“The Last Town Chorus’ aching lap-steel sound moves men to tears. ”
— Chicago Tribune
"She sings like an Angel and plays lap steel guitar like the Devil." - Village Voice
"Strange, dark magic..."" - Sunday Times UK (Pop Album of the Week)
"The Last Town Chorus, from New York City, revolves around Megan Hickey's breathy voice and her lap steel guitar. She uses it for twangs and slides, but the effect isn't downhome; it's closer to U2 than to Buck Owens. Accompanying her ballads with hovering, sustained tones and chords that can glide into the ether, the lap steel doesn't ground her in tradition. It suspends her voice amid longings and memories." - Jon Pareles, The New York Times
"Quite beautiful" - Jonathan Ross, BBC Radio 2
"A bewitching amalgam of earthbound heartache and otherwordly grandeur." - Boston Globe
"The lap-steel solos are pure liquid metal—don’t be surprised if you see a bit of headbanging, albeit in slow motion, at this show." - Time Out New York
"Like re-entering the real world from a subtitled art-house film on a Sunday afternoon, emerging from this album takes a lingering little while." - LA Times
"A stupendous album" - Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio 2
"Absolutely gorgeous" - Bob Harris, BBC 2 Radio
"Even before Hickey spellbinds listeners with her Gillian Welch-meets-Hope Sandoval voice, the sheer exclusivity of what you're seeing is enough to make you stop and gawk." - Paste Magazine
"This highly seductive debut is set to spellbind a whole new set of languid disciples. Floating on the thawed-crystal voice and lap steel of songwriter Megan Hickey...the sound they make is a liquid tension of urban and rural, transplanted souls with an impossible longing for the best of both" - Uncut
"The tension between the permanent and transitory, between belonging and leaving, marks the music as fundamentally urban. Hickey's lap steel conjures up street lights and Navy yards rather than dirt roads and front porches." - No Depression
Touring History
2009
OCTOBER
17 - Nyack, NY (suburb of New York City). Riverspace Arts Center hosts a special Friday evening performance.
2008
AUGUST
19th - NEW YORK CITY - VERY SPECIAL EVENING WITH LAURA CANTRELL. At Pier 17 on the East River in an amazing travelling venue, Spiegeltent! Megan performs two songs in Laura's unique program: "A Spiegelworld Exclusive! Laura Cantrell leads an impressive crew of musicians and featured vocalists presenting an evening celebrating “lost” heroines of American Music. Having made an art form of finding and re-presenting forgotten gems with her band or on the radio, Cantrell now turns her attention to some of the most inspiring yet obscure, misunderstood, or disregarded female artists of the 20th Century. Laura will be joined by guests in celebratory interpretations of songs from across the landscape of American music, conjuring the gingham, glitter and greasepaint of yore.!" - TICKETS and details at SpiegelworldSEPTEMBER
AUSTRALIAN TOUR WITH ASH GRUNWALD
Wed 3 NSW Australia, Central Coast, Lizzotes
Thu 4 NSW Australia, Wollongong, Uni of Wollongong
Fri 5 NSW Australia, Canberra, ANU
Sat 6 NSW Australia, Sydney, Metro Theatre
Sun 7 NSW Australia, Newcastle, Newcastle Brewery
Wed 10 NSW Australia, Jindabyne, Jindabyne Station Resort
Thu 11 ACT Australia, Albury, Kinross
Fri 12 VIC Australia, Melbourne, Hi Fi
Sat 13 SA Australia, Adelaide, The Gov
JUNE
20th - New York, NY - Highline Ballroom, with King Wilkie. ADVANCE TICKETS HERE.MAY >>U.S. TOUR SUPPORTING KATHLEEN EDWARDS
1st - Milwaukee, WI - Shank Hall (with Kathleen Edwards).
2nd - Minneapolis, MN - Varsity Theatre (with Kathleen Edwards).
3rd - Madison, WI - Majestic Theatre (with Kathleen Edwards).
5th - LaSalle, IL - Uptown Grill (with Kathleen Edwards).
6th - St. Louis, MO - The Duck Room (Blueberry Hill) (with Kathleen Edwards).
7th - Kansas City, MO - Knuckleheads Saloon (with Kathleen Edwards).
9th - Boulder, CO - Fox Theatre (with Kathleen Edwards)
10th - Aspen, CO - Belly Up Tavern (with Kathleen Edwards)
12th - Santa Fe, NM - Santa Fe Brewing Company (with Kathleen Edwards).
13th - Tucson, AZ - Club Congress (with Kathleen Edwards).
14th - Solana Beach, CA - Belly Up (with Kathleen Edwards).
16th - Los Angeles, CA - Troubadour.
17th - Santa Barbara, CA - Lobero Theater (with Kathleen Edwards).
20th - San Francisco, CA - The Independent (with Kathleen Edwards).
22nd - Portland, OR - Alladin Theater (with Kathleen Edwards).APRIL
UNITED STATES
15th - Arlington, VA (Washington, DC area) - Headlining show at IOTA.
30th - Indianapolis, IN - The Music Mill (with Kathleen Edwards).
MARCH
6th - Arlington, VA (Washington, DC area) - IOTA, a triple bill with Steve Poltz. Megan joined by Aaron Tasjan on guitar and keys.
AUSTRALIA
- 12th/13th - Sydney, NSW - AUSTRALIA. 2SER FM. LISTEN ONLINE FROM ANYWHERE. 12:30PM Thursday in Sydney -- 9:30PM Wednesday in NYC. Radio performance and interview.
- 18th - Sydney, NSW - AUSTRALIA. Performing at Hopetoun Hotel in Surrey Hills. Megan's band for the night will be Sydney's own THE FUMES! Opening band: GABRIELLE & CAMERON (from Dead Letter Chorus). Megan will also do a radio show on FBI 94.5 FM (or listen online) during Stuarts covers show, that day.
-20th and 21st - Bryon Bay, NSW - AUSTRALIA - 2008 Byron Bay Roots and Blues Festival. Two performances at festival featuring Wilco, Keith Urban, Sinead O'Connor, Patty Griffin, and many more. March 20th (Thursday) at the Apra Stage, and March 21 (Friday) at the Crossroads stage.FEBRUARY
-1st, Boston, MA. Lizard Lounge. Special Friday evening show in Cambridge. Guest performers will include Jennifer Kimball (The Story) and Kevin Barry (amazing lap steel player; Paula Cole and many others)
-2nd, New York, NY. Intimate little Saturday night show at Banjo Jim's (9th and C in the East Village), at the invitation of Adam Levy. 8:30pm. Show is free/donation. Megan will play a couple things solo and some songs with Rich on guitar, and probably talk alot. Other peformances: 7:30 pm Clarence Bucaro, 10:00 pm Carla Rhodes, 10:15 pm Lackawanna (Stunning supergroup featuring Adam Levy and Jason Crigler (guitars), Jonathan Maron (bass) and Dan Rieser (drums), and 12:30 am Glenn Patscha and Tony Leone (Ollabelle)
-6th, Philadelphia, PA. World Cafe Live. WXPN presents Joe Henry and The Last Town Chorus. The Last Town Chorus will feature Rich Hinman on guitar and Greta Gertler on keyboards and vocals.JANUARY
-26th, New York, NY. The Zipper Factory Theatre. A very special Saturday evening. The Last Town Chorus' only NYC headlining performance for several months. A full band performance at this very unique, intimate, seated venue. Hear new material along with songs from 'Wire Waltz' and the debut album, as well as the cover of "Just Like a Woman" performed at the Dylan Royal Albert Hall Project.
-12th, New York, NY. Bob Dylan Royal Albert Hall Project - 2008 New York Guitar Festival Opening Night Gala. World Financial Center's Winter Garden. Megan performed "Just Like a Woman" from Dylan's classic bootlegged 1966 concert. Other artists included Toshi Reagon, Jim Lauderdale, Laura Cantrell, Stevie Jackson (Belle and Sebastian), Freeman, Jessie Harris, and others. Megan was joined by a band featuring Greta Gertler (keys/voice), Rich Hinman (guitar) and Alan Bezozi (drums)
2007AUSTRALIAN TOUR
WIRE WALTZ is available in AU/New Zealand on Shock Records
DECEMBER
1 – NSW – AUSTRALIA -KATOOMBA, CLARENDON GUEST HOUSE
2 – NSW – AUSTRALIA - CRONULLA, BRASS MONKEY
5 – QLD - AUSTRALIA - BRISBANE, THE ZOO, Tickets: The Zoo site
6 - QLD - AUSTRALIA - CURRUMBIN GOLD COAST, THE SOUNDLOUNGE, with Kate Miller-Heidke
7 - QLD - AUSTRALIA - EUMUNDI SUNSHINE COAST , JOE'S WATERHOLE, with Kate Miller-HeidkeNOVEMBER
1st, Boston, MA, Paradise Rock Club, w/ The Weakerthans
24 – VIC – AUSTRALIA - QUEENSCLIFF, QUEENSCLIFF MUSIC FESTIVAL - The Last Town Chorus will perform on the mainstage both nights of the festival
25 – VIC – AUSTRALIA - QUEENSCLIFF, QUEENSCLIFF MUSIC FESTIVAL
27 – VIC – AUSTRALIA - MELBOURNE, NORTHCOTE SOCIAL CLUB
28 – VIC – AUSTRALIA - BELGRAVE, RUBY'S LOUNGE
29 – NSW – AUSTRALIA - SYDNEY, HOPETOUN HOTEL
30 – NSW - AUSTRALIA - NEWCASTLE, NORTHERN,
OCTOBER
1st, Los Angeles, CA, Borders Books (Hollywood) free in-store performance/signing. 7:30pm
2nd, Los Angeles, CA, El Rey Theatre, w/ The Weakerthans
3rd, San Francisco, CA, Slim's, w/ The Weakerthans - SOLD OUT
4th, Portland, OR, Hawthorne Theatre, w/ The Weakerthans
5th, Seattle, WA, Neumos, w/ The Weakerthans
6th, Vancouver, BC, Canada, The Commodore Ballroom, w/ The Weakerthans - SOLD OUT
7th, Victoria, BC, Canada. Sugar Nightclub, w/ The Weakerthans - SOLD OUT
9th, Calgary, AB, Canada. MacEwan Hall Ballroom, w/ The Weakerthans - SOLD OUT
10th, Edmonton, AB, Canada. Myer Horowitz Theatre, w/ The Weakerthans - SOLD OUT
11th, Edmonton, AB, Canada. Myer Horowitz Theatre, w/ The Weakerthans
12th, Regina, SK, Canada, The Distrikt, w/ The Weakerthans - SOLD OUT
13th, Saskatoon, SK, Canada, Louis' Pub, w/ The Weakerthans - SOLD OUT
24th, Detroit, MI, Magic Stick, w/ The Weakerthans
24th, Ann Arbor, MI, Borders Books FREE in-store performance/signing. 12:30pm
25th, Chicago, IL, Metro, w/ The Weakerthans
26, Cleveland, OH, Grog Shop, w/ The Weakerthans
27, Pittsburgh, PA, Mr. Small's Theatre, w/ The Weakerthans - Also: Performance & Signing @ 2pm: Borders Books (East Side)
28, Washington, DC, 9:30 Club, w/ The Weakerthans
29, Philadelphia, PA, Trocadero Theatre, w/ The Weakerthans
30, New York, NY, Webster Hall, w/ The WeakerthansSEPTEMBER
1st, Northampton, MA. Iron Horse, w/Mark Olson (original Jayhawk)
2nd, Boston, MA. Paradise Club, w/Mark Olson (original Jayhawk)
4th, Philadelphia, PA. World Cafe Live, w/Mark Olson (original Jayhawk)
6th, D.C./Virginia. Iota. w/Mark Olson (original Jayhawk). Also: Performance & Signing @ 12:30pm: Borders Books, DC, w/Mark Olson
7th, Raleigh, NC, The Hideaway, w/Mark Olson (original Jayhawk). Also: Performance & Signing @ 6pm: Borders Books, Chapel Hill
8th, Athens, GA. The Melting Point, w/Mark Olson (original Jayhawk). Also: Performance & Signing @ 2pm: Borders Books, Athens
9th, Atlanta, GA, Smith's Olde Bar, w/Mark Olson (original Jayhawk). Also: Performance & Signing @ 3pm: Borders Books, Buckhead, w/Mark Olson.
25th, Minneapolis, MN, Triple Rock Social Club, w/ The Weakerthans
27th, Denver, CO, The Marquis Theatre, w/ The Weakerthans
26th, Lawrence, KS, Bottleneck, w/ The Weakerthans
28, Albuquerque, NM, Launchpad, w/ The Weakerthans
29th, Tempe, AZ, The Clubhouse, w/ The Weakerthans
30, San Diego, CA, Casbah, w/ The Weakerthans - Also: Performance & Signing @ 3pm: Borders Books (Gaslamp)AUGUST
21st, Baltimore, MD, Sonar, w/Camera Obscura
22nd, Philadelphia, PA, Theatre of the Living Arts (TLA) w/Camera Obscura
24th, New York City, South Street Seaport Festival! with Camera Obscura. Free. Outdoors in historic NYC riverside spot.
25th, Montreal, QC, CANADA, Le National, w/Camera Obscura
26th, Toronto, ON, CANADA, Phoenix, w/Camera Obscura
30th, New York City, Bowery Ballroom, w/Mark Olson (original Jayhawk)
31st, Burlington, VT. Higher Ground, w/Mark Olson (original Jayhawk).JULY
6th, Burlington, Vermont. Borders Books and Music free in-store performance. DETAILS. Friday, 7 PM
9th, New York City, NY. Borders Books and Music free in-store performance. Columbus Circle location. DETAILS. Monday, 7PM
10th, Philadelphia, PA. Borders Books and Music free in-store performance. S. Broad St store. DETAILS. Tuesday, 6PM
11th, Boston, MA. Borders Books and Music free in-store performance. Downtown School St location. DETAILS. Wednesday, 12:30PM
..........and............ Lizard Lounge, Cambridge. 9pm. ...and WERS in-studio, 5pm. Listen online.
23rd, Los Angeles, CA. Hotel Cafe. 9pm.
24th, San Francisco, California. Cafe Do Nord. With Jesse Sykes and the Sweet Hereafter + The Moaners. Tickets here.
26th, Seattle, Washington. Tractor Tavern. With The Llamas. Tickets here.
27th, Portland, Oregon. Mississippi Studios, 7pm ( Details + Tickets) + Music Millenium In-Store Performance & signing @ 3pm
31, Los Angeles, CA. Hotel Cafe, 8pm. PLUS in-store performance and signing at legendary Ameoba Music, 6pm. Don't be late - set times are EXACT!MAY
1st, Hamden, CT. The Space. 9pm.
2nd, Boston, MA. Paradise Rock Club. WITH MICHAEL PENN
3rd, Northampton, MA. Iron Horse Music Hall. WITH MICHAEL PENN
4th, State College, PA. Penn State University, Chronic Town
5th, Pittsburgh, PA. Club Cafe. (WYEP session @ 1pm - listen online). WITH MICHAEL PENN
6th, Cleveland, OH. Beachland Ballroom. WITH MICHAEL PENN
8th, Ann Arbor, MI. The Ark. WITH MICHAEL PENN
9th, Chicago, IL. Schuba's Tavern. TWO SHOWS. WITH MICHAEL PENN
11th, Minneapolis, MN, 400 Bar. 7PM Early. THE LAST TOWN CHORUS HEADLINING
12th, Madison, WI, Cafe Monmartre. THE LAST TOWN CHORUS HEADLINING
14th, Toronto, Canada. Elmocambo. THE LAST TOWN CHORUS HEADLINING
15th, Albany, NY (venue to be named soon)
16th, Burlington, VT (To be confirmed soon)
29th, New York, NY. Joe's Pub. 9:30pm. The Last Town Chorus headlines a hometown evening. The album release show at Joe's Pub was magical (and sold out), so it's wise to purchase advance tickets.APRIL:
13th, Purchase, NY (Westchester). Manhattanville College. ALL AGES. Jason Hart supports.
20th, Dayton, OH, Canal Street Tavern . Special WYSO FM Member Appreciation show THE LAST TOWN CHORUS HEADLINING
21st, Madison, WI. University of Wisconsin. WITH ROBERT RANDOLPH
22nd, Chicago, IL, Schuba's Tavern. THE LAST TOWN CHORUS HEADLINING
24th, Cinncinnati, OH/Newport KY. Southgate House (Parlor Room) with Tarbox Ramblers
25th, Louisville, KY. WFPK's 'Waterfront Wednesday' Concert Series, 5PM, with Los Straitjackets, Tony Furtado and Big Sandy
27th, Philadelphia, PA. World Cafe Live (Upstairs). WITH MICHAEL PENN
28th, Hoboken, NJ. Maxwell's. WITH DEAN AND BRITTA
30th, Washington, DC (Arlington, VA), Iota.MARCH:
19th, SXSW Music conference, showcase at The Parish II
6th, Joe's Pub, New York City. Wire Waltz album release show (Sold Out)FEBRUARY:
23rd, Lizard Lounge, Boston/Cambridge, MA
24th, Brooklyn, NY. Union Hall. 9pm. Moore N Sons, The Old Ceremony
JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 2007 - NORTH AMERICA
The first US tour in advance of the March 2006 US release of 'Wire Waltz.'
JANUARY:
Jan 18 2007, New York City - Mo Pitkins. Amy Allison supports. TLTC is Megan with Matt Keating and Rich Hinman
Jan 3 2007, New York City - Mo Pitkins. Dawn Landes supports. TLTC is Megan with Matt Keating and Rich Hinman
18th, New York City, NY. Mo Pitkins, 7:30pm. Steve Curtis from HEM opens the set with a rare solo performance and duet with Megan.
19th Philadelphia, PA. Two FREE performances at the beautiful World Cafe Live venue
* Noon: WXPN 'Free at Noon' free performance downstairs at World Cafe Live - broadcast live on WXPN FM listen online at NPR.org
* 11pm: World Cafe Live (upstairs)
20th, Pittsburgh, PA. Club Cafe
22nd, Radio session: Acoustic Cafe (session recorded in Ann Arbor, MI - nationally syndicated)
23rd, Toronto, ON (Canada) Horseshoe Tavern, FREE
24th, Radio sessions: Live on WYSO and WNKU (Ohio)
25th, Newport, KY (Cinncinnati, Ohio area). Southgate House
26th, Chicago, IL. Schuba's
27th, Madison, WI. Cafe Monmarte
28th, Dayton, OH. Canal Street
30th, Louisville KY, Phoenix Hill + WFPK live session, 3pm
31st, Nashville, TN. The Basement
FEBRUARY:
1st, Atlanta, GA, The Five Spot
2nd, Chapel Hill, NC, Local 506
3rd, Arlington, VA (DC area), Iota
4th, Charleston, WV. MOUNTAIN STAGE radio performance with Patty Griffin24th, Brooklyn, NY. Union Hall. 9pm. Moore N Sons, The Old Ceremony
2006
UK + FRANCE - DECEMBER WALTZ TOUR (ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, FRANCE) + BBC Sessions
Dec 1 2006, GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - Nice n' Sleazy
Dec 2 2006, EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - Cabaret Voltaire (supporting Willard Grant Conspiracy)
Dec 4 2006, LONDON, ENGLAND - The Spitz
Dec 4, 2006, Live BBC 6 Session on Gideon Coe program, 10AM British Time
Dec 4, 2006, Live BBC London Session on Robert Elms program, 2:30PM London Time
Dec 5 2006, MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - The Late Room
Dec 6 2006, NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - The Social
Dec 7 2006, LONDON, ENGLAND - The Spitz (with Unkle Bob)
Dec 8 2006, BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - The Glee Club
Dec 11 2006, PARIS, FRANCE, La Fleche d'Or
U.S. NEW YORK CITY
Final show of residency in advance of the US release of 'Wire Waltz' in early March 2007 by Hacktone Records. The Last Town Chorus was Megan with Greta Gertler (15, 22, 29th), Alan Bezozi (15th and 29th), and Michael Gomez (15, 22, 29th), Pete Galub (8th) and Matt Keating (8th)
Nov 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th, 2006, WEDNESDAY. 7:30PM. Mo Pitkins, East Village, NYC (Ave A and 3rd St)- Amy Allison opens the show on 29th.WITH OUR FRIENDS, GUILLEMOTS
Along with BBC Radio sessions and a London headlining date, and a day in Paris for a radio performance.
The Last Town Chorus was: Megan with Greta Gertler (keys, voice) and Noam Weinstein (guitar, voice)
Oct 16 2006, Alexander Theatre, BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND
Oct 17 2006, Rock City, NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND
Oct 18 2006, Anson Rooms, BRISTOL, ENGLAND
Oct 19 2006, BBC Radio 2 - Mark Radcliffe Show - Live on-air performance, 10:30pm
Oct 20 2006, Carling Academy, LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND
Oct 21 2006, University , NEWCASTLE, ENGLAND
Oct 22 2006, Academy 2, MANCHESTER, ENGLAND
Oct 24 2006, ABC, GLASGOW, SCOTLAND
Oct 25 2006, Metropolitan University, LEEDS, ENGLAND
Oct 26 2006, Cardiff University, CARDIFF, WALES
Oct 29 2006, Corn Exchange, BRIGHTON, ENGLAND
Oct 30 2006, Reading University, READING, ENGLAND
Oct 31 2006, The Phoenix, EXETER, ENGLAND
November 1 2006, BBC Radio 6 - Music Breakfast show with Phill Jupitus, who chats live with Megan and plays tracks from Wire Waltz. 9:30am. Listen live online.
Nov 1 2006, THE LAST TOWN CHORUS ONLY - NOT GUILLEMOTS SHOW. Club Fandango show at Monto Water Rats Theatre, LONDON, ENGLAND
Nov 3, 2006, THE LAST TOWN CHORUS live radio performance (details to be announced) in PARIS, FRANCE
Nov 2 2006, Astoria Theatre, LONDON, ENGLAND (SOLD OUT) - BBC London - Robert Elms will chat with Megan and TLTC performs live. 12noon - 3. Listen live online.
Nov 4 2006, Brookes University, OXFORD, ENGLAND
* August 15, New York City, US. Performance with our friends HEM at The Soho House. Produced by The Artist's Den at the invitation of Alan Light. This show was recorded for use in an upcoming Artist's Den compilation album and video. Megan was joined by Greta Gertler (keys, voice) and Greg Hoy (guitar, voice). Megan did a duet of Springsteen's 'Nebraska' with Steve Curtis from HEM.
*June 29, NEW YORK CITY, US. Performing at The Living Room at 6:30PM (YES, 6:3O PM) as part of Greta Gertler's 'Seven Year Itch' evening. Fantastic night of music including Greta, Pete Galub, Amy Allison, Lee Feldman, and more.
* July 15, SUFFOLK, UK. The Last Town Chorus will perform at the Latitude Festival in Suffolk, UK, along with Antony and The Johnsons, Patti Smith, Mogwai, Snow Patrol, and others. The festival is July 13-17 outdoors in the English countryside. TLTC performs on the mainstage opening the Saturday bill.
* July 17, LONDON, UK. The Spitz with Lavender Diamond
* July 18, LONDON, UK. The Social. Release event for the 7" vinyl single on London's Fitzrovian Phonographic. The limited edition package will have Caroline (Wire Waltz) on one side, and Dear City (The Last Town Chorus) on the B side.
May 5th, 2006 - New York City
Friday, early evening, at Pianos in the Lower East Side. Doors at 7:30PM. This will be a very special evening: a double bill with friends Pete Galub and The Annuals. Pete is a regular guitarist with The Last Town Chorus, and he just cut an amazing album of soulful unpredictable pop with his rock trio, The Annuals. Pete was an inspiration before he was a friend. If you are in New York, please come. Greta Gertler joins TLTC on keys and voice, Alan Bezozi on drums, and the great Amy Allison singing harmony vocals.* Performed at the 2006 SXSW Music Conference in Austin, Texas, in March. Friday the 17th, 8:30pm at the Velvet Spade, a 1920s burlesque-era place with a waterfall on the patio. A full New York City band will be on hand... Megan plus Pete Galub (guitar, voice), Alan Bezozi (drums) and Greta Gertler (keys, voice), all of whom played on the upcoming album.
2005
Many dates including Bowery Ballroom with Mark and Gary of The Jayhawks, SXSW 2005 and more...2004
SXSW 2004 and many others...2003
SXSW 2003 and many others...2002
The first show was in 2002 in NYC's Lower East Side… at a tiny Irish Pub, the name of which which has been long-forgotten.