Blues great Charlie Musselwhite's shares new single "Sad Eyes"

Listen to the emotive blues track "Sad Eyes" that debuts today. I am looking forward to hearing Charlie Musselwhite's new album Look Out Highway" when it is released next month...Robert Kinsler

Blues Icon Charlie Musselwhite Unveils New Single Listen to "Sad Eyes" Here Album 'Look Out Highway' Due May 16th via 40 Below Records  Pre-Save Album Here    Photo by Michael Weintrob CLARKSDALE, MS -  Blues legend Charlie Musselwhite is pleased to share "Sad Eyes", the latest single off of his new album, Look Out Highway, due May 16th via Forty Below Records. Glide Magazine has premiered the track which is out on all platforms today. Listen to "Sad Eyes" here. Pre-save the album Look Out Highway here.   What do you get when you mix Delta, Chicago and Memphis Blues? The American Blues icon Charlie Musselwhite. He's been writing classic songs for nearly six decades. He's a prolific songwriter who writes organic, compelling stories with ease. There is real emotional depth at the core of his songs.   When asked his "Sad Eyes" by Glide magazine, Mussewhite said, "Sad Eyes is about a lonely single guy in a club that sees a girl that looks lonely with sad eyes. They might not be all that attracted to each other, but why not enjoy each others company for awhile anyway? It's not love, but it's not bad. Check out the Glide article here.   More than any other harmonica player of his generation, Charlie Musselwhite can rightfully lay claim to inheriting the mantle of many of the great harp players that came before him with music as dark as Mississippi mud and uplifting as California's blue skies. In an era when the term legendary gets applied to auto-tuned pop stars, this singular blues harp player, singer, songwriter, and guitarist has earned and deserves to be honored as a true master of American classic vernacular music.   Recorded at Kid Andersen's Greaseland Studio in San Jose, California, and Clarksdale Sound Stage in Clarksdale, Mississippi, it's the first time Charlie has recorded with his long-time touring band, comprised of guitarist Matt Stubbs (GA-20), drummer June Core (Robert Lockwood Jr.) and bassist Randy Bermudes (James Cotton), along with Andersen who has been in and out of the band for many years. Their chemistry and command are abundantly clear from the opening notes. "We finished a gig at The Iridium in New York City and flew straight to California to record," Charlie effuses. Photo by Michael Weinstrob ABOUT CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE Charlie Musselwhite has received 13 Grammy nominations throughout his illustrious career, including his last release, Mississippi Son, and 33 Blues Music Awards. In 2014, his collaboration with Ben Harper Get Up won a Grammy, and in 2010, he was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame. Charlie's career took off quickly soon after arriving in Chicago in the early sixties, where he was an integral part of the blues renaissance along with The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, both genuine proteges of Little Walter, Muddy Waters, and Howlin' Wolf. In 1967, at just 22 years of age, he released his debut album, Stand Back! , which garnered significant critical acclaim. On a whim, Musselwhite relocated to San Francisco that same year. Contemporaries like Butterfield and Mike Bloomfield followed suit and were welcomed into the counterculture scene around the Fillmore West as authentic purveyors of real-deal blues. Charlie has also collaborated with an eclectic list of incredible artists over the years, including Ben Harper, Cyndi Lauper, Eddie Vedder, Tom Waits, Bonnie Raitt, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Gov't Mule, INXS, Mickey Hart, and Japan's Kodo Drummers, George Thorogood, Eliades Ochoa, Cat Stevens, Elvin Bishop and, close friend and best man at his wedding John Lee Hooker. In 2023, Musselwhite was cast in Martin Scorsese's film Killers of the Flower Moon in the role of Alvin Reynolds. Musselwhite's sixty-year journey has taken him from Mississippi to Memphis, Chicago, and California. He is living proof that great music only gets better with age. Sixty years of nonstop touring, 20 albums, 1 Grammy, and 33 Blues Music Awards later, his depth of expression as a singer and an instrumentalist grew more profound with each passing year. Forty Below Records, based in Los Angeles and helmed by Eric Corne, is proud to be Charlie's new home. Corne declared, "Working with an artist of Charlie's caliber is an honor and privilege. He's one of the most iconic Blues musicians working today. And we look forward to taking his legacy to the next level."

Listen to "Sad Eyes" Here CONNECT Website | Instagram | Facebook

The Album Leaf shares new ambient record 'Rotations'; Announces Los Angeles performance In The Round on April 22

 This just arrived in my inbox and I had to share...Robert Kinsler

THE ALBUM LEAF SHARES NEW ATMOSPHERIC AMBIENT LP ROTATIONS   LISTEN NOW   ANNOUNCES SPECIAL LOS ANGELES SHOW ON APRIL 22, 2025 AS PART OF COAXIAL’S 10th ANNIVERSARY April 11, 2025 – Today, The Album Leaf shares his new ambient LP, Rotations. The record is a mediative experiment into atmospheric sound. Creator Jimmy LaValle explains, “This collection of music is a true reflection of my creative process—rooted in sound exploration, experimentation, and spontaneous response. Each track captures a moment of creative discovery, free from the pressure of achieving a polished result. Throughout my career, I’ve often placed significant weight on what an album should be. With this release, I’ve let go of those expectations to share a body of work that feels genuine and authentic.”    The Album Leaf also announced he will play his first show in Los Angeles on April 22 as part of Coaxial Art’s 10 year anniversary celebration with a special in-the-round performance at Human Resources along with Emma Palm and Marc Merza, Lenard Smith, and Joshua Oduga. More information and tickets can be found HERE. The prolific Los Angeles-based electronic artist The Album Leaf has had a fruitful few years. He released his acclaimed 2023 full-length album, Future Falling, the 2024 EP, Blast, featuring sax player Aaron D4VD (Anderson Paak., Tyler The Creator, Herbie Hancock), a series of remixes by esteemed artists like Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith, Dustin O’Halloran, Boom Bip, and Balmorhea, written several scores, including one for the film Things Will Be Different (SXSW 2024 premiere) and Touch Me that just was applauded at Sundance. He also was featured on several charity compilations for the Los Angeles fires, including ambient compilation FOR LA, curated by Hollie Kenniff, and indie rock compilation Love Los Angeles, which includes artists like Ducks LTD, Shannon Lay, and Kevin Devine.   Stay tuned for more to come from The Album Leaf. Axis Rhythm Resolve Rotations Dance of Seasons Whirling Echoes Carousel (Feat. Six Missing) Celestial Spin Turn Of Fate Spiral Of Memories Slight Decline     ABOUT THE ALBUM LEAF: The Album Leaf has been steadily making his mark as a soft-spoken innovator since 1999. Now based in LA, Jimmy LaValle started out in the San Diego music scene creating vivid, rhythmic, soaring instrumentals centered around the Rhodes piano. With over two decades of acclaimed releases (for Sub Pop, City Slang, and others) and numerous collaborations with artists and brands, he has become a touchstone for the next generation’s wave of melodic and meditative electro-organic music.   A prolific musician, he has also composed music for film and television, scoring over 20 projects, including award-winning films, the Calm App, Netflix shows, and commercials for companies like Nike and Google. In 2023, he released his first record in seven years, FUTURE FALLING, a fluid, cohesive record featuring collaborations with Bat For Lashes and Kimbra, and exhibits LaValle as emblematically inquisitive and renewed by outside perspectives. ###     https://thealbumleaf.com/ https://www.facebook.com/TheAlbumLeaf https://twitter.com/TheAlbumLeaf https://www.instagram.com/TheAlbumLeaf/

2025 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival Preview

The Desert Star Weekly's contributing music writers Robert Kinsler and George A. Paul each highlight some of their must-see artists coming to the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Taking place over consecutive weekends at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, Coachellafest will be held April 11-13 and again April 18-20, 2024. This year's headliners are Lady Gaga, Charli xcx and Green Day. There are countless emerging and established artists performing this year equally worth catching this year.

Pictured: "Dancing In The Sky" 2024 art installation by Morag Myerscough.
Photo courtesy of Coachella / Photo credit: Lance Gerber

By Robert Kinsler and George A. Paul

The Desert Star Weekly’s contributing music writers spotlight some can’t miss music acts headed to Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 11-13 and April 18-20. This year’s headliners are Lady Gaga, Green Day, Post Malone, and Travis Scott. More than 150 established and emerging artists are scheduled to perform over the two consecutive weekends. 

Fridays, April 11 and 18

Photo credit: Frank Lebon

Lady Gaga — On the heels of the release of her seventh No. 1 album in a row, Mayhem (released last month), singer-songwriter/keyboardist Lady Gaga appears at Coachellafest for the first time since 2017. The influential New York City native and 14-time Grammy Award winner should thrill festivalgoers with her signature mix of dance, synth-pop, funk, disco, and rock. Among the new cuts she will surely feature in the Indio sets: "Disease" and "Abracadabra," the first two Mayhem singles and “Shallow” off the film soundtrack to “A Star is Born.” Read George A. Paul's review of the new book titled "Lady Gaga is Life: A Superfan's Guide to All Things We Love about Lady Gaga" HERE. (RK)

The Marias / photo credit: Jaxon Whittington

The Marias — The Los Angeles-based quartet make an eagerly-awaited return to Coachella, having last performed here in 2022. The Marias just dropped new tracks “Back to Me” and “Nobody New.” The latter was co-written by Benny Blanco and follows The Marias’ appearance on Blanco & Selena Gomez’s current charter “Ojos Tristes.” The troupe's ’24 album Submarine included gold-certified hit “No One Noticed” and such enticing tracks as the hypnotic "Hamptons," immersive "Echo," dance-minded "Blur" and Spanish language delight "Lejos de Ti," which recalls the sonic magic of '80s favorite Cocteau Twins. (RK)

Go-Go’s — Initially part of the LA punk music scene during the late 1970s, the Go-Go’s broke new ground when they became the first all-female band to write and perform everything on a No. 1 album (1981’s pop-leaning, double platinum debut Beauty and the Beat). The quintet notched indelible hit singles like “Our Lips are Sealed,” “We Got the Beat,” “Vacation,” and “Head Over Heels,” later serving as inspiration for Bikini Kill. HAIM, The Linda Lindas, and others. Various reunions have happened over the years. The Go-Go’s were the subject of an acclaimed documentary in 2020 and they unveiled a spirited “Club Zero,” the first new song in decades. Since Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong co-wrote/played on 2001’s God Bless the Go-Go’s, could a guest appearance be in store at Empire Polo? (GAP)

Saturdays, April 12 and 19

Green Day / Photo credit: Alice Baxley

Green Day — This California trio helped spearhead the Nineties punk revival via massively successful album Dookie and hit singles “Basket Case,” “Longview,” “Welcome to Paradise” and “When I Come Around. The musicians subsequently appeared at most major music festivals around the world but somehow hadn’t played Coachella (although frontman Billie Joe Armstrong did do a memorable guest spot with the Replacements in 2014) until now. Last year saw the incisive, compelling new studio album Saviors, sporting timely rocker “The American Dream is Killing Me.” Then the excellent American Idiot 20^th Anniversary reissues arrived. The highly recommended super deluxe box set features a wealth of unreleased demos, live tracks (from Tokyo’s Makuhari Messe, VHI Storytellers, a full American Idiot live run through at NYC’s Irving Plaza), rare B-sides, 2 Blu-rays with compelling documentaries, memorabilia, detailed liner notes and more. (GAP)

    

Michelle Zauner of Japanese Breakfast at Coachella in April 2022.
Photo credit: Julian Bajsel / Getty Images for Coachella

Japanese Breakfast — The moniker for singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Michelle Zauner, Japanese Breakfast was clearly a wonderful discovery for many music fans at Coachella ‘22. With the release of Zauner's bewitching fourth album For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women) last month, Japanese Breakfast will likely attract even more attention this time around. There is a dreamy quality across the new material and the singular setting afforded by the Empire Polo Field should bring even more magic to gems such as "Here is Someone," "Orlando in Love" and "Magic Mountain." (RK) 

Jimmy Eat World / Photo credit: Jimi Giannatti

Jimmy Eat World — Hailing from Arizona, Jimmy Eat World formed in 1993 and came to national prominence eight years later with the stellar, platinum-selling fourth album Bleed American. The Mesa band’s emotionally driven brand of alt-rock led to modern rock radio staples like “The Middle” (a Top 5 pop crossover among Spotify’s Billions Club), “Sweetness,” “Pain” and “Work.” Jimmy Eat World’s last studio album, 2019’s Surviving, featured guests Davey Havok (AFI) and James King (Fitz and the Tantrums). The quartet – which previously played Coachella ‘11 – recently put out the Phoenix Sessions, derived from three engaging 2021 entire album livestream performances, on limited edition vinyl. Each “reimagined” title reveals subtle new sonic nuances from playing the songs on the road for years. Multiple photos are included. The Futures 2LP gatefold features a detailed recollection by the band about the original album creation alongside producer Gil Norton. Chances are good fans will hear recent single “Something Loud” live in Indio. (GAP)  

Weezer performing at Coachella in Indio on April 20, 2019.
Photo credit: Courtesy of Coachella

Weezer (Weekend 1 Only) — Rivers Cuomo and company were just added to the 2025 Coachella lineup late last weekend; the Los Angeles-spawned band is slated to appear at 3:10 p.m. on the Mojave Stage on Saturday for Weekend One. Weezer last appeared at the festival in 2019 and delivered memorable sets featuring original material and artful remakes at each of the band's weekend sets. (RK)

Ed Sheeran (Weekend 2 Only) – For the first time since surprise performers started being added to the Weekend 1 lineup (Vampire Weekend, Arcade Fire), Weekend 2 attendees finally get to enjoy one too. The British pop superstar – who headlined Dodger Stadium in 2024 and is best known for such Billboard top 5 singles as “Shape of You,” “Perfect,” “Thinking Out Loud,” “Bad Habits” and “I Don’t Care” will appear in the Mojave tent. Expect to hear the festive, Middle Eastern-tinged new single “Azizam” in the singer/guitarist’s set. (GAP)

Sundays, April 13 and 20

Kraftwerk / Photo credit: Falcon Publicity

Kraftwerk — The term “pioneer” often gets bandied around, but Kraftwerk truly fits the bill. If Ralf Hutter and Florian Schneider hadn’t started the German electronic music band in 1970, the Eighties new wave, alternative, rap and EDM landscapes might’ve sounded far different. Kraftwerk has been sampled by Dr. Dre, Afrika Bambaata & Soulsonic Force and Busta Rhymes. Additionally, everyone from David Bowie, Depeche Mode and Duran Duran to Bjork, The Prodigy and Daft Punk have cited the Dusseldorf musicians as an influence. Previously performing at the 2004 and ’08 Coachellas (where it rivaled Prince for the event standout), the Indio sets arrive on the back of a nine night Walt Disney Hall in 2024 stand. (GAP) 

Information: Coachella.com.

Dawes Share “Time Spent In Los Angeles (For Altadena)”; Special New Version of Classic Song

Check out the affecting version of Dawes' "Time Spent In Los Angeles (For Altadena)" featuring Dawes along with Andrew Bird and Alan Hampton...Robert Kinsler

DAWES SHARE INSPIRING NEW VERSION OF 

“TIME SPENT IN LOS ANGELES (FOR ALTADENA)” – LISTEN 

VERY SPECIAL RENDITION OF LONGTIME FAN FAVORITE FEATURES 

FRIENDS ANDREW BIRD AND ALAN HAMPTON

PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT MUSICARES RELIEF EFFORTS 

IN THE WAKE OF DEVASTATING SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES

OH BROTHER TOUR RESUMES APRIL 9 IN WOODSTOCK, NY

(Read Robert Kinsler's review of "Oh Brother" published in October 2024 HERE)

Acclaimed California rock band Dawes have shared “Time Spent In Los Angeles (For Altadena),” a very special version of their classic track newly produced by Mike Viola with the help of friends Andrew Bird and Alan Hampton, available everywhere now on their own Dead Ringers via Secretly Canadian Distribution. Proceeds from the track will benefit MusiCares relief efforts in the wake of January’s devastating Southern California wildfires. To contribute to MusiCares’ Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort, or if you or someone you know needs help, please visit musicares.org/firerelief.  Dawes co-founders Taylor and Griffin Goldsmith are among the many Los Angeles area residents whose lives were shattered by the wildfires’ unprecedented destruction – Taylor lost his studio and most of the band’s musical gear and equipment while Griffin and their parents all lost their homes. Dawes immediately went to work supporting MusiCares efforts to assist fellow musicians affected by the fires by visiting ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! to perform “Time Spent in Los Angeles,” originally found on their 2011 sophomore album, Nothing Is Wrong. “We were asked to perform on Jimmy Kimmel within a week of both of our properties burning in Altadena,” says Taylor Goldsmith. “Griffin lost his house and I lost our studio. We decided to play a ballad version of ‘Time Spent in Los Angeles.’ The song means all sorts of different things to us now. After that live performance it became clear we would want a proper studio recording of the version for posterity (and to maybe even raise a little more money for MusiCares). So we hit up our fellow Angelenos Andrew Bird and Alan Hampton and recorded this live in one take at our old friend Mike Viola’s house studio in Echo Park. I feel like this is the version of this song that we’re gonna be playing for a long time to come.” LISTEN TO “TIME SPENT IN LOS ANGELES (FOR ALTADENA)” WATCH “TIME SPENT IN LOS ANGELES” (LIVE ON JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE!) Dawes have spent much of their time since the fires supporting and raising awareness for MusiCares, including a surprise opening appearance at the 67th Annual GRAMMY® Awards that saw them leading an all-star lineup – including Brad Paisley, Brittany Howard, John Legend, Sheryl Crow, and St. Vincent – for an unforgettable performance of Randy Newman’s “I Love L.A.” Dawes’ own exclusive version – featuring lyrical changes to reflect the City of Angels’ inspiring resilience following the disaster – is available now, with proceeds benefitting The Recording Academy and MusiCares’ Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort To Support Music Professionals. WATCH “I LOVE. L.A. (2025 GRAMMY® AWARDS PERFORMANCE) LISTEN TO “I LOVE L.A.” Dawes –– were also among the stars performing at February’s star-studded FireAid benefit concert at Los Angeles’ Kia Forum. After opening their set with “Time Spent in Los Angeles,” Dawes were joined onstage by Stephen Stills and Mike Campbell for a performance of Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth.” The supergroup then welcomed Stills’ longtime friend and musical partner Graham Nash for an unforgettable rendition of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young’s “Teach Your Children” that saw everyone in attendance at the arena singing along in unison. Last year saw the acclaimed release of Dawes’ ninth studio album, Oh Brother, available everywhere now. Exclusive split color vinyl, as well as an array of deluxe Oh Brother bundles, are available via the Dawes online store. Hailed by No Depression as “a staggering soundscape where guitar-talking, folk-rock, bleary-eyed grooves, and a kind of misfit pop all blur into one succinct soundtrack for these unprecedented times,” the album steers Dawes decidedly forward, honoring 15 years of Taylor and Griffin’s musical relationship, as well as the next era and natural evolution of their beloved band.  STREAM/DOWNLOAD OH BROTHER ORDER OH BROTHER EXCLUSIVE SPLIT COLOR VINYL + MORE Dawes spent much of last fall celebrating their new era traveling the US on their epic Oh Brother Tour, resuming April 9 at Woodstock, NY’s Bearsville Theatre. Special guests on most dates will be Michigander. Dawes’ busy schedule will also see additional summer headline dates along with a series of eagerly awaited shows supporting The Avett Brothers and top-billed appearances at an array of festivals including Goose’s Viva El Gonzo (set for May 8-10 in San José del Cabo, Mexico), Brandi Carlile’s Mothership Weekend in Miramar Beach, FL (May 11), and Louisville, KY’s Bourbon & Beyond (September 11-14). For complete details and ticket availability, please visit dawestheband.com/tour.  DAWES - OH BROTHER TOUR 2025 APRIL 9 – Woodstock, NY – Bearsville Theatre * 10 – Ridgefield, CT – Ridgefield Playhouse * (SOLD OUT) 11 – Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore Philadelphia * 12 – New York, NY – Beacon Theatre * 13 – Princeton, NJ – Matthews Theatre at McCarter Theatre Center 16 – Davenport, IA – Capitol Theatre * 17 – Madison, WI – The Majestic Theatre * (SOLD OUT) 18 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue * 19 – Columbia, MO – The Blue Note * 21 – Des Moines, IA – Hoyt Sherman Place * 23 – Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre * 25 – Kalispell, MT – Wachholz College Center * 26 – Seattle, WA – Neptune Theatre * 27 – Portland, OR – Revolution Hall * MAY 8-10 – San José del Cabo, Mexico – Viva El Gonzo † 11 – Miramar Beach, FL – Brandi Carlile’s Mothership Weekend † JULY 11 – Red Bank, NJ – Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre at the Count Basie Center 13 – Amagansett, NY – The Stephen Talkhouse 17 – La Vista, NE – The Astro Amphitheater ^ 18 – Camdenton, MO – Ozarks Amphitheater ^ 19 – Oklahoma City, OK – Paycom Center ^ AUGUST 2 – Lancaster, OH – Lancaster Festival 31 – Fairlee, VT – Lake Morey Summer Concert Series SEPTEMBER 11-14 – Louisville, KY – Bourbon & Beyond † * w/ Special Guests Michigander  † Festival Appearance ^ w/ The Avett Brothers # # # DAWES OH BROTHER (Dead Ringers)

Tracklist: Mr. Los Angeles Front Row Seat Still Strangers Sometimes Surprise! House Parties King of the Never-Wills The Game Enough Already Hilarity Ensues   CONNECT WITH DAWES: DAWESTHEBAND.COM | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK |TIKTOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE

# # #