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

‘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

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 here we are in a new year (already!) and I just wanted to do a quick post and say thanks to all supporters of our great blog and hope everyone had a “successful” new year’s eve (I’m looking at you Laura and Martin…).

I also wanted to post a video that has made its rounds all over the music blogs, but for good reason, Damien Jurado is simply incredible and the video for “Caskets” is truly a masterpiece from Matt Daniels.  You must watch it, but it is the 2nd or 3rd time that it really takes off, you start to notice the smaller things…the backgrounds, the almost missed expressions.  This one is truly great.

Damien Jurado, “Caskets” from Matt Daniels on Vimeo.

As a bonus, take a copy of Damien Jurado’s great track “Texas to Ohio” from Jurado’s 2003 release “Where Shall You Take Me?”.  Fitting for this post, don’t ya think?  I can certainly say 2009 is looking to include quite a bit of great new music and we hope to be part of it (and not soo secretly hope DJ has some new material as well).

Visit Damien Jurado on his Website, Secretly Canadian Website and MySpace page.

Take care everyone, we are looking forward to another great year here on You Crazy Dreamers!

~Smansmith

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.

Of all the available ways of expressing ourselves, Colby Stead singled out nakedness. His songs are barely dressed, merely a few guitar notes. At times they are warmed up by a female echo, sometimes by a moving cello or the breath of an accordion. In this way, he serves up an appetizing variety of ‘crudités’ for curious minds.

Today, by creating Mytunes, M. Stead offers us the possibility to crunch the apple once again: a collection of songs and spoken word you can download for ‘What’s it worth’.

Among these gems we discover his two latest albums ‘No’ and ‘So it goes’ in full, a set of home recordings, concerts and readings and others unreleased pearls like this one :

Artiste : Colby Stead
Label : Thoughtfull
Where to tune ? http://colbystead.com

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rich ! It’s the first word which surfaced from my mind when thinking about sharing with you my emotions after 3 months long of perusing the third collection of my favorite Utah songwriter : Colby Stead.
‘So It Goes‘ is an intense and comfortable patchwork of Colby’s amazing talent. Based on a close canvas than his previous album ‘No’, most of the new tracks are delivering new colors and opening vast territories ; some paths recrossed, some discovered. Rich, I’m rich.
So, in the right catholic path that I’ve been teached ; I’ve spread the word to my dear fellow bloggers and bought them the album :  sharing…  They’ve granted me those following comments :

Kevin from the closed To The Dogs or Whoever

With the recent influx of male singer-songwriters on the market, breaking through or rising to the froth of the cup, or the cream of the crop as they say, isn’t so easy as those youthful days of Jackson Browne’s and James Taylor’s. One needs a little honesty and a whole heck of lot of luck. Scoring a slot on a recent popular prime time drama would help push things along.

‘So It Goes’ seems to be just that for Colby. Poised for some tastemaker to swipe a track off it and key it in as the backdrop for the lead heroine’s next introspective moment. But that’s the cynic in me folks and Colby maybe a little to good for my smart-assed analogy. There’s a striking sense of honesty in Colby songs and his clever, defiant word play and passion on a track like ‘Haunted Hole’ that breaks the deep sense of optimism, drenched in melancholy, that dominates the albums 11 tracks. This of course isn’t helped by the use of accordion and cello, which only add to the somber tone on most cuts. It borders on sugary sweet depression for me and one would be tempted to drop down and give up if it weren’t for Colby’s hope for the resolve… and I may just be resolved enough on the fact that Colby’s onto some great work here and this is a good start for me.

Key Tracks: Breathe, Haunted Holes, Plastic Poses and Keep Breathing.
Kevin

Smansmith from slowcoustic.com

“Breathe”
Maybe it is the slow and conscious delivery or the fact that it comes across naturally – almost like breathing – but I find the song “Breathe” to be the song of songs on Mr. Stead’s latest release “So It Goes”.   The blending of Colby’s and Amy’s vocals flow over you like many of the tracks of the album but on this one, they hesitate and ease into you as well.  I would feel like this track could make great use of old porch with one of those large two person rocking chairs, but with you draped over it lazily.  I especially enjoy the accordion (I think it is an accordion..) that in my mind is the third vocal with it seemingly in the background then coming to the forefront at various times throughout the 4 minutes.  Certainly a great way to spend 4 minutes… simply breathing.
Smansmith

Trini from youcrazydreamers.com

“Haunted Hole”
I’ve been a fan of Colby’s music from the very first moment Olly introduced me to him.  There is something so genuine, real, sincere about his lyrics.  Often times I feel as if he knows me and is writing these songs for me.  There are so many songs off this album that I love but it’s funny how these things happen and one really strikes out at you.  When I heard “Haunted Hole” for the first time I was like “wow” – “the tears that keep falling sideways and always never do they stop”  Songs are like horoscopes, everyone can interpret them in a different way, apply it to what is directly happening in their present life or past.  The lyrics – “how much can my head and my heart really take?  They both are compromising they soon will start rising quickly to the top – *sound pop*” – are so deep.  This song really struck a chord with me but there are many, many, many others that you will love.  I can’t wait to see Colby perform live.  Oh, and the build up in the end of this song, f-ing amazing…. .”please, please, please” you just have to take a listen.
Trini.

Me (as a good friend of mine, I can’t resist to share my owns ) from youcrazydreamers.com

“A Thought” (instrumental)
“I like floating in the clouds too much”. I’m sorry Colby to publish once again without your permission some of your words, But it’s exactly the meaning of this thought !  Oh, I love – as far as my english knowledge allow me – all of the words you lay on your music, but I really enjoy this absolute talent you’ve granted me : a track of freedom ; an absolute endless moment. Giving me the opportunity to lay a thought, a life, a whisper or just another breathe. Thank you so much !
“Fatherly Love”.
His previous collection entitled ‘No’ was cradling the fabulous ‘Motherly Love’.  ‘Fatherly Love’ song speaks to me in a really personal way : both as a father and a son. “There’s a thin line between a coward and a man”… resounds each time differently depending on which point of view you’re listening to the song. It also reminds me the famous Nick Cave’s ‘Wheeping Song’ and and and, and love …
Olivier.

Rich : You know what I mean ?
It sounds so deep…to me. Does anyone else agree? So it Goes…

Artist : Colby Stead
Label : Thoughtfull
Where to buy : right from the artist website / cdbaby.com / itunes
More Appetizers : @myspace.com / @youtube.com / @youcrazydreamers.com
You should also Enjoy : Fraser Anderson, Paul Tiernan, Holcombe Waller.

Possible is the debut album released this spring by  John Goraj, a 24 year-old singer/songwriter from Siouxfalls, South Dakota. Labeled as ‘warm bluegrass-tinged acoustic folk rock’, John’s music is intimate and it’s the least we can write to qualify these compositions.
It’s the first time, I’m writing about an album without having the opportunity to listen it couple times from start to end : no more money for music in this early september ; my wishlist is getting longer. I have downloaded his myspace tunes, and ‘Kahlil Gilbran from Lebanon’ is a permanent loop in my library.

For more information about ‘Kahlil Gibran’

Artist : John Goraj
Label : None
Where to Buy : cdbaby.com /itunes
More Appetizers : John Goraj @ myspace

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

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

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

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

With two essential full lengths ‘The Sickle & the Sheaves‘ – 2003  and ‘On Promenade‘ released last year, Doug Burr is preparing a new opus : The Shawl ! And  once again, I’ve got to deal with the delicate mix of religion in music.

…Mainly right now trying to keep working on new music. First up, The Shawl, a side project of material with lyrics pulled straight from the Psalms as penned by King David himself. We’ll be heading out to record this material at a remote location in an old, old building soon. Me and the band are really looking forward to this experience. We’ll be working with On Promenade’s chief producer, Britton Beisenherz, again on this one. This will be a collection of mellow, melancholy, but beatiful tunes, ones that I feel have a universal power to move people…because there’s just something about the Psalms. They’re unflinching in their honesty and ache. And next up, finishing up the writing phase for what I hope to be the follow-up to On Promenade…
Read more on Doug Burr’s official site.

For those like me, who love Doug Burr soft-acoustic tunes, but who are simply atheist, here’s a teasing track. For the others, listen to this new opportunity increasing both your faith for God and Mr Burr !

Well Good, I have to confess that you have found a perfect servant in the person of Mr Burr ! Even if I won’t join your herd, I will buy ‘The Shawl’ for both the music and those beautiful words, while awaiting for your coming album… I’m already chanting*!

Artist : Doug Burr
Label : Spune
Where to Buy :  ‘The Sickle & the Sheaves’ is availalble @cdbaby or @itunes – ‘On promenade’ is available @ cdbaby.com, @spune or @itunes.
You should also enjoy : Fraser Anderson, Evan Goodberry
More Appetizers : @myspace.com
*in french psalmodier is the most accurate word… yeah I used to be part of a choir !

Welcome to the third release for this resident of Calgary, Alberta, Canada (my hometown currently) and my opportunity to showcase some “local” talent.  While I don’t’ exactly run into CVG along 17th Avenue or stay up jamming with the crew, I still like to think of him as a hometown artist that is out there doing his thing.

If you weren’t completely familiar with Mr. VanGaalen, previous albums “Infiniheart” in 2004 &  “Skelliconnection” in 2006 would be where to start.  Outside of their titles being quasi-words, they feature tracks that brought CVG to our (my) attention, most notably his welcome to Canadian Indie – “Clinically Dead”.  Both links for the albums above include a couple tracks from each album for your listening pleasure.  I think Infiniheart got all the press with it being his first release, but I also believe that I liked Skelliconnection more – increased growth to an eclectic sound of more keyboards, reverb (which continues on Soft Airplane as well) and his ever present just slightly too high pitched voice.

While those first paragraphs might leave you confused about who or what is Chad VanGaalen, I want you to know that when he is on, the brother is on.  From tracks like “Somewhere I know there is nothing” in ’04 to “Dead Ends” in ’06 to this year’s “Molten Light”, there lies some catchy songwriting, but not too catchy to find itself on a car commercial/teen drama.   While I don’t consider him a traditional singer/songwriter, I believe he has the talent for it, but he doesn’t fall into the “guy with a guitar” pigeonhole.  His inclusion of keyboards, wailing guitar (at times) and a dab of “instrument unknown” for good measure sets him apart.   I think his albums could actually make for an interesting installment at a gallery, and quite possibly have already done so…

Chad has been with Flemish Eye Records for a few years now (label with some other great Canadian acts such as “The Cape May” & “Women” that are worth a few spins to say the least), which is where you can purchase a copy of “Soft Airplane” upon it’s release on September 9th.

Get to know Chad below.

~Smansmith

No ! I won’t promote a full rap-like album or I will ban myself from this blog forever ! But please, allow me to post a single song : rejuvenation is on my side and I can’t resist sharing it with you !
Taken from Wills and the Willings forthcoming album, Heroes & Villains, Lipstick is a thought-provoking track inspired by the London bombings of 2005. Main vocals are coming out from Tom McRae’s soprano voice.
By spending a mere buck you can help the victims/families of the London bombings of 7/7.

Where to buy Lipstick Single ? Itunes (do it once !)

Alert, Alert, Alert!

J. Tillman will be opening for the UK leg of the Fleet Foxes tour. I know most Tillman fans know he joined Fleet Foxes a while back, but he will be doing his solo thing as the opener.

I am pretty much seething with jealousy right now that our friends across the pond will get to see one of the great musical loves of my life…I have been waiting….oooh almost 2 years now….for him to do a solo show in the midwest. You lucky bastards!

tour schedule:

head over to iTunes to download “First Born” a bonus track released from “Long May You Run”. His whole discography is now up.

Included the tracks “Crooked Roof” and “Seven States Across” and one song I have been completely obsessing over lately from the Fleet Foxes called “Your Protector”

Frank Bell releases ‘Passion and Reason’- EP

I know we have several Eskimo Friends that read our blog and everyone here at YCD wants to show our support to a fellow eskimo recently released his EP. If you head on over to his myspace page you’ll find other tracks and I’m confident you will soon become a fan. I love how diverse he can be in his music he adds a bit of a funky, jazzy, feel to his music.

Frank Bell on YouTube
Buy Here

Frank Bell doing a cover of “To Love Somebody”

I can’t resist writing this small post about a band i’ve just discovered Balthrop, Alabama. They’ve just released a new EP called : God Loves My Country !

In 2006, Alabama-born songwriter-siblings Pascal (singer, songwriter, and guitarist) and Lauren Balthrop (vocalist and keyboardist) moved to New York City to start a band and ended up founding a town. “Balthrop, Alabama” (population 11 or so) is their bustling folk rock township.
Musically, the band straddles the fine line between antebellum and antifolk, reconstructing indie pop with songs of love, dead people, and dead people in love. In 2007, they released their double-album debut, “Your Big Plans and Our Little Town,” on the nascent End Up label, to be followed up by a series of EPs, of which “God Loves My Country” is the first.

Connect their website or their myspace page and buy their material or jump to their upcoming show – they’ve got few dates with Dawn Landes – damned nothing has been written here about her ? . It should be an amazing experience !

Band : Balthrop, Alabama
Label : End Up Records
Where to Buy : cdbaby.com, itunes

I recently was in Dublin, as some of you may already know, I had the privilege of listening to the entire new Guggenheim Grotto album. I was completely blown away. It is absolutely beautiful. From start to finish I felt as if I was taken on this mystical journey of emotions and in the end just felt complete. “Waking up in America” was recently released as a single but is not on this new album. “Fee Da Da Dee” is the first track off the new album. It is one of many of my favorites on this album. To my surprise I just received this little piece of information in my email box:

Irish Single Fee Da Da Dee released 11th July

Our NEW single Fee Da Da Dee will be available to buy exclusively from iTunes Ireland on the 11th of July. We’ve also added Fee Da Da Dee to our music player on our site so if you pop over to Guggenheim Grotto you can listen to it right now.

I’d love to know what everyone else thinks of Fee Da Da Dee. I just absolutely love it!

Guggenheim Grotto Music Player

The Accidental are a band made up of various members of other bands. We have Stephen Cracknell from The memory band, Tunngs lead singer Sam Genders, Hanna Coughlin from The bicycle Thieves and a superb singer that is new to me by the name of Liam Bailey. Together they have created and just released their debut album There were wolves. It’s basically a mixture of all those above bands sounds, whispered harmonies, couple of acoustic guitars, bit of piano,harp, bass and some accordian. This has fence collective sound all over it, not surprising giving that The bicycle thieves are on that label. Free download ‘Illuminated red’ wouldn’t sound odd on a James Yorkston album but as I say it’s a collection of sounds you would find in any of their other bands. Don’t get me wrong this is no bad thing, it’s superb from begining to end. I read in an interview they were trying to intergrate into it something similar to Panda Bear which you can hear at times. Often it sounds to me like it’s improvised in parts or at least the final cut is something that has been created from sitting down and just playing and see what they come up and then giving it a good polish. See what you think.

The Accidental -Time and space

I’ve been listening to Griffin House ever since his “Lost and Found” album.  There are several songs off that album that I still love but the one that initially captured my attention was “Waterfall”, it’s such a beautiful sad song.  Another one of my favorites was “Tell Me Lie”.  It wasn’t until this weekend when my iPod was on shuffle that I was reminded of him again.

I was online today buying some music and ran across a review of Griffin’s new album, so I ventured over to his page to hear a little more.  It’s funny because I’ve never really thought he sounded much like Jack Johnson but for some odd reason someone did.  Maybe it’s just me but I don’t hear the comparison.

Review below from Fingerprints:

Griffin House – Flying Upside Down
Griffin is a songwriter who will forever be compared to Jack Johnson, only because Jack got there first. Griffin has a laid-back feel to his music, but where Jack feels like the beach, Griffin’s music is much more informed by solid characters and an earthy-ness that just isn’t associated with the coast – it’s music that is much more like a house-fire than a bonfire.

He’s currently on tour, I’m thinking of catching his Troubadour show I’ve missed him every other time he’s been in L.A.

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

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

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

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

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

I love Mark Geary’s fine, well polished pop/folk tunes for couple years now. But since his last release in 2005, his home site seemed to be deserted. And while browsing my itunes library for searching some good Irish bands/artists : Mark Geary was on top of my list. So, I’ve reconnected my browser once again to his site. And here it is : a new home page and a new song ! So, a new album will be come soon : Opium will be delivered, april 11th in Ireland !
Mark first full length , 33 1/3 Grand Street was released in 2003 : a kind of confessional according to Mark’s own words of his myspace. It contains beautiful songs and not only the famous and high rated : Gingerman. ‘Ghosts‘ album has been released in 2004/2005 and you surely have in mind its title song ! In 2005, Mark wrote the soundtrack to the film Loggerheads.

Opium will be preceded by a single, “Tuesday”, which tells the story of “the day all the shit changes! The guy in the song – maybe me? – has to change all the shit and the baggage he has been dragging around. But change brings uncertainty that can be so scary that maybe you’re better off just living a kind of quiet hell?!” – quote from Mark’s website.

Artist : Mark Geary
Label : Independent Records
Where to buy : previous albums are available @ Itunes / Update this post as soon as we’ll have more information about Opium.

Few artists have the talent to attract your attention at the first note of an album and catch it till the very end. Scotish multi-instrumentalist (piano, guitar, saxophone), Grant Campbell has achieved this songwriting prowess releasing his second album last year : Beyond Below.
Campbell’s gravely voice is openning ‘Bowery Beat’ as a first measure to an exceptional collection of 14 powerful & soulful tracks. From Townes Van Zandt to Bruce Springsteen, or from L. Cohen to B. Dylan, the Glasgow songwriter’s music navigates through differents genres (americana, folk, country and blues) and tempos (lullabies, ballads to almost steady-rock).

I’m still embarrassed to select the right track for streaming with such a good album, where each track reaches the quality of the previous… I’ve finally found the solution : Track One – Bowery Beat.

 Bowery Beat – Grant Campbell [3:10m]:Play Now

Couple songs are available on his myspace page and bebo.com is hosting also some tracks from his previous release : ‘Postcard From Nowhere’. I’m still awaiting for the delivery of this album… But from what I’ve already heard and read, sure this is a collector too !

Artist : Grant Campbell
Label : Crooked Mouth
Where to Buy : Artist website – cdbaby.com or itunes*

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

Californian songwriter John Craigie will be live next week February the 12th @ Hotel Utah – San Francisco, for the release of his 5th full length album : Soft Hail.

5th album… I’ve just bought “Picnic on 405″ last week, his 2007 fourth release. And I’m still starving : you know that my appetite for that kind of music is simply insatiable ! Prolific and young, and talented. I won’t tell you that his previous albums are as good as Picnic – I simply can’t afford for the moment to buy his complete discography ! But each of my 13 bucks, buying this album, were immediatly multiply to the value of millions for each of the songs it handles !

For all of you crazy readers that are already addicted to John Craigie’s delicious acoustic mixture of blues and folk, please be sure to leave us a comment about his previous releases. For the others, find below two tracks. The first one from the album I owned and a second one from his coming one. – count on me for positing here a detailed review about ‘Soft Hail’ ! In the meantime, please, send us a feedback from the show.

Artist : John Craigie
Label : none
Where to buy : Cdbaby.com

“McSweeney started writing his Americana-tinged, folksy solo material while teaching English in Italy. Upon returning to his native Sheffield, he continued to write songs inspired by the likes of Low and Papa M, and his intense, brooding live performances lead to him being voted ‘Sheffielder Most Likely To kill Himself’ on one internet forum, and described as ‘the most miserable man alive’ on another.” Quote from his myspace page.

Somber folk, dark acoustic, already compared to L. Cohen and J. Buckley, Sheffield songwriter Neil McSweeney is one of my favorite of this past year – thanks once again to Geordie for sharing this immense composer and songwriter. With his new single ‘A Rope to Hang‘ released this last December after his amazing first full length ‘Remember to Smile‘, Neil has raised the highest rank in my library and he’s definitively the guy to watch on the other side of the chanel.

Artist : Neil McSweeney
Label : LM Music / Kids
Where to buy : Artist website or Itunes

John McCauley is gifted with this huge story-teller talent, that could bring you on the opposite side of the world playing the same tune. A delicious mix of blues and country highlighted with a distinct nasal accent coming out from what could be described as a long term smoky/drunken voice – John you’re too young !! Volupté, we deserve my friends – Pleasure, Deer Tick will give us !

Even if I have to admit that the band’s name are far to be attractive – a good friend of mine is fighting against lyme disease each day and we’re infested half the year in the pyrenees by those parasites. My curiosity finally won over my poor froggy sense of humor – it’s so good to be French sometimes – and it has been once again fully rewarded…

Artist : Deer Tick
Label : Feow Records
Where to buy : Emusic – Itunes

Insomnia, I really do have a problem with sleeping yet I can’t manage to wake up in the mornings. Go figure.

This time last year I was in Canada experiencing a true winter with snow flakes and all. What a difference a year makes. Well before I start rambling on, I want to leave you all with this beautiful singer/songwriter Craig Cardiff. If you’ve never heard of him before, I recommend you buy his album Good Night (Go Home) this is one out of ten he has. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

A 10-year veteran of the indie music scene throughout Canada, Craig is a traveling troubadour playing shows across the country, in small towns, big cities, neighborhood pubs and even your living room. My lazy man reviewer comparison will yield Iron & Wine and Damien Rice. If one were to look up indie in the dictionary, before it was redefined into a genre or style, before it was hipster territory, you would find this humble yet outspoken man with an impressive word-of-mouth following.

- CD Baby

More reviews have to be written before “charting” this great musical vintage. Released November the 7th, the new Christian Kjellvander full length will be part of my yearly top – as each Kjellvander album.

This new 10 tracks collection titled ‘I saw her from here, I saw here from her‘ is a great balance between his first critically acclaim solo effort ‘Songs from the Two room Chapels‘ and his more intimate ‘Faya‘ 2005 release. Oscillating between soft piano ballads and deeper alternative-country tunes with banjo and even pedal steel to some more power songs such as first single ‘Two Souls‘ with trompet and cornet, Kjellvander’s songwriting and composition are both dense and varied : seemly delectable ! Let’s also mention the appearance of Karla-Therese Kjellvander as vocals on ‘When the Mourning Come’ is simply irresistible.

With Jose Gonzales, Kristofer Astrom, Jens Lenkman, Loney Dear, and finally Christian Kjellvander, Swedish songwriters have been really prolific this year !

Artist : Christian Kjellvander
Label : Startracks
You should also enjoy : Kristofer Åström, Doug Burr, Timesbold, Anders Parker

I was watching a special on the Grammy’s the other night and was thinking what happened to all the great duets. I’m almost afraid to admit but I am a closet Barbara Streisand fan .. I know, I know, I know … but I have to admit I love her music. There’s a point to this, what was it? Oh, yeah great duets they had one of Neil Diamond and Barbara Streisand that got me thinking what happened to duets?

Well this may not be for everyone, but I don’t know a single person who at one point wasn’t, still is, or secretly listened to Led Zeppelin. I recently wrote about Alison Krauss, she’s been known to do a lot of collaborating with different artist, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise to find her doing one with Robert Plant. I say it shouldn’t but I am quite surprised non-the less. You can find all the information on the new album called “Raising Sand” on their official website. You can also stream and buy the album there as well. I think this album has answered my question. This goes far beyond just a duet, it’s a perfect collaboration.

I was visiting The Artist Den website recently and found The Last Town Chorus. About a year ago I was introduced to their music by accident. I had fallen in love with the sound of the lap steel guitar, thanks to Ben Harper, and in my search of artist that played it I found The Last Town Chours band. They’ve had an ever changing line up but one thing or person who has remained constant has been Megan, and thankfully for them. She has a beautiful voice and can play the lap steel, I mean what more can you ask for.

Some of you may recognize her by the song “Modern Love” it was in the t.v show Grey’s Anatomy last year. I guess one good thing that can come out of these shows is that who ever is choosing the music is doing a great job.

You can preview her latest album “Wire Waltz” below Buy iTunes:

1. Wire Waltz -| mp3
2. You -| mp3
3. Modern Love (Written by David Bowie) – stream – mp3
4. Caroline -| mp3
5. It’s Not Over – |mp3
6. Understanding -| mp3a/>
7. Boat -| mp3
8. Huntsville, 1989 – | mp3
9. Wintering in Brooklyn – | mp3
10. Foreign Land – | mp3

Olly recently wrote about Mieka’s album “Elijah Drop Your Gun” which got me thinking about another singer Meiko. She is a local singer/songwriter that plays often at The Hotel Cafe, as a matter of fact you can find her there this Wednesday night at 10 pm. Many around town have been singing her praises, including Paste Magazine :

“I arrived in time to catch a gorgeous set from Meiko, a waitress at Hotel Café and from what I heard last night, my pick for their next big success story. If Nic Harcourt hasn’t begun to champion her yet on his ‘Morning Becomes Eclectic’ show, it’s just a matter of time.” -Josh Jackson, Paste Magazine

I mention Maika because I think they have similar music in style, feel and emotion. So if you dig Meika you might just like Meiko.

[CDBaby] [Amazon]

I really need to get my laptop out of the bedroom. I keep telling myself I need to get to bed earlier but I find myself stumbling, it’s just so addictive. I was checking out a picture Susana posted of her and I on her myspace page. As I was getting ready to click on the picture she had this song streaming on her page. I must have listened to over and over again. I keep telling her to post something on here, she has amazing taste in music. The song was “Day’s I had with You” by Kings of Convenience. I had never heard of them before, so here I am hours later just in awe of this guy. Erlend Oye, is a very busy musician who plays in multiple bands one which is Kings of Convenience.

From what I’ve been able to find on some great blogs about him, he’s not only sung as the duo Kings of Convenience (with Eirik Glambek Boe), The Whitest Boy Alive, and as guest vocalist on James Figurine’s song “All the Way to China.” He’s made so many guest vocal appearances it was difficult to keep track of them.

Which brings me to this song I found earlier today, not the one on Susana’s page, but this song called “Know How.” It features Feist she joins him halfway through the song. I think by far my favorite song of all the one’s I’ve listened to today is “Homesick”, I say today because I’m sure that’ll change the more I listen to these guys.

I also posted other songs I found from various bloggers “Failure,” a song off their 2001 release Quiet Is the New Loud, a live version of “Until You Understand”, “I Don’t Know What I Can Save You From” and “Homesick” as well as a youtube video of “Misread”. So if these isn’t enough information to get you hooked on this guy than I don’t know what is.

Now if we could only get Susana to start posting some of her wonderful finds.

Buy
Buy
Buy
Buy
Buy On iTunes

You can also listen to more songs on The Whitest Boy Alive Myspace, Misread on Songza and lastly his own site Erlend Oye. There is so much on this guy it’s unbelievable I totally missed out on him.

Immediately after streaming his first full length album from his website, I went out and bought Joshua James previous two EP’s including ‘B-Sides It’s Dark Outside’ and ‘Fields & Floods’ right from his myspace page released this past February.

‘Fields & Floods‘ is a collection of traditional Christmas songs – which I have to confess are far to much for my mood. Not only because we were in February, but especially because I don’t like Xmas songs. The only one song I came to appreciated was ‘O Tannenbaum’. Tastes and colours… anyway, when sung with the proper accent ‘O Tannenbaum’ is a really great tune : what a satisfaction to watch children’s eyes full of joy – things can spoil if those afore mentioned kids decided to sing it along with you – so be careful, do not repeat the chorus too many times ! Sure you’ll pardon me with my interlude – experiences deserve the sharing…

So I’ve received an e-press release this morning from Joshua James announcing the Official release of ‘Fields & Floods’. I can’t stand those kind of marketing strategy (but who wants to listen to Xmas songs in February ?) – I have to recognize all the talent he has pushed in those intimate versions.

“This collection was recorded at my home studio from 2006 to the present. I played all of the instruments on the record including: guitar, drums, keyboards, glockenspiel, bass, banjo, mandolin, and accordion. I wanted to do the whole thing by myself to make sure that I liked all of the production on it.”

Well impressive ! More ! I have to admit that my audio player is looping regularly on a couple of these beautiful songs no matter the season – God forgives me ! One of my favorite on Fields & Floods is his version of ‘Veni Veni Emmanuel‘ which is a really old song. Couple sources dated its lyrics from the 8th century and music : 15th century French plain song melody. On Fields & Floods original release, this track is the hidden eleventh. It appears that the iTunes version contains only 7 tracks ! No better advice than to check first Joshua James website for buying this great collection including the amazing and original track : ‘Winter Storm‘ !

If you really prefer ‘O Tannenbaum’, thanks to leave this website right now !
If not, you should absolutely buy the ‘B-Sides It’s Dark Outside’ at the same time.

Second step in our French ballad : New Pretoria ! I discovered this French band in one of my recent web peregrination and to be completely honest, I still can’t believe my ears !

New Pretoria – Photo Credit : Shaddy Lane

‘The Backyard’s Legacy‘, is this bands first full-length, self-released album. It initially came out this past January and as of the 15th of October, a wider new edition has become available at many stores, and not to mention you can also buy it on iTunes and emusic.

A deep dark baritone voice – à la Stuart Staples, guided us through varied atmospheres, referring to many dictionaries and appealing to some common background : Lynch, Morricone, Faulkner… We’re not in France anymore ! From track to track, universes and references are switching without any repetition. The density of this collection is simply amazing ! In this ten track collection New Pretoria rose to the alternative country higher places along with bands such as the Walkabouts, Tindersticks or Calexio…

Stop writing ! Listen…

We sent a couple questions to New Pretoria front-man Stéphan Lipianski.

YCD : Could you please tell us your story with music ?
Stéphan : I’m some kind of music addict. I loved music even before loving good music and I loved singing even before playing an instrument (sorry for my friend’s ears for so many years !). I’m a quite poor guitar player (even if I play for 10 years now) but, hopefully, my musicians are better than me.

YCD : What did you grow up listening to ?
Stéphan : It’s quite difficult for me to answer this question because it would lead me to confess shameful things. I’ve long been into Variety in a broad sense. I remember listening things such as François Feldman when I was 10. My first encounter with pop or rock music was with bands like Pink Floyd (which I still love) or Queen. I was very also found of Elton John . Later (15-16 years old) I became a great follower of the brit pop period. Pulp, Blur, Oasis, that kind of band. But around 17-18 I turned to more indie things. I remember being astonished listening to Cat Power in my bedroom. It’s a quite strong memory.

YCD : According to Syd Matters – you’re an Englishman in Paris ?
Stéphan : I’m a legal alien ! He said I was some kind of Englishman in Arizona. Why not ! But that’s not the truth. I think I’m very French in my musical approach even if my influences are English or American. I don’t pretend to be American, or English. I’m just playing with words, pictures, stories from this Anglo-American culture. I’ve always loved American movies, music and literature and I think that’s where my music and my words are coming from.

YCD : Is there a particular song that you’re really proud to have written ?
Stéphan : I really like Joining Jack on our first record. It’s a very simple song with very few things around. That’s maybe the only song on the record which could have been played with just an acoustic guitar and my voice. For the other songs I’m more proud of the work we’ve done together as a band.

YCD : Is there a song you wish you had written ?
Stéphan : Many ones ! But I would say There is a light… by The Smiths because it’s a beautiful one and I think that I could have expressed things just as Morrissey did. It’s a very romantic and very naive song.

YCD : What’s on your stereo at the moment ?
Stéphan : Proof of Youth by The Go Team. I really love that band because they’re young, they have a dirty sound, they are mixing pop, hip-hop, rhythm ‘n blues. And they have two drummers ! Cease to Begin by Band of Horses which is one of my favorite actual American band. I really like the voice and the production of the record.

YCD : Projects ?
Stéphan : Too many to mention. We’re trying to promote our album (which is not very easy) and to book shows for 2008. But I also lead our own structure, French Toast : I organize show and try to help some Parisian bands to record and promote their music. Later in 2008, I think we will record a new album. Some of the songs on this one are really old ones. I hope we won’t take too much time to record new ones.

Band : New Pretoria
Label : French Toast
If you like : The Walkabouts, Tindersticks, New Pretoria will become a favorite !
You should also enjoyed : Neil McSweeney and the Gents.

After couple years of silence, Dale Grundle, the ex-leader of the Catchers is back this year with the unexpected release of a trilogy! Under the name of ‘The Sleeping Years’, the Northern Irish singer songwriter, gratified us with three 5 tracks EPs : ‘You and me against the world’ in March, ‘Setting fire to sleepy towns’ in June and ‘Clocks and Clones’ this late October. Three remarkable limited editons Eps mailed to you, dedicated and with handcrafted sleeves… Don’t wait too long !

Dale confessed in an interview to Attica, that the name of his new band is a wink to his past years of pause. It appears that the recovery is really prolix as a first full length album is only awaiting for a label to be launch early 2008 !

A voice rather close to Andy Whittle’s, a purified pop – solo work forced, turns his new composition into a real folk sound with predominance of cords and piano. : sure you will enjoy !

Artist : The Sleeping Years
Label : None
You should also enjoyed : Andy Whittle, Chris Garneau.

Time for me to introduce you couple artists from the French scene. Ladies first, let’s start this serie with Emily Loizeau !
With a double french-british culture, her music is a subtle result of eclectic inspirations from Brassens, Moreau to Dylan, Waits or R. Newman. Be sure this mixture brings unique and varied compositions based on piano, guitar and double bass !

In 2005, she has been signed by Fargo Records – an excellent french label – who allowed her to both released her first full length album ‘L’autre bout du monde’ and produced a surprising duet with Andrew Bird : London Town – a delicious french/english ballad.

Artist : Emily Loizeau
Label : Fargo Records
You also should enjoyed :  Mark Berube, Vincent Delerm, Alela Diane.

This won’t be a long post. I’m going to let the music speak for itself. My roomie popped the Soulsavers “It’s Not How Far You Fall, It’s The Way You Land” disk on my desk a couple days ago, and I can’t stop listening to the track “Revival” featuring Mark Lanegan. This song grabbed me from the first note and its been in my head for days now. Will definitely be on my top tunes of 2007 list. The video is equally visually stunning as the song is beautiful.

Watch it:

Buy it:

iTunes
Amazon

Listen to it:

Where do I begin to describe Sunshone Still. The beginning, a very dear friend of mine first introduced me to Chris Smith (Sunsone Still) about a year ago. He had just released his first album Dead Letters. At first he had somewhat of a reminiscent sound to the likes of Nick Drake and Elliott Smith, both of which I love, but the more I listened the more I fell in love with his voice. Dead Letters spent the summer with me in the car, I was particularly drawn to a song called “Damn You California”. I’ve often been asked if that song was written about me, it was not, but that could be our secret Chris.

Today seems to be the day of interviews so please forgive me if the post is long I have an independent review on this album and and interview with Chris Smith himself. Thank you Chris for taking the time to answer my questions. I wish you the best of luck.

YCD: What is the major difference between TCAN and your previous album Dead Letters?
CS: The cinematic nature of TCAN as a whole. Dead Letters will always be really special to me because it feels very authentic and honest to me – as evident in the lo-fi quality of the recording. Since TCAN is a concept album covering a complex history, it needed varying sounds to represent the varying themes. For example, “Blood and Thunder” is a song about self-hate, so it needed an angry, cathartic build and release to it. On the other hand, “Blue Bead” is the start of the peaceful denouement to the story and needed to be quiet and thoughtful.

YCD:Why did you decide to do a concept album? In particular this story.
CS: In the past few years, I’ve really come to admire well-done concept albums such as Willie Nelson’s Red-Headed Stranger and Sufjan Stevens’ Illinois. I guess the concept album approach had been fermenting in my mind. Last fall/winter, I started writing a “new” album, but it was going nowhere and I felt like I was re-hashing a lot of the same personal themes from Dead Letters. I wasn’t doing anything new. I guess I had writer’s block. Around the same time, I had just heard an interview on NPR with Hampton Sides’, author of Blood and Thunder. From that interview, I knew I wanted to write a song about Kit Carson and his first Indian wife, Singing Grass. After reading some of Sides’ book though, I just knew that this was the story I had to tell. Sounds too simple and cheesy of an explanation, but I just had this feeling that this part of the Native American story was my challenge.

YCD: What is your hope for this album?
CS: That’s hard to answer because I hope to see many outcomes. I’ll give a couple though. First, in this small way, I’d like to remind people, particularly US leaders, that genocide happened under the direction of our OWN government. The greed and arrogance that caused the destruction of the Native American still persists today as seen in our current foreign policy and energy policy (i.e., Iraq, Global Warming, etc). Another hope would be simply to sells some records, so I can pay off the awesome debt I accrued in just making the CD. I don’t ask for much.

YCD o you write your own lyrics and music? How important was the addition of instruments to this album? (I love the composition of this album, horns, strings, it’s just beautiful!)
CS: Yes, I write the lyrics and music. I’m kind of selfish in this regard, but it’s truly because I want an uncompromised artistic outlet for myself. Certainly, I worked with and relied on the other players to come up with their own parts for their instruments, but the basic chord progressions, melodies, and lyrics were my job – for better or worse. I asked a long-time friend, David Chenu, to take my “Ten Cent Theme” and compose a string arrangement for “Ten Cent Theme Outro”. He also wrote the horn arrangements on the album. He’s a musical genius. And I’m not just saying that.

The addition of other instruments, like strings and horns, was necessary to properly tell the story. For example, the second track, “Manifest Destiny”, is a song about our so-called Divine Right to spread the ‘great experiment’ of the US from sea to sea. That song had to be huge and bombastic. It had to slap you in the face and say, “Here’s a great idea – Let’s conquer the rest of this land at all costs.” Adding horns and strings to this song created that sense of urgency.

YCD: What are the biggest obstacles you feel a singer/song writer faces today?
CS: Getting heard. Yes, the Internets (Stephen Colbert reference, anyone?) has made it easier to get your music out to people at a relatively low cost, but there are so many other independent singer/songwriters (some good, some bad) and bands out there competing for your ears. Anyone can make a record now, so they all naturally want you to listen to their creation. So it’s hard getting a potential listener to filter through all those other options and find me. Not to mention all the other forms of media that sit in your palm. It is so easy to get distracted these days.

YCD: When are you coming to Los Angeles?
CS: I don’t know. My hope is to do a West Coast tour sometime in 2008. Can I crash at your place? YCD: Mi casa, tu casa!

YCD: Will you be touring soon? If so when?
CS: At present, I’m playing shows close to home, Columbia, SC. Can I be completely honest and put down the ‘Hey, I’m a highly sought after singer/songwriter’ wall? OK. First, I still have a serious day job, so it’s hard to travel outside of the Southeast for any great length of time. Second, I’m still relatively unknown in the Southeast, so it’s hard booking gigs at the better venues. Did I mention I still book my own shows, am not good at it, and hate it? So yeah, I still have some obstacles in my way. We’ll get there though.

YCD: Anything you would like to tell new listeners about your music, you etc.?
CS: Buy the damn album and you will have good luck and sex for seven years. Plus, it may help me play in a lovely city near you soon. Burning it from a friend or enemy is OK too – just spread some love about the record. But don’t blame me if you have bad sex for seven years.

Independent Review by Chad:

I’m a big fan of concept albums and will usually give the creator of them the benefit for even attempting to pull one off. The more apparent the concept, the better, and the more difficult. It’s gonna be easier to write 10 songs about love than it is to write 10 songs about loving the cute redhead in the flowery skirt who broke your heart at the Stevie Nicks concert. But to even add to the difficulty, think if that redhead was a cult leader who was bent on massacring anyone who had lawn seats before her. And make her a sympathetic character. It ain’t easy.

Taking a historically controversial character and writing a concept album is not something a novice should do, certainly not what one would expect for a sophomore album. But just add that to the joyfully unexpected things to come out of TEN CENT AMERICAN NOVELS. Coming off of Dead Letters, you’d expect his follow up album to be another batch of moody, heartbreaking, sad songs (that’s not a bad thing). TCAN is dense in lyric content, instrumentation, and emotion. It’s as if Sam Beam had a kid with Sufjan Stevens and they let Steve Earle raise him (not sure which is worse, the musical comparison or the sexual allusion).

It’s easy to think that you can make a good album by adding more ’stuff’, bet it more lyrics, more songs, or more instruments.Well, it’s not. And it’s also not easy to add more stuff and make them cohesively speak to the same idea. The horns on TCAN speak to the passion with which Kit Carson lived, the violins let you know that he experienced the breadth of emotions that a man can feel, and the electric guitars never let you forget that Kit Carson was a man’s man.

The density of the concept is impressive not only in the lyrical content, but in the liner notes, the song titles and layout, and even the only Sunshone Still photo. You won’t wrong yourself if you pick and choose songs from this album to listen to exclusively. Each stand on their own as well crafted, interesting, and inspiring. But taken as a conceptual whole, TEN CENT AMERICAN NOVELS is as impressive an album as I’ve heard, regardless of the creator’s notoriety.

Official Release date October 30th! Go buy the album. I have several favorite songs, one which I’ve posted for download, but you can listen to a few off his Myspace Page.

Buy

Ravens & Chimes is a band from Brooklyn NY, formed in 2005. They released their first album sooner this october on Better Looking records. According to their myspace page, they like Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen… Well let’s give it a try !

Amazing ! Explosive ! Be sure to buy ‘Reichenbach Falls’ as each track fully deserves it : this album is a rich, eclectic and powerful collection of tones, environments and atmospheres. Selecting these two songs was a really difficult choice, and I hope it will reach its goal. Last time, I felt so seduced with a complete pop album, it was for the Arcade Fire debut. In my point of view, Ravens & Chimes has produced the best 2007 alternative records !

Band : Raves & Chimes
Label : Better Looking Records – album is available on label website / also on itunes.
Same mood : Arcade Fire, Migala.

All my good friends know I am a rabid Ryan Adams fan…I jokingly refer to him as my “husband”…this man’s music has brought me to tears on many an occasion. His music plays a really important part in my life and he shares the top spot as the object of my musical affection along with Ray LaMontagne. I could have not been more please about “Follow The Lights EP” being released so soon after “Easy Tiger“… Happy Birthday to me!

The EP contains new track “Follow The Lights”, an excellent cover of Alice In Chain’s “Down In A Hole”, one of my favorite Adam’s tunes “Dear John” and a beautiful acoustic version of “If I Am A Stranger” from the Cardinal’s “Cold Roses” album.

Track listing:

1. Follow The Lights (new song)
2. My Love For You Is Real (new song)
3. Blue Hotel (first official release, recorded live in studio)
4. Dear John (live in studio)
5. This Is It (Cardinals version, live in studio)
6. Down In A Hole (Alice In Chains cover, live in studio)
7. If I Am A Stranger (live in studio)
Thanks for the tunes Ryan. You never fail me.

buy Follow The Lights on iTunes

buy on Amazon

I saw the preview for this movie back when “ONCE” was in the theater. I’ve been waiting for it’s release ever since. I finally made some time to go see it this week. I’m not a huge fan of musicals but only if it’s done right then I’m in. To be completely honest I didn’t hate the movie but it did lack a sense of direction, or should I say plot. I can’t speak for all Beatles fan’s but I would say that even if you are a Beatles fan the music was a bit over kill. They could have done with a bit less songs a little more plot line. None the less I did enjoy the movie, it didn’t make me want to walk out, which I’ve been known to do in the past. I read a review on a blog that pretty much sums it up click here.

The actors where great but I did walk out thinking Jim Sturgess really sounds a lot like Ewan McGregor in this movie. You can find the movie soundtrack on iTunes.

Myspace Fan

Wednesday, Nov. 7th, 7:00pm – Matt Nathanson In-Store Performance @ Fingerprints

Opened my email account today and found this little piece of news from my favorite indie record shop Fingerprints. I’ve reserved my spot, can’t wait to see him live. I have a feeling this is going to be a treat.

Matt is a phenomenon…a quiet phenomenon, but a phenomenon none the less. He managed to beat us to the announcement on this one and we are, in less than 24 hours, at almost 50% capacity. This is a Jack Johnson level of excitement, so if you have the night free please call us immediately and we’ll get you on the guest list. Matt’s music is emotional, loaded with songs that explore the heavy things: life, death, relationships – I guess that’s kind of the usual stuff for songwriters (who don’t just write about beers and girls) but Matt brings a pretty fresh look and feel to these topics (check out the Car Crash link below) and beside the food-for thought aspect of his songs, you get the genuine feeling that he’s a decent guy.

Here’s a bit from his bio:
Nathanson lived his life as the very model of the modern independent artist, journeying from town to town, logging literally hundreds of thousands of miles, all the while captivating audiences with his confessional songs and spontaneous, uncensored stage banter. This hard work has garnered Nathanson a remarkably devoted following — folks willing to cross many a state line to spend a couple of hours communing with Matt and his band (and to spread the gospel through an intricate network dedicated to trading recordings of the live shows). Matt has toured as the opening act for Tori Amos, John Mayer, Guster, and O.A.R. but is currently on a sold-out headline our (He sold out the Troubadour in one day!)

Matt says of the new album “I think of [Some Mad Hope] as an album in the classic sense and not just a collection of songs. There’s definitely a theme there, a tracing of the ups and downs of a relationship. It gets dark in places, but it ends on a note that’s hopeful — it’s not cut-and-dried, but it points to the future in a way that I see as positive.”

So there i was checking my e-mails as normal and i start reading one from merge records where i read a review of this bands album Dignity and shame. They are from Seattle,Washington but don’t let that put you off. Led by former arches of loaf singer Eric bachmann this album by all accounts is a concept album based on the lives of the spanish Bullfighter Manolete and the Spanish actress Lope Sino although you wouldn’t necessarily know that from just listening to it.

You can hear all sorts of influences in this. Calexico,Wilco,Iron and wine are all comparisons i have heard but i personally think his voice sounds a mixture of Neil Diamond and Tom petty and at times Dylan which for me isn’t a bad thing being a huge fan of all three. However,the addition of Sarah Shannon on backing vocals on some tracks is a masterstroke, gives the songs a new dimension, a lift.

They are about to Embark on a Big U.S Tour with the Great Josh Ritter and if he chose these personally then Hats off to you Mr Ritter.

I think the best thing really is just to listen and find out for yourselves. Please if you like it then buy the album either from your local independant record store (we need to save the independant stores) or direct from Merge from the link further up the page.

I hope you’s love these as much as i do and anyone going to see Josh on his tour are in for a treat with these as support and i would love some feedback on them.

You can stream a couple of tracks from their album from their website or listen on their myspace page. It’s difficult to know which songs for you to choose to listen to now but try these. Hope you enjoy.

Peace

Twilight Creeps

Crooked Fingers – Sleep all summer

Better later, than never, it’s time to sponsor a wonderful voice on the female singer-songwriter scene. Mieka Pauley is releasing her second full length in the coming weeks… enough time left to be first served.

“Elijah drop your gun” is currently in the duplication process. Two dates are planned for celebrating the launching : November 1st at the Living Room in NY and November 2d at Johnny’s D’s in her Boston hometown.

Listen to those following songs as an appetizer and click the pre-order banner !

If you’re still starving, Mieka previous releases are available from her website as downloads from itunes or snocap download system.

Artist : Mieka Pauley
Label : none
Artists you should also enjoy : Misty Lyn, Mirah, Mary Gauthier and Aimee Mann (i’m in the M mood) .

I’ve been addicted to Andy Whittle’s music for a couple months now, thanks to the enlightened opinion of my fellow Ray LaMontagne messenger and blog contributor : Martin.
I’ve bought both of Andy Whittle’s albums this summer and his songs are still looping in my tunes library. His music has already become part of my collection of old classics such as ‘Recent songs’ from L. Cohen.

His two singles – ‘Old Fashioned Dream’ in 2006 and ‘A Songmaker’s Tale’ in may 2007 – revealed a complete artist with a mature songwriting capability (25 years old) and a multi-instrumental player. Andy was originally trained in classical music, a career as a concert pianist beckoned in his teens until his piano teacher forbade him from playing his own compositions…

Find below a track from each of his albums.

I invite you to check Andy’s label, Folkwit record for great English folk artists . Sign their mailing list by clicking the following link – they will also give you the chance to receive a free sampler album : subscribe@folkwit.biz ! Enjoy.

Artist : Andy Whittle
Label : Folkwit Records
Folks : Ola Podrida, Colby Stead, James Yorkston

From Tennessee, The Everybodyfields are fronted by Sam Quinn and Jill Andrews who together make some of the finest country/folk music around today. Their voices together shouldn’t create the beautiful melodies they make but they work like magic. Sams echoing twang, Jills pure soothing voice, together with their amazing musicianship make you immediately sit up and listen. Anyway, their own Official Page will tell you and describe to you what they are like a lot better than i can, or of course listen on their MySpace Page They have supported Gillian Welch in the past and have toured a lot with their Label mates ‘the Avett brothers’.

I have added two songs for your listening pleasure, the first one “Magazines” is from their album ‘Plague of Dreams’ and the second track “Aeroplane” is from their latest Album ‘Nothing is Okay’.

A massive thanks to Nick from the Ray Lamontagne fan site for supplying me with the samples and the for putting me onto these guys. If you enjoy please Buy the albums from your local Record store or direct from the Artists website. Enjoy.

The new album “Dark On Fire” from British folk duo Turin Brakes (Olly Knights and Gale Paridjanian) was released this week in the UK and I’ve been patiently waiting to hear their new material for a long time. Patience is not one of my virtues unfortunately, so this release could not have come soon enough! Having given this album a few listens, I feel the boys are back on form when compared to their last release “Jack In A Box”…Don’t get me wrong, I did like the CD (they could make up a song and harmonize about a turd and I would probably still like it) and there were a few outstanding tracks but I feel they lost a little bit of the flow that was present on “The Optimist LP” and “Ether Song”. Ethan Johns is the producer on this album who has also worked with the 2 loves of my musical life, Ray LaMontagne *sigh* and Ryan Adams *sigh*…outstanding tracks for me right now are “Bye Pod”…”Otherside”…”For The Fire”…and the title track “Dark On Fire”…hell the whole album is fantastic. Buy it now!

Purchase it here

Check them out on MySpace here