Benjamin Francis Leftwich by http://www.photographybypip.co.uk/

I landed on Benjamin Francis Leftwich myspace page while listening to his song “More than Letters”definitely one of the most brilliant track on  the Communion compilation record.
Benjamin Francis Leftwich is a 20 year old talented english songwriter from York. He’s first EP “A Million Miles Out” will be released in the early days of this fall produced by Ian Grimble (Manic Street Preachers, Travis, Texas). It will be followed by a full length on March 2011. Yes, I know, I’m not late on this one… but pay attention to the following songs, and I guess you’ll add those two dates on your own calendar.

Artist : Benjamin Francis Leftwich.
Photography :
Who else to enjoy ? Andy Whittle

Hello dreamers.

It’s been a long long time since I have posted anything. Never enough hours in the day it seems…work, eat, listen to music, sleep. Repeat…..but I had to make a little time to tell you all Nathaniel Rateliff’s new album “In Memory of Loss” was released today…and trust me, it is a stunner. I purchased it this morning and I have been obsessively playing it over and over. Love at first listen.

I have Olly to thank for sharing this wonderfully talented artist with me. He blogged about Nathaniel on YCD here last year.

I had the pleasure of seeing Nathaniel live a few weeks back opening for The Low Anthem here in Chicago and I was completely blown away. My only complaint was that the set was too short. I wanted him to play all night! I’m pretty excited I will get to see him again so soon opening for The Tallest Man On Earth in May. Do check out his tour dates and see if he is in your town. Really, you have to see this guy live. His band is amazing too.

Below is a video of Nathaniel performing “Boil & Fight” which is on his new album. I’ve watched this one at least 15 times in the last few days. Yep, I’m hooked.

Nathaniel Rateliff “Boil & Fight” from Yours Truly on Vimeo.

Purchase In Memory of Loss: iTunes – Amazon

Purchase Desire and Dissolving Men: iTunes – Amazon

(Also check out his wonderful Daytrotter Session)

Below I have uploaded one track from his new album, and one from “Desire and Dissolving Men”

It’s an absolute cracker !

With no doubt, the best album, 2010 gifted me is ‘Simple Hearts’ the first full length from the young Seattle band Washington Mile.
Chris Wise & Torry Anderson are distillating all along these 12 tracks collection a mixture that merge the best of Rock’n Roll and Folk. Tons of stuff should been said about this album but as usual i’m running against time and to sum up I would say  their music is a big fresh breeze I was waiting for.

Band : Washington Mile
Where to Buy : cdbaby.com

I first wrote about Essie here and have been keeping a close eye on her career since then. I recently contacted her in regards to playing a show for us here in Brighton (Drifter Promotions) and we got talking about her new album, Until The Light Of Morning which she then kindly sent me. To quote Essie from her liner notes she writes “This record is made for every parent and every baby(and anyone else) who needs to rest and head off into the land of sleep. The record is designed to unwind itself as it goes along, as the music becomes softer and more relaxed, eventually becoming as instrumental as the heartbeat”

It’s easy to think having read that this album is perhaps one dimensional with regard to it’s target audience, but I have no children, am single yet find myself completely submerged in it. It leaves me with a feeling of complete safety, of comfort, of peace. It’s as though when I play it, it wraps it’s arms around me and lets me into it’s mystical world, leaving me with a sense of wonder and hope . There is an ethereal quality to all of Essie’s music, so delicate and fragile that you don’t want to even move when you’re listening to it in case you break the magical spell it seems to cast upon you. It’s stunning! Her voice alone is enough to keep you enthralled, it’s so controlled and intimate with long, drawn out notes reaching right inside of you. As I say, it’s stunning, it’s a beautiful gift that she shares with us all.

To me, you have to listen to this whole album in one sitting and in the correct running order because it flows into one body of work rather than eight separate lullabies. Not only that but your day’s ill’s and woes will have been completely washed away for another time, this is therapy of the very best kind. Buy it!

No mp3 to download as yet because as I said, there is no single release from it, it’s one body of work and so one single track wouldn’t do it justice. However, her amazing daytrotter session has just been uploaded and I urge you to go and download it immediately and you can also listen to a couple of tracks here too.

03 – Essie Jain – Falling Asleep by The Lonesome Drifter

Enjoy.

Salut à tous… Hope you’ve spent a great summer, autumn and winter time.
Here’s a simple alert for announcing the upcoming album from my favorite texan Doug Burr. “O Ye Devastator” his 3rd full length will be released the 4th of May ! In the meantime, here is a free track !

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

Another installment of the Song o’ Day series I have been indulging in this last couple of months, hope you all like the fast blast of one track hits.  Well, hits in my books…

Today we have Mason Lindahl and his incredible guitar work.  He just happens to craft a song around his display of delicate acoustic guitar playing.  He is new to me but apparently well known for being quite the “finger picker” and I am inclined to agree.  There is a juxtaposition in this track though – you have delicate fretwork, but you also get coiled energy – this isn’t your daddy’s classically trained guitar work friends.  I guess this is why the words Alternative and Folk were used by IODA (even if both words are bastardized versions of what they once were, but I digress…).  There is just something about this track, I get the feeling there is more than just a song in this song…ya know?

Enjoy the title track from the recently released “Serrated Man Sound” album, it is worth multiple spins folks.

~~~

Mason Lindahl
“Serrated Man Sound” (mp3)
from “Serrated Man Sound”
(Porter Records)

More On This Album

Visit Mason Lindhal on MySpace below

~Smansmith

]]> http://youcrazydreamers.com/2009/10/24/song-o-day-serrated-man-sound-by-mason-lindahl/feed/ 4 http://youcrazydreamers.com/2009/10/15/hush-arbors-yankee-reality/ http://youcrazydreamers.com/2009/10/15/hush-arbors-yankee-reality/#comments Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:32:46 +0000 Geordie http://youcrazydreamers.com/?p=2538
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 [...]]]>

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.

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

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

Buy at iTunes Music Store
More On This Album

~~~

~Smansmith

Another installment of “Song o Day” for you folks – and yes, another winner from the Great White North (or Canada as I know it).  This time we have the title track from the upcoming album “Burnout” that is due out on November 10th.

OX’s previous album (American Lo Fi) was considered a bit of a tour de force of the indie stoners – huh?  Yeah, described as “weed infused” it was a pretty decent hit across Canada’s College/University radio scene.  While I tend to shy away from describing music by indicating an intoxicant of sorts is needed to enjoy (because it isn’t) – the new album obviously is following the theme with a title like “Burnout”.  They have brought a bit of country folk into the fold from the sound of the below track and I even though I enjoy the previous work, I like the direction of the mellowed out, day after vibe that this crew are putting forth.

“Burnout” – OX, from 2009’s “Burnout” album – due November 10th

You can always swing by their Website or visit iTunes for a copy of American Lo Fi HERE.

~Smansmith

p.s.  If you like this track, swing on by my Slowcoustic post for a bit of back story on OX!

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

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

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

~~~

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

~Smansmith

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

I think sometimes you have to challenge yourself as a listener to explore other genres or sounds and give them enough time to grow, not be put off by first listens or bad reviews. Not that has happened to Nurses as far as I can gather but it is certainly an album that requires more than one listen, in fact takes quite a few if only to ‘hear’ it properly as there’s so much going on. What strikes you first is the swirling vocal harmonies which are prominent throughout the album but after more listens you start concentrating more on the electronics or the piano which I read somewhere give the impression that the band are evolving as you listen and this is true, it’s ever changing but not too much so you lose interest, in fact the more listens you give it the more brilliance you find in it, I think they’ve created a masterpiece. It’s impossible to put this kind of music under any genre as it covers many, folk, Psychedelia, alt-country and pop, in fact it’s the pop side of it that I find works brilliantly, take a listen and see what you think.   Signed to the brilliant dead oceans label they are often compared to the likes of animal collective, yeasayer and Sunset Rubdown  but I hear a little bit of The Low Anthem in there too. They’re currently on a huge U.S tour, go see them. Available as a download, cd and vinyl either from Dead Oceans or your local independant record store. The mp3 available here you can also grab along with another one on the dead oceans website. Enjoy.

Bahamas (or Afie Jurvanen) is a bit of a workhorse in Canadian Music.  He has played with everyone, both behind the scenes on albums and on tours and everywhere else musicians find home.  Well, Bahamas is bringing himself to the forefront and in good fashion as well.  The new album “Pink Strat” is a collection of honest (but fun) singer-songwriter tracks with a bit of the rolling plains of Canadian prairie indie country folk.   He is a guy who just seems like the real deal, he clearly has talent and sings songs within himself and with all of himself.  After listening to “Pink Strat” a few times, he seems like the guy you wanna know at a party and would casually gain the focus of the crowd and end up leaving at the end of the night with the crowd as both his fans and friends.  That sure seems like a lot coming from a guy who hasn’t met him…  Well maybe I might have to rush the stage when he swings through Calgary with Amy Millan on October 20th during his album tour that basically starts tonight at the Hillside Festival in Guelph Ontario.  Catch him if you can!

Take a listen to “Already Yours” from the new album, which incidentally was the iTunes song of the week (iTunes Canada I believe) – so good on ‘em.

“Already Yours” – Bahamas – from 2009’s “Pink Strat”

Visit Bahamas on MySpace (full tour dates) and on Nevado Records here in Canada!
Pick up a copy or find links to purchase over on Nevado HERE.

~Smansmith

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

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

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

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

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

New song from upcoming album “Born Again” MySpace

Watch the full concert at baeblemusic.com

**This is a mirrored post from over on Slowcoustic.com – (because I know Olly loves this guy!).
The downloads included are a higher bit-rate over here as well!!

“The heart of a cur keeping time with her bedroom eyes.” ~JLL

The upcoming album from Jeffrey Luck Lucas entitled “The Lion’s Jaw” should be out any second and from the few tracks I have heard it is going to be another incredible album.  This is a top album in the “looking forward to in 2009″ for me and am glad it is about to surface.  Why this guy isn’t more famous, is beyond me.

Yes, I am being purposefully vague about the release date for the new album as it has not “officially” been set yet, but I have good authority that it will be available within the next couple of weeks.  The music industry can be an enigma in itself and a lowly music blogger simply wants the end product of a great album.  This particular great album cannot get here fast enough.  If anyone is familiar with Jeffrey Luck Lucas you will know that there is a theme/feeling/aura surrounding the work of Lucas: one of solitude, trying times and ultimately a mixture of hope amongst bleak times.  In going back and forth with Lucas (as you will see below in the interview), he is conscious of this mystique he conjures with his talent.  One that draws me like a moth to a flame, not blindly, but just something that consistently brings fulfilling music – not the one hit wonders or smash and grab singles that circle the world of music these days.

Lucas has 2 previous albums to date of which both come highly recommended for lovers of the sombre almost Americana crowd.  I say almost as his music floats around many genres but doesn’t make its home in anything specific – It has essence of a Matthew Ryan’s melancholy, Leonard Cohen’s storytelling and delivery.  I used those two artists as one brings to mind a mature established performer with the other bringing something more modern down-tempo, the blending of it all gives you a great idea of what Jeffrey Luck Lucas provides.  Another way to put it is to let you know the titles of the two previous album “Hell Then Divine” and “What We Whisper”.  So you get an aching performance of the down trodden with that glimmer of redemption only moments away (all the while being aware of oneself and being awake to some humour of it all).

Well, if I can say one thing, it is “The Lion’s Jaw” is going to be another notch on this troubadour’s belt and should make it’s way to your collection…soon.  Let’s dig into a bit of “Q & A” with Jeffrey Luck Lucas.

~~~

1. Who is Jeffrey Luck Lucas – introduce yourself to our readers – and is “Luck” really your middle name?

“Luck” is as real a name as any of mine, in my opinion, though I wasn’t born with it. I was christened with the name around a pool table in a great long-lost dive bar. It had a nice ring to it so I let it stick. I don’t know how to introduce myself. Maybe we’ll let the music do the introducing? I mean, it’s all there.

2. We are big fans here at Slowcoustic/You Crazy Dreamers and me especially as I am a jokingly described as a fan of “sad bastard music” – is this how you would describe your music?

Thank you… I do appreciate the support and encouragement to keep doing the dirty work. Though I do encourage others getting dirty with me.

I would say that the music is created by a sad bastard, but it isn’t all sad (and neither is the bastard). I think there’s a lot of beauty and humor drifting alongside all the emotional wreckage and debris. Not to mention sex and violence.

I think as more recordings surface the story will become more complete. It is definitely a living voyage that just happened to begin with a funeral march.

3. Now releasing your third album “The Lion’s Jaw” – When is it being released, where can we get it?

THE LION’S JAW will be released soon, this month I believe. It has been horribly delayed. The only bright side being that I’ve basically finished the fourth album (which I’m really really excited about) and that should be coming out this year as well. I don’t have a title yet, unfortunately.

You should be able to get THE LION’S JAW soon on iTunes and other online electronic distributors. We will also be doing a limited run of vinyl and CDs that will be personalized, numbered, etc. And it will have it’s own European label/release as well.

4. What were some of the things that lead to or assisted in the creation of the new album?

A sense of growing strength. An ability to face the present with clear vision. Working through an emotional backlog. Being comfortable in the skin of the night. Giving-up black and white ideals. Coming to terms with never coming to terms. Eroticism and passion in the midst of hell. And new sources of inspiration from my friends and loved ones. From their music. And Desmond Shea’s co-vision… his ability to find diamonds in my bullshit. [please edit this at will]

I really view THE LION’S JAW as a door. It marks the end and the beginning, depending on which way you’re heading.

5. You are more than a “guy with a guitar” – you are known as a trained composer & cellist, how do these integrate into your albums?

I tried to plaster as much of my self and my vision as I could on these records. I love doing arrangements and playing any and every thing I can. I record demos for every song, playing all the instruments. I learn so much from doing that. BUT… now I’ve found some guys who’ve living the music with me… and they’re bringing something… so I think the next records will be a little less claustrophobic… more accessible in a purely collaborative/spiritual way. Jesus, did I just write that?

6. Any upcoming shows, festivals that you are appearing at – where can we see ya?

Well, we’ve been working hard to get a strong band that can handle the music, so you should be seeing us over the next few months. You have to let the record simmer for awhile before you go out to lose money in support of it. Seriously, though, we’ll be in Europe late Fall/Winter and start from there.

I’ll also have a pretty full schedule playing cello and other things with other artists like KIRA LYNN CAIN and JAMES FINCH JR. this Summer and Fall.

7. Who are artists that you have toured/worked with that have influenced you?

TINDERSTICKS, JOHN DOE, ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO, THE WILLARD GRANT CONSPIRACY come to mind, as far as artists I’ve shared the stage with. My bandmates, JUSTIN FRAHM and JAMES FINCH JR. are amazing songwriters, along with KIRA LYNN CAIN. SEAN COLEMAN (now of Dublin, Ireland) is an amazing musician and an inspiration. And we wouldn’t be here talking if it weren’t for DESMOND SHEA, producer, engineer, 5th Beatle, etc. I’m probably missing a dozen or so. What the hell…

As far as influences that I haven’t had a chance to work with or share the stage with, I would say LOU REED, SERGE GAINSBOURG, SCOTT WALKER, NICK DRAKE, NICK CAVE, LEONARD COHEN, JOHNNY CASH, LAMBCHOP, IGGY POP, ITALIAN FILM MUSIC, etc. etc.

~~

There you have the great insight of JLL and please consider frequenting his sites to find the new album once released.  Prior to that, you can pick up a copy of “What We Whisper” (iTunes and CD Baby) and “Hell Then Divine” (iTunes and CD Baby).
You can also visit Mr. Lucas over on his Website and his MySpace page for updates on the new album.

~Smansmith

One of the most anticipated releases for this year is the new Bowerbirds album “Upper Air”.  The album is being released this July 6th (UK first!) and July 7th (US, and I presume Canada) from the Dead Oceans label.

The album is another winner (yes we all know the album is making turns here and there lately), but this is an album that warrants a “collection” perspective.  The band is clearly great, every album they have released from “Danger At Sea (EP)”, to “Hymns for a Dark Horse” to the upcoming “Upper Air” have been stellar – a feat for any band to consistently release well above average albums.  I personally think their “Hymns…” album is one of the best of the decade and this album is catching up quickly.  The lead off promo single “Northern Lights” is phenomenal sing along track, with the newest track released from the album “Beneath Your Tree” being a combination performance of Phil Moore and Beth Tacular’s lead vocals which builds on the traditional Bowerbirds sound with accordion and that foot stomping beat (a la Matt Damron recently) that you recognize immediately.   The rest of the album follows suit with additional stand outs including a great selection of their organic slower acoustic tracks like “Bright Future” and “Silver Cloud” and “Teeth”.  Well there is still the eclectic “Crooked Lust” with a bit of finger picking guitar…and then….well, you get my point.

Highly recommended and a must have in any collection.

Listen/download:

“Beneath Your Tree”
“Northern Lights”

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

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

~Smansmith

Well I just got more excited than a 5-year old on Christmas morning. Stalking, err lurking on J. Tillman’s myspace today I was greeted with this news from his blog:

The new record, “Year In The Kingdom”, will be out in Sept. through Western Vinyl and Bella Union.

Well I know my co-blogger Smansmith is thrilled with this news as I am, as we both are a little bit obsessive about this man’s music.

Check out his myspace to preview the songs “Earthly Bodies”, “Year In The Kingdom”, and “Though I Have Wronged You”. I fell right back in love after listening to these tracks just once. Stunning, stunning, stunning….I’m convinced that this man can not create a bad song.

Howdy y’all,

Sadly I don’t have time to write a huge article here so will just give you some brief information. This is Miles’ self titled debut album. It was produced by Grizzly Bears Chris Taylor and also features Tv on the radios Kyp Malone.  Songs of drug abuse, redemption and I guess a little hope too,  I believe it was released in the staes last July on Say Hey Records but has only arrived here in the UK via Transgressive Records.  Some tracks are a full reverb folk rock and others are more stripped down to just an acoustic sound with Miles’ almost at times broken vocal being at the forefront of it all. From what I could find online about him it sounds like he’s crammed a fair bit into his young life and he himself admits if he’d carried on the way he was he would probably be dead by now. I’m glad he isn’t as this album is a great piece of work especially the opening track Buriedfed which you can see and hear on the youtube footage below.  The whole album has influences from Neil Young and his voice at times sounds remarkably like Micah P Hinson’s. This is my Bon Iver of 2009 and think it will be for a lot of people. Enjoy.

Lyrics

Buriedfed

This is my last song about myself, about my friends
Found something else to sing
Try and patch it up with tape and twine
Maybe I’ll just break everything that’s mine

They wheeled out my casket,
They said, “Boy, lay down your head”
I said, “Aw shit, man, I ain’t even dead”
I won’t be buried for I’m…

My friend, who’s a real yo-yo
She’s always crying, and no one knows why
She’s gonna be alright
Lost her past in a fuzzy fire
Wasn’t even drunk, just a little tired last night

And they took her to the doctor
To fix her heart, and heal her head
She said, “Goddamn, I’m tired of being polite
Go save somebody else”

Friend of mine drank something fine,
Choked to death before his time, last night
He said, “I found that thing you really need”
Come on, you can’t breathe alright

Everyone’ll be there at the burial in your head
And a tear or two, they shed
Then they’re gonna go digging in your hole
And find someone else instead
Make someone else feel dead instead

Oh, he didn’t like people much at all
Tasted better with alcohol
You know how that one goes
He realized he’d missed his whole life
Kissed his dog and shot his wife last night

And they pulled him to a preacher
He said, “Pray ‘Our Father’ prayers”
He said, “Aw shit, man, I don’t even care
Oh, I ain’t did nothing”

Reckless ruin is killing high
A great, fine victory we’re still alive
My, my, what a surprise
I got home late, I don’t care
Better late than never, dear

They took her to the prison
Sat across from him, and sighed
She said, “Fuck you, I wanted just to die
How come you, baby boy, you
You can’t do a damn thing right
You can’t do any damn thing right”

This is my last song I write inside
Going out, find somewhere else to hide
Late at night on an empty street
Ain’t anyone I know walking beside me

I ain’t done a damn thing right
But oh, I’ll try, before I die
How ’bout tonight

They wheeled out my casket,
They said, “Boy, lay down your head”
I said, “Believe me, I wish that I was dead”
But as long as I’ve been running
While this world exploded in this big hole in my head

But as long as I’ve been running
Well, I might just keep it coming
To someone else instead

Oh, you, baby boy, you
You can’t do a damn thing right
You can’t do any damn thing right

So nobody accused Canadians of being quick (unless we are talking about hockey and drinking beer) but we do catch up eventually.  All kidding aside (except for the beer part) one of the many great Canadian singer songwriters is Matthew Barber (brother of Jill Barber) and his “Ghost Notes” album is seeing a bit of action south of the border next week on April 14th.

The album has been around for us Canadians for a while and I am happy to let you ‘mericans know that Outside Music is now making some of the talented northerners available to your homes.  I have included a track for “Easily Bruised” both the album and demo version along with the video for “And You Give”.  Hope you enjoy it, and if you so choose, pick up a copy of Ghost Notes here.

Don’t forget to visit Matthew Barber on his Website and MySpace to say “hi”.

~Smansmith

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

It’s always pretty cool to be late on a top rated album, so you won’t have to wait too long for the forthcoming one. It was my case with “That Sea, The Gambler” from Gregory Alan Isakov. His third full length “This Empty Northern Hemisphere” will be released on May 15th and features a duet with Brandi Carlile on my ever favorite L. Cohen Song :”One of Us Cannot Be Wrong”.

Apr 2 – Iron Horse: Brandi Carlile    Northampton, Massachusetts
Apr 3 – South Portland Auditorium: Brandi Carlile    South Portland, Maine
Apr 4 – Ethical Center for the Arts: Brandi Carlile    New York, New York
Apr 6 – Kent Stage: Brandi Carlile    Kent, Ohio
Apr 7 – The Vogue: Brandi Carlile    Indianapolis, Indiana
Apr 8 -  Lakeshore Theatre: Brandi Carlile    Chicago, Illinois
Apr 9 – Pabst Theater: Brandi Carlile    Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Apr 10 – Alltel Center: Brandi Carlile    Mankato, Minnesota
Apr 11 – Hoyt Sherman Theatre: Brandi Carlile    Des Moines, Iowa
Apr 14 – Wheeler Opera House: Brandi Carlile    Aspen, Colorado

Check his myspace page for complete tour dates, and be sure to be around Boulder on May 15th,  for the cd release show !

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.

It’s been a while since I did not tip you with some noises…  According to my mood the single acoustic genre even peppered with more drums or raised with some full orchestration is sometimes not enough to match my mood…

The Winter Kings, based in the East of England write powerful, emotive, melody driven music with a dark and introspective lyrical base. Underpinned by the fusion of Delderfield’s epic guitar work and Kehoe’s haunting vocal, their work is difficult to define in terms of influence but should appeal to fans of the atmospheric rock of Interpol and the National and the dark lyrical leanings of Nick Cave and Arcade Fire.

The Winter Kings is merging my eclectic tastes. Sometimes purely acoustic like on the superb ‘Audubon Hotel’ or ‘Indian Summer’ from their first full demo collection  “Carnival Songs”, sometimes flirting so close to the hard-rock (call me old fashioned) like their brand new ‘Black Caravan’ single which will be released on the 1st of April. The band have now finished recording their first Album, ‘The Gallows on the Shore’ set for release in July 2009.

Call it Atmospheric or Hard Rock, The Winter Kings music range is wide enough – and so addictive – that it can be looped non-stop for weeks !

Band : The Winter Kings
Label : none ? huh ?
Where to Buy : Black Caravan single here
More Appetizers : The Winter Kings @ Last.fm
Who Else should you enjoy : Pela, early U2 (do you believe ?), Live
Some more words to be spilled out : The Winter Kings is supporting No More Landmines Trust

Something slightly different from me this time.

For those of you who listen to my Simple folk show on radioreverb.com will over the past year or so heard us air a session by Joe Gideon & the Shark which was recorded a while back. I always meant to put them up here but somehow life got in the way at those moments but after seeing them live very recently I have put a halt to everything to make sure I write about them now.

Joe and Viva, a brother and sister duo make up the band. Joe on vocals and guitar, Viva on everything else, Drums, keys, vocal, all played from behind her drum kit and often simultaneously. It’s impossible to imagine how just two people can create a sound this brilliant, a sound that for me is impossible to describe as I hear so many influences in it. At their loudest reverberating best I hear some LCD soundsystem, The Fall and when Joe talks/sings he reminds me of Smog and on the outstanding track, Anything you love that much you will see again, well that’s just uniquely theirs. On the track Kathy Ray, a song about a woman who was a backing singer for the Eurythmics and Ray Charles, Joe’s narrative about her has you listening intently  but then has you laughing at it’s unexpected turn, or at least it did me. There’s a few tracks like this on their debut album Harum Scarum, serious overtones with a humorous undertone, these are the most original band I’ve heard in a long long time and it’s so refreshing.  Currently on a UK tour after having supported Nick Cave and the Bad seeds and more recently Seasick Steve. I think that 2009 is the year they are going to break through to a more mainstream audience but I urge you to go and see them live if you get the chance as they will blow you away.

Officially my new favourite band (until next week). 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/2009/02/05/matt-jones-new-album-tour/ http://youcrazydreamers.com/2009/02/05/matt-jones-new-album-tour/#comments Thu, 05 Feb 2009 17:39:06 +0000 smansmith http://youcrazydreamers.com/?p=1471
‘The Black Path,’ Jones’ debut solo album with producer Jim Roll (Chris Bathgate, Breathe Owl Breathe), is his own means of therapy as he reflects upon how his memories and experiences have shaped him. Jones stands with one foot in a history akin to the Smithsonian’s Folkway tradition and with another outstretched [...]]]>

‘The Black Path,’ Jones’ debut solo album with producer Jim Roll (Chris Bathgate, Breathe Owl Breathe), is his own means of therapy as he reflects upon how his memories and experiences have shaped him. Jones stands with one foot in a history akin to the Smithsonian’s Folkway tradition and with another outstretched in the modern, darkened, beating heart of today, while managing not to falter in the least bridging these gaping distances. On ‘The Black Path’, Jones struggles to deal with how memories have distorted his view of the past and therefore may threaten to distort his current reality.

We here at You Crazy Dreamers have been fans of Matt Jones for a while now – check Olivier’s post AND interview from 2007 here.  The new album is released next week and Matt’s tour to promote starts this weekend, Feb. 7th at The Elbow Room in Ypsilanti, Michigan.  While the album is available on various online merchants, I always recommend the physical CD for the good ones, and this one falls into that category.

The Black Path has the slow and steady songwriter base, with inclusions of strings, piano and that voice.  Tracks that fall into the melancholy family include “Missing Vein”, “Nothing Joyful” (find an early version on previous YCD post linked above) and even the rambling “One Cotton Shot Short”.  As mentioned you will get a bit more than the standard singer songwriter here – check tracks like “Waltzing With Lady Dawn” for a bit more upbeat feel and even a touch of orchestral flare.  If you needed more of this new sound of Matt, don’t miss “Threadlines” that starts with some ominous strings (the violin is great in this track) then moves to a thumping folk track that could be a reworked 1940’s anthem.

Well all I can say is you should pick up this album so we can ensure the world has more Matt Jones around.  If you can, check out his upcoming tour, dates below:

Feb. 7:  Elbow Room – Ypsilanti, MI *The Black Path Album Release
Feb. 8:  Annabell’s – Akron, OH
Feb. 9:  Morning Glory Coffeehouse- Pittsburgh, PA
Feb. 10:  The Saint – Asbury Park, NJ
Feb. 11:  Union Hall – Brooklyn, NY
Feb. 12:  Sidewalk Café – New York, NY
Feb. 13:  McGillicudy’s – Ardmore, PA
Feb. 14: The Fire – Philadelphia, PA
Feb. 15:  The Velvet Lounge – Washington D.C.
Feb. 17:  Broad Street Café – Durham, NC
Feb. 18:  West End Wine Bar – Chapel Hill, NC
Feb. 19:  Village Tavern – Charleston, SC
Feb. 20:  Flicker Theater – Athens, GA
Feb. 21:  Pilot Light – Knoxville, TN
Feb. 22:  C.P.R. – Lexington, KY (Early)
Al’s Bar- Lexington, KY
Feb. 23:  Rumba Café – Columbus, OH
Feb. 24:  Cinemat – Bloomington, IN
Feb. 25:  The Music Joint – Chicago, IL
Feb. 26:  Frequency – Madison, WI
Feb. 27:  331 Club – Minneapolis, MN
Feb. 28:  The Dav – Kingsford, MI
March 3:  The Record Lounge – E. Lansing, MI
March 4:  Lager House – Detroit, MI
March 5:  Rubbles Bar – Mt. Pleasant, MI

For a taste of your next favourite artist, find a few tracks below from “The Black Path”, and visit Matt on MySpace.

~Smansmith

I have to honestly say that I didn’t know Andy Wagner before the good folks at Rock Proper introduced me to this Chicago troubadour.  He already has two albums and has transitioned from Chicago to New Orleans and back again.  Now settled back in Chicago, he is looking forward to his new album set to be released in February.

The new album, “Those Who Forgive”, will be released via Rock Proper on Monday, February 23rd and from having been listening for a couple of weeks already, this is a great late night experience.  I say this as there is a bit of an intro on his website that just might make you think the same thing:

The sheets are crumpled at the foot of the bed and the blinds and orange dawnlight draw telephone lines across her sleeping face. Don’t worry darling, that was only a crow call. Don’t worry dear, this is only a love song. Chicago’s Andy Wagner writes, performs, sings and records dust and smoke and morning songs to wake to, unashamed.

Don’t let his good looks fool you (yes, I said it), this guy has chops.  There is grit that one might not immediately perceive from his made for TV leading man jawline.  There is a bit of saloon influenced Alt-Country mixed in with this Louisiana guitar slinger at heart.  You will find the toned down rocker follow up a more up-tempo song with a pained rendition of lost love – with an almost Calexico feel (you might hear it in “Nothing to Defend” below).

The new album I feel is outright darker, at least by listening and taking it at face value.  It has a slower cadence, a touch more production value and has the ache of harmonica (absolutely love the harmonica on “My Blue Sea”).  His vocal delivery basically solidifies it for me.  He has Sunday morning after a rough night drawl.  This is like the good Ryan Adams stuff, if I dare say, as it has the solo and band backed tracks to fill out the full package. Click on the album image below to visit his Rock Proper page, bookmark it, return on Feb. 23rd for a free download of the entire album.

Take a few older tracks, some newer and some fresh from the recording boards of Jay Bennett’s Pieholden Suite Sound studio in downstate Illinois.  Don’t be shy and visit him on his Website or his MySpace page.

~Smansmith

]]> http://youcrazydreamers.com/2009/02/02/why-didnt-i-knowandy-wagner/feed/ 1 4:49 I have to honestly say that I didn't know Andy Wagner before the good folks at Rock Proper introduced me to this Chicago troubadour.nbsp; He ... I have to honestly say that I didn't know Andy Wagner before the good folks at Rock Proper introduced me to this Chicago troubadour.nbsp; He already has two albums and has transitioned from Chicago to New Orleans and back again.nbsp; Now settled back in Chicago, he is looking forward to his new album set to be released in February. The new album, "Those Who Forgive", will be released via Rock Proper on Monday, February 23rd and from having been listening for a couple of weeks already, this is a great late night experience.nbsp; I say this as there is a bit of an intro on his website that just might make you think the same thing: The sheets are crumpled at the foot of the bed and the blinds and orange dawnlight draw telephone lines across her sleeping face. Donrsquo;t worry darling, that was only a crow call. Donrsquo;t worry dear, this is only a love song. Chicagorsquo;s Andy Wagner writes, performs, sings and records dust and smoke and morning songs to wake to, unashamed. Don't let his good looks fool you (yes, I said it), this guy has chops.nbsp; There is grit that one might not immediately perceive from his made for TV leading man jawline.nbsp; There is a bit of saloon influenced Alt-Country mixed in with this Louisiana guitar slinger at heart.nbsp; You will find the toned down rocker follow up a more up-tempo song with a pained rendition of lost love - with an almost Calexico feel (you might hear it in "Nothing to Defend" below). The new album I feel is outright darker, at least by listening and taking it at face value.nbsp; It has a slower cadence, a touch more production value and has the ache of harmonica (absolutely love the harmonica on "My Blue Sea").nbsp; His vocal delivery basically solidifies it for me.nbsp; He has Sunday morning after a rough night drawl.nbsp; This is like the good Ryan Adams stuff, if I dare say, as it has the solo and band backed tracks to fill out the full package. Click on the album image below to visit his Rock Proper page, bookmark it, return on Feb. 23rd for a free download of the entire album. Take a few older tracks, some newer and some fresh from the recording boards of Jay Bennettrsquo;s Pieholden Suite Sound studio in downstate Illinois.nbsp; Don't be shy and visit him on his Website or his MySpace page. ~Smansmith Acoustic,,Alt-Country,,New,Album,Alert,,Singer,Songwriter thesix@youcrazydreamers.com no No http://youcrazydreamers.com/2009/01/22/blue-giants-target-heart-hits-the-streets/ http://youcrazydreamers.com/2009/01/22/blue-giants-target-heart-hits-the-streets/#comments Thu, 22 Jan 2009 13:55:32 +0000 smansmith http://youcrazydreamers.com/?p=1420
Blue Giant “Target Heart” (mp3) “Blue Sunshine” (mp3) Buy at Amore!Phonics – buy direct from the artist! More On This Album Just released this week, we have the debut release from Blue Giant.  It is 6 song EP that features some of the best psych-country and rural-rock from the songwriting team of Viva Voce. If you are [...]]]>

Blue Giant
“Target Heart” (mp3)

“Blue Sunshine” (mp3)

Buy at Amore!Phonics – buy direct from the artist!

More On This Album

Just released this week, we have the debut release from Blue Giant.  It is 6 song EP that features some of the best psych-country and rural-rock from the songwriting team of Viva Voce. If you are aware of the this EP that was previously available in digital format only, it features members from The Decemberists, Viva Voce, The Swords Project, The Golden Bears & also includes a stunning duet with Corinne Tucker entitled “Gone For Good”.

The two promo tracks included are “Blue Sunshine” which is a bit of a country barn burner mixed with classic rock riffs…yes, you read that right….and it works!  I personally think it might be due to the harmonica.  Also included is the title track “Target Heart” in which this “motley crew” of West Coast indie scensters is a bit more subdued.  With it’s Americana twang mixed with piano and slide guitar, it could fool you for something from the South.  Where ever you may be from, you just might like to stop, take a listen and look into it.

~Smansmith

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

~Smansmith

Well I meant to post this a while ago when I got the email, but I got busy with the holidays and all. For those of you who have not heard about this highly anticipated charity record, read below. I can not wait for this…wow. News from one of my favorite bands, The National

First off, Aaron and Bryce have produced a charity record called “Dark Was The Night” for the Red Hot Organization that comes out on February 17th worldwide on 4AD. All profits from the sale of the record will go to fight the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The album features 32 exclusive tracks (!) and will be released as a double CD and on triple Vinyl. We wrote and recorded a new song for the record called “So Far Around The Bend”. Aaron and Bryce also collaborate on the record with Bon Iver and Antony Hegarty respectively. Please help us support this very important cause by spreading the word and picking up the album in February 2009. 

The full artist list:
Andrew Bird
Antony + Bryce Dessner
Arcade Fire
Beach House
Beirut
Blonde Redhead + Devastations
Bon Iver
Bon Iver & Aaron Dessner
The Books featuring Jose Gonzalez
Buck 65 Remix (featuring Sufjan Stevens and Serengeti)
Cat Power and Dirty Delta Blues
The Decemberists
Dirty Projectors + David Byrne
Kevin Drew
Feist + Ben Gibbard
Grizzly Bear
Grizzly Bear + Feist
Iron & Wine
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings
Kronos Quartet
Stuart Murdoch
My Brightest Diamond
My Morning Jacket
The National
The New Pornographers
Conor Oberst & Gillian Welch
Riceboy Sleeps
Dave Sitek (TV On The Radio)
Spoon
Sufjan Stevens
Yeasayer
Yo La Tengo

Can’t wait to get my hands on Miles Nielsen’s new album. Album is currently being mastered. Will update with more information soon. Watch this space.

Official Website

On Tour

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”

Bon Iver to Release New EP “Blood Bank January 20th.

According to the press release, “as much as “For Emma, Forever Ago” is about the cold, the Blood Bank collection is about the warmth that gets you through it.” I was pleasantly surprised to receive a preview of the new EP today, and let’s just say that is has definitely warmed my heart. I take back what I said about Mr. Mumford taking over the ranks over Bon Iver, they still hold a special place in my half empty little heart (need to start filling up the void). Enjoy the video and live MP3. Look out for the EP next year, it’s worth the wait.

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.

Totally absorbed in interviewing M. Brownrigg, Trini forgot to provide us some all-important information concerning the inescapable Bon Iver. Some extra tour dates in Europe accompanied by the talented Sarah Siskind, as well as a video available on YouTube, are sufficient matter to add another layer.

But it would be quite arrogant to mention this in passing and to not go into Ms Siskind’s universe a little more. Chiefly because we count among the fans of this songwriter from North Carolina some big names like  Alison Krauss, Ron Sexsmith and Peter Bradley Adams…

“Sarah Siskind’s music is not easily explained or contained. She’s a singer and songwriter based in Nashville and grounded in Appalachian roots, but one who transcends category with a beguiling fusion of the traditional and the modern. Whether solo, fronting an electric band or in her harmony-laden side project Old Black Kettle, Sarah creates emotionally charged soundscapes that consistently delight and surprise even her long-time fans.”

Four albums to her credit, of which the first one was recorded at age 14, Sarah announced by the end of Summer, the forthcoming release of her next cd, still is in its mastering phase. So, you will have understood I had to be satisfied with the digital version of her latest double EP : ‘Studio . Living Room’. But what a satisfaction indeed!

If the original ‘Lovin’s For Fools’ version is of a rare beauty ; both Studio songs and Living Room ones deserved your full attention. Thinking Christmas !

Artist : Sarah Siskind
Label : none
Where to buy : cdbaby.com
More Appetizers : @myspace.com
Tour dates opening for Bon Iver :

• Decembre 3 Dublin, Ireland
• Decembre 6 Ghent, Belgium
• Decembre 7 London, UK

One of my favorite songs FM Radio/Sunshine

News from Joshua James ( a little late, but better late than never):

Love to all of you first and foremost, we hope that you are all well. We are happy to announce that on September 23rd, Joshua released a 3 song EP digitally through iTunes called “Crash This Train / The Garden” EP. The song debuted at #1 on the itunes folk charts thanks to all of you’all out there showing support! There had been some clamoring for this song for quite a stretch of time, and we decided to go ahead and get it out there. The EP features a band version of “Crash This Train”, a new song called “The Garden”, and an acoustic verison of “Crash This Train” that Joshua recorded at his house. The “band” version of “Crash This Train”features the lovely Lex Land on back-up vocals who was out opening for Joshua on his summer tour. For any folks that have already ventured over to iTunes to buy the EP, we sincerely thank you!

Joshua was recently in Los Angeles putting some of the finishing touches on his 2nd full length album. We are all excited about releasing this record and will be getting it out there early in 2009. It is has been quite a journey getting the right songs down, etc, we are thoroughly excited… There will be an extensive Spring tour that Joshua and crew will be embarking on as well, so think “Spring, Spring, Spring!!!”.

As for the “holiday offer”… Some of you may already know about the holiday EP that Joshua and friends released last year called “Fields and Floods”. It is an album that Joshua recorded at his house which includes a group of holiday songs and one original “winter storm”, furthermore, we believe you might be missing out if you don’t have it. Throughout the months of November and December we are offering a free “Fields and Floods” EP (FREE FREE!!) to anyone purchasing a copy of “The Sun Is Always Brighter” on either CD or Vinyl. We have vinyl folks — it is deluxe 180 gram vinyl and includes an additional 7 inch record with the tracks “Winter Storm” and “Lovers Without Love”. Also a free download of the “The Sun Is Always Brigher” in high resolution MP3 format included with vinyl. So if you’re looking for a hard copy of “The Sun Is Always Brighter” November and December is the time to get one! Excellent gifts as well including an extra stocking stuffer
“Fields and Floods” EP with purchase.

And finally, we have the privilege to introduce to you an artist Joshua has been working with named “RuRu”. RuRu is a 16 year old singer-songwriter that wooed Joshua’s heart by playing around the utah frontier. Joshua and his accomplice of life, Mckay Stevens, sequestered RuRu earlier this year at Joshua’s home studio and recorded a debut album for this young maniac wonderboy. The album was named “Elizabeth” after RuRu’s mother who passed away a couple years ago from cancer. It is quite a compelling album with a depth of life experiences and emotions.You can go to Joshua’s label site Northplatte Records to learn more.

Thank you all for the continued support!!!! We wouldn’t be able to do this without you!

sincerely singing,

Joshua and brothers.

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.

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.

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.

On Tour Together ! Yes. Have you really, really, really read the title of this post ? So what else to expect from me ?
First, some excuses : I’m really late posting about two of the most talented songwriters (yes I really measure these words) who are touring for some months now ! Then, few more buckets of apologies – last time -  for being so short writing about this performance : only couple dates left in december. Check the schedule below, and jump to the artists sites for further details.

• 12/7    Sun    Philadelphia, PA       House Concert
• 12/11  Thur  Charlottesville, VA    Gravity Lounge
• 12/12    Fri    Harrisonburg, VA    Little Grill
• 12/19    Fri    Winston-Salem, NC    Fiddle & Bow

Well, admitting you don’t know Carrie Elkin… Joker ? Here’s your chance…

I won’t blame you because it was my case couple weeks ago. I don’t clearly remember the circumstance but good chance I was looking to satisfy my appetite for the Austin based songwriter… a click pointed me on Danny Schmidt’s Live Music Archive page.  I’ve downloaded one of his show performed this last december at the Cactus Cafe … After couple intro solo songs, Danny invited Carrie Elkin to sing with him the superb ‘Drawing Board’ song. A good addition, Carrie’s light voice is bringing a new ‘relief’ to the solo performer… 2 songs later, the duet played ‘Serpentine Cycle Of Money’ : a terrific (unreleased ?) song… and what a revelation for me ! From the sweet backing vocals of the firsts songs, Mrs Elkin delivered on this one an amazing power ! I still can’t believe my ears seduced by both the song’s quality -  even if it’s not really a surprise when it came out of Danny Schmidt – and by the deep raucous voice reached by such a slender looking of this Texan vocalist ( do never trust appearance). A single loop on her myspace’s playlist easily convinced me to add to my cdbaby cart (give me coupons) her last two albums : ‘The Waltz’ and ‘The Circumstance of Jeopardy’. An absolutely gorgeous package : musically, lyrically, vocally and… beautifully.

And if -  I can’t imagine – if you don’t know Danny Schmidt… then consider buying his complete discography right now : Few can equals his songwriting density.
For both artists, find below the intro songs of their last albums, ‘Little Grey Sheep’ for Danny and ‘The Circumstance of Jeopardy’ for Carrie.

Danny Schmidt “Company of Friends” Storyhill Fest ‘08 with Carrie Elkin

Artist : Carrie Elkin – Danny Schmidt

This one is going to be a keeper folks, the fourth installment of If You Haven’t Heard – “Donovan Woods”.  Oh, did I mention we also have an unreleased new song as well??  Well, let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

I have been listening to Donovan Woods for a little while, and in that short while I have found out that I tend to listen to him more than most artists (thank you Last.fm stats).  There is a reason for this, plain and simple, his music is something that you can listen to, be amazed by, and not get tired of.  Since picking up his 2007 release “The Hold Up”, it has ended up being one of my most listened to albums.  His music reminds you of something that could be recorded by Sufjan Stevens (but without the theatrics).  There is great guitar work, harmonies that compliment his strong knowledge of what works and sounds good.  His music can be classic songwriter sparse and build up in tempo to an almost upbeat folk feel.  At first I was a bit surprised that at times, such a delicate delivery of lyrics came from a guy that just might kick my ass for saying “delicate”.  I guess I can just be thankful that Donovan likes bloggers.  In fact he assures me that us “denizens of internet musical delivery” have been integral in his growing popularity.  Well I think that this blogger enjoys delivering this music, classic folk/singer-songwriter stuff – songs that you can almost sing along to and not feel stupid doing it…ya know?  Remember I said “almost sing along to” – I don’t think I have the chops of Mr. Woods.

Woods is a local in the Toronto scene (of which the photo above is from the a live gig at the Central) and is currently signed to the Sunny Lane Records Label.  You can also pick up a copy of “The Hold Up” from iTunes (highly recommended) and after that you can wait alongside me for the upcoming 8 track EP “The Widowmaker”.  I think that the EP should surface soon, but an exact release date hasn’t been released (well, to me at least).  AAAAND….although you will still have to wait to purchase the rest of the EP, we have a taste of new material in the form of the unreleased track “Phone”.  The song stays true to Donovan’s acoustic and piano driven ballads with that heartbreaking delivery of the lyrics and that classic build to the chorus.

I hope you enjoy this one as much as I do and after listening I assure you that Donovan Woods will start to climb your list of favourites if he isn’t already there.  Don’t forget to visit Slowcoustic for more great Donovan Wood music on the mirrored post over there.

~Smansmith

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

R.C Joseph wrote the following about them.

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

I think I can too.

Another great reason to be as enthusiastic as Laura for this promising October Month is the forthcoming performance of Holcombe Waller. It’s been about two months, I’m exchanging some mails with this Portland based songwriter, requesting demos and asking for an interview. Following a kind message (review and interviews will come soon), I’ve received this announcement :

Dear world,

While insanity looms in the political arena and international markets crumble around us, let me invite you to a wonderful evening of music and video and light and ideas debuting in just two short weeks in Seattle.

“Into the Dark Unknown: The Hope Chest” is an original music theater performance that I have written about how we find hope in hopeless situations. It’s about transformation, and how we struggle with change – in ourselves and in the world around us. And, it’s about moving boxes, storage facilities, and of course, crushes on sexy people and long walks on the beach.

Funded and commissioned by a list of fabulous organizations you can read about on the project summary page here, “Into the Dark Unknown: The Hope Chest” represents the largest theatrical production I’ve ever created, incorporating contributions and feedback from a list of talented theatrical designers, artistic mentors, and a litany of life experiences both shitty and epiphanic. It is the traveling performance work to which my next album, “Into the Dark Unknown,” has merely become the companion piece (and yes, we’re working on it so announcements are forthcoming).

The show is October 2, 3 and 4 at 8pm at the lovely On the Boards (one of the commissioners). Thursday night we’ll have an after party mixer at the bar below the theater; Friday night we’ll have a post-show Q & A; Saturday night I’m having a raucous closing-night party at The Cuff.

If you’re in Seattle, please join us. If you’re in Portland, find that couch to crash on and come on up, we’re all going. For the rest of the world, please do forward this letter along to your friends. Reserving tickets is highly recommended:

You can read more about the show on On The Boards’ website. In 2009 it will be coming to New York, San Francisco, Portland, Vancouver BC, and hopefully other US and European destinations, so stay tuned for all that.

[...]

With love, from the grind,

Fans of Holcombe Waller will surely forgive me the easiness of the copy/paste use- indeed they’re no longer reading this post but are already on the above booking link. So, If you’re still reading my approximate English, it seems that you’re not already addicted to Mr Waller musical universe. Please consider as an immediate purchase his unique available album on the e-market : Trouble Times released in 2005 – if you had the opportunity to have found his two previous collections, drop me a mail ! This album is in my library for 2 months and  his ranking is already reaching my top ten !

With an amazing four octave vocal range, Holcombe Waller is delivering his visions with poetry on some haunting melodies. Sometimes organic, sometimes  acoustic, his tunes are beautifully crafted with the addition of some sweet electronic arrangements which deserved his compositions, comparisons with Bjork’s sound. Also compared to Morissey ( especially cited for teasing my friend Geordie), Peter Murphy and Jeff Buckley by Performing Songwriter, Waller’s writing seems to be a never-ending dense creative process blending elements of pop, jazz and folk, giving you the opportunity to travel his various musicscapes. A unique experience. Stop Talking. Here are the two tracks i’ve selected for you : ‘Literally the End of the World’ from Trouble Times and a live version of the  forthcoming title album : Into The Dark Unknown. Enjoy.

Holcombe Waller singing a Jacques Brel song “Ces Gens Là”
at the work-in-progress performance of “Into the Dark Unknown: The Hope Chest”
at the Portland Institute for Contemporary Art’s Time-Based Arts Festival, September 2007, in Portland, Oregon USA

Artist : Holcombe Waller
Label : Pow Wow Now
Where to buy : cdbaby.com / Miles of Music (it’s a cracker !)
More Appetizers : @myspace.com / @youtube.com
(be sure to check on both sites, his cover of Buffy Sainte Marie : Qu’appelle Valley, Saskatchewan)
Who else should you enjoy ? Chris Garneau.

October is just turning out to be such an amazing month for me already and it is not even here yet. With a planned trip to Madison, WI to see Ryan Adams & The Cardinals, the release of Ray LaMontagne’s new album, and 2 Ray shows I am attending in NYC and Chicago, I really didn’t think it could get any better for me. I’ve stated it before on this blog and I’ll say it again: these two men are the musical loves of my life! Adding to all this excitement for me is the confirmation that Ryan & The Cardinals are releasing Cardinology October 28th on Lost Highway Records. I pretty much spit my drink on the keyboard when I read the news.

The album will be produced by Tom Schick who worked on Cold Roses and Jacksonville City Nights with them.

This will be the band’s first album to be billed as soley as The Cardinals.

Preorder Cardinology on vinyl: here

This vinyl version includes a bonus 7″, a comic book and a digital download code.

Track Listing:

1. Born Into A Light
2. Go Easy
3. Fix It
4. Magick
5. Cobwebs
6. Let Us Down Easy
7. Crossed Out Name
8. Natural Ghost
9. Sink Ships
10. Evergreen
11. Like Yesterday
12. Stop

First single “Fix It” will be digitally released to radio Tuesday, September 23, while “Stop” will receive a sneak premiere in the Tuesday, September 30 episode of THE CLEANER on the A&E network (check local listings).

In other news from Planet Cardinal, Infinity Blues, Ryan Adams’ first ever collection of non-musical writing will be published March 16, 2009 by venerable independent house Akashic Books. Infinity Blues will be available for pre-order through Akashic’s website beginning Monday, October 6 at

http://www.akashicbooks.com/ryanadamspreorder.htm.

Pre-orders will include a signed hardcover copy of “Infinity Blues,” with a bonus poetry chapbook by Ryan Adams titled “Sad American Mythology.” The limited edition signed and numbered chapbooks will be available only through the Akashic Books website as part of this pre-order

One of the highlights for me from this years end of the road festival was Essie Jain. Since i purchased her first album we made this ourselves last year I have been trying to keep an eye on her but didn’t actually realise she was playing at the festival until i got there. A captivating live performer, her minimal chamber folk really comes to life. She plays piano and guitar and has a rather haunting but beautiful sounding voice. Her new album, The Inbetween follows on rather nicely from her first with it’s intimacy and frailty and with some very delicate strings and horns too which are just enough to maintain the rather spooky folk sound that she’s created for herself. Not an album you would stick on when friends visit for dinner, this is definitely an album you put on while you are on your own, submerge yourself in it as some of the lyrics are stunning. I think she’s a serious talent in the making and will keep an even closer eye on her from now on. She has been compared to the likes of Sandy Denny and Vashti Bunyan but I think that’s mainly due to her singing style rather than her music. Although born and raised in London she is now based in New York and is on the Ba Da bing label in the U.S and the leaf label for the rest of the world. Enjoy.

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

(It just seems like ages since her last release)

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

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

Update:
New 4 Track EP available on iTunes

I’ve been a fan of Denison Witmer for a few years now. I was completely blown away and inspired spiritually by his music. During a time in my life where I was going through a difficult situation, he recommended a read a book that helped me get through it. ( Book of My Nights ) It’s hard to believe it’s been three years since then. If you’ve never heard of Denison Witmer I highly recommend you pick up “Are you a Dreamer?” album first.

NEW SONG – BEAUTIFUL BOYS AND GIRLS POSTED ON DENISON’S MYSPACE
We are happy to announce that Denison’s new album “Carry The Weight” will be released on November 11, 2008. It will be available in both digital and CD formats through The Militia Group and on vinyl through Burnt Toast Vinyl

On September 16, Denison will be releasing “Beautiful Boys And Girls (single)” on iTunes and eMusic. The single will be available in digital format only.

Album covers and track listings below:

DENISON WITMER – CARRY THE WEIGHT

1 – Beautiful Boys And Girls
2 – Life Before Aesthetics
3 – From Here On Out
4 – Carry The Weight
5 – Isn’t It Poetry?
6 – Catholic Girl
7 – Song Of Songs
8 – If You Are The Writer
9 – One More Day
10 – Chesapeake Watershed
11 – Carry The Weight (Acoustic)

DENISON WITMER – BEAUTIFUL BOYS AND GIRLS (SINGLE)

1 – Beautiful Boys and Girls (album version)
2 – Beautiful Boys and Girls (acoustic)
3 – Catholic Girl (home sick demo)

Denison Witmer covers Bonnie Raitt – FREE DOWNLOAD below:

Jennifer Castle, or Castlemusic as she is known, is a Torontonian songstress with what can be called a mix of traditional singer-songwriter infused with a bit of fringe folk.  However you describe it, I think you are going to like this one.

Castlemusic has a new release entitled “You Can’t Take Anyone” which from what I can take is a beautiful collection of down-tempo folk, and slightly toned down version of her live performance persona (but I need to see her to believe it).  The album is rich, textured and even a bit frayed at the edges at times, but it works for Jennifer.  The songwriting excels here with what seems is an undertone of stray bitterness – just enough to carry off a great song, but leave you wondering if she was pained in creating it.

Castlemusic gets assistance in delivering her creation to recording from Ryan Driver and Doug Tielli who both contribute vocals along with an assortment of backing instruments.  Don’t get me wrong here though, the album is heavily influenced by Jennifer, her guitar and her songwriting – described as below:

“…to lyrically write in the often sad voice of a person who feels alone, while playing and singing like a person who reaps the uninhibited and beautiful benefits of this state.”

One of my favourite tracks is the title track with it’s “worbly” vocals and accompanying electric guitar to mirror that very style – awesome.  To witness this, take a listen:

~Smansmith