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Next week marks the release of Mark David Ashworth Bright is the Ring of Words, the second gorgeous LP from this Austinite hiding away in the fog of San Francisco.

San Francisco is beginning to take notice, and so should you.  Here are three tunes from the upcoming LP which we’ve been sharing, and collect here for you to sample:

Download:
“Clean Slate”
“Fountain of Youth”
“Sometimes it Turns Dry and the Leaves Fall Before they are Beautiful”

Purchase the new LP, as it’s absolutely best played beginning to end, on either Vinyl or CD, complete with a download code after you purchase, HERE.

The drive to LA was incredible for 2 reasons. First, Southern California was having its most intense rain in years. And second, people in So Cal don’t know how to drive in the rain. We saw a truck spin 4 times going 70 mph, careen off the side of the road, and flip over in a ditch. I called 911 and remember feeling the pits as the woman asked us our location, and I couldn’t tell her because I had no idea. We saw another spin out that ended more peacefully. We passed 4 or 5 wrecks in 2 hours. It felt like that scene in the movie where it starts raining frogs. Just really funny and absurd.

Got to LA, ate some Pho, hung @ a bookstore called Skylight. I read Hafez for the first time and thought it was pretty cool. Saw the dude from Entourage and a lot of interesting shoes. Stayed with an old friend in Echo Park and thought it was really livable.

If you are there go to Origami Records to get a copy of our record. They are really great. I should say that as I write this we are driving through the pouring snow somewhere in Northern Cal. Driving in snow is kind of fun if you are in the back seat like myself.

Playing the Troubadour in LA was really great. It’s a nice intimate space, and I felt really good about our performance. I thought WD really killed it too. We hung out a bit afterwards at the bar and saw some buddies. We ate sushi next to a Rolls-Royce dealership. So LA.

And then went to San Fran. To be honest, I can’t remember too much of these places. My mind was flighty, and for the most part I was hung over, and it’s been raining for 5 days straight? So each day just feels the same, and people and place blend together. But, my friends, I’m taking lots of pictures so I’m sure to remember SOMETHING.

m.c.

The next best thing to seeing Brazos live would be to hear them as recorded by Daytrotter, and today they’ve got a live session they recorded during SXSW 2009.

They’ve still got a few live dates left on their West Coast tour with White Denim.  Get them while they’re hot:

1/22 – Doug Fir – Portland, OR
1/23 – Media Club – Vancouver, BC
1/24 – Neumos – Seattle, WA
1/26 – Urban Lounge – Salt Lake, UT
1/27 – Larimer Lounge – Denver, CO