Harper Simon Readies Sophomore Album Division Street

Following his critically acclaimed self-titled debut, Harper Simon, son of Paul Simon, is set to release his follow up record, Division Street, on March 26th of next year. Simon co-produced Division Street with Tom Rothrock, who has produced albums for the likes of Elliot Smithand Beck.

Division Street is reportedly a departure for Simon. It features a sound driven by the power of electric guitars, rather than the bareback, alt-country flavor of his debut. Division Street was recorded with an intimate assemblage of guest musicians—including Pete Thomas from Elvis Costello’s Attractions on drums, Nikolai Fraiture from The Strokes on bass, vocals by Inara George, Feist’s musical director Brian LeBarton on synthisizer, as well as appearances from Nate Walcott from Bright Eyes and Wilco’s Mikael Jorgensen.

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SXSW 2013 Lands Dawes, The Mavericks, Richard Thompson, Etc. Etc.

News flash: a billion and one bands will be descending upon South By Southwest in Austin, Texas, this March. Also, the sky is blue and grass is green.

The headline acts will be announced later (so far Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl has signed on to be a keynote speaker), but at SXSW.com, you’ll find a list of what the long-running Festival is all about; bands you may have heard of, bands you’ve never heard of, and bands you need to see immediately.

The Americana genre is well represented this year, with (the very British) Richard Thompson, The Milk Carton Kids, J.D. McPherson, Caitlin Rose, Amy Speace, Luara Cantrell and Jim Lauderdale/Buddy Miller all scheduled to appear.

Theres’ also a “Where Are They Now” contingent, with 90′s chart toppers Third Eye Blind, Live’s Ed Kowalczyk, and Alien Ant Farm booked to perform.

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Erin McKeown And Rachel Maddow Co-Write A Song Via Text Message

Singer/songwriter/activist Erin McKeown is combining her political passion and her music for her seventh album, MANIFESTRA, due out on January 15, 2013.

McKeown released the first single, “The Jailer,” last month and the song finds McKeown following the same trail that Ani DiFranco blazed in the ’90s.

The album also boasts a song McKeown co-wrote with longtime friend Rachel Maddow via text message, “Baghdad To The Bayou.”

Maddow describes the experience of working with McKeown in a press release:

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The Civil Wars Cancel All Tour Dates Due To “Internal Discord”

Strange news from The Civil Wars’camp today. Citing “internal discord and irreconcilable differences of ambition,” the Grammy-winning Americana duo announced that they would be cancelling all of their remaining tour dates. With such vague language, one could speculate that the band is in danger of breaking up; however, they add that they hope to have new music out in 2013.

The Civil Wars postponed European tour dates earlier this year due to a serious family illness. Singer Joy Williams gave birth to her first child in July. The band’s debut album, Barton Hollow, was recently certified gold,
and they’ll release a VH1 Unplugged EP next week.

According to the concert industry magazine Pollstar, the band is still slated to perform tonight at the Roadhouse in London.

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Levon Helm in “Final Stages” Of Cancer Battle

According to a note posted on Levon Helm’s website, the long-time drummer and singer for The Band is nearing the end of his fight with cancer. The note was signed by his daughter and wife.

Dear Friends,
Levon is in the final stages of his battle with cancer. Please send your prayers and love to him as he makes his way through this part of his journey.

Thank you fans and music lovers who have made his life so filled with joy and celebration … he has loved nothing more than to play, to fill the room up with music, lay down the back beat, and make the people dance! He did it every time he took the stage …

We appreciate all the love and support and concern.

From his daughter Amy, and wife Sandy

American Songwriter will post more information as it becomes available.