Just over two weeks left until Matt & I hit the road bound for Cincinnati!  We are so excited for this journey and the opportunity to hear one of our favorite bands, Over the Rhine, perform Live at their Nowhere Farm.  We'll be traveling 'Lectric Duo style and hitting up a few farmers markets along the way to play, and then just enjoying some time exploring various towns we've never been to.  Here's the current outline:  Clarksdale, MS; Nashville, TN; Cincinnati, OH; Knoxville, TN; Atlanta, GA; Florida panhandle (haven't decided where yet).  Email us if you have suggestions on what we should see along the way, and please do forward our site to your friends in these towns. We are grateful for the support and happy to make new friends along the way.  Check our calendar for for updates and of course, keep tabs on us via Facebook.  :)

We are so grateful and delighted to share with you that the Alternate Root has featured Magnolia in their New Release Rack section - www.thealternateroot.com/rack-3/1124-sweet-jones-magnolia

Now that Mardi Gras and St Patty's is over, we have just a quick breather before the busy-ness of April and all the festing fun.  New Orleans really never stops the party, which is something to marvel at.  Between parade season, crawfish season, and festival season, we still manage to get some work done.  We are mindful and diligent folks though, and choose our moments to be super in (March) or super out (April). 
We have a lot of exciting shows and news coming through April and then at the end of May, Matt & I will be traveling duo style up to Ohio and back for a short tour/concert adventure to see one of our favorite bands play at their farm outside of Cincinnati.  They are called Over the Rhine.  Amazing songwriters and a lovely married couple too.  They inspire us. 

Here's a quick run-down for April, but check the calendar for more details and other upcoming events. 

Sunday, April 7th -  2:30 pm - 3:45 pm Hattiesburg Zoo Blues Fest at The Keg and Barrel, Hattiesburg, MS  We're delighted to be invited again this year for this festival!
Tuesdays, April 9th & 23rd - 7:00 pm Sweet Jones 'Lectric Duo Check Point Charlies, New Orleans - Matt & I will be working out some new material duo style
Saturday, April 13th - 7:00 pm Check Point Charlies - Full Band in the midst of French Quarter Fest
Sunday, April 28th - 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Slidell Antique Street Fair, Slidell, LA - I know, it's Jazz Fest weekend, but Slidell's not far, you can take a breather and check out some really cool antiques and a variety of fabulous bands as well. 
Friday, May 3rd - 11:00 pm  Check Point Charlie, New Orleans - It's the 2nd weekend of Jazz Fest, so if you're in town and missed us like we miss you, come out after the fest and hang out!

Keep on the look out for El DeOrazio at the end of April as well - he'll be unleashing a short-run preview EP of their new record.  They've been hard at work in the studio and are about halfway through this album, but wanted to share at least part of it sooner than later. 

On our way to Ohio at the end of May, Matt & I will be passing through Clarksdale, MS; Nashville, TN; Cincinnati, OH; Knoxville, TN; Atlanta, GA, and maybe a little Florida beach town on the way back just because.  If you live in one of these towns or know someone who wants to host a house concert in one of these towns, please help us connect the dots.  Thank you so much, we are grateful for the support and encouragement!!

New Orleans has itself a marathon of partying to accomplish in the shortest month of the year!  Sweet Jones will be performing here and there to help and enjoy the various adventures.  Here's what we've got so far...

Feb 2nd    1:45 pm - 3:15 pm Freret St Market - This fabulous outdoor market has great food, talented artists and their wares, and of course music all day.  This market is always the 1st Sat of the month and goes 12-5p.
Feb 2nd    7:00 pm - 10:30 pm  Check Point Charlie's - If you missed us at Freret Street, or are ready for round two, then come down to Esplanade and Decatur for some more fun.
Feb 3rd - New Orleans hosts the Super Bowl!!!  Are we ready for this kind of traffic?
Feb 12th - Mardi Gras in New Orleans!  Yes, we're always ready for parade traffic :)
Feb 12th - 11am-2pm  Matt's alter-ego, El DeOrazio & Friends, will be at BMC at 11am on Mardi Gras Day.
Feb 16th   6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Balcony Music Club - Our other favorite corner of Esplanade and Decatur.
Feb 24th   7:40 am - 10:45 am Rock & Roll Marathon New Orleans (yes, that's AM, as in Early, as in what runners do while the rest of us stay cozy in bed)

For more music during this short Mardi Gras season, you can catch El DeOrazio & Friends
Sun Jan 20th - 3pm - BMC
Sun Jan 20th - 7pm - Cafe Negril
Sun Jan 27th - 7pm - Cafe Negril
and Every Friday - 7pm - 10pm at Cafe Negril on Frenchmen Street, New Orleans. 

bellejournal.com/2012/12/21/presenting-work-from-the-lovely-melissa-deorazio/

Melissa decided it was time to share her poetry and photography in a new realm...Belle Journal is a fabulous Literary Journal for the Southern Belle, based in New Orleans.  They publish twice a year in print and post reguarly online.  Browse the site and look for the printed edition to come out in January!  Sweet Jones will perform at their release party.  Look for details on that after the New Year!

Sweet Jones will have a photo in the collage for the annual Indie Bible. Indie Bible is a MASSIVE collection of venues, festivals, colleges and booking agents that are based in the US and Canada. There are 32,000 listings in all. There are also articles and marketing tips and directories.  Fun!

Perfect stocking stuffer for The holidays...... Buy a Sweet Jones CD at The Peacebaker and get a box of Sweet Jonesies sugar cookies FREE!!
The Peacebaker is a most fabulous bakery in Metairie that is entirely gluten-free and tons of vegan and dairy-free options. Yum!  If you have't visited over there yet, it is absolutely worth the drive.
 

Thanks to everyone who helped make our CD release party at Chickie Wah Wah a success!  Thanks to Eric Burnhardt for joining us on Sax and to James, on drums and classical guitar.  Thanks to Kelly and The Peacebaker staff for the delicious mini donuts and cupcakes!  Divine :) 

Next show for Sweet Jones - Saturday, November 17th, 11pm.  Checkpoint Charlie's - 501 Esplanade Ave.  New Orleans, LA

Sweet Jones - Magnolia
Now on the listening station at the Louisiana Music Factory!

www.offbeat.com/2012/11/01/sweet-jones-magnolia-independent/