Texas, BC, Montana, and then some recommendations...
As always, scroll down to see my upcoming dates and gig info for the next two Texas tours with the links below, check my website, or follow my Bandsintown for even more.
To join my patreon for new music every month and much more, go to patreon.com/jeffplankenhorn
What do you do when you just put out a single? A new album is finished and the powers that be are putting together tours, publicity, posters, and a whole other kit-and-caboodle of things absolutely integral to the success of a musical career (even at my humble level). I’m writing again. I’m busy as hell and the music just won’t stop coming. So I got together with Scrappy on the phone yesterday and ran over some new and old ideas to get some stuff started. I’m also reading a ton right now. Seems like every free moment (especially when I should be exercising) I am picking up the kindle or one of my favorite books that I own.
So keep spreading the word about the new single, it means the world to me! But before I get back on the road next week in Texas, and then come back and do a month of gigs in BC and the PNW, I thought I’d give you a few things that have really hit me hard lately.
El Alimento - Cimafunk (2021)
Those of you who really don’t know my roots, don’t know how much funk was a huge part of my musical upbringing. I got hooked on this album a little later than in came out. Last year to be exact. Some friends saw them play live (I think at that cosmic festival down in Marfa). I’ve been hooked ever since. It’s such a beautiful mix of Afro-cuban, funk, dance, soul, hip hop, and so many other beautiful influences.
I can’t stop listening. It just doesn’t get old. I had a jazz professor in college who used to say, “your favorite music is what you do the dishes to.” I could clean the entire house, 2 cars, walk the dog, and cook dinner to this album on repeat.
Favorites: Te Quema la Bemba, Esto Es Cuba
Anthem - Noah Hawley
This book; wow.
Noah Hawley is a writer and producer mainly of TV shows as far as I know at this point. Fargo, Legion, and a handful of others bear his distinctive mark and color. This is his sixth novel, and the first I have ever read. It’s a page-turner. It’s current and gives a dark and critical, but right-on-the-nose commentary of where we are and where we could very easily find ourselves. Adventurous, gruesome at times, but gives me hope for humanity in some strange why. I cannot wait to read this one again. I cannot wait to read his others. I hope he writes more novels.
Songwriters — I’m talking to you right now. Check out this podcast:
Sodajerker On Songwriting
from their about page:
Over the past eleven years, Sodajerker, a duo comprising British musicians Simon Barber and Brian O’Connor, have made it their mission to use the podcast medium to unpack the complexities of songwriting for those that love the creative process. Described by Esquire magazine as ‘the Frost/Nixon of tunesmithery’, their podcast Sodajerker On Songwriting has published over 200 episodes featuring interviews with world-leading songwriters like Sir Paul McCartney, Burt Bacharach, Alicia Keys, Paul Simon, Sting, Rosanne Cash, Beck, Elvis Costello, Tori Amos, Nile Rodgers, Jon Bon Jovi, Lindsey Buckingham and Diane Warren.
There are many things I love about this podcast, but first and foremost I would venture to say it is the only podcast I am aware of that spends more than 90% of it’s time on the craft of songwriting. There are tons of great podcasts where you can learn about the life, times, and careers of great performers and writers, but this one is really about the work.
Simon and Brian are also a joy to listen to, extremely knowledgeable, and have a habit of deep diving into each guest’s catalogue before an interview. Beyond that, they ask both broad and the detailed questions about everything from method and practice to writing rituals and even superstitions. They ask about in what settings the artist writes, if they write alone or they co-write (or both), if they write with a pad and paper under a tree in the park or with a laptop and a DAW in the studio “under the gun.” They even give a nice recap after each interview (usually filled with a bit of unapologetic and seemingly genuine praise).
If you write songs, I can’t imagine you not loving this podcast. Some favorite episodes of mine have been Madison Cunningham, Theo Katzman, Norah Jones, Desmond Child, Dan Penn, and Ray LaMontagne.
OK that’s enough for now.
Houston! Come and see me at McGonigel’s Mucky Duck on July 27th at 8pm!
There’s a whole slew of new dates below. I can’t wait to see you all, wherever you are.
Oh and go pre-save my new album and check out the new single here: https://orcd.co/n2qkbq5
Plank
McGonigel's Mucky Duck
Thu, Jul 27 @ 7:00PM
McGonigel's Mucky Duck, Houston, TX
Jeff Plankenhorn (solo) returns to The Mucky Duck for the early show tonight. Doors open at 6pm, showtime 7pm sharp! Tickets are $30 in advance. Expect him to preview many of the new songs from his forthcoming new album, Alone at Sea. Get your tickets in advance (strongly recommended).
The Coop
Fri, Jul 28 @ 7:00PM
Jeff Plankenhorn’s life in music has taken him from a childhood in Ohio as a boy soprano, to battling addiction, to two decades as a first-call session guitarist in Austin. Now a successful solo artist, the slide guitar virtuoso is collaborating with his musical heroes and rocking festival stages all over the country. We are so lucky he’s agreed to make the Coop part of his tour! https://jeffplankenhorn.com/ $25 per person suggested donation. BYO chair and drinks. Potluck food. Please rsvp! Call or Text: 512-762-8282 Email: liveatthecoop@gmail.com
The Purple Barn
Sat, Jul 29 @ 7:00PM
The Purple Barn, Wimberley, TX
A multi-instrumentalist and slide guitar virtuoso, be it studio work or performing as part of a band, Jeff has been about as in-demand as any musician can be. Still, after roughly twenty years shining for other artists, Jeff cut the cord and transitioned from sideman to solo artist. Plankenhorn combines a broad array of genres from soulful rock and folk to blues, country and bluegrass all with his skilled take on the Plank, his laptop steel.
Opening is singer songwriter Sergio Martinez
A $25 donation is requested by the artist. BYOB and a folding chair.
w/The Resentments @ The Saxon Pub
Sun, Jul 30 @ 7:30PM
w/The Resentments @ The Saxon Pub, Austin, TX
The Resentments at The Saxon (again). Holding down their weekly gig. Jeff's in town with 'em tonight.
Texada Island Blues & Roots Festival 2023
Sat, Aug 5 @ 7:00PM
Texada Island Blues & Roots Festival 2023, Gillies Bay, BC
Headlining with power trio!
Waterwheel Park
Tue, Aug 8 @ 7:00PM
Waterwheel Park, Chemainus, BC
Plank with 5 piece band with special guest Nadine Florence!
Private Concert - Metchosin, BC
Fri, Aug 11 @ 7:00PM
Private Concert - Metchosin, BC, Metchosin, BC
Private Concert - Seattle, WA
Sat, Aug 12 @ 7:00PM
Private Concert - Seattle, WA, Seattle, WA
Support for Ian Moore - Alberta Rose Theatre
Sun, Aug 13 @ 8:00PM
Alberta Rose Theatre, Portland, OR
triple bill!
Duncan City Square
Wed, Aug 16 @ 7:30PM
Duncan City Square, Duncan, BC
Free solo performance!
Spirit Square
Fri, Aug 18 @ 7:00PM
Spirit Square, Campbell River, BC
Power trio!
Simms Millenuim Park
Sun, Aug 27 @ 7:00PM
Simms Millenuim Park, Courtenay, BC
Closing out the season! Special guest Nadine Florence
Yellowstone Songwriter Festival 2023
Thu, Sep 7 @ 7:00PM
Yellowstone Songwriter Festival 2023, Cody, WY
Craft Local
Sun, Sep 10 @ 8:00PM
Such a great venue and community
Whitefish Songwriters Festival 2023
Thu, Sep 14 @ 7:00PM
Whitefish Songwriters Festival 2023, Whitefish, MT
Alone At Sea Record Release Show - The Stateside at The Paramount
Sat, Nov 4 @ 8:00PM
Jeff Plankenhorn Alone At Sea Record Release Show at The Stateside at The Paramount, Austin, TX
The Stateside Theater & The Saxon Pub present...
Blue Corn Music recording artist Jeff Plankenhorn’s Austin Record release show for Alone At Sea at The Stateside Theater on November 4th. Jeff will be backed by an all-star Austin band.
His new album, Alone At Sea - will be released worldwide on September 29th (CD, digital, LP) via Blue Corn Music. It was Produced by Colin Linden (Bruce Cockburn, Keb Mo). It features the following singles: “Do A Little Dancing” (July 12th), “Alone at Sea” (Aug 16th), “The Mess” (Sept 6th), “Bluer Skies” (Sept 20th), “Juggling Sand (radio edit)” (Oct 13th), and “Alone At Sea” Spanish & French versions (Nov 1st).