"Saturday City Lights" featured on DIY Radio

One of the band's latest songs, "Saturday City Lights," was featured on The Folk Bloke's DIY Radio playlist.

The song was featured among other songs such as "Feverhead" by German Error Message, Philip Selway's  "By Some Miracle" and "Twenty-One Crows" by Lament for J. Peel.

Check out the full radio playlist here.

"Saturday City Lights" is available for free download along with "Roach Motel" at our bandcamp site.

New single out 11/1/11

We will release a new single next Tuesday, November 1.

"Roach Motel" and "Saturday City Lights" will be available via free download on our bandcamp website.

Here is the cover.

The songs were recorded at Northmaiden Studios and The Plantation. Both songs were produced by Matthew Sigur and are mastered by German Error Message's Paul Kintzing.

After this release, we will be heading down to NOLA to record a few tracks for a little somethin'-somethin'.

Until then, see you 11/1/11.

The Widowers | Mahayla | Rareluth this Saturday night!

We hit the stage this Saturday at The Spanish Moon in Baton Rouge with Lafayette's Rareluth and New Orleans' Mahayla. 

Doors open at 9 p.m. Show starts at 10 p.m. Tickets are $7. 

We will be performing some new songs....Come rock. 

New Arabian Safari single is here

New live dates!

Hey guys,
Been a long time, but we've got a few things we're excited to announce.

We will be playing two shows with our friends The Viatones.
10/8 — in Lafayette at The Elephant Room
10/15 — in Baton Rouge at The Spanish Moon

On November 1, we will be releasing a little something. Right now, we're in the middle of wrapping up everything and deciding which songs will go on it.

Also, this Tuesday, September 20, Arabian Safari, are releasing its second single this year. It's called "Flood b/w Newspaper Man." It's a two-song release and will be available for free download.

More details coming soon.

The Widowers are on Last.fm!

You can now listen/download all of out albums on Last.fm.
Here's our profile. Check it out and show us some love!

Lyrics of the day: "Vandy"

i know it's stupid but it made you laugh
i know it's cruel but that's the catch
and my heart's pattering on the other line

don't waste my time
just tell me
don't waste my time

i know i'm cautious but it saved my life
i know it's weird but what isn't
whenever you sound smart
you quiver your lip, keep quivering


don't waste my time
just tell me
don't waste my time

they say that thing about age
i know, i know, it's all too true
i'm only here to save my youth

listen/download here.

New Arabian Safari

Arabian Safari (featuring members of The Widowers and German Error Message) recently released its new EP, "Two Rock Songs About Sleep."
The EP is now available for free download, via bandcamp.
Check it out.

"Quite the Suitor" Live at Chelsea's

"Terrible Friend" live at Chelsea's

"Sleeping Disorder" live at Chelsea's

June 24th at Chelsea's

First off, thanks to everyone who came to our last shows in Lake Charles with Research Turtles and Lochness Mobsters and to the one in Baton Rouge with The Thermals.

We had a blast at both.

Next week, we'll take the stage with Research Turtles and Big Blue Marble at Chelsea's in Baton Rouge.

Check out the flyer from the one and only (and our bassist) Loubie.

Shows, shows, shows — May 28th, June 9th, June 24th

New shows to announce. These will be live and with the full band, no acoustic-ness. Loud-ass guitars, drums...the whole shebang. We'll even debut some "new" songs.

Saturday, May 28th 
with Research Turtles and Lochness Mobsters.
at Luna Bar and Grill in Lake Charles, LA
It's the Turtles' CD Release show for Mankiller Part 1. That album kills me every time I listen to it.

Thursday, June 9th
with The Thermals
at Chelsea's Cafe in Baton Rouge, LA
Opening for the extraordinary punk act from Sub Pop Records.
Fuckin' A.

Friday, June 24th
with Research Turtles and Big Blue Marble
at Chelsea's Cafe in Baton Rouge, LA
The Turtles do it big again, this time in the red stick. Boom.

Featured in Mike Watt's podcast

Our song "I Laugh at Everything" is featured in Mike Watt's The Watt from Pedro Show's 10th anniversary podcast. Click here for the full playlist and subscribe to this podcast like now!

Random Press of the Day

Check out this lovely bit of press from a show we did in February with Baby Boy and Secret Society in Smaller Lies from Stereo Gumbo's Kasha Lishman.

GO BULLS!

Lyrics of the Day: "JHC"

young boy is amazed at the power of flight 

young boy is grinning at his flapping wings 

young boy, he thinks he'll grab the sun 

young boy's dreams are fiction 

he still thinks he's an eagle 

daddy-daddy daedalus, he's never there 

killed himself, a hurricane of shame 

momma and minos, you know they tried 

young boy melts wax wings to his back 

he still thinks he's an eagle 

the sunshine was special on his fingertips 

he braced himself, yeah, felt it on his lips 

and the feathers tore away 

meanwhile, kids back home, stare at the sky 

always knew what he didn't, always knew 

he could never ever 

he could never ever 

fly 

listen/download here

Upcoming dates and other news

I'll keep it short and to the point as you probably are ready to enjoy the rest of either Playoff basketball, Festival, Jazzfest, Hockey playoffs....the list goes on and on. Anyway, here are some dates featuring The Widowers and some other bands the guys are in. Check them out!

Thursday, May 5th — Cinco de Mayo awesomeness at Red Star Bar in Baton rouge, featuring Dov Charney (with D. Logan on drums, Louby singing and on git-fiddle and the massive, huge star-killer Lee "The Dream" Barbier on bass), Neighborhood Threat and NOLA's Dead People. Click here for more details, should be amazing. NOTE: Don't use the midnight showing of Thor as an excuse to miss out....Kenneth Branaugh directed that movie...it's not Shakespeare, it's flippin' Thor.

Friday, May 13th — Friday the 13th extravaganza (meaning, we probably won't get killed by a slasher) at Red Star Bar, featuring Pacifico (with D. Logan on drums, Jon "The Thrill" Tillman on bass), The Diane Lanes (Louby singing and on git-fiddle...again!) and Laffy's The Viatones. More details here.

Friday, May 21st — The Widowers acoustic set with War Jacket at The Haven in Baton Rouge. More details here.

Friday, May 28th — The Widowers with Research Turtles for their CD Release at Lake Charles' Luna Bar and Grill.

Friday, June 14th — The Widowers, Research Turtles and Big Blue Marble at Chelsea's.

How's your mind? Blown? Boom. BCF.

Lyrics of the Day: "I Laugh at Everything"

i laugh at everything that you say
it's true, i believe everything
the jokes are off, but i can't complain
simply naive, just like a baby

but i'm just trying to eat your heart
don't you put up those hands

i'm all smiles, the backseat of the bar
trying not to squint, but trying too hard
she smirks and laughs with a nightly drink
she has no clue, just like a baby
and when she's done with me
she kicks me to the curb
i'm just her jacket and i'm full of dirt
don't just stand there, you try and be curt

cause i'm just trying to eat your heart
don't you put up those hands

listen/download here

Bands we love — Royal Teeth needs your help

Over the past year, I've gotten to know and hear some great tunes from the Lafayette/ New Orleans band, Royal Teeth.

The band specializes in exuberant pop a la Dirty Projectors, but not as left-field as the Brooklyn act. This is more straightforward stuff to make your heart pitter-patter from the start.

Now, the band is putting its finishing touches on its debut, studio record. They need your help.

Check out the band's Kickstarter and donate whatever amount you can.

Record Store Day Exclusive release

Now Live. Click here and enjoy!

"Turn & Run"

Can now be heard here.

We had some minor difficulties last night with the upload, but now the song can be heard in its full glory. Special thanks to P.King for his amazing mastering techniques. And a quick shout-out to Tim Sigur for his wisdom.

The Record Store Day Exclusive will be available this Saturday at our bandcamp site for free.

Legacy Magazine

Check out this profile from Legacy Magazine on the band. It hits newsstands tomorrow with an exclusive download of a compilation with a track from us as well as Monsters Will, Sun Hotel, Caddywhompus, Thou, Baby Boy, He Bleeds Fireman and more.

UPDATED: Here's a link to the said download. 

Also, our Record Store Day Exclusive, featuring "JHC" and "Turn & Run," will be available this Saturday. For that release and more, go here. 

This is Happening: Friday night @ Barnes & Noble

This Friday at 7 PM at Barnes and Noble Citiplace, we'll be playing a toned-down set for Tipitina's Co-Op.

If you buy any books from the store, you can ask that a portion go towards Tipitina's, in efforts to help the music and film community. The Co-Op is a huge service for the entertainment community, and we should keep it going.

Word on the street, we'll throw in a little Beck and Neil Young for good measure.

For all the details, click here.

Also, here's a little mention and article in this week's Dig Magazine.

Lyrics of the Day: "Name of my Sister"

you got the name of my sister
but none of her charm
i know you're looking for love
and i keep giving you my arm
now, we're trading insults
cause it's got to that point
i keep suggesting the bedroom
cause i know you won't

you got the name of my sister
but different colored hair
and we're you're searching for love
you see my drunk, blank stare
just when i forget you
i see you coming back here again
telling me your stories
your brief encounters
with your no good friends

i'll give you two good years
then you can't get nostalgic
calling about my life
but i say it's too crowded

listen to/ buy here

Bands we love — #2

Each week, we'll be presenting you with a few bands we love. There's a ton of them, so don't just think this is a one time thing. 

Exhibit A: He Bleeds Fireman 
I love these guys. One of the most entertaining road trips I have ever been on was when our two bands went to Houma to play The Boxer & The Barrel with Deep Blue Sea. Check out "Porcelain Woman" here in its '70s rock glory. The song struts like a model down the runway then punches you in the face with a hot guitar riff and blasting drum breaks courtesy of Brady McNitt. If you haven't checked them out, they're playing tonight at North Gate Tavern with Sun Hotel. 


Exhibit B: The Tomatoes 
Will Doon is in this band, as is Woody "Bonzo" Dantagnan and George "Hair" Ortolano. If you get a chance to check these guys out, (which word on the street — they will be making a return in a few months), you won't be disappointed. They put on a fantastic live show. Check 'em out here. Here's the video for my fav song, "I Gotta Dance." 


Exhibit C: Secret Society in Smaller Lies 
Goddamn, these guys are great. This is exactly what I want when I hear the words "post-punk." Angular, fast and snotty, this Houma band creates Gang of Four/Wire/Minutemen-like magic whenever they hit the stage. Like them on Facebook and check them out live. 


Exhibit D: England in 1819 
The Calloway gang and Zuli (an opera singer who provides backing vocals here) arrange some of the best chamber music in town. The band's critically-acclaimed debut can be streamed in its entirety here. 


Exhibit E: Elsah 
Whenever I'm feeling a little down and out, I seek out some rumbling and tumbling tunes from Neil Werries. He writes some of the best tunes in town. They play live here and there. Check them out here. 

On deck: feature in LSU Legacy Magazine, request us on KLSU and more

The Widowers will be featured in next month's Legacy Magazine. This edition of the LSU, student-run, award-winning magazine will also feature a special compilation which includes the Central Discount track, "Quite the Suitor."

The compilation will also include tracks from Thou, Caddywhompus and more.

Also happening: KLSU's annual fundraiser. Call them up at (225) 578-5578 to donate. $25 or more gets you a cool t-shirt, designed by the awesome DJs there and our friends at SilkyScreens. You don't have to donate that much, but any donation would be awesome as KLSU is the greatest. Once your done, request "Cornersong"! Our studio cut of the song was featured on Phantom Party Records' Compilation No. 1. It's a bit different than the Central Discount version, but still awesome, so check it here! That entire record is full of artists and songs we love.

Also, have you heard the sneak peek of our Record Store Day release? If not, check it here!

Here's a clip from "JHC," a song from the forthcoming April 16th, Record Store Day release. 
Enjoy. 

Bands we love — #1

Each week, we'll be presenting you with a few bands we love. There's a ton of them, so don't just think this is a one time thing. 



Exhibit A: German Error Message 
This one's a given. We even did a free split release with our good buddy, Paul Kintzing (or as we call him P. King), a few months back. His acoustic-driven bedroom pop will literally make your ears glow as if heaven sent a beam of light on your head. Oh, and he just released a new album, After the Warmth. However, you should spend the low cost to get the beautifully-packaged physical copy. 


Exhibit B: Pacifico
Matthew Schwartz and his ever-changing touring band, Pacifico, create some of the sugary-sweetest pop-rock around today. Here's a recent article from DIG Magazine about him. Seek out the track "17th and Something" for some Friday listening bliss. 


Exhibit C: Research Turtles 
Oasis-like rock straight outta Lake Charles. Jud Norman and his rag-tag gang know how to craft songs that will make you smile as the amps are turned up to 11. We'll be playing with them on May 28th at Luna Bar and Grill in LC in support of their forthcoming release, Mankiller, which is a blast of an album. 


Exhibit D: The Have-Nauts 
Jason Ourso and Michael Roy have made tunes together in the Baton Rouge scene for, it seems like, a billion years. With this new band, they put a little doo-wop twist to their rock-infused cocktail. It's the city's answer to bands such as Black Keys and Kings of Leon, but with more swing and balls. Also, they're playing tonight. Here's the details. 


Exhibit E: Big Blue Marble 
The first time I saw this NOLA band was at local dive on Chimes Street. Maybe 20 people were there, but they played like 1,000+ was in the audience. In short, I was blown away. They consistently put out great records. Their new self-titled disc is available on iTunes and shows that the band hasn't lost its knack for writing some of the catchiest tunes this side of Mississippi. Not at all. 

Upcoming shows!!!!

Haven't seen us live yet? Good thing we have a ton of upcoming shows! 

April 8th: Acoustic Set at Barnes & Noble Citiplace
The show will benefit Tipitina's Co-Op in Baton Rouge. 

April 21st: Performance on The After-School Special at Loyola's Crescent City Radio. The show will stream from 3 to 6 p.m here. 

May 21st: Acoustic Set at The Haven with War Jacket.
A show with our good friends at American Thrift. 

May 28th: Luna Bar & Grill in Lake Charles with Research Turtles. 
Jud and the gang will be releasing their amazing, new album Mankiller, Part 1 of 2. 

June 24th: Chelsea's Cafe in Baton Rouge with Big Blue Marble and Research Turtles. 

Lyrics of the Day: "Roger Explains Death/Saul"

takes a beginning for an ending 
and my start is shaky 
takes a beginning for an ending
and my days are fading 


through a crack in the sky 
her arm appears 
and i'm sweating 
as she feasts on my fears 
and along the river
the locusts buzz
it's all our eyes see 
an endless hum 

takes a beginning for an ending 

and my start is shaky 

takes a beginning for an ending

and my days are fading

some call it loss, what others gain 

those weary of the cross 

some take pleasure in his pain 

some hope for heaven 

others reincarnation 

some making a living of life 

i'm tired of your explanation 

takes a beginning for an ending

and my start is shaky 

takes a beginning for an ending 

so i'll stop hesitating 

listen/buy the track here

Stereo Gumbo's review of our Feb. 26th Live Set

About a month ago, we had the pleasure of playing with two rocking bands, Houma's Secret Society in Smaller Lies and local favs Baby Boy. 


Kasha Lishman of Stereo Gumbo was there to give her take on the evening's events. You can read the full review here. 


Also, thanks to Josh Nee for this wonderful flier right here. That guy = amazing. 

What the critics are saying about Friendly

Our first album, Friendly, was released May of last year. It's available for free download here. Here are some reviews: 

"If this EP proves one thing it’s that a singer-songwriter can be just as loud and inventive as any band, and Matthew Sigur already is." - Music From a Green Window. 

"Check out the insistent, repetitive twang and groove of 'Beacon Street' that somehow manages to come across like the cocksure and impudent offspring of a Johnny Cash song overdosing on 70s punk attitude." — Mad Mackerel. 

Welcome/Record Store Day release details

Welcome to The Widowers' blog. This is where you can find any information, tunes, pictures, links and more on the Baton Rouge band. 

We'll be updating the site with past links, reviews and more. For now, we're excited about our upcoming release for Record Store Day, April 16th. 

The cover, to the left, was illustrated and designed by Hollie Chastain. More of her work can be found here.

The release will feature two tracks:

1. JHC

2. Turn & Run 

The release will be available for free via our bandcamp.