3Bands.com: Charlie Patton's War, Rodney Branigan, Trixie Whitley. 1.15.14

Our mission is simple. Every week, we feature 3 bands that matter. Enjoy.

January 15, 2014

Trixie Whitley

Trixie Whitley has pipes. She plays guitar, drums, keyboards, probably more. She has talented friends. She has a pedigree - her father was the uber talented and underappreciated Chris Whitley. Did we mention her pipes? This woman can sing!

26 year old Trixie grew up in Belgium and New York, and is currently based in Brooklyn. She performs as a solo artist, and also was the lead singer for legendary producer Daniel Lanois' short-lived band, Black Dub. Her solo style is still developing and a bit brooding, but you'd be hard pressed to find another vocalist with her power, particularly one that is at home on several different instruments.
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Website: http://www.trixiewhitley.com/
Selected YouTube Videos:

I Believe in You (Music video - Fronting for Daniel Lanois' Black Dub) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_0zrd2u3uk
Serve You (Live - get to about 2 minutes into this live amateur recording from a tribute concert to Trixie's late, great father, Chris Whitley....goose bumps): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyOaFELD90g
Breathe You in my Dreams (Music video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nEnenji0PI

Trixie's Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/trixiewhitley
Tour Dates: http://www.trixiewhitley.com/shows/

Concert Review Blog: http://whenirisheyesareburning.blogspot.com/2011/11/trixie-comes-of-age.html

Rodney Branigan

Most people who have seen Rodney Branigan once will first describe this incredible guitar player's gimmick - he can play 2 guitars at once, expertly. It's really amazing to see and is his defining skill...he'll start with one propped up horizontally on top of a traditionally held guitar, then swing/flip it around to a seated position something like a cello, furiously strumming, banging, and picking both with hands moving near light speed. See him twice or more however, and you'll look past his unique double guitar bit, and find him to be a talented, sensitive, witty performer. Although Texas is his "home", he spends most of the year touring Europe, so see him when you can - it might be a while before you get another chance. When I first met him, he would pause the show each night to be a guest on a Texas radio show feature called, "Where's Rodney", and he'd give a glimpse into his life on the road.
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Website: http://www.brokenguitars.com/ (You'll know why it's called broken guitars when you see him work up a sweat and beating the hell out of his guitar with his exuberant style).
Selected YouTube Videos:

One Man Two Guitars (Live - amateur video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPVMGT6mHFM
Gotta see that again....:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIotgzgsaZE
Busking in Europe: (Live): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MA5GB2G8bbw
Muddy Jesus (Music Video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvBA_V_2WIQ

Rodney's Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/dbroken1
Tour Dates: http://www.brokenguitars.com/gig/

Charlie Patton's War

From this picture of the four members of Charlie Patton's War, you might be tempted to think they're just a bunch of fresh faced Midwestern college punks but you'd be wrong (they graduated last year from Indiana University). Still calling Bloomington, Indiana the band's home, CPW has been killin' it in small venues and festivals around the Midwest and Northeast, and have upcoming dates including Nashville and New Orleans booked for early 2014. It took balls to commandeer the moniker of one of the founding fathers of the blues, but these guys have the chops to do it right. You might hear some Black Keys influence in their bluesy and vivacious music, which is virtually impossible to listen to without dancing.

Website: http://charliepattonswar.bandcamp.com/album/charlie-pattons-war-3
Selected YouTube Videos: