Local record releases in January

Roman Watchdogs released their first album, Death & Romance, at Oceanside’s Pour House on January 13th. “This album has been a long time coming — five years, in fact,” says drummer Richard Mestaz. “The album cover is meant to mimic an old, leather-bound book. Each song is a chapter in this story of death and romance.”

Jazzy Americana troubadour Ken Lehnig debuted his folk opera, Dr. Daniels Miracle Cure and Magic Show, at Carlsbad’s Pilgrim United Church of Christ on January 13th. “The album features songs from a western musical written in the ’70s,” says Lehnig.

Robin Henkel’s 13th album, Slippery Like a Watermelon Seed, mostly featuring solo acoustic blues, premieres January 28 at Lestat’s. “Attendees can witness the performance of some fine inbred countrified blues,” says Henkel, “as well as hear thoroughly entertaining historical anecdotes, documentary stories, mythology, and lies about this rich cultural tradition of American music, the blues.” Henkel will also play an afternoon set of jazz and funk with a full horn section at the same venue.

Also new this month is the debut release from O.B.-based Rick Wolfman, The Whole World Is Gonna Die. “Broadly speaking, I describe my music as Americana indie rock with loud, melodic guitars and contemplative lyrics,” says Wolfman. “This EP is a collection of songs about the things that keep me up at night, sometimes with a light-hearted or uplifting take, and sometimes not.”