Here's some of Patrick Michels excellent shots for The Dallas Observer from the Ritter show I reviewed recently.

Here’s another one of those, “Sorry, I’ve Been Gone A While, But…” posts. For those still clicking onto this site every so often, I really appreciate it, thanksfully, there’s still plenty of you. Below is a slight recap of what I’ve been doing lately.

• I’ve been judging the early rounds of the Shiner Rising Star contest. Looks like I’ll be a regular at the table for the next few weeks, too, so there will likely be more updates like these from the past two weeks.

• I recently suffered from a Texas-country funk….

• …and thankfully, I’ve been getting out of it, thanks to some really great, new talent.

• Ray Lamontagne’s lead single from his latest album is killer.

• Me and the boys at Twangville have really gotten a kick out of the new Old 97′s EP.

• I got to chat with two of the current kings of folk, and two of my personal favorites, Joe Pug and Josh Ritter.

Tons of new stuff have hit my inbox and I fully intend on sharing some of that with you, sooner than later.

Slobberbone, last year in Dallas at the Granada.

OK, folks. I’m not gonna sit here and go on and on about Denton’s Slobberbone. If you’ve been reading The Knob for any length of time, you know that the trailblazing, cowpunkers are among my favorite acts of all time.

Here’s the deal. They’re playing another show in Dallas at the fantastic Granada Theater. You may remember I saw them about a year ago and enjoyed it thoroughly. Be the first to email me before 5pm today (kelly@thegobblersknob.com,) with SLOBBERBONE in the subject line, to win a pair of tix to the show tomorrow night in Dallas, courtesy of our good friends at The Granada Theater (where there are some insane shows lined up!).

I’ll be honest. I’m not 100% sure what to say about the latest CD from California psychedelic folk act, Vanish Valley. I suppose the term “psychedelic folk” says plenty and I do think it’s rather accurate in this case. The one thing I would add, however, is that I feel like that term gives the impression that this is an abstract work, and therefore, perhaps a tad inaccessible. I find that to be quite the contrary, to reality, however. While there are many types of “California Music”, this record really makes me wish I was stumbling around the various valleys and canyons of SoCal, for some reason. It’s like and audio-hallucinogenic.

LISTEN: “Become the Night” – Vanish Valley

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

LISTEN: “Bad Things” – Vanish Valley

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

This is likely not going to be a shock to anyone, but the SubPop label has done just fine for itself since the end of the grunge era that it helped usher in, all those years ago. In fact, they’ve been every bit as effective at releasing the finest indie albums, as other notable labels such as Matador, even.

A recent release of the label’s is another indie-gem. Originating from Long Beach, CA, Avi Buffalo (Official / Myspace) is the brain child of Avigdor Zahner-Isenberg. Their song, “What’s In It For”, from their self-titled record, is another in a recent line of bright, sunny indie nuggets, that fit in nicely with offerings from Local Natives, Dr. Dog and Morning Benders. Enjoy.

LISTEN: “Whats In It For” – Avi Buffalo

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Tags: Avi Buffalo, Dr. Dog, Local Natives, Morning Benders, SubPop

It’s been a while since I mentioned the current kings of Dallas-area honky-tonks, 1100 Springs. The fact is, these boys are much more than simply great local players. They’ve become quite the draw all over the state and other parts of the country, as well.

Straight-up country is their stock in trade. It isn’t stained with rocking red dirt; it’s just good ol’ barroom, hard-core country music. Having Zane Williams on the bill is also a great reason to catch this show.

Wanna see these boys play on their home turf for free? The fine folks at The Granada Theater in Dallas have given us a pair of tix to give away to a lucky Gobb Knob reader! By the way, a recent show of theirs at this very venue was sold-out, so I wouldn’t wait to get your tix at the door. Get them here, if you don’t win ‘em.

Be the first to email me at kelly@thegobblersknob.com with the words I LOVE 1100! in the subject line and you’ll be the winner!

Tags: 1100 springs, Giveaway!