Well, we’re back at the Acadia Cafe on Thursday, May 10, and we’re pumped! We recently spent three days at The Pearl in Northeast Minneapolis recording four new songs – and they’re sounding great. It was a reunion of sorts with Zach Hollander, who we worked with on our first recording project down at the old Pachyderm Studio. Now we’re itching to get back out in front of an audience and play for people!

We’ll be be doing a set of all-original tunes – scheduled start at 8:15. Also appearing that night will be The Counterfactuals, four college professors from Northfield, and Panoramic & True, an orchestral pop group from Chicago. The whole deal is a showcase put on by D.E.M.O., an organization that champions up and coming independent musicians.

Hope to see you there!

Ticket sales have been steady, but we want ticket sales to explode. Let’s fill the Fine Line with energy, love and people in support of a wonderful kid and cause.

THIS SUNDAY 3.4.12
Fine Line Music Cafe
Doors at 6:00 pm
Music by Rocket Club, The Belfast Cowboys and The Melvilles.
Hosts WCCO’s Frank Vascellaro and Amelia Sataniello.
21+

Tickets at Jabby13.com or at the door.

For those of you who bought tickets at the $50 price, we hope you will consider it a kind dividend in the karmic bank.

We’re sure by now you know the unfortunate tale of hockey player Jack Jablonski, paralyzed in a high school hockey game.

Jack is loosely connected to various Melvilles (aren’t we all?), but beyond that, the story and the need struck a chord in all six of us. We can only imagine the pain and depth of change this tragedy has caused, plus the life-long burden it will impose. We are finding out more about Jack every day—he is truly incredible—his strength, positivity and his real concern for and interest in others.

One evening in David Whitman’s kitchen, among pre-rehearsal beers, the idea of a benefit concert for Jack was floated—six hands instantly went up. So here we are. With the help of many, many others and the talents of The Belfast Cowboys and Rocket Club, we are putting on a show for Jack. This Sunday. Please come.

The Melvilles will be back at Lee’s Liquor Lounge next Thursday, March 1, in support of the Johnny Cash tribute band Church of Cash.

We go on early (9 o’clock) for our set, before the Church takes over to perform “… a wide range of (Johnny’s) music primarily from his early career”. Should be really cool. Wear black, and practice up that baritone. (Haaah, ahm Johnny Cash!)

Hope you can join us!

Looking ahead, we are proud to be taking part in a fundraiser for high school hockey player Jack Jablonski. Organized by Melvilles drummer Jeff Mueller, the event will raise money for Jack’s rehabilitation and long-term care. It takes place Sunday, March 4, from 6-10:30 at the Fine Line Music Café in downtown Minneapolis. Also on the bill are Rocket Club and the Belfast Cowboys, with emcees Frank Vascellaro & Amelia Santaniello. Details and tickets can be found on the Jabby13 website.

Turns out that town was big enough for the six of us! Next Friday, the 17th, the Melvilles once again set their sights on Northfield. It’s a return engagement at the Hogan Brothers Acoustic Café right there on Division Street in the heart of all things Northfield. The January trip was so much fun we just had to do it again.

C’mon down and join us. Over the (Minnesota) river and through the (Big) woods to Northfield we will go. Hogan Brothers has great sandwiches and beer, and back in the dim corner, you’ll find the black-clad, and all-too-obviously-coed-dad-aged Melvilles doing a semi-acoustic set or two. It’s an early show (music may start 6-ish) and the place clears out early – so don’t come too late!

And a quick look to the near future:

The Melvilles will be at Lee’s Liquor Lounge on Thursday, March 1st, in support of the all Johnny Cash tribute band Church of Cash. We’ll be on first – starting around 9:00.

And on Sunday March 4, we’ll be taking part in a Melvilles-drummer-Jeff-Mueller-sparked event in support of high school hockey player Jack Jablonski and his family at the Fine Line. Details are forthcoming, but the lineup also includes Rocket Club, and the Belfast Cowboys.

We’ll be heading down to Northfield to play the charming Acoustic Cafe on Division Street, downtown. Hoping to raise the ghost of Jesse James, who pulled a bank job in the town, long ago.

Next Wednesday night, if you’re not up to your elbows in stuffing and cranberry sauce, you really should make the trip over the river to the Palace Stage at the Wild Tymes in downtown Saint Paul. The Melvilles will all be there, tucked into the middle spot on a five-band line up. It’s somewhat of a family affair, with Mels guitarist Dan Mackaman’s brother Doug leading This 49 in the opening spot, and Doug’s son Henry and his band Phantom Vibration closing the night. In between: solo acoustic artist Dwight Hobbes, and the bluesy-rocking Inukshuk Pass. An eclectic night that promises to be a fun kick-off for the long holiday weekend. Hope to see you there!

Coming up next Wednesday, November 2, the Mels close a very special evening at The Fine Line. Music Cafe The main event that night is a CD release party for Minnesota country music legend, Sherwin Linton. Sherwin is celebrating 50-some years in the music business, and the Melvilles are honored to have been asked to play on the same bill. Mr. Linton maintains an impressive touring schedule, playing over 200 shows a year, and has performed at such prestigious venues as The Grand Ole Opry and the Las Vegas Strip. In 2001, Sherwin was inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame. Should be a great show!

Opening is another Minnesota Music Hall of Fame honoree, bluegrass band The Platte Valley Boys. Admission is $10. Should be a hoot!

The schedule:
Doors open at 6:00
The Platte Valley Boys at 7:00
Sherwin Linton, with Pam Linton and The Cotton Kings at 8:00
The Melvilles at 9:30