providence rock scene for the last decade.” Founded in 2009 by Andrew Moon Bain and Tai Awolaju, Boo City not only features traditional drums, guitar, and bass, but also features its own brass section. GoLocalProv caught up with Bain before the band's Sound Session 2010 gig this Saturday, July 24.

Tell me about your band Boo City. How did it form, and what kind of music do you play?
I had been growing disinterested in producing other artists and really wanted to get back to playing, writing and performing my own music. I had been playing and touring with some of the artists I produced but that was all Reggae and Dancehall music, which is not what I typically write at all. I had been thinking about starting my own project and my friend Tai, who also had not been singing or performing in a while came to me about starting something together. Boo City pulls from a myriad of influences for sure but essentially we play Rhythm & Blues. It is rooted in Soul and Rock but we have some splashes of country, blues and reggae. I think it feels and sounds congruent. We don’t have a different song in each genre per se, it is more like our diverse influences inspire us in creating a unified sound.

You've produced a number of other artists. How does your production work reflect upon your own band's sound?
I am looking forward to recording in the beginning of August. We have an EP we are going to work on in the studio so that will pull on my years of producing. My production work definitely shapes the way we write and arrange songs. I tend to lean towards a format for our tunes and always think about what people and myself would sing along with. I tend to urge strong or simple melodic hooks and shorter arrangements. I am excited to record with this band and produce it fully.

Boo City is playing at this week's Sound Session, how do you see Sound Session's contribution to our local music scene?
Yeah, we are all looking forward to that show! Sound Session is an experience for everyone in Providence and the whole region. It is one of the most exciting and anticipated moments on the local music scene. I am particularly psyched to see so many local acts on it this year. Sound Session and the Black Rep in general are a vital source of art and culture in this community. They bring and pair diverse talent that no one else around here does. ?

You've been involved in a number of music projects, what would you like to experiment with musically that you haven't had a chance to try yet?
I have been really influenced by a lot of country music over the last year and a half, and am excited about the songs I am writing through this influence. I grew up listening to a lot of Patsy Cline from my mama so it is nice to get back into that era of music and remember the stuff I was hearing as a kid. In a recent song we wrote as a band we have a Dancehall break in a kind of club-rock track. I have also been in talks about doing a Radiohead-esque dance and rock project with one of my favorite reggae artists I work with, Jahdan Blakkamoore. That would be fun.

Boo City will be performing on Saturday, July 24th on the Bank of America Skating Center stage at Sound Session 2010, and on Saturday, July 31 on the Burnside Park Stage at IndieArts Fest 2010.

- GoLocalProv

by Timothy O'Keefe, GoLocalProv Contributor

Boo City describes themselves as “rooted in Soul, Rock, Rhythm & Blues”, and as offering an alternative to the “noise and hardcore sound that has epitomized the Providence rock scene for the last decade.” Founded in 2009 by Andrew Moon Bain and Tai Awolaju, Boo City not only features traditional drums, guitar, and bass, but also features its own brass section. GoLocalProv caught up with Bain before the band's Sound Session 2010 gig this Saturday, July 24.

Tell me about your band Boo City. How did it form, and what kind of music do you play?
I had been growing disinterested in producing other artists and really wanted to get back to playing, writing and performing my own music. I had been playing and touring with some of the artists I produced but that was all Reggae and Dancehall music, which is not what I typically write at all. I had been thinking about starting my own project and my friend Tai, who also had not been singing or performing in a while came to me about starting something together. Boo City pulls from a myriad of influences for sure but essentially we play Rhythm & Blues. It is rooted in Soul and Rock but we have some splashes of country, blues and reggae. I think it feels and sounds congruent. We don’t have a different song in each genre per se, it is more like our diverse influences inspire us in creating a unified sound.

You've produced a number of other artists. How does your production work reflect upon your own band's sound?
I am looking forward to recording in the beginning of August. We have an EP we are going to work on in the studio so that will pull on my years of producing. My production work definitely shapes the way we write and arrange songs. I tend to lean towards a format for our tunes and always think about what people and myself would sing along with. I tend to urge strong or simple melodic hooks and shorter arrangements. I am excited to record with this band and produce it fully.

Boo City is playing at this week's Sound Session, how do you see Sound Session's contribution to our local music scene?
Yeah, we are all looking forward to that show! Sound Session is an experience for everyone in Providence and the whole region. It is one of the most exciting and anticipated moments on the local music scene. I am particularly psyched to see so many local acts on it this year. Sound Session and the Black Rep in general are a vital source of art and culture in this community. They bring and pair diverse talent that no one else around here does. ?

You've been involved in a number of music projects, what would you like to experiment with musically that you haven't had a chance to try yet?
I have been really influenced by a lot of country music over the last year and a half, and am excited about the songs I am writing through this influence. I grew up listening to a lot of Patsy Cline from my mama so it is nice to get back into that era of music and remember the stuff I was hearing as a kid. In a recent song we wrote as a band we have a Dancehall break in a kind of club-rock track. I have also been in talks about doing a Radiohead-esque dance and rock project with one of my favorite reggae artists I work with, Jahdan Blakkamoore. That would be fun.

Boo City will be performing on Saturday, July 24th on the Bank of America Skating Center stage at Sound Session 2010, and on Saturday, July 31 on the Burnside Park Stage at IndieArts Fest 2010.

- GoLocalProv

by Doreen Manning

Story Created: Feb 16, 2011 at 2:51 PM EDT

Story Updated: Feb 16, 2011 at 2:51 PM EDT

Boo City aims to put the blues in your city funk. This Providence, R.I., group brings together many influences – from blues, reggae and pop to country and R&B soul. The mix brings to the mic a beautiful sound that emanates from singers Tai Awolaju and Andrew Moon Bain, whose styles blend together in a harmonious union made in musical heaven.

Formed just over a year ago, Boo City is a sextet with Awolaju on vocals and tambourine; Moon Bain on vocals, guitar; Harry Milloff strumming bass; Carey Bowman on drums; Grayson Farmer playing trumpet and pitching in on vocals; and Frank Moniz blowing on saxophone. With mostly originals on its set list, penned by Awolaju and Moon Bain but with much help from the unit — the group is set to work on a new album later this year.

According to Moon Bain, the goal of their music is to “bring people together, make people move, touch people’s hearts and souls and express our collective life experiences through our music/art.”

Awolaju’s voice is smooth like cocoa butter, and Moon Bain’s deep accompaniment really sets the tone for the group’s overall feel. With influences as vast and complex as Sam Cooke to The Clash, Willie Nelson to Missy Elliot and Dolly Parton to PJ Harvey, their American blend is truly a melting pot of goodness with a constant smooth groove that is truly their own.

“We all have a mutual respect and love for each other and what gives our sound and songs heart is that we usually are having more fun or just as much as the audience,” explains Moon Bain.

Don’t confuse this band as just another cover band. Its original tunes may be inspired by the great records of yesteryear, but Boo City offers a truly fresh, contemporary sound. Plus, its live show promises to deliver.

“We like to have a good time, stay inspired, dance and share this vibe with the audience,” says Moon Bain. “We genuinely enjoy playing and being together. I think people feel that and want to be a part of it. That’s what it’s about, gathering our energies and sharing a moment together.” - Worcester Mag

by Doreen Manning

Story Created: Feb 16, 2011 at 2:51 PM EDT

Story Updated: Feb 16, 2011 at 2:51 PM EDT

Boo City aims to put the blues in your city funk. This Providence, R.I., group brings together many influences – from blues, reggae and pop to country and R&B soul. The mix brings to the mic a beautiful sound that emanates from singers Tai Awolaju and Andrew Moon Bain, whose styles blend together in a harmonious union made in musical heaven.

Formed just over a year ago, Boo City is a sextet with Awolaju on vocals and tambourine; Moon Bain on vocals, guitar; Harry Milloff strumming bass; Carey Bowman on drums; Grayson Farmer playing trumpet and pitching in on vocals; and Frank Moniz blowing on saxophone. With mostly originals on its set list, penned by Awolaju and Moon Bain but with much help from the unit — the group is set to work on a new album later this year.

According to Moon Bain, the goal of their music is to “bring people together, make people move, touch people’s hearts and souls and express our collective life experiences through our music/art.”

Awolaju’s voice is smooth like cocoa butter, and Moon Bain’s deep accompaniment really sets the tone for the group’s overall feel. With influences as vast and complex as Sam Cooke to The Clash, Willie Nelson to Missy Elliot and Dolly Parton to PJ Harvey, their American blend is truly a melting pot of goodness with a constant smooth groove that is truly their own.

“We all have a mutual respect and love for each other and what gives our sound and songs heart is that we usually are having more fun or just as much as the audience,” explains Moon Bain.

Don’t confuse this band as just another cover band. Its original tunes may be inspired by the great records of yesteryear, but Boo City offers a truly fresh, contemporary sound. Plus, its live show promises to deliver.

“We like to have a good time, stay inspired, dance and share this vibe with the audience,” says Moon Bain. “We genuinely enjoy playing and being together. I think people feel that and want to be a part of it. That’s what it’s about, gathering our energies and sharing a moment together.” - Worcester Mag