That's right folks, Bozeman is lucky enough to have Eilen Jewell stop along the way for a show, and we're lucky enough to open for her! The show will be at the Filling Station this Wednesday, August 3rd, after the Bite of Bozeman. We will be joined by Adam Greenberg on drums and Sean Lehmann on bass. We've been covering a tune of hers (High Shelf Booze) for quite some time now (we should probably refrain from that on Wednesday) and have followed the news of her success over the last couple of years.Here are a few of the praises sung in her honor:"She's got a sweet and clear voice with a killer instinct lurking beneath the surface." -NPR Song of the Day"Dark and haunting...but alluring just the same...give me more of that voice" -USA Today's Pop Candy"Not to be missed" -No Depression"With a burnished voice lingering somewhere between Billy Holiday and Neko Case, Eilen Jewell's aching vocals are pure, country gospel, box-car soul." -My Old Kentucky Blog"Sometimes as darkly damaged as Lucinda Williams, at others as defiant and teasing as prime Peggy Lee and always authentically Americana in the Gillian Welch tradition...she's mighty good." -LA Daily News"Jewell's songs are achingly good, twanged-out elegies to a world of barbed wire, rusty trucks, and a frontier that no longer exists. Listen for the swagger of 'Mess Around.' Blue state or red, cowboy or city girl, this is likely the best song about cutting loose that you've heard all year." -Boston GlobeI'm definitely a fan of her "Letters from Sinners and Strangers" and "Boundary County" albums, but her work is solid, across the board, and I look forward to hearing her current tunes. Her latest album, "Queen of the Minor Key" was written in a cabin in the mountains of Idaho. She had no electricity and no running water. But she had a long, winding dirt road, a broken down truck, and access to a little local hot springs. I can find all those things here in Montana, and I have to agree, they're quite inspiring. But perhaps they also hold a key to some of the success she's had; maybe fame lies in a field somewhere, in the bottom of a steaming, muddy puddle full of naked people. Only one way to find out.
So if you like rockabilly, country, surf rock, old-time, Chicago blues, '60's UK garage rock, or alt-country, there's a bit of it all across her albums. If you like a little darkness or a little sadness or a little honky-tonkin', dancin', boozin', swing, sweat, or stomp, then don't miss this show. The Filling Station is the perfect backdrop for her. She'll probably play at the Emerson for a higher cover charge next time she rolls through, so grab some grub at the Bite of Bozeman and come on down for a fine show.This is what Bozeman summers are all about.The show starts at 9pm at the Filling Station (2005 North Rouse Ave.) on Wednesday, August 3rd. $8 at Cactus Records in advance, or $10 at the door. Kevin Koutnik, from Helena, opens at 9pm, we're on at 10pm, Eilen Jewell at 10:45 or 11. Three bands for 8 bucks! Your employer knows you check out by Thursday, anyway. See you there.-Gillian