The Kat Jones Christmas e.p. Now Available & 2 Fun Shows Coming Up This Thurs. & Fri.

So – I just thought I’d let everyone know that it’s that time of year again and so I’ve put my Christmas e.p. “He’s The One I Need The Most” back up for sale in my Etsy store. I am also working on finishing a bunch of crafts so that those will be available for the Christmas season as well… I’ve got a whole box of nearly finished objects to post.  I’ll let you know when those become available.  But in the meantime you can read a full review of the e.p. by clicking on the link attached to the excerpt I posted below:

“While being short and sweet, this little 4-song EP is definitely heartwarming and delightful as well. This Christmas EP is Kat Jones’ first since her critically acclaimed debut La Rosa, La Calavera in 2004.”

A Show You Won’t Want To Miss

Also – Thursday and Friday I will be participating in a great tribute show to the 1970’s.  I will be one of the vocalists for the evening and I will also be playing a song (which is a secret) before the set begins.  I’ll also be your waitress for the evening at least one of these nights, so please come out.  :-)  I posted the press release for the show so that you can read that as well.  I look forward to seeing all of you

kat

“The Sons Of Zevon” Reconvene to Pay Tribute to 1970

Musicians Collective Explores Year that birthed Beatles’ solo outings, Delaney and Bonnie, Black Sabbath’s Debut and More

The Sons of Zevon, a crack collective of some of Nashville’s finest rock musicians — and the Brigadoon of cover bands — will unite at The Family Wash on Thursday and Friday, November 12 and 13, at 9:00 p.m. to pay tribute to a single year: 1970. Named in honor of the first artist the group honored, the legendary songwriter Warren Zevon, The Sons of Zevon reconvene only rarely to dig into the catalogs of iconic songwriters. The band, together with a steady parade of guest vocalists, has feted Neil Young and, in a famous 2007 bid to raise money to buy the Family Wash’s beer license back, Tom Petty. But the band has never tackled the output of a single year, until now.

Much like the semi-secret society The Sons of Lee Marvin — the existence of which has never been confirmed — the set list for the show and why 1970 was chosen, is a bit mysterious.

“I can’t really explain it,” says Jamie Rubin, Family Wash owner and co-founding member of The Sons of Zevon. “There’s just something frenetic about that year. While Vietnam was reaching its lowest point, Jagger got busted for pot. The Beatles officially broke up, Janis Joplin died, Black Sabbath was born and Elvis launched a comeback. Something crazy was happening. It felt like an era was coming to an end badly, and then all this amazing music came out of the wreckage. George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass; The Beatles’ Let It Be, The Rolling Stones’ Get Yer Ya Yas Out!,From Bonnie to Delaney…it’s amazing when you think of it.

“But why that year and why right now? I’ll leave that for you to decide.”

Joining Rubin to make up the rest of the Sons of Zevon will be Sons co-founder and iconic guitarist Reeves Gabrels, Fred Eltringham, Audley Freed, Jen Gunderman, Kevin Hornback and Marc Pisapia. Guest vocalists are being kept secret at release time.

“The Sons of Zevon come together for a variety of reasons,” says Rubin. “Whatever that reason is, whether it’s to get our beer license back, or to thank the community for their gracious support during tough economic times, the nights are always celebrations. Nashville has really rallied around  the bar these last two months, and this feels like a good way to celebrate and say thank you.”

Reservations are recommended by calling (615) 226-6070. For more information, please visit www.familywash.com.

The Family Wash, located at 2038 Greenwood Ave., at the corner of Porter Rd., in East Nashville opened in 2002, and quickly became one of the most-respected casual-dining restaurants and music venues in Nashville. It has won several Nashville Scene “Best of” awards, has been profiled in the Scene, the City Paper, The Tennessean and the Nashville edition of Where The Locals Eat and mentioned in GQ, USA Today, the New York Times and Rolling Stone (Germany).

Well, Touring is Nothing if not Eventful

I had this stored in my phone and thought it would be a good idea to post it.  All too often I forget to post my final tour blog.  Since returning from this tour I have still got a cough, moved from my home into a basement apartment in a different area of East Nashville, worked my butt off at my day job, my house is a bloody mess because I’m trying to make sense of the process of packing, I have played a show in The Basement in Nashville with a full band (1st time in 3 years), made a slew of new friends, and am feeling really good actually.

People to be thanked on the Tour are KJ Smith and his family, Jeanette Strole and Jeff Parks, The whole Garner Family, Insomniac Folklore, Matt Hopper, and everyone who came out to shows, hosted shows, and let us sleep on their floor or couch, or bed.  Thank you everyone!!!

Here’s that blog I promised:

October 18, 2009

I am sitting in the Nashville airport waiting for my flight to Seattle to arrive. For the first time in almost 10 years I have lost my voice because of a cold (can’t even talk to my waitress). I foresaw something like this occurring, so, I’m on vocal rest (except when I’m singing) and on a myriad of doctor prescribed drugs. I usually push my voice pretty hard when I play. This will not be the case this time . Michael Pritzl is emailing me tips on how to keep the show on the road and so are all my other singing friends. I remember that there is some sort of concoction that broadway stage singers use when they have a run of shows to get through (rum + sugar + ????? +????? +?????) but can’t remember the recipe. Hm…

All things considered, I am still WAY excited to be on the road and the sickness is just another adventure to walk through. I am confident that it will work out. I am supposed to do background vocals for Matt Hopper and Insomniac Folklore while I’m out. So I guess we’ll see how I fair. Those may have to fall to the wayside.
———-October 20, 2009———-
This tour has been great. Part promotional trip, part getting to reconnect with friends and refill, I have enjoyed every minute.
At present my friend KJ Smith (I use his full name to remove the possibility of megalomaniacal misconceptions) is driving the car out of The Dalles as we make our way to Boise, ID. This time of year in the Northwest is gorgeous and I’m enjoying the brightly changing leaves immensely. It’s been the perfect time of year to be over here. It brings up so many old memories of crashing on my friend’s floors, discovering new music through my friend Pslim, learning how to be on the road and maintain my finances and also function with a clear head when an issue comes up.
It’s interesting to see how touring has inspired personal growth and maturity in myself. A picture I don’t often get to see when life is day in and day out, simply being lived or survived. Functioning in forces habit (good or bad) gives one blinders of a sort to who they are.

I am a bit sad that we won’t be heading to Salt Lake or Colorado again on this tour. But real life and the changes ahead beckon.
———–October 21, 2009————
A night of restless sleeping has made this one of those days where I realise how sick I’ve been for the last 2 weeks. I feel it fully at present. But there’s just one more day of the tour left. Back to Portland today (one of my favorite cities in the US) and then flying out of Seattle tomorrow morning to be on my feet and at work by 5pm. It’ll be good to be home for sure. But there is SOOOO much waiting for me. I feel a bit overwhelmed already. Trying not to think too much about all the things that need to get done in the next 9 days.
The show last night was, well, one of those shows that just doesn’t go right.  My voice wasn’t really present at all, which caught me off guard completely as I thought I’d been feeling pretty good, and that surprise just sort of killed my confidence. We all have these shows from time to time.
But we did have a great time catching up with Matt Hopper again. Talking about the future, catching up on mutual friends, getting a couple glasses of scotch and exploring Boise’s oldest bar. Boise is a fun town. Matt is someone I have known for about 10 years. We were on the same Velvet Blue Music comp and have been in contact since about then. I think we’ve both grown a lot as artists and as people since way back then and it’s fun to catch up. He’s very talented too.

Tonight will be a house show with Insomniac Folklore. I will see some of my closest and dearest friends for the last time (probably until next touring season) and then hop on a plane. I’m a bit sad about it to be honest. This tour has been a really good one to get refilled on. I will miss my friends and my favorite part of the country immensely. Looking forward to the plane trip home. That’s always a good place to prepare. I love being in the air.

The flight home was wonderful.  I love how quiet being in the air is.  An ipod and a pair of good head phones cancel out the sounds of crying babies.  I happened to get a window seat (flying Southwest means I don’t get to choose) and the most beautiful cloudy scene unfolded in front of me as I flew home.  Refilling me and giving me time to prepare for coming back to Nashville.  It was gorgeous.

Quicky NW Fall Tour Dates Announced :-)

Here are the upcoming Northwest tour dates guys!    If anyone wants to grab Sunday, October 18th just let me know (katjonesmusic@gmail.com).  Otherwise hopefully I’ll see all of you out there!  I’ve got a cold and am quite hoarse.  So hopefully that will change   xo

kat

Friday, October 16, 2009 – 8:30 pm
Olympia, WA
KJ’s (House Show)
7218 Timberlake Dr. SW
Lacey, WA  98503
$5 suggested donation
All Ages

Saturday, October 17, 2009 – 8:00 pm
Portland, OR
Insomnia
5389 W. Baseline Rd.
Hillsboro, OR 97123
(503) 601-4314
$5 donation for the tip hat when it gets passed.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Boise, ID
Hijinx
800 W Idaho St
Boise, ID 83702-5877
(208) 947-7100
$5.00

Wednesday, October 21, 2009 – Doors @ 6
The Mae’s Residence (House Show)
w/ Insomniac Folklore
7425 SE 63rd Ave, Portland OR 97206
$5 donation
All Ages

The New Things Abound

Nashville is wet and rainy tonight and green and homey.  The trees are starting to turn, I am pulling out my winter wardrobe and getting ready to pull boxes out of the basement to pack my house up.

I sit in Ugly Mugs (a cafe by my present house) trying to clear my head and wrangle together the mash-up of thoughts and feelings that are bottle-necking.  I am on the cusp of a new season.  It’s obvious.  With changes in every direction.  Clear ones:  I’m moving, going on another northwest tour, getting ready to start booking shows in North and South Carolina, weekenders all over the south, and getting ready to fill some recording studio time at my friend Lij’s studio and maybe some time at my friend Joel’s studio.  Both in East Nashville.  I’m trying to get a band together and going to start taking guitar lessons again to broaden my knowledge and creativity in the instrument.  Maybe I’ll buy a new electric, a new amp, and some pedals.  I’m making new friends, loving my job at The Family Wash, and dusting old ideas off the shelf.  I don’t know where any of it goes.  I’m just trying to be obedient to what is there.

Those of you who know me well know that I’m not much of an opportunist.  I didn’t move to Nashville for music.  I’m just trying to be obedient to opportunities that come my way and to things that clearly need to happen.  There was a time when I felt it was important to push the envelope as fast as it would go but it burnt me out personally as I had no manager and no way to keep up with everything that was going on.  So first things first – I want to record a new full length.  I want to make things less complicated.  I want more deep community and more deep musical community.  AND I DON’T WANT IT FOR PRETEND.  (Nashville can be a city filled with opportunists who will use you at any turn.  It’s sad actually.  One of those things you don’t really have to worry about in a small town scene.  And regretfully I’ve had to learn a lot of this the hard way.)

I’m even thinking of selling my van in leu of a smaller, more economic tour vehicle.  However, I have deep hesitations as buying that van was one of the last things my father and I did together before he died and it’s paid off.  And I want to get out of debt.

So where do we go from here?  I’m not sure.  A lot of it is forcing itself on me.  But what of the situations that need help?  I guess I don’t know.  Hopefully I will when those opportunities arise.  And hopefully I won’t get in the way.

Love love.

kat jones

Now Is A Good Time To Announce The Fall Northwest Tour :-)

This seriously snuck up on me.  I’m surprised it’s already here.  But I am booking a fall tour in the northwest and need Seattle and Portland to fill… maybe Eugene?  (Hint Ryan and Meaghan)  Let’s say for the 15th to the 18th?  I’ll be in the area supporting a friend whose had surgery and we decided to throw a few tour dates on there.  There’s one booked in Olympia and one in Boise at Hijinx.

So… if you’re interested just let me know!

katjonesmusic@gmail.com

love you!

kat

Johnny’s First Show, Jeff’s Last Breath

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

We are driving under a clear sky and white, puffy, gorgeous clouds.  Back to Nashville from the show at The Abbey in Memphis and listening to 69 Love Songs by Magnetic Fields. This trip has been short but filled with great ribs and great new music. Cloud (Velvet Blue Music) sent me some new records that the label put out recently and I have to say it was a pleasant gift. So we’ve been exploring the words of Doug Burr and the new Kissing Cousins and also a good friend’s band, The Knew. Very nice releases. I am happy to have received them. I may do a write up on that Doug Burr record for a new americana music blog that my friend has asked me to start writing for.
The show last night was great. Adrian and Sam from Hey Kitty Kitty Productions are working really hard to strengthen the scene in Memphis (which is the kind of town where it is nearly impossible to book a show). The show yesterday (in the town where Jeff Buckley took his last breath) was in the venue where Johnny Cash played his first show ever. I have to say I was hoping to catch whatever Johnny had as I played and played the heart out of Blood Under The Redwoods in homage but I am not sure I channeled any of Johnny’s talent in the process.  I just missed a couple chords in the effort
A band called The Cactus’s closed the night and were great. I was surprised to find out that they were from Nashville but they were lovely and I’m looking forward to seeing them play again very soon.
Anyways – I am on my way to Nashville right now to play a show at The Family Wash and get ready for another Northwest tour at the end of October and some Christmas shows in November.
I will certainly keep you posted.
Email if you like. I’m a fan of you folks.
Love Love
Kat

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

I just wanted to quickly thank everyone who was able to make it out to the Family Wash last night to support me.  It meant a lot that you all came out.  So thanks.  And thanks to everyone who was willing to deal without a hostess after I took the stage.  You are great.  Lovies and Huggies!

kat

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Rest Of My Life…

I sit now in a van, that for supremely hilarious reasons we’ve had to hot-rod in order to get to the next venue, a music festival in Roseburg, OR. Considering the way much of this tour has gone this is my first moment to relax since the tour started. Between last minute shows, trying to get an emergency pressing of Without A Sound done (Thanks to Perry and Cat @ Braid and Tangle!), and spending quality time with friends my time has been PACKED to say the least.
—– about 3 hours later —–
I am watching Insomniac Folklore at present. Next up is Bradley Hathaway. It’s great to see Tyler (I.F.) play a show (2 in one week!) after years of watching him grow as an artist and musician, and his weird and wonderful sense of humor root deeper into who he is. It’s like a cross between Danielson and The Crash Test Dummies. So Fun.
I guess this is a reunion show of sorts as I have toured with Bradley and Tyler – each in sort of foundational periods of their musical growth at the time. They’re both like brothers and business partners at the same time. I love running into Bradley whenever our paths cross. Our tour was a period of very strong growth for me. And! It looks like he might start covering “He Loves To See Me Cry” sometimes. That’ll be fun.
———- The Next Day-Aug. 25—–
Wow.
It’s been a day for sure. I picked up an opening artist for the tour, Lucas Kerper. He won’t be able to play all the dates but we’re trying to cram him onto what we can. It’s been an adventure so far for sure. I mean to say this plainly: We’re lucky we’re not both in jail. A fairly sizable run-in with a female police officer in The Dalles resulted in her threatening an arrest, our tour vehicle being impounded and me paying a stranger, Casey, to drive us up and down I-84 trying to get our car out of the impound lot and back on the road without missing the set tonight in Boise, ID @ Liquid.
I have never missed a show whilst on the road. Not for breakdown’s, flat tires, snow storms, or floods. I’m like a postman that way. So this one made me a bit nervous. But we made it. However, as one might imagine – as a result of said present “outlaw” status: we are at present more than broke. It was something I had NO control over unfortunately but, out of respect to the other parties involved I shall refrain from further details. So onto the present!

—-August 26th, 2009—-
I now sit on Matt Hopper’s porch in Boise, ID. We are listening to the Arts & Crafts sampler and enjoying the company of 1 Lucas Kerper, whom is at present trying to figure out why the tone on his pan flute it being effected. Tonight Matt and I will be enjoying The Avett Brothers at the Knitting Factory and Luke is going to be busking and performing downtown. We’ve already seen Mother Hips today. All for free!
——August 28th, 2009——
Yeah, I drove West instead of East on I-84 yesterday on the way to Salt Lake City, UT and didn’t notice until we were in Oregon again. Yeah, my bad. And we may not be allowed back in Oregon for a while (just kidding!) so I turned around, shaking my head in shame, and drove 10 hours to SLC to visit my sister and grandma on grandma’s birthday. It’s been a day of tramolining with my neices and nephews, singing Happy Birthday to grandma Jones, and catching up with my sister. My nephew came down with strep throat so here’s to hoping that doesn’t hit our little tour clunker. Tomorrow Ft. Collins!
I updated some of the Kansas City dates today so please check them out and come if you will. There are 2. We’re hitting KC hard yo!
Here’s to an uneventful drive tomorrow?
Cheers – Kat

The Tour The Tour The Tour – Summer 2009

Here are the official tour dates… some have already passed and so I did not post them but no need to keep you in the dark!

-kat

Monday, August 24, 2009
Roseburg, OR
@ Goodbye Blue Sky Festival
w/ Insomniac Folklore & Bradley Hathaway
Riversdale Grange
4856 Garden Valley Road
$12 ADV/ $15 Door Per Day
www.brownpapertickets.com

Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Boise, ID
Liquid
405 S. Eighth St.
w/ Gizzard Stone
www.liquidboise.com

Saturday, August 29, 2009
Fort Collins, CO
Everyday Joe’s Coffeehouse
144 S. Mason St.
Zip:  80524
(907)224-4138
www.everydayjoes.org

Monday, August 31, 2009
Denver, CO
House Show – TBA
Direct @katjonesmusic on Twitter for more information

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Kansas City, KS

The Czar Bar

1531 Grand Blvd

Kansas City, MO 64108

(816) 221-2244

www.czarbar.com

Thursday, September 3, 2009
Wichitah, KS
Vertical Violet

Friday, September 4, 2009

Kansas City, MO

Prosperos Book Store

10 p.m.

1800 W 39th St

Kansas City, MO 64111-4402

(816) 531-9673

www.prosperosbookstore.com

Kat Jones Poster Design Contest!! :-)

Hey everyone!  I have decided to have a poster design contest for the upcoming midwest and northwest tour.  It’s going to be called the “Without A Sound” tour in support of the new e.p.  So if you’re interested in designing something for it I will put the candidates up here, on myspace, and facebook and put it to a vote.  This will be a very short contest so if you’re interested in entering please submit your ideas via http://www.myspace.com/katjones .  There are examples of the past tour posters on myspace and facebook also.  Yay!  let the contest begin!

OH!  the winner will get a free copy of “Without A Sound” and credit on all my websites.

kat

As requested:  Text for the Poster should read:  “Kat Jones.  Without A Sound.  Summer Tour 2009″ or something like that business   Love you!

News And Such July 2009

I sit in my home now, as still and quiet as it’s ever been, with candles lit around the various tables, my guitar keeping me company on the ground next to me, and my dog keeping me company in her bed.  It’s still in this place.  So full of peace.  So full of the future.  I am excited.  I am still.  I am expectant.  I am sure.

There are a lot of things to mull over this week.

Why, while my producer and his wife were out of town, did their home get robbed and completely wiped out of everything?  Like someone just moved them to another place without telling them they were moving.  Maybe they’ll get to their new home and all his instruments and recording gear, all her books and clothes, all their silverware and dishes (nothing special – just dishes of the Target persuasion), and furniture get stolen?  It’s crazy.  Maddening.  Confusing.

Why has the Internet become SO VAST that I can’t get my head around it.  There’s too much information now.  Too many dead links.  Too many ways to loose contact.  Too many details to manage.  What did make being a musician easier has almost made it crippling.  I am thinking about shutting down all my music sites (there are at least 15) and just coming to the old fashioned web site for my comfort.  We’ll see.  It’s craziness.  Just too many pages to update and keep track of.  All of them end up suffering.

What am I going to do about the practical things?  Music, relationships with family and friends, moving to a new home next month (potentially), and supporting those I love, touring, recording, continuing to write, living in general type stuff… it’s all overwhelming and manageable.  All easy and difficult.  But in a lovely way

NEWS:

*There is good news today.  A blog online has decided to publish a lovely little article on me and you should go and check it out

———–> http://apesforindie.wordpress.com/

*I am booking a tour and I desperately need your help… Here are the open dates:

August 19-21st…. anywhere in Portland, OR, Olympia, WA, or Seattle, WA area
August 26-27th… Salt Lake City, UT and Provo, UT
August 28th-31st Fort Collins, Co or Denver, Co.
September 1… Omaha, NE
September 2… Kansas City, KS
September 4… Tulsa, OK
September 5… OK City, OK
If you have any ideas or any other ideas for the tour please let me know.  I would love to hear them.

CONFIRMED DATES:

August 7 2009
Nashville, TN
@ The Family Wash
www.familywash.com

August 22 2009
Camas, WA
@ Tom Fest
www.tomfest.com

August 24 2009
Roseburg, OR
TBA

August 25, 2009
Boise, ID
@ Hijinx

September 3 2009
Wichitah, KS
@ Verticle Violet

So we see… yes, there are some dates to fill.  I think it’s my bedtime   Love you guys!

kat