Here’s a quick post but a delicious collection of songs in the slowcoustic genre that my fellow blogger Sandy is cherishing ! I didn’t have enough time to merge more information about Drew Gatlin. But don’t hesitate to use the comments and share more about this Mississippi band.

More songs deserve your attention on The Bear Creeks bandcamp site.

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

I know I know,  it came out in September and yes I am aware other blogs may have written about it, am I bothered? Not in the least, this blog has never been about being the first to post about someone although many times we have been but in the case of Mr Bondy I feel his new album, When the devil’s loose, deserves to be blogged about by as many people as possible as it’s an amazing piece of work. Recorded mostly in Mississippi by Bruce Watson of Fat possum records who has produced for the likes of Andrew Bird and the Black Keys as well as others and partly in New York by Jeremy ’searcher’ Backofen (The Felice Brothers). In fact the brilliant Felice Brothers make an appearance on two tracks, namely When the devil’s loose and the final track of the album The coal hits the fire and you could argue they are the two stand out tracks on the album but that wouldn’t be fair to the rest of it as it’s full of acoustic gems. From the gentle opening track  The mightiest of guns where his slightly croaked voice telling you to see the stars falling down like burning rain that were fired by the mightiest of guns, to the above mentioned final track bringing this fine album to a brilliant end. Of course with the Felice brothers connection there is some of their trademark sound to be heard here but I also hear in his voice similarities to Justin Rutledge and also just hear a later Josh Ritter singing I can see the pines are dancing. This is a must have album in my opinion by a singer/songwriter on the up who I think can only get better and better.

I saw Mr Bondy support the Felice brothers recently here in the UK and I urge you to go and see him on his current U.S tour as he’s a must see live act that will leave you astounded. Also, his new album is available on vinyl and it comes with a free mp3 download so please, without going into how right now,  you are supporting these smaller artists by buying their vinyl so do it.

He has also done another session for hearya which is going to be up soon but you can still grab his previous one here. Enjoy.

I first came across Hush Arbors around a year ago when Uncut magazine put one of their tracks on a compilation cd they give away each month.  Signed to the brilliant ecstatic peace label I was immediately struck by the sadness in Keith Woods voice, it reminded me a lot of the late Saint Thomas who I am a massive fan of and the second  track (Lisbon) on the new album which just came out this week in the U.K  yankee reality is uncannily similar. This is completely accidental as when I saw Keith play a solo set recently in London he said he’d never heard if him when I asked him.

Hush arbors earlier albums  blends fuzzy lo-fi  psych-folk with country but on the new one, which is produced by Dinosaur jr’s J Mascis there’s an added rockier edge to it, namely on fast asleep and the blistering final track Devil made you high but it still manages to maintain the default sound on so they say and one way ticket. If I had to pick out my favourite track from this album which quite frankly doesn’t have a bad one on it, i’d probably go for take it easy only because it’s completely different to any other they’ve done, more country sounding in the style of say The Byrds but you could ask me again tomorrow and I could plump for coming home with it’s chugging along riff and mellotron (played by J Mascis) with the first line ” I was thinking about the country, walking down these city roads, thinking about the space between, the silent and my soul” I love shit like this, it resonates with me.

When I was in London and I saw Keith play rue hollow I remember sitting completely transfixed by him and coming to the realisation that I was in the presence of a genius. He’s  got that certain thing no one can name or put a finger on, the same as Elliott Smith had or Nick Drake, just that something. His songs seem to come from somewhere deep within him very few of us ever reach, the bit where the real honesty lays and he’s bearing his very soul. Very few songwriters do this in my opinion, it takes guts to lay it all out on the line for everyone to hear and that leaves a certain vulnerability, it’s risky because it seems so fragile and any criticism could easily break it, or at least try to. Criticism must be hard to take when you’ve just bared your soul.

Now based in London there’s a couple of dates in Italy and then London at the end of October. Info here

Kindly I have been allowed to put up a couple of mp3’s for you to download but please please please, if you like it go and buy it here, you will not be disappointed I promise you. Enjoy.

For your attention Keith is also part of  Six organs of admittance and Current 93 and has just supported Sonic Youth on a London date.

“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

I first wrote about Tom and the boys here. At that point they had only released a single and were about to go off to Dallas and record their new album. Well not’s much changed in terms of releases since then but I have been informed by them that the EP release is imminent with the full album to follow not long afterwards. These are looking like they will be self released on their A little something label via their management team of Autonomy Music Group So to wet your appetite just a little longer here is another mp3 which I have been granted which was recorded in one of the emperor’s (Bobby’s) living room. In his own words,  ” It’s got a great feel, with some clarinet, mandolin and double-bass action going on, Tom in preacher-man mode and a nod or two to James Brown in the chorus. It’s about as close as we get to a fun song”

He has promised me that the Ep and  album has plenty of misery for us to indulge in though so that’s nice.

Please sign up to their webpage here where you can still get a free download and also be told of any further news. They have also granted us here at YCD an interview around the time of the EP release so if you have any questions let us know and I will ask away.

Finally, they have an intimate acoustic gig coming up on the 23rd July at the Hideaway in North London. More deatils of that here. I’ve not had the pleasure of seeing them live but apparantly these intimate shows are exceptional and not to be missed.

My favourite snippet of information is about them is this.

“You really get a sense that the Emperors are seasoned veterans of the London music scene and I can’t believe they won’t be playing much larger venues very soon, like Nick Cave jamming with Tom Waits playing in a Jazz Bar during a Tarantino movie… toe-curlingly good” – livemusic.fm

Watch this space kids.

I first wrote about Sam here. Since that time he’s been on a successful UK tour and has also now finished recording his second album, close to home. Not actually out for another couple of months or so on Leeds’ yadig records, it’s an album of original and traditional songs mostly about Yorkshire, Sam’s home county, but unless you know before listening which are the traditional tracks you would never guess as Sam’s music is a complete nod towards that sound . Well, perhaps apart from Lonely night at JoJo’s, a song about wanting to be anywhere but JoJo’s in London’s Soho district where it’s full of posing, coke snorting networking types only there to try and look cool pretending to dig the latest scene. Living in Brighton I know exactly the type he means, they’re normally the ones talking all the way through the gig louder than anyone else.

Lay a white rose, which incidentally is the emblem of Yorkshire is a perfect and brilliant fast paced start to the album all played majestically on his twelve string guitar, Stella, in which Sam tries to sum up what it was like being brought up in Yorkshire and his pride of being so, he succeeds.

The pace slows a little for The Lullaby Of Leeds of which Sam says “As much as I adore folk and roots music I adore Buddy Holly and The Ramones too. I tried to write a pop song that people could sing along to” Well with the extremely catchy chorus “she’s the kinda girl I’d like to sing to, she’s the kinda girl that I’m bound to cling to, she’s the kinda trouble that i like to get into and I hope she’d like to get into me” it definitely has you singing along that’s for sure, great stuff and a highlight of the album for me along with the afore mentioned Lonely night at JoJo’s.

A great fun track on the album is The Yorkshire Tup which is apparantly about a massive sheep that seem to be commonplace in Addingham, the part of Yorkshire where Sam was brought up but please don’t let me give you the impression that you need to be from Yorkshire or even know where Yorkshire is to enjoy these brilliant songs because you don’t. I’m not from the Mississippi delta but can still dig the blues from and about that region. It’s the story’s, the passion and the remarkable playing that brings these songs to life.  Basically, anyone who is a fan of old folk/blues that was made yesteryear like Charlie Patton, any of the blind boys Mctell, Johnson etc, or the skiffle of Lonnie Donegan will love Sam’s music. For a more modern day comparison perhaps look towards the like of Charlie Parr. There’s a late night drinking feel to this album, I could imagine sitting in a remote Yorkshire pub with the huge sheep roaming around, a few locals singing into the early hours drinking some local ale and maintaining all that is traditional about this kind of music, singing and playing the way they are meant to be done so. I love those kind of nights which are sadly less and less frequent now as many of these pubs and areas have become weekend homes for the rich. Perhaps there’s still a few in Yorkshire, who know? Sam? I know there’s still some of these places in Ireland where I’m certain Sam’s music would go down a treat.

There’s enough croakiness in Sam’s voice to suggest he’s drank plenty of whisky in his time and had a few late nights but unlike those fakers at JoJo’s, Sam is the real deal, he’s serious.

Some guest musicians on this album worth checking out are Pistol Pete Carlill and David Broad. Both from Yorkshire and can often be seen playing alongside Sam.

For now no downloads available but you can listen to a couple of tracks in the music player until I get permission to put one or two up perhaps nearer or just after the official release. I will also let you’s know when the album is released but for now there’s a few tracks you can grab from Sam’s website too. Enjoy.

I was in New York last week and during my time there, as well as meeting my wonderful fellow blogger Laura I also found time to go to a couple of gigs in town. The first one I went to was Jolie Holland who was playing at a great place called The Housing Works Bookstore Cafe in Lower East Side (supported by the brilliant Ana Egge). I also won a guitar signed by Jolie at this gig but that’s another story.

During Jolie’s performance she invited various friends up on stage to sing with her and as well as Sam Parton (The Be Good Tanyas), one that really stole the show for me was the above mentioned Steve Abel. Originally from New Zealand where he was an active campaigner for Greenpeace and other worthy environmental causes he is now spread between his homeland, France, the UK and I’m guessing New York now too. Having released his debut album Little Death in 2005 to critical acclaim winning the New Zealand best alternative album prize and also  Pavement magazine calling it a a melancholic masterpiece,  he is now on album number two, Flax Happy. Steve reminds me of a mixture of some earlier Will Oldham (Bonnie prince Billy) with it’s sparseness and cut throat honesty, the looseness of the playing  of some Elvis Perkins and the dark, haunting lyrics of Nick Cave and surely you can’t go wrong with that? Incidentally, Jolie Holland also guests on the latter album and with titles such as Sad Girls, Cinders of the sun (Duet with Jolie) and Heart Of Misery you would expect a depressing album but It isn’t.  Sad? perhaps, but not depressing as the songwriting and musicanship is outstanding and not only that, what’s wrong with depressing music anyway? I’d much rather listen to someone spilling their guts out in front of me than someone pretending to be Mary Fucking Poppins, honesty from a songwriter is all I ever ask for, good or bad. Steve has a UK date lined up in May and I’m praying he adds more shows to that. I highly recommend both his albums, talent.

What the common point between :  Robert Johnson, William Shakespeare, Karen Dalton, Jack Kerouac, Astrid Kirchherr , Lead Belly , Alan Lomax , Furry Lewis  and Jacques Brel  ?

No Idea ? They’re all united as e-friends on Howard Eliott Payne myspace page ! Howard Eliott Payne ?

Howard Eliott Payne was formerly the frontman in The Stands but since disbanding a year or back, has become a solo artist to be reckoned with. He has just completed his debut solo album which was recorded and mixed in just seven days on a 8 track tape machine with legendary producer Ethan Johns (Ryan Adams/K.O.L./Ray Lamontagne). It features some of the finest local musicians (including his sister Candie Payne), and self-funded by the sale of “a really nice electric guitar”, Bright Light Ballads is, like Howard Eliott Payne, a unique melting pot of Liverpool melody, New York groove, hip city swagger and the wide sigh soulfulness of the wild open country. Rootsy and unearthly in equal measure, at times raw and visceral, at times startlingly tender. (source SXSW)

This is all i’ve found from a short biography page on last.fm and on its SXSW schedule page. So let the music tell his full story

I can’t resist evoking the name of The Waterboys lead singer Mike Scott after this Come Down Easy listening. With this first solo release, Howard Eliott Payne explores the potential of his songwriting between folk, blues and country. Not sure a choice has to be made as this 10 tracks collection offers through thoses various musical landscapes a light ballad.

Artist : Howard Eliott Payne
Label : Move City Records
Where to pre-order  ? Tower or check your local Amazon e-shop before the Itunes release date (april 20th)

If you are a fan of indie-Canadiana, you will have to bookmark “Camera Music” on AUX TV as they capture some of the best musicians in the wild.  The series is recorded by Scott Cudmore and follows various talents around city streets, parking lots, farm fields and wintery back alleys.  You  may get a bit more “real world” than you would on an official video for any of the tracks, but that is the charm, you get “should I stand here?” or “How does that look?” – there is a taste of the real world before the feature presentation.  Of the artists featured so far, you have Tony Dekker (Great Lake Swimmers), Brian Borcherdt, Timber Timbre, Bruce Peninsula to mention a few. Head over HERE to check them out.

So I posted on Jon-Rae Fletchers’ “Oh, Maria” and I still stand by that this album as one of the most rich and lush releases in the last while.  The album is modern Country/Americana mixed with Singer-Songwriter Gospel and worth an extra listen at all times.  You can check out the post with a few tracks HERE.  For now, see what I mean for the newest installment of “Camera Music” and one of the tracks “The Sound” from his 2009 release.  You might have to wait a full minute until the music actually starts, but its worth it!

~Smansmith

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.

One of my favourite sites on the web is the brilliant Daytrotter. With a huge library of live sessions that they have recorded over the years you can easily spend  whole days or even weeks in there just browsing through and downloading what you like. One such band I’ve come across lately in there and I admit I’d never heard of before, is a band by the name of Cotton Jones. However, After searching the web further I discovered Cotton Jones is Michael Nau and Whitney Mcgraw from the indie pop band Page France who I also discovered split up in 2008 so he could fully concentrate on Cotton Jones. Although paranoid cocoon is Cotton Jones’ debut full length on Suicide squeeze records, they have released a couple of EP’’s when they were called The Cotton Jones Basketride before shortening it for this release. I wonder if Michael Naus favourite animal is a chameleon?

So we have ten tracks of gentle, dreamy, slightly psychedelic pop with some country licks thrown in. Whitneys slightly subdued backing vocals fitting in perfectly alongside Michaels more baritone vocal. I could list a whole load of influenecs you can hear in this record but if you like The doors with a little less trippyniess, Yo la tengo without the fuzziness then you will no doubt like this but as I say there are a whole load of influences in this record. This is no bad thing though as it’s such a beautiful, gentle album that you would be happy waking up to or accompanying your glass of wine after a hard days work. Enjoy.

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/2009/01/17/stripmall-ballads-since-jimmy-died/ http://youcrazydreamers.com/2009/01/17/stripmall-ballads-since-jimmy-died/#comments Sun, 18 Jan 2009 00:44:49 +0000 Geordie http://youcrazydreamers.com/?p=1400
If you were paying attention you would have read in the Sumner Brothers interview here that they name checked Stripmall Ballads. Well being the curious sort I checked him out and I’m sure glad I did. Phiilips Saylor Wisor being his rather grand real name, he kindly sent me his album Since Jimmy Died and [...]]]>

If you were paying attention you would have read in the Sumner Brothers interview here that they name checked Stripmall Ballads. Well being the curious sort I checked him out and I’m sure glad I did. Phiilips Saylor Wisor being his rather grand real name, he kindly sent me his album Since Jimmy Died and the yet to be released Hooked which features Jolie Holland and Sam Parton of all people ! Some of you may know of phill from being the frontman of the old timey band The Shiftless Rounders.  Since Jimmy Died is Phill, his guitar, some beautifully written songs and his voice with that country twang that the afore mentioned Jolie and Sam are famous for, and that’s it and it’s perfect. Like the Sumner Brothers, this is music played with raw emotion and full of sincerity and It’s to be admired. Also the fact it was recorded in in a 90 year old row house in a Washington Ghetto shouldn’t be ignored and given what Phill mentions in the following interview about that place, for me gives this album a certain spookiness, like it’s haunted or something.

Then we have Hooked which is Phill, Jolie Holland, Samantha Parton, Benny Chacha, Dan Whitely and Dan Rieser which is a concept album Phill wrote about his experiences about trying to help a drug addict of which you can read more below. Only 5 tracks long with a short reprise of Your Tattoo Gun Lies to finish, It’s an extremely open account of those experiences, full of emotion and if you’ve ever known anyone who was or is addicted to drugs and all that that entails, it’s an album that you can perhaps identify with.

With Phills permission i have posted two tracks. Freeloader from Since Jimmy Died and The first track from Hooked, On your way down. Here is his myspace, and here is the link to cdbaby

Phill has also granted YCD an interview which you can read right now, enjoy.

Hi Phill, welcome to the Youcrazydreamers blog, hope you are all well. Here goes.
1. Let me clear up where you are from first of all. You’re based in Washington D.C right now, is that where you are originally from?

SM – I moved to DC last year after deciding to return to the States….originally I’m from some non-descript lesser-Appalachian stripmall community in America…….stripmalls are such that their exact location is of no importance or consequence. If you’ve been to one, you’ve been to them all.

2. As you know I came to hear about you when The Sumner brothers mentioned you in the interview they granted us recently, are you a fan of theirs?

SB – Bob and Brian are my spiritual brothers…..I’m not only a fan of theirs, but I feel that our souls are connected on a higher level. We’re all the kinda people who understand the importance of shutting people up in the car so as to listen more carefully to whatever rocking song is on the stereo. Aside from being amazing songwriters, they’re amazing human beings – very genuine, very heavy and very real.

3. What do you think you would be doing if you weren’t making music?

SB – I once met a man in Salt Lake City who promised he could get me a good union job on the Union Pacific Railroad………..seems like good work…….putting together trains………riding out to nowhere and coming back………a pension…….

4. You’re shortly to be releasing the album Hooked featuring Jolie Holland and Samantha Parton (Be good tanyas.) How did that come about?

SB – Sammy and I have been good friends for years. She recently moved to NYC and was rooming with Jolie, which is how i met her. I made HOOKED in Brooklyn not far from where they lived, so it was pretty convenient for them to come over. Both those ladies are fabulously talented and sweethearts to boot!

5. You told me that Hooked is a concept album about a true experience you had trying to help a junkie get better. Want to tell us more?

SB – Well………it’s not an easy story to tell in its entirety….mostly because my perspective on it changes a lot. At times I feel like I was just trying to help someone who needed it, while at other times I wonder if my insistence on helping was more selfishly motivated….like a hero complex or something, ya know? But here was a girl, a professional liar and a junkie to boot who honestly needed help…….and she asked for it………but there were two girls, really – one was her true self and the other was her junkie self….. and i guess i didn’t know who i was helping or enabling………but it all happened over three weeks…..it started with her shooting up in my bathroom and it ended with her in handcuffed to a gurney in the hospital…..there was some swindling of our fucked-up medical system in between…..a stab at rehab….really just a shit-storm of drama…..don’t know why i even got involved in the first place (well, I DO, but it’s rather personal and it’s a story I’d rather tell on stage, oddly enough). At the end of the days I found myself unable to really process what was happening and why, so I just started writing songs about it. It was a very emotional and totally random sequence of events that I felt too strongly about not to share.

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

SB – HA! I dunno…….. “happy birthday.” “amazing grace.”

7. Ok, first non- musical question. What did you think last time you looked in the mirror?

SB – Haircut!!!

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

That’s tough to answer. I have had amazing experiences as both an audience member and a performer – each have their own unique aspects and transcendent moments…..as a performer, I always shoot for being part of those moments where ALL OF US – the listeners, staff, myself, etc – find ourselves on the same page and can share a personal emotional experience brought on by the delivery of a particular song. Shit, I’ve been to church and I’ve camped out with winos and both instances had some pretty moving moments.

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

SB – I just got some RCA releases of Enrico Caruso from the library. I’ve loved Caruso ever since i heard him in Herzog’s Fitzcarlado, but I dunno….this record kinda sucks. They overdubbed a modern orchestra with old recordings of him singing, which is kinda dumb, if you ask me. It just sounds very fake, which i guess it is.

10. You recorded Since Jimmy Died in a 90 year old house in Washington, any ghosts?

SB – You mean other than the ghost of Jimmy? Man, the ghosts in that neighbourhood are real and living! Actually – interesting side note – when the city repaved the sidewalks in my hood all the residents came out while the cement was still wet and drew tombstones on the sidewalk squares and on each tombstone wrote “R.I.P.” and then someone’s initials and dates…..mostly victims of drug and gang violence. So yeah…there are a lot of spirits looming right outside the front door.

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

SB -I think I’d make a pretty good Harold, from Harold & Maude.

12. You fronted the band The Shiftless Rounders. Is that on the back burner for now?

SB – I guess so, yeah….We released an album last year (WARM CLOTHING LINE – available on CD Baby) and did a tour behind it, but Ben (Sidelinger) got picked up by another band as a side-guy and he could make better money doing that, so i guess you could say that our economy has put that band on the back burner.

13. Is 13 songs and Since Jimmy died still available to buy?

They’re all available at my shows (obviously) and I’m in the process of getting them up on CD Baby…but I’m such a slacker when it comes to things like that! But anyone can call me or drop me an email and I’m happy to mail them.

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

SB – I’m looking for a nice indie-label home for HOOKED. I’d love to come over and tour the UK. Know any promoters who could help a brother out?
Phill, many thanks for the interview and we here at you crazy dreamers wish you all the best for the future.

I know this is not a new release but I was kindly sent it by Abe over at 2minutes59 records (Tandy, Tom Ovans) and can’t believe i missed it first time round. The first thing that hits you is his unique voice. He sings like an old country star of the 50’s, high pitched and to be honest takes a while to get used to. However, you soon do as his songs are stunning and also brilliantly played by his band The old soles, consisting of Chris Atwood, Marcus Lowe, Robbie Crowell, Steve Bates and Jason Weinheimer. Country/gospel/soul music that you can’t help but love. There is an old time feel throughout the album which also has a couple of covers, namely Kris Kristofferson’s Loving her was easier (than anything i’ll ever do again) and Johnny Cash’s I still miss someone but you can hear elements of Dylan from his days with The band, hammond organ at the ready, notebly on the track All burned up. This debut album was originally released in August 2007 so I would imagine it won’t be that long before there is another album due and if it’s anywhere near as good as this gem I will be exstatic. If you are not convinced on the first listen play it again immediately and I’m sure you will have a different opinion, I did. Enjoy.

Buy it here

Neko Case, singer-songwriter, the Patsy-Cline of our time recently released her electronic press kit (EPK) for her upcoming album Middle Cyclone out on Anti on March 3rd. I was first introduced to Neko surprisingly off an album called “New Coat of Paint:Songs of Tom Waits”. Ever since then I’ve been captivated by her sound. The youtube press kit is posted below, it sounds like this album could be a top contender for my pick of 2009. From first look we should definitely look forward to some beautiful love songs with that wistful country feel. I can’t wait to get my hands on ‘This Tornado Loves You’.

*Side note Neko Case is also lead singer for The New Pornographers, I had a chance to see them live this past year and they gave a great performance.

The Needle Has Landed is off her last album “Fox Confessor Brings The Flood”
Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis from “New Coat of Paint:Songs of Tom Waits”

I’m going to start off this year with an interview from a band I wrote about here last year, The Sumner Brothers. Last year I wrote about In The Garage a week or two before the release of their self-titled album. Although the latter album has some of the tracks from the afore mentioned In The Garage, Pain, Both back and My Words being three, apart from a couple of A.P Carter tracks and an old traditional song called Yeah Blue, they have taken away the covers their music has obvious nods towards and have added more of their own compositions, Say You’ll always be mine and Two Hands being two but an obvious stand out track being Ticket to ride, A song I could imagine the late Johnny Cash singing on his last album just before he sadly died.

As i’ve said in the past I just love the honesty these guys show in their songwriting and that’s all backed up by the emotion you can hear in their voices. With another release to come in 2009 this band I’m sure are going to mature into one of the best country/folk/roots bands around, If they are not already.

So, If you have received a cdbaby voucher for Christmas or you are taking back a cd you already have, You will not go far wrong by picking up this album, infact why not buy both at the same time and play them back to back while you read through this interview that Brian has kindly granted YCD?

YCD – You’ve now released In the garage and your self-titled album,  How
were they received?

SB – they were both well received……we were a little surprised that our
first album “in the garage” was as well received as it was……. we
recorded that one in our garage with an 8 track and an assortment of
old beat up 58’s ……. we plan on making a string of “in the garage”
albums but i doubt they will ever sound like that one.

YCD – You seem very much in touch with the traditions of country music,
is this the kind of music you grew up with?

SB – not exactly……we’re suburban kids …we ended up listening to
everything……literally …hip-hop, rock, blues, jazz, classical,
..you name it…….we really took to country music when Johnny Cash
started making his “American” recordings…..i think we adopted
country music for ourselves because of the simplicity of it…….we
liked the idea that you could write a song in the afternoon and
perform it that night……when it was still fresh….and that country
music is a lyrics first form…..since then we’ve met a ton of people
performing this kinda music and really started to learn the history of
it from the inside out…..from the storytellers themselves.

YCD – What do you think you would be doing if you weren’t making music?

SB – working a day job and trying to start a business…..i’ve had a couple
ideas over the years……but music takes all my time now……and i’m
happy with that

YCD – When a journalist told Townes Van Zandt that his songs were sad his
reply was that although some were, most were full of hopelessness. I
get the same feeling when listening to some of your songs like Pain or
Both Back, the latter I know is about wanting your grandfathers back
with you. Writing that, was it some kind of healing process?

SB – no…..it’s hard to explain …i’ve never found writing to help with
the healing process…..if anything ..eveytime i perform these songs
it hurts…..so it’s kinda like digging at old wounds….but the only
other option is to forget entirely and that doesn’t seem right
either…..my best friend passed away about a year ago and i never
wrote about it…….it wouldn’t help me to heal…..i’m better off
just not thinking about it.

there’s a difference between Townes outlook in his songs and ours.
Townes was depressed……and his sense of hopelessness came from there
My Brother and I love life……and despise death……and that is
where our sense of hopelessness comes from

YCD – Ok, first non- musical question. What did you think last time you
looked in the mirror?

SB - can’t remember ……something along the lines of ..women are %&^$%$^ nuts

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

SB – o holy night
it’s that time of year and that’s my favorite Christmas
song…….imagine the competition?

YCD – Given the amount of emotion and honesty in your music, is it
important to you that you write songs separately as I notice there
doesn’t seem to be any co-written tracks on either album?

SB -I think it would be difficult. …..we both want to say what we want
to say when we want to say it….we’re both stubborn and wouldn’t take
to well to someone telling us it doesn’t sound right….or it might be
offensive….etc. besides…………..
we spend so much time together working on the business of the band
….arranging songs and rehearsing…..drinking on weekends…. that i
think we’d be stretching it trying to put the time into trying to

write songs together….eventually………it’d be fun to try

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

SB – We played a show in Portland a couple years back …..we were setting
up and couldn’t get the p.a. to work properly ….it started squealing
like mad and randomly….people were getting angry…shouting things
and eventually leaving…….we decided to forgo the p.a. and busk the
room……we just yelled out the tunes……it was a big room but my
brother and i have  loud voices …….by the time we had finished
everyone had come back from the adjacent room……i think everyone
got a kick out of it.

in reality it’s probably just drinking baileys and coffee then moving
on to beer …..working on new songs in the garage with my brother
i never get tired of it

YCD – What’s currently rocking your stereo?

SB - Phil Saylor Wisor – “Since Jimmy Died”
we’ve toured with Phil a couple times
he plays with the same conviction and passion whether he’s playing for
2 people or a hundred.

YCD -  You seem like a very close family unit, have you ever written a
song about each other, either privately or openly?

SB – can’t speak for my brother …..i haven’t ……it could be
dangerous….we’re both too honest…..and we both have faults

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

SB – you should have asked me “if i had to”. …….i wouldn’t want any
part of any movie…..acting is hard work…i’ve had one
experience…….i remember being an extra once when i was a
kid…..it was a rain scene……the only way rain shows up on camera
apparently is if it’s raining un-realistically hard…….and
cold?……but everyone had to be dry at the beginning of the scene
and soaking wet at the end of the scene…. we had to change our
clothes everytime they had to re- shoot it ….they shot it all day
….for like 8 hours….it was torture.

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

SB – I want to be able to play music and raise a family
that’s it. My fear would be that i wouldn’t be able to do that…..we’ve been
told that it’s almost impossible…. we don’t believe it.

YCD -There is a video on your myspace page of a song called I don’t care if there’s a
heaven which when I first heard I cried. It’s not on either album, any
particular reason for that?

SB – that song is almost universally misinterpreted………most people
think it’s an anti-war song……or an anti-american song….or
something along those lines…….it’s not…….the song is about a
very specific situation…..something that actually happened …..that
song.. for me takes place in a vacuum….i wasn’t trying to comment on
the bigger picture ..i wasn’t taking any of that into
account……….having said all that……..my brother and i have
hundreds of songs….when we go to make an album we record tons of
them….then we see which ones are working ……and which ones are
working in the context of the album…..i’m sure we will release it in
one form or another eventually

YCD – And Finally, what’s your plans for this year?

SB – we’re working on a new album……..we’re more than excited about
it……we holed up in a cabin for this one like we did for the
last……so it’s got that sound…. that intangible which really
helps to tie an album together…….i don’t think you can record the
sound of late nights…..booze….friendship……loneliness
etc……without actually being there……not that this is the only
way to record an album ….we’re just happy with it for now.

Thankyou very much for granting YCD this interview and we all wish you all success for 2009 and many years beyond.

As you can already grab Pain from my first post here, with their permission I am just uploading one track here, Just go buy the fucking album here will you’s, these guys are trying to make a living here !!

Every year there always seems to be one or two albums or acts that totally blow you away, bands that seem to come from nowhere, bang, have that !! 2006 was definitely The Felice brothers for me, last year undoubtedly was Bon Iver and The Bowerbirds and now 2008 so far are Blackbird Harmony and a band  I think are about to take 2009 by storm is London’s Mumford and Sons. Within me playing the first few lines of a track of theirs on my Sunday evening radio show over at http://ftlfm.ifaze.net/ listeners were peppering the chatroom with remarks on how much they were loving it and that they were going to purchase their EP’s asap. The man with the infectious,husky voice is Marcus Mumford, a voice so full of emotion that it demands to be listened to but take nothing away from the rest of the band, banjo, drums, double bass, some piano and guitar all make up a folk/bluegrass band that are way way ahead of anything i’ve heard so far this year. Also meant to be a storming live act and I’m hoping they add more live dates to their currently sold out shows they have coming up soon in London. The London folk scene has been on the up in the last couple of years what with Laura Marling, Pete Molinari, Johhny Flynn and Noah and the whale leading the way and now step up Mumford and sons. As I’ve said in the past, I’m no great reviewer of albums and so I’m not going to review this EP, I leave that to the much better writers across the net who can describe how good this band are far more eloquently than I can but, I will always continue to put up on this blog music that I think people should be listening to and getting out and seeing live. I will say however that the songwriting here is absolutely superb but you seem to only discover that after a few listens as you are pre-occupied indulging yourself in their musical greatness. With such an emotive voice like Marcus’ I seriously cannot understand how anyone could dislike this band, perhaps no one will, it could be perfection!

Download their stuff here. Or buy their latest EP here. Enjoy.

“Music with spirit. Music akin to roots, folk, blues, and country, Don Brownrigg is a musician’s musician…”

I’d like to take credit for finding this little gem but it was my lovely friend Chad from Canada that sent me this album along with a few others several weeks ago. We both have a love for music and more so a love of finding new talent that we can share with each other. I had Don’s album on my list of “albums to review” and never got around to it. I could kick myself now for not pushing play any sooner. This album is absolutely beautiful. It is a perfect melting pot of folk, blues, and country. He has a voice that stays with you long after the last tune has been sung. Needless to say he had me at the first chord. Thanks Chad and thank you Don for taking the time to do this little interview with us. I asked Don what song he would like for us to share with everyone and he said for me to choose…..ah the daunting task…they are all so good and I have my favorites but don’t just take my word for it, buy the album. (I’m having trouble uploading a song, will post it up later)

YCD: I was reading in your bio a quote that you are “inspired by people and natural things” and that you feel you are “living a generation or two too late”, is that still how you feel today?

Don: Yep, probably even more so! I’ve met a lot more people and have seen a lot more places since that first interview. I like the intimacy of simplicity.

YCD: Do you write your own music? What inspired the song “About Her”? When I first heard this song my heart skipped a beat. I wondered if anyone would ever feel this way about me. It’s truly a beautiful song.

Don: Thanks!
Yes, I write my own music. ‘About Her’ is an old song of mine. It was one of those songs that ‘wrote itself’. It just uses simple phrasing and chord progressions – but that’s all you need to get the right point across – if you are conveying the right mood and saying the right words. The song has connected with a few people on a different level and for that I’m very fortunate.

YCD: I always tell people I have an “A” job and a “Dream” life. Sometimes I feel that we are all in search of that thing that truly makes us happy and fulfilled. Would you say that music is your “dream” life? If you weren’t a song writer what would you be doing now?

Don: I am living my dream as my career. In a lot of ways, it is work and a job like any other – but there is not enough time in the day when you live your career. I’ve worked lots of jobs but that’s behind now. I’m lucky that I’ve discovered this thing that I can put all of my energy into and I can’t wait to wake up in the morning to work on it. I’d like for everyone to find that thing in their life. It’s tough. Discovery of that one thing in your life means you must take risks and just go for some things….step into the uncomfortable and un-ordinary, something you want to try, something different you need to do, etc. I hope more people do that. If I weren’t a song writer, I’d probably be something really practical, like a chiropractor or a carpenter.

YCD: What songs are you inspired by or cannot live without at the moment, yours or someone else’s?

Don: I am living in a city (Halifax) that’s known throughout the country as being a musical hotbed. I’m fortunate enough to be a part of this thriving community and I am inspired by the talent, vigor, and hard work of the musicians here. I’ve gotten to work on albums by Benn Ross, Rich Aucoin, Jesse Dangerously, Caledonia, and Tanya Davis. Each one of those acts aren’t anything like each other and aren’t similar to my music and that’s what makes this community beautiful and healthy. The support system rather than any sort of competition in independent music allows a person to be so comfortable in what they’re doing because they have such a support system in their colleagues – we know we have our friends there to help out in any way, be it professionally or personally.

YCD: Who has been the biggest influence in your musical career?

Don: Tough question. I’ve always been a very practical person so when I was getting more and more serious about music as a career, my parents could have been more weary but they weren’t at all. They urged me to follow through with this music thing – to do what I wanted – to work hard – to see how it goes, at least. In the early stages, I wasn’t really telling people who knew me that I was playing music, that it was my dream, that I needed it. Their support from the get-go meant a lot.

Also, a little dark and morbid as it may seem. I’ve had a few people in my life die well before their supposed ‘time’. Also, I’ve never thought I was to live very long and I’ve always had this dream to make music. So I guess having those people’s time end so quickly propelled me in a certain way. Make my time count for me, ‘go for it’, why not?

YCD: With all the changes and uncertainties going on in the music industry today, what inspires you to keep doing what you’re doing and why?

Don: I’m not sure. It is tough and a struggle in a lot of ways. Songwriters love and need the drama, don’t we? Like I mentioned earlier, if you’re living your dream as your career, a lot of the tough times can be absorbed easily. There are incredible highs and stifling lows. Each step is uncertain but once you’re confident the music you’re making is establishing a connection, it is worth it. The community of professional musicians I’ve surrounded myself with inspire me to continue. Fans inspire me to continue.

YCD: Wander Songs was released in 2007, is there anything new you are working on now?

Don: Yep, I’m still writing for another short while. In early 2009, I’ll start organizing for recording again. It’s a big process but I’m soon ready again. For now, I’m glad to be jumping in on other acts’ recording projects and shows when I can. I started off as a side-guy so I still have that. I also love to sing back-up and I’m doing more and more of that, on a more behind the scenes/supportive level. I need to support those people as they are supporting me.

YCD: For those readers who haven’t heard of you or your music before what would best describe your music?

Don: Organic, low-key, and created by one young unconfident fellow with a few good friends.

YCD: Thank you for your time. We are looking forward to sharing your music with everyone. I love your album it has such a timeless feel to it. I’m sure it will quickly become a favorite of our readers.

Don: Thanks a ton for having me!

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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/2008/10/27/the-wrights-in-the-summertime/ http://youcrazydreamers.com/2008/10/27/the-wrights-in-the-summertime/#comments Mon, 27 Oct 2008 12:26:37 +0000 Geordie http://youcrazydreamers.com/?p=1068
And so my country tastes continue. The Wrights are husband and wife Adam and Shannon and are now based in Nashville and have just released an album of covers of some of their favourite songs. Recorded live with no overdubs or editing in just a week in their basement using some old microphones this has [...]]]>

And so my country tastes continue. The Wrights are husband and wife Adam and Shannon and are now based in Nashville and have just released an album of covers of some of their favourite songs. Recorded live with no overdubs or editing in just a week in their basement using some old microphones this has been on constant repeat since I received it. They are both amazing singers in their own Wright (see what I did there?) but when they harmonise, man it’s as sweet as some of that old cherry pie these kind of country folk eat. (no more stereotypical commenst I swear) Whereas their self titled 2007 EP has a more contempary sound to it, In the summertime takes these old songs from the likes of Tim carrol, Roger Miller and Steve Fromholz and not only gives us a fresh interpretation of them but gives them an opportunity to show off their amazing vocal talents when the songs are stripped down so much. Obvious comparisons to be made are Gillian welch and David Rawlings or perhaps Thad Cockrell and Caitlin Cary but some of these songs wouldnt have gone a miss on the Robert Plant and Alison Krauss album of last year especially the tracks In spite of me or Del McCoury’s bluesy bluegrass I feel the blues moving in. This is my favourite kind of country music, I love it. It may be an obvious choice to put the title track up but it really does show off their harmonies magnificently. Rewind is from last years E.P. Enjoy.

I came across Travis Linville just recently while listening to my friend Shauns radio show on Totally radio. Shaun is the man behind Gilded palace of sin promotions here in Brighton and recently had the brilliant Hayes Carll playing (A show I should NOT have missed ) Well anyway, for the last couple of years Travis has been the lead guitar player in Hayes’ band and that’s how Shaun came to play him on his show. Before that he played with the Burtschi brothers. Kindly Travis sent me his debut album Hometown blues and his most recent album See you around which was recorded live in October 2007.  The former is a briliantly produced album with influences from Honky tonk to a more modern country pop sound but my favourite track being the western swing sounding Here she stands which is like stepping back in time to the country sound of the 1950’s but he also plays it on the other album solo acoustically.

The latter is just a gem. Guitar picking to die for especially on the opening track new light and lightening quick on the instrumental Doc’s guitar but is prominant throughout. If you like good solid country folk played majestically then buy this album, you will not go wrong. If I was some kind of writer I would no doubt be able to write a much bigger piece than I have but I’m not and so you’s will just have to make your own stuff up, Enjoy

Sometimes when I buy a new album I play it but often halfway through a track will fast forward to the next track and so on just to get a quick feel for it. In Peter Brodericks case I found this quite difficult as it’s so diverse and ever changing. The first track Games, starts with a multi layered choral track which is all Peter but leaves you wondering if you have picked up the correct Peter Broderick country folk album. However, by the second track, And it’s alright, you know you have. A lush hynotic track with just an acoustic guitar and Peters layered vocal before building to a song of absolute beauty, think Jose gonzalez and some Bon Iver mixed together and you are somewhere close. It carries on throughout mixing country folk with choral and classical sounds and I think it works perfectly.

Originally from Portland, Oregan he released his acclaimed debut and mainly instrumental album Float last year which is mainly piano led. A multi instrementalist who has worked with M Ward and Dolorean in the past he last year joined the Danish outfit Efterklang but in that time has found time to release this his new album, Home. I’m still divulging it and have listened to it only about half a dozen times but felt compelled to write a small piece here. Signed to the fantastic UK label Bella Union this is an album you must check out. Enjoy.

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.

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.

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.

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 little while ago Olly, my fellow friend and blogging maestro sent me an email asking if i owned any Lucky Jim albums. When I replied I had pretty much everything by him he asked why I had been keeping him a secret? Well I wasn’t really but the reason I never blogged about him was because I presumed he was an extremely well known artist and probably didn’t need a little blog like ours promoting him. I don’t keep any eye on the charts but when you hear music this good it’s easy to presume that it’s already hitting a big audience. Also his song You’re lovely to me has been played on a commercial for the last couple of years now and this latest showing of it has put him back to the number one spot in the itunes folk category therefore allowing me to presume even more. However, I seem to be wrong in my presumptions, It would seem not so many people know him as I had thought. See, I live in Brighton and Lucky Jim (Gordon Grahame) was signed to Skint records (Fat boy slim ) which is a Brighton label. In fact he was the first non-dance act to be so and I guess because he was a name in Brighton I presumed he was everywhere else. I mean, don’t get me wromg, he’s not unknown but he’s not the big artist i presumed and this for me is a travesty. Sadly, and quite astonishingly, he is not signed at all right now. How can this be? Seriously, what the fuck is going on when a man this talented is not signed? One of the best songwriters I’ve ever heard in my life, certainly two of the best albums I’ve ever heard and his voice is so diverse, rather Dylanesque on the afore mentioned You’re lovely to me as well as others like Our troubles end tonight, Nick cave like on I know there’s a god from his latest album and elements of Leonard Cohen on his previous releases. There’s something about Lucky jim that you can’t quite put your finger on, like when you come across someone so talented you kind of try and work out where they get it from, do they know they are so talented? Thing is I think Lucky Jim knows he is and so he should do. I have complete faith that one day his music will break through to a much bigger audience and everyone will be able to come back and listen to his earlier work as well as whatever he will be releasing at that given time. One feeling I get when listening to this music is that he really puts his heart and soul into it, everything, especially on the albums All our troubles end tonight and All the kings horses, two albums that couldn’t be more perfect if you tried. I could randomly pick a song from either album to offer you as an mp3 and I’m sure you would love it. He has kindly sent me his new album, True North and I’m still indulging myself in it but two listens in it’s just as good as anything I’ve heard from him yet. To me it’s a real scoop to have him grant us an interview here on YCD. One day we will be able to sit back and read this when he’s playing packed out stadiums. I can’t tell you enough how much I love his music and how talented I think he is. I think a lot of people are talented, I think Lucky Jim is a genius, simple as that. Sorry it’s taken me this long to point you in his direction (I’m sure I mentioned him on the Ray board ages ago) but now I have I’m positive you will come to the same conclusions as I. Enjoy.

Lucky Jim – Oh my love

05- Lucky Jim – lesbia

11-Lucky Jim – ode to blue

YCD -  Hello Gordon, how’s it going?

LJ – Hiya,  It’s going fine , stick it in a pot , stir it around , see what happens

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

LJ – I just put out a new album called True North , it’s the fourth Lucky Jim album and the first i done entirely by myself.

When Lucky Jim came out I released Our Troubles End Tonight which was planned and thought out then Let It Come which wasn’t then All the Kings Horses which was and now I’m being spontaneous again . Don’t let this put you off – the spontaneous ones are the most original.

I think the best songs on it are I Know There Is A God and El D’Orado – I wrote I Know… as it was recorded and didn’t give it any thought but El D’Orado was a considered effort and – I think – really gets to the heart of my deeply flawed personality

YCD – I see you made number 1 on the iTunes folk list. Must be chuffed are you?

LJ – Yeah . That is nice – it’s not the first time – because of the advert my track is on . As soon as I get heavy rotation on telly I go up the chart . Of course the down side is hardly anybody actually knows who the song is sung by and I hear David Gates is very happy.

YCD -  I also see you are currently not signed, I find this astonishing considering that I think you one of the most musicians I’ve heard, how frustrating is it for you and are you hoping this changes soon?

LJ – Tell me about it. I have had about four deals now so I wouldn’t say I’ve given up … but I do think it is a strange world we live in where instead of heaping the praise on Warhol we heap it on the soup cans .

Artists do change the world – not for the better – always for the worst.

And that is because they reveal a little more each time and the clever dicks bottle it and re-sell and re-sell and oh fuck I’ve lost my thread…

YCD – What are the biggest obstacles you feel an artist like yourself faces today?

LJ – Ego and the desire for wealth – there’s nothing funny here , it is simply true I am of course focusing on the word – Today –

Because it is a new phenomenon that , an artist , sees success as a very real possibility – and further more I mean artist in the broadest possible sense. And I also would like to add that I am talking about obstacles to the quality of the work…

YCD – What’s your guilty pleasure?

LJ – Smallville – totally addicted

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

LJ – I played a gig with an Israeli musician called Aviv Geffen in Tel Aviv – he was very much a fan and organised a string section for me and brought me on halfway through his set to introduce me and have me play four or five of my songs

He outsells U2 in Israel.

I was interrogated for three hours by airport security when I was leaving the country – I tried not to let it spoil the experience

YCD – Who’s currently rocking your turntable?

LJ – I just bought some Nico , some Steve Earl and some Santana?! but I have been listening mostly to Songs For Silverman by Ben Folds which for me is very up – to – date .

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

LJ – Any artist with any sense would have the same answer as me – and that is The Stones or Bowie . I would love to do a rock and roll album with Angus Young on guitar . This is a serious ambition – I have the songs – I just don’t have Angus .

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

LJ – That I don’t have enough time to Record my songs – when I say Record I mean that I in fact have done a hell of a lot of writing but I reckon recording is the hardest bit – let’s face it that is how we’re judged – not on the song – but on how it sounds .

I realised this when I was sat in a trendy bar years ago getting into Lenny Kravitz Mamma Said album – It sounded great but

I’d Walk Through Fire

Stand In the Rain

Go To Hell And Back

In A Plane

Ain’t to clever

If you’re gonna go to hell and back for a woman – don’t do it in a plane – it proves nothing – do it on your knees

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

LJ – “Yes It’s True – How’s Your Blue Eyed Boy Mister Death – Ah The Lines Of Age – Have You Come For Me – How’s The Enemy? – Is There Time? – ” stuff like that

YCD -  I remember a while back reading your MySpace blog when you were having difficulties with a girlfriend and you stayed in the Abbey hotel for a while. I live in Brighton and know what that hotel is like, sounds like times were pretty rough back then. Better now?

LJ – Yeah . That was a lower point . Highly recommended for those of you who think going without breakfast is a hardship . Then again those of you whom have lost limbs , family members etc may wonder the great hardship in living in a Hotel

YCD -  And finally, are you working on anything at the moment? Tours, new albums etc?

LJ – I am recording 2 albums

One is a double called The Lovers

I have been sitting on it for Ten years and it is my Magnum Opus – I am releasing it for posterity .

Also I am recording another throwaway album ie spontaneous which you can hear demos from on www.myspace.com/luckyjimmusic

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

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

While copypasting Susana’s interview with Ben Sollee, I was checking that NPR List of Best Unknown 2007 Artists. One of them retained all my attention : Trappers Cabin. Best Unknown Artists : Isn’t it crazy to deserve such a prize for a guy who had released 7 full lengths ! Two solutions :

• Joel Nettesheim (the famous unknown Trappers Cabin) is making noise for his own pleasure… and his streaming his own songs on his myspace for his self-masturbation…
• NPR staff are smoking mushrooms….

Well, according to his myspace page views, I guess that this guy is doing music for more than a couple fans!

He’s the crazy old man in the mountains. I’ve heard the stories – he’s alive up there still. One man alone in the mountains of North Georgia, his multiple personalities and voices take over to create beautiful rivers of sound which flow through one ear and proceed to the deep deep valleys of your mind – continuing out your other ear and on to the next lucky contestant!

Influences : The woods – the bear – the trees – the smells – the stars – stuff that matters.

This description is quoted from his myspace page. If anyone could give me more information about Trappers Cabin, it will be more than welcome ! Joel described his music as Psychedelic / Experimental / Regional Mexican…
Well, I’m not sure about the Regional Mexican, but anyway… the first adjective is perfectly matching the NPR staff judgment (be sure they have their daily dose..). Experimental is also meeting my own opinion… and my single wish is that Trappers Cabin will keep experimenting his art, voice and all these arrangements that create such an beautiful and unique ambiance for the 7 forthcoming albums.

Artist : Trappers Cabin
Label : none
Where to buy : CdBaby.com
More Appetizers : @myspace - Download a whole truck full of Trappers Cabin songs for free – offered by the man himself.
Who else could you enjoy : Me ?

I woke around midnight and begged her to shoot out her sirens. That’s the first incredible line on this the debut album from Pete Greenwood, Sirens. Some of you may recognise the name as he was the guitarist for Mojave 3 on their last tour and is also a member of the brilliant poppy surfy sounding The loose salute. “I’m sailing away my own true love” is what i’m singing at the beginning of track two thinking it’s a cover of Dylan’s Boots of spanish leather but it turns out to be his own composition, Negotiations and last words. I’m already in love with this album and i’ve only heard it twice but that’s no surprise given the fact i’m a Dylan freak and a big Mojave 3 fan. Nice fingerpicking acoustic guitar throughout and Petes soothing vocals it’s hard to pick faults with this album. Saying that there are two extremely short instrumental songs rather lazily called A and B which maybe could have been left off and made this a lengthy E.P but I’m sure Pete has his reasons for adding them on there and who am I to argue? I’m not going to write a lengthy piece right now as I’m still recovering from the flu but all i know is this album made me feel a whole lot better than i did before i heard it and I’m sure when you hear it regardless if you are ill or not, it will have the same effect on you. Album is released 25th August 2008 on Heavenly records.

It’s a long time, I did not write a single line about French music. If you were expecting a review from the last Carla Bruni-Sarkozy album, you’d better read : http://pop.gouv.fr. I was thinking streaming a famous Jacques Dutronc song : ‘L’Opportuniste’ (lyrics) in order to illustrate our president attitude these past months… Yes to be honest, I’m not really proud to be French these days.

Anyway, I can’t tell you how I’ve been directed to Oly Arkle’s music but those froggies really rock. I’ve got so few information about them that I’m even not sure these guys are really French… According to their myspace page, the band is leading by Javier (vocal, guitar), while Damien is playing bass and Stobal are dealing with drums. One of their song (From Paris to Barcelona) is available on the Waterhouse records compilation ‘Folks Pop In at the Waterhouse‘ including artists such as Herman Düne, Julie Doiron, Flowers from the Man who Shot your Cousin, Paloma…
Oly Arkle is sometimes named Olly Arkle (it could be useful if you want to google), and couple videos are also available under the name of ‘Trucks & Bohemians’.

Artist : Oly Arkle Band
Label : none
Where to buy : nothing release as far as I know but ‘Folks Pop In at the Waterhouse‘
You should also enjoy : H-Burns, Deer Tick

I bought myself a beautiful 1976 Pioneer pl-510a turntable very recently and my first thoughts when i bought it was ‘That deserves summat old played on it’. Ok 1976 is not that long ago but it’s still long enough and that was the main way to play music for most people back then. Having had most of my vinyl stolen one Christmas eve about fifteen years ago i wasn’t sure what to play on it as my collection is pretty sparse now . I thought about playing some of my Neil Diamond as that would fit perfectly with the date it was made but I then had a call at the door by the postman (Have you noticed how late the postmen come these days?) and he had in his hand my Serious Sam Barrett vinyl E.P which he had kindly sent me, Sam not the postman. It seemed fitting that that would be the first record i should play on my new turntable (I have since been pre-occupied wondering what the first ever song played on it was, something i will never know of course). From the first track Tongue Tied Blues and it’s sliding folk/blues railroad riff and some lovely picking asking where his sweet heart has gone I was instantly hooked. Lately I have heard nu-folk, anti-folk, Homicidal-folk (My personal favourite), metal folk and yesterday came across something called Laptop-folk, wtf? What you get with Sam is folk, Pure and simple and all the better for it if you ask me. From Addingham in Yorkshire, his father is also a folk singer and his Mother a lover of the music of Guthrie, Leadbelly and Dylan so it’s no surprise he has crafted songs in that same style. However, he also has a love of 80’s Madonna records as well as Hip hop and Reggae as you will read in the interview below which he has kindly granted us. Also with Sams kind permission he has given me a couple of Mp3’s for your downloading pleasure but please if you like it buy his E.P (Preferably on Vinyl) form the links provided or from your nearest Independant record store who will either have it or can order it for you. A rising star on the folk scene in the UK and is about to embark on a UK tour, go see him play when he visits your area, offer him and his friends a place to stay if you can as their sleeping arrangements at the moment as far as i can gather is an old battered Ford Escort. For me personally it’s so refreshing to hear music like this still being made. Some people say it’s all been done before but who says music has to progress all the time? Perhaps the most perfect music has already been made and all we need to do is keep playing it and making it in that style? Enjoy.

You can buy Sams E.P from these following links

www. outofstep. co. uk -
www. jumborecords. co. uk -
www. rhythmonline. co. uk -www. normansrecords. com -
www. clear-spot. nl (Netherlands)

YCD – Hello Sam, or shall I call you serious? How’s it going?

SSB – Alright man, thanks for asking.

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

SSB – Yea my first record finally came out in May this year. It’s called the Yorkshire Rambler EP.

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

SSB – It’s being distributed by cargo so any independant record shop can get it for you if you ask nicely.

YCD – So you’re from Leeds right? Do you try and make music that reflects your landscape?

SSB – Well I’m from a village called Addingham originally which is a bit North of Leeds on the southern tip of the Yorkshire Dales. I’ve lived in Leeds for about 3 years now though. Yea, The older I get the more I try and put what it means to be from Yorkshire into my music, that is really important to me.

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

SSB – An industry that favours the bland, dull, overproduced kind of folk music that you tend to hear nowadays. That’s what pisses me off anyway.

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.

SSB – Man that’s tough, as far as non-traditional songs go I wish I’d have written “Prove It All Night.” by Bruce Springsteen. That’s a beautiful song

YCD – What’s your guilty pleasure?

SSB – I’m not guilty about any of the music I listen to that a lot of people consider crap. I really like 80s Maddonna records.

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

SSB – Going from Nashville to New Orleans with one of my best friends was amazing. We spent about 2 days pretty much in silence because it was such a moving experience finally being there.

YCD – Who’s currently rocking your turntable?

SSB – An old Scruggs style banjo compilation on the folkways label. A bunch of hicks on that record like the Stanley brothers and stuff. It’s ace.

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

SSB – I really like playing songs with my friends Mike Rossiter and David Broad. They inspire me more than anyone else who’s around nowadays to be honest. The only new music I really like is Hip Hop and Reggae. To me, that’s the only stuff that has the power and sincerity that old blues and folk records had.

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

SSB – I hope to break even and keep travelling around playing songs to people. I only fear that one day I won’t be able to do that any more.

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

SSB – I’m a greaseball.

YCD – You have a sound that is not dissimilar to the likes of Guthrie, Leadbelly and that depression era. Is this the kind of music you were brought up with?

SSB – Well yea, my Dad is a folk singer too and my Mum loves Woody and Dylan and Leadbelly. I’m a lucky man to have had such an amazing musical upbringing. My parents introduced me to loads of obscure folk music as a child.

YCD – And finally, are you working on anything at the moment? Tours, new albums etc?

SSB – Yup Myself, David Broad and Mike Rossiter are doing a UK tour in early November so check the myspace for the shows on that. I also have a new EP of Yorkshire songs coming out pretty soon. It’s going to be 3 traditional Yorkshire songs and also a song I wrote about growing up around here. I really wanted to make a record that is about where I’m from and the music from here so I’m really exited about it. It’s coming out on an awesome new label started by the guys who currently run Art Goes Pop called Yadig?. It’s sort of a DIY label with a folk/country/roots feel and I’m really happy to be a part of it because it looks really exiting.

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

SSB – Thank you for having me man, much appreciated.

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.

You may be wondering why i’ve been so prolific in blogging the last week or so or maybe you haven’t, maybe you have not even noticed and are too busy to care but the truth of the matter is i had a small operation last week and so therefore have had a bit of time on my hands to listen to a lot more music than i have been able to recently which is about time to be honest as there doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day recently.

Eef barzelay incase you are not aware is the lead singer of the brilliant and criminally overlooked alt/country band Clem Snide. They have been going on and off since the early 90’s (where the fuck did they go?The 90’s,not Clem snide) and Eef has released a few solo albums. His latest, lose big could be a midway contender for album of the year. Seriously not a bad track on this album, Songwriting to match anyone in this category or any other for that matter. His voice has an air of familiarity to it but can’t put my finger on it, i keep thinking Conor Oberst but not sure. Quite a diverse album is this, from the first track could be worse which is something that pehaps would sit gently on a Clem snide album. One of the stand out tracks is The girls don’t care which from the very first note with it’s heavy funky as hell bass line could be dropped into any dance club and it would get people moving, wouldn’t surprise me at all if someone does a re-mix of it, I might do one myself ! The soulful tone is maintained throughout the album but the real killer song on it for me is True freedom, a stop everything and listen track, stunning. Pick this album up asap, i have heard some superb albums so far this year and i keep saying to myself ‘album of the year so far’ but i will tell you hear and now, this one is taking some beating. It just flows effortlessly from one song to the next and when it’s finished you just want to go back and play it again and again. I have also added a track form his 2006’s Bitter honey, enjoy.

Eef Barzelay – True freedom

Eef Barzelay – Well

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

Being one of five boys in my family i’m seriously thinking of getting us all together and forming a band because at the moment any band made up of such siblings seems guaranteed success. We have the Felice brothers, The sumner, The deadstring,  Avett and now The Wood brothers. From what i can gather they are originally from Colorado but they went their seperate ways to try and forge a career in the ruthless music world. Some of you may have heard of Chris wood as he’s the bass player in Medeski, Martin and Wood. They released Ways not to lose in March 2006 and they have now just released loaded. Loaded may not be as rustic as the afore mentiond ways not to lose but it’s still down to earth enough with guest vocals from the likes of Amos lee, Pieta Brown (daughter of Greg incase you didn’t know) and is produced by John Medeski from MMW. What we have is country/folk/blues played extremely well by two brothers who clearly love playing together. Some comparisons have been made with Van Morrison but I also hear traces of the rather elusive Sanders Bohlke as well as Amos. Loaded comes with three cover versions, the tradional song ‘Make me down a pallet on your floor’, A pretty good version of Dylan’s ‘Buckets of rain’ and Jimi hendrixs’ ‘Angel’ with Amos lee. Currently on a pretty big U.S tour and from various reviews are meant to be a storming live act.  It could be a great year for the Wood brothers.

McCarthy trenching it would seem is Nebraskas best kept secret. Signed to Conor Obersts (Bright eyes) team love label McCarthy’s self titled official debut came out in April 2007. He’s toured with fellow talented Nebraskans Mayday, Neva Dinova, The Good Life, Orenda Fink, Maria Taylor, Bright Eyes and many others which may give you some idea of his sound. A mixture of Bar room waltzes, poppy alt-country and some sweet ballads make up the album. I think 2008 could be the year McCarthy steps from out of the shadows of his contemporaries and possibly outshine them all.

I’ve missed the opportunity last year to write about Jeff Dernlan second full length : ‘Broadmoor‘, as I’ve also missed to review his fellow americana songwriter and friend Rod Piccott superb Summerbirds album. It won’t be the case for Cobblestone, Dernlan’s last collection just released this March 11th and I just can’t stop it looping !

Jeff Dernlan’s music is exceeding the traditional borders of americana and country music, even if most of the new tracks could find their cradles in those genres. Two years, after Broadmoor – recorded in a one day session – which peaked at number 3 on the Euro Americana Radio Chart, Dernlan’s music evolved in a richer sound, giving the listener a unique and fresh experience ; for sure this new collection deserves the best ranking.

If you’re discovering Jeff Dernlan while reading these lines, this Philadelphia songwriter has shared the stage with Kathleen Edwards, Todd Snider, Tim Easton, and Rod Picott ! Check his website as solo tour dates are being scheduled.

Note : Tumbleweed is part of Broadmoor previous release… Just to tease your appetite.

Artist : Jeff Dernlan
Label : MME Records
Where to Buy : Best place on the artist website, cdbaby.com and finally Itunes
If you love : Tom Waits, Ryan Adams, Steve Earle, don’t miss this album !
You should also enjoy : Jon Jackson, Rod Picott, and Grayson Capps – this last one will be soon reviewed !

“I’ve always loved the twang of hurt” – Thad Cockrell

Firstly, Please forgive me for the copy and paste of the description of Thad and his music but i’m so busy at the moment this saves me a hell of a lot of time.

North Carolina singer-songwriter Thad Cockrell hails from the old school of country music, the days before Nashville went pop. “There’s no ‘alt’ in my country,” says Cockrell, who possesses the kind of high-lonesome, wistful tenor that’ll make you long for a cabin in the pines, or set you to yearning for a long-lost love. But as a youngster growing up in Tampa, Fla., Cockrell didn’t have rock ’n’ roll or country records around the house. His father was, and still is, a Baptist preacher (as are his two brothers). His first exposure to the pure country sound came from listening to folks like Merle Haggard and George Jones on commercial radio. At home, there was always plenty of Southern gospel music.

(End of C &P)

A real, genuine son of a preacher man, he released an album with Caitlin Cary (Whiskeytown) called Begonias in 2005 and fans of Gram parsons/ Emmylou harris will enjoy that for sure, Their voices compliment each other perfectly. This is what i call Real country music, honest heartfelt songs of love and heartache, backed up by a pedalsteel, violin, piano basically everything you would expect in country music but brilliantly produced by Brad Jones who keeps it all tightly knit together, a pure gem of an album.

As for Thads Brand new EP To be loved, although country he seems to have developed a sound more akin to Royal Wood, some Ryan Adams and at other times old Troubadours like Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clarke, (Who incidentally is now 70 years old and has just released on his best ever albums) and the recently departed genius John Stewart (The kingston trio). As it’s only a 6 track EP i’m only offereing one Mp3 ‘Country of my own’ which is a song of searching for a place he belongs to which seems to hit home given the current political climate across the world, not just in America. The song ‘Talk to the press’ which you can hear on his myspace is something i could imagine Paul simon singing, the comparisons on that are quite spooky. By the way this boy can sing, imagine blending Ryan adams, Paul simon and Gram parsons together and you get somewhere close.

In his own words he is trying to “Bring the hurt back into country music” and so far he’s doing a mighty fine job.

Thad Cockrell – Country of my own

Caitlin Cary & Thad Cockrell – Something less than something more

Caitlin Cary & Thad Cockrell – Conversations about a friend (Who’s in love with Katie)

Just a quickie as i’ve got no MP’3’s a single MP3 to offer as of yet but i just had to write about Pete Molinari straight away. I have just ordered his Debut album ”walking off the map‘ (vinyl) which was recorded in Billy childishs’ Kitchen. It’s Billy’s wife who sings along on the track ‘we belong together’. His new album ‘Virtual landslide’ is released on 31st March, you can pre-order that here.

He has a voice which is truly his own but often gets compared with Dylan, guthrie and even Patsy Cline!! I do think at times he does sound like Dylan but i think Ian Felice has that crown at the moment, he’s almost like a clone. You can check for yourself here and here what you think Pete sounds like. I don’t think it’s any coincidence that what looks like to be the Cover of his soon to be released album is extremely similar to Dylans ‘Desire‘.

Pete is from Chatham, Kent and since reading Kerouac’s ‘On the road‘ and Guthries’ Bound for glory‘ as a teenager he seems to have totally submerged himself in that culture and the sounds of those times even going as far as playing the cafe’s and bars of ‘Greenwitch Village’ learning his trade as well as in New Orleans,San francisco and back here in europe, in Paris..

But don’t be mistaken, he’s no copy cat. He writes well crafted songs which of course given his tastes are always going to be compared to Dylan, Guthrie etc but he still maintains his own style throughout, especially his singing style. Anyway, just listen and make your own mind up but i have say i’m pretty excited by this Guy, just as much as i was when i first heard The Felice brothers last year over at Songs illinois and anyone who knows me knows how excited i was and still am about them. Enjoy

www.myspace.com/petemolinari

http://www.petemolinari.co.uk/site.html

‘Love lies bleeding’ video here too. Very nice.

James Moors ? You’ve surely already heard about this songwriter as his previous stage name used to be ‘Sterling Waters’. According to his sonicbids page : “... Moors now finds himself a family man and the fortunate father of two young girls. In an effort to live more presently and simplify his life a bit James has shed the stage name and relishes a new begining.”

And for a new beginning, James Moors has been joined by an amazing list of renown musicians : Lisa Germano on violin (Bowie,Neil Finn,U2, John Mellencamp and Jewel), Marc Perlman (The Jayhawks) on bass, Ed Ackerson (Polara) and Ben Wisch (David Wilcox, Marc Cohn) on keyboards.

Sorry James, I’m a bit lost in translation these days… Your music will speak for yourself. Thank you so much for this brilliant new beginning. Fatherhood is, on any point of view, the deepest mirror.

Artist : James Moors
Previously released : Sterling Waters
Where to Buy : Artist website – cdbaby.com or itunes*

* Prefer buying your mp3s @ cdbaby.com… those are encoded at a higher rate and you won’t have to deal with this damned protection !

“Chris Pureka’s sophomore release, Dryland plays like the way she enters a room: with low, deliberate airs, quietly demanding respect. One stark, solo acoustic guitar builds into layered swan songs and raspy serenades that resonate with unassuming depth and candor.” Quote from her myspace page.

As long as I can remember, it was while browsing Gregory Alan Isakov website, that i’ve been clicked to Chris Pureka website. I’m sure most of you are already addicted by this unique artist but I can’t resist sharing this recent discovery – better later than never… You can read a recent interview about Dryland her second full length released in 2006.

Choosing a song to tease your ears was a real difficult exercise as the complete album is offering high quality melodies, writings and arrangements from start to end. If you have couple bucks left, be sure to buy her complete discography.

Artist : Chris Pureka
Where to buy : Cdbaby.com

It was about 2 months ago while switching from posts to posts on my google reader page where I’ve subscribed to my favorites audio blogs including Songs:Illinois. Once again, Craig’s writing teased my curiosity with an article about a young talented singer songwriter from Tennessee : Jon Jackson !2 streamed songs later, my browser was already loading the cdbaby.com page for buying the Green Apples album. Thirty minutes later, the precious collection was mine…Listening to the Untitled intro song, I first be surprised by the deep dark voice similar to Sam Parker in an almost spoken word over an acousitic guitar debut… then these magnificient collection of stories dives in the superb and unique melting of bluegrass, americana and country. ‘The Sycamore Tree‘ ballad reveals the powerful voice of Katharine Embree in this fluent duet ! Green Apples, the album title song is flirting in my memory and reach one of my preferred Rolling Stones songs : ‘Sweet Virginia‘…Fly, Comin’ Home, Born to be Blue, Paradox…, those following songs are musically intense ! Melting all those genre, Jon has defined his own Soul music : simply, honestly and soulfully.Since, album is still looping in my library : most of the songs are now rated from 4 to 5 stars. And like all those rare good albums, emotions are growing listening after listening. Not like a good “cider”, but I’m sure like a great red wine bootle. For a first vintage, Jon has raised the top of the best oenologists !With two reviews so eulogistic already written (Songs:Illinois, Herohill.com), I’ve finally sent couple questions to Jon who’s kindly writing me back..

YCD : Could you please tell us your story about music ?Jon : Well, it’s still sort of a mystery to me at this point. My parents aren’t musicians and neither is my sister. And I didn’t start playing an instrument or writing until a few years ago. But it all started with a heartbreak. You see, there was this girl up at the Waffle House, (it’s a shit-hole diner here in the South) and she was just painfully beautiful and I fell hard. But she wasn’t interested in me. So that’s when I started writing songs, you know, for her. It became my way of dealing with it.After that was done, I kept writing and started wanting to record a cd. My landlord owns a studio and I was thinking “If I don’t do this, I’ll regret it for the rest of my life.” And it just felt like it was what I should be doing. So I saved up my money, went part-time at my job and spent a year in the studio. My original plan was to print up about 100 cd’s, sell those to my family and friends, and move on to the next thing. Sort of a last ditch effort before I had to grow up and become an adult. It wasn’t until after we’d recorded all the tracks that I started thinking “hey, wait a minute, I really like this.” So now, here I am hooked on song-writing like a heroin addict. I love it. I think about it everyday. I don’t write songs everyday though. But it really has changed the way my brain operates. It’s really been a blessing and opened up a creativity in me that I didn’t know was there. Emmet Fox talks about how when man creates, he is truly communicating with God. I like that. All the good songs I’ve written, (and I’ve written alot of bad ones too) are the ones that basically write themselves. There is something magical that happens when a song just falls together so effortlessly. It seems to come from beyond.

YCD : You’ve recently wrote on yourspace that “Thinking, now, about my songs, they’re like a tree with distinct branches. each branch of songs was written with one specific person in mind. some branches are simple and small, and some are very strong, and still others are just in the way.” Branches of an apple tree?Jon : Yea, I was trying to say that my songs have all been written with just a handful of muse’s. I came up with tree analogy and used it because it fit with the green apple theme i guess.

YCD : “Papaw McClung” is an amazing song.. would you mind telling us about it.Jon : Well, it’s a true story about my Mom’s Dad. I never met him, but I’ve always heard that he was different after he came home from the war. More withdrawn and violent. The first words came to me one night in the shower and I spent the next few hours writing the rest of it. I remember thinking I’d never be able to play the song for anyone because it might piss my family off. I also remember feeling like I was writing a letter from him to my Mom. It was weird. At one point I had the sensation he was in the room with me. The song was one of those that just kind of wrote itself. So the next day I went over to my Mom’s and played it for her. I told her if she didn’t want to play it for anyone else I wouldn’t. She cried and said it was fine if I recorded it and played it out. She asked me when I’d written it and I told her the night before. Then she said “that was 35 years ago to the day that he died.” I got chills after she told me that.

YCD : If there is one song you could steal and claim it as your own for ever which one would you choose and why?Jon : That’s a great question. It’s hard to decide if I love a song because of the lyrics or because of the vocalist. I hate to say it because it’s so predictable, but probably Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” I have to say that’s the best song I’ve ever heard. It moves me more than any song and I still listen to it and feel it after hearing it for years. Runner’s up? “Long Ride Home” by Patty Griffin and David Allan Coe’s “The Ride.” Also “Sweet Side” by Lucinda Williams.

YCD : Anyone that have already listened to Green Apples album are expecting for more than a single shot – sorry for so much pressure – Projects for 2008 – … will you leave more than a single collection to your kids ???Jon : It all depends on if I continue to grow in my song-writing. I’ve written a lot of horrible songs that I never want anyone to hear, but if I keep writing good ones, then I’ll keep recording them and trying to put them in peoples hands. I want that to happen. I want to write great songs that affect people the way I’m affected by a great song. I’ve got a few new ones that I like but I’ll need some more before I’m ready to go back to the studio.

YCD : Thank you so much Jon for taking time to answer our questions and achieving this superb album !

Hope my enthusiasm and this interview will tease your desire to buy Green Apples ! You’re just at one click to do it. If you’re still reading these words, then just play the following songs and be sure you’re about to discover the best gift a musical pair of ears deserves these days !Artist : Jon JacksonLabel : Serenity Hill RecordsWhere to buy : CD Baby

What a surprise I had one afternoon when I opened my e-mails to read one in particular I had received from Ms Bell . She expressed how she had come across YCD after reading through various other blogs and asked if I could help promote her music. I mean she was asking me? Well it’s my absolute pleasure let me tell you. After a few rather long e-mails to each other (I thought I could talk, Jeez!!) what I began to realize, is here a young girl who passionately cares for her music and seems to want to uphold all that is good in country music (just look at her fellow contributors on her latest album).

I first heard of Glenna Bell when I listened to the tracks be my valentine on Christmas and how i found out i’m insane over at the songs illinois blog and was instantly struck by her unique singing style. In particular the way she quickly finishes the words to her songs, bringing them to a sudden halt. At first it takes a while to get used to it and you are left wondering if she is singing like this because of lack of confidence so therefore bringing a nervousness to her voice or is it because she is making use of a limited voice? After listening to both of her albums Face this world and the road less traveled I don’t think it’s either of these. I think she has developed a way of singing which is so unique to herself that as soon as you hear the first words you immediately know it’s Glenna Bell and in my opinion I think this is a good thing. Why you ask? Well, I believe it’s because you know she can sing as soon as you hear the songs hoping i could be wrong or when she duets on the cover of Jackson and you know she doesn’t lack any confidence when she can write songs like March to me and Moving on, both from face this world.

What we have at the roots of it all is traditional country, bare-boned good old fashioned country music, but when you dissect it a little more you find elements of western swing, folk and rockabilly as well as other spin-offs of the country genre.

Her latest album Road less traveled was recorded at the famous Sugar Hill Studios in Houston, Texas along with John Pickering of the picks (Buddy holly), Johnny Bush (Whiskey River and Hall of famer) and Herb Remington (Bob Wills and his texas playboys) where literally hundreds of major stars have recorded going way way back and in many ways you could quite easily be taken back to those days when listening to this album. A little quirkier than face this world with songs like How i found out i’m insane, Shiner bock and ZZ Top showing the comedic side of her songwriting whereas songs like La casa que yo amo shows her more sensitive side singing about what could be the disintegration of her town by the likes of parking lot builds, shopping malls etc, shattering her dreams of bringing up her kids there and spending the rest of her life in a house that has been in her family for over 100 years, heartbreaking stuff indeed, it wouldn’t be country music if there wasn’t some sadness.

Glenna Bell could be a huge star in the making which is no easy feit given the genre of music she is creating. It seems that country music at the moment is swamped with atrists looking back trying to create the country sounds of yesterday. I’m not going to sit here and say Glenna is the best songwriter I have ever heard and she doesn’t claim to be either but there is something so very honest about her music, it’s from the heart. That along with the simplicity of it, is wat appeals to me and I am sure she will have many more listeners to come. Her music has already reached these distant shores of the U.K being played on Radio Scotland as well as other stations and so it brings me great pleasure to bring you below an interview I conducted with her over and between the Holiday period. Ms Bell did say I could edit it as the Girl can talk, but i think her character and her passion really comes across very well and so therefore I have not touched it, who am I to take someone’s soul? Enjoy.

INTERVIEW WITH GLENNA BELL
YCD - Hi Glenna, how’s it going?
GB - Hello. Everything is GREAT here in Houston. I just got back from an exhilarating music trip to San Marcos, Texas, a quaint little river town near Austin, where I visited with Gurf Morlix and saw his show at the historic Cheatham Street Warehouse, which is a terrific little tin “barn” that is situated right beside an old railroad track and is one of the most well-respected music venues in Texas. The college students were all gone home for Christmas vacation, so the town was so still and quiet, nestled amidst the stark winter landscape of the Texas hill country. What a rare opportunity to see Gurf perform in such an intimate setting!

YCD - Where are you right now and what are you doing?
GB - I’m at my favorite coffee house in Houston: Brasil. I’m relaxing, typing this Q&A, and listening to whatever eclectic mix they’re piping in here today—I don’t recognize the tunes, but I just asked another musician who works here, and she says it is old French movie music. I like it!
YCD - Ok, lets get the hard sell out of the way, what music do you have available and where can we get it?
GB - I have two CD’s for sale at CD Baby: Face This World (2005) and The Road Less Traveled (2008).
They are also available through special order at the big stores like Target and Walmart, as well as at the legendary Bill’s Tapes and Records in Dallas and at Sig’s Lagoon, Soundwaves, and Cactus Records in Houston.
Digital downloads are also at iTunes, PayPlay, eMusic, Rhapsody, etc.
And there’s a new SnoCap store on my myspace page.

YCD - Who are your main influences?
GB - I never really thought in terms of influences when writing and performing songs, so the comparisons made by reviewers and listeners have been enlightening. So far, I’ve heard Johnny Cash, Janis Joplin, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Odetta, Hank Williams, Sr., EmmyLou Harris, Joan Baez, Patsy Cline, and others. I think my greatest influence is the hymns that were sung a cappella at the church we attended when I was a child back in Lumberton, Texas, outside of Beaumont. A lot of soulful singers have come from that little area called the Golden Triangle, including the Big Bopper, George Jones, and Janis Joplin to name only a few. So I suppose that whatever influenced them is what influenced me too!

YCD - If you were allowed to steal just one song which one would you choose and why?
GB - The Jimmy Webb song, Highwayman, because it is such a beautifully written piece about the mysterious cycle of life. It happened to be on the radio here in Houston as I was driving to a loved one’s funeral, and I had heard it many times before but it was the first time that I really understood the lyrics. It was so moving, comforting, and yet saddening all at once, especially hearing the voices of Waylon and Johhny Cash singing to me through the radio from “the other side” and realizing that Willie and Kris Kristofferson are the only ones who remain on this earthly plane . . . and they just don’t make ‘em like that anymore. Not even in Texas. I would love to be able to say I wrote that song!
YCD - Your music to me seems to have an old timey yet timeless feel to it, how would you best describe it?
GB - I think that’s perfect. I really can’t think of a better way to describe it, but people have always told me that it sounds like nothing else they’ve ever heard before.

YCD - If you could share a stage with any band or artist who would you choose and why?
GB - I want to share a stage with George Jones because I’ve recorded a few original duets that I wrote, and I want to sing one with him. I also want to get a chance to talk with him about what things were like growing up in the woods outside of Beaumont, Texas, where we both were raised. Also, I want to share a stage with Kris Kristofferson because he writes such heartfelt songs and is a Rhodes scholar, and my songs are also from the heart yet I am “an intellectual” with a PhD in Creative Writing from the University of Houston’s elite Creative Writing program, rated in the top two in America by US News and World Report. I think Kris Kristofferson is somebody I’d enjoy bantering with between songs in an intimate singer-songwriter venue. Did you know that he will be in Brighton in March?(I didn’t, do now thanks,guest list?

YCD - Where can we expect to see you playing soon?
GB - At the moment, shows are lining up for 2008 in Austin, San Marcos, Dallas, Houston, and Memphis, Tennessee. I also have an email list for my music newsletter that announces show dates month-by-month as they come up. There’s a link to join the list on my homepage.

YCD - What’s your hopes and fears for the future musically?
GB - My greatest hope is to be granted the good health and means to continue on my path in music, to continue to write good songs and to find the right producer for my next album—somebody who really gets my music. Fears? What’s to fear? As long as I am able to make music, I will be happy.

YCD - Finally Glenna, Who’s currently rocking your stereo?
GB - Old Christmas records from the fifties, mainly—‘tis the season! Also, Lightin’ Hopkins, John Lomax’s famous compilation of songs recorded in the field back in the early years of the twentieth century, Billy Holiday, Miles Davis, Elvis, Glenn Miller, Patsy Cline, Ella Fitzgerald, various Big Band artists . . . (I inherited a large collection of vintage records, so the list goes on and on.)

YCD - Many thanks for granting you crazy dreamers this interview and we all wish you the very best for the future.
GB - And thank YOU. Happy Holidays and all my best—
Glenna Bell

Given the amount of competition out there these days, you have to respect any musician who is yet to have a myspace/facebook/virb page showcasing their talents. Elephant Micah is one of these people and it would seem he prefers the old fashioned ‘word of mouth’ method of getting his music heard. He has been going at it now for about 8 years but after I heard the album Alsation Sunlight I still can’t believe that he is not better known and so I am trying my best to get his music heard, by word of mouth of course.

At times he reminds me of some early Experimental Low, early Lo-Fi Smog and the sparseness of J Tillman and perhaps some Elliott Smith too, with the way he layers some tracks so all of those put together has to create something special surely !! Well it does believe you me, this is some of the best music I have heard in my life. If still available I want to get a hold of the album ‘and the loud guitars’ as there is a song on there called ‘Nobody Knows Rosie’ which I just love, got a Bonnie Prince Billy thing going on in that one.

But it’s quite difficult to explain what kind of music Elephant Micah makes because there is so much in there, Country,folk,rock,lo-fi,experimental. These days it would probably get classified as Americana but it doesn’t really matter because what you get at the end of the day is an extremely gifted songwriter who deserves to heard by a much bigger audience.

Elephant Micah has Granted YCD an exclusive interview and also has kindly supplied a couple of tracks for your listening/download pleasure which I am sure you will enjoy.

Please, out of all the artists I’ve written about so far, I would urge you to support this real independant musician who pretty much does everything himself and if you really want to support Elephant Micah then please buy his records and go and see him live. All links to his music are provided in the interview below.

This man just simply has to be heard, please do so.

YCD – So firstly, could you please tell us who you are and where you are from?

EM – My name is Joe, and I’m from southern Indiana, near Louisville, Kentucky.

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

EM – The only promotion happening around Elephant Micah is by word-of-mouth. For the time being, I hope the music will speak for itself, and that listeners will let each other know about it through outlets like this blog.

In terms of what I’ve released recently, there are a couple of new discs. The first is a full-length CD called Hindu Windmills, and the second is a small edition hand-packaged mini CDR titled Alsatian Sunlight. Both are kind of sparse, “singer-songwriter” affairs.

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

EM – I have a sub-website called the Luddite Rural Recording Cooperative. I sell my music there as well as a lot of other people’s self-releases. Here’s the link: www.lrrc.elephantmicah.com. I try to make this stuff available through other mailorders as well. (Time-Lag, Boa Melody Bar, Norman Records, and Fusetron each carry some Elephant Micah titles.)

YCD – I think some of your music reminds me of the likes of Low and even some early Smog. Do you think this is a fair comment?

EM – ’m not an expert on either of those bands. It’s probably a comparison worth thinking about though. Maybe you’re responding to the subdued singing style. I can identify with their vocal sounds. They seem quiet but not breathy… not restrained sounding. So I wouldn’t mind being in that school of singers, as opposed to the whisperers or the belters.

YCD – After speaking with you before you mentioned you had played in my hometown of Brighton in the U.K, Firstly what do you remember of Brighton and Secondly, are you planning on touring again soon anywhere in the world?

EM – The show promoter took me on the Crazy Mouse rollercoaster. It was excellent.

A few years later, I was surprised to see an identical Crazy Mouse at the Kentucky State Fair. Anyway, it’s not the same without the sense that you might be plunged into the ocean.

I’ve done lots of tours over the years, almost completely on a do-it-yourself basis. I’m less tolerant of it now—I prefer either to have an audience or to be paid. At least one or the other. These things are hard to come by on self-booked tours. So, it’s hard to find the right opportunities to “gig,” as you say in England. I’m always on the lookout, though.

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

EM – Well, not literally.

I keep thinking about Jackson Browne’s “Before the Deluge,” though. It never ceases to speak to this post-back-to-the-land existence.

Plus, it rocks.

YCD – With so many new genres cropping up all the time now how would you best describe your music?

Are new genres cropping up, or is it just new genre names? I honestly don’t know. But I’d say that the way we are subdividing and sub-subdividing music has a lot more to do with extra-musical social signals than actual sound values. Basically, we “package” music to create the experience of distinctiveness whether or not the music is substantially distinctive.

Hopefully what makes my music distinctive is not its genre or style but its content and meaning.

Maybe if I had to invent a classification for Elephant Micah I’d do so by grafting “recordist” onto the old singer-songwriter designation. The self-recording process is a major part of what’s made Elephant Micah what it is, so maybe I can call it recordist-singer-songwriter music.

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

EM – I’d like to make Elephant Micah a viable listener supported entity. I’m thrilled by the enthusiastic response to my music over the past eight years, but it remains a struggle to record, release, and distribute the recordings effectively. Things are moving at a snail’s pace, but I hope that the merits of the music will continue to attract people in spite of its low media visibility. I also have to hope that new listeners will recognize Elephant Micah as dependent on grassroots support, and will take an active personal interest in contributing through buying recordings or donating for downloaded music, as well as through spreading the word about my music to other music fans.

YCD – Finally, I notice you don’t have a myspace page yet you have released quite a lot of stuff. Is this because like me, you find it’s no longer a platform for new music and has been hijacked by the big music companies and their artists or is it just because you can’t be bothered?

EM – I just really can’t stand the word “myspace.”

Another slice of Alt-Country from yes, you guessed it Portland Oregon, the mecca it would seem of the Alt-Country-Americana world. I’m surprised they haven’t been picked up yet on any blogs. Dolorean make dreamy sounding Alt-Country which will have you staring out of rain lashed windows for hours dreaming of a better place. They have released three albums already but I have to admit I’ve only recently just heard about them through my friend Shaun, at Gilded palace of sin in Brighton, after his recomendation of the album ‘you can’t win’ which is their latest of the three. It is an album of lush sounds similar to the likes of Justin Rutledge, Damien Jurado, Denison witmer as well as other established Alt-Country acts such as Richmond Fontaine. Sadly I missed their Brighton gig recently as I was otherwise engaged seeing Ray LaMontagne at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

In my opinion Dolorean are as good as anything coming out of the Alt -Country scene right now and it’s criminal that they are being overlooked. Give them a chance, I’m sure you will be pleasantly surprised.

In a recent post, I thought I had toured the 2007 Swedish scene. But some brilliant artists are left to be discovered, some extraordinary songs are left to be heard then to be sung…

Old Lost John is the musical project of Swedish songsmith  Tomas Thunberg. After taking part in the FAWM project… composing 14 tracks in the 28 days of February, he also released his second full length sooner this year : ‘The Ghost of Calder Mountain‘. Described as “Dark americana folk with a slightly traditional touch” Thundberg has this unique ubiquity gift allowing you to fly over the mediterranean and reaching the higher plains of Montana at the same time. This guy is the meeting of two genious artists Leonard Cohen and Knut Hamsun.. Sure, many of you will ban me forever to join together such talents opposed by history. But I hope listening to the following song, Thomas recently published on his website will change your mind…

Well… Check his website, couple tracks from his FAWM performance could be download.