RT N’ The 44′s photo by Daniel Giberson

The chili was hot and the biscuits were sinful at RT N’ The 44′s record release show, April 1, 2011. Tequila soaked lemons made happy April fools of everyone. The Echo Country Outpost is one of our favorite places. Chris Hajek and Erica Forneret are great hosts that make everyone feel like they’re in a bohemian version of Cheers. It’s that kind of familiarity that makes the Outpost special. And the audience keeps growing! If this keeps up, they’ll have to move to a farm in order to fit all these party animals.

“pour one more stiff drink for me” photo by Daniel Giberson

Echo Country Outpost crowd photo by Echo Country Outpost

RT asked Bloody Death Skull to kick off the night, so at 8 pm, Bloody Death Skull played a song about washing in lamb’s blood, another about whisky, one about bats, and a love song to a prostitute that the audience found sweet.

Bloody Death Skull photos by Chris Hajek

Next came Jenny Luna and wow, was she something! This young singer just received a jazz scholarship award from Pasadena City College, and she somehow creates a vocal effect in her mouth that makes her voice sound like it’s floating off an old record.

Jenny Luna photo by Daniel Giberson

Jenny Luna photo by Daniel Giberson

Jenny Luna photo by Chris Hajek

Then, Outpost regulars Sundays Soundtrack relaxed the audience into romantic dreams, all roses and pearls.

Sundays Soundtrack photos by Chris Hajek

RT N’ The 44′s got the room on its feet, stomping and hooting, as the band played its entire new album of down with the devil sing-alongs. RT N’ The 44′s makes the people dance.

RT N’ The 44s photo by Daniel Giberson

RT N’ The 44s photo by Erica Forneret

RT N’ The 44s photo by Erica Forneret

RT N’ The 44s photo by Chris Hajek

At the end of the evening, the trio was joined by a few fellow members of supergroup Eastside Hayride to play some old time classics. Tonight it was Olentangy John, Matt Taylor, and Lizzie Eggert, but when the collective plays the Echo on April 11 for Amanda Jo Williams’ residency, they will pack the stage with even more members from local bands that are down with the Eastside.

Eastside Hayride photo by Erica Forneret

Eastside Hayride photo by Daniel Giberson

This was also the first event of The New LA Folk Fest’s monthlong fundraiser for Japan tsunami relief and people were super generous. Thanks for that. We’d also like to give a shoutout to RT’s new babies…his goats just gave birth.  This is Waylon.

Waylon photo by RT Valine

Here are some moments The New LA Folk Fest has shared with RT N The 44s…

April 1, 2011 | 7-11 pm | Echo Country Outpost | 1930 Echo Park Ave., 90026 | Facebook event page

$5 door covers entry and 2 tickets for food and/or drink. Proceeds go to Japanese Red Cross via The New L.A. Folk Fest’s month-long tsunami relief fundraiser.

7:30pm – Bloody Death Skull makes its public debut!

8:30 – Jenny Luna and her Jazz Combo brings heavenly sounds back down to earth.

(video is Jenny w/ Guy Valdez and Socorro)

9:30-Sundays Soundtrack guides you through darkened doorways to a world of pure enchantment.

10:30-RT N THE 44s

with special guests, the EASTSIDE HAYRIDE!

RT N The 44s may talk about death, drinking, and hell, but this music is all about bringing people together and having a good time. The jams feel so familiar you could swear that your momma sang them to you while both of you nursed your respective bottles. Babies like it. Grandmas like it. And you’ll be singing along before each catchy tune is through, putting your arms around whoever, shouting “O Death!” like you’re spitting whiskey in the face of fear and dread.

Sundays Soundtrack

Fort King

Michelle Vidal

Tommy Santee Klaws

Horse Thieves

Messes

Ruthann Friedman

RT N’ The 44′s

Sunday, August 1

The New Los Angeles Folk Festival Presents:

Ruthann Friedman
Horse Thieves
Tommy Santee Klaws
RT N’ The 44′s
Fort King
Sundays Soundtrack
Messes
Michelle Vidal

Echo Country Outpost, 1930 Echo Park Ave.
Aug 1, 2010, 3PM, $2.00

Ruthann Friedman

Horse Thieves

Tommy Santee Klaws

RT N’ The 44’s

Sundays Soundtrack

Fort King

Messes