Buck Up, the new studio album from singer and songwriter Carsie Blanton, due out February 15 2019, opens with a siren. The warning -- or call to (dis)arms -- segues into the first notes of "Twister." Finger snaps alone accompany Blanton's smoky vocals, before piano, upright bass, cello, trumpet, and drums join the proceedings. You're immediately drawn in to her riveting tale of natural -- and erotic -- disaster. Brimming with catchy hooks, sensual vocals, and lyrics boasting a gift for rhyme and meter, Buck Up is Blanton's melodic mandate for survival following the 2016 presidential election: passion, lust, and humor. "There are two themes on this record," says Blanton of Buck Up's ten electrifying tracks. "One is the feeling of catastrophe happening in American politics, and the other is this feeling of personal catastrophe": when you fall for "That Boy," for example, a reckless wild child, the type who populate her life and imagination. Though Buck Up may be "basically about being depressed," according to Blanton, "if there's not a sense of humor or playfulness, I don't want to listen to it. Music is about play."    ...read more shankhall.com .................................................... Special guest opener:  Derek Sallmann “Derek Sallmann is a heartfelt, thoughtful, and unique singer/songwriter based out of Milwaukee Wisconsin. He’s known for creating catchy melodies in his folk/pop/rock compositions and being brutally honest in his songwriting. He released his first LP “All Seasons” in 2016 and recently released a new EP on December 14, 2018 titled “Love, Future You”. His relentless touring in Wisconsin allowed him to play the states finest and most notable venues including Milwaukee’s world-famous “Summerfest”, the Wisconsin State Fair, Waukesha County Fair, Bastille Days, and many more. Accumulating over 300 performances since 2014, Sallmann’s hard work paid off when he was voted “Best Acoustic Musician” by the local Shepherd Express Newspaper in 2017 during their “Best of Milwaukee Awards”. His dedication to his craft and relentless persistence make him an upcoming singer/songwriter to watch in the coming years.”