Pork Chop Willie Back in the Studio for New Album

Pork Chop Willie heads back to the studio to record follow-up to their breakout debut album Success of 'Love is the Devil' inspires NYC hill country blues group to get an early start on the next album—and expand their touring schedule

(NEW YORK, NY, July 15, 2014)  Just six weeks after their national debut CD 'Love is the Devil' released—to critical acclaim and the embrace of radio around the world—New York's blues-roots band Pork Chop Willie, featuring Bill Hammer on guitar and vocals and Melissa Tong on violin, has started recording their follow-up album (title tba). As they did for 'Love is the Devil', the band will be recording in studios in Manhattan and back in North Mississippi, where the Hill Country sound that inspired Pork Chop Willie began. According to Hammer (who has already written most of the songs for the new album), these new numbers will still be as emotionally honest as those on 'Love is the Devil', but will also explore some new musical ground. And while some are more topical, all will remain firmly in the blues / roots / Americana universe which is home to Pork Chop Willie's musical soul. In addition to beginning work on the new album, the band is adding tour dates this fall, possibly including the King Biscuit Festival and the new Junior Kimbrough Cotton Patch Festival in October. And because of the outstanding response overseas to 'Love is the Devil', Pork Chop Willie is planning on traveling to Europe and the UK in 2015. (To keep up with the band's schedule, please visit here.) Not only were the reviews impressive (see below), but 'Love is the Devil' shot to #1 on AirPlay Direct's Blues chart and stayed there for virtually the entire month of June. "We felt we had made a solid album," said Hammer, "but instantly going to #1 on the APD chart, getting radio play around the world—well, it's been amazing." The reception to their debut album by critics, radio, and fans has been gratifying and inspiring for the band, which has dedicated the proceeds from the album's sale to help sponsor studio recordings and appearances by Hill Country blues musicians at their New York shows. "The honesty of the sound will keep it alive and vibrant," said Hammer about the importance of Hill Country blues to the musical landscape—and to Pork Chop Willie. "We are honored to be able to help spread the word, because this music permeates so much of what we all listen to, no matter the genre. Blues is all about expressing emotions. It isn't limited to twelve bars and a shuffle rhythm. Say what you feel, and it will be blues—whether someone else calls it blues, roots, or alt-country." The new album is scheduled for release in 2015. # # #

ABOUT PORK CHOP WILLIE: Bill Hammer (the original Pork Chop Willie) became an ardent fan of hill country blues after catching a Jimbo Mathus show in New York—a life-changing event for him. Hammer made his first pilgrimage to Mississippi, played with some of the legends of the genre, then reconstituted his own band back in New York to focus in on the music of the hills of North Mississippi, even hosting a regular Hill Country Music Nights series at Harlem's Shrine World Music Venue. And in a stroke of genius, Hammer brought in the classically trained, musically adventurous, Melissa Tong on violin, adding a whole new dimension to the traditional blues genre.  That inspired sound has given rise to a brand of music that brings fresh heat to the Mississippi hill country blues, blending in elements of Americana, rock, alt-country and even classical. Pork Chop Willie's goal is to spread the deep-soul joy of the blues of the North Mississippi hills to the world.

ABOUT 'LOVE IS THE DEVIL': Pork Chop Willie's national debut album, 'Love is the Devil' (PCWM 002), released June 3, 2014 (recorded at Black Wings Studio in Water Valley, Mississippi and Dubway Studios in New York City, engineered and mixed by Winn McElroy, Black Wings Studio. For a complete track listing, click here.) Listen to sample tracks here   “A fine debut. Recommended!” —Blues Matters! “Pork Chop Willie invests original stomps and [cover] spellbinders … with fire and conviction.” —DownBeat