The Only Place is the follow-up to the acclaimed Crazy For You and finds Bethany Cosentino and Bobb Bruno maturing in both sound and perspective. This album finds front woman Cosentino transitioning into adulthood, with the feeling of uncertainty and self-doubt at the emotional center of the album. As with all of Best Coast’s previous recordings, on The Only Place Cosentino handles all songwriting, lyrics, vocals and rhythm guitar, while multi-instrumentalist Bobb Bruno plays lead guitar, bass and drums. What’s new this time is their decision to work with producer and composer Jon Brion.

Enter to win some cool prizes autographed poster, stickers, posters, and a Sub Pop prize pack.

Nick Gaitan’s (Octanes, Billy Joe Shaver) latest project is hard to pigeonhole, and that’s a good thing. Much of the material swings in an old-school country way, but there are always elements that take bits of the “country” out of the songs. “Country-soul” probably comes closer than any other category one might assign to Umbrella Man’s music, but the mix also includes interesting swatches of blues, gospel and Cajun stomp.

ALL BEVERAGES BY ST. ARNOLD BREWING CO.

@ 1:00pm – KENNY CORDRAY

[Wikipedia] Kenny Cordray (born July 21, 1954) is an American instrumental guitarist and song writer. He co-wrote “Francine” with Steve Perron for ZZ Top’s album “Rio Grande Mud“. Kenny has shared the stage with notable musicians and performers such as John Mayall, John Lee Hooker as well was Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top. “Francine” peaked at 69 on the Billboard Hot 100. Kenny became the lead guitarist for THE CHILDREN under the ATCO label and later on ODE records produced by Lou Adler.

Kenny Cordray played in “Wayne Cochran and the C.C. Rider” band at Jaco Pastorious’ request. Kenny performed and wrote music with Jaco Pastorious. While playing with the C.C. Riders, Kenny backed up Jerry Lee Lewis on an episode of the Midnight Special and In Concert. Kenny then moved to New Orleans to play with former C. C. Riders and Edgar Winter’s White Trash band members.Kenny then formed his own band named Cordray. Members included Clay Hemphill, David Lee Watson, Allyn Robinson, and Mark Campbell.

Kenny’s first national break came on January,6 1986 in USA Today. Author Anne Ayers Photography by Theresa DiManno – Club bands aim for hearts, charts.

In 1991 Kenny formed the Civilians and recorded a CD entitled “Miracles” In late 1992 Kenny Cordray, Dave Foster,and Todd Harrison formed a Texas Rockin Blues Psychedelic Power trio. They called themselves KENNY CORDRAY AND BLUE SCIENCE and recorded a CD entitled BLUE SCIENCE.

In March 2012 Kenny released his latest work, “It Takes Everything”. Core rhythm section for “It Takes Everything” is Mark Andes - Bass, Tyson Sheth – Drums, Paul English – Keyboards and Kenny Cordray – Guitars.

@ 2:00pm – ROCKY HILL LISTENING PARTY

NASHVILLE – Houston native John Lomax III returns to town May 19 for the release of the album he produced on the late guitar great Rocky Hill. The event will be at Cactus Music, 2110 Portsmouth, 2 p.m., Saturday, May 19. Lomax and Hill’s widow, Joy, will play the album and discuss Rocky’s life and work. Admission is free.

Lomax, 67, older son of John Avery Lomax Jr. and Margaret Marable (“Mimi”) Lomax, grew up in Houston and graduated from West University Elementary, Pershing Jr. High and Lamar high school; his 1962 Lamar graduating class will hold their 50^th reunion the same weekend. Lomax, who wrote for Space City News and Pacifica Radio’s Mighty Ninety News in the early ‘70s, moved to Nashville in 1973 to essay a career as a music journalist/author, artist manager, international consultant and, since 2001, as President of Roots Music Exporters and Lomax Global Music.

He is the father of award-winning Houston Press Staff Writer John Nova Lomax

 A 3rd generation member of the famous Texas  folk/blues/cowboy song family, Lomax III proudly adds a new chapter to the Lomax tradition of finding, preserving, documenting and promoting unique, exciting music and musicians. Lomax has also worked with Texans Townes Van Zandt, Steve Earle, “America’s Dulcimer Champion” David Schnaufer and Australian singer-songwriterKasey Chambers as well as Capitol/EMI recording artists The Cactus Brothers.

@ 3:00pm – YANN TIERSEN [Special Acoustic Performance]

We welcome back Yann Tiersen to Cactus! This highly regarded French composer and musician is best known for his soundtrack to the award-winning film, Am’elie.   He has a well-received new album just out on Anti label.  We worked hard to get this artist to our store and we’re thrilled that he can stop by to play some tunes.

+ Pre-order “Valtari” on 5/17, and receive a limited edition print.

+ Enter to win test pressing (vinyl) of “Valtari” and a full prize pack including RSD 2012 release.

“In English Valtari translates as “steamroller” and there is something right about the title in terms of the process of its creation. The last three tracks of Valtari are like one long slow gorgeous fade out, as the listener, having been softened up by the slightly more “song-y” start to the album, is left with the subtly shifting, deep introspective beauty of the last 24 minutes. After that, penultimate track, Valtari is like the far heart of the album; eight minutes that feel like being alone in row boat on a chill day.” – Jan Clements

Up First…

BEACH HOUSE “BLOOM” LISTENING PARTY @ 1:00pm

Come have an advance listen to “Bloom is the fourth full length album by Baltimore-based Beach House. It builds on 2010s Teen Dream to further develop their distinctive sound yet stands apart as a new piece of work. Bloom is meant to be experienced as an ALBUM, a singular, unified vision of the world. The many layers of Bloom are uncomplicated and meticulously constructed to ensure there is no waste. Bloom was recorded in 2011 at Sonic Ranch Studios in Tornillo, TX and mixed at Electric Lady in NYC. The band co-produced the record with Chris Coady” – E.R.

ENTER TO WIN ONE OF 3  PRIZES

- Limited Edition Glow in the Dark “Bloom” LP
-  An  RSD 2012 7″ release
OR
-  SUB-POP CD Comp.

GOOD LUCK!

Later,

BRIAN KEANE, PERFORMANCE @ 3:00pm

Brian Keane is as honest as they come. So honest, in fact, that at the famous Bluebird Cafe in Nashville he has been asked never to repeat his Americana Song of the Year “She Left Me for Jesus” (co-written with Hayes Carll). He debuted his criticism of Nashville songwriters (“I’ll Sing About Mine”) to a room full of… Nashville songwriters. “That was a little nerve-racking,” he laughs. “But it …went over well. I get the impression they’re as tired of writing some of that stuff as we are of hearing it.” With his new collection of no-bull, straight from the heart songs with subjects ranging from being broke (“Living is Killing Me”), to being broke and in love (“Everything is Broken but My Heart”) to his well-worn experience in dive bars (“Spinning Wheels”), Brian Keane is winning over audiences everywhere — despite being honest enough to ruffle some feathers. Combine that with a sharp wit on -stage, a lyrical gift beyond his years, a badass band, and the courage to say exactly how he feels to anyone, anywhere and you have Brian Keane: a true artist about to make some huge waves.

ALL BEVERAGES BY ST. ARNOLD BREWING COMPANY!

We’ll be doing an in-store screening of this wonderful documentary UNDER AFRICAN SKIES Saturday May 5, 2012 1PM! Any fan of Paul Simon and his groundbreaking album GRACELAND will want to check this out. Watch it early before it’s dvd release June 5th, 2012!

“I think we tend to forget about all the little stuff that gets us through every day and so that’s what tends to come up in my songs,” said Coley. “Marriage, birth and death are huge events that we measure life by, but the memories surrounding those events are what I liketo celebrate in my music.”

“Every now and then, one comes along. One of those singers that you remember the first time you heard them for the rest of your life. Those are the emotions I am feeling right now upon hearing this jewel of a singer–songwriter.” -Chuck Dauphin, Music News Nashville

Phoebe lives her life trying to make a difference in the world through her music. Hailing from Austin, Texas, after graduating from the University of Texas, she has spent the majority of her ‘adult’ years sitting in big white vans, exploring the country and the American Culture through the eyes of an inspired musician. As a student of the subtle differences between the East and the West, the North and the South, and hearing the nuances that shape American music as it is heard today, Phoebe’s music is a pure reflection of her life’s experiences.

Touring with The Belleville Outfit from 2007-2010, Phoebe played festivals and clubs across the country, from The Strawberry Music Festival in Yosemite National Park, and Bonnaroo in Manchester, Tenn., to Austin City Limits in her home town of Austin.

In early 2011, Phoebe began working on a new concept for her music combining it within her journey of self-exploration. Her music is inspired by all that she does and all that she sees. She loves to learn and is interested in studying any and all styles of music, collaborating whith many artists, and encorporating her life’s experiences into her compositions. – phoebehuntproject.com

MEET & GREET (Not A Performance)

Join us as American Idol finalist, James Durbin, meets his fans at Cactus Music. James brought some much needed RAWK to American Idol by performing Judas Priest’s Breaking the Law and You’ve Got Another Thing Coming. He is a fan favorite and we’re pleased to host him to celebrate the release of his debut album, Memories of a Beautiful Disaster, on Wind-Up Entertainment records.

Refreshments provided by The Saint Arnold Brewing Company.