New music: Maxim Ludwig & The Santa Fe Seven

Maxim Ludwig & The Santa Fe Seven might be the best country- rock band you don't know.  Their soulful, dusty sound is what the E Street band might have sounded like if Springsteen kept driving down that "Rattlesnake Speedway in the Utah desert" and set up shop in Laurel Canyon, living out a sunny and stoned existence, far from the gray, smoke-stacked skies of northern New Jersey.

Maxim Ludwig isn't breaking new ground, but they join a rapidly growing corner of indie rock that is paying homage to the visceral classic rock of still-vital icons such as Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen and Neil Young.  Highly  recommended for fans of Phosphorescent, Dawes, early-MMJ and Gold/Cold Roses-era Ryan Adams.

"Stacy, C'mon" starts as weary-yet-upbeat pedal steel and organ shuffle before electric guitars enter for the singalong "na na na" chorus.  Doo-wop backing vocals, distorted electric guitar and wailing harmonica bring the song to a crescendo, before fading out in an extended coda.

Maxim Ludwig & The Santa Fe Seven - Stacy, C'mon

Grab their entire discography for free here (!).  And if you'll be down in Austin later this month, catch Ludwig & Co. at one of 4 SXSW showcases:

3/16 @ 3:30pm - SXSW Guitar Town/Conqueroo Party
3/17 @ 1:00pm - SXSW Music Fog @ Threadgill’s
3/18 @ 4:00pm - SXSW Sin City Party @ Maria’s Taco Xpress
3/18 @ 8:00pm - SXSW Official Hotel Cafe Showcase @ Ale House