The 19-year old from Kent, Ohio first performed with her family band One Way Rider at the age of eight. At age 15, she recorded her first album "White Lies" in her brother's bedroom, printing only 100 copies. One of those copies fell into the hands of Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys. After an introduction, Mayfield and Auerbach hit the studio, laying the foundation of her debut album "With Blasphemy, So Heartfelt."
The album was produced by Auerbach and recorded over a two-year span in his home studio in Akron. "With Blasphemy, So Heartfelt" features Mayfield on acoustic guitar and vocals, Auerbach on a variety of instrumentation and Mayfield’s brother (David) on upright bass. Dr. Dog’s Scott McMicken and Frank McElroy provide vocal harmonies on the track “I’m Not Lonely Anymore.” Says Auerbach of the recording experience, “I think she’s dark and moody in a mysterious way, not unlike Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.” He adds, “I’m just always really excited to make music with her.”
In 2007, Mayfield lent her voice to the track “Things Ain’t Like They Used To Be” on The Black Keys’ album, Attack & Release, making her the first guest vocalist to appear on any record released by The Black Keys. Jessica has also opened up a number of shows for folk rock sensations The Avett Brothers, who have recorded a video of her song “For Today”.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010. w/ Among the Oak & Ash. 8:30pm. $10. TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
Hailing from Charlotte, North Carolina, Benji Hughes spends much of his time masterminding his blend of inventive rock and ballads. At times earnest, at others whimsical, Benji is equally adept at keyboards and guitar. He loves beer but he loves women even more. Underneath his thick mane of strawberry blond hair and beard is a versatile singer/songwriter, full of heart. His music collection -- spanning everything from The Crystals, Merle Haggard, and Kinky Friedman to Talking Heads, The Cars, and Slayer -- is as wild as his gracious exterior.
Benji's double-disc debut album, A Love Extreme, was released by New West Records on July 22nd. Producer and L.A- bred session musician Keefus Ciancia (T-Bone Burnett, Sheryl Crow, Everlast) assisted Hughes in making his 25-song debut album in his Los Feliz, CA studio. A Love Extreme flows like your favorite mixtape but with the classicality of Randy Newman and Leonard Cohen. Benji has toured America and beyond with Rilo Kiley and Jenny Lewis since the album's debut, received a 4-star review in Rolling Stone, and has had several of his songs featured in popular televisions shows, including Beverly Hills, 90210 & How I Met Your Mother.
The Electric Owls are a great up and coming local act that keeps turning heads with every new show. Check out their website, http://www.myspace.com/electricowls, for more information and to hear their tunes.
Thursday, May 27, 2010. 9pm. $8 advance / $10 day of show.
With sales of three million albums worldwide and a reputation for spectacular live performances, the genesis of The Verve Pipe can be traced back to the early 90s, when lead singer Brian Vander Ark and drummer Donny Brown, members of two rival Michigan bands, joined forces. The band released two independent albums which attracted the attention of RCA Records. The label released their platinum major label debut Villains in 1996. The album included the #1 single "The Freshmen," one of the most successful multi- format tracks of 1997 and winner of an ASCAP Pop Award. Their follow-up release, the critically acclaimed self- titled LP The Verve Pipe, featured "Hero," a Top 15 hit at Modern Rock radio.
In 2009, the band was approached to submit a new song for a compilation album of children songs. That session inspired A Family Album, an original collection of songs intended for the entire family, with fun and inventive lyrics set to the memorable melodies the band is known for. Recording this album set the groundwork for a new rock LP, to be released in 2010. The Verve Pipe is currently on tour performing both old favorites as well as music from the new album.
Sunday, May 16, 2010. 8pm. $10 advance / $12 day of show. Tickets on sale now!
