NEWS

(updated September 23, 2008)

NEW RECORD: LINES FROM THE FRAME

Magnolia Summer is pleased to announce the new record, "Lines From The Frame" will be released on November 7, 2008 via Undertow. As mentioned in previous posts, the record was recorded, mixed, and engineered by Jason McEntire at Sawhorse studios. Over the years, Jason has worked with Ludo (Def Jam), Ha Ha Tonka (Bloodshot), Son Volt (Warner), and Destiny's Child.

In short, the record has been a family affair. Virtually all of the stable of artists involved with the band over the years have contributed to the making of the record. Kevin Buckley (who also leads Grace Basement) has helped expand the sonic pallette by adding string arrangements. Dave Anderson (Tenement Ruth) makes his debut by providing pedal steel. Glossary's Kelly Kneiser cameos with background vocals.

The record has been co-produced by Magnolia Summer guitarist and Finn's Motel leader Joe Thebeau.

In the coming weeks leading up to the release date, more information about the record will be forthcoming. Please stay tuned.

LOFI SESSIONS

Bill Streeter has been runnning a series called the "Lofi Session" which shoots live music performances in the amazing St. Louis City Museum. The video is shot with one camera and no editing. Bill was kind enough to invite Magnolia Summer to perform for the series. Kevin Buckley and Chris Grabau perform two new songs from the upcoming new record - "Lines from the Frame." You can watch here:

OF GREAT AND MORTAL MEN: 43 SONGS ABOUT 43 US PRESIDENTS

Magnolia Summer was recently interviewed about the band's contribution to a new CD, "Of Great and Mortal Men: 43 Songs for 43 US Presidents." Created by songwriters songwriters Christian Kiefer, Matthew Gerken, and Jefferson Pitcher, the three-CD set will feature tracks by Califone, Rosie Thomas, Bill Callahan of Smog, and Mark Kozelek. You can read the interview and hear our track about William McKinely's assassination by visiting:

http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/atoz/2008/07/magnolia_summer.php

http://ofgreatandmortalmen.wordpress.com/

magnolia summer - from driveways' lost view

available now!
BUY ONLINE from the undertow store

OR at record stores everywhere including;
vintage vinyl, miles of music, amazon.com
or via legal digital download Music Stores:

From Driveways’ Lost View is the second full-length from St. Louis’ Magnolia Summer. In contrast to the hushed, intimate quality of the band’s 2003 debut, Levers and Pulleys, Driveways reveals a louder, rawer, and more spontaneous side of Magnolia Summer, one that’s already quite familiar to fans of the live shows. Distorted guitars buzz and howl against the blast of drums and bass, but despite the aggressive edge, Magnolia Summer retains its distinctive grace and vulnerability.
[ CHECK OUT TRACKS FROM THE ALBUM HERE ]

upcoming shows

DATE	SHOW
09.27.08	Off Broadway (St. Louis, MO)	w/ Scotland Yard Gospel Choir
11.7.08	Off Broadway (St. Louis, MO)	w/ Jon Hardy and the Public

magnolia summer - youtube - SXSW 2008

Below are two newer clips from our recent performance during SXSW 2008 in Austin, TX. The clips highlight a special acoustic with Chris Peterson (The Half Knots) on violin. The clips feature new songs; 'by your side' and 'ribbon from the race.'

Magnolia Summer - By Your Side - SXSW 2008

Magnolia Summer - Ribbon from the Race - SXSW 2008

We have posted a few clips from a recent live show (07.05.07) at Blueberry Hill in St. Louis, Missouri. Some of the clipes include new, unreleased songs. Check them out here:

Magnolia Summer - Pulling Phase to Ground (unreleased track - live 07.05.07)

Magnolia Summer - Sum of All Fears (live - From Driveways' Lost View 07.05.07)

Magnolia Summer - Epitaph (unreleased track - live 07.05.07)

Magnolia Summer - Canary (from Levers and Pulleys)

magnolia summer in "best of STL" awards

Magnolia Summer was recently awarded "Best Americana Band" in the 2007 St. Louis RFT Music Awards. Thanks to everyone who showed their support. We are quite humbled by the recognition. This is what was said about the band - "Magnolia Summer leader Chris Grabau's gentle and wistful voice has a deceptive bite, while his songs — which are obsessed with the emotional force of the past and the present — take on a life and a sound that's very much their own."

HARP and No Depression reviews

No Depression - Review of From Driveways' Lost View
With the exception of the Bottle Rockets, Magnolia Summer is the finest band in St. Louis sill blending roots sensibilities with pure guitar rock. What their second album lacks in the expansive warmth of their debut Levers and Pulleys, it makes up for in tangled emotions and group coalescence. The taut, charging opener "Along For The Ride" and the rumbling "The Passing Days" have the electric stab and fedback blur (minus the eccentricity) of Satellite Heart era Flaming Lips, while "Words For The War" fuses the pain of oblique personal and political conflict over acoustic guitar and piano. Songwriter Chris Grabau sings with an urgent but sweet quiver; his images and melodies rise effortlessly through the stormiest arrangements, resulting in sometimes furious, sometimes plaintive, often exhilarating rock 'n' roll (Roy Kasten).

Harp Magazine - Review of From Driveways' Lost View
On Magnolia Summe's debut, 2003's Levers and Pulleys, the atmosphere was muted and personal, like a friend quietly sharing a secret. Since the, the quintet has evolved - a veritable who's who of St. Louis musicians, including Waterloo's Chris Grabau and Mark Ray, the Linemen's Greg Lamb, Ring, Cicada's Aaron Zeveski, and the bottle Rockets' John Horton - and discovered its inner rock band through relentless live work. The raucous results are all over the band's sophomore effort. There are still moments of relative calm, like the sedate "Casting Satellites," the mournful "Palindrome," and the Wilco-tinges "Words for the War." For the bulk of the album, however, Magnolia Summer combines the shimmery folk expanse of the first album with a rollicking Americana vibe that suggests Joe Pernice fronting Crazy Horse. And that's a good thing (Brian Baker).

recent news / reviews / etc...

check out recent reviews and profiles on Magnolia Summer.

Static Multimedia review of From Driveways Lost View

The Fire Note review of From Driveways Lost View

Emusic review of From Driveways Lost View

ALLMUSIC review (AMG pick): From Driveways' Lost View

Summer Turns to High: Magnolia Summer - RFT 5/10/06

Magnolia Summer profile in Sauce Magazine

review of From Driveways' Lost View from Playback-STL

Magnolia Summer profile in PLAYBACK-STL

SXSW article by Village Voice media

[ complete articles are also available on our message board ]

undertow online store

magnolia summer shirts and CDs are available via the Undertow Store. Buy direct!

magnolia summer radio

Listen to tracks from the new record, From Driveways Lost View as well as selected tracks from Levers and Pulleys. Also included are a few tracks from Levers and Pulleys as well as 'Around and Around' from Brown Eyed Handsome Man - St. Louis Salutes the Father of Rock n' Roll. [ HERE ]

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