if you, like me, reckon that 'hips and makers' is one of the most incredibly honest, moving and astoundingly-performed records of all time, then be sure to check out the new album from kristin hersh, which will be released alongside her new throwing muses LP...kristin's new solo one is called 'the grotto' and features howe gelb of giant sand on piano...it's an intimate acoustic record so hopefully it will echo 'hips and makers' and the finest songs from 'strange angels'... also, if you like kristin, investigate the forthcoming album from damien jurado (called 'where shall you take me?')...i haven't heard it obviously but if it's anything like his last alt.folk album 'ghost of david', it'll be essential listening...jurado delivers "lo-fi dirges about caskets, mental instability and miscellaneous misery" (see uncut magazine's current review) so if you're into travis don't even bother!