I know, I know, you can’t buy or grab any album i’m writing about. So if you’ve missed the last Brook Lee Catastrophe, here’s a new chance to discover this bright californian band ! They offer you for free and for a limited time their brand new album : American Hotel.
I’m just discovering this 11 tracks collection… And with no doubt – i’m listening to track 7 – I can tell you that the band keep digging their atypical explorations mixing an undefinable but addictive sound between rock, folk and americana. It’s brilliant, it’s simply gorgeous !
According to the band,  this new album is the first of a two companion-pieces set to released summer and fall 2010 (woot woot hooray ) !

If “American Hotel” is designed to keep the intensity burning all the way to last call, “Motel Americana” (Fall 2010) is the hair of the dog—the cold comfort of the morning after, the soundtrack of the battered and the bruised. Squarely rooted in the folk tradition, “Motel Americana” also incorporates textures of country, bluegrass, and gospel in service of a song cycle that is at once melancholy and celebratory, the perfect antidote to a cold and cynical world.

Voilà de quoi nous mettre l’eau à la bouche ! In the meantime, let me tease you with the first track, then go and grab your album and please tweet about it as loud as you can, facebook it, myspace it, well spread the word, this band is huge !

Band : The Brook Lee Catastrophe new site – old site
Where to download ? Follow this link to download your free copy of  ’Hotel American’ album

For the regular readers of YCD, this name may ring you a bell but the picture. Yop, Ben Rogers is a new member in the bearded songwriter family. But far beyond this pilosity detail, Ben Rogers got 2 new tracks which both are on a heavy rotation in my itunes library : the really catchy ‘Criminals’ & the Dylan-like ‘Born to Move’. This guy is as discrete as talented ; I hope the canadian music blog squad could catch him live and grab some more information about an upcoming release… In the meantime enjoy the tunes…

Artist : Ben Rogers

The first thing I look for in music regardless of genre or mainstream popularity, is honesty. If I feel that the music is coming from the heart and it’s sincere then I will respect it. I may not always like it but I will at least applaud it for it’s earnestness. This is why I like Elephant Micah, the alter-ego of Joe O’connell.  I first wrote about him here where he was kind of enough to grant us an interview and a couple of mp3’s. Since that interview he still hasn’t created a myspace or facebook page and is still intent of getting his music heard by the old fashioned method of word of mouth. Well, this seems to be working as he has an abundance of live dates from now up until at least May.

His latest offerings really show his versatility as a songwriter but also his various musical styles.With Echoer’s intent we have an album which was recorded using  more traditional recording methods and is eight tracks of sparse, intense beauty. During the interview Joe did with us I mentioned he reminded me of Low, early Smog and J.Tillman. Well out of those three this album has a definite J.Tillman ring to it although with a  less whispery vocal style, especially on the stand out track for me, field notes, but there is definitely elements throughout the whole album, still life blues is another really beautifully written and composed song, you find yourself falling into it and then pressing the rewind button a few times.  Personally, I think this is Joe’s best work yet mainly because I think each song flows into each other brilliantly, you hardley notice the gaps in between but you will have to decide for yourself because even at such a young age he has released umpteen albums.

Then we have The songs of bible birds which (and stick with me here) is, or at least was meant to be an album of bible bird covers, bible birds being a band that Joe himself invented when asked once if he had ever seen the bible bird man in Indiana. So in other words he’s covering his own songs, or at least that was the plan. Full story here. Eventually though what we do get though is an album that Joe in his own words says was produced using ‘weird recording methods’ originally back in 2006 but has only become avialable now after some tinkering which Joe is finally happy with. I perhaps should have listened to this album first and then Echoer’s Intent because the final products are very very different, especially in the sound which has some hissing in the background, sometimes distant vocals which are hard to pick out but after i played it first time I immediately played it again and then again and now I’m loving every pop, crackle and hiss. In fact, after a while you just hear the music, Joe with some female backing vocals (Beth Remis),odd sounds bellowing from a pump organ and although a very challenging album to listen to, it improves more and more with each hearing, I’m loving it. As I said, it’s honest to a fault but it’s  also trying something different which I think is rather refreshing as well as challenging, both for the listener and the creator. I admit though, I would love to hear these songs live and get another take on them.

As both albums are only 8 tracks long I am only putting up the mp3’s that Joe himself offers on his website because if I was to put up a different one and then another blog does the same there could be half the album across the internet and for someone who is completely D.I.Y, this would be unfair. So please, if you like this then go and buy the album or if you buy both together you get them for cheaper. Please, enjoy and go see him play at any one of these shows. By doing so you will be supporting a totally independant artist and a really talented one at that.

March 2010.

26 Louisville, KY at the Lounge w/ Joe Manning

27 Nashville, TN at Betty’s w/ Kelli Hix

28 Memphis, TN at the Buccaneer w/ the Warble

29 Oxford, MS at TBA

APRIL

1 New Orleans, LA at Sidearm Gallery w/ Hurray for the Riff Raff

3 Athens, GA at TBA w/ Bubbly Mommy Gun, Steven Trimmer

4 Chattanooga, TN at JJ’s

6 Somewhere, TN at Ida

7 Asheville, NC at Harvest Records

8 Knoxville, TN at the Pilot Light

9 Lexington, KY at the Hive

III. ROUGH ROUTING

All shows with Mark Trecka except where noted (*)

13 Grinnell, IA at Grinnell College

15 North Manchester, IN at the Firehouse

16 Buffalo, NY at Sugar City

17 Rochester, NY at Casa Del Awesome

18 Montague, MA at the Book Mill w/ Oweihops

19 Portland, ME at TBA

21 Boston, MA at TBA

22 New Paltz, NY at the Inn

23 Purchase, NY at SUNY Purchase

24 New York, NY at TBA

26 New York, NY at Bruar Falls w/ P.G. Six*

28 Philadelphia, PA at Robin’s w/ Strand of Oaks

29 Baltimore, MD at 2640 Space w/ Small Sur

30 Columbus, OH at TBA w/ Time & Temperature, Deadsea

MAY

1 Chicago, IL at TBA

I just recently discovered The White Buffalo while trolling Last.fm of fellow friends and neighbors and I must say it has been a pretty good find.  I listened to a couple of tracks from his website and then immediately zipped over to eMusic and picked up his Hogtied Revisited album that was released in March of this year.

The video included below is for “Love Song #1″ which is from “The White Buffalo EP” which I believe is from 2005.  2005!?!  Yes, this guy has slipped past this Americana/Alt-Country fiend…but no longer.   This “White Buffalo” or Jake Smith as he is known to his friends is now on my radar.  This song is also streaming on his website homepage along with 2 others – so get a listen on and then zip over for an album if you enjoy it as much as me.

Visit The White Buffalo on the MySpace page and Website!

Pick up an album, why don’t you?:

~Smansmith

I don’t remember who sent me this “blast from the past” album from FatCat Recording artist Curtis Harvey.  It might have been one of these You Crazy Dreamers bloggers, so I thought I would put a bit of finger to keyboard for it.

The album “Box of Stones” is a new release (Nov. 3rd here in North America, rest of planet still pending I think) and is choke full of acoustic country folk that is just a bit more country than folk.  Almost like the album cover, I believe it speaks to another time of sephia toned whiskey joints and live roots music.  The sound created seems both personal and full of energy (even if it is a bit down tempo at times) with Harvey’s blood and guts built right in.  It is said that he recorded the entire album in his basement with few takes – just took it as it was.  I think that is why it seems full of that energy – it is really him, not his recording mixed and reproduced 50 times till it’s a fraction of the sound it once was.    A song like “Borrowed Time” has a straight forward structure but seems like was put together like it was happening all at once.  It might be the collection of sounds in the background, but I don’t know – it just sounds that way.  You can also have a songs like “Joking” or “Words” which are more in the vein of a back porch tribute to a previous time while at the same time being quite beautiful.

Another great track I found on the album is the sing a long “Oldertoo” which is a bit up tempo and brings a bit of kick to the step of this sad bastard.  It brings in banjo and an easy sound…I think it could just be the leg slapping (or what is reminiscent of a lite version of “foot stompin’ honky tonk”) – that track is included below, see for yourself!

Sidenote and recommendation: I do know I have kind of beat the vibe of “Americana past” into the ground for this post.  I have noticed with today’s indie music landscape where there is a country folk artist on every indie label’s roster (and maybe Harvey is FatCat’s resident guy with a guitar), Harvey brings a country worth considering.  With that, Curtis Harvey’s album is definitely worth a few spins, especially while sitting back with a favourite beverage of choice.

Curtis Harvey
“Oldertoo” (mp3)
from “Box Of Stones”
(Fat Cat Records)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at eMusic Delivery
More On This Album

~Smansmith

There is something about European Folk – it is soo good.  This example by Signe Tollefsen provides the beauty of strings and Tollefsen’s almost classically trained voice with lazy banjo of a rocking chair on the prairies of Oklahoma.  Definitely a song of the day here folks – this “half American in Amsterdam” provides you a gorgeous bit of European Americana.  This could be the next big thing (as big as indie Americana singer songwriters can be…).  Highly Recommended.

~~~
Signe Tollefsen
“You, Me & the Brewers” (mp3)
from “Signe Tollefsen”
(Corazong Records)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
More On This Album

~~~

~Smansmith

So “Song o’ The Day” is kinda my thing around here the last few weeks.  Sorry folks for the sporadic posting, life simply getting in the way for all of us!!

Well being the Canadian around these parts I always seem to be pushing my brethren, but that is because I keep being impressed by the talent from the “Great White North”.  Today’s selection is Matt Epp who I also might be attached to as he is from one of my hometowns of Winnipeg, Manitoba (he’s a “pegger”).  While I  tended to overlook what was in my own backyard while living there, I seem to see more talent now that it is no longer underneath my own nose.  Matt Epp has a new album coming out called “Safe or Free” this November and the track “This Old House” is the lead off single.  It is a bit of singer-songwriter with shavings of Alt-Country adorning his duet with Eliza Gilkyson.  It is also a Ryan Adams’ style ballad including a harmonica feature at midway (love that damn harmonica).  Hope you like as much as I do!

“This Old House” – Matt Epp – from 2009’s “Safe of Free”

~~~

So keep an eye out for the album this November by keeping in touch below:

~Smansmith

P.S.  Maybe pick up an album to listen to during your wait by clicking:

“Song o’ Day” is from the duo Wentworth Kersey’s “(O)” album and is the opening track “Adore”.  It is a track that fits its title very well, it is a pining lament in true troubadour style.

The duo of Joe Kersey Sampson and Jeffrey Wentworth Stevens make up WK and bring an overall Americana tinged psych-folk to the table.  The music is something that would make a great soundtrack for a Quentin Tarantino movie (when he decided to make a serious movie).  While I would say the sound is basically “folk” it is soo much more – it has so many textures, auras of rolling Appalachian valleys and a modern day Mexi-Cali conquistadors – all with a slight bit of ambient flowing through it all (yes, you will get the odd floating DJ scratch in the distance).

Wentworth Kersey also have a bit of an interesting project in the release of their EPs.  The track included is from thier 2nd EP “(O)” which was preceded by “O” and we will (hopefully) soon see the third installment “((O))”.

“Adore” – Wentworth Kersey – from 2009’s “(O)” EP

Visit Wentworth Kersey on their Website or MySpace.  Click the below images to pick up one of the EPs via CD Baby – highly recommended.

~

~Smansmith

So not exactly new news, but just can’t stop listening to that Joe Pug EP that he is offering on his website – for free!!  My song of the day is the magnificent “A Thousand Men”.

The song is timeless and not so simply great, it is pug alone strumming his guitar while singing the fact that “…every good idea, kills at least a thousand men…” – and despite what you may think, the good majority of us all are still in triple digits and are not getting out without a fight.

Enjoy the track – also hit up good friend Adrian over at “I Pick My Nose” Blog for a nice live version HERE.

“A Thousand Men” – Joe Pug – from the “In The Meantime” EP

Visit Joe Pug over on & Or and

~Smansmith

I can’t believe it’s almost going to be a year since I was first introduced to Cory Chisel and The Wandering Sons via Miles Nielsen. Cory was on tour with Joshua James, as many of you know one of my favorite singers. Running late that night I missed Cory’s performance but had a chance encounter with Miles at the bar. Let’s just say that it’s one of those nights that goes down in the books. I don’t know if looking back now it was one of those nights that changes the direction of your life and you look back with joy or if you’d just wish you could have the last year back. In any case, the one positive thing is that at the end of it all I found some really great new artist and amazing music. Miles recently released his solo album, which by the way is solid, you must pick it up if you ever have a chance.

If you haven’t heard of Cory Chisel, prepares yourselves because you will. He’s scheduled to release an album this year (details below) but you can go to his website and download Brand new song “Born Again” available now here for a limited time. All you need to do is sign up your email in exchange.

“The songs on Death Won’t Send A Letter were recorded primarily at Blackbird Studios in Nashville, TN with Chisel’s backing vocalist/keyboard player Adriel Harris and “Little Jack” Lawrence (The Raconteurs, The Dead Weather) on initial tracking. Cory, Adriel and Little Jack were then joined by Jack’s longtime collaborator Patrick Keeler (The Raconteurs, The Greenhornes) on drums. With Patrick and Jack’s driving rhythm section the albums’ sound took on a grittier hue. And in Brendan Benson Cory found a writing and arranging partner that birthed the lead album track “Born Again.” Carl Broemel from My Morning Jacket also contributes on guitar.

The album, released on Black Seal/Sony BMG Music, follows up Cory Chisel & the Wandering Sons’ 2008 live EP Cabin Ghosts, which Chisel co-produced with Tony Berg.

Cory Chisel and The Wandering Sons’ Death Won’t Send A Letter will be released September 29th of 2009 in the US.”

New song from upcoming album “Born Again” MySpace

Watch the full concert at baeblemusic.com

I can’t say I stumbled upon this band myself. A music buddy on last.fm recommended them to me a short while ago (Thanks Zach!). I am so very glad he did. Been listening to Dawes non-stop in my car on the way to work all this past week.

I am completely stunned, er infatuated umm IN LOVE with their gorgeous album called North Hills…incidentally they happen to be from North Hills, California. The band consists of Taylor Goldsmith, Wylie Gelber, Griffin Goldsmith and Tay Strathairn.

Beautiful harmonies and melodies…they got that sweet Americana sound that always breaks my heart. I know I always say this in my posts but do yourself a favor and go purchase this album immediately! LISTEN TO ME!

For those of you in Chicago, come out to the Empty Bottle on Wednesday July 15th to see them with Deer Tick. I’ll be there for sure.

Also head over to Daytrotter to download their session here.

Dawes Myspace - Facebook

Purchase on iTunes here

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.

Listen/download:

“Beneath Your Tree”
“Northern Lights”

Bonus:  “In Our Talons” from both “Danger At Sea” and “Hymns for a Dark Horse”

Pre-order Bowerbirds Upper Air HERE.
Visit the Bowerbirds on the Bowerbirds Myspace and Bowerbirds Website

~Smansmith

The nine bands whose work is represented here span a wide Prairie landscape of music. The Deep Dark Woods mix traditional folk music with rock and roll, alt-country and psychedelia. Psychedelia is also an element of holzkopf’s work, mashed up with jungle, hip-hop, and eardrum-bursting feedback. Dumb Angel (Shaun Mason) centres spectral compositions around ethereal vocals and melodic, droning guitar. Pearson play intimate folk-core inspired by Grant Fuhr, Soren Kierkegaard and one-speed bikes; when their lovely lady strikes out on her own, she’s called A Gentle Forest. The practically orchestra-sized Carbon Dating Service make a joyful noise with voices, hearts and horns. These Hands (Michael Hanson) is deceptively understated and idiosyncratically catchy, in the vein of Lennon, Bowie and Drake. The Junior Pantherz have been a guitar-powered, cymbal-kicking, indie-rock machine since 1999. And the Western Canadian Music Award-winning The Blood Lines’ pop-rock is equal to any from Montreal or Toronto.

1. These Hands – We Will Be Born Again
2. Holzkopf – The Old Life
3. Dumb Angel – Two Leaves
4. Pearson – My Ghost Your Ghost
5. The Blood Lines – The End Of The World
6. Carbon Dating Service – Dead Dogs
7. Junior Pantherz – Class Action Lawsuit
8. The Deep Dark Woods – The Straight & Narrow
9. A Gentle Forest – The Moon’s Appeal
*(Artist – Song)

Becoming more and more known in the music scene, the good old city of Saskatoon is getting some decent exposure lately.  Having been there many times and living in both Winnipeg and Calgary, I have basically sandwiched this city by the river almost my whole life.  Who would have thunk it that I should have stopped halfway between the two cities and made Saskatoon my home??  While keeping the small town vibe but still being a growing urban area – it is well known to be one of the most beautiful prairie towns around – it is now the indie music scene that has come to the forefront.  Whether it be the awesome Alt Country of “The Deep Dark Woods” or the orchestral “Carbon Dating Service” and all the way to the stunning folk-core of “Pearson” and indie rock of “Junior Pantherz”.  Seems like there is a little too much depth for this little city, but that is the way they like it I’m sure.

Visit Killbeat Music (the remainder of the tracks not included in this post can be downloaded at Killbeat) and Saved By Radio for more information and pick up a copy of the physical CD at SBR HERE.

~Smansmith

Tobacco Pat is the subject of this episode of “If You Haven’t Heard” and once again, you need to hear – but I guess that is the point of the series.  Well now that we are on subject, I was recently introduced to Tobacco Pat (and have previously mentioned him HERE) and now I hope to introduce you to Tobacco Pat, if you haven’t heard already.

Tobacco Pat, or Logan Farmer, is a Floridian with a sound that speaks from the belly of the South, just maybe not the south of Florida.  Not ever being in Southern Florida, I can’t say for sure, but the dark, foreboding Americana coming from Farmer is both gothic and gorgeous but doesn’t conjure up images of azure ocean and palm trees.

He has a couple of EPs – “The War” and “The Plague” out currently with a full length – “Everything Will Be Oklahoma” on the way.  So far his EP series follows different ways that this very world may end, in 5 storied tracks at a time.  While “The War” is a little more of a fuller sound and “The Plague” a bit more lo-fi, they both find themselves in common territory – downtempo goodness.  I am often biased, I lean towards the troubadour and I never cover artists/bands I don’t like – so this should be no surprise – If you haven’t heard Tobacco Pat, you must.  Head over to the YerBird Aviary of which he is a new resident or his MySpace Page for more info and downloads.  He has lots of additional tracks on his MySpace player including samples from the upcoming album that will be released in September on Feels Like Home Records!

You can also visit my duplicate post over on Slowcoustic that will have a couple other songs for listening and downloading.

~Smansmith

Silver Darling are new to me.  I discovered them while covering Garrett Pierce for my day job at Slowcoustic and while looking over the label page for Crossbill Records, I found another gem in Silver Darling.  There is also a Matt Bauer EP that is incredible with Crossbill, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves here.  From what I can tell this is a band that is just starting out releasing albums (2008, but Silver Darling has been in the works since 2006), gaining members and looking forward to continued growth, touring and albums.

While as I say just starting out, they still have two official releases to date and have grown from a trio to a quintet (that’s five) in the last few months.  A common theme when I start to really enjoy music is a sound that is usually folk, but one that seems acoustically inclined (at times) and have something that separates if from the sea of others.  Whether that is a unique voice, interesting inclusions of instruments or a sound that keeps it’s roots in folk but walks a fine line to gothic, indie Americana.  Silver Darling find themselves roaming comfortably throughout these territories.  Their website has the below description:

…Northern California based soul folk in action-Guthrie Americana-dark gospel musical group…

With “sounds like” from their MySpace page of:

‘77 sunburst Gibson Les Paul, ‘77 Rickenbacker Bass, ‘59 Ludwig 28″ bass drum, early ’60’s Hammond organ, ‘45 king 2b silvertone trombone, ‘82 Martin HD-28, voice (high tenor), voice (baritone)

Now you see?  There is a bit of everything with SD, you get the mellow folk acoustic tracks “Leave My Body Like a Stone” or “Land West of The Mississippi” and even folk rock of “Hanging Rest” – you have Kevin Lee’s lead vocals power through while still showing the fragility of just holding on.  You can actually feel and hear the incorporation of a fuller band from the first EP “Wrap Around My Heart” to the newer “Your Ghost Fits My Skin” – while the EP is more acoustic and southern gospel, the newer LP could be a group effort that brings the power of that South to the forefront (you can find this in tracks like “Roof and Seed” – swing by their website to listen for yourself).  This is what always attracts me and keeps me listening – great music, dark lyrics/discussion, a possibly a bit of twang from a pedal steel…if this is something that might intrigue you, take a listen below – you will find yourself a wash in a Southern Delta sound that while still finding its final signature sound, is doing a incredible job of playing great music along the journey.
~
Silver Darling
“Clothes Removed” (mp3)
“Land West of the Mississippi” (mp3)
from “Wrap Around My Heart”
(Crossbill Records)

More On This Album

~
Silver Darling
“Leave My Body Like a Stone” (mp3)
“Holy Oak, Muddy Banks” (mp3)
“Hanging Rest” (mp3)
from “Your Ghost Fits My Skin”
(Crossbill Records)

More On This Album

Visit Silver Darling on their Website for a few more songs to listen to and swing by Crossbill Records for a little label action and to pick up an album.  If needed, their newly restored MySpace Page is located here.

~Smansmith

]]> http://youcrazydreamers.com/2009/04/19/silver-darling-finds-me-i-try-to-resist-but-cannotfan-created/feed/ 0 http://youcrazydreamers.com/2009/04/05/jeff-zentner-the-dying-days-of-summer/ http://youcrazydreamers.com/2009/04/05/jeff-zentner-the-dying-days-of-summer/#comments Sun, 05 Apr 2009 23:16:56 +0000 Laura http://youcrazydreamers.com/?p=1685
The wonderfully talented and easy on the eyes Jeff Zentner is back and better than ever with a new album “The Dying Days of Summer”…although no official release date yet, Jeff tells me his CD will be available “soon” on “iTunes, CDbaby, Amazon (probably), and a number of other online places. Of course, CDs will [...]]]>

The wonderfully talented and easy on the eyes Jeff Zentner is back and better than ever with a new album “The Dying Days of Summer”…although no official release date yet, Jeff tells me his CD will be available “soon” on “iTunes, CDbaby, Amazon (probably), and a number of other online places. Of course, CDs will be available from me personally.”

For those of you not familiar with Zentner and those of you who missed Jeff’s interview on YCD last year, you can read about him here

I asked Jeff to give YCD a little bit of info on the new album:

This album definitely has a melancholy tone about it, but it’s not meant to be sad or somber. It’s a celebration of the hurt of nostalgia and the ending of things. The dying of seasons. Passings.

This album differs from my first album, Hymns to the Darkness, in several ways. First of all, it sounds better. I recorded it all myself in my living room. But I’m better at recording now. It features the pedal steel guitar, which I taught myself to play for this album.

It features some very talented guest musicians, which is different from “Hymns.” It features KatieJane Garside (Daisy Chainsaw, Queen Adreena, Ruby Throat) on vocals on “Where we fall we’ll lie”, which is a track she co-wrote. Andria Degens of Pantaleimon is on “Lights on the Hills,” on vocals, harmonium, and bass. Matt Bauer is on banjo and harmony vocals and Jay Foote is on bowed bass on “Night Jasmine.” Josie Little is on harmony vocals on every other track where you can hear a female vocalist. Sara Zentner, my wife, is on piano on “I’ll be Here When You Wake.”

I’m really proud of this album. I think it’s the best one I’m capable of doing.

I’ve listened to the new album and it is definitely a stunner so keep your eyes open for information on the release date on his myspace and for links to purchase his last album “Hymns to the Darkness”

Enjoy 2 tracks from the upcoming album that Jeff was kind enough to let us preview!

Not a  write up or review here but just to let you all know that The Felice Brothers new album Yonder Is The Clock is released on the 7th April. I’ve said all i’ve ever wanted to say in the past about this great band to anyone who would listen and for me personally I still haven’t come across a band as good as these since I first heard them. They have everything in their music, tales of drunkeness, love, drug deals, friendship, rejection, hope, the lot. In Simone and Ian Felice we have two of the most amazing, poetic  songwriters around today.  Simone is now also one half of The Duke and the King who you should check out too and has also made time to write two books, Goodbye, Amelia and Hail Mary full of holes, the latter being Uncut magazines book of the month !

If the whole album is anything like this footstomping, swaggering track they are giving away on the Team Love record label website (Where incidentally they have a HUGE library full of free albums and mp3’s) then we are in for one hell of an album. Enjoy.

Jon-Rae Fletcher is a Canadian singer-songwriter who grew up in Kelowna, British Columbia. Born the son of a preacher, Jon-Rae sang in his church’s choir by day and fell in love with the music of Kurt Cobain at night. Combining his passion for the sounds of country, gospel, rock, and soul, Jon-Rae Fletcher created a unique blend of music, which at times is minimal and soul bearing, and at other times a full-blown-rock-throw-down.
Stunning crowds with his resonating country voice, Jon-Rae’s cathartic, soul-stirring live show has helped build an ever growing following. Jon-Rae has recorded and released a number of stellar albums over the years, both as a solo artist and with full bands consisting of numerous talented friends from across Canada.

Recently released album “Oh Maria” is another example that Canada is not the land of hibernation and could be akin to the dusty rural south.  There is a lot of “Canadiana” coming out lately and it is all good (see The Deep Dark Woods only a few posts ago).

The story behind “Oh Maria” seems like an unfortunate series of experiences that led to JR recording the story.  There has been struggle that JR has worked through on his journey – both across Canada in life and in creating this album.  The presentation of these 10 songs is intimate, confessional and a storyline of recent life experiences that he/or his character on the album overcomes.  Like many before him, life teaches and shows you its ups and downs, and this album is all about that.

The sound of the album is essentially a gospel country album at heart.  There is many influences from soul, jazz, Americana wrapped up in a singer songwriter package.  The use of horns in this album alone is worth mentioning – powerful, yet tragic sounding at the same time, gorgeous stuff.

Enjoy a few tracks from the album below that was recently released February 3rd, 2009 on Weewerk Records out of Toronto.  He is in good company there with Great Lake Swimmers, Barzin and Elliott Brood to mention a few.  The songs below show you two of the stand out tracks in “Oh, Maria” and “Downtown”, with the piano laded swing time that is “My Hands” included for good measure!

Visit Jon-Rae Fletcher on his Website and MySpace Page.

Jon-Rae Fletcher
“Downtown” (mp3)
“My Hands” (mp3)
“Oh, Maria” (mp3)
from “Oh Maria”
(Weewerk)

More On This Album

~Smansmith

So my last two post have been Stripmall Ballads and The Sumner Brothers and to finish off this Canadian trilogy I present to you The Deep Dark Woods. Since they sent me their new album Winter Hours last week I can honestly say I must have heard it at least fifty times in that period and I can’t see myself stopping any time soon as it is an album that, for me at least, takes a few listens to really appreciate the craftsmanship at work. Stunning, spine tingling harmonmies, beautiful arrangements and the musicianship is out of this world. By far the best album I’ve heard so far this year and not sure If I will hear better to be honest. Blending country, folk, rock and bluegrass you can hear influences from Gram Parsons through to that other Canadian stalwart, Neil Young but also with harmonies this good a modern comparison could be The Fleet Foxes. Lead singer Ryan Boldt has a immense sadness in his voice that I think he could sing the phone directory and keep you interested, full of deep emotion.  When last years top albums lists came out many people had The Fleet Foxes as either top of their list  or somewhere very close and yet The Deep Dark Woods’ Hang me oh hang me was never even mentioned let alone in any best of lists and for me it was one of 2007’s best albums ! Scandalous.( I know its 2007 but some end of lists went from oct 2007 to 0ct 2008); Well here’s hoping that this new album receives more praise because as far as I’m concerned this is quite simply astonishing. I could piss myself with glee while listening to it as it so excites me that music this good is still around.

This album starts off with a rather chilling track called Farewell which may give you the impression that this is a reflection of what is to come and you’d be part right I suppose but with more upbeat tracks like Polly and Two Time Loser sitting comfortably in the middle it gives you a slight break before hitting you with the The Gallows which is a beautifully written song and then a storming final eight and a half minute track The Sun Never Shines, probably my favourite on the album. The best final track I’ve heard on an album since The Day Texas Sank to The Bottom Of The Sea from Micah P Hinson and the gospel of progress. A blistering guitar solo (what ever happened to the guitar solo?), It’s the perfect way to end what is an incredible album, their best yet and that’s saying something considering all three are superb. I think what tops this one is the production of Steve Dawson who also contributes on the album playing ukelele and banjo as well as other stringed instruments.  it’s as if this is a long lost album from the mid seventies or something. I wish I could write a review that would give this album justice but as I’ve said in the past I’m not a reviewer, my mission is to put the word out about good music and for me it doesn’t get any better that The Deep dark Woods.

Winter Hours is not slated for release until 17th February but very kindly Chris has taken time to answer some questions for us, He’s informed me it’s normally Ryan who does interviews but he was having internet troubles, tell me about it.

Underneath the interview you will find Where have the summers gone form their first album, Rumble in the sky from Hang me Oh Hang Me and All The Money I had Was Gone from the upcoming Winter Hours. But please, buy the album(s),  I know it might sound like they are being produced in some multi millon pound studio with loads of money behind them but they’re not, Their just fucking good !

Hi The Deep Dark Woods, welcome to the Youcrazydreamers blog, hope you are all well. Here goes.

1. So, you have now recorded your new album Winter Hours, do you have a release date yet?The release date of the album will be Feb 17^th. That’s soon!

How would you say this album differs from your previous ones, if at all?

I’d say that the album represents the growth of the band. Better arrangements, better vocals, better playing. We did the beds, and lead vocals live on the floor, which felt nice, playing throught each song 1 or 2 times each…..and that was it. It helped being in The Facory, a wicked studio in Vancouver….not to mention working with Steve Dawson, who produced the album.

3. Are you the kind of songwriter that needs to write every day or do you wait until the songs come to you?

Not sure about Ryan, but for me a song has to come to me. Sometimes months in between. For example, the song “Birds on the Bridge” (my only song on the album) came to me, was played 2 times through, and was written.

4. Who were your influences when you were younger, musically or otherwise?

When I was younger I was a huge Smashing pumpkins fan….I had over 50 of their cd’s (including bootlegs). I even listened to them on headphones while sleeping.

5. Canada has such a great music heritage, something in the water?

Our water is full of hope, and good times.

6. If there is one song you could steal and claim it as your own for ever which one would you choose and why?

I won’t over think it…..but lets say “Goin’ to Acapulco” off The Basement Tapes (Dylan and The Band). Reason? I think the song is perfect, and it gives me an amazing feeling everytime I hear it, and has a wicked sound to it. If it were album, I’d say Gordon Downie’s “Coke Machine Glow”

7. Ok, first non- musical question. What did you think last time you looked in the mirror? I thought, “I’m a lot more tired right now than I’ve ever been”

8. You may have read The Sumner Brothers interview we did on this blog, you recently played with them. There is so much good music in this genre coming out of Canada right now, any ideas why?

Not really sure, but I can say that The Sumner Brothers are one of my favorite Canadian bands right now. I love their songwriting.

9. What’s currently getting a lot of play on your stereo?

Lots of Leonard Cohen. Mmmm good. Some Grateful Dead.

10. Another silly one now. If you could play any part in any movie past or present who or what would it be and why?

Can’t think of anything. Sorry.

11. What’s your best musical experience so far?

Actually, recording our last album probably tops it. We had a ton of fun in vancouver, and found that we really made something special. It boosted the confidence of the band. Other that that, last weekend we played a show in Nokomis, Saskatchewan with the incredibly talented Little Miss Higgens. Jamming with her on stage felt pretty darn good. The whole show was crazy fun.

12. So, where can we get hold of this new album? Any Vinyl release?

No vinyl release right now, but we plan on doing something soon. In Europe our album is being distributed by CRS (Continental Record Services)….so wherever they distribute to. If you can’t find it anywhere, just buy it online.

13. Finally, what’s your plans for this year?

We’ll be doing lots of touring in Canada, as well as going down to SXSW in Austin TX. In the summer we’ll be playing tons of great festivals across Canada. We really want to come to Europe, but are waiting for an agent to show interest in booking us there. Hopefully soon. Other than that, trying to make music that we really like.

The Deep Dark Woods, many thanks for the interview and we here at you crazy dreamers wish you all the best for the future.

]]> http://youcrazydreamers.com/2009/02/06/the-deep-dark-woods-winter-hours/feed/ 0 4:09 So my last two post have been Stripmall Ballads and The Sumner Brothers and to finish off this Canadian trilogy I present to you The ... So my last two post have been Stripmall Ballads and The Sumner Brothers and to finish off this Canadian trilogy I present to you The Deep Dark Woods. Since they sent me their new album Winter Hours last week I can honestly say I must have heard it at least fifty times in that period and I can't see myself stopping any time soon as it is an album that, for me at least, takes a few listens to really appreciate the craftsmanship at work. Stunning, spine tingling harmonmies, beautiful arrangements and the musicianship is out of this world. By far the best album I've heard so far this year and not sure If I will hear better to be honest. Blending country, folk, rock and bluegrass you can hear influences from Gram Parsons through to that other Canadian stalwart, Neil Young but also with harmonies this good a modern comparison could be The Fleet Foxes. Lead singer Ryan Boldt has a immense sadness in his voice that I think he could sing the phone directory and keep you interested, full of deep emotion.nbsp; When last years top albums lists came out many people had The Fleet Foxes as either top of their listnbsp; or somewhere very close and yet The Deep Dark Woods' Hang me oh hang me was never even mentioned let alone in any best of lists and for me it was one of 2007's best albums ! Scandalous.( I know its 2007 but some end of lists went from oct 2007 to 0ct 2008); Well here's hoping that this new album receives more praise because as far as I'm concerned this is quite simply astonishing. I could piss myself with glee while listening to it as it so excites me that music this good is still around. This album starts off with a rather chilling track called Farewell which may give you the impression that this is a reflection of what is to come and you'd be part right I suppose but with more upbeat tracks like Polly and Two Time Loser sitting comfortably in the middle it gives you a slight break before hitting you with the The Gallows which is a beautifully written song and then a storming final eight and a half minute track The Sun Never Shines, probably my favourite on the album. The best final track I've heard on an album since The Day Texas Sank to The Bottom Of The Sea from Micah P Hinson and the gospel of progress. A blistering guitar solo (what ever happened to the guitar solo?), It's the perfect way to end what is an incredible album, their best yet and that's saying something considering all three are superb. I think what tops this one is the production of Steve Dawson who also contributes on the album playing ukelele and banjo as well as other stringed instruments.nbsp; it's as if this is a long lost album from the mid seventies or something. I wish I could write a review that would give this album justice but as I've said in the past I'm not a reviewer, my mission is to put the word out about good music and for me it doesn't get any better that The Deep dark Woods. Winter Hours is not slated for release until 17th February but very kindly Chris has taken time to answer some questions for us, He's informed me it's normally Ryan who does interviews but he was having internet troubles, tell me about it. Underneath the interview you will find Where have the summers gone form their first album, Rumble in the sky from Hang me Oh Hang Me and All The Money I had Was Gone from the upcoming Winter Hours. But please, buy the album(s),nbsp; I know it might sound like they are being produced in some multi millon pound studio with loads of money behind them but they're not, Their just fucking good ! Hi The Deep Dark Woods, welcome to the Youcrazydreamers blog, hope you are all well. Here goes. So, you have now recorded your new album Winter Hours, do you have a release date yet?The release date of the album will be Feb 17th. That's soon! How would you say this album differs from your previous ones, if at all? I'd say that the album represents the growth of the band. Better arrangements, better vo... Alt-Country,,Americana,,Blue,Grass,,Country,,Folk,,New,Album,Alert thesix@youcrazydreamers.com no No http://youcrazydreamers.com/2009/01/14/if-you-havent-heard-magnolia-summer/ http://youcrazydreamers.com/2009/01/14/if-you-havent-heard-magnolia-summer/#comments Wed, 14 Jan 2009 14:08:34 +0000 smansmith http://youcrazydreamers.com/?p=1368
Hey, if you haven’t heard….”Magnolia Summer”!   Welcome again kiddies to another installment of “If You Haven’t Heard” and the band in question – Magnolia Summer. This St. Louis based “rock” band (as they describe themselves) is a bit of a collection of friends that have been interchanged over the past few years under the moniker “Magnolia [...]]]>

Hey, if you haven’t heard….”Magnolia Summer”!   Welcome again kiddies to another installment of “If You Haven’t Heard” and the band in question – Magnolia Summer.

This St. Louis based “rock” band (as they describe themselves) is a bit of a collection of friends that have been interchanged over the past few years under the moniker “Magnolia Summer”.  The eye of this storm (does that make it sound bad?) is Chris Grabau and he is bringing the family back together for the 3rd and most recent release entitled “Lines From The Frame” out of the Undertow Music Collective stables.

The road Grabau and company travel is one that many of this ilk travel and Grabau’s themes in song crafting have been described as “...expressing a Kerouac-like love for the journey more than the destination…“.  While not a new concept to the genre, it is one that is tried and true.  This road of Americana recordings is one that one might find themselves traveling regardless of whether or not it is leading to a destination – but I guess that is the point previously made.  Enjoy the now, the journey, with your family of friends and some solid tunes as your soundtrack.  Why the hell not?

I have included two tracks from the new album below with “Diminished Returns” as well as the great “To Better Days”.  It will do you good to check out the sister post over on Slowcoustic for another great track “Bird Without A Wire”, it’s a great duet with Kelly Kneiser from the band Glossary.  All tracks enjoy a bit of an electric tinged Americana – with flecks of strings and a full band flare – this might be the album that the entire cast of Magnolia Summer finally got together to create.

Side Note: You might also note that Magnolia Summer contributed to one of my favourite projects of 2008 and the “Of Great and Mortal Men” 3 disc collection.  Magnolia Summer joins in with Christian Kiefer on the track “William McKinley (Czolgosz’s Dream)”.

Visit Magnolia Summer:  Website, Undertow Music Collective, MySpace
Purchase an album at:  Undertow, eMusic and iTunes

*Bonus* – Enjoy the lo-fi session with Magnolia Summer below:

~Smansmith

For my local Los Angeles people, Tom Schraeder is coming to town this Sunday, November 2nd at The Hotel Cafe. YCD wrote about him at the start of the year and if you haven’t had a chance to catch him live or buy his album now is the time to do so. Please come out and support him. Start learning the words to “When You’re Not Around” so you can sing along. Loved the EP Tom, can’t wait for the second half

A review courtesy of smansmith:

Lying Through Dinner by Tom Schraeder
Well this 5 track EP from Tom Schraeder definitely has a lot in it for only being 13 minutes long!  We run the gambit of the full band twang of Alt Country (Don’t Look Back) to late night crooning (Sorry My Dear) to a bar closing sing along (When You’re Not Around).  This release has it all and I mean it – this in fact could be the “Coles Notes” of Tom Schraeder.  While I tend to shy from raukin’ in the local tavern, I believe Schraeder is no stranger to this, but can shy away and keep the attention of the indie-melancholy in the very next breath.
While I don’t want to compare Schraeder to early Ryan Adams, I can’t shake the feeling that Adams may have tainted me for the sound.  I believe there is huge talent here and I also feel Adams and his ilk may have stolen the gaze of the crowds from some real artists like Schraeder, engulfed it all, then left a landscape of not quite country road kill.  Don’t take this as negative towards Schraeder’s performance on “Lying Through Dinner” in the least (or even RA as he has his moments), but I feel the EP needs its other half and I ask that you forward it immediately.

Within the songs of Justin Jones are stories from a life lived long enough to know heartache, loneliness, addiction, and lost love. But the 29-year-old Virginia native has not lost touch with a youthful spirit that imbues his music: raw excitement, romance, and optimism.

That description is from the MySpace page of Justin Jones & The Driving Rain.  It pretty much hits the spot for an artist among many in the today’s jungle of Alt-Country/Americana artists.  While that description would be used by many I am sure, it just might be a bit more true for Justin.

From North Carolina as a youth to the Washington D.C. area currently, Jones has been performing his style of true Americana to his growing audience.  The 15 years of transition engulfing North Carolina to D.C. include his roots playing guitar for whiskey soaked ears to successful tours throughout the I-95 area (for you Americans who know the area!).  While Justin currently records with his “Driving Rain”, he was a lone performer until at least 2002 and his move to Washington.  The move brought more performing and need for the inclusion of talent – talent he found to assist in filling out his sound – notably on his “Love Versus Heroin” album from 2006.  This album is ridiculously good for you “new country” fans.  The album worth it for the song “Dying With You” alone!

While I get ahead of myself, we can’t forget Justin only official solo release “Blue Dreams” which is described as both “Blues” and “Hillbilly Soul” – quite a description I must say, and also a great solo and mostly acoustic album.  Although I do often appreciate the lone performer more often, his group efforts are just soo strong.  This is most recently assured by his 2007 release “… and I Am The Song of the Drunkards” which definitely picks up where “Love Versus Heroin” leaves off.  The albums are full of up tempo country/bluegrass to the ballad crooning heart-breakers.

For the up and coming info, Jones is working on the next album out at the legendary Sunset Sound studio with producer Jamie Candiloro (from R.E.M. and Ryan Adams fame).  They will be in the studio this week, so we can hope for quick and successful sessions in order to get us more of this great sound in the new year.

I have included a track from last years “… and I Am The Song of the Drunkards” and a solo effort in the form of a Bob Dylan cover for “Boots of Spanish Leather” (recorded with Jones on guitar and Candiloro on piano).

Visit Justin on his website, pick up a copy of Blue Dreams, Love Versus Heroin or …And I Am The Songs of the Drunkards over on CD Baby.

~Smansmith

]]> http://youcrazydreamers.com/2008/10/28/justin-jones-the-driving-rain/feed/ 0 5:07 Within the songs of Justin Jones are stories from a life lived long enough to know heartache, loneliness, addiction, and lost love. But the 29-year-old ... Within the songs of Justin Jones are stories from a life lived long enough to know heartache, loneliness, addiction, and lost love. But the 29-year-old Virginia native has not lost touch with a youthful spirit that imbues his music: raw excitement, romance, and optimism. That description is from the MySpace page of Justin Jones #38; The Driving Rain.nbsp; It pretty much hits the spot for an artist among many in the today's jungle of Alt-Country/Americana artists.nbsp; While that description would be used by many I am sure, it just might be a bit more true for Justin. From North Carolina as a youth to the Washington D.C. area currently, Jones has been performing his style of true Americana to his growing audience.nbsp; The 15 years of transition engulfing North Carolina to D.C. include his roots playing guitar for whiskey soaked ears to successful tours throughout the I-95 area (for you Americans who know the area!).nbsp; While Justin currently records with his "Driving Rain", he was a lone performer until at least 2002 and his move to Washington.nbsp; The move brought more performing and need for the inclusion of talent - talent he found to assist in filling out his sound - notably on his "Love Versus Heroin" album from 2006.nbsp; This album is ridiculously good for you "new country" fans.nbsp; The album worth it for the song "Dying With You" alone! While I get ahead of myself, we can't forget Justin only official solo release "Blue Dreams" which is described as both "Blues" and "Hillbilly Soul" - quite a description I must say, and also a great solo and mostly acoustic album.nbsp; Although I do often appreciate the lone performer more often, his group efforts are just soo strong.nbsp; This is most recently assured by his 2007 release "... and I Am The Song of the Drunkards" which definitely picks up where "Love Versus Heroin" leaves off.nbsp; The albums are full of up tempo country/bluegrass to the ballad crooning heart-breakers. For the up and coming info, Jones is working on the next album out at the legendary Sunset Sound studio with producer Jamie Candiloro (from R.E.M. and Ryan Adams fame).nbsp; They will be in the studio this week, so we can hope for quick and successful sessions in order to get us more of this great sound in the new year. I have included a track from last years "... and I Am The Song of the Drunkards" and a solo effort in the form of a Bob Dylan cover for "Boots of Spanish Leather" (recorded with Jones on guitar and Candiloro on piano). Visit Justin on his website, pick up a copy of Blue Dreams, Love Versus Heroin or ...And I Am The Songs of the Drunkards over on CD Baby. ~Smansmith Alt-Country,,Americana,,Country,,Folk,,Singer,Songwriter,,Southern thesix@youcrazydreamers.com no No http://youcrazydreamers.com/2008/10/18/tim-grimm-holding-up-the-world/ http://youcrazydreamers.com/2008/10/18/tim-grimm-holding-up-the-world/#comments Sat, 18 Oct 2008 08:41:47 +0000 Olivier http://youcrazydreamers.com/?p=1022
I’ve just discovered Tim Grimm with the release of ‘Holding Up the World’ his fifth solo album, and I’m trying to slowly rewound  his discography as I’m so enthusiast about his last collection. Tim Grimm defines himself as a singer songwriter, actor and hay farmer – it’ sometimes peaceful to learn that people are doing [...]]]>

I’ve just discovered Tim Grimm with the release of ‘Holding Up the World’ his fifth solo album, and I’m trying to slowly rewound  his discography as I’m so enthusiast about his last collection. Tim Grimm defines himself as a singer songwriter, actor and hay farmer – it’ sometimes peaceful to learn that people are doing more than a single stuff…

While reading his bio, I guess, most of you already know this talented Indiana farmer who released this year the best possible album in the traditional folk genre. As usual, when an album is perfect from start to end,  here’s the intro track.

Artist : Tim Grimm
Label : Wind River Records / Corazong Records
Where to buy : cdbaby.com / itunes
Who else to enjoy ? Sam Baker to name a single one.

Welcome to Adamzwig.com where you can find out about everything going on in the world of Zwig — psychology, research, spirituality and music.
Adam Zwig, Ph.D. is a psychotherapist, clinical director, international workshop leader and author, as well as a nationally recognized singer/song writer and recording artist, touring musician, and record producer.
Thanks for visiting !

So here’s what you can read on the front door of AdamZwig.com website.  Well, the Psychotherapist and clinical director labels, frightened me first… but my curiosity once again overcome my scepticism (do I need a therapy? ) and  I’ve decided to cross the door couple months ago…

And I’m fine. I didn’t get time to seek for other sources of information about Mr Zwig but his last.fm stats are so low : mere 85 tracks have been scrobbled from 14 listeners. As I’m counting 60 plays, you can imagine…. OK I might be a geek, in the world of Adam Zwig listeners, but his music deserves to reach a wider audience… First, because it’s more than addictive : a clashing mix of country folk rock with a modern electronic input. Then because this Seatle songwriter is far to be a beginner : Adam Zwig has been the frontman of the Shapeshifter band from 1997 to 2002 and he’s solo carrier has already produced 3 full-lengths and a live !

So, You’ll have the opportunity to visit the psychology and spirituality section as the ‘crazy wisdom’ one…, I’ve spent most of my time on the music part of the site, and  all I can express is my complete approval to the cdbaby teaser :

Highly Recommended. Seattle Musician said, “this is Zwig’s masterpiece, a compelling combination of pedal steel guitar influenced country folk rock and the lyrical politics of love and social justice”.

So If it’s the first time you’ve heard about him, listen to these two following intro tracks, knock the door of his website, then a good start will be buying ‘Cast Iron Letters’. Do think thanking me if you have the occasion to visit us back.

About the Song Michael Vaughn :
“Michael Vaughn died in the Iraq war.  I wrote the song a year before he died, not knowing he actually existed. His name came to me in a dream.  I was shocked to see a billboard that said, “In Memory of a Fallen Hero, Michael Vaughn.”  In the song, I wanted to personalize the war and ask who takes responsiblity for the fates of these young men and women.” — Adam Zwig

As reported on his website : “In 2008 / 2009, Zwig is finishing three new albums to be released one at a time. Working with grammy winning producer, Stuart Sikes (Loretta Lynn, White Stripes, Modest Mouse), Zwig’s new material continues to travel thoughtfully through the social and spiritual worlds, and to expand his expression as both a singer-songwriter and a bluesman. The albums are set for 2009 and 2010 release on Conscious Records“.

Artist : Adam Zwig
Label : Conscious Records
Where to buy : cdbaby.com
Who else to enjoy ?  that’s a good damn question… well something between Lou Reed, The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Bob Dylan ! Huh ? Your turn to help !

You’ve surely noticed that my writings has been reduced to the minimal… I’m not on strike… just busy. Find below a short introduction to the third collection of  Corsica resident David Berkeley  ‘Strange Light’ as I’ve received this early morning his press-release !

Summer ’06 saw David Berkeley record his 3rd studio album at the legendary Engine Studios in Chicago with Brian Deck (producer of Iron and Wine, Josh Ritter, Modest Mouse).  The album, to be called Strange Light contains Berkeley’s smartest and catchiest work yet and features guest vocalist Sara Watkins of Nickel Creek. “Brian Deck was the perfect person to work with,” Berkeley offers. “He managed to capture the naturalness of my music, the rawness of it, while still pushing the songs into more powerful, more polished places.”

And that’s it : this brand new beautiful acoustic collection is here. I suppose most of you have already heard about this talented songwriter graduated from Harvard in philisophy and literature… If it’s not the case, I bet the listening of these two tracks will ruin your day ; yes, I’ve told you Strange Light is his 3 album and the two previous are both collectors.

Can’t resist to post Little Fists a track from the Live From Fez album … so you’ll definitly check David’s website for tour dates !

Artist : David Berkeley
Label : Ten Good Records
Where to buy : cdbaby.com
More Appetizers : @sonicbids.com / @mysace.com
Who else to enjoy : Fraser Anderson (it’s a Trini teaser…), Aaron Espe (a post about his new album is coming soon.. real soon).

Well I must say I am a bit late in posting on this little project from Andrew Bryant, but better late than never!

Andrew Bryant has been circling the fringe of my listening for a little bit now – often due to musical suggestions from my good friends over at Yer Bird Records.  These suggestions lead me on a journey into finding some more of this talented countrified songwriter’s recordings.  My journey recently led me to his newly created website and with it brought access to his “Hurricane Blues” digital EP.   The EP is themed and recorded following the disastrous Hurricane Katrina which left a massive mess (both physically and emotionally for all those involved) in the southern United States.  This is the background to this 2 track EP, so expect no love for authority figures and unfortunate descriptions of those who had to live through the natural disaster.

“Hurricane Blues” is basically just Bryant and a guitar and has a bluesy, southern feel.  The content of the lyrics aside, you still feel like a true Americana recording persona from Bryant’s delivery – almost a drawl that he might be holding back on.

Mr. Bryant is starting to be quite the prolific singer songwriter in the last few years and look out for 2009 as he will be bombarding us with up to 3 more releases – sounds good to me.  Signed to Magnolia State Records which I believe is his own growing label and located there are links to all his albums with sample tracks for every single release!  While I will start you off with Hurricane Blues, please swing on by and check out some of his other works, as he delivers many more aspects of his Americana recordings than these sparse recordings suggest.

~Smansmith

Have you recently spilt with someone and need a soundtrack match your turmoil ? Are you still bitter about some past relationship and need to get it all out of your system? Maybe a fuck you to someone who may have broken your heart somewhere along the line and you are now ready to move on or perhaps you just want a perfect album to see in the Autumn and let it be those now long forgotten summer days that you heap these words upon? Then perhaps Donovan Quinns debut solo effort may just be the soundtrack you need. I just listened to this album three times over whilst out walking in the woods and I found it rather cleansing. Rather worryingly it made me feel I HAD split up with someone and I’ve been single (by choice i hasten to add) for three years ! But as I said, I found it all rather cleansing as I crunched the fallen leaves under my feet I took the opportunity to dust off some cobwebs which were, If i’m to be honest, pretty old, a chance to say goodbye to stuff that’s been lingering around like a bad smell for way too long. A new season along with this new album has perhaps brought a fresh perspective on life for me. It’s Autumn, it happens. Do you ever pause to question your own love? Donovan asks on Heathen honeymoon. It’s a good question and one worth considering.

Hailing from San Francisco and has been making music since 2001, firstly with Glenn Donaldson as the skygreen leopards and now under the name the 13th month, with at times, Jason Quever (Papercuts). Often singing in a slightly Dylanesque drawl he is slowly gaining a reputation in his home country as one of the best dark romantic singer/songwriters. With a little help from me on this blog I’m hoping that slow reputation becomesa little quicker and reaches this side of the pond too. Although this album is mainly country folk there is some room for some Californian sun soaked guitars all backed up nicely with keyboards on the track They’re going to pick us apart. You would think, given it’s subject matter, that’s it’s a really sad album and although there is a sense of sadness within it I mostly get the feeling, like me in the forest, of hope and new beginnings.

Signed to softabuse records you can pick up the cd here but if you want to hold on a week or two vinyl will also be available either from softabuse or roughtrade records. I will update this when vinyl becomes available. Some imminent US dates here and then to the UK next spring/summer.  Enjoy.

Outside temperature are painfully reaching the 10° (celsius) in the afternoon, starting from a low 4° in the morning : an overlook on a yearly calendar.. here we are : winter knocking at the door ! So it’s been a busy time… many stuff to deal with, preparing everybody before the first snow falls…

Excuses. These are only excuses for posting a so short article about an artist who had released about 7 albums ! But excuses as a transition : before hibernation, I need  WARM music to enjoy along a peaceful sitting by the wood-stoven light ! And Forest Sun is the one that match my quest.

Teased by Sean Hayes appearance on the song ‘Queen Anne’s Lace’, I’ve bought  ‘Harlequin Goodnight’ on cdbaby.com earlier this summer and the full album is still shining. And I bet the Californian songwriter will be a long-term company during these coming months as  his previous releases are on my never-ending-wish-list…

Artist : Forest Sun
Label : Painted Sun Records
Where to buy : cdbaby.com
More appetizers : @myspace
Who else should you enjoy ? John Craigie, Sean Hayes, Alex Goldfarb

Well here we are at the 3rd installment of “If You Haven’t Heard” and I have some beautiful Americana ballads from “Ghosts I’ve Met”.  So put down your whiskey and grab the one that you want to hang onto and press play, you won’t be disappointed.

Sam Watts is the heart of this “rotating cast” of players that enjoy the Ghosts I’ve Met title and he has been welcoming many an artist to join him over the last few years.  The recordings see influences and assistance from co-founder Ben Blankenship along with Anne Marie Ruljanchic, Brent Arnold, Jen Turner, Karen Waltuch, Margaret White, Michael Lerner, Joe Seely and Amy Bezunartea – did I say rotating cast yet??  Take a trip over to the MySpace page and see all the artists this group has worked with…who’s who to say the least.   Recordings have taken place over the last few years (since 2005) and although not all of his material has seen the light of day to this point, there has been a release earlier this year of an EP entitled “Payphone Patience” (that should be for sale through snocap in the US and their MySpace page).  I have been lucky enough to receive a few tracks so as to not stalk his MySpace player.

The EP hmmm…it floats some sadcore Americana ballads that encompass and wrap around you, and not just singer-songwriter stuff, this is full band heartache here.  The title track brings beautiful piano accents (from Darren Jesse of Hotel Lights – thank you very much) alongside a waning violin…stunning.  This is the kind of stuff this EP is made of and while it has been done before, it usually isn’t done quite this well.  It is a bit confusing why there isn’t more of this band floating around, they definitely have an audience in me (and now you fair readers)

I have included the aforementioned title track for “Payphone Patience” along with one other song.   The additional track is another great track from the EP – “Reno”- a bit more of a laid back string arrangement than “Payphone…” and is another example of the the sound of “Ghosts I’ve Met”.  Remember to visit Slowcoustic for another track, “Ghosts in the Snow”, on the mirrored version of this post over yonder.

Hope you all like it, now go to the MySpace page and convince Sam to release that full length album!

~Smansmith

I first briefly mentioned The Sumner brothers when I wrote about The Wood brothers on this blog here. From British Columbia they have just released their first album In the garage available here which they kindly sent me last week. A band that really wear their hearts on their sleeve especially on the track both back, a song about wanting his late father back in his life but also on the track Pain where the first line “better look over what I got cause it won’t last long” makes you immediately stop and listen. It’s not all doom and gloom though as they start off the album with a banjo led cover of a Stompin Tom Connors track called Luke’s guitar then straight into Girl in the window which is a footstomping folk blues track with Bob Sumner screaming the vocals. They have you smiling and singing along one minute then break your heart the next. Like The Felice Brothers before them I get the feeling a lot of these tracks are just one take with any mistakes just left in giving the whole album a really genuine organic feel to it. Throw in another four covers, A storming version of Johnny Cash’s Folsom prison blues, a live version of Dylan’s I was young when I left home, the folk gospel Carter family song The rock where Moses stood and my personal favourite, Sleepy John Estes‘ Good place to go, now that’s the blues. Somehow you just pick up that these guys are the genuine article, no bullshit, just straight up rootsy country/folk/footstomping blues at it’s raw organic best.

R.C Joseph wrote the following about them.

“Their music is about light, though it is not afraid to explore the dark. Their music is about hope, but it does not ignore the despair. It’s a mournful Johnny Cash, a repentant Willie Nelson, a reflective Stompin Tom. It’s the power of boozy sincerity and hopped-up honesty, and that, brothers and sisters, I can get behind”

I think I can too.

Watch the video from the first song off Rachael Yamagata’s new album “Elephants…Teeth Sinking Into Heart” – in stores October 7th!

(It just seems like ages since her last release)

***October, 10 2008 at Borders***
1501 Vine St. (Hollywood and Vine), Los Angeles, California
Cost : FREE!

Special Acoustic Performance! See Rachael in a special in-store performance as she celebrates the release of her new album! Be sure to pick up a copy that night and have Rachael sign it!

Update:
New 4 Track EP available on iTunes

Sam Corbin with Jen Sygit at Scene Metrospace – East Lansing, MI

It’s been a long time that I didn’t introduce any artist from Michigan : Sam Corbin is the one we’re going to listen tonight. Do you remember The Stranglers ? Hum… I’m a fan. From the unforgettable 96 tears with the ‘Too many tear drops for one heart to be crying… ‘ to ‘La Folie’ through beautiful melodies suchs as Northwind blowing, the unsane ‘Let Me introduce you to my Family’, the famous ‘Always the sun’ – well I’m not here, at least not today, to drive you back in the 80s Stranglers glorious… – and also my favorite ‘Golden Brown’.

And here’s the point. While I was crawling deeply the web, I took a long deep and peaceful pause as soon as I’ve been caught by this song’s title  ‘Golden Brown‘ : It was a month ago, on Sam Corbin’s myspace playlist the last track.  How to resist giving a try : who dare covering such a gem ? Sam’s version is far from the Barrel Organ sounds of the Stranglers… but with an amazing finger-picking style he released a prowess delivering a sweet acoustic version of this untouchable song !

I was a click-away from a superb album : Goodnight Candlelight. The opening banjo-driven ‘Twenty three’, the  ‘Masterpiece’ – which needs no other adjective – , ‘Dictator’ … Theses 3 intro songs are absolutely fantastic and so many albums will never reach this density…  Including the ‘Golden Brown’ cover, the 6 other tracks, of this 10 (hum everything is fine Mr Alzheimer ! count on the hidden track  ) songs collection are all deserving at least my 4 stars rating and an absolute 5 stars for the instrumental ‘Nothing to say’ !

Sam released his first full-length album “Goodnight Candlelight” in 2006, choosing a minimalist approach of mostly acoustic guitar and vocals. He recorded the album in his basement near Lansing, MI, with help from singer/songwriter Jen Sygit adding hints of Banjo, Uke, and vocal harmonies. In the fall of 2008 Sam will release his second full-length album, bringing to the lineup some of Michigan’s finest musicians! …
… In 2008 Sam teamed up with percussionist Billy Harrington. Playing on a single snare drum, Billy brought a whole new sound to the equation. Together, their songs travel from a soft whisper, to the rumbling drive of a freight train.

I didn’t get time to contact Sam in time (!!!), so I can’t confirm that the  track ‘Kalamazoo‘ will appear on his sophomore -haha  learning slowly… – album but if it’s a cover (shame on me for this lack of information) or a song of his own : it’s a ‘cracker’ !!! But no matter, Goodnight Candlelight could loop for a full year and more !

Artist : Sam Corbin
Label : none as usual
Where to buy : cdbaby.com as usual
More appetizers : @myspace …

Since the release of Ray LaMontagne first single ‘You’re the best thing‘  from his forthcoming album ‘Gossip in the Grain’,  and some early reviews ; discussions on the ‘Acre of Land‘ message board about his new style are impassioned. Maybe due to close voices, I’ve always drawn a parallel between RayLaMontagne and Kreg Viesselman ; at least in their early releases. If the first seems to enlarge his musical horizon, the second seems to keep digging the same furrow, and time is almost there for an upcoming collect of demos for his new album : as usual with this American songwriter, absolutely gorgeous !

I’ve discovered Minnesota native Kreg Viesselman, and now Oslo resident, with the release of his 2 years-old last album : ‘The Pull’. It’s a wonderful collection of Americana tunes, balancing from blues to gospel. It’s a must have while awaiting for Kreg’s forthcoming album.

Artist : Kreg Viesselman
Label : Red Kite Records
Where to buy : Red Kite Records / cdbaby.com / itunes
More Appetizers : @myspace.com

This album had already been reviewed on many sites but I can’t resist ; nothing really original to comment, always a matter of sharing. On September 2th, The Low Anthem released their third full lengths “Oh My God, Charlie Darwin“.

Set the sails I feel the winds a’stirring
Toward the bright horizon set the way
Cast your wreckless dreaming on our Mayflower
Haven from the world and her decay
And who could heed the words of Charlie Darwin
Fighting for a system built to fail
Spooning water from their broken vessels
As far as I can see there is no land
Oh my god, the water’s all around us
Oh my god, it’s all around…

These are the first verses opening the new collection with the Charlie Darwin song. In a recent interview granted to The Providence Journal, Low Anthem, Ben Know Miller says “I think we pushed the hard things a little harder and made the soft things a little softer. The poles and the swings are a little wider”. After a first loop, I do agree. The two slowcoustic intro tracks are followed by two devilish folk tunes (almost traditional country) including a Tom Waits/Kerouac cover “Home I’ll Never Be”. Then another low rebound with the sublime ‘Ticket Taker’. And so the album is flowing with these unique textures (almost 30 instruments without counting voices have been used) already evoked in their sophomore brilliant opus ‘What the Crow Brings‘. This album is like the wind offering sweet breezes to stormy gusts ; a delicious balance between white, colours and black.
Low Anthems co-founders and multi-instrumentalists Ben Miller and Jeff Prystowsky have been joined by  Jocie Adams and Cyrus Scofield. The Band is on tour all this september month check the schedule.

Please, as usual, support the band on tour, at your local retailers or your online store.

Band : Low Anthem
Label : none
Where to buy : lowanthem.com / cdbaby.com
You should also enjoy : Camphor, Chris Bathgate
More Appetizers : @lowanthem.com – @myspace.com

It’s about 10 days, I’ve bought this album ; addicted. Acoustic guitars, violins and pianos melting together, delivering one of the most beautiful romantic love songs for me this year : “Enough” ! I wish I had a longer way to introduce you, New-York songwriter Tony Penn (aka Anthony Pennimpede ) but there’s so few information about him. I’m afraid my froggy English dissuaded him to take part in an interview ; So I’ve got to play with a  single digital purchase from cdbaby … and that’s enough !

With a shy but deep voice, Mr Penn fly over his 12 songs collection entitled the Quicken anchored in the Folk/Rock Americana genre, giving the best balance for such classical and so personal themes : love, loss and sin. Fly Over, in the naturally meaning of the term… nothing forces… right with the wind.. deeply natural…
I could spend the full night self-masturbating about this album…’She Comes to Me’ (it’s the song’s title!), ‘Can’t Stop the Tears’, ‘Rough Hands’… all five rated in my library. The Quicken is an absolute gift. Thank you so much Mr Penn : I hope the coming years will bring you more much stories to tell. If not, the Quicken is a masterpiece. And I’m sure, that many new songwriters will be soon referring.

Stop reading this blog ! Merge couple bucks together and run / click the closest link below : gift you ‘the Quicken’. And to be honest but not modest, Sure you’ll thank me (;)) !

Artist : Tony Penn
Label : Big Cow Records
Where to Buy : cdbaby.com / emusic.com
Who else should you enjoy : Jon Jackson

I’ve been listening to the songs of Ben Rogers for the last six months. And no matter how good are the brand new songs flowing from this blog, I’m returning to Ben Rogers.

Everyone always asks me why I always write about the past or set my stories in the past. Truth is, I can’t relate to anything today: computers, television, even the wars we’re fighting. It’s like I always say: “out with the new, in with the old.” That’s not to say I’m oblivious, I’m just not finished with the past and I’m in no hurry to catch up. I’m wandering along dormant railroads strangled by tall weeds in the time of cowboys and Indians. I’m lost somewhere along the Wakarusa River, but instead of a rifle in my hands, I got a ‘63 Gibson guitar and aside from a few cuts and scrapes, I still have most of my skin to speak of.

This is an excerpt from Ben Rogers’ page at Dragline Records. The Vancouver artist is a talented songwriter who is about to release his second collection. ‘The Dawn of a New Error’, his first album released at the age of 19, is covering a wide range of styles from Rock to Folk including some amazing tunes. I’ve collected some media coverages and If this young opus received some comparisons with L. Cohen writings, others crucified. I have to confess that I’ve been listening  to the 2 minutes samples streamed on the cdbaby.com at lesat a ten times as the album is permanently on the ‘out of stock’ status. If some titles such as ‘Jesus and a Jacknife’ or ‘Night on the Ghost Town’ and ‘I Hate to Say This’ – I’ve finally found a way to download some demos – are really great tracks as valuable as the recently blogged Lucky Jim, others could be received the terms of premises ; a quest that could remind me a young Geldof.

Now, 4 years later, Devil Take The Hindmost, is almost done – but the deadline.  Most of the orchestral style used in the previous album have disappeared to produce a pure country album where voice and guitar are playing the driver’s role and harmonica is from time to time a welcomed hitch-hiker and so the mandolin (?). Influenced by the likes of Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan, Rogers is a true storyteller. From start to end – only the fourth track is missing to my library – this album is a pure gem and a must have. Ben Rogers gritty voice ; “a voice of smoked damaged velvet soaked in Tennessee Whiskey” is hypnotizing and so the stories told.

As far as I can get through lyrics – you know how this Vancouver accent is quite harsh to understand for the froggies ears – this following song is dealing with a game called Cowboys and Indians …“and she cried oh oh oh!”

Artist : Ben Rogers
Label : Dragline Records
More Appetizers : CBC Radio 3 , Herohill review
Where to buy : Not yet available
Post Scriptum : Yes, any album deadline / any further information will be welcome…

So I have recently been introduced to “The Donkeys” who hail from San Diego, California by a good friend in Rosenheim, Germany…figures I have to hear about some good alt-country from some German!  All kidding aside, thanks Pip for keeping your eye on the ball!

This is not your father’s Donkeys from the 60’s/70’s, but the new breed – wow, that sounds awkward…breeds of donkeys…  Well, let’s just get back to the music, shall we?  The Donkeys bring both the slowed down Americana alongside some mid tempo alt-country.  For the un-initiated this may sound like the very same thing…no so my friend.

I have chosen two tracks that display this very phenomenon – “Dolphin Center” brings us a mellow Alt-Country ballad featuring some piano and great guitar accents (I dare say guitar solo even) – this is not your father’s Country music.  Then we have “Boot on the Seat” which has a mid tempo (it does actually reach mid-tempo near the end there), and a truer Americana sound with use of slide guitar, simple bass line, harmonica and some southern drawl.  Okay, maybe Alt-Country and Americana can be interchanged for both tracks…I almost had you for a bit though.

You might even remember them from their appearance on Daytrotter from 2006 (2006!!!!) that includes “unreleased” tracks at that time that have made it to this album.   So take a listen and once you have the feel for this album then head over to Dead Oceans and pick up a copy upon its release on September 9th!

~Smansmith

Here is an album that completely passed me by but that’s no surprise seeing it’s made by Frenchman Philippe Cohen, dj, producer and the main man behind The gotan project. I mean why would I look towards an electronic french band when looking for a bit of country? Thing is, this really is a straight up, full on country record with no hint of  The Gotan project at all. It’s a bit like Dolly Parton making a drum and bass album, a complete departure from ones comfort zone. Thing is, it works brilliantly. Recorded in Nashville with some of the best musicians they have to offer, Jim lauderdale, David Olney, Sam bush and Melonie Cannon to name but a few it’s an album that is as raw as it is challenging. Co-produced by Bucky Baxter (Bob dylan, Ryan adams) They even throw in two covers but no, not old fashioned classic country covers but Abbas Dancing Queen and the Sex Pistols Pretty Vacant no less. All done in a country style of course, unbelievable ! On the ya basta record label you can download this from emusic or there is a vinyl release of which I’ve just ordered, in my case from HHV but there are other places around. This is my new favourite album of the year because it could easily have gone totally wrong. An electronic/dj/producer going to Nashville to make a record? Now I think that’s pretty challenging and then to make one as brilliant as this I think is a stroke of genius. This isn’t cheesy country, It’s a sad, mournful gospel filled proper country album and every country music fan should own it. Love it !!

What I want to know is why Olly has never mentioned this? Can’t be many frenchmen going to Nashville to make country records, are they?

01-the-academy-of-trust-solal-feat-jim-lauderdale

10-pretty-vacant-solal-feat-rosie-flores

I wish I was… in Carrickfergus ? No : Ann Arbor, Michigan. Without a doubt, the Great Lakes would be my musical preferred state. With Misty Lyn, Matt Jones – I’m eagerly awaiting for their debut albums – Chris Bathgate, Sam Corbin, Great Lakes Myth Society and since these last few months, Orpheum Bell … my list of michigan’s favorites is getting longer.

I’ve bought Orpheum Bell, first full length at the essential cdbaby.com a minute after streaming their first songs from their myspace page. Pretty as You, is both the album title and the intro track. It’s an irresistible banjo soft-ballad served by a great balanced vocal female/male duet.

Burned my fields and the red wind blows
Drowned my diamonds in the river below
Lit my tears and the flames burned blue …
Ain’t none of that as pretty as you

Words and Tones have been thrown… Welcome to the Orpheum Bell’s music world. Labeled as ‘Country and Eastern’, the Ann Arbor  Quintet’s compositions are giving the listener this unique ubiquity gift in both time and place spaces ! From almost traditional country-ballads to gypsy waltzes, from the raspy vocals of Aaron Klein (à la Stuart Staples), to Merrill Hodnefield sweet – sweet and so beautifully placed – voice, for sure, you’re traveling with a first-class ticket !

With a huge amount of instruments ( accordion, banjo, clarinet, fiddle, guitar, ukulele, autoharp, double bass, mandolin, pedal steel, musical saw, and the rare Tiebel Violine, that looks something like a cross between a fiddle and an Edison-era phonograph ), you’ll have to face a real full band, giving to each notes a meaningful rhythm in some delicious instrumental tracks such as ‘Motor in the Weeds’ or ‘Two Over Ten’.
Along with Aaron Klein (vocals, banjo, ukuleles, tenor & regulation guitars), Serge van der Voo (double bass and percussion) is forming  the heart of Orpheum Bell. Serge has granted us an interview. Enjoy our conversation while listening to two of our favorites tracks including the brand new duet ‘Goodbye is the Sweetest Word’  and the addictive ‘Pretty as You’.

YCD : Hello Serge, how’s it going ?
Serge van der Voo : I’m well, thank you……..just gotta say up front that I really enjoy visiting your website…….it’s the real deal and always INTERESTING to read and listen to.

YCD : Thanks ! What’s the story behind Orpheum Bell?
Serge van der Voo : Aaron Klein (songwriter, vocals/guitars) and I met about 10 years ago, we’re both from the same area in Michigan but we crossed paths in Chicago where we started writing and recording with a band called Vernal Pool.  Years later we found ourselves back in Michigan living just a couple of blocks appart.  Merrill Hodnefield (lead vocals) responded to a “seeking vocalist” add that we had pinned-up at a coffee house………needless to say when we heard her voice and influences all three of us knew we had a band right then and there.  Annie Crawford (violins) and Shaun Williams (accordion and reeds) fully round-out and complete the sounds we’re looking for.  Our debut cd ‘Pretty as You’ was released last year and now we’re about halfway into recording a new one.

YCD : I’m really curious – and ignorant –  : would you mind telling us about the band name ?
Serge van der Voo : We were trying to find the right net for our particular butterfly…

YCD : You’ve mentioned the Quintet of the Hot Club of France – with most renowned members incuded Djando Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli – as a main influence. From ‘Gipsy Jazz’  to ‘Country and Eastern’, what’s the process that creates such a singular music style ?
Serge van der Voo : Sheesh…….if that process was to be presented in some kind of diagramatic form it would probably look like a tangled-up ball of yarn!!!  Yeah, listening to any of Django’s Q.H.C.F from the ’30’s  moves me everytime……..then you add all the members influences and that’s when it starts to rattle.

YCD : Which song from Aaron Klein’s lyrics is your favorite?
Serge van der Voo :   ‘Rabbit Field’ has always been a favorite of mine.  For me, the imagery totally fits with the music.  There are some that will be on the new release which in my opinion are just as poetic……..’Pearls‘ and ‘Goodbye is the Sweetest Word‘ come to mind.

YCD : If you could share a stage with any band or artist who would you choose and why ?
Serge van der Voo : Whoa…….there’s so many bands so here it goes…..Rob Burger, Andrew Bird, Tin Hat, A Hawk and A Hacksaw, Marc Ribot, Benjamin Wetherill, and Rollie Tussing too.  They all create music with effortless flow among genres.  I like music that you can’t quite put your finger on….. it’s a good thing………that’s what makes music personal.

YCD : According to your myspace blog Orpheum Bell is working on a second album ?
Serge van der Voo : Yes, we’re working with Jim Roll and about half of the songs have been recorded already, the other half are in the process of being written/arranged.  This one will be different then “Pretty as You” given that (so far) there are several songs that were written as a group collaborative.

YCD : Any other projects for the coming months ?
Serge van der Voo : Matt Jones has a new recording coming out soon called ‘The Black Path’ and he asked me to put down double bass on several tracks.  The arrangements are lush and full with strings and horns, Jim also recorded that one and the production came out nicely.  Matt’s a prolific songwriter so when we play live he has a rock (electric) set but then also his full acoustic set with a ten-piece band.  It’s been a lot of fun so far and we’ve got some exciting shows coming up in the fall with the Great Lakes Myth Society.

Thank you so much Serge for taking time to answer !

Band : Orpheum Bell
Label : none
Where to buy : cdbaby.com
More appetizers : @sonicbids.com / @myspace.com / @youtube.com

I would like to take this opportunity, dear blog reader, to introduce/remind/revisit a bit of Americana called Blackbird Harmony.  While some of you may know Mr. Evan Birdsong (pictured above) and his band – you may need a fresh listen.   A fresh listen (if it be for the first time, even better) to something you will revisit again and again in the future.

While us bloggers like to “promote” or as we call it “listening to us congratulate ourselves on providing great music to the masses”, I truly want to promote this one (I have a sister post over on Slowcoustic as well to get the word out).  While Blackbird Harmony (to be known as BbH for the remainder of this post) has been around for a while, they are fairly new to me.  Their label – Yer Bird – and myself are well acquainted and I tend to get updates and provided with music I was previously oblivious to – a win/win situation if ever there was one.  One such update was BbH and I am glad to have been introduced via the 2008 album “Hardwood Exits” – I mean I actually purchased a CD (who actually does this anymore…).

I bring this to your attention today as I have had BbH’s “Hardwood Exits” for a few months now and think it is a great album that will most likely end up on a top 2008 list of mine at year’s end.  I have recently got my pasty hands on the demos from the album that include some intimate solo recordings from 2007 that were previously unreleased.  WOW, I love the demos.  I am a sucker for acoustic sets of favourite artists, and when you can get them I always recommend them, as they tend to be the blood and guts of an album.  This is true on this the “Hardwood Exits” album especially.  While I am not recommending the demos instead of the official release, it is an accompanying necessity.  When listening to the studio album you realize that it is great classic songwriter Americana, and with the demos you see the stripped down roots of the recordings, the one on one beginning of the final product.  So to get your copy, visit the Yer Bird label and sign up for the Aviary (access to many other artists in the label’s catalogue included!) at a very reasonable fee.

To give you that nudge in the right direction to BbH, here is one of the stand out tracks from both the studio and demo release.  Tell me this is not something you needed to hear.  Go ahead, try to tell me…

~ Smansmith

Formed in Manchester, England by Karl J Hall and Ian Robinson, The Easy Dream draw influence as much from the beat of the American heartlands as the post-industrial rhythm of their hometown. Nestling in Hall’s rough-hewn vocals lie lyrics distilling snatched glimpses of heartbreak, tender flashes of better days and searing social commentary. When matched with the music, The Easy Dream create a blend of troubadour soul, urbane country and bittersweet protest song. In a world where hope is hard to come by, everyone is looking for an Easy Dream.

quoted from their myspace page.. but I hope my friend will have the opportunity to joined those guys somewhere across the chanel, and keep us inform about a gig, an ep : they’re sound so good.
I’m not sure – you know this Manchester accent – that lyrics are recommended for any audience… If you enjoy bands such as Pela, Two Gallants, Okkervil River, Diacon-Panthers and need something that rocks, right-click and download ‘City of Industry’.

We all know that us Canadians love our Presidents, we are the true, north, strong and…er, hold on, I am Canadian, we don’t have Presidents! Now why would I betray my own country and support the push for Presidents this election year? Why for the September release of the 3 disc box set for the Compilation: “Of Great and Mortal Men: 43 Songs for 43 Presidencies” from Standard Recording Company.

To get an idea of the magnitude of this release (I have been waiting over 2 years!!) – you can visit the actual blog page for the writers (whom are listed in this post title) that are the life blood of the compilation. Don’t let names like Mark Kozelek, Denison Witmer, Bill Callahan and even Jamie Stewart ( Xiu Xiu for those who are not aware) woo your ears from the true prize. The real talent for this release lies in the storytelling and writing of Kiefer, Pitcher and Gerken on each of the 43 presidential vignettes. For a little background on the trio you can do your homework here – Christian Kiefer / Jeff Pitcher / Matthew Gerken, there will be a test on this later, believe me.

This all started back in 2006, during the February Album Writing Month in which the FAWM organization brings together songwriters to write an entire album of new songs during the shortest month of the year. So get this, everyone has to write (and record) a minimum of a full album within the month and submit for judging!! Truly a feat if I ever heard of one (although I consider myself the furthest thing from a writer, it is altogether impressive no matter how you look at it). Now, we find ourselves 2 and a half years later and we are getting a 3 disc release with some amazing artists and I am absolutely foaming at the mouth to receive my pre-ordered copy.

So now that you are all heading over to pre-order your copy of the release [hint, hint], let me highlight for you the roots – nay, the heart of this entire project with original songwriting and delivery from Kiefer, Pitcher and Gerken. The three tracks below are the original recordings, so we will see in a few weeks when we get a chance to review a “Before and After” scenario;

There you have it, forget Obama and McCain, support some real talent in ‘08!

~Smansmith

From the title of this post you would think introductions are in order.  Well my good readers, in fact they are!  Introductions for both the writer as well as the main focus of this post – the fantastic talent that is Oweihops.  What? Oweihops? …but wait, let’s not get ahead of ourselves; let’s start at the beginning.

Hello readers of You Crazy Dreamers!  I am a newest resident of this great blog and I am starting my “YCD” life right now with this, my very first post.  Some may know of me (no, seriously, who am I?) from the recent blog roll addition on the front page of the site for “Slowcoustic” which is my home base for daily ramblings of all things slower and quite possibly acoustic.  That being said, this is the here and now and to introduce the real reason you are here…

“Oweihops” is the moniker and (dare I say) alter-ego of a Massachusetts based singer/songwriter talent Michael Metivier.  While Michael may have started Oweihops, joining him in his movement to a “wintery twilight” of slowed down Americana are Aric Bieganek (drums, guitar, glockenspiel, vocals), and Rebekah Dutkiewicz (cello, vocals).  This trio have recently joined forces on stage to bring the music to the people of the Eastern Seaboard.  While I have been familiar with Oweihops for a couple of years, I feel I need to “out” him for what he is – a talented artist, busting of earnest songwriting.  Michael’s first self titled release for Oweihops in 2005 brings a strong acoustic performance to the table, which just might need an “at dusk” open field or empty parking lot to be enjoyed.   While this image may convey something bleak, I like to think of it as hauntingly beautiful at the same time.  This has been followed up with the “Cinquefoil” EP from 2006, in which you can stream a couple of tracks, along with some demos of unreleased songs on his MySpace page.

Oweihop’s music is distributed by CDs at live shows, his aforementioned MySpace page and via online music forums of those in the know.  I for one am hoping for a great label to pick him up and introduce his music to the numerous potential listeners that I know are waiting patiently.  Michael assures me there are at least two projects in the works (a 4 track release and hopefully a full LP) for the near future and I look forward to hearing more from this up and comer.  The two tracks included below are “Tortoiseshell” from his 2005 Self-Titled LP and two demos “Nightjars” and “Murderous Names” that will be “cleaned & filled out” before being included to the upcoming unreleased projects.

Lets hope now that we are introduced, we never lose touch.

~Smansmith

Oh Avett Brothers, how I love thee! Thank you for releasing this EP today while I patiently await your next album being produced by Rick Rubin (can’t wait!)

Buy it: here

I uploaded “The Greatest Sum” from the new EP for your listening pleasure.

“The Weight of Lies” can be found on the album Emotionalism.

Let me introduce you to Mr D, otherwise known as Paul Mclinden. This is his debut album and if you didn’t know he was from Glasgow like i’ve just told you, you would immediately presume he hailed from the sun drenched west coast of America. From the very first note on the opening track fools fall in love what we have here is sweet and lazy country pop at it’s finest. He’s picked a great day to grant YCD an interview as today looks like it could be the beginning of our so far awful summer. I’ve got this album blasting through my speakers, window down with the sun belting through and about to pour my first beer of the day, perfect. I would like to say there are bluejays singing their lonesome tune and lovers canoodling on the lawn outside just to put the finishing touch to this setting but the truth is there are seagulls going mental in someones left out garbage. Still, the music is loud enough to drown most of that out, hopefully more album sales will be generated from the whole of the street hearing it too.

This album has a real 70’s country sound to it with the Eagles being the first band that springs to mind especially on Island Girl, as an influence, also maybe some byrds too. If you wanted a more modern day comparison you would perhaps look towards The Thrills but where i think they maybe found country later in their lives i get the feeling Mr D has been listening to this stuff all of his. His soft gentle vocals are kept at  just the right level to compliment the lush acoustic melodies which are maintianed from start to finish and even the instrumental Ode to Geraldine keeps you interested with it’s heavier bass line, Strings and some great acoustic guitar work. The 10 songs on this album in total make up just over 31 minutes with the longest track coming in at a staggering 3.26 !! It’s actually quite refreshing to hear 3 minute pop songs again just like you did back in the times when albums that sounded like this were around. Anyway, rather than me try and describe to you the who’s, the where’s, the how’s and the when’s of this and other future albums let’s hear it from Paul himself.

YCD – Hi Mr D, How’s it going?

Mrd D – Hi it’s all going great at the moment…but for how long I wonder.

YCD – Ok, might as well ask you now, promoting anything right now or recently released anything?

Mr D – Yes I’m currently promoting my debut solo record ‘Wings & Wheels’ and am in the process of getting myself ready for the follow up.

YCD – So where can we get a hold of this?

Mrd D – It can be bought from all the usual places: iTunes; Emusic; Amazon etc. All the info is on myspace.com/misterdreadmusic or www.mrdmusic.com – to be honest though someone’s probably making it available for free somewhere else online but I’m not gonna help you find that.

YCD – You are from Scotland so what or who influenced you to make sunshine coast country music?

Mr D – Well I think it’s no coincidence that I and a lot of my fellow Scots make music that’s influenced by the country/Americana scene. I reckon country music is very closely related to Celtic folk music and both use much the same techniques so it’s always seemed very natural to me. I try not to sing in an American accent though…

YCD – What are the biggest obstacles you feel a singer/song writer like yourself faces today?

Mr D – It depends really what you mean by obstacles. It’s always been quite a hard game to make any headway in but i don’t let that get me down to be honest. I think as long as you’re getting your music released you’ve managed to hurdle all the obstacles out there. Sometimes when i look at big star’s; their success seems to have become the biggest obstacle. Hard work is the key. As a great man once said –hard work only beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.

YCD – Ok, I don’t know if you are aware but they have recently found an old law that says all musicians since time began are allowed to take any song from anyone they like from any moment in time and claim it as their own, Which one are you having then? Only one mind you.

Mr D – Well this answer would change every few weeks but right now id love to have written Owed T’Alex by Captain Beefheart. What a song!

YCD – What’s your guilty pleasure?

Mr D – Listening to ‘They Don’t Know’ by Tracy Ullman on repeat all night. Winston Churchill used to play the same songs over and over all night as well so I’m in good company.

YCD – What’s your best musical experience so far and why?

Mr D – Sitting with a bottle of wine listening to ‘In the Wee Small Hours’ because it’s unadulterated Sinatra and never fails to impress me. Its one of my favourite ever albums.

YCD – Who’s currently rocking your stereo?

Mr D – Grauzone, Willie Nelson, Sluts of Trust, George Jones and many others.

YCD – What band/artist would you most like to play with?

Mr D – I was playing bass guitar for a guy who lives near me who is in my opinion a genius and I don’t use that word lightly. For various reasons he has withdrawn from making music just now. It’s very sad for me to think that the world won’t get to hear his music and if I achieve any sort of success I will be trying hard to make sure that doesn’t happen.

YCD – What are your hopes and fears for you in the future, musically?

Mr D – My hopes are to be in a position where i can keep making music and putting it out the way i want to. I also feel it’s important that I make a better record than the last one each time. My fears are that someday that won’t be possible.

YCD – What did you think the last time you looked in the mirror?

Mr D – The last time i looked in the mirror? Oh that’s a hard one. I try and avoid eye-contact as much as i can – even with myself.

YCD – And finally, are you working on anything at the moment?

Mr D – Yes i’m working on my next record and hope to go in sometime before the end of the year to begin recording it. Think Billy Rae Cyrus meets Garth Brooks and you will be on the right track.

Many thanks for the interview and we here at you crazy dreamers wish you all the best for the future.

After months of searches through numerous search engines… I’ve finally succeeded getting in touch with the Toronto based songwriter Bryan Carney and above all, get my hands on his double album – a stunning debut collection of not less than 18 tracks.

mByronic have just released a double EP album entitled “Come on, Wind and Bobby Pins” independently featuring one album with full band and another with stripped down guitar, harmonica, organ and vocals.

If my preferences went to the ‘Bobby Pins‘ tracks initially (mostly due to the fact that i’m still in my acoustic, lo-fi mood these days – months, years ), the full band album – ‘Come on, Wind‘ also handles
several great songs. And now, to be honest, from start to end, I won’t be able to choose a favorite. Both are simply gorgeous ! And trying to find comparisons to tease your curiosity is not really an easy game dealing with mBryronic music. Sure, you could note some Bob Dylan, some Nick Cave too… but Bryan Carney has released here is own style sourcing the best of the last decades with a unique sense of the melody… If I can dare i’ll draw a parallel with the Beatles ! And I bet – according to Bryan’s kindness in our e-mails exchanged – that these guys should really rock on stage !

That’s enough for the compliments ! Have a listen on their great music – as usual when album is so good the opening track will do the job – while reading Bryan answering our regular interview !

YCD : Hello Bryan, how’s it going ?
Bryan Carney : Hello Olivier/YCD! I’m doing very well, thanks– it’s full on summer now in Toronto and while my roommate and co-workers are talking air conditioners I’m slowly coming to life from the long winter sleep here and loving every degree.

YCD : Things seems to accelerate around your music these pasts weeks ! Tell us about the new band ‘mBryonic Heroes’ ?
Bryan Carney : I have started playing regularly in Toronto with a couple of very talented musicians, bassist Paul Sorenson and drummer Vitor Dourado and I wanted to reflect the collaboration that takes place when we play by departing from the name “Carney” that I took from my last name when I was playing solo or with an ad-hoc band of mostly family members previously.
We’ve had good chemistry in the few shows and jams we’ve had in Toronto so far and have gotten a very positive response from people, so a new name seemed like a good way to sort of cement this new chemistry.
I chose mByronic Heroes because I wanted to use the Byronic Hero as a half tongue-in-cheek image of an aloof group of musicians that is overt yet playful enough to let us get away with the kind of lyrics I like to write. Its mByronic because it sounds like embryonic which rolls of the tongue better and adds some humility to the name.

YCD : What’s your story with music ?
Bryan Carney : Its hard to pull off hyperbole about music because everyone wants to love it the most, but I’ll try. I think, like Vonnegut, that its the best most convincing argument for the existence of God or for me at least something holy in the world. I can remember the sort of goosebumps and holy feeling I got as a kid listening to my babysitter play the piano or listening to my parent’s Beatles or Cat Stevens or even Neil Diamond records and later Nirvana then Bob Dylan or Leonard Cohen albums on my own.
So that progression more or less gives my story — lyrics became more and more important to me in chasing that holy feeling that come from a really beautiful song to me. So I spend most of my effort getting down and revising the lyrics to get as close as I can to that ideal that hits me in certain musician’s songs.
At the same time I don’t want to neglect the instrumental side of things as some better lyricists can do almost as a matter of principle it seems like. I think that having the right mood and music behind the lyrics is absolutely crucial and in the end probably more important in terms of the final product and its appeal to others.

YCD : Is there a song you wish you had written ?
Bryan Carney :That’s a tough one — I definitely aspire to write a whole album that is as meaningful or as beautiful to someone as say, Dylan’s “Blonde on Blonde” or Elliot Smith’s “Figure Eight” was to me when I discovered them. I don’t think I could pinpoint a song because even in my youth I’m one of those old-fashioned people who mourn the death of the album because I think you really need to sit and listen to the whole thing to sort of get the whole picture, at least in the case of any of those albums I consider to be masterpieces and that really give me that holy feeling.

YCD :If you could share a stage with any band or artist who would you choose and why?
Bryan Carney : There are so many amazing and surprisingly little known bands I catch in Toronto or Montreal that I would absolutely love share a show with and it would be my preference to catch any band early in their most sort of experimental and humble stage — so hopefully we’ll get to share shows with lots of them.
But without a concern for being realistic, for sheer musical ability to share an actual performance with I would probably choose Wilco. I simply love their sound and I thought the stuff they did with Billy Bragg worked really well to add depth to his otherwise more singer-songwriter style.

YCD : What are your projects for the coming months ?
Bryan Carney : The newly formed mByronic Heroes are working on lining up shows in July and September around Ontario, mostly with the material on my “Come on Wind & Bobby Pins” double album and some newer stuff that we’ll hopefully put out on a new album together later this year.
I myself and possibly Paul will be travelling in Europe for August and some musical shenanigan may ensue. All three of us like experimenting with different instruments and styles so there will be lots of jamming to work out ways to keep our live show fresh as we start booking dates again.

Thank you so much, Bryan for taking time to answer our questions.

Band : mByronic Heroes
Label : none
Where to Buy : right from their myspace page !

Just got hold of the new album ‘DAYS OF MY ESCAPE‘ by Travel by sea.  Kyle Kersten and Brian Kraft live in seperate parts of the states, Kyle in California, Brian in Colorado. Now i’ve never been to either of these places but after looking on Google earth it looks like it’s quite a nice drive and i would imagine  this album would be the perfect soundtrack for such a journey. This is at times as sparse as that landscape (I’m guessing at the the landscape here as i’ve already admitted i’ve never been) but if they are trying to portray their distance  from one another and the landscape in between through their music then they have done a pretty good job. Fans of Mojave 3, iron and wine and Dolorean would enjoy. They have two gigs coming up in California at the O C Tavern on the 9th July and then The Scene bar on the 29th. Perfect music for the time of year but then it’s always hot in Cali right?

Travel by sea – Songs of warmth

Travel by sea – Let it all die down

I just love it when a fellow music lover recommends artist to me. Tom sent me a heartfelt thank you for writing about him but he needs not send thanks, his music is enough for me. So keep it coming Tom.

Without even having to ask who he was listening to at the moment, he directed me to the talented Joe Pug. Not just because he’s his buddy, but Tom was right he can really write a song. Joe is quickly becoming one of my favorites and I’m sure he is soon to become yours. Take a listen and if you like what you hear get his EP, you won’t be disappointed.

If you live in the Los Angeles area Joe will be performing a The Hotel Cafe on Monday, June 23rd at 7 pm.

I’ve been quite silent these past months, partly due to my business and partly due to the fact that few albums really fascinated me. Amongst the few, one is still playing from start to end : Come Sunday Morning from Arlan Feiles !

For his second full length solo effort, Mr Feiles has composed and produced the most appealing collection of tracks : from americana-tinted ballads including banjo, dobro and fiddle, to pure acoustic guitar-vocals promenades and through some perfect folk piano driven harmonies. A rich combination where the Los Angeles native songwriter found place to lay his engaged lyrics – album is even including a spoken track ! Here’s an excerpt from his biography page..

‘It is now again time to be tested as Americans. To become the difference makers that have shaped the world today. As one voice as a nation of hope. A Demand for peace fairness and liberty to every man, women and child. To insist on the promise of justice. To reclaim our rights afforded by the good people of the greatest country in the world. The dream is not forgotten. – Still always a dreamer.’

Facing such a talent – Arlan has shared stages with The Band, The late Warren Zevon, Hot Tuna, Joan Baez, Richie Havens, Warren Haynes, Dave Mathews, Bob Pollard, and many more. – I could not resist buying his previous album. “Razing a nation” released in 2005 and re-issued last year is also written in the same vein. It contains the single Sign-up who has been top of the list of Neil Young’s “Living with War- Songs of the Times”.

Once again, I won’t torture myself selecting the single track to tease your ears as each of this amazing album deserved to be listened… here’s the intro -album – titled track.

Artist : Arlan Feiles
Label : Not Pop Records
Where to Buy : cdbaby.com

It’s a strange time when you can call someone you met on MySpace a friend. I would say that about Tom however we really haven’t been able to connect outside of the Space world. One thing I can say though is that I’ve met several people on the net whom I now consider good friends and all because of Ray LaMontagne, his music brought as all together. Tom and I started chatting several years ago when Ray was out here touring with Rachel Yamagata. I’ve been in touch on and off.

Laura you might know of him since he’s been hitting the Chicago scene for several years now. If you don’t know of him you soon will. He recently finished his debut album, it is currently being mastered and I’m really looking forward to hearing what he’s done.

I’ll leave you with a few of his songs from his gigging days. From the looks of it I think these may be on his new album, I’m not sure if he ever released them before but I had them under “Jennifer LP” so they must have been.

Check him out on his MySpace page. You can also find him on Virb. I think you all will like him.