Bloodshot Records Artists Rocked By Sale & Accounting Issues

On Monday, July 20th, a form letter was sent out to all artists currently signed to the independent Chicago-based music label Bloodshot Records that the the label is currently up for sale due to ongoing conflict with co-owners Nan Washaw and Rob Miller. This conflict has spilled over into artists and songwriters reimbursement.

Bloodshot artist Jason Hawk Harris posted today on his Facebook page some behind the scenes details:

‘Hey folks. Nan Warshaw is forcing the sale of Bloodshot Records and withholding money owed to artists. Sharing this is my decision in full and I was not prompted to do so by anyone in the Bloodshot camp.

The statement below (scroll down to read the internal statement)h was sent to all current roster artists yesterday by the non-ownership staff at Bloodshot. PLEASE read the letter below for full context before commenting.

I want to be ABSOLUTELY CLEAR and say that my problem is NOT with bloodshot. It is with the other part-owner (Warshaw), holding the company hostage after she was rightfully forced-out for choosing to protect a sexual predator over the artist he preyed on.

Rob and the staff at bloodshot have done nothing but fight for me, tooth and nail, since I signed with them a year and a half ago. I thought hard about sharing this, but ultimately decided I was not okay with Nan not having to face this publicly.

This is the crop reaped from the seeds sown by sexual assault. Take it very seriously, and please hold the right people accountable. And do whatever you can to put a stop to this kind of bullshit in your own industry/workplace.”

Last year Bloodshot Records co-founder Nan Warshaw resigned from her position at the label following allegations of sexual misconduct made Bloodshot recording artist Lydia Loveless against Warshaw’s domestic partner, Mark Panick. Warshaw’s resignation was announced in a statement from the label, which reads, “co-founder Nan Warshaw is resigning from Bloodshot. Remaining co-founder Rob Miller, along with the entire highly dedicated staff, will continue the work of Bloodshot, while ensuring that the core values of the company are consistently represented by all associated w/ the label.”(see tweet)

Bloodshot Records was founded by Rob Miller and Nan Warshaw in 1993 as an “insurgent country” record label catering to the coutry roots loving younger fans that grew up on punk and looked for a fusion of the sounds. Bloodshot was home to many of the genre’s pioneers like Ryan Adams, Neko Case, The Waco Brothers, Scott H. Biram, Wayne “The Train” Hancock, The Old 97’s, The Meat Purveyors, Robbie Fulks and Justin Townes Earle, and currently has on it’s roster Sarah Shook and the Disarmers, Jason Hawk Harris, Ruby Boots, The Vandoliers, and others.

Split Lip Rayfield Preparing New Release “I’ll Be Around”

Witchita, Kansas based Bloodshot Records recording artists Split Lip Rayfield are gearing up for the group’s fifth studio album “I’ll Be Around” is its first collection of new material since 2004’s “Should Have Seen It Coming”and their first since losing their friend and collaborator Kirk Rundstrom to cancer. Lawrence Kansas’ Lawrence.com reports that the album is “vintage Split Lip: blazing-fast banjo  licks balanced by high-lonesome ballads and a healthy sense of humor.”

Split Lip Rayfield – Aces High(mp3)
Split Lip Rayfield – Heart of Darkness(mps)

Split Lip Rayfield – Red Neck Tailgate Dream

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pK2LL3Enuro[/youtube]

Bloodshot Records CMJ Showcase

If you’re in the New York City area for the CMJ be sure to head out to Union Pool in Brooklyn next week for the Bloodshot Records showcase. No invites or badges needed, but you will need a ticket. $8 advance / $10 door, free w/CMJ badge – come early for FREE beer & tacos – Sponsored by Blurt Online & Oskar Blues Brewery.

Saturday Afternoon, October 25
Union Pool – 484 Union Ave. at Lorimer in Brooklyn
12:30 doors
1:00 – 1:40: Dexter Romweber Duo
1:50 – 2:30: I’m Not Jim
2:40 – 3:20: Ben Weaver
3:30 – 4:10: Ha Ha Tonka
4:20 – 5:00: Cordero
5:10 – 5:50: Charlie Pickett
6:00 – 6:40: Justin Townes Earle

Scott H Biram Spring Dates

That “Dirty ol One Man Band from Texas: Scott H. Biram will be wheeling his First Church Of The Ultimate Fanaticism selling his brand of sanctified chicken-fried country blues music this spring and will be over in the UK in late May with some possible central Europeon dates in Early June.

Check him out at a chicken coop near you if you dare!

Fri 3/21/08 Riley’s Tavern Hunter, TX

Sat 3/22/08 Red Eyed Fly Austin, TX

Sat 3/29/08 Double-Wide Dallas, TX

Thu 4/10/08 Rhythm Room Phoenix, AZ w/Hillstomp

Fri 4/11/08 Plush Tucson, AZ w/Hillstomp

Sat 4/12/08 Casbah San Diego, CA w/Hillstomp

Sun 4/13/08 Safari Sam’s Hollywood, CA
w/ Wayne Hancock, 50 Cent Haircut, Hillstomp (SHB plays 3rd)

Tue 4/15/08 The Crepe Place Santa Cruz, CA

Wed 4/16/08 Bottom of the Hill San Francisco, CA w/Hillstomp

Thu 4/17/08 Axe & Fiddle Cottage Grove, OR w/Hillstomp

Fri 4/18/08 Dante’s Portland, OR w/Thee Loyal Bastards & Hillstomp

Sat 4/19/08 El Corazon Seattle, WA w/Hillstomp & Bob Wayne & His Outlaw Carnies

Mon 4/21/08 The Filling Station Bozeman, MT w/Hillstomp

Wed 4/23 Bar Deluxe w/Hillstomp

Fri 4/25/08 Bender’s Tavern Denver, CO w/Hillstomp, Rev. Deadeye

TBA (Possibly Lincoln, NE)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gX6-G5uHFHk[/youtube]

Bloodshot Announces – Announces 4th Annual Yard Dog Party and Official SXSW Showcase – March 14 & 15

Bloodshot Records will be holding their 4th annual Yard Dog Party and official SXSW showcase. Their artist will be performing at many other showcases and parties around Austin. A partial schedule follows:

Bloodshot Records – Annual SXSW Party at Yard Dog- Friday afternoon March 14th
Yard Dog Gallery, 1510 S. Congress

(bands NOT in order):

Firewater
Bobby Bare Jr.
The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir
The Waco Brothers
Ha Ha Tonka
Justin Townes Earle
Deadstring Brothers
Mark Pickerel & His Praying Hands
The Silos (in tribute to Drew Glackin)
Andre Williams

Bloodshot Records Official SXSW Showcase
Saturday Night, March 15th
Red Eyed Fly (715 Red River at 7th St):
1am                  The Waco Brothers
Midnight            Firewater
11pm                Deadstring Brothers
10pm                Justin Townes Earle
9pm                  Ha Ha Tonka
8pm                  Mark Pickerel & His Praying Hand

Bloodshot Records Signs Justin Townes Earle – Debut Release “The Good Life” out in Spring 2008

Chicago-based alt.country stalwart Bloodshot Records has signed Justin Townes Earle to a multi-album, world-wide deal. His debut full-length album, The Good Life is slated to hit stores in Spring 2008. Justin will make appearances at SXSW and tour with The Felice Brothers in March and April. Justin’s previously self-released EP “Yuma” will become available to wide release through Bloodshot soon.

The Good Life is produced by RS Field, who has made his mark on critically acclaimed albums by Billy Joe Shaver, Sonny Landreth, Webb Wilder and Buddy Guy. Recording is underway at House of David studios, the legendary room that has hosted sessions with George Jones, Yo La Tengo, Elvis Presley, Neil Young and countless others. Joining Earle in the studio are a cast of all-star players including longtime cohort Cory Yountes (Bobby Bare, Jr) on banjo and mandolin, pedal steel player master Pete Finney (Dixie Chicks, Patty Lovelace), bassist Bryn Davies (Patty Griffin, Guy Clark), drummer Bryan Owings (Buddy Miller, Shelby Lynne), keyboardist Skylar Wilson and fiddle player Josh Hedley.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOwaqm7Deu4[/youtube]

Bloodshot Record at the CMJ Conference – New York

Bloodshot Records artists Ha Ha Tonka, The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir and The Silos are gearing up for the annual CMJ Conference here  in New York. Ha Ha Tonka and The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir play their official CMJ showcase on October 19th at the Cake Shop before joining the Silos and select friends of the label at the annual Bloodshot Records Party, taking place at Union Pool in Brooklyn on Saturday, October 20th.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19TH
Cakeshop – 152 Ludlow, 212/253-0036
8pm   Ha Ha Tonka
9pm   Scotland Yard Gospel Choir

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20TH
Union Pool – 484 Union Avenue at Skillman Avenue, Brooklyn, 718/609-0484
12:30               Doors Open
1:00 – 1:30       Carolyn Mark*   (Vancouver BC)
1:45 – 2:15       The Panderers*  (LA CA)
2:30 – 3:00       Bone-Box*        (Manchester UK)
3:15 – 3:50       The Silos       (NY NY)
4:05 – 4:45       The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir  (Chicago IL)
5:00 – 5:40       Ha Ha Tonka     (Springfield MO)
5:55 – 6:40       Centro-Matic*   (Denton TX)

$10 admission / Free with CMJ badge
Beer from Oskar Blues Beer – Grilled treats for everyone!

Bobby Bare Jr. Tour News

Coming off summer tour dates with The Slip and gearing up for a fall tour supporting Lucero, post-punk-alt.country innovator and Andre The Giant look-alike Bobby Bare Jr will be performing a special daytime Musicfest NW show today with members of the Decemberists appearing as his backing band! Bobby and his crack pickup band will support Cat Power at a special daytime Musicfest NW show. Touring in support of The Longest Meow, his critically acclaimed album on Bloodshot Records,  Bare Jr also announces a special reunion of his crack band in previous years, Bare, Jr, which takes place on November 23rd at The Exit in Nashville, TN.