Coming Soon: Justin Townes Earle @ Stubb's

So, in most standard editions of the Bible, there's a whole lot of ink spilled letting us know who begat whom. If ever someone pens a Bible of country music, doubtless a similar section will have to be included so that we all remember that Johnny Cash begat Roseanne Cash and with June Carter Cash begat John Carter Cash, and Hank Williams begat Hank Williams, Jr., and Hank Williams Jr. begat Hank Williams III, who was real cocky, having come from such a line, and Waylon Jennings begat Shooter Jennings, who played him in a movie. The point is that country music often becomes a family affair -- June Carter's own history a glowing testament to this historical fact. And, while it's certain the famous lineage of these particular guitar pickers certainly hasn't hurt, most have done well enough to survive and prosper in an industry more than willing to kick in even famous teeth. Justin Townes Earle, son of hardcore troubadour and political gadfly Steve Earle, and named in part for Texas legend Townes Van Zandt, is part of this tradition.

The younger Earle, who will be playing February 4 indoors at Stubb's, has just come off a real hell of a year in 2009, having been named best emerging artist at the Americana Music Awards and garnering attention from men's magazines for everything from his music to his suits. Rest assured, Nashville native Earle will not trigger another wave of achy breaky mullets or Garth Brooks-style bluelight special faux western appeal -- Earle's fashion sense is more a postmodern reimagining of the Grand Ol' Opry in its glory days. But, while his visual style may be a kind of self-referential country cool, Earle's sound has little room for irony. Instead, he pours out the kind of soulful, steel-guitar drenched tunes that still pour out of honky tonks across the country. Tracks like "Mama's Eyes" and "The Good Life" are ready-made for slow dances across dirt floors, or crying into your whiskey once the lady's left you alone with your cowboy boots.

This is not to say that Earle is not some unfeeling tribute to country music as it was. Rather, the sweet nostalgia is something like flipping through a family scrapbook and imagining your grandparents dancing at their wedding -- there's something touchingly, dreadfully intimate about the whole affair.

Also on the bill is Dawn Landes, touring in support of her 2009 album, Sweetheart Rodeo. Landes's breathy vocal stylings and delicate arrangements have already netted some comparisons to Feist. And, with her singles showing up in everything from HBO programs to Chrysler commercials, she's probably one to watch.

Justin Townes Earle [official] [MySpace]
Dawn Landes [official] [MySpace]