Austin and Elliott: What's the Latest?

Thursday, September 30 we'll be performing, along with with Ray Mason, Heather Maloney, and many more, at the Rendezvous in Turner's Falls. It's a benefit show for the Thrive Project, which "helps young people pursue happiness" (thethriveproject.org).

Chris is a finalist in the songwriting contest at Vermont's SolarFest, the Northeast's premier renewable energy and arts festival. "River Rushes By" is the track chosen, a recording of which can be found at this very site, in the Listening Library. Saturday, July 17, Chris Will perform two songs, along with nine other finalists. It's an amazing event at a beautiful location. More info at: http://solarfest.org/

Thursday, May 27 we're joining a slew of performers for a free concert at the Energy Park in Greenfield from 6 to 8, and Friday May 28, we join another crew for a tribute and benefit concert for Vic Chestnutt at the Rendezvous in Turner's Falls, 9pm. More info at Live on Stage! to the left.

For the second year in a row, Chris is pleased to announce that he has been selected as a finalist in the Rose Garden Performing Songwriter Competition. Over in our Listening Library, you can check out the two tracks: "River Rushes By" and "Mercy Is a Dangerous Thing." Both of these songs I wrote over the winter, one inspired by W.H. Auden and the other by a tree stump, and I banged out these demos on my cabin studio (Macbook + Traveler + Rhodes mics).

March 13 at 7pm in Acton at Savoury Lane, we'll be doing our first live show in many a moon, sharing the bill with old friends Susan Levine and Rob Laurens. Come out and hear some tracks from our next record.

This winter Austin and Elliott are continuing to write, arrange, and record our next album, entitled "Carpenter Gothic," which will focus on the darker tracks--with a few major keys for respite. Few shows are being scheduled at the moment, but once the new recording is finished, we'll be hitting lots of stages around the Northeast. More info as it emerges.

Chris has been asked to participate in another songwriting contest, this time in Vermont at the Solar Fest, an arts and educational festival that not only raises awareness about sustainable energy but also powers itself entirely on renewable sources. More info at http://solarfest.org/index.html

Last minute show: Friday, May 29, 8pm, we're opening for Vandaveer at the Book Mill in Montague, MA. Info here: http://www.montaguebookmill.com/events.html

We'll be performing among many other artists to benefit the Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society at the Rendezvous in Turner's Falls, Thursday the 21st, 8pm. More details here: www.rendezvoustfma.com

We're pleased to reveal that Chris has been chosen as a finalist in the 2009 Rose Garden Coffeehouse songwriting competition. May 16 he and the other two finalists will perform their two selected songs, followed by a double CD release show by Jake Armerding and Taylor Armerding. Come out and support Chris in this fine adventure! Info and tickets at: www.rosegardenfolk.com

Several new photos have been added to the gallery, including one from our show at the Oasis Coffeehouse with Lisa Bastoni and Joel Ninesling. We've also uploaded a bunch of live video clips on MySpace and Youtube.

As the new year delivers cold and snow to the door of our cabin in the hills of western Massachusetts, we’re hunkered down, beginning to record and situating ourselves in the western mass venue landscape. We appreciate your stopping by and hope you check in periodically for updates, gig postings and new song clips. Peace, Chris and Lisa

The Folk and Acoustic Music Exchange has posted two wonderfully insightful reviews, if we do say so ourselves. Check them out here:
"Truth That Hurts":
http://www.acousticmusic.com/fame/p04312.htm "13 Songs Plus":
http://www.acousticmusic.com/fame/p04813.htm

We're participating along with a dozen other musicians in the October 11 FODfest show at Narrows Center for the Arts in Fall River. Commemorating the life and ideals of the late Wall St. Journal reporter Daniel Pearl, FODfest is a unique performance format: part song-swap, part jam session, part concert. A blast will be had by all!

This Saturday the 20th at 11am we'll be performing a set at the Soul Homestead in Middleborough, MA. Come enjoy the weekend! We'll also appear in the round from 3:30 to 4:30. Full festival lineup here: /www.soulehomestead.org/

Songwriter Universe Magazine names "Hard Not to Fall in Love" as a runner-up for Song of the Month. Listen to all the winners here:
http://www.songwriteruniverse.com/contestwinner59-123.htm

Mocha Maya's in Shelbourne Falls filmed our most recent performance, during which we went old school and sang with one mic. Come see us and other great performers in an intimate setting:
http://www.youtube.com/mochamayas

We're currently being featured by the International Narrative Song Competition. Check it out here:
http://www.narrativemusic.ca/

A glowing review of the song "Hard Not to Fall in Love" is up at Listeners' Generation.com and can be read in our Press section. The acoustic ballad itself is available on "Truth That Hurts" and Acoustic Rainbow Vol. 29.

More performances loom in the horizon, so check out the calendar. Meanwhile, "Truth That Hurts" continues to garner worldwide airplay, so no matter where you are, feel free to request a track at your local station.

For a limited time, select Austin and Elliott tracks from "Truth That Hurts" and "13 Songs Plus" are available for only 69 cents per song!

The Chris Elliott Plan has been launched, aiming to cure your ills through satire and lamentation. Get in on the joke -- it's dead serious.
http://www.myspace.com/thechriselliottplan

"Hard Not to Fall in Love" appears on the latest Acoustic Rainbow compilation, promoted on radio stations all over the world.

"Truth That Hurts" debuted at #32 on the international Folk DJ ALBUM charts for June with the title song at #5 on the Folk DJ SONGS chart, between Elvis Costello and Richard Shindell. Thanks to all the DJs and listeners!

Welcome to our new Web design. We're still in the process of building it, but soon there will be new and more music, lyrics, and text, and other fun stuff. Stay tuned!