Icon Fetch

Led by a versatile singer/songwriter, this band injects some fresh life into some vintage music

Davina & the Vagabonds, featuring the sassy vocals of pianist Davina Sowers and a brash frontline horn section, recall the jazz and blues of turn-of-the-century New Orleans. But, underneath that brazen outer shell is a technically savvy band with an extraordinary songwriter. Their brand new CD, Black Cloud, features 13 tracks all penned by Sowers – ranging from the down-in-the-dumps title track to the surprisingly cheerful “Pocket”. Icon Fetch talks to the band’s front woman about her writing process, reaching the finals of an international songwriting contest, and the origins of her “old school” roots.

Any time anyone mentions “#1 hit,” they’re using his research

Joel Whitburn is the undisputed expert on hit singles. His extensive research of the Billboard charts has been used by DJs and music fans all over the world. He’s compiled over 200 books, from pop and rock to R&B, country and big band chart data. His latest book, Top Ten Pop Hits: A 70-Year History of Every Top Ten Hit 1940-2010, is the first to cover the entire history of the singles chart, from the 1940’s big band era, to the pop music of today. Icon Fetch talks to the avid record collector about his new book, how he got started chronicling hit songs, and the upcoming release of his latest edition of Top Pop Singles, which is in its 13th edition.

An engineer accidentally erased a song he had just recorded. To fill the space, he recorded a song called “Sunshine” – which became a huge hit.

Jonathan Edwards is best remembered for his 1972 anti-establishment song “Sunshine.” He’s just released his first new studio album in 14 years, My Love Will Keep — 12 acoustic-based tracks featuring Edwards’ warm voice augmented by tasty accompaniment. He’s joined by a variety guests, including bluegrass sensation Claire Lynch, and former Seldom Scene member Moondi Klein on backing vocals. Icon Fetch talks with the current native of Maine about drawing on a variety of sources for his new record, getting a chance to sing with his daughter, and the story behind the unlikely success of “Sunshine.”

She never fit into the “rock star mold” that the record company wanted her in. Now she’s playing by her own rules

Debora Iyall fronted the Eighties band Romeo Void, who scored a pair of MTV hits in the biting “Never Say Never,” and the funky “Girl in Trouble is a Temporary Thing,” before calling it quits in 1985. After a brief stint as a solo artist, Iyall left the music business altogether to concentrate on art and teaching. Now, she’s got a brand-new album of material called Stay Strong. Icon Fetch talks her about the different directions her new music has taken, the inspiration behind some of the songs, and how Michael Jackson inspired her song “A Girl in Trouble.”

Can a band take 16 years off and return like they never left? Yes

Urge Overkill scored an alternative smash in 1993 with “Sister Havana,” from the album Saturation. Then, director Quentin Tarantino used their version of the Neil Diamond nugget “Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon” for his surprise hit movie Pulp Fiction a year later. After their next LP, Exit the Dragon, failed to match their previous record’s dizzying heights, the band broke up. Now, they’re back with their first new record in 16 years, Rock n’ Roll Submarine. Icon Fetch talks with co-leaders Eddie “King” Roeser and Nash Kato about picking up right where they left off, playing a star-studded roast to Tarantino, and some of the cool features of their Rock n’ Roll Submarine.

Gaye Ann Bruno is the co-host of the “Between the Sheets” podcast. The show, which also features Terri Nunn of the Eighties band Berlin, has gained a reputation for its “no-holds-barred” style and unique lineup of guests (which includes reclusive Jefferson Airplane vocalist Grace Slick, porn star Tera Patrick, and Devo bassist Gerald Casale). Bruno has also managed several prominent bands, worked as a DJ, and is currently a TV network executive. Icon Fetch talks with the multi-faceted host about the origins of her show (which also featured Motels’ frontwoman Martha Davis at one point), and some of the crazy stories of her guests.

They say everything is bigger in Texas – and singer / songwriter Eric Hanke is no exception. Standing 6’8” tall, he is literally a head above his competition. Hanke has just released his sophomore record called Factory Man, a blend of country, folk and rock with Hanke’s down-home lyrics. Icon Fetch talks to the Austin native about taking five years to put the record together and the stories behind many of the songs on the record.

Legendary guitarist Elvin Bishop has returned with a brand-new live CD called Live on the Legendary Blues Cruise, featuring performances by many of Bishop’s friends including John Nemeth, Finis Tasby, Kid Anderson, and Terry Hanck. Icon Fetch talks with the Oklahoma native about what it’s like playing this cruise year after year and gives us background on each member of his “Raisin’ Hell Revue.” Plus, we discuss his early days in the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, and the story behind his smash hit from 1976, “Fooled Around and Fell in Love.”

The Fort-Worth band Calhoun has just released their third album called Heavy Sugar. It’s an appropriate title for a CD filled with shimmering melodies that linger long after you’re done playing the album. Icon Fetch talks with both vocalist / guitarist Tim Locke and guitarist / keyboardist Jordan Roberts about how the band actually broke up for a while, the reformed. We also find out what is was like working with James Barber, who’s recently produced Ryan Adams, and how they feel about fans being able to pick and choose their songs on iTunes.

Peter Parcek was nominated for “Best New Artist” at this year’s Blues Music Awards. He’s returned with a brand-new 4-song EP of Bob Dylan interpretations called Pledging My Time. We talk to the New England guitarist about choosing which Dylan songs to cover, the sparse production of the album, and the unique “Name Your Price” approach he took to distributing his new music.