Archive for the ‘Folk’Category

The Catch Up Part 2: Bouts, Solomon Grey, Red Clover Ghost & The 1975

More great music hitting my inbox. Only about 400 unread e-mails to go…

Bouts – We Tried
Dublin’s Bouts are coming off a buzzworthy appearance at CMJ and after listening to “We Tried”, I can see why. The garage rock track has a plethora of guitar and a melody that has been circling in my head for days.

Solomon Grey – Firechild
The press release describes mysterious act Solomon Grey as for fans of TV on the Radio and Twin Shadow. I concur.

Red Clover Ghost – The Dark Haired Queen
Twin brother folk duo Red Clover Ghost pretty much won me over from the instant I heard the subtle banjo strumming on “The Dark Haired Queen”. The layered vocal harmonies and tambourine proceed to put it over the top. Pick up their self-titled debut album on Good Soil Records now (or at Amazon).
Download Red Clover Ghost – The Dark Haired Queen (.mp3)

The 1975 – Sex
You might remember The 1975‘s infectious breakthrough track “The City” from my last mixtape. The Manchester four-piece appears to have another hit on their hands with the pulsing lead cut from their soon to be released EP, Sex. Pre-order the EP now or pick it up on 11/20.

27

10 2012

ALBUM STREAM: Lord Huron – Lonesome Dreams

Not surprisingly, I’ve been addicted to the new Lord Huron album for over a month now. Easily a frontrunner for one of the top albums of 2012. If you happen to be planning a road trip across the country, there isn’t a better soundtrack that Lord Huron’s sweeping, folk rock narratives. Stream Lonesome Dreams in it’s entirety (via NPR) and one of my favorite tracks “Brother” below.


Purchase Lord Huron’s Lonesome Dreams on October 9th here (or Amazon) and catch them on tour this Fall.
Oct 02 Dan’s Silverleaf Denton, TX
Oct 03 Stubb’s BBQ (Indoor) Austin, TX
Oct 05 Drunken Unicorn Atlanta, GA (TICKETS)
Oct 06 Local 506 Chapel Hill, NC
Oct 07 Black Cat Backstage Washington, DC
Oct 08 KungFu Necktie Philadelphia, PA
Oct 09 Mercury Lounge New York, NY
Oct 11 Great Scott Allston, MA
Oct 12 Glasslands Gallery Brooklyn, NY
Oct 13 Mohawk Place Buffalo, NY
Oct 15 Schubas Chicago, IL
Oct 16 7th St. Entry Minneapolis, MN
Oct 18 Larimer Lounge Denver, CO
Oct 19 Kilby Court Salt Lake City, UT
Oct 20 Neurolux Boise, ID
Oct 21 Barboza Seattle, WA
Oct 22 Doug Fir Lounge Portland, OR
Oct 24 The Independent San Francisco, CA
Nov 01 Casbah San Diego, CA

 

01

10 2012

He’s My Brother, She’s My Sister – Electric Love & Tour

My friend Mues has been hyping up He’s My Brother She’s My Sister for at least the past 6 months and I’m glad I finally made time to check them out. The LA-based band is led by siblings Rachel and Rob Kolar and specializes in rock that toes the line between folk and alt country. Sort of like Edward Sharpe minus the gypsy vibe. Bonus: they also feature a dancer that provides fun percussion. Stream their lead single “Electric Love” from their new album Nobody Dances In This Town below and more at bandcamp.

Pre-order He’s My Brother She’s My Sister‘s Nobody Dances In This Town out October 9th Park The Van Records (Amazon) and look out for the band on tour this Fall.
ATLANTA, this is a perfect opportunity to catch a great show headlined by The Features at new venue Terminal West.
09/15 – Santa Barbara, CA – Soho
09/21 – Bakersfield, CA – On the Rocks
09/22 -San Francisco, CA – (Tour De Fat) Golden Gate Park – Lindley Meadow
09/22 – Berkeley, CA – The Starry Plough Pub
09/25 – Arcata, CA – Humboldt Brews
09/26 – Eugene, OR – Sam Bond’s Garage
09/27 – Portland, OR – Bunk Bar
09/28 – Seattle, WA – The Sunset Tavern
09/29 – Vancouver, BC – The Electric Owl – EARLY SHOW
10/02 – Jackson, WY – The Pink Garter Theatre
10/04 – Flagstaff, AZ – The Orpheum Theater
10/05 – Tucson, AZ – Hotel Congress
10/06 – Tempe, AZ – (Tour De Fat) Tempe Town Lake
10/06 – Tempe, AZ -Sail Inn
10/07 – Albuquerque, NM – Low Spirits
10/10 – Marfa, TX – Padre’s
10/12 – Austin, TX – Austin City Limits Music Festival
10/16 – St. Louis, MO – Old Rock House
10/17 – Chicago, IL – Subterranean
10/18 – Cleveland, OH – Beachland Tavern
10/19 – Toronto, ON – Parts & Labour
10/20 – Buffalo, NY – Mohawk Place
10/22 – Pawtucket, RI – The Met
10/23 – Cambridge, MA – The Middle East
10/24 – New York, NY – Mercury Lounge – LATE SHOW
10/25 – Brooklyn, NY – Knitting Factory
10/26 – Annapolis, MD – Metropolitan Kitchen & Lounge
10/27 – Washington, DC – DC9
10/28 – Pittsburgh, PA – Thunderbird Cafe
10/30 – Columbus OH – Woodlands Tavern
10/31 – Cincinnati, OH – MOTR Pub
11/1 – Atlanta, GA – Terminal West # (TICKETS)
# with The Features

16

08 2012

Lord Huron: Time To Run & New Album/Tour

No time to rest. I’m gonna find me a life, baby, way out west.
I don’t have plans to move west, but if I did, I think Lord Huron‘s new single “Time To Run” would be the anthem. Look out for the Michigan gone west act to release their debut Lonesome Dreams on October 9th.

Lord Huron — 2012 Tour Dates
Aug 24 The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA Los Angeles, CA
Sep 21 Mojo’s Columbia, MO
Sep 25 Magic Stick Lounge Detroit, MI (TICKETS)
Sep 27 Midpoint Music Festival Cincinnati, OH
Sep 28 Pygmalion Music Festival Champaign, IL
Sep 29 The High Watt Nashville, TN
Sep 30 The Bottletree Birmingham, AL
Oct 02 Dan’s Silverleaf Denton, TX
Oct 03 Stubb’s BBQ (Indoor) Austin, TX
Oct 05 Drunken Unicorn Atlanta, GA (TICKETS)
Oct 06 Local 506 Chapel Hill, NC
Oct 07 Black Cat Backstage Washington, DC
Oct 08 KungFu Necktie Philadelphia, PA
Oct 09 Mercury Lounge New York, NY
Oct 11 Great Scott Allston, MA
Oct 12 Glasslands Gallery Brooklyn, NY
Oct 13 Mohawk Place Buffalo, NY
Oct 15 Schubas Chicago, IL
Oct 16 7th St. Entry Minneapolis, MN
Oct 18 Larimer Lounge Denver, CO
Oct 19 Kilby Court Salt Lake City, UT
Oct 20 Neurolux Boise, ID
Oct 21 Barboza Seattle, WA
Oct 22 Doug Fir Lounge Portland, OR
Oct 24 The Independent San Francisco, CA
Nov 01 Casbah San Diego, CA

25

07 2012

MP3: Release the Sunbird – I Will Walk

About 7 months have passed since Zach Rogue released his first effort Come Back To Us as Release The Sunbird. While not a huge departure from Zach’s main gig Rogue Wave, Come Back to Us excelled as a breezy stripped down folk affair. Wasting no time, Zach returns with Imaginary Summer, a 6 track EP ensuring Release the Sunbird was more than a one time affair. Download/listen to “I Will Walk” for free below:

Purchase Imaginary Summer and Come Back to Us on Amazon.

07

03 2012

ALBUM REVIEW: First Aid Kit – The Lion’s Roar

Swedish sister folk duo Klara and Johanna Soderberg aka First Aid Kit were a welcome surprise when they opened for Lykke Li in November at Buckhead Theatre. Their sophomore album The Lion’s Roar justifies why I was so blown away.

Check out my review of The Lion’s Roar at Atlanta Music Guide.

I’m not sure why “Wolf” is only a bonus track, but it would have only strengthened an already amazing album. Take a listen below and let me know if you agree:

Purchase First Aid Kit – The Lion’s Roar on Amazon

21

02 2012

MP3: Dana Falconberry – Petoskey Stone

I’m a sucker for any song that mentions anything Michigan-related. Most recently Bon Iver’s “Michicant” and Sujfan Stevens’ charming album cover for Michigan. The latest track to file under that category is Dana Falconberry‘s “Petoskey Stone”. The song’s elegant feel and Falconberry’s serene vocals match the subject matter no doubt. Oh and Petoskey stones are pretty amazing too (KNOWLEDGE).

Dana Falconberry – Petoskey Stone (free .mp3 via Crossbill Records)
Props to MTV’s The Hive.
Pick up Dana Falconberry’s EP Though I Didn’t Call It Came at Amazon today for $3.96
Catch Dana Falconberry in NYC this week and like her on Facebook:
01.27.12 – New York, NY @ Living Room
01.28.12 – New York, NY @ Gutter Bar

24

01 2012

STREAM: Electric Guest – American Daydream/Troubleman/This Head I Hold

At some point during November, I happened to stumble along LA duo Electric Guest‘s hypnotic, reverb-filled “American Daydream” (free DL) and folk strummer “Troubleman” (check the breakdown at the 4 minute mark). Then I found out their debut is going going to be produced by Danger Mouse, look out. The guys’ latest cut “This Head I Hold” sounds even more diverse with funk drenched vocals and throwback Motown-like production.

While these fellas only have a few LA shows lined up, something tells me they are bound to be everywhere in 2012 once people give them a chance. Being named one of MTV’s artists to watch in 2012 certainly helps.
American Daydream by ElectricGuest
Troubleman by ElectricGuest
February 6, 2012-The Echo-Los Angeles, CA
February 13, 2012-The Echo-Los Angeles, CA
February 20, 2012-The Echo-Los Angeles, CA
February 27, 2012-The Echo-Los Angeles, CA
Like Electric Guest on Facebook and catch them in LA:

10

01 2012

STREAM: Great Lake Swimmers – Easy Come Easy Go

Toronto folk rock/alt country Great Lake Swimmers are readying the release of New Wild Everywhere (pre-order here) and finally offered up a new single. “Easy Come Easy Go” immediately charms with swaying guitar/strings mixed with lead vocals by Tony Decker and a little help from Miranda Mullholland. Look for their 5th album New Wild Everywhere coming April 3rd.
Great Lake Swimmers – Easy Come Easy Go (radio edit) by nettwerkmusicgroup
Like Great Lake Swimmers on Facebook

10

01 2012

Showstopper ’11: Iron & Wine – Buckhead Theatre – Atlanta, GA – 11/11/11

Photo via Catrina Maxwell
My first ever stop at Buckhead Theatre was interesting to say the least. Great sound in clean venue accompanied by a very talented artist who has clearly grown and matured over the years. The only downfall was a few rude concert goers who almost ruined the entire experience. For those people, I would love to ask these two questions:
A) I’ve never seen an artist of Iron & Wine’s caliber take requests, so why annoy everyone by shouting your favorite song in a quiet moment?
B) Inconsiderate females who treat an intimate Iron & Wine show like cocktail hour at 5P should really find another venue to spend their Friday evening.

Read my latest live review at Atlanta Music Guide.

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11 2011