One of my favorite sounds coming out of Milwaukee these days comes via Margaret Stutt and her accordion under the name Pezzettino. If you’re in Madison, swing by The Frequency on Thursday, February 12th to see and hear for yourself. Many thanks to Margaret for answering our questions below and stick around for a free and legal download of “Movin On” from the forthcoming Lion below.

You recently started your own record label, Night Owl Records, and intend to release two full-length albums, Lion & Lamb. Lion is up first, where and how was it recorded? Any lessons learned from previous recordings that you applied to this record?

Lion is confrontational. I want the recording quality to match that intensity, but still guard the experimental and organic style of the last record, Because I Have No Control, which is totally lo-fi with minimal editing. The songs are blunt, honest, and vulnerable, and I didn’t want to lose that with over-production in Lion. At the same time, Lion is fierce, and drums, bass, horns, etc., need professional recording and mixing to keep everything tight. LowKey Productions (Madison) and Howl Street Recording (Milwaukee) are phenomenal. We recorded all over the place, from in-studio, sound proof booths, to apartments on the road. I’m ecstatic about the results, and can’t wait for Lion to be released!

Can you give us a history of the accordion that you’re playing these days? Where and how did you acquire it and how many are in your collection?

I play my dad’s accordion. He’s letting me borrow it on one condition: he has rights to play it at the annual office Christmas party! That didn’t happen this year, but he didn’t give me any heat because I think he’s proud to see his accordion on stage. We had a electric pick-up installed, and it gets total rock-star treatment. The accordion collector/vendor convinced me NOT to buy anything he had, because they were no match in quality to my dad’s. I did buy a back-up, and several people have mentioned that they have accordions in their basement that I should look at. If a good Morbidoni comes along, I’ll consider myself lucky!

What was the last show you went to see as a fan?

Juniper Tar, my favorite Milwaukee band!

What are some of your favorite things/places within Milwaukee?

Lakefront Brewery Riverwest Stein beer. Beans ‘n Barley’s Black Bean burritos. All of the independent coffeeshops, I could spend a decade people watching and organizing my life with a steaming cup and good music. Oriental and Pabst Theater are gorgeous. And Lake Michigan, the anchor to my life. I moved away for several years, but no exotic land can mentor me as well as that Great Lake.

You’re playing The Frequency in Madison on February, 12th. Will you be appearing with a band or performing solo? Can attendees expect to hear material from your upcoming album as well as material from Because I Have No Control?

I’ll be performing solo, which is pretty intense because the songs are so personal, and I surrender everything I have to the audience. I love The Frequency’s intimate room. The stage is perfect for percussive stomping! Expect new and old material. I play what I feel instead of just pushing one album. It keeps me honest and sincere on stage.

Myspace: Pezzettino
MP3: Pezzettino – “Movin On”

Here are the Wisconsin and Chicago shows we recommend you take in this week. Check them out below and let us know which ones you’ll be attending or ones you think should really make our list.

Upcoming Wisconsin Shows:

2/11 – Dr. John/Neville Brothers – Overture Hall, Madison
2/11 – Ben Kweller Changing Horses Listening Party – Yield, Milwaukee
2/12 – Pezzettino – The Frequency, Madison
2/12 – Buckwheat Zydeco – Turner Hall Ballroom
2/13 – Antony & The Johnsons – Pabst Theater, Milwaukee

Upcoming Chicago Shows:

2/10 – Murder by Death – Schuba’s
2/11 – Murder by Death – Beat Kitchen
2/12 – Murder by Death – Reggie’s Live
2/12 – Antony & The Johnsons – Vic Theatre
2/12 – Fujiya & Miyagi – Bottom Lounge
2/13 – Jeff Tweedy – The Vic (Benefit Show)
2/14 – Jeff Tweedy – The Vic (Benefit Show)
2/14 – Buckwheat Zydeco – House of Blues
2/14 – Fucked Up – Empty Bottle
2/13 – A-trak, Hood Internet, Bald Eagle – Smart Bar
2/14 – Stay Smooth feat. Bald Eagle & DJ STV SLV – Schuba’s (Free show)

Just Announced:

3/7 – Haley Bonar – Cafe Montmartre, Madison
3/14 – The Broken West – Orpheum Stage Door, Madison
3/31 – Cloud Cult/Margot and The Nuclear So and So’s – Turner Hall Ballroom
4/3 – Los Campesinos! – Turner Hall Ballroom, Milwaukee
4/13 – John Scofield – Majestic Theatre, Madison
4/17 – Chris Cornell – Pabst Theater, Milwaukee
4/24 – Backyard Tire Fire – High Noon Saloon, Madison
5/29 – The Decemberists – Riverside Theater, Milwaukee
7/2 – Femi Kuti – Summerfest, Milwaukee
7/25 – Coldplay – Alpine Valley, East Troy

+Bookmark our Wisconsin and Chicago shows pages for all your concert announcements+

Last night was pure energy bottled up into the University of Wisonsin’s Der Rathskeller that exploded the moment Titus Andronicus his the stage at 9:30 and concluded with a sweaty mess of happy people begging Los Campesinos! for one more song. They didn’t get one more song, but they got a night of incredible enthusiasm, blistering performance, a packed house, and an A+ great time.

Admittedly, I walked into the student union last night as a casual fan of both. Would I pay to see either one of them again? Absolutely. Titus Andronicus really blew me away. Their energy simply stunned me. The crowd was going nuts and people were body surfing. Their music blended old-school surf-rock with an eye towards a club punk band. I heard and felt a lot of The Who and The Ramones too.

I was much more familiar with the Los Campesinos! material, and their set was supremely well-received. Theirs was more dance and upbeat, which pushed the crowd to even higher highs. It was almost impossible to see the band from my stance at the back right because bodies were bobbing up and down in pure enjoyment.

The beauty of the free shows is that it builds an audience base and concert going muscle memory. The opportunity for hundreds to experience two great new bands allows a musical community to build a base, and hopefully encourage and instill the importance and fun of live music that carries on when these bands return to play the clubs. Basically, remember last night and how fun it was and give both of these groups your dough the next time they come through town because they proved last night they’re totally worth it.

Per usual, Muzzle of Bees photographer Ed Oliver was in the thick of it shooting the photographic memories for you to enjoy below. Please leave us a comment with your thoughts, reviews, etc of the show. Thanks for coming!

Titus Andronicus

Los Campesinos!

77 Square: Los Campesinos! and Titus Andronicus tear up Der Rathskeller
Decider: Recap: Los Campesinos! and Titus Andronicus at Rathskeller
Veritas Lux Mea: Los Campesinos at Der Rathskellar concert review
Isthmus: Masses mob Der Rathskeller for Los Campesinos! and Titus Andronicus show

Myspace: Los Campesinos!
Myspace: Titus Andronicus
MP3: Los Campesinos! – “We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed”
MP3: Titus Andronicus – “Titus Andronicus”

Here’s an older video capturing Jim James playing one of my favorite My Morning Jacket tunes in a parking lot. In the middle he discusses love and it’s pretty heart-on-your-sleeve stuff. Have a nice weekend and love the one you’re with.

Previously: Review: My Morning Jacket – Chicago Theatre

MP3: My Morning Jacket – “I Will Be There When You Die” (KVRX Radio, 3/17/2001)

Coldplay is heading out on a summer tour. I’ve never seen them live before. Might have to break that trend and catch them at Alpine Valley on Saturday, July 25th. Let’s hope Live Nation has their stuff together and people aren’t all upset like they were for Phish.

Coldplay – 2009 North American Tour Summer Tour

Date City/State Venue On Sale
7/10 Portland, OR The Amphitheater at Clark County 2/14
7/11 George, WA The Gorge Amphitheatre 2/14
7/13 San Francisco, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre 2/14
7/16 San Diego, CA Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre 2/13
7/18 Carson, CA Home Depot Center 2/21
7/21 Dallas, TX Superpages.com Center 2/14
7/22 Houston, TX Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion 2/21
7/24 Maryland Heights, MO Verizon Wireless Amphitheater 2/14
7/25 East Troy, WI Alpine Valley Music Theatre 2/14
7/29 Toronto, ON TBD 2/13
8/3 Mansfield, MA Comcast Center 2/14
8/6 Raleigh, NC Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion 2/13
8/7 Charlotte, NC Charlotte Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre 2/13
8/9 Tampa, FL Ford Amphitheatre 2/21

+Bookmark our Wisconsin and Chicago shows pages for all your concert announcements+

Tonight you should join me in heading to Milwaukee’s Mitchell Park Conservatory aka The Domes for The Championship’s “Music Under Glass” show. What a great place to see a show. Those things look like spaceships when they’re all lit up. Looking forward to it.

If you’re not familiar with The Championship, I urge you to give them a listen. They are a little bit of Springsteen, Johnny Cash, and Romantica. They’re a band with a country influence/sound that would be a welcome listen to anyone who likes Lucero or late greats like Mere Haggard and Willie Nelson. One of my favorite groups kicking up dust in Milwaukee these days. Take a listen to “Midnight Gold” below.

Myspace: The Championship
MP3: The Championship – “Midnight Gold”