THE BC BUZZ

(up-to-the-minute and almost recent news)

Cowboy and the Combo
Brave Combo is heading to Nashville to do some recording at the home studio of recent Country Music Hall-of-Fame inductee, Cowboy Jack Clemente.  The band turned a few of Cowboy's standards into polka pop tarts and was invited to immortalize them with the composer in attendance.  If you aren't familiar with Jack Clemente, you should Google him and check out his remarkable accomplishments.  Rumor has it, accordion star, Joey Miskulin, will be making the scene, as well.  Just another Tuesday in BC Land.  FYI, the songs are “Ballad of a Teenage Queen” and “Just a Girl I Used To Know.”

Interesting Tidbit
Brave Combo will be headlining the throw-down party for American Greetings world-wide employees in Cleveland, Ohio, at a bowling alley.  The band can bowl for free at the day-long music event, but isn't sure if complimentary shoe rental is part of the deal.  Strike!

Austin Maifest - May 18

Austin Saengerrunde is hosting a Maifest on Saturday, May 18th! The festivities will take place at Saengerrunde Halle and Scholz Garten from 2-11pm with Brave Combo providing the bier tasting music at 3pm. More info and tickets are available at: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/370170

West, Texas Needs Your Help
As most of you know, the tiny central Texas town of West recently suffered a tragic explosion at a fertilizer plant which destroyed a large portion of the town, killing fourteen people and injuring around 200.  This is a vibrant Texas/Czech community which opened its arms to Brave Combo in 1979 and has embraced and supported our sound and energy ever since.  Several benefit concerts and dances are in the works right now and we hope you can attend some.  In the meantime, please check this website for the latest news on how you can help. How To Donate

This is How We Do It
The Kennedy Center, the one in Washington D.C., has asked Brave Combo to help compile a collection of polka dance instruction videos for them to present and archive. I'm assuming we will be providing the music, not teaching the different dance steps, but you never know. Rumor has it that scouts from the center will be checking out dancers at the National Polka Festival in Ennis, Texas in May. We'll be rocking the dance floor at that very fest Saturday and Sunday, May 25 and 26. The final tapings will be at the amazing Blob's Park Ballroom, nestled between DC and Baltimore this summer. Confused? Well, at least it's a good kind of confused.

The Nice Musics are Coming
Carl and Brave Combo's good time buddy from northern Wisconsin, Danny Jerabek, constructed a side project, called THE NICE MUSICS, and have just finished an album of the same name, THE NICE MUSICS. It's full of music, nice music.

Twistin' with the Dallas Wind Symphony

Simpsons Season 15 DVD Set
(The one with Brave Combo!)
Back in 2004 Brave Combo was immortalized in animated form on an episode of the TV show, The Simpsons. On December 4th, the 15th Season DVD set is being released and at last you will be able to possess your very own copy of "Co-Dependent's Day." Listen and watch for the band playing at the Springfield Oktoberfest! Plus you'll finally get to hear Brave Combo's version of the Simpsons Theme over the credits rather than the promo for the evening news! http://amzn.com/B009DW5YJI

Good News, Everyone!

Brave Combo recorded three songs for an episode of the popular animated TV show, FUTURAMA.  Two of the songs are original BC compositions and one is a special surprise.  The episode, entitled “Fun on a Bun,” first aired Wednesday, August 1 on Comedy Central. 

Sounds of the Hollow CDs are now available for order in the Brave Combo store

Sounds of the Hollow is also available for download on iTunes

First review of Sounds of the Hollow has rolled in via D Magazine

Brave Combo founder Carl Finch furnishes the back story: “SOUNDS OF THE HOLLOW is an album of passion and variety, demonstrating our passion for variety. The song list includes polkas, cumbias, rumbas, a waltz, a twist, a tango, and even more disparate styles. This is also the first official Brave Combo recording to feature our newest member, and musical powerhouse, Ginny Mac on accordion.”

SOUNDS OF THE HOLLOW commemorates Brave Combo version 2012, still partying like it’s 1999, even as the Mayan calendar ticks out the clock. The indefatigable ensemble continues to discover, explore, fuse, and confound with the new album, living up to its reputation as a self-contained musical United Nations. Here they’re inspired by influences from Italy, Russia, Mexico, Poland, Nova Scotia, Germany, Cow Town, and other American ports of call—and that’s just the short list.

It's finally Here!!!
The diary of Tim Walsh!!!

30 years ago Tim Walsh, then reedman for Brave Combo, keep a very detailed diary of the bands early days. You can now take a trip back in time and experience the beginnings of Brave Combo through Tim's eyes. Check out Tim's Diary.

Machine's Pump

The latest Machine's Pump newsletter is now online.
Check the archive for issues you may have missed. The newest installment will be here any day!!!

Even More News.....