Alpha Rev formed in 2005, when lead singer Casey McPherson’s former group Endochine disbanded. They released a self-titled EP in 2006 and a full-length in 2007 titled, The Greatest Thing I’ve Ever Learned.

Their newest effort, New Morning, hit stores about a year ago (April 2011). I saw these guys at SXSW in Austin this past weekend and it was awesome! Great group, please check ’em out!

This song was my favorite of the live set they played. It’s from another EP titled, City Farm: Roots – EP.

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“Lonely Man” by Alpha Rev

I’ve loved them from the beginning – fifteen years and counting – and I finally took my opportunity to see Train live. Houston knows how to do it right. They’ll never make rodeo tickets too expensive, to the point where their own Houstonians don’t want to come out and enjoy the show. So, at $ 16 bucks a pop, we get to see some pretty great shows down here!

From the latest release, Save Me, San Francisco, have a listen to “Drive By.”

“Drive By” by Train

Plus, for old time sake, let’s revisit “All American Girl” from My Private Nation.

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“All American Girl” by Train

2012 Houston Rodeo Setlist:

1. “If It’s Love”
2. “Meet Virginia”
3. “Drive By”
4. Led Zeppelin’s “Ramble On” and Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side” (mashup covers)
5. Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin'” (cover)
6. “She’s On Fire” (sung with a country twang)
7. “Soul Sister” (sing-along/ fans were invited on stage)
8. “Calling All Angels”
9. “Save Me, San Francisco”
10. “Marry Me”
11. “Soul Sister” (reprise/ sung by Train)
12. “Drops of Jupiter”

The Limited Edition Weights & Wings vinyl was released in January!

Half of the songs are filed under the “weights” catagory; heavier songs dealing with harder stuff, and the other half are “wings;” lighter, more transcendent ‘FUN’ songs. All the “weights” songs are on one side of the record, and all the “wings” on the other. Each album is hand numbered and there are only 500 pressed!

You can pick them up on Amazon or wherever you buy vinyl!

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“Someone Like You” by Matt Wertz

The Vespers‘ New record drops April 3rd.

If you haven’t heard about their Podcast, The Reason and Rhyme show, you may check that out on iTunes and subscribe to the archive. They host a talk radio show each week with special guests every Wednesday at 3:30 CST. The show is also livestream’d here.

Last week, The Vespers’ new record The Fourth Wall, was spinning on SiriusXM’s The Village and on The Bridge.

Check out this mini-documentary (6 min.) of the making of The Fourth Wall.

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“Will You Love Me” by The Vespers

Julia’s new track “Let’s Forget All The Things That We Say” is available on iTunes today as part of a 4 track EP. You can find it here.

The EP features:

1. Let’s Forget All The Things That We Say

2. Tell Her a Story

3. Take Me Home

4. The S**t That They’re Feeding You

You may view the video HERE now.

“Lets Forget All The Things That We Say” is taken from her upcoming solo album By The Horns out in May.

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“Let’s Forget All the Things That We Say” by Julia Stone

The first single from A Wasteland Companion is available now on iTunes!

“Primitive Girl” features M. Ward on vocal, piano and guitar, John Parish on percussion/marimba, Mike Mogis on organ, and Susan Sanchez providing backing vocals.

You can check out the full stream HERE and buy the track HERE.

A Wasteland Companion is out April 6 in Australia/New Zealand via Spunk, April 9 in the UK/Europe via Bella Union and April 10 in the US via Merge Records.

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“Primitive Girl” by M. Ward