So Third Floor Sessions have done it again…a great live performance caught on video (and mp3) from Canadian indie icons Ohbijou!
There is something about Ohbijou, they are just a dreamy pop sound that is thick with lush melodies. They create moments instead of songs…I can very much see them sound-tracking moments in time. That perfect moment in time (or not so perfect moment) where through your mind’s eye it has sound. It is the kind of music that can create something deep within you while listening. The same way (for me) Sigur Rós create such deep emotion with music – the sounds can be epic, heart-warming and tragically beautiful.
Enjoy a couple of the tracks and a video: get the full 8 tracks over at Third Floor Sessions HERE.
If you’ve read our about section you know that this site was started by a few crazy dreamers that have a great love and admiration for all things Ray LaMontagne.
I’ve been following his music for several years now, through unreleased albums, three major album releases, intimate venues, times when Larry, CT and Ray were all you needed on stage, memorable conversations to now this … an experience like none other. I can’t tell you the countless times I’ve seen Ray live, but by far this was a magical experience. His voice was the best I’ve heard in a long time and the orchestra was simply beautiful. I swear he reads my journal because he sings about my life.
I made a comment that Ray had arrived in Hollywood, no joke. I spotted nearby Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel, sat a few row up from Ron Livingston, Evangeline Lily and Reese Witherspoon walked right by me while I was having a smoke (don’t judge I’m trying to quite) oh and a few of the AI kids. Needless to say it was a night that brought out all the stars. How humbling that must be for a man that only ever wanted to sing a song. I will always consider myself lucky to have met him.
I still to this day will never understand the concept of people talking during a performance. Even as perfect as this night was there is always some idiot sitting in front, behind, or next to you that is clueless the magnitude of some performances. Stay home if you want to talk.
Growing up playing the cello I have a soft spot in my heart for an orchestra so having both my loves in one place, well it was more than I could handle. I didn’t have my camera with me that night, sorta wanted to hold it all in memory but I did find these two youtube videos, the sound is great but man it was just one of those night you had to experience being there. Words just can justify the feeling that man gives you when he sings.
I’ll leave you with a little cover of “Something is Wrong With My Baby” for download.
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”
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Here we go back on board with the “If You Haven’t Heard” posts and the newest installment of great finds – Finn Daniel.
Finn Daniel is a singer songwriter who hails from the UK and has some impressive tracks and a new EP entitled “Settle”. His sound is pretty classic singer songwriter that leans towards the finger picking guitar variety – with some good ol’ strumming and harmonizing. I find at times he reminds me almost of a young John Darnielle crossed with someone like Damien Rice….if that is possible.
There is one more aspect of what I have heard from Finn Daniel at this point – strings. He incorporates cello, violin and other instruments in an orchestral flair. I can be a sucker for folk music or singer songwriter music that brings this element to the table (hello, Horse Feathers). If for nothing else, the perfect use of the sound of the cello for the backing to his accapella versions of two tracks from the EP – “Not All There” and “If I Got Good”. You can hear for yourself on the latter track below, with a couple separate versions from what I think is the single from the EP – “If I Got Good” – if there is a single…
I must say he pulls it off quite well and I look forward to more from this young brit in the near future.
P.S. Enjoy a live video for the below track “If I Got Good” as well you should swing by the sister post over on Slowcoustic for a couple of alternate tracks.
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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
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
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If you’ve read our about section you know that this site was started by a few crazy dreamers that have a great love and admiration for all things 
Can’t wait to get my hands on 
