New Digs, Vol. 25: JET....

Esquire magazine named Kate Beckinsale the Sexiest Woman Alive, and I can't argue with that. But don't worry, we're still here for the music. The magazine filmed a photoshoot with Ms. Beckinsale and put some music to it. Some good music.

JET - Goodbye Hollywood
from Shaka Rock (2009)

I looked up the band and learned that this wasn't the first time their music has been used in conjunction with moving pictures to grab your attention. JET's song 'Are You Gonna Be My Girl' from their 2003 debut album has been blasted all over TV, most notably in one of Apple's first dancing silhouette ads. Get Born was a huge success for the Australian rock band, selling 3.5 million copies thanks to their lead single, 'Cold Hard Bitch,' which reached #1 on Billboard's Modern Rock chart.

While those songs are good, the way in which I heard them (radio) stalled my interest, and I figured them to be your usual one (or two) hit wonder sure to be embraced by MTV. But I recently picked up their 2009 disc, Shaka Rock, and was pleasantly surprised. So I went out and found Get Born. These guys are not the one-trick mainstream act you expect them to be. Sure, they shine when they rock with energy on par with The Kooks, but JET is equally impressive when they lay off the guitars and symbols a bit and throttle down to a mid-tempo song.

JET - Look What You've Done
JET - Radio Song
from Get Born (2003)

The two blockbuster songs from JET's debut may still be their marquee songs, but this year's release is tells us so much more about the band. The songs on Shaka Rock have more substance - and let's face it... what Apple ad song has really meant something? They are chosen for their ability to immediately wedge themselves in your frontal lobe and stay there. These new songs, however, have a stronger lyrical focus and, in doing so, the band has expanded their sound.

JET - Seventeen
from Shaka Rock (2009)

New Digs, Vol. 24: Local Edition...

Hey. I'm still here.

Just to prove it, here are some sweet jams that will no-doubt match the sonic quality you always find here. These songs are all new to my library, and all happen to come from the Lone Star State - or somewhere very near.

Walt Wilkins - Gypsy Line
buy Vigil (2009)
Walt Wilkins is another one of the hundreds of brilliant songwriters we have hiding down here in Texas. His fluent way with words is matched by his effortlessly smooth vocal ability. Walt's been making music since '02 and has had a number of his songs featured by Pat Green. Vigil, Walt's fifth album, was released in June of this year.

Walt: [Website][MySpace][Facebook]

Mike McClure Band - Find It In You
buy Onion (2009)
McClure's 7th solo album, Onion, is yet another batch of tunes cooked up in his basement-turned studio. For this veteran songwriter/producer, pumping out albums is not the chore it once was. Mike's already talking about another album in the works. Let's hope he keeps supplying us with his work at this pace.

Mike: [Website][MySpace]

Cross Canadian Ragweed - Pretty Lady
buy Happiness And All The Other Things (2009)
Happiness... marks Ragweed's tenth album and 2009 marks 15 years that this band has been kickin' around. Produced by the aforementioned McClure, this album takes on a slightly different feel than their ealier works, but still has that classic Ragweed swagger. They were, by far, my favorite band throughout most of my adolescence, and I'm glad to see that the guys are still making good music and seem to be a genuine as ever.

CCR: [Website][MySpace][Facebook]

Stephanie Briggs - Good Guess
buy Birds Barely Know Us (2009)
I found Stephanie in the liner notes to the above mentioned album - she co-wrote a handful of songs with Cody Canada, offered some vocal help, and even designed the album art for Happiness... Stephanie's got a fun, quirky vocal delivery overlaid with electric guitars and interesting arrangement. She's much edgier than the other 'Texas' bands she associates with - in a good way. Glad I looked her up.

Stephanie: [Website][MySpace][Facebook]

photo by Alexandra Valenti

The Happen-Ins - Die
You may remember me mentioning that the two main pieces of Austin's Dedringers parted ways earlier this year. Sean Faires went on to form The Happen-Ins with the help of some other talented Austin musicians. I've since caught the band live a few times, and I'm more impressed each time. They play dirty, groovy blues/rock with infectious hooks and energetic vocals. I have a feeling after next year's SXSW, things are gonna be happenin' for these guys. This tune is from a demo I got my hands on - hopefully a taste of a soon-to-come full album.

Happen-Ins: [MySpace][Facebook]

New Digs, Vol. 23

Here's another set of new tunes I've been diggin' on to help get you through your week.

Every so often, I'll burn a CD of 'loosies' - random songs that I grab off music blogs that are normally the only tracks I own from a particular band. Sometimes I'll forget what songs are on the disc when it makes it into the player in my truck. It's kinda like mystery CD, and often I'm very pleasantly surprised at what I hear. The tracks today are from my newest 'Random New Stuff' CD.


Great Bloomers - Speak of Trouble
I grabbed this song over at Captain Obvious a while back. It's definitely been my most played tune over the last few weeks. This three-fold melody/tempo change keeps the song fresh and interesting. I just picked up the rest of this album (from which this title track comes) on eMusic and I suggest you do the same.

Great Bloomers: [Website][MySpace][iTunes][eMusic]


The Rural Alberta Advantage - Drain The Blood
I had seen this band pop up nearly everywhere for quite a while, but never payed too much attention. That all changed when I heard this song on my latest new mix.

Rural Alberta Advantage: [Website][MySpace][iTunes][eMusic]


Theresa Andersson - Birds Fly Away
Found this soulful songstress thanks to Nelson at Fifty Cent Lighter. I love the how cheery mood set by the various instruments in contrasted by Theresa's sultry voice.

Theresa Andersson: [Website][MySpace][iTunes][eMusic]


Maria Taylor with Andy LeMaster - A Good Start
Maria Taylor has been making music for quite a while now. I first learned about her when she helped collaborate with Conor Oberst in Bright Eyes (you can see her playing the drums in the Four Winds video). This tune is simply beautiful - kinda like Maria.

Maria Taylor: [Website][MySpace][iTunes][eMusic]

Enjoy Responsibly....

New Digs, Vol. 22

It's June. Wow.
This month I will hit the quarter-century mark in my life.
Kinda scary.

I like having a June birthday - it splits the year perfectly in half. This way, I'm never more than six months away from a substantial gift, either from the family or as a treat to myself. I'm hoping to get a real camera this year - a digital SLR. I'm fairly certain I wanna go with Canon/Nikon, but I don't know which, so shoot me a line if you have any intel on the matter.

However, I did just spoil myself with a brand new iPhone and I'm pretty sure it's already changed my life in less than a week. The fact that I'm such a fan of iTunes/iPod/now the iPhone makes me wonder why I haven't yet made a full-on MAC switch.

Having the world at my hands with a simple tap has reawakened my quest for music across the web as well as my desire to get back to regular posting here. I've re-upped my RSS feeds on the new phone to reflect a handful of new blogs I've been reading, been listening to Pandora again lately, and I've been refining my music library with artwork and details so my iPhone looks as good as it's supposed to.

To help quell the lack of updates here, I've been going through the list of feature posts (sidebar) with the intention of getting out a couple new editions each week. New Digs has easily been the most prolific post feature here; this post making the total 22.

Middle Distance Runner - Brother John

I came across this DC band by accident. I thought I was clicking on a link to a cover of the song 'Middle Distance Runner' (Sea Wolf) by a band named Brother John. I obviously had this backwards but was surprised to really enjoy what I was hearing. As I checked out all the songs I could find from MDR, I was continually impressed. This band strays slightly from my usual realm with their subtle electronic/hip-hop influence, but I can't seem to get enough. They sound a little like Spoon (heavy piano riffs, hand claps, etc.) and, interestingly, a little like Sea Wolf.

Middle Distance Runner - Momma

Middle Distance Runner: MySpace/eMusic/iTunes/Website

Grace Potter & The Nocturnals - Stop The Bus
from This Is Somewhere (2007)

I had seen Grace and her band mentioned in alt-country circles for a while, but hadn't payed much attention until I learned that ex-Cardinal Catherine Popper was now thumpin' bass for them. The addition of the long-legged bassist with the already smokin' Grace makes this band an equally visual and aural knockout. 'They have a new album nearly complete, although it has no title, produced by T-Bone Burnett. It's Grace and band's third studio album.

Grace Potter & The Nocturnals: MySpace/iTunes/Website

Those Darlins - Whole Damn Thing

Another band that, for whatever reason, I simply passed up despite numerous mentions is Those Darlins. They've opened for such acts as Deer Tick and Dan Auerbach and played at this year's SXSW. The subtle hints of punk influence fused with undeniable country roots make this female trio one to watch out for. I'm not too late jumping on their bandwagon though, because they have yet to release their debut album. You can pre-order it now on VINYL and CD. Also check out their Wild One [Single] at the links below.

Those Darlins: MySpace/eMusic/iTunes/Website

As always, enjoy responsibly.
Go to shows.
Buy their stuff.
Tell your friends.

Check out all the past New Digs....

New Digs......

Awww Yea-uh!

Back again with a handful of tunes I've been diggin' on lately.
You know the drill: listen... enjoy... buy.

Wilco - Jolly Banker
A couple weeks ago, Wilco made this Woody Guthrie cover tune available for download on their site. It's another example of music completely transcending time and history - the satirical song that was penned back in the dust bowl days as a slight to the fat-pocketed bankers rings just as true today. Nice choice Jeff. In related news, Wilco has announced their newest effort will be titled Wilco (The Album) and will feature a special appearance from Feist. Pick it up June 30th.

Sara Watkins - Will We Go
Sara Watkins was once 1/3 of the bluegrass-crossover giant Nickel Creek. Both Chris Thile and Sara's brother Sean dabbled in solo albums throughout the bands' tenure, but Sara has just released her debut solo album. The self-titled effort is well worth your time - especially if you are/were a Nickel fan - if only because of her fiddle skills and the fact that Gillian & Dave make an appearance. Buy It.

The Duke & The King - If You Ever Get Famous
I mentioned that Simone Felice decided to leave his band of brothers earlier this year. His new outfit, The Duke & The King, features Simone and Robert Chicken Burke. Their US debut, Nothing Gold Can Stay, will be available in August through Ramseur Records.

Band of Annuals - Blood On My Shirt
I came to know of Salt Lake City folk group Band of Annuals thanks to a reader recommendation (thanks Jeff). This six-piece band creates great folk rock, highlighted by a male-female vocal combo that sounds a lot like This Mornin'... favorite The Gougers. Get their latest album, Let Me Live, here.

J. Tillman - When I Light Your Darkened Door
Fleet Foxes drummer Josh Tillman recently recorded a session over at Daytrotter, showcasing some of his amazing solo work. It's mostly mellow, sounding somewhat like a mix between Fleet Foxes and Bon Iver. This tune is from Cancer and Delirium. He more recently put out Vacilando Territory Blues.

Robin Pecknold (Fleet Foxes) - It Ain't Me Babe
I found a nice video of Fleet Foxes' frontman doing his best Dylan - and ripped the audio for you.

New Digs.........

Wha?

I know, remember these? The feature that was supposed to be a weekly update on music new to my inbox has been shelved for quite some time now. Through much of the winter, I simply wasn't finding anything new - at least nothing post-worthy. But now, I have way too many new jams to choose from - so lets get right to it.


Slaid Cleaves - Beautiful Thing

Slaid's first set of original material in 5 years was quite the anticipated release for me. Don't expect Slaid to surprise you with anything new or groundbreaking, but the troubadour proves he's still the foremost American Folksinger with 2009's Everything You Love Will Be Taken Away.

buy Everything You Love...


Samantha Crain & The Midnight Shivers - The Dam Song

Just as I suspected, Sam Crain's first full-length album is nothing short of amazing. If you've heard the band's HearYa Live Session, many of the songs here won't be brand-new to you, but they sound even better with proper studio treatment. The handful of brand new songs are even more inspiring. BUY THIS ONE!

buy Songs In The Night

Steve Earle - To Live Is To Fly

Mr. Earle's tribute to lifelong friend and mentor Townes Van Zandt is set for release in May. A few tracks have been previewed here and there, and it sounds like Steve will bring a new vibe to the songwriting legend's work, while still staying true to his legacy.

Check out the 4-song EP (iTunes) and stay tuned to SteveEarle.com for a forthcoming pre-order.


Iron & Wine - Peace Beneath The City (acoustic version)

Sam Beam has been generous enough to offer up a FREE DOWNLOAD of 8 acoustic versions of tunes from 2007's The Shepherd's Dog. Think old-school, mellow I&W treatment to his new, fuller sound. The songster will also soon release Around The Well - a 3LP collection of rarities and never-before-released tracks.

Check his dot com for more info and the full download.


Frightened Rabbit - Last Tango In Brooklyn

Scottish folk-rock outfit Frightened Rabbit was a late, yet still warranted addition to my Best of 2008 Album list. The band has recently contributed a tune for Lifted Brow's latest compilation album. It echoes the softer side of the band's material. Good stuff.

Frightened Rabbit MySpace/Website
Buy The Lifted Brow IV


Sam Quinn & Japan Ten - Hello

I posted a video of this recording back here. I can't stop watching/listening, so I ripped the audio for you fine folks. The sound quality is as good as a proper recording.

Sam Quinn & Japan Ten MySpace


Jill Andrews - Rehearsal

The other half of The Everybodyfields has been at work on new material as well. On her site, she's giving away the first taste of said work. The recording is a little rough, but her vocals help to put some shine on it.

Jill Andrews MySpace/Website



Ryan Adams - Like A Fool (Superchunk Cover)

While waiting to see just how long Ryan's sabbatical will last, I came across a link to a Merge Records compilation disc featuring non-Merge artists covering Merge's greatest. The album helped in celebrating the label's 20th birthday. I bet you can guess just how excited I was to see 'ol Ryan on the set. The tune sounds like a polished Pinkheart song. Others taking part include: The Shins, Bright Eyes, Okkervil River, and The Mountain Goats.

buy SCORE! 20 years of Merge Records


Also, my wandering mouse has recently run across leaks for the new albums from both Dylan and Son Volt. Don't worry, I'm gonna be a good music fan and purchase both of the quite impressive discs upon their release. Sorry, for fear of my life and this blog's, I'm not gonna offer up any tracks from them just yet.

New Digs: The Stones....

Ha. You were thinkin' Mick and Keith Right? Wrong.

Actually it's Angus and Julia, and Stone is this brother-sister duo's last name - which gives them more of a right to be called The Stones than The Stones.....

Anyway, this sibling folk outfit from Sydney, AUS is the most interesting new thing to have hit my ears thus far this year. Angus and Julia split time leading vocals on mainly acoustic tracks with plenty of pleasing musical layers. They emerged on the scene in 2006 with two EP's, Chocolates & Cigarettes and Heart Full of Wine. Those were followed by another EP, The Beast, in 2007. That year, The Stones released their debut LP, A Book Like This, in Australia. In 2008, the duo unveiled two more EP's, Just A Boy, and Hollywood. The US release for A Book Like This is set for sometime this year. If you can judge someone's worth by their prolificacy, these two are doing just fine. Plus, they've recently been added to the 2009 SXSW lineup.

Angus flaunts a smooth, effortless voice that leads the melody in his songs; his guitar adding a wandering ambiance. Julia looks like Keira Knightley without the harsh angles and sounds like a more accessible Joanna Newsom. Together they create a completely unique and fresh sound that adds one more notch to the growing list of amazing talent from Down Under.

I first came to know The Stones thanks to a Rollo & Grady post in which he predicted the two were "going to be huge stars." I couldn't agree more.

Soldier
from The Beast [EP] (2007)
Just A Boy
from A Book Like This (2007)
Red Berries
Purple Skivvy
from Hollywood [EP] (2008)

[Website/MySpace/iTunes/eMusic]

New Digs.....

My new music radar has been on sleep mode for a while. i had to sort through a multitude of Fall releases and begin making a year-end list as of late. But yesterday, i was jonesin' for some new aural pleasure. i had 4 band names in mind when i went to The Hype Machine for some research. What i heard was instantly gratifying. 2 are very folky, 1 is crazy ambient-punk, 1 is Eurofolk - all are uber-hipsters.

Horse Feathers

Portland, Oregon indie-folk outfit Horse Feathers released their sophomore album in September on the eclectic Kill Rock Stars label (The Decemberists, Deerhoof, Colin Meloy). Sporting traditionally bluegrass instruments, Horse Feathers are refreshingly anything but bluegrass. Justin Ringle leads with airy vocals a la Sam Beam, while Heather and Peter Broderick, Nathan Crockett, Catherine O'Dell, and Sam Cooper offer their talents on loads of unusual instruments. Their sound is perfect for a rainy Fall day like today. Peter and Nathan both play the violin, and in this setting, it is truly classical violin. Often ominous, but always tastefully done, this element gives the Horse Feathers a truly unique sound. (MySpace/Official Page)

Horse Feathers - Working Poor
Buy House With No Home

Frontier Ruckus

Together, Matt Millia and Anna Burch sound like a younger Sam Quinn and Jill Andrews - with more energy to boot. Add wandering banjos, horns, a harmonium, an ebow, and additional harmonies from the rest of the gang and you get... well, a ruckus on the frontier. This Michigan folk group released The Orion Songbook earlier this year as a follow-up to a their now out-of-print debut EP, I Am The Water You Are Pumping. Bonus points for effective employments of a musical saw. i just received a promo copy of the new album, so i may write another, more in-depth post on these guys. (MySpace/Official Page)

Frontier Ruckus - Rosemont
Buy The Orion Songbook

Deerhunter

Bradford Cox and band don't fit the mold of my usual tastes here at This Mornin'... - too electronic and borderlining NOISE - but at the recommendation of a friend, i checked 'em out. What i've heard from their new release Microcastle isn't bad. It's tame enough to allow me to listen with inventive melodies often lacking in their genre. i don't see myself purchasing this one, but i might kick a few songs around a while and see what happens. (MySpace/Official Page)

Deerhunter - Never Stops
Buy Microcastle

Frightened Rabbit

Scottish indie-pop/folk band Frightened Rabbit put out their second full-length album this year. The Midnight Organ Fight is essentially Euro-pop and still very relatable for me. Climbing tempos stall to highlight emotive lyrics while engaging beats are accented with both acoustic and electric guitars. Frightened Rabbit has remained busy throughout their short existence. Five EP's surround their two releases and, most recently, the band put out a live album. (MySpace/Official Page)

Frightened Rabbit - Good Arms vs. Bad Arms
Buy The Midnight Organ Fight

New Digs: Folk Women.........

If you would've asked me two years ago if i liked music from females, my short answer would have been no. And then i would have gone into a "but, i kinda like...." consisting of a few songs here and there. i don't know who to credit with opening my eyes to the beauty of female crooners (most likely Kasey Chambers...), but sometime over the last couple years i've come to enjoy more and more music from women. It's gotten to the point now where the gender of the artist doesn't matter one bit - as long as the music is good. And the simple reason that my library consists mostly of guys is that female artists are a serious minority in the type of music i tend to like. But those that are here.... are real good.

Gillian Welch and Patty Griffin have done more for contemporary folk music than most men have. They prove that women can help drive an entire scene - and not just supply some sweet vocals. Kasey Chambers has shown that success doesn't mean you have to forgo your musical values (at least not Down Under). And then there's the power of many with folk groups like The Be Good Tanyas, The Wailin' Jennys, and The Waifs. Feist, Cat Power, and Birdie Busch are bringing more of an indie edge into the female folk scene. Groups like The Greencards, The Gougers, and The Everybodyfields split time between male and female voices only to bring in more variety and sweet accompaniment. Samantha Crain, Sharon Van Etten, and Allison Francis are part of a slew of new young women that will keep the scene moving in the right direction.

I still have a few reservations, though. i tend not to discriminate upon the basis of gender once i hear a song, but the chances of me downloading or sampling a song from someone i haven't heard drops slightly in the case of females. i can't tell you why.... maybe it's that those women that i do listen to have a certain reputation that precedes them - so i know what i'm getting myself into. That's why it's taken me a while to get into these next two artists.

i could make a loooong post out of this, but i wanna get to the music. The two female artists i'm highlighting today have no shortage of good praise around the blogosphere, nor are they the newest acts around, but like i said - it takes an extra push to get me to try out new women - uh, musically. A trick that helps is this situation - as well as in life in general - is to judge someone by the company they keep.

Jenny Lewis, aside from being the former front-woman of the indie-pop group Rilo Kiley, has toured some with Ryan Adams & The Cardinals. After much success with her band as well as contributing vocals on various indie acts such as The Postal Service, Jenny was urged by Conor Oberst to make an album for his newly formed label Team Love. She enlisted the help of The Watson Twins to record Rabbit Fur Coat in 2005. In '07 Rilo Kiley recorded their last and most acclaimed record Under The Blacklight. Just last month, Jenny released her first completely solo album, Acid Tongue, and it's her best work yet. On top of pop-rhythms and jazzy pianos sits Jenny's sultry vocals that could fit right in with the likes of Loretta Lynn and Emmylou Harris.

Jenny Lewis with The Watson Twins – Rise Up With Fists
buy Rabbit Fur Coat (2005)
Jenny Lewis – Acid Tongue
buy Acid Tongue (2008)
Jenny Lewis – The Next Messiah
buy Acid Tongue (2008)

If Jenny looks familiar in another way, she started her career as an actress - at the age of 10. Most notably, she starred in Troop Beverly Hills - a film i'm only aware of thanks to my older sister.

The newest artist to be added to the growing list of Dan Auerbach (The Black Keys) side projects is Ohio folkster Jessica Lea Mayfield. This 18-year old has played shows with The Avett Brothers, The Black Keys, and likewise young newcomer Samantha Crain. Her debut album With Blasphemy, So Heartfelt is a bluesy folk disc filled with foreboding lyrics the likes of Neko Case. The songs send a chill through you that is somehow comforting - and very reminiscent of the slower songs that The Black Keys have put out.

Jessica Lea Mayfield – Kiss Me Again
buy With Blasphemy, So Heartfelt (2008)
Jessica Lea Mayfield – We’ve Never Lied
buy With Blasphemy, So Heartfelt (2008)

New Digs: Crimes

Wow. i don't think i've ever been more excited about the direction that music is moving than i have been over the last couple weeks. With the end of the year nearing, i've been goin' through the albums i've picked up in '08 (somewhere around 30), and deciding where they might fit into a best of the year list. i can tell you right now, i'm gonna have a hell of time finalizing that list. Lately, my yearning for new music has led me to lose my former obsession with owning an actual hard copy of the albums, so i've been keeping my digital music accounts filled with money to dish out in favor of instant-gratification. eMusic, PayPlay.fm, and most recently Amie Street are the sites i've found with the best deals for finding new music - and between the three, you can find nearly anyone you're looking for.

i picked up Old Crow Medicine Show's new one at Amie Street for only 5 bucks the other day and as a bonus, was able to download the tracks a day before the actual album release. The discount price was only available as a pre-order, but the album is a mere $8.98 now. Amie Street prices their music on a demand basis - that is, each time an album is downloaded, the price goes up - albums cap out at $8.98. The beauty of this system is that if you're quick to jump on an album shortly after it's added, you can get for nearly nothing. i'm talkin' like 18 cents a song... but don't tell anybody.

-----------------------------
These United States ~ Crimes (Sept 23)

"if the thing that drives you onward is your heart, you must not let that engine die"

After my first purchase, i still had some money in my account so i went a-browsin'. One of the featured albums on the site was a brand new one from Lexington, KY band These United States. i came across a couple of the band's tunes from their previous release, A Picture of the Three of Us at the Gate to the Garden of Eden, earlier this year and posted one here. Both songs were very interesting, musically, but i didn't really think the band fit my preferred style quite right. Regardless, i began previewing the songs on their new one, Crimes. Before the 2nd track preview had ended, the album was in my library - and for only 5 bucks. By now i've had time to hear the whole thing a couple times through.... and it's flawless. Not one song on the disc can be considered skippable or superfluous.

The greatest appeal of Crimes is that the album is pure fun. Jangly power-pop with country/folk undertones - especially lyrically. Well-formed verses, often historically tinted, that lead into huge sing-along choruses. The album begins with a groovy, acoustic-led tune mentioning Cain & Abel and Dionysus and their respective vices. The next two tracks - full-on, energetic rockers - don't even allow you to completely realize the beauty of what you just heard. Sometime during Pleasure & Pain & Pride & Me you become aware that you're in the midst of a great album. Perfectly mixed tempos scatter throughout the rest of the disc - from soulful ballads to near honky-tonk anthems. Will Sheff-like driving melodies are accented with barroom pianos, shakers, tambourines, and even a banjo. Jesse Elliot, the voice of These United States, leads you through this journey of Crimes - "the Good kinds, the Bad kinds, the Meaningless, the Historic."


These United States - West Won
These United States - Heaven Can Wait

Go to Amie Street to buy this album ($5)
These United States: MySpace/Website

New Digs: Daytrotter's My Record Store

Haven't picked up anything new recently. Okkervil River's new one came out today, but i never left my house, so.... for now enjoy a few splendid, new Daytrotter sessions.

The Felice Brothers

To this day, i haven't found anything from these guys that i don't think is amazing. This session is no exception.

Speaking of.... i'm gonna get to catch the brothers (along with Deer Tick) in about a month in the crescent city - if it makes through the storm season.....

Check out the venue:

Looks like it'll be a regular ol' shin-dig down in 'Nawlins.


Justin Townes Earle

Although i didn't completely enjoy his debut The Good Life - a few good songs, but a little too much of a hoe-down, swing-country feel - i did like his EP Yuma, his HearYa Live Session, and this one. Highlight: cover of The Replacements' Can't Hardly Wait.

Bon Iver

i've kinda been diggin' on Bon Iver and For Emma, Forever Ago. It's a vocally-driven album with sparse and interesting instrumentation - perfect for a rainy day. The sound on this session is even more meager, but i dig it none the less.

New Digs: Samantha Crain & The Midnight Shivers....

Focusing on one artist today for New Digs.

This one deserves a full post.

Samantha Crain is the newest addition to the stellar lineup that Ramseur Records is amassing. Ramseur reached even farther West this time - all the way to rustic Shawnee, OK. Samantha is just 21, but writes and sings with the conviction of an old-soul. Maybe it's the Choctaw heritage or maybe it's that long line of Oklahoma folkies that precede her, but Samantha's tales of sorrow, tinged with lighthearted spunk, feel as dust-worn as any Woody Guthrie or Bob Childers song.

Along with her band, The Midnight Shivers, Samantha self-produced and self-released The Confiscation EP. Ramseur stumbled upon the burgeoning folk band and decided to re-release the EP on July 22nd of this year. Buy it.

i found Samantha and her music on Hear Ya Indie Music Blog. Much like Daytrotter, they feature exclusive live-in-studio tracks from indie artists. The sound is great and, especially in the case of The Midnight Shivers, the cuts seem as polished as album tracks. Check out Samantha's session.

Traipsin' Through The Aisles (HearYa Live Session)
From Where Come You Division? (HearYa Live Session)

In Smithereens, the Search for Affinity (Confiscation EP)
Beloved, We Have Expired (Confiscation EP)

great titles, huh?
check out Introducing Samantha Crain (YouTube)

New Digs.....

Listen.

Steeldrivers - If It Hadn't Been For Love

The Steeldrivers are good. Five musicians who have all seen too many Nashville sidewalks, they play 'original' bluegrass music. Much more disciplined than OCMS for sure, still they have enough moments that surprise you. Female fiddlers are also good.

The Steeldrivers - Blue Side of the Mountain

their self titled debut

their website

___

The Avett Brothers - The Greatest Sum

buy The Second Gleam (2008) - with options

The stand out from the brothers' second installment of an EP series that highlights their toned down, contemplative songs.

___

Allison Francis - Massapequa

Allison commented here a couple times, and then i found out she also plays music. It's sparse, but somehow joyful folk music.... think female hipster-dylan circa '61 (complete with mouth harp).

She also writes a music blog.

Get this song, then go here and get the rest.

___

Bon Iver - Skinny Love

buy For Emma, Forever Ago (2008) - on CD or Vinyl

i can't tell you how many times i've played this song in the last week or so.... but my iTunes can. 59.

New Digs.........

Not much else to say except these are some of the songs i've been spinnin' lately.

The Roadside Graves - Far and Wide

The Roadside Graves - Ruby

from their upcoming Demo EP

The Graves have released some pieces of a Demo they've been working on. These two tracks show the versatility and boundless instrumentation that a seven-piece band can provide. Buy their latest album.

The Acorn - Good Enough

i only have a handful of songs from this Canadian band, some of which i really like. They've put out 2 albums and 2 EP's since '04. This newest find is an almost unrecognizable cover of song that is dear to my heart - Cyndi Lauper's Good Enough was the theme song to one of the greatest movies ever put on film....

MySpace ~ Their site

Jayber Crow - Freeze and Thaw

Jayber Crow - Devil and the Desert

i finally got my hands on Two Short Stories that came out in April. As the title suggests, the album is a bona fide 2-sider. Side A - Freeze and Thaw. Side B - What Is This Wilderness? Each takes you on an acoustic journey with waxing and waning intensity as the tracks roll on. If you're looking for a solid album that has a story (or two) to tell, pick this one up.

New Digs.......

Last weekend i made it over to Austin.

i swear, sometimes i really need a simple Austin fix.

Made my obligatory trip to Waterloo without much of anything in mind. i knew i wanted to pick up some vinyls - hoping for some Townes, but ended up getting an eclectic mix from the bargain section later on at Backspin Records. (btw, check out ThinkIndie.com for some record stores near you that are down with good music)

I had been on a kick for chick folk music, so i picked up something from Patty Griffin and Gillian Welch.

Patty Griffin - Fly

buy A Kiss In Time (2003)

Patty puts everything she has into her songs, and it really shows live.

Gillian Welch - Red Clay Halo

buy Time (The Revelator) (2001)

Possibly one the most underrated artists anywhere near the folk scene today, Gillian Welch (always with help from David Rawlings) can take you back to depression-era times with the first note she hits. The overwhelming spiritual quality of her music helps to offset her tragic lyrics.

After falling into The Jayhawks a while back, i've been lookin' a little deeper into Gary Louris. I picked up his first solo release that came out earlier this year, as well as Golden Smog's comeback (?) album - Another Fine Day. If you don't know - they were/are an on-again, off-again group of musicians formed from the ashes of a few pretty namely bands (learn). Gary Louris most often played the front-man, with none other than Jeff Tweedy stepping in occasionally. Other spots were filled out with dudes from The Replacements and Soul Asylum.

These two tracks show their all-over-the-map sound.

Golden Smog - Long Time Ago

Golden Smog - Corvette

buy Another Fine Day (2006)

Heard this one on Weeds. A cool show that makes you a little sympathetic towards drug dealers.

The songs on there are always attention-grabbing and well placed.

Great Lake Swimmers - Your Rocky Spine

buy Ongiara (2007)

as always, enjoy responsibly...........

New Digs.......

Most of the music that's recently been added to my library has actually been older stuff (thanks to the folks at Cover Lay Down, Setting The Woods On Fire, and Ceci N'est Pas un Blog) - Buddy Holly, The Beatles, Creedence, Emmylou........

i have, however, picked up a couple new discs - some in the mail and some digitally.

Here's some of the best new additions:

mp3: The Dedringers - Sideman Blues
pick up Sweetheart of the Neighborhood FREE!!
The lead-off and stand-out track from The Dedringers first full-length disc.
"i used to have a job as a sideman/playin' with a blues band/down on the coast/
i played Mr. Cale/rockin' the blues scale/bendin' out the notes"
more Dedringers here.

mp3: Reckless Kelly - God Forsaken Town
buy Bulletproof (2008)
Known for their in-your-face, roots-rock, Reckless Kelly has long since set the standard for bands that fall somewhere between Rock and Country. Somehow, though, i end up diggin' the more mid-tempo, lyrically driven songs Willie Braun and band deliver so effortlessly. This one is from the band's latest (7th) release.

mp3: Ben Sollee - How To See The Sun Rise
buy Learning to Bend (2008)
By now, everyone has heard Ben's cover of Sam Cooke's A Change Is Gonna Come. The other songs from this acoustic cello specialist's debut album are just as moving. Ben got his start in The Sparrow Quartet - Abigail Washburn's band.

----------
These next two songs are from bands who have been raved about all over the music blog community - and i hate to jump on the bandwagon, but they really are good. i don't own either album, but from the small sampling of tunes i have from each, i'm definitely thinkin' about it.
----------

mp3: Fleet Foxes - He Doesn't Know Why
buy Fleet Foxes (2008)
Sub Pop has once again turned out an amazing band. Along the lines of Band of Horses, The Shins, and Iron & Wine, the cosmic vocals from Fleet Foxes will take you to another world.

mp3: Mason Jennings - Fighter Girl
buy In The Ever (2008)
The dry deliver and literal songwriting of Mason Jennings is actually his appeal.