Sounds From The Superhighway 17

John Butler Trio - Now, at times we may include bands that are on major labels, are distinguishing themselves, are considered an up and coming band, yet are poised on the outskirts of the great beyond and prepared to enter "The Inner Circle." The John Butler Trio (JBT) is one of those bands. They are insanely popular in their native Australia and are hoping to duplicate that status in the states. To that end, you can catch them on the The Late Show with David Letterman on Tuesday, March 29, 2005. Of course, it is essential to have a new release if you're going to promote, and, to that end, Lava Records will release Sunrise Over Sea this month. Butler, who was born in California, but later moved to Australia (which he now calls home), has a unique style of playing. He grows his fingernails, strengthens them, cuts them to a point, and plays his guitar. The only way to know what this does to his sound is to listen. Check him out on Letterman.

Shivaree - Here's another of those bands preparing to enter the inner circle. On January 10, 2005, the New York Times wrote, “It’s the kind of cool, ominous, archly retro music that appeals to Quentin Tarantino…Shivaree is simply at home in its sparse, slow-motion ballads and twilt lounge tunes.” Some may remember a single entitled "Bossa Nova." It's vengeful lyrics were backed a do-woppish, sing-along melody. That was my introduction to Shivaree. Now comes Who's Got Trouble? on Rounder Records, and the band is still (with all due respect to Stuart Scott of ESPN) "cool as the other side of the pillow." Who's Got Trouble?, whose title was inspired by the Humphrey Bogart movie, Casablanca, is the band's third release, and Ambrosia Parsley has never sounded better. Look for west coast tour dates in April.

Viva Voce - Being Italian myself, any band that takes their name from the Italian language is cool in my book. Fortunately, that's not the only good thing about the Portland, OR, duo of Kevin and Anita Robinson. (Yes, they are married.) Benjamin Friedland of Rolling Stone wrote, "...it seems that Viva Voce achieve something greater than simple space jams: sharp, smart stoner rock." CMJ wrote, "Just get people to listen, and they've got new fans." Their latest album is entitled The Heat Can Melt Your Brain (Minty Fresh). The label has also reissued Lovers, Lead The Way! The band is currently on a long tour through the month's of March and April. They'll be in my neck of the woods (Albuquerque, NM) in late-April, so look for an interview at that time.