Sure there was the NCAA finals game last night, but I saw pretty quickly that it was panning out as a pretty one-sided affair, which gave me all the more reason to head to the High Noon Saloon to catch Ladyhawk.

On a one off performance from their current tour across Canada with Constantines, the band played heart-on-their-sleeve rock and roll that had people falling down drunk, clanging beer bottles in unified appreciation, and girls screaming out song requests. Probably just your typical Monday night if you’re a member of Ladyhawk, but last night’s performance was meant to be witnessed, those of you with deep wounds would be challenged to not associate with lead singer Duffy Driediger agonizing and yearning lyrics.

This band along with Catfish Haven, The Hold Steady, Lucero and a handful of others are able to sing and play about things that move people – as evident across the faces and emotions displayed on those in attendance. People check out Ladyhawk again and again (their third performance here in Madison) because they want to sing along and because they’ve found meaning or relation to the music, and that’s a fun thing to watch unfold.

The band released their self-titled record last year that we continue to enjoy, but in addition to being road hounds, these guys really know how to manage their studio time. With a brand new EP, Fight For Anarchy scheduled for release on May 22nd, and an as yet to be named full-length already complete but scheduled for next March you’ve got a lot to look forward to if you’re a Ladyhawk fan.

After their trek across Canada the Ladyhawk boys start their US tour with Tapes ‘N Tapes and if you’re looking to pick up that new EP in advance the vinyl version is definitely available at shows. In the meantime, check out the first single from the new EP, titled “War” below.

Myspace: Ladyhawk
MP3: Ladyhawk – War
MP3: Ladyhawk – Dugout