the subdudes

John Magnie became a proud grandfather Thursday, when his son, Bo, and his wife Lauren gave birth to a little baby girl, Elena Serene. Bo and Lauren are both also musicians, and they reside in the Virgin Islands.

Meanwhile, back on Feb. 1, bassist Jimmy Messa also became a grandfather when his son, Jonathan James Messa and his wife had a baby.

Congratulations to both families!

A fan sent us this video clip of the band performing 'All the Time in the World' at Skipper's Smokehouse in Tampa, Fla., back in January. Special thanks to Willie Scott for sharing this with us!

It's official: The guys are playing four shows over three nights during Jazzfest, including a benefit for the New Orleans Musicians Relief Fund on Wednesday, 4/28, at the Rock 'n' Bowl. First time I can ever remember them playing at the Rock 'n' Bowl. (By the way, the Rock 'n' Bowl moved earlier this year to shiny new digs on Carrollton Ave.)

They follow that up with another appearance at the Rock 'n' Bowl on Sunday, 5/2, on a co-bill with Tab Benoit and another artist.

In between, they've got two shows on Saturday, 5/1, at Chickie Wah Wah, a cool, intimate club on Canal Street toward Carrollton Ave. Rare chance to hear the guys at a small venue in New Orleans. And it's usually a non-smoking venue.

And, of course, they're playing at the Fairgrounds on Friday, 4/30.

Check the tour page for full details and info on tickets, which are already available for some shows.

The Orlando Sentinel's Jim Abbott had some nice things to say this morning about the subdudes' show last night at the Plaza Theatre in Orlando, Fla.:

A couple of guitars, an accordion, a rhythm section built on tambourines.

The elements that coalesce into the music of the Subdudes are so deceptively simple that it’s a constant marvel how the veteran, New Orleans-bred ensemble can twist them in so many fascinating directions. ... whether it was Amedee’s propulsive solo in “Light In Your Eyes,” the tremulous foundation of Magnie’s squeezebox in “No Man,” or the soaring voices in “Morning Glory.”

Most often, the music was lifted by Malone’s under-appreciated guitar work, which ranged from intricate Spanish-style arpeggios to steamy slide in “Barley in the Silo,” off the new Flower Petals.

In the end, the band was standing in the middle of the crowd, singing and playing utterly unplugged.

Sounding simply beautiful.

Read the entire article here.

The subdudes are in Florida this week. Be sure to check the tour page

Here's what Creative Loafing in Tampa says about Friday's Tampa show:

The Subdudes w/Beth McKee The Subdudes - led by singer/guitarist Tommy Malone and accordion player John Magnie - returned to a sparser, mostly acoustic sound for 2009’s Flower Petals. Their fourth studio effort since re-forming 2003 also finds the New Orleans quintet exploring a more roots and folk feel, and delivering a loose narrative set in turn-of-the-century America with country gospel-tinged vocal melodies. 8 p.m., Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa, $17 in advance/$20 dos.