Category: Releases

Recorded in December 2008 by his father, Bob Lucas, at the Lucas family home in Ohio, Somebody LovesYou finds Lucas backed by his father, Chris Westhoff, and Todd Beene (Lucero), and accompanied by his sister, Chloe Manor. The collective effort of the Lucas family on Somebody Loves You reflects the clan’s deep musical heritage; Austin spent six formative years as a member of the nationally-acclaimed Indiana University Children’s Choir, while his father has songwriting credits on two of Allison Kraus’ albums, including 1997’s Grammy-winning So Long So Wrong. 
The new material accelerates Lucas’ growth as a songwriter, continuing to expand upon the storytelling and instrumentation of The Common Cold (Hometown Caravan/ Sabotage, 2006), Putting The Hammer Down (Hometown Caravan/ Magic Bullet, 2007), and his recent collaboration with Chuck Ragan, Bristle Ridge (Ten Four/ Hometown Caravan, 2008). While Bristle Ridge teemed with the energy of an all-night barnburner, much of Somebody Loves You evokes the ambience of an Appalachian sunset waltz; Todd Beene’s pedal steel softly pulls focus like stars in a new night sky, while Chloe Manor’s background vocals shade the songs in the fading warmth of dusk. Fiddle, banjo and upright bass are woven throughout, but it is Lucas’ guitar and vocals that anchor each song. Beyond his accomplished picking, Lucas’ voice defines his music, reaching from the intimacy of a lover to the fervor of a sinner begging atonement. 

Stylistically and thematically, the lyrics of Somebody Loves You ring more timeless and universal than those of Lucas’ past work. Whereas the characters in many of Lucas’ prior songs lived and died by the rhythms of the touring lifestyle and its accompanying benders and long-distance loss, the songs of Somebody Loves You feature Lucas employing the voice of a preacher bereft of his faith, coloring the tales with both the grandeur of religious imagery and the notion of the body as a perishable vessel. Throughout the album, Lucas subtly rephrases lines, switching perspective from first to second- and third-person, creating an ambiguity that enables the songs to resonate uniquely with each listener. 

Ultimately, Somebody Loves You is the album that will close the book on Austin Lucas’ tenure as the best-kept secret of the punk underground and bring him to the attention of alt-country and Americana fans everywhere. Lucas will be touring the US and Europe extensively in 2009.

The artwork is being done by the very talented Mitch Clem and Nation of Amanda who has been asked to make their own renditions of the album art that the song being covered originally appeared. For this fourth release, Drag the River are covering Sam Cooke’s “Having a Party” and Jeff Black’s “I Know”. 

Josh, you see, plays in Tim Barry’s band. He plays the banjo and the dobro and is a very talented musician. After seeing Tim, Josh, and Caitlin play for the first time in Ft Collins opening for Drag the River, we all had some beers and went over to Jon Snodgrass house to hang out. Tim, Josh, and Jon started jamming just playing guitar and singing song ideas back and forth. There were lots of PBR being drunk and what I witnessed was one of the coolest musical moments I had ever witnessed. Throughout all my geeking out, I was just floored the songs that Josh sang. I loved it so much, I asked him if he would record a record on Suburban Home. To my delight, he agreed and this album, “Tall by Josh Small” is his first for Suburban Home. 

When I try to describe what Josh does, it is hard for me to explain. Tim Barry calls it 70’s folk, I like to think of it has a soulful, bluesy roots record whatever that means. There is a lot of emotion in Josh’s voice and the record has a really beautiful, mellow vibe. I don’t know who to compare him to so you will just have to check it out and decide for yourself. This record is amazing and that I can say without any hesitation. 
Virgil Dickerson

Since the premature dissolution of Drag the River in late 2007, Jon Snodgrass has continued to do what he has always done: write and record great music. Over the course of most of 2008 he recorded a number of recording sessions in such far off places as Rhode Island, Kansas City, San Jose, New Brunswick, and at home in his garage and in Denver at Black and Bluhm (with Chris Fogal). He had guest musicians (hence Visitor s Band) such as Two Cow Garage, Chad Rex, Joey Erg, Chris Pierce, Eric Powers, and more. The resulting 10 track (plus the entire album over again as 1 track with alternate versions of nearly every song) album is some of Jon’s greatest work. You might think you know what this album sounds like, but I think it might surprise you a bit. The album incorporates the hard-edged rock you expect from Armchair Martian with the more rootsy sounds you might expect to hear with Drag the River and the resulting album is an album I have no problem calling a masterpiece. I am so proud of this album.

“Lives Like Mine” follows up where “Broken With No Hope” leaves off taking the listener through a very personal albeit heart-wrenching journey. Mike’s music is so beautiful and this recording has Mike playing a number of songs on piano as well as acoustic guitar. Fans of Mike’s last album will not be disappointed.

3 brandnew and unreleased songs by Chuck Ragan of Hot Water Music. The first one is a great version of the traditional “will the circle be unbroken” and the other 2 songs comes from Chuck Ragan himself. The second one “in the clouds” and “live by the sword” a live duet with Paige Anderson of “Anderson Family Bluegrass Band”.

A split 7inch with the great alt – country, americana band DRAG THE RIVER from Denver, Colorado and CHRIS WOLLARD the singer and guitarist of the legendary band HOT WATER MUSIC from Gainesville, Florida with his band the SHIP THIEVES. This 7inch features 4 songs (one original and one cover each). DRAG THE RIVER covers CHRIS WOLLARDS’ “no exception” and he covers “a way with women” of DTR.)

Shortly after recording a split album, “Bristle Ridge”, with Chuck Ragan, Austin Lucas set out to start recording demos for what would eventually become “Somebody Loves You”. The demos were pretty raw, but there was a magic to the recordings so it was decided that Austin, Hometown Caravan & Sabotage Records to do a small pressing on 10 inch of these songs.That release, “At War With Freak Folk” sold out quickly and could be the most highly sought after piece in most people’s Austin Lucas collections. As Austin starts recording demos for his followup to “Somebody Loves You”, we discussed putting together a Collection of recordings that originally appeared on vinyl only releases. “Collection” begins with those 6 songs from “At War with Freak Folk”, includes Austin’s tracks from his split 7inch with The Takers, Austin’s cover of Dolly Parton from his Under the Influence split 7inch with Frank Turner, a track from his split 7inch with Chuck Ragan, and a track that has been unreleased until now.Until Austin completes his next masterpiece, allow “Collection” to offer you another dimension to Austin Lucas.