I first came across Hush Arbors around a year ago when Uncut magazine put one of their tracks on a compilation cd they give away each month. Signed to the brilliant ecstatic peace label I was immediately struck by the sadness in Keith Woods voice, it reminded me a lot of the late Saint Thomas who I am a massive fan of and the second track (Lisbon) on the new album which just came out this week in the U.K yankee reality is uncannily similar. This is completely accidental as when I saw Keith play a solo set recently in London he said he’d never heard if him when I asked him.
Hush arbors earlier albums blends fuzzy lo-fi psych-folk with country but on the new one, which is produced by Dinosaur jr’s J Mascis there’s an added rockier edge to it, namely on fast asleep and the blistering final track Devil made you high but it still manages to maintain the default sound on so they say and one way ticket. If I had to pick out my favourite track from this album which quite frankly doesn’t have a bad one on it, i’d probably go for take it easy only because it’s completely different to any other they’ve done, more country sounding in the style of say The Byrds but you could ask me again tomorrow and I could plump for coming home with it’s chugging along riff and mellotron (played by J Mascis) with the first line ” I was thinking about the country, walking down these city roads, thinking about the space between, the silent and my soul” I love shit like this, it resonates with me.
When I was in London and I saw Keith play rue hollow I remember sitting completely transfixed by him and coming to the realisation that I was in the presence of a genius. He’s got that certain thing no one can name or put a finger on, the same as Elliott Smith had or Nick Drake, just that something. His songs seem to come from somewhere deep within him very few of us ever reach, the bit where the real honesty lays and he’s bearing his very soul. Very few songwriters do this in my opinion, it takes guts to lay it all out on the line for everyone to hear and that leaves a certain vulnerability, it’s risky because it seems so fragile and any criticism could easily break it, or at least try to. Criticism must be hard to take when you’ve just bared your soul.
Now based in London there’s a couple of dates in Italy and then London at the end of October. Info here
Kindly I have been allowed to put up a couple of mp3’s for you to download but please please please, if you like it go and buy it here, you will not be disappointed I promise you. Enjoy.
I’ve googled the web for two days trying to find an album, an ep, a single single but I’m empty-handed ! Well, half-empty as I found Kelli Schaefer myspace page which is streaming 4 sublime (awesome, huge, magnifiques, absolutely **** stars) tracks from this beautiful Portland songwriter. That’s it !
You’re just one step away from “Eyes In The Back Of My Head” another stunning song and i’m without word to qualify “Carry us Over” !
Is it the photograph or am I really upside down ? Is this the music or am I really “addicted” (shhhh ).
Count on me for tracking any movement on the web concerning Kelli !
I think sometimes you have to challenge yourself as a listener to explore other genres or sounds and give them enough time to grow, not be put off by first listens or bad reviews. Not that has happened to Nurses as far as I can gather but it is certainly an album that requires more than one listen, in fact takes quite a few if only to ‘hear’ it properly as there’s so much going on. What strikes you first is the swirling vocal harmonies which are prominent throughout the album but after more listens you start concentrating more on the electronics or the piano which I read somewhere give the impression that the band are evolving as you listen and this is true, it’s ever changing but not too much so you lose interest, in fact the more listens you give it the more brilliance you find in it, I think they’ve created a masterpiece. It’s impossible to put this kind of music under any genre as it covers many, folk, Psychedelia, alt-country and pop, in fact it’s the pop side of it that I find works brilliantly, take a listen and see what you think. Signed to the brilliant dead oceans label they are often compared to the likes of animal collective, yeasayer and Sunset Rubdown but I hear a little bit of The Low Anthem in there too. They’re currently on a huge U.S tour, go see them. Available as a download, cd and vinyl either from Dead Oceans or your local independant record store. The mp3 available here you can also grab along with another one on the dead oceans website. Enjoy.
**This is a mirrored post from over on Slowcoustic.com – (because I know Olly loves this guy!).
The downloads included are a higher bit-rate over here as well!!
“The heart of a cur keeping time with her bedroom eyes.” ~JLL
The upcoming album from Jeffrey Luck Lucas entitled “The Lion’s Jaw” should be out any second and from the few tracks I have heard it is going to be another incredible album. This is a top album in the “looking forward to in 2009″ for me and am glad it is about to surface. Why this guy isn’t more famous, is beyond me.
Yes, I am being purposefully vague about the release date for the new album as it has not “officially” been set yet, but I have good authority that it will be available within the next couple of weeks. The music industry can be an enigma in itself and a lowly music blogger simply wants the end product of a great album. This particular great album cannot get here fast enough. If anyone is familiar with Jeffrey Luck Lucas you will know that there is a theme/feeling/aura surrounding the work of Lucas: one of solitude, trying times and ultimately a mixture of hope amongst bleak times. In going back and forth with Lucas (as you will see below in the interview), he is conscious of this mystique he conjures with his talent. One that draws me like a moth to a flame, not blindly, but just something that consistently brings fulfilling music – not the one hit wonders or smash and grab singles that circle the world of music these days.
Lucas has 2 previous albums to date of which both come highly recommended for lovers of the sombre almost Americana crowd. I say almost as his music floats around many genres but doesn’t make its home in anything specific – It has essence of a Matthew Ryan’s melancholy, Leonard Cohen’s storytelling and delivery. I used those two artists as one brings to mind a mature established performer with the other bringing something more modern down-tempo, the blending of it all gives you a great idea of what Jeffrey Luck Lucas provides. Another way to put it is to let you know the titles of the two previous album “Hell Then Divine” and “What We Whisper”. So you get an aching performance of the down trodden with that glimmer of redemption only moments away (all the while being aware of oneself and being awake to some humour of it all).
Well, if I can say one thing, it is “The Lion’s Jaw” is going to be another notch on this troubadour’s belt and should make it’s way to your collection…soon. Let’s dig into a bit of “Q & A” with Jeffrey Luck Lucas.
~~~
1. Who is Jeffrey Luck Lucas – introduce yourself to our readers – and is “Luck” really your middle name?
“Luck” is as real a name as any of mine, in my opinion, though I wasn’t born with it. I was christened with the name around a pool table in a great long-lost dive bar. It had a nice ring to it so I let it stick. I don’t know how to introduce myself. Maybe we’ll let the music do the introducing? I mean, it’s all there.
2. We are big fans here at Slowcoustic/You Crazy Dreamers and me especially as I am a jokingly described as a fan of “sad bastard music” – is this how you would describe your music?
Thank you… I do appreciate the support and encouragement to keep doing the dirty work. Though I do encourage others getting dirty with me.
I would say that the music is created by a sad bastard, but it isn’t all sad (and neither is the bastard). I think there’s a lot of beauty and humor drifting alongside all the emotional wreckage and debris. Not to mention sex and violence.
I think as more recordings surface the story will become more complete. It is definitely a living voyage that just happened to begin with a funeral march.
3. Now releasing your third album “The Lion’s Jaw” – When is it being released, where can we get it?
THE LION’S JAW will be released soon, this month I believe. It has been horribly delayed. The only bright side being that I’ve basically finished the fourth album (which I’m really really excited about) and that should be coming out this year as well. I don’t have a title yet, unfortunately.
You should be able to get THE LION’S JAW soon on iTunes and other online electronic distributors. We will also be doing a limited run of vinyl and CDs that will be personalized, numbered, etc. And it will have it’s own European label/release as well.
4. What were some of the things that lead to or assisted in the creation of the new album?
A sense of growing strength. An ability to face the present with clear vision. Working through an emotional backlog. Being comfortable in the skin of the night. Giving-up black and white ideals. Coming to terms with never coming to terms. Eroticism and passion in the midst of hell. And new sources of inspiration from my friends and loved ones. From their music. And Desmond Shea’s co-vision… his ability to find diamonds in my bullshit. [please edit this at will]
I really view THE LION’S JAW as a door. It marks the end and the beginning, depending on which way you’re heading.
5. You are more than a “guy with a guitar” – you are known as a trained composer & cellist, how do these integrate into your albums?
I tried to plaster as much of my self and my vision as I could on these records. I love doing arrangements and playing any and every thing I can. I record demos for every song, playing all the instruments. I learn so much from doing that. BUT… now I’ve found some guys who’ve living the music with me… and they’re bringing something… so I think the next records will be a little less claustrophobic… more accessible in a purely collaborative/spiritual way. Jesus, did I just write that?
6. Any upcoming shows, festivals that you are appearing at – where can we see ya?
Well, we’ve been working hard to get a strong band that can handle the music, so you should be seeing us over the next few months. You have to let the record simmer for awhile before you go out to lose money in support of it. Seriously, though, we’ll be in Europe late Fall/Winter and start from there.
I’ll also have a pretty full schedule playing cello and other things with other artists like KIRA LYNN CAIN and JAMES FINCH JR. this Summer and Fall.
7. Who are artists that you have toured/worked with that have influenced you?
TINDERSTICKS, JOHN DOE, ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO, THE WILLARD GRANT CONSPIRACY come to mind, as far as artists I’ve shared the stage with. My bandmates, JUSTIN FRAHM and JAMES FINCH JR. are amazing songwriters, along with KIRA LYNN CAIN. SEAN COLEMAN (now of Dublin, Ireland) is an amazing musician and an inspiration. And we wouldn’t be here talking if it weren’t for DESMOND SHEA, producer, engineer, 5th Beatle, etc. I’m probably missing a dozen or so. What the hell…
As far as influences that I haven’t had a chance to work with or share the stage with, I would say LOU REED, SERGE GAINSBOURG, SCOTT WALKER, NICK DRAKE, NICK CAVE, LEONARD COHEN, JOHNNY CASH, LAMBCHOP, IGGY POP, ITALIAN FILM MUSIC, etc. etc.
~~
There you have the great insight of JLL and please consider frequenting his sites to find the new album once released. Prior to that, you can pick up a copy of “What We Whisper” (iTunes and CD Baby) and “Hell Then Divine” (iTunes and CD Baby).
You can also visit Mr. Lucas over on his Website and his MySpace page for updates on the new album.
Jeffrey Luck Lucas - "The Devil On Me" - from 2004's "Hell Then Divine" [5:53m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
sb_url_to_rate = 'http://youcrazydreamers.com/2009/06/30/jeffrey-luck-lucas-releases-the-lions-jaw-discusses-the-album-tours-and-if-luck-is-really-his-name/';
sb_rated_title = 'Jeffrey Luck Lucas releases “The Lion’s Jaw”, discusses the album, tours and if “Luck” is really his name!';
sb_when_to_load = 'immediate';
try { sb_rated_creation = new Date(Date.parse('Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:48:30 -0700')); } catch (e) {};
sb_categories = "Alt-Country,Alternative,If You Haven't Heard,New Album Alert,Singer Songwriter,Soul,Southern";
Between hays, woods, training dogs and sheep (!!), few time left for this sharing activity… So it will be really concise and short : I’m looping for couple weeks a bewitching ritornello from Goldfinch … it’s a two tracks medley entitled ‘Hoedown / Pretend Kiss’ and it’s closing their first eponymous album released sooner this April. Check their myspace or facebook page, and if like me you’re falling under their addiction, jump cdbaby.com website and buy a copy of Goldfinch
One of the most anticipated releases for this year is the new Bowerbirds album “Upper Air”. The album is being released this July 6th (UK first!) and July 7th (US, and I presume Canada) from the Dead Oceans label.
The album is another winner (yes we all know the album is making turns here and there lately), but this is an album that warrants a “collection” perspective. The band is clearly great, every album they have released from “Danger At Sea (EP)”, to “Hymns for a Dark Horse” to the upcoming “Upper Air” have been stellar – a feat for any band to consistently release well above average albums. I personally think their “Hymns…” album is one of the best of the decade and this album is catching up quickly. The lead off promo single “Northern Lights” is phenomenal sing along track, with the newest track released from the album “Beneath Your Tree” being a combination performance of Phil Moore and Beth Tacular’s lead vocals which builds on the traditional Bowerbirds sound with accordion and that foot stomping beat (a la Matt Damron recently) that you recognize immediately. The rest of the album follows suit with additional stand outs including a great selection of their organic slower acoustic tracks like “Bright Future” and “Silver Cloud” and “Teeth”. Well there is still the eclectic “Crooked Lust” with a bit of finger picking guitar…and then….well, you get my point.
Highly recommended and a must have in any collection.
I first wrote about Tom and the boys here. At that point they had only released a single and were about to go off to Dallas and record their new album. Well not’s much changed in terms of releases since then but I have been informed by them that the EP release is imminent with the full album to follow not long afterwards. These are looking like they will be self released on their A little something label via their management team of Autonomy Music Group So to wet your appetite just a little longer here is another mp3 which I have been granted which was recorded in one of the emperor’s (Bobby’s) living room. In his own words, ” It’s got a great feel, with some clarinet, mandolin and double-bass action going on, Tom in preacher-man mode and a nod or two to James Brown in the chorus. It’s about as close as we get to a fun song”
He has promised me that the Ep and album has plenty of misery for us to indulge in though so that’s nice.
Please sign up to their webpage here where you can still get a free download and also be told of any further news. They have also granted us here at YCD an interview around the time of the EP release so if you have any questions let us know and I will ask away.
Finally, they have an intimate acoustic gig coming up on the 23rd July at the Hideaway in North London. More deatils of that here. I’ve not had the pleasure of seeing them live but apparantly these intimate shows are exceptional and not to be missed.
My favourite snippet of information is about them is this.
“You really get a sense that the Emperors are seasoned veterans of the London music scene and I can’t believe they won’t be playing much larger venues very soon, like Nick Cave jamming with Tom Waits playing in a Jazz Bar during a Tarantino movie… toe-curlingly good” – livemusic.fm
All audio posted on this site is meant for sampling purposes only. If you really like what you hear, show it and support the artist - buy an album, buy some merch, got to a show. If you represent or own any media on this site and would like something taken down please email us, and we will take the necessary action of removing the file(s). Please contact us at 5crazydreamers@gmail.com with any comments, concerns or feedback and suggestions.
