Strand of Oaks continues to receive heavy play since I first got a listen to Leave Ruin last week. A beautiful record. Above video captured at CMJ 2007 and features Lou from Lewis & Clarke on banjo.

Buy: Amazon Digital ($7.99)
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Myspace: Strand of Oaks
MP3: Strand Of Oaks – “End In Flames”

It seems like there’s so much to share/mention and just so little time to get everything to you. So, I’m going to one Greatest Hits post that will hopefully drop some serious coolness on you.

I’ve never been to CES, but after reading the review from The Ice Cream Man, I’d like to go next year. I also had no idea there was a Pinball Hall of Fame.

Neko Case drops her new album, Middle Cyclone later this year. In preparation, and for the goodwill of animals everywhere, she and her label are offering the song, “People Got A Lot Of Nerve” as a free and legal download.

Handsome Furs have a new record coming out this year on Sub Pop. Check out a taste of what’s in store when Face Control drops on February 3rd.

MP3: Handsome Furs – “I’m Confused”

Sticking with Sub Pop, the newest addition to the Sub Pop family is MoB Approved, Vetiver. Look for their new record, Tight Knit to land February 27th, with an advance listen below.

MP3: Vetiver – “Everyday”

The reason I loved Damien Rice records was because of the gorgeous vocal contributions of one Lisa Hannigan. She’s releasing what I can confidently say is a stunning record called Sea Sew, that will be released February 3 via ATO Records.

Ryan Adams poured his heart out in a blog post today that reveals his intentions to remove himself for music at the conclusion of the scheduled tour dates.

Bonnie “Prince” Billy will play Turner Hall Ballroom in Milwaukee on Wednesday, March 18th. Tickets are $18 and his new record, Beware drops on March 17th. Cover art + details here.

I’m on Twitter. If you like more frequent updates, that’s the place to find me/them and you should follow me. Also, if you like baseball, I’ve been posting a Past Baseball Player of the Day for a little over a week now.

New Year Re-Discovery: Paul Cebar – Check him out. One of the true and unappreciated gems in all of music. I own The Get-Go and Upstroke For The Downfolk, you’d be completely satisfied with either purchase. More soon/later on Paul.

I’m looking over the updated list of confirmed/unconfirmed acts at SXSW (thanks Done Waiting) and there are three (3) Madison bands representing. Absinthe Minds, Dead Luke, and Zola Jesus will all be representing Madison in Austin mid-March.

Milwaukee’s Alash is currently the sole 414 representative.

Anybody got the skinny on these groups? Drop a comment.

We’re quickly approaching the middle of January and soon enough will once again find our way to Austin for SXSW. We’ve joined forces with two of our favorite blogs, Done Waiting and More Cowbell to put together The Big Texas Jumpstart II. While we’re working out the logistics and line-up we’re using this as an opportunity to publicly offer interested parties the opportunity to sponsor the event, which would also include some attractive advertising options across all three blogs.

Interested individuals/organizations should contact Ryan Matteson via email at uwmryan AT yahoo DOT com.

We look forward to spending some time in Austin and hope that many of our readers will be able to make the trip to help us celebrate what is always a great time.

There are two things I must do on my next trip to Cleveland. I’ll talk about one of them today. The first order of business is a Thursday night stop at Major Hooples for a free performance by Glenn Schwartz. I first learned of Glenn via David Byrne’s blog and, in particular, this Byrne shot video of Glenn tearing it up and preaching the Christian fire.

That’s worth a blog post alone if it wasn’t for Glenn Schwartz’s notable history. He was the original guitarist for The James Gang until he ultimately left to join the “Los Angeles based Blues band Pacific Gas & Electric, and in 1970, scored a national top 20 hit with the song “Are You Ready?”

From Wikipedia: While in Los Angeles on tour with the James Gang in 1968, Schwartz strolled onto the infamous Sunset Strip and stopped next to a small group of people listening to street preacher Arthur Blessitt. Some time later he professed conversion to Christianity, saying “I was finally blessed by mercy for I heard the Gospel of Christ.”

Today, Glenn Schwartz’s live shows consist of blistering guitar riffs mixed with a street preacher’s lambasting of anyone in ear shot. So, Thursday night’s in Cleveland, you get a blistering set by a guitar legend that can turn on a dime. I’m hoping some readers out there have witnessed Glenn Schwartz in person and can testify of their experiences in the comments. Until then, these fine folks offer numerous show reviews, and provided the photo above and MP3 below.

Buy: Pacific Gas & Electric
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MP3: Glenn Schwartz – Blues Jam from April 24, 2008

Can we expect a new record from Bill Callahan in 2009? The rumor mill is abuzz over At Ease. Considering Woke On A Whaleheart was one of my favorite records of 2007, add us to the list of those hoping that Drag City announces some details soon.

Possible cover art above?

Related: New Music: Bill Callahan: “The Breeze/My Baby Cries” (Kath Bloom cover)

Myspace: Bill Callahan
MP3: Bill Callahan – “Sycamore”