Follow Me Down

There’s a plethora of new music from local ladies this month, which is already coming off a fast start this year, with new releases from Carrie Elkin, Erin Ivey, Marcia Ball, and Meagan Tubb.

Besides Edie Brickell having stopped in at the Continental Club this week, last night Robyn Ludwick began a Thursday night residency at Momo’s that highlights her new album, Out of These Blues, which Gurf Morlix produced. This weekend Eliza Gilkyson celebrates her new disc Roses at the End of Time with two nights at the Cactus Café, while Lucinda Williams brings songs from Blessed to Stubb’s tomorrow.

In the coming weeks, Suzanna Choffel delivers her long awaited Steady Eye Shaky Bow and Sarah Jarosz releases her second disc on Sugar Hill, Follow Me Down. Both celebrate with performances at the One World Theatre, Choffel as one of the most innovative young singer-songwriters Austin has to offer, and Jarosz demonstrating her evolution and adventurousness as a musician and tunesmith.

On the national front, Emmylou Harris’ Hard Bargain pays tribute to lost friends Kate McGarrigle and Gram Parsons in showing off her hard won songwriting skills. Alison Krauss steps away from the Robert Plant juggernaut and back to fronting Union Station with Paper Airplane, another strong effort bridging roots and pop music. Thanks to Audra Schroeder for turning me on to Tune-Yards' Whokill. Finally a new artist – it’s really just vocalist Merrill Garbus – who’s doing something inventive and thoroughly engaging.