The band name of Lonesome Shack came from frontman Ben Todd’s experience living in, well, a lonesome shack that he built himself in New Mexico. In it, Todd learned Mississippi Fred McDowell songs and honed his facility on stringed instruments like bass, banjo and guitar. It is impossible not to notice his nimble, lanky fingers as he strums his fast country blues. On the song “Dwellers”, Todd sings, “Left my home, looking for a better place. But the rocks and gravel hit me in my face.” Fortunately, he made it to Seattle, where he began this band in 2007, growing over the years to include Kristian Garrad (drums) and Luke Bergman (bass) via weekly performances at Café Racer. In fact, the trio put out an album late last year called City Man, recorded in “one sitting” at Café Racer, even including the live audience chatter. More recently, Lonesome Shack made a home in KEXP's studio and performed this session:
Full Performance:
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Understandably, Vancouver band Weed often has difficulty crossing the border. In fact, KEXP's John Richards had to write a letter so they could travel from Canada to perform live with him on the Morning Show last month. But it's really not the sticky green stuff border guards try to sniff out that …
