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December 15, 2012
music bitter liberals Leave a comment
We spent all day yesterday in the studio working on our CD “13”.
The Bitter Liberals in the Studio: MIkey.
The Bitter Liberals in the Studio: gem.
The Bitter Liberals in the Studio: Clark.
The Bitter Liberals in the Studio: Allen.
See the new Bitter Liberals website featuring the CD 13.
December 3, 2012
music bitter liberals, photography 7 Comments
Some pictures by Amy Barley from Saturday.
Bitter Liberals play their first full length two set concert.
The Bitter Liberals: Gary McGraw
The Bitter Liberals: Allen Kitselman
The Bitter Liberals: Mike Jewell
The Bitter Liberals: Clark Hansbarger
The Bitter Liberals: Mystery Guest
Set list
Happy Birthday (to Mike)
Orphan Girl
Half Moon Sky
Fall of the Rice Kingdom
100 Cigarettes
More Than This
Bright Penny
13 Years
A Night Like This
Laura Lou
TMA Cool
When the Night Will Let Me
Drink
Time We Wasted
High and Dry
A Man Needs a Home
Rock and Roll
Save Your Life
Extra Mile
Please come hear us January 5th in Berryville.
See the new Bitter Liberals website featuring the CD 13.
November 30, 2012
music bitter liberals 4 Comments
The Bitter Liberals is a band of focused concentration and joyful collaboration, encompassing many years of musical experience. The Bitter Liberals plays all original music of texture and maturity, featuring rich story-telling, fine vocals, and the seasoned musicianship of Allen Kitselman, Mike Jewell, Clark Hansbarger, and Gary McGraw.
WHO: Bitter Liberals
MUSICIANS: Allen Kitselman (guitar), Mike Jewell (conga), Clark Hansbarger (guitar), Gary McGraw (fiddle)
WHEN: Saturday January 5, 2013, doors open at 7:00pm, music starts at 7:30pm.
WHERE: Barns of Rose Hill, 95 Chalmers Court, Berryville, VA
TICKETS: Reservations, $10 adults Buy tickets on the net.
The concert is open to the public. Please help us spread the word.
See the new Bitter Liberals website featuring the CD 13.
November 11, 2012
film, music bitter liberals 1 Comment
Video from the November 3rd show in Waterford, VA. More Than This is our one and only cover song, originally by Roxy Music.
Drink. For Elizabeth.
13 Years.
To Rest in Your Arms Again
A complete set of sound files courtesy of Ethan Osbourne. In set order.
TMA cool
When the Night Will Let Me
Drink
100 Cigarettes
More Than This
Bright Penny
13 Years
A Night Like This
Save Your Life
See the new Bitter Liberals website featuring the CD 13.
November 4, 2012
music bitter liberals, mcmurtry 1 Comment
The Waterford show at the Old Schoolhouse was incredible fun last night. We played to a packed house (250 people bought tickets for a venue that really holds 100 and most of em came). Our heartfelt thanks to the audience for your warm welcome. We absolutely loved playing for you guys.
The Bitter Liberals in Waterford, VA. Gary McGraw (fiddle), Allen Kitselman (electric), Mike Jewel (conga), and Clark Hansbarger (guitar).
Highlights of the evening included witnessing the superb songwriting of young’un Curtis McMurtry. Liberals in the greenroom from the doctor’s bag. The best “more than this” ever. A spectacular set by ultra-talented James McMurtry. And a relaxing music-filled after party with really nice people.
See the new Bitter Liberals website featuring the CD 13.
October 9, 2012
music bitter liberals, mcmurtry 2 Comments
After rocking debut in Berryville on September 19th, the Bitter Liberals will open for James McMurtry in Waterford on November 3rd.
The Bitter Liberals is a new collaboration between four longtime local musicians, Allen Kitselman, Mike Jewell, Clark Hansbarger, and Gary McGraw featuring all original music inspired by high-end mixology. We’re playing our second concert at the Waterford Old School in Waterford, VA on Saturday November 3rd, opening American Indie award-winning singer/songwriter James McMurtry at 7pm. We hope you’ll come hear our 45 minute set. We can’t wait to see you again!
WHO: The Bitter Liberals
MUSICIANS: Allen Kitselman (guitar), Mike Jewell (percussion), Clark Hansbarger (guitar), Gary McGraw (fiddle)
WHEN: Saturday November 3rd, 2012, doors open at 6:30pm, music starts at 7:00pm.
WHERE: Waterford Old School, Waterford, VA
TICKETS: Reservations, $30. Call 540-882-3018 ext 113.
The concert is open to the public. Tickets are available in advance for $30.
We really hope to see you there. Tell them you came to see the Bitter Liberals! Please spread the word.
The Bitter Liberals have a long and convoluted musical history
Allen Kitselman – guitar
Singer/songwriter/guitarist ALLEN KITSELMAN was raised in Waterford, Virginia where he started playing music at the age of 9. In 1984, after graduating from Virginia Tech in Architecture, and returning home to live on an Angus farm, he was a founding member of the band, Genghis Angus. In its 15 year life span Genghis Angus created three full length recordings and one EP working with Producer, Mike Wanchic in Bloomington, Indiana. The band toured nationally for several years and performed on Mountain Stage and E-Town. The final recording, “12 Days” was featured on MTV’s The Real World- Hawaii. Kitselman writes songs from a very personal vantage point. He is a Bug Music, NYC writer. He retired from the musical performance in 1999 to concentrate on his Architecture practice and family, but continued to write music and experiment with alternative guitar tunings. In 2011 he encountered the opportunity to play with three kindred musicians and decided to return to performance. He is a practicing Architect and Town Councilman living in Berryville, Virginia with his wife, Laura and son, Dylan. He is a Bitter Liberal.
Clark Hansbarger – guitar
CLARK HANSBARGER began playing in DC bars in the early 70′s with Ambrose Rose, a patchwork jam band that fit the times. After that, because he hated playing covers, he wrote and played originals for over a decade with the Leesburg concert rock band Hammer. Their power chords still resonate in the walls of Buchanan Hall. Clark still plays and records regularly with the roots band The Bastards of Twang, a roving compilation of some of northern Virginia’s wiliest musicians. He is a Bitter Liberal.
Mike Jewell – percussion
MIKE JEWELL has been playing music since he was little. The beginning was church choir because Mom said so. Nova the band from 1972-1981. The James Boys 1978-1982. Genghis Angus 1982-1995. Less Travelled 1994-1999. Reverend Hookems 2000-2007. Bryan Fox and Gary Smallwood Band 2006-2010. The Greenbeets 2010-to now. Add in many thrown together gigs with PRS stunt guitarist Mike Ault. And just to name a few other fine musicians, Mike has played with: Leonard Stevens, Craig Gaskins, Benji Porecki, Gary Grainger and so on, forever. He is a Bitter Liberal.
Gary McGraw – fiddle
GARY MCGRAW has played the violin since he was 3 years old (over 43 years for those of you counting). He started learning by ear using the Suzuki
method in Tennessee, touring in 1976 with Shinichi Suzuki himself and playing in Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, the Omni, and Disney World. During high school in Texas and Tennessee, Gary played in all state orchestras all four years. He also toured Europe with a youth orchestra playing in Carnegie Hall a second time, Notre Dame Cathedral, and Royal Albert Hall (among other venues). Gary learned to improvise in college at the University of Virginia where he played for the first time with Rhine Singleton in 1985. He played with the Charlottesville Symphony for four years during college as well as playing out in Charlottesville with Grassroots. During grad school and after, Gary picked up the mandolin and worked hard on improvisational style. He played with Gricklegrass for a couple of years in all the bars in Winchester, Va. His band Where’s Aubrey gradually coalesced into existence in the mid-90s and began recording all original music in 2001. Where’s Aubrey has recorded 6 CDs. Since 2006, Gary has attempted to channel Stephane Grappelli with Hot Club Millwood. He also plays fiddle with Rogues Gallery. Gary plays a violin made in Paris between 1750 and 1800—a Gagliano clone. His mandolin is a Flatiron. While not playing music, Dr. McGraw raises two boys with his wife Amy Barley, writes books about software security, and helps run Cigital. He is a Bitter Liberal.
See the new Bitter Liberals website featuring the CD 13.
September 20, 2012
music bitter liberals 7 Comments
Damn, that was fun. Last night’s debut show was played for a standing room crowd on a school night. Our 40 minute set ended with a standing ovation. We played a set full of originals and we loved every second of it.
The Bitter Liberals concert debut.
Clark Hansbarger on guitar
Mikey Jewell on conga.
The Bitter Liberals in the moment
Setlist: Barns of Rose Hill 9/19/12 concert debut
01 TMA Cool (kitselman)
02 A Man Needs a Home (hansbarger)
03 Bright Penny (hansbarger)
04 More Than This (roxy music)
05 Half Moon Sky (hansbarger)
06 A Night Like This (hansbarger)
07 Drink (kitselman)
08 Save Your Life (kitselman)
Allen Kitselman on guitar
More than this, there is nothing.
Gary McGraw on fiddle
We’ll be back!
Thanks to Michael Hobert for the pictures.
And this video:
See the new Bitter Liberals website featuring the CD 13.
September 17, 2012
music bitter liberals Leave a comment
Hope to see YOU on Wednesday for the Bitter Liberals concert debut.
WHO: The Bitter Liberals
MUSICIANS: Allen Kitselman (guitar), Mike Jewell (percussion), Clark Hansbarger (guitar), Gary McGraw (fiddle)
WHEN: Wednesday September 19, 2012, doors open at 7pm, music starts at 7:30pm.
WHERE: The Barns of Rose Hill, Berryville, VA
TICKETS: http://www.barnsofrosehill.org click events, then music
The concert is open to the public. Tickets are available in advance for $10, night of show $15. There will be a cash bar.
I am a Bitter Liberal.
See the new Bitter Liberals website featuring the CD 13.
August 23, 2012
music bitter liberals Leave a comment
There’s a new band in town. The Bitter Liberals is a brand new collaboration between four longtime local musicians, Allen Kitselman, Mike Jewell, Clark Hansbarger, and Gary McGraw featuring all original music inspired by high-end mixology. We’re playing our first concert at the Barns of Rose Hill on Wednesday September 19, opening for Nashville artist David Olney at 7pm. We hope you’ll come hear our 45 minute debut set. We’re interested in finding out how you like our stuff!
WHO: The Bitter Liberals
MUSICIANS: Allen Kitselman (guitar), Mike Jewell (percussion), Clark Hansbarger (guitar), Gary McGraw (fiddle)
WHEN: Wednesday September 19, 2012, doors open at 7pm, music starts at 7:30pm.
WHERE: The Barns of Rose Hill, Berryville, VA
TICKETS: www.barnsofrosehill.org click events, then music
The concert is open to the public. Tickets are available in advance for $10, night of show $15. There will be a cash bar.
We really hope to see you there. Tell them you came to see the Bitter Liberals! Please spread the word.
The Bitter Liberals have a long and convoluted musical history
Allen Kitselman – guitar
Singer/songwriter/guitarist ALLEN KITSELMAN was raised in Waterford, Virginia where he started playing music at the age of 9. In 1984, after graduating from Virginia Tech in Architecture, and returning home to live on an Angus farm, he was a founding member of the band, Genghis Angus. In its 15 year life span Genghis Angus created three full length recordings and one EP working with Producer, Mike Wanchic in Bloomington, Indiana. The band toured nationally for several years and performed on Mountain Stage and E-Town. The final recording, “12 Days” was featured on MTV’s The Real World- Hawaii. Kitselman writes songs from a very personal vantage point. He is a Bug Music, NYC writer. He retired from the musical performance in 1999 to concentrate on his Architecture practice and family, but continued to write music and experiment with alternative guitar tunings. In 2011 he encountered the opportunity to play with three kindred musicians and decided to return to performance. He is a practicing Architect and Town Councilman living in Berryville, Virginia with his wife, Laura and son, Dylan. He is a Bitter Liberal.
Clark Hansbarger – guitar
CLARK HANSBARGER began playing in DC bars in the early 70’s with Ambrose Rose, a patchwork jam band that fit the times. After that, because he hated playing covers, he wrote and played originals for over a decade with the Leesburg concert rock band Hammer. Their power chords still resonate in the walls of Buchanan Hall. Clark still plays and records regularly with the roots band The Bastards of Twang, a roving compilation of some of northern Virginia’s wiliest musicians. He is a Bitter Liberal.
Mike Jewell – percussion
MIKE JEWELL has been playing music since he was little. The beginning was church choir because Mom said so. Nova the band from 1972-1981. The James Boys 1978-1982. Genghis Angus 1982-1995. Less Travelled 1994-1999. Reverend Hookems 2000-2007. Bryan Fox and Gary Smallwood Band 2006-2010. The Greenbeets 2010-to now. Add in many thrown together gigs with PRS stunt guitarist Mike Ault. And just to name a few other fine musicians, Mike has played with: Leonard Stevens, Craig Gaskins, Benji Porecki, Gary Grainger and so on, forever. He is a Bitter Liberal.
Gary McGraw – fiddle
GARY MCGRAW has played the violin since he was 3 years old (over 43 years for those of you counting). He started learning by ear using the Suzuki
method in Tennessee, touring in 1976 with Shinichi Suzuki himself and playing in Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, the Omni, and Disney World. During high school in Texas and Tennessee, Gary played in all state orchestras all four years. He also toured Europe with a youth orchestra playing in Carnegie Hall a second time, Notre Dame Cathedral, and Royal Albert Hall (among other venues). Gary learned to improvise in college at the University of Virginia where he played for the first time with Rhine Singleton in 1985. He played with the Charlottesville Symphony for four years during college as well as playing out in Charlottesville with Grassroots. During grad school and after, Gary picked up the mandolin and worked hard on improvisational style. He played with Gricklegrass for a couple of years in all the bars in Winchester, Va. His band Where’s Aubrey gradually coalesced into existence in the mid-90s and began recording all original music in 2001. Where’s Aubrey has recorded 6 CDs. Since 2006, Gary has attempted to channel Stephane Grappelli with Hot Club Millwood. He also plays fiddle with Rogues Gallery. Gary plays a violin made in Paris between 1750 and 1800—a Gagliano clone. His mandolin is a Flatiron. While not playing music, Dr. McGraw raises two boys with his wife Amy Barley, writes books about software security, and helps run Cigital. He is a Bitter Liberal.
========[David Olney]========
From Nashville we welcome David Olney an extraordinarily prolific singer-songwriter/’net broadcaster. DAVID OLNEY has become known worldwide for his intense live performances especially with multi-instrumentalist SERGIO WEBB – as well as his intelligent compositions recorded by Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Del McCoury, Tim O’Brien, Slaid Cleaves, Dale Ann Bradley, Ann Rabson, Kane/Welch/Kaplin and others.
http://www.davidolney.com
See the new Bitter Liberals website featuring the CD 13.
March 15, 2012
music bitter liberals 4 Comments
Round about December, I started playing (all original) music with Allen Kitselman and Clark Hansbarger. Sometimes Mike Jewell plays too…that is, when he can tear his attention away from virtual video racing.
On Saturday we did some recording at the cabin in Waterford. An intense day (6 hours or so of concentration and fun), but damn that was good.
Being a fiddle player, I was relegated to the washer/dryer/refrigerator closet behind a curtain. Damn noisy instrument.
Banned behind the curtain.
Hmm. I’m not even sure if that mic was on come to think of it.
Long live musica with the Mountain Bitters.
