Simply beautiful cover of Fleet Foxes “Tiger Mountain Peasant Song” by First Aid Kit, a new duo from Sweden-whose collective ages average to 16. This is a great glimpse at their album to come.
Download the track at GvB.
Another young and immensely talented artist from London. I’ve been meaning to write about Alessi for quite awhile now as I think her music is some of the first I’ve heard in awhile that illicits a similar feeling to that of early Cocorosie and Joanna Newsom.
Edvard
Slowing down for a moment here from the constant parsing of new tunes to write up on Naturalismo. Here’s some songs that I have found myself going back and repeatedly listening to lately. I think dear readers will dig ‘em.
First up is one of the most sonically beautiful songs I think ever laid to tape. White Magic’s swirling vocals on ‘”Day’“abound, surround and suddenly you find yourself so overwhelmingly immersed in their atmosphere that nothing else really seems to matter. The entire city just drains through your feet, this song is therapy.
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Next up is a song from Karen Beth’s 1969 album “The Joys of Life,” her vocals are reminiscent of Karen Dalton, but a bit softer around the edges. It’s a beautiful slice of late 60′s folk.
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Last one, WAKE UP, a slice of rare (and loud) electric blues from Reverend A Johnson from the late 50′s, it rocks just as hard as anything tapped into in the 60′s. If you dig Entrance’s increasing electric set this is one for you to hear.
Rev A Johnson – Lord Will Make a Way
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Edvard
It’s hard enough knowing your history and culling the archives to find all of those old gems of music from the past, but it’s even harder staying on top of new releases of albums made then but not released until now. Hidden away as B-sides, small released albums on small labels and just the general time required to go through countless songs until one clicks make it all the more difficult (and rewarding) when you finally find the right artist or song recorded in the past but not released until now. I’m planning for this to be a multi-part series and already have a few more artists and songs I cannot wait to share.
I’ll start off with some new (old) George Harrison from 1970′s “All Things Must Pass,” the song “I live for you” wasn’t included on the original release due to Harrison not being happy with the drum track and wasn’t made available until 2001′s re-release and re-mastering of the album. When I first heard it I was entirely taken back by how strong it was and-dare I say- possibly the best song on the album? Top 3 at least, definitely as strong as Isn’t it a pity? The slide guitar and soaring vocals are some of the strongest I’ve heard from George.
George Harrison – I live for you
On the same note and artist, is a song George Harrison put together for the score of the 1967 film Wonderwall. “In the First Place” finds George at his psychedelic peak and tracing a similar path to that of Blue Jay Way. It’s a great slice of his first solo material that is essentially a lost Beatles song that wasn’t released until 1999.
George Harrison – In the First Place
Now all there is to hold out for is that 27 minute take of Helter Skelter…
Edvard
The last time I checked in on Department of Eagles upcoming album, In Ear Park, was over a year ago. Band members Daniel Rossen and Fred Nicolaus have been continuously working together on the album over the past few years and I’ve been anticipating its release for quite some time. The success of Grizzly Bear has meant that Dept. of Eagles member Daniel Rossen has been kept too busy to devote as much time to In Ear Parks completion. The album has finally now been completed and will be released on October 7th. After a few listens to the entire album it’s definitely in contention to be one of my favorites of the year. It mixes the better parts of Abbey Road era McCartney, Van Dyke Parks (Fun Fact: he collaborated with Joanna Newsom on her last album) and Harry Nilsson.
The newly released single differs from the demo I posted last year of it and is a little more fleshed out, but equally as strong.
This version has “Plenty of reverb and was recorded in the choir loft of a church. Tequila was involved at one point or another. This song has been in the works for several years now, starting life as a mumbled casio keyboard-based demo, going through an acoustic ballad phase, taking a brief detour into Paul McCartney territory and finally ending up in its present incarnation. I’m excited to finally be sending it out into the world, hope you enjoy!”
Deparment of Eagles – Balmy Night (Demo version)
Department of Eagles – No one does it like you
Department of Eagles – No one does it like you (Demo version)
Department of Eagles – In Ear Park
Edvard
It seems like it’s hard to go a week without finding some news on Will Oldham. But, just like all Oldham news past, this latest development is just as exciting. This fall, Will and his two brothers Ned and Paul are releasing an EP of original tunes…sure to delight, of course. I know by this point you might think that I have some mp3’s to share with you…but like usual, I’ll have to disappoint. But! I do have the incredible artwork for the project, as well as a video to wet the appetites for all things Oldham.
From the artist, Kevin E. Taylor:
“I recently finished the artwork for an upcoming Oldham Brothers EP release due out sometime in the fall. The brothers wanted to give a nod to Francisco Goya’s etching series, “Los Caprichos“. I really liked the idea, since I’ve always observed some similarity (if I may be so bold) in theme, subject matter, and general darkness amongst our images. Presumably, it’s a Spanish release, so I’m not sure about availability as of yet, but if you’re a fan like me, you’ll track it down. I’m really honored and excited to have the opportunity to work with the Brothers, as I’m most certain that they embody some of the finest song writing happening today.”
Also, in other exciting news, Drag City is going to be releasing Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy’s classic album I See a Darkness as well as Palace Music’s 1995 album Viva Last Blues. ON VINYL. Keep your eyes on the Drag City website for release info!
=tyler=
Here’s a lovely new video by Beach House, who are appearing at next months Festival in the Forest (Buy your tickets! Soon to sell out). The faster tempo of the song and different take on the vocals give the song a much happier feeling than the album version. If you haven’t caught them live yet, this gives a good glimpse of what to expect.
For years I assumed that my single of Rodriquez’ “Sugarman” served as the beginning and end to his discography. After so many pursuits of entire albums leading from a single song only to be let down by an albums worth of subpar filler, it can feel a bit taxing to repeat the tireless process time and time again. Luckily I happened upon a copy of his 1969 LP Cold Fact a few years back and was completely blown away by the entire album. It’s easy to compare Rodriquez’ music to Donovan, but no more than you can conflate the latter to Dylan. That Cold Fact sank like a rock upon release was less to do with the music and more likely the result of some of his on stage banter and personality, such as the time he was performing at an industry showcase and played the entire set with his back towards the audience. In the mid to late 70′s Cold Fact found a new fanbase in South Africa’s revolutionary inclined youth, unknown to Rodriquez himself, it wasn’t until 2002 that a journalist sought down the long rumored to be dead of a heroin overdose musician. Today, August 19th, marks the first CD release of Cold Fact on the wonderful Light in the Attic records. Hopefully this release will give Sixto Diaz Rodriguez more of a slice of the respect that he unfortunately was never able to fully garner in the West. Really, to be honest, the more I listen to this album the more it works its way onto my regular rotation-go to-shelf.
Listen to three tracks from the album:
Rodriguez – Hate Street Dialogue *LINK FIXED*
“I tasted Hate streets hanging tree”
Edvard
Mariee Sioux’s cover of The Cure’s “Love Song” can be found on Manimal Vinyl’s “Perfect as Cats” tribute album, alongside tracks from Silver Summit, Kaki King, Rio en Medio, and many many more. Head over to the Perfect as Cats MySpace for more info.
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=tyler=
Megapuss have announced their first tour dates before the release of their new album Surfing on September 16th. The string of West Coast tour dates takes Devendra Bannhart’s and Gregory Rogrove’s Megapuss alongside The Entrance Band and The Strokes drummer Fabrizio Moretti’s new band Little Joy. Also appearing on Little Joy’s new album and in the band is Rodrigo Amarante (from Brazilian group, Los Hermanos) who appeared on Devendra Banharts Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon. “There will be cross-pollination of all sorts on this dynamic triple bill tour, what we know so far is that Fab Moretti will play drums for Megapuss and Greg Rogove will play drums for Little Joy. Producer and guitarist Noah Georgeson will play guitar for both Little Joy & Megapuss (as he also did on both of their albums). Expect the unexpected.”
Stay tuned for photos and updates along the way.
Tour Dates:
|
4-Sep-08 |
San Diego | Casbah |
|
25-Sep-08 |
Los Angeles | Troubadour |
|
26-Sep-08 |
Big Sur | Fernwood – Festival in the Forest |
|
27-Sep-08 |
Big Sur | Fernwood – Festival in the Forest |
|
28-Sep-08 |
San Francisco | The Independent |
|
30-Sep-08 |
Seattle | Neumos |
|
1-Oct-08 |
Portland | Doug Fir |
Edvard
Yeah, you heard it here – probably not first, but certainly in the top ten: Espers are going to be emerging from the shadows to play a gig at the Philadelpha Folk Festival this Saturday. The sextet has been dormant as of late I’m sad to say; but this is a ray of sunshine in an otherwise…well…sunny day in Los Angeles! They’re also being joined by PG Six, so if you live anywhere near Philadelphia get yourself down to the Philly Folk Fest. I was half tempted to hop on a plane and get my sorry keester down there tonight, but alas, need to bring home the bacon.
=tyler=
With the Festival in the Forest approaching, I’m anxiously tearing pages off my calendar (rather, carving tally marks into my cell wall with a rusty shiv). Point is, I’m excited. And to spread that joyous anticipation, I’d like to start featuring some of the bands that’ll be making the weekend unforgettable.
~~~
Being lost is both liberating and frightening; no direction is advantageous, but every choice is responsible to the wanderer. Sleepy Sun’s songs, mellifluously flowing between bittersweet balladry and paranoid, hazy atmospherics, are like a 2am car ride — not going somewhere, not coming back, but taking an unexpected detour through uncertain terrain. A sublime fog, the mood is both assured and undefined, leaving me to drift, to slither, through a spectrum that ranges from the nostalgic to the anxious, from the freewheeling to the claustrophobic.
[ stream ] Sleepy Sun – Lord
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Sleepy Sun – Sleepy Son
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or [ download ]
=tyler=