As a band from the South whose musical roots
are clearly from there, it’s interesting that Velvet
Truckstop bears shades of rural rock ‘n’ roll as
well as the West Coast brand of the same music.
For as much as they dig deep into a well of guttural
playing and raw sounds, they exhibit the softness
and caress of something like the Grateful Dead on
“Box” or “Mercenary Wind.” Songs where guitar
crunch is coupled with effective breaks, like on
tracks “Sweet Release” and “Resting Place,” serve
both as stomping power and hip, deep grooves. By
album’s end the band is firing full tilt, seemingly
saving it up for the explosive and funky “Lover
Liar,” which exudes Memphis sound by way of
Detroit, complete with horns, wah-wah guitar and
a smooth construction eager to go ballistic.
The band swaggers on Sweet Release, laying
in background harmonies and raindrop-trickling
piano notes that seems to cleanse the cigarette and
beer-soaked environment the music inhabits. The
piano playing here is a texture that really blankets,
only slightly more than the slide guitar playing.
Both are effective and emotionally powerful
additions that accompany the vibe, versus merely
lending another sound. Jamie Dose’s vocals are a
gentle growl throughout, moving from soothing
to haggard with scant effort. He sings with ease,
like delivering songs on a porch to family and
neighbors. It’s emblematic of the album’s whole – a
collection of music that is ragged and colorful, laid
back with subtle vibrancy.

Velvet Truckstop is one of four bands selected to participate in the first round of the Deep South Battle of the Bands to be held at Deep South Bar in Raleigh on March 14th. Deep South Entertainment is known for bringing national talent to Raleigh and Nashville, and we are excited to be a part of this event.

Velvet Truckstop
Sweet Release
By Brian Robbins
January 18, 2010

From the kitchen of Velvet Truckstop – Sweet Release recipe:

1.) In a mason jar, mix equal parts Drive-By-Truckers-style crunch, chamois shirt soul, Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers, and vintage Band-ish blues. Don’t be afraid to play with the mix as the song requires, but make sure there’s always enough of it all in there so that the Velvet Truckstop flavor comes through.

2.) Add one big ol’ dollop of jam (just enough to let folks know that you ain’t scared of it – nossir). Note: the song always comes first, though.

3.) Top the rascal off right to the rim with clear, cold water from a creek in Black Mountain NC. (Accept no substitutes.)

4.) Invite some talented friends in to help stir things up, including pedal steel monster Buddy Cage (New Riders of the Purple Sage) and good ol’ Tom Constanten (Grateful Dead, of course) on keys.

5.) Let ‘er wail.

Recipe notes: Sweet Release may be Velvet Truckstop’s debut album, but it sounds like the work of a band who’s comfortable in its own skin and knows what it wants to sound like. Constanten and Cage, being the pros that they are, step onboard only to serve the song; Sweet Release is a solid sample of Velvet Truckstop’s voice from beginning to end. They ain’t tryin’ to be nobody but themselves.

Here are the stations that are playing the new album in the early going of the promotions. Please call your local radio station and request SWEET RELEASE from Velvet Truckstop.

ALAMBAMA
AUBURN
WEGL

AUBURN
WMSR

FLORIDA
TAMPA
WMNF

FT LAUDERDALE
WNSU

KENTUCKY
MOORHEAD
WMKY

WHITLEY CITY
WHAY

LA
LAFAYETTE
KRVS

MARYLAND
BEL AIR
WHFC

MOSSOURI
COLUMBIA
KOPN

NORTH CAROLINA
SPINDALE
WNCW

DALLAS
WSGE

CHAPEL HILL
WXYC

TENNESSEE
CHATTANOOGA
WAWL

TEXAS
FREDERICKSBURG
KFAN

HOUSTON
KPFT

VIRGINIA
FARMVILLE
WMLU

VIRGINIA BEACH
WRRW

VT album review from Houston, TX

Hello, hope this finds you well. We are proud to say our new album is complete ! We have posted a few of the tracks here for your pleasure. The new album has many guest..which include: Buddy Cage ( peddle steel ), Tom Constanten ( Keys ), Atrimus Pyle ( percussion), Mary Ellen Bush (vocals ), Chris Pyle ( percussion), Stephen Blanton ( guitar ) and the Truckstop horns…

We will be doing some CD release parties..hope you can make it. We would also like to welcome Jaimee Tomas on vocals. These shows are guarenteed to be hot!

Velvet Truckstop recently did two shows in Charlotte with Dead Keyboarder Tom Constanten. Smokey Joes and the Neighborhood Theatre were a lot of fun! Tom will also be appearing on the new CD ! We have also set the date for the CD release. The cd SWEET RELEASE will hit the streets in September. This will also be available at our new on-line store. Thanks for the vibes.. stay positive VT

Hey now, hope this message finds you well; and hope your summer is off to a great start. We wanted yall to know about whats happening out there with the Truckstop. We have great news. Buddy Cage (New Riders of the Purple Sage) will be playin pedal steel on the new CD. We also have female vocalists, and Asheville fav’s, Menage! There are other surprises in store..so stay tuned in and turned on! Also I will be doing some shows in Ireland and England (solo) this June/ July. If you or anyone you know is in the area, I hope that you will see these rare appearances. We also welcome Kerri Hampton-Pyle, Jon Nichols, and Brian Asplin to the team. Kerri helps keep the office and rig runnin right. Jon will be helping our resident angel HIPPY with the merch and gear load. Last but not least, VT’s new manager Brian Asplin ( macro-management) has his hands in just about everything. We will also be opening our on-line store. The band is psyched about sharing our new material with yall over the next couple months! We hope to see ya at the shows!!!!! thanks for listenin’ Jamie Dose

Hey folks, just wanted to let ya know that the Honest Tune CD review is now available at www.honesttune.com thanks for checking in VT

Many thanks to the people at Pisgah Brewing Co. If you have not had their beer, our suggestion is to get some at any cost. We are very proud to have the best beer in the world as a sponser for Velvet Truckstop. Get some today!

We will be on 105.9 the Mt. for our CD release. Bad Ash will be interviewing the band; along with a acoustic set. Be sure to be tuned in on Feb. 17th (either on line or in town)at www.1059themountain.com at 9 o clock Hope to see ya at Stella Blue! This is also a Pisgah Brew Co. event!

Thanks to Kim Clark and WNCW you can request VT on-line or by phone! Help us spread the word by giving them a call!