Upcoming shows
(at the Cantina Sound Workshop)
Pierce Pettis knew he was going to be a musician since he was very little. His current focus is now simply doing good work while making music.
One of his early songs, “Song at the End of the Movie”, was recorded by Joan Baez’s on her 1979 album Honest Lullaby.
He released his first solo independently released album in the mid-1980's which led to signing with High Street Records, a division of Windham Hill, and releasing 3 more albums. He was a staff songwriter for PolyGram from 1993-2000 and then signed to Compass Records, where he has continued releasing more recordings including a 2013 co-effort with Kate Campbell & Tom Kimmel, "New Agrarians -- Songs & Stories of the Southland". His latest solo release is “Father’s Son”, also released by the Compass Records Group, had widespread critical praise in the US, UK and Europe.
I think the first time I saw Pierce was at the Kerrville Folk Festival, he was a Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Competition winner in 1987.
The requested minimum donation is $25 per person at the door. All donations go directly to the artist.
Reservations are open for this show. Make a reservation.
The West Texas Exiles will be the largest ensemble to play at Cantina Sound House Concerts. They will play as an acoustic band and consists of Daniel Davis (vocals and acoustic guitar), Marco Gutierrez (vocals and acoustic guitar), Colin Gilmore (vocals and mandolin), Eric Harrison (vocals and bass), and Trinidad (Cajon).
The release of their debut EP, Volume I, showcased the talents of their three singer/songwriters (Davis, Gilmore, & Gutierrez). They have toured as the band both for Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore (yes, he is Colin's father). Their music has been influenced by The Flatlanders (surprise!) and Buddy Holly to Vampire Weekend and Jason Isbell.
Check out a history of the band or some of their other videos on their website, including their Tiny Desk unplugged performance.
I haven’t spent any time in West Texas so I am not sure what would drive someone to live in exile. Nonetheless, the three singer-songwriters and the dynamic rhythm section brought one heck of a party to their adopted home town of Austin on Sunday. Their set was a mix of country and rock & roll, Texas style. - Twangville SXSW 2023 - The Sounds Part 4 music review
The requested minimum donation is $30 per person at the door. All donations go directly to the artist.
Reservations are open for this show. Make a reservation.
Giulia Millanta is an Austin-based, Italian-born americana/folk musician.She can sing in 4 different languages, English, Italian, Spanish and French.
Her latest CD is titled "Only Luna Knows" and is being released on April 19, 2024. This is her 9th full length recording project. In addition, she is releasing a book "Dinner with Giulia - Flavors, Songs and Stories of a Florentine Troubadour", a combination of cook book, song book, and story book. She has 5 different recordings available on her website, as well as a previous book, "Between The Strings".
Check out her website and youtube videos.
“The best and scariest thing about Giulia Millanta is not just that she is truly a tightrope walker herself but that she continually pulls you out there with her... with melodies, singing, stories, imagery. No matter what language her lyrics may be in... and I’ve lost count of how many her lyrics use here... she’s always understandable because her music is, like any fine art, universally recognizable. I can’t wait for her next one!” - Dave Marsh
We've seen Natalie Price multiple times over the past few years and have been impressed by a number of her songs. Her latest self-titled CD (and vinyl!) was released just over a year ago. You can listen to some of her music at Bandcamp and you can peruse her link tree.
On Patreon, Natalie describes herself:
"I'm making music. It's a part of who I am - I cannot help it. I am always thinking about and creating beautiful things. It is one constant in my life that I know I will be writing and making music until I die (artists are some of the few who never retire!).
More information to be added.
The requested minimum donation is $30 per person at the door. All donations go directly to the artist.
Reservations to be opened for this show about a month before the show, but sign up on our mailing list to be the first notified.
The third show ever held at Cantina Sound House Concerts was Jeff Plankenhorn. Unfortunately, it turned out to be during a lull in the pandemic. Jeff (with Gabriel Rhodes) put on a great show, but the audience size was limited by the pandemic.
Jeff is a full-time touring musician who was based in Austin, touring with luminaries such as Joe Ely and Ray Wylie Hubbard. As the pandemic hit, Jeff relocated with his Canadian wife to Vancouver Island, taking the last ferry between the US and Canada. Jeff makes the trip back to Austin several times per year and our availability and his trips finally aligned for a return visit to Cantina Sound House Concerts.
Jeff's latest release is Alone At Sea produced by Colin Linden (Bruce Cockburn, Keb Mo). Previous albums included SoulSlide (featuring the single "Trouble Find Me") and Sleeping Dogs. He has also released several limited edition CD's with Michael O'Conner (Nothing to Prove and New Sunlight).
"Yes, it turns out that Plankenhorn has recently relocated to Vancouver Island. For his followers, who have long associated him with Austin where he resided for twenty years, this is quite a change, and aptly the sonic territory is also new, still bluesy in a few spots but leaning more into a folk vernacular. His vocals here take precedence over his guitar mastery. The title track likely traces to the peace Plankenhorn has found in his new locale, as the protagonist learns to appreciate solitude rather than the desperation of being alone. It’s one “Plank” plans to offer in Spanish and French versions in November. Plankenhorn is not as easily pegged this time, indicative of an artist willing to venture into new turf - the brighter moments have staying power.”
- Jim Hynes/Glide Magazine 9/28/23
The requested minimum donation is $30 per person at the door. All donations go directly to the artist.
Reservations to be opened for this show about a month before the show, but sign up on our mailing list to be the first notified.
This one is a little far out there, but Scott White called and wanted to do a video shoot at the Cantina Sound Workshop to make two videos that Susan Gibson had sung harmonies. One song was from his latest recording "even better on the bad days" and the second from his previous recording, "Call It Even". After finishing the shoot, the talk turned to a Cantina Sound House Concert with Susan. I didn't talk to Susan about playing here when I last worked with her, since Cantina House Concerts is small and she can attract a much larger audience! Once we set the date, Susan turned to Scott and ask if he wanted to share the show with her.
For the few who are not familiar with Susan Gibson, she came to prominence when The Chicks recorded her song "Wide Open Spaces". She got her musical career started after college as a member of the band The Groobees. Susan's latest CD is "The Hard Stuff", but she has released has released six other CD's of music, including a live album. Susan regularly hosts and participates in songwriter workshops.
"The Hard Stuff is what happens when a brilliant intellect conjures heart and life experience into song, conveyed in a voice you want to crawl inside forever, and produced to perfection without any hint of compromise." - Eliza Gilkyson
"When I listen to a Susan Gibson song, I know she is sharing a piece if her heart and soul with me. Susan writes about true stories in her life. She writes with courage puts forth her message with powerful and heartfelt guitar and vocals. It only takes a few lines of her recorded songs for me to recognize that "Susan Sound." Her new record has that for sure. Enjoy....." - Lloyd Maines - Music producer and musician.
Scott Sean White played at Cantina Sound House Concerts in October 2023, prior to his latest CD release. His CD, even better on the bad days", is now out and has received rave reviews.
"Some songwriters spend precious time struggling to find their truth and make it rhyme. Others just pick up their guitar and tell it. Scott Sean White is one of the others.”- Jack Ingram, singer and songwriter
“…Powerful thinking and writing at its very best… a contender for album of the year” - Lesley Hastings, Country Lowdown
Reservations to be opened for this show about a month before the show, but sign up on our mailing list to be the first notified.
Dana Cooper first became known around Texas for his collaboration with Shake Russell. although he previously had a solo release on Electra Records. I have my original pressing of the "Shake Russel with Dana Cooper" album "Songs on the Radio" from the late 1970's hanging on the wall in the Cantina Sound Workshop. Since the 1970's, I have seen Dana many times and he always puts on a great and entertaining show. Prior to his last show at Cantina Sound House Concerts, Dana's latest CD release was "I Can Face the Truth" but he also has a new digital release "Traveler Too" that is available in both an acoustic version and a full band version.
Dana now has two new releases for 2024, "The Ghost of Tucumcari" and a live recording "Live from Caffé Lena - The Stories & Songs". "The Ghost of Tucumcari" features guest appearances from Hayes Carll, Susan Gibson, Libby Koch, Lyle Lovett, Shake Russell, Mando Saenz, Darden Smith, David Starr, and Gillian Tuite. "The Ghost of Tucumcari" is available on All Digital Platforms - https://digital-delivery-services.lnk.to/WD4ChZK4EM
"The album (The Ghost of Tucumcari) is 5 star Grammy material." - Shake Russell
"I Can Face the Truth is an unmitigated triumph, an album that should finally garner Cooper the credit he so decidedly deserves." - Lee Zimmerman - American Songwriter
Dana Cooper is a Poet, Storyteller & Songwriter from Nashville. Dana's mixture of flat-picking, finger picking, and percussive strumming is "Legend Among Other Guitarists." His harmonica playing equally impressive. As one critic noted, "he sings like an angel and plays like the devil."
The requested minimum donation is $30 per person at the door. All donations go directly to the artist.
Reservations to be opened for this show about a month before the show, but sign up on our mailing list to be the first notified.
Malford Milligan broke onto the Austin music seen as Storyville. (Storyville is Malford Milligan). However, with the addition of Chris "Whipper" Layton, Tommy Shannon, David Holt, and David Grissom for a touring for the album, Storyville became a real band and recorded multiple albums. Malford has recorded Gospel albums, blues albums, and soul albums.
MJ and I have seen Malford many times in different bands, Storyville, Big Cat, MVP (Milligan Vaughan Project) over the past 30 years. Over the past couple of years, Malford has spent some time in Europe recording with The Southern Aces.
Malford will be appearing in a trio configuration.
Watch for more information on this show coming soon.
The requested minimum donation is $30 per person at the door. All donations go directly to the artist.
Reservations to be opened for this show about a month before the show, but sign up on our mailing list to be the first notified.
Discussions are underway with other artists for shows next year.