John David Kent & The Dumb Angels – “My Girl”

This week I am highlighting some new and upcoming releases that are exclusively out of my home-state. I know I mention bands that call the Lone Star State home realtively often, but this week I am making it a point to really be obnoxious about it…

 

Photo courtesy of Alisha Hurt

Somebody’s Darling (Official / Myspace) has been on a roll as of late. Last year, they won the Shiner Rising Star competition and this year, they saw their excellent self-titled Shiner Records album released after recording it in Nashville with none other than Dan Baird, who has produced many greats including Chris Knight. They have been hitting the road with many top-notch acts recently and their brand of soul-flavored country rock has been winning new fans quickly. I recently chatted with 2 of the members, Amber Farris (lead vocals) and David Ponder (guitar) about what their lives are like at this juncture and where their music is heading…

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GK: What has been the most exciting thing that has happened to you since winning Shiner Rising Star?

David: That’s tough… loading up the van to go to Nashville and record your first album would rank pretty high up there. Also getting a chance to tour with Stoney LaRue was so awesome. We got to really see how a real show with a full crew operates. It gave us something to shoot for definitely.

GK: Now that you have had the experience of recording in a first-class studio with a pro like Dan Baird producing, how has the everyday experience of being in this band changed?

Amber: It hasn’t really changed the day to day stuff, it’s just really prepared us for the next time we go in studio. I feel like we learned a bunch from Dan, he’s awesome!

GK: You guys have been playing with a bunch of great acts from all over. You are even opening for James McMurtry soon at The Granada Theater in Dallas. Who are the artists that you have been excited or even intimidated by over the course of the last year or so?

Amber: Stoney Larue, Lucero, Sam Roberts, and Corb Lund come to mind but really everyone we play with is a new experience and a chance to learn something. It’s always an honor to play with acts we look up to ourselves

GK: Right now who are you listening to other than yourself?

David: Lot’s of Lucinda Williams, Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Justin Townes Earle, and Ryan Bingham. Also I’ve been jamming the new Murry Hammond a ton, it’s SO good.

GK: Are you catching any “non-Somebody’s Darling” shows this season?

David: It’s soo hard to make it out to shows when you’re always playing, but I just saw that the Avett Brothers and Samantha Crain are coming to the Granada soon. We HAVE to go to that one. Amber and I were in a band before SD and we actually opened up for Samantha Crain years ago, we’re so proud to see her doing good.

GK: Describe Somebody’s Darling’s sound in 5 words.

David: Classic Rock with Soul-Country

GK: Being a band that has being playing together for a while – in and around Dallas – and is finally getting some exposure to larger audiences, what bands from the Dallas area do you think deserve some attention pointed in their direction?

Amber: We’ve really grown up with a band called John David Kent and The Dumb Angels. We’ve done a bunch of little mini-tours with them and stuff and they’ve really become family. Keep an eye out for them!

GK: Since its Thanksgiving weekend, what are you thankful for right now?

David: I’m thankful that we’re getting a chance to nationally release the album soon! Also very thankful for the fact that we don’t want to kill each other yet… haha. We’ve had some cold nights in the van that could break the spirit of lesser band.

GK: With the holiday season upon us, where do you think or hope Somebody’s Darling will “be” by the holiday’s in 2010?

Amber: Hopefully on the road! Everyday of 2010!

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LISTEN: Somebody’s Darling – “Horses”

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I’ve gone on and on about the quality of performers and the strength of many of the bills that are regularly featured at The Granada Theater in Dallas. Well, I am gonna go on a bit more. This Saturday features a line-up that is rather impressive and even more so when you look at the thread that ties these acts together.

Somebody’s Darling is the winner of the Shiner Rising Star competition from 2008. Their debut record, being released on Shiner Records is the reason for this grand, North Texas Country get-together. To help celebrate, some other success stories from recent Shiner Rising Star competitions are joining in on Saturday night. John David Kent & the Dumb Angels made it to the finals last year, finishing behind the evenings headliners. These guys were great at an in-store performance earlier this year, so I am excited to see them on a bigger stage for a full set. Perhaps the most intriguing set of the night will come courtesy of one Merrol Ray. Ray was the lead singer for Miles From Nowhere, the 2006 winner of the Shiner Rising Star award. It seems as though things are going all right for Ray after his former band’s break-up, since requests for his single, “Dancin’ Hard”, have been lighting up the phones at KHYI 95.3 for a few weeks now. Judging from that song, it seems as though Ray has kept the chugging, hard charging vibe that made MFN such a great band. 

One other thing. This is a real-live C.D. Release Party. Once you pay to get in, you will receive a copy of Somebody’s Darling’s brand new disc. These days, bands have 30 “CD Release” shows, but will make you pay extra for the new disc. Not much of a party if you ask me. Go to the Granada’s website to take advantage of the low priced tickets.

Somebody’s Darling – “Horses”

Merrol Ray – “Dancin’ Hard”