Calendar

Wednesday, May 14, 2008 | Forever Monday with guests The Red Souled Prophets and Hard Sun

THE RECIPE FOR FOREVER MONDAY:
-Acoustic Guitar played in a way that can only be described as a wall of sound.
-Bass hits that thunder the sky and make you shake even if you don not want to.
-Hooks....mad catchy like crack hooks....there really is no point without them is there? NO!
-Versatility is an understatement!
-Lead and backing vocals that make a point because you can actually understand them!

Thursday, May 15, 2008 | (Early Show) CD RELEASE, PITTSBURGH SONGWRITERS CIRCLE

Emay, Sue Gartland, George Kantor and Cathy Stewart are showcased in this part of a concert series celebrating the release of 'Pittsburgh Songwriters Circle (2007),' the third compilation album of contemporary folk and country folk songs recorded by members of the group. Affiliated with with Calliope: The Pittsburgh Folk Music Society

Thursday, May 15, 2008 | Cornmeal

Cornmeal continues to forge a path all their own, pushing the boundaries of bluegrass, Americana and folk for a whole new generation of music lovers. Steeped in the tradition of musical acts such as Old and in the Way, John Hartford, and New Grass Revival, Cornmeal has proven to be an influential presence in the world of roots music. Cornmeal has consistently evolved its sound and stage performance using bluegrass as a springboard for long improvisational work and songs ranging from country, rock and blues to jazz, funk and disco.

Friday, May 16, 2008 | Jim White - broadcast live on 91.3fm WYEP

When Jim White's Luaka Bop debut Wrong-Eyed Jesus appeared in 1997, the unique blend of alt country and metaphysics startled many with its idiosyncratic freshness. It was instantly acclaimed as a classic of the newly burgeoning "sadcore" scene, a point which amused the Florida-based songwriter to no end. "For 20 years I�d written these dark little songs," he notes dryly, "Every once in a while I'd play them for someone and they'd shout, 'Stop! That sucks so bad it makes my ears pop!', then a thing called alt country came along and, boom, all of a sudden everyone's hollering 'Jim, you're a friggin' genius!' I mean, what happened???"

Friday, May 16, 2008 | (Late Show) Round Black Ghosts CD Release Show (formerly Waking Matthew) with Tangerine, The Central Plains, and DJ Jason Sauer

Join Round Black Ghosts (formerly Waking Matthew) in celebrating the release of their new CD. Playing alongside the band will be The Central Plains and a special guest TBA shortly.

Saturday, May 17, 2008 | (Early Show) Ben Hardt Acoustic With His String Quartet and special guest Scotts Roger

Ben Hardt will be performing two shows at Club Cafe in one night. The early show will feature Ben Hardt Acoustic with his String Quartet and special guest Scotts Roger. The late show will feature Ben Hardt and his Full Symphony and a special guest Thee Adora.

Tickets are $7 for each show, or $11 for both (on sale starting April 5).

Saturday, May 17, 2008 | (Late Show) Ben Hardt and His Symphony with guest Thee Adora

Sunday, May 18, 2008 | Charmparticles (Portland), The Will Kills, Jon Garcia, Recession

Charmparticles are back and have triumphantly delivered their first full-length album, Alive in the Hot Spell. An exquisite hour of swirling, dreamlike melodies and hooks, Alive in the Hot Spell retains familiar Charmparticles elements: Pamela Rooney's haunting vocals, Sarah FitzGerald's shimmering guitar work and Nathanael Merrill's gigantic drums, but the album's 12 tracks contain several surprises from the band mostly known for its shoegaze roots. Songs range from spare ballads to bombastic, angry rockers, with a healthy dose of catchy, pretty pop songs in between.

Monday, May 19, 2008 | AcoustiCafe Open Stage

No Cover!
Pittsburghs #1 Open Stage returns to Club Cafe with host Heather Kropf. Fashioned after some of the high profile and wildly successful open stages in Nashville and New York City, AcoustiCafes open stage intends to create a supportive environment for artists to network with their peers, test new music or haul out old favorites, and most importantly, extend their reach in the local scene.

Doors 6:30pm | Show 7:00pm | 21+ | Artist Web

Monday, May 19, 2008 | Mark Pipas as THE SLEAZE

No Cover!

The A to Z of Pop. The Sleaze sings every pop song ever written...and asks you to sing along! Guests are always welcome and Monday Night with The Sleaze is the perfect cure for the weekend. No Cover...KITCHEN OPEN UNTIL 11PM!!!

Doors 10:00pm | Show 10:30pm | 21+

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 | (Early Show) The Great Unknown featuring Eric Brockschmidt and guests

Eric Brockschmidt was born in Pittsburgh into a musical family. He received his first guitar by the age of eight. He has since finished his Masters work and continues to live, teach and play in the Pittsburgh area. He maintains a large repertoire of solo Classical music as well as a Jazz and Rock repertoire as well. He continues to study on his own to improve his abilities.

Eric will be joined by numerous Pittsburgh musicians for an evening of classical improvising which we would like to call The Great Unknown.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 | Carney / The Brakes co-bill

Carney is a 4-piece Los Angeles musical phenomenon fronted by siblings Reeve Carney & Zane Carneyalong with John David Lipscomb on bass and Jon Epcar on drums. So what is Carney? "We try to make music that's timeless," says Reeve , �Our music is an array of various styles drawn from rock, folk, reggae to blues�. So true; their songs can evoke thoughts of anything from Jeff Buckley, The White Stripes, Led Zeppelin to John Lennon and even Pink Floyd. The Brakes are a genuine rock and roll band at first glance. However given a closer look, elements of folk, jazz and even post-rock reveal themselves, making their sound a distinct intertwining of American music, held together by insightful lyrics and memorable songs. Their musicality shines through as the members switch instruments, trading guitars, basses and keyboards for trumpets and saxophones.

Thursday, May 22, 2008 | Pete and J + Kirsten Price

Pete Harper and Jason Blynn, are known to themselves, and in turn by others, affectionately but usually appropriately, as "Pete and J". As you can see, they are based in New York City, where they flourish in the sweet exhaust and excitement of city life. They tour much of the year, however, so occasionally see both grass and trees. "Drawing regular comparisons to Simon & Garfunkel, but rising well above simply sounding like someone else, Pete and J are seasoned live performers, consummate entertainers, and offer a simple but unique twist that somehow bridges young and old, shy and wild�" Kristen Price is a Brit-born, Brooklyn-based singer who has fashioned a sound that evocatively connects classic American soul with modern pop.

Thursday, May 22, 2008 | (Late Show) Vinny Vegas, Lucid Music, The Metropolitans

Vinny Vegas is a 5 piece rock band from Baltimore, Maryland. What do they sound like??? Well you'll just have to see for yourselves on May 22nd or take a listen at http://www. myspace. com/vinnyvegas

Also playing will be Lucid Music and the Metropolitans.

Friday, May 23, 2008 | Justin Townes Earle

"Like the late Van Zandt, Earle uses a base of acoustic blues and prewar folk to build his own brand of American roots music." Nashville Scene | With Justin Townes Earle's pedigree come mixed blessings. As the son of legendary singer/songwriter Steve Earle, high expectations are the name of the game, and he's shown that he is up to the task on The Good Life, crafting stark portraits and narrative tales with elements of blues, classic country and rock n'roll. A modern-day troubadour, Earle blends genres seamlessly, framing his songs in warm musical settings and creating tunes that could easily be mistaken for classics. "I started out to make an old timey country record, but I listen to so many other kinds of music," Justin explained. "Some of the songs were rearranged on the spot and took on other lives and album is now more of an exploration of southern music." Earle approaches universal topics like traveling and matters of the heart ("Hard Living", "The Good Life") with the same fervor with which he evokes the bleak loneliness of a Civil War soldier on "Lone Pine Hill".

Friday, May 23, 2008 | Eric Himan with guest Andy Moore

When indie rocker, Eric Himan's best friend said: Make the CD that is going to change your life, he came back with 2008s Resonate, his boldest release yet. Not afraid to get his hands dirty (just check out his touring schedule and discography from the last five years!), his personal life opens out like a pop-up book with chapters illustrating love (Only), the turmoil of family battles (Open The Door, Until The Road Unwinds) , to social issues such as society's obsession with celebrity (For Me), the pursuit of money (In Demand), and facing the narrow-minded (Little Boy Blue, Protest Song). With the final track being, (We Are The Same), Resonate offers the chance to change not only Eric Himan's life, but possibly his listeners, as well.

Saturday, May 24, 2008 | (Early Show) Paul Luc, The Starlings (from Seattle, WA)

The Pittsburgh City Paper labeled Paul Lucs new album easily one of the best local singer/songwriter albums. They describe The Shelly Street Anthems by saying, Like Van Morrison, Luc inhabits the intersection of rootsy folk, pop and slick R&B. Supporting Paul Luc are drummer Kevin Mulcahy, bassist Jake Horwat, and piano player John Whitey Rokosz.

Saturday, May 24, 2008 | (Late Show) The Lost Sea, Diving for Orchids, Emily Rodgers Band, Husbands and Wives

Join Club Cafe for an evening of live local music from The Lost Sea, Diving for Orchids, and Emily Rodgers Band, and Husbands and Wives. Tickets only $5 in advance.

Monday, May 26, 2008 | Closed - Happy Memorial Day

Club Cafe will be closed for Memorial Day. We will return to our regularly scheduled Monday programming next week.

Doors TBA | Show TBA | 21+

Tuesday, May 27, 2008 | Vince Herman & Great American Taxi

Featuring Vince Herman of Leftover Salmon. Your head would spin adding up all the miles the members of Great American Taxi have traveled individually, and in just over two years together they�ve added a whole lot more to their travelogues. From their home in the high country of Colorado to the shores of the Pacific and back again through the grain belt of the Midwest heading further east to the Atlantic Ocean, Taxi has ridden the highways and biways spinning yarns and delivering high octane music to all who show up at their live shows and consume their 21st century Americana sound. From the bars, clubs and theaters to the main stage of Wakarusa to late night sets at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, up north to the 10,000 Lakes Festival via Summer Camp, and out west to the High Sierra Music Fest, the band has carved out their own territory in a very short time. Audiences are instantly immersed in their their folk and country sensibilities while they are fed large doses of improvisation and rock and roll.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008 | John Shannon with special guest Colter Harper

Guitarist, vocalist and songcrafter John Shannon combines ethereal vocals and textured guitar on his soul-searching debut solo album American Mystic. The guitarist for Sonya Kitchell's ground-breaking new album Words Came Back To Me, leader of evolutionary instrumental group Waking Vision , and former electric guitarist for psychedelic Sufi trance rocker Haale , Shannon's solo sound is organic, tender and quietly captivating.

Thursday, May 29, 2008 | Amoeba Records Presents-Kate Walsh, Brandi Shearer, Quincy Coleman

Brandi Shearer, the vocalist with the �strong, clear and beautiful voice� (Seattle Post-intelligencer), will be hitting the road this spring, supporting buzzed-about singer Kate Walsh. Jazzy chanteuse Quincy Coleman will round out the bill. Curated and sponsored by Amoeba Music, the tour, beginning May 12 in Portland Oregon, promises packed venues and a thrilling live performance from Shearer who Variety described as having �more than a touch of Janis Joplin heft�Shearer always seemed ready to cut loose and start smashing furniture.� Fresh off a tour with Vermont rockers Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Shearer joined Walsh and Coleman at SXSW to preview the tour. Shearer's Amoeba debut, Close To Dark, was hailed by People as �a very good collection of bluesy, heartfelt tales of love and loss.� And LA Weekly said, �[Shearer] has a heaven-sent, heart-shuddering vocal style that makes her sound seasoned and well beyond her young years,� while EW labeled album track �Lullabies� one of its �Choice Cuts.�

Thursday, May 29, 2008 | 91.3fm WYEP Presents Bell X1 with special guest Brooke Waggoner

Bell X1 are an Irish rock band from North County Kildare in Ireland. They have thus far released three critically-acclaimed albums in Ireland, and are rapidly gaining success in the United States, where their music has been used on popular television shows such as The O.C. and Grey's Anatomy. Their third album, Flock, which was previously only released in Ireland and later in the UK, has recently received a North American release in February 2008.

Friday, May 30, 2008 | Langhorne Slim with special guests The Builders and The Butchers

Outside of Philadelphia I was born and raised, and in the playground I spent quite a few of my younger days. At the time I had a preference for brunettes but years pass and we change. When my tendencies turned toward blondes I began to hear the call of the big rotten apple and at eighteen, away I went. Gone were the lonely, sweaty summer nights of PA. The crickets were still cricken� but not in my ears. I was in New York and I was looking for action. Some crave love, some seek danger but I was on the hunt for open mics and not to brag�I found �em. In a section of the city once referred to as alphabet on the lower east side there lurks a lot of white guys with acoustic guitars. This minor mass of songsters would meet one, two and sometimes three times a week in the back of bars, smoking, drinking and sharing with each other our newest creations. It was there that I met some good friends and came of age beginning to play my own shows and tour.

Saturday, May 31, 2008 | (Early Show) CABARET CD RELEASE with CHRISTINE LAITTA, DAPHNE ALDERSON, AUTUMN AYERS and GAIL NOVAK

Actress Christine Laitta's TV Tunes was Pittsburgh's longest-running cabaret. Cabaret/opera singer Daphne Alderson performs the annual Valentine's Day cabaret at Heinz Chapel. Autumn Ayers sings for Squonk Opera, and Gail Novak is a Pittsburgh jazz singer. The album, Midnight Cabaret, introduces 12 new cabaret songs by John Hayes. Accompanied by Doug Wilkin (guitar), Laura Daniels (piano), Mark Perna (bass). Opening: Andrew Gruden. Present ticket or stub at Cafe Allegro (51 South 12th St., South Side, 412-481-7788) for a free glass of house wine or dessert with purchase of an entree.

Saturday, May 31, 2008 | (Late Show) Gene The Werewolf, The Composure, and special guest Fiver

When people see Gene The Werewolf for the first time, the only thing that can come to mind is 'Wow, how did that Werewolf pull off such sweet falsettos'. This Pittsburgh band has been described as one half Foo Fighters, one half KISS, and one half The Darkness. And yes, we know that equals 3 halves, but that's how we do things around here.