Ian McFeron live at the Auslander Restaurant and Biergarten – May 20

Ian McFeron, whose lyrical prose has been compared to Bob Dylan, Ryan Adams and David Gray, weaves together a variety of roots-Americana traditions to create his own unique form of roots-oriented American music.

“2011 was a big year for us,” McFeron says. “We recorded the new album in Nashville with some of our heroes, toured the United States from coast to coast twice, and played our first international tour.” His sixth and newest album, “Summer Nights” was recorded and mixed in just ten days at Studio G! in East Nashville, Tennessee. The album was produced by Patty Griffin’s long-time guitarist and musical collaborator, Doug Lancio and features musical performances by Lancio as well as Ryan Adams and the Cardinals’ drummer Brad Pemberton, Ryan Adams’ bassist Billy Mercer, keyboardist and Seattle-native Micah Hulscher, and McFeron’s long-time musical partner Alisa Milner on fiddle and cello.

After the Spring release of “Summer Nights” McFeron and Milner embarked on a three month, 68 show tour of the U.S. followed by a summer packed with regional performances with the band. “We’ve stayed hungry and ambitious over the years. I was talking with a friend, and counted that I was only home for eight scattered weeks in 2011. Every year or two we try to double our touring route,” said McFeron. After two years of living on the Interstates of America, McFeron pushed across the Atlantic, adding 32 Fall performances spread throughout England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland.

The performances in Ireland were of personal significance to McFeron. Exactly ten years ago, he spent three months in Belfast with the University of Washington’s Comparative History of Ideas department. “We studied the Northern Irish conflict and looked how competing versions of history presented challenges to making peace. Belfast became really dear to me, and it was a surreal sort of homecoming being back.” McFeron was excited to see how the city had grown and changed. “When we were there this November, Belfast was hosting the European MTV awards. Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, all these celebrities were staying in the Europa Hotel downtown. Ten years ago, the Europa was infamous for being the most heavily bombed hotel in Europe. To see how far the peace process had come in such a short time was really inspiring.”

In 2012, McFeron is looking forward to time in the studio. “I’m always writing music and looking ahead to the next album project,” he says. “That’s what really keeps the wheels rolling for me.” So whether he is planning another world tour, or recording albums that make friends out of heroes, you can always bet Ian McFeron is dreaming big.

Ian McFeron takes the stage at the Auslander Biergarten on Sunday, May 20th from 1:00pm to 4:00pm for a free afternoon performance. Ian will be joined on stage by long time musical partner and accompanist Alisa Milner, a Texas-style fiddler and harmony vocalist.

“…McFeron is a fine singer and songwriter, an alt-folk/rock/Americana performer who strikes a cool balance between the mellow and the edgy.”
– San Antonio Express-News

For more information about this show, please call (830) 997-7714 or visit them on the web at www.theauslander.com.