WARNING: On Vacation – “Song of Day Posts” on their way. J. Tillman’s “Earthly Bodies” to start!

So I am heading out with the Mrs. and heading to the sun and surf.  Leave it to a Canadian to leave during the very short period of summer we have and leave and go to somewhere hot.  So you only get about 3 months of warm/hot weather where I live – so let’s cut that short and head 4000 kms South shall we??

Oh well, longish/boorish story short, I am heading out and sporadic internet connection is expected (the lobby couch will see me quite a bit for the free Wi-Fi).  That being said, I will be planning on providing some song of the day posts over the next week: as I tend to do this regardless with my listening habits!  To start you off easy – I will have a Slowcoustic stable offered up today:  J. Tillman on tap folks!!!

So, “Song of the Day” today is from Mr. Josh Tillman and what could only be called the “lead off track” from his upcoming album “A Year In The Kingdom” (due September 2009).  The track in question is called “Earthly Bodies” and is a return to form (wait, has he left form…I think not!) and is again a return of the hushed singer songwriter that you have come to expect from this Seattle native.  The track starts out with just the strumming of guitar as Tillman eases in his familiar voice.  This is pretty much what to expect from him, but it is always more than you think.  What some shun as “simple” music is just far from that – it is something that has soo much layers when you really listen – the inflection in his voice, the few strikes of percussion and the accents of piano.  There is almost a gospel tinge during part of the chorus, magical.  Another stunning example that this man’s extraordinary delivery of sparse music is something that captivates me every time.  If one artist had to be considered my favourite or be responsible for what I consider responsible for the concept of “Slowcoustic”, it is Mr. J. Tillman.

“Earthly Bodies” – J. Tillman

Enjoy the track and wish me luck in the sun!

~Smansmith

Share/Save

Calgary Concert Alert – Sunset Rubdown Tonight, July 2nd!

Another show at the Marquee room tonight, this time it is Sunset Rubdown on their new album tour for the June 23rd released album “Dragonslayer”!

The new album “Dragonslayer” is still too new to make comment as SR are not a regular listen for me.  There definitely is that signature sound and panicked delivery that Krug & Co. are known for on projects – I do admit every once and a while the energy is undeniable.  EVEN being a proud Canadian, the band has some chops, but I am not hitting the concert, but many of you readers from Calgary might want to check it out.  Doors open at 9pm and advance tickets were $15.00 – you may still be able to get them at Sloth Records here (the best store for vinyl here in Calgary if I may say so).  As only one track is cleared for promo at the moment, check out a previous track from their 2007 release below as well.  Pick up an album from Jagjaguwar HERE!  Visit their “under construction” website HERE.

Sunset Rubdown
“Stadiums And Shrines II” (mp3)
from “Shut Up I Am Dreaming”
(Absolutely Kosher)

More On This Album

~Smansmith

Share/Save

Overheard at Canada’s Birthday party: “No, don’t worry about it, your presence is more than enough….”

So yes, it is Canada Day and it is the yearly ritual of a day off from work the celebration of Canada’s birth as a nation.  Let’s rejoice, shall we?

So more and more lately, Canada has been known for great music (especially in certain circles that I frequent in the music blogger world) and ritefully so.  But how well do you know Canada?  I don’t think many of you know too much about the nation of Canada as opposed to it being where half your recent iTunes playlists artists call home.  Lets cover some of the more/less facts of my home country.

1. We don’t believe in paper money under $5.00 – we have ridiculous coins for $1.00 and $2.00 currency.  Just picture our strippers in lesser predominant centres…not pretty.
2. Wayne Gretzky’s “token citizenship” was revoked upon a losing season with the Phoenix Coyotes…tragic, but needed…
3. Due to Montreal’s “acceptance of alternative lifestyles”, the first location of the aptly named “Dairy Queen” was in the province of Quebec!
4. Guinness was first created and brewed in Canada before making the trip “across the pond” as it just wasn’t working out.
5. We are aware of Celebrity, but we don’t make a big deal out of it…what works in L.A. or New York doesn’t work here – so stop it already, you are still just a douche with an entourage.
6. It has now been proven that Toronto, Ontario is in fact the actual centre of Canada (despite its location geographically).
7. Canadians find it perplexing that US (and even Canadian) artists will ignore a Canadian city to travel further and play in a Non-Canadian town that has 1/10th of the population.  Really??
8. Canada has established dominance in the “safety in numbers” musical genre – see: Arcade Fire, Broken Social Scene, Woodpigeon and even Ohbijou.  I, in fact, play a vicious finger cymbal so I may already be in a band…
9. Kiefer Sutherland is NOT Canadian, but his father damn sure is.
10. We actually are fairly nice folks and do like locally brewed beer, the home hockey team and being part of a community…as long as we have HBO to go home to!

Okay not all the above are true, but I will let you figure out what is real.  How ’bout a little bit of a Canuck playlist today?  Support Canadian artists today folks, they will definitely appreciate it and probably take you to a pub to buy you a beer and watch the game if you had time.

“Frank, AB” – The Rural Alberta Advantage – VISIT THEM
“Crooked Things Straight” – Kensington Prairie – VISIT THEM/HER
“Road Regrets” – Dan Mangan – VISIT HIM
“No More” – Julie Doiron – VISIT HER
“Alfred” – Gordie Tentrees – VISIT HIM
“All of November, Most of October” – P:ano – VISIT THEM
“If You Ever” – Løzninger – VISIT HIM
“Here I Am” – Mojave – VISIT THEM

Hope you like the playlist, some good choons in there.  I am not saying this is a penultimate playlist from Canada, but just some good people that need to be heard (or heard more from).  Please do not hesitate to visit the tag “Canadian” on my side categories widget for more great selections from my fair nation.

~Smansmith

Share/Save

Jeffrey Luck Lucas releases “The Lion’s Jaw”, discusses the album, tours and if “Luck” is really his name!

“The heart of a cur keeping time with her bedroom eyes.” ~JLL

The upcoming album from Jeffrey Luck Lucas entitled “The Lion’s Jaw” should be out any second and from the few tracks I have heard it is going to be another incredible album.  This is a top album in the “looking forward to in 2009″ for me and am glad it is about to surface.  Why this guy isn’t more famous, is beyond me.

Yes, I am being purposefully vague about the release date for the new album as it has not “officially” been set yet, but I have good authority that it will be available within the next couple of weeks.  The music industry can be an enigma in itself and a lowly music blogger simply wants the end product of a great album.  This particular great album cannot get here fast enough.  If anyone is familiar with Jeffrey Luck Lucas you will know that there is a theme/feeling/aura surrounding the work of Lucas: one of solitude, trying times and ultimately a mixture of hope amongst bleak times.  In going back and forth with Lucas (as you will see below in the interview), he is conscious of this mystique he conjures with his talent.  One that draws me like a moth to a flame, not blindly, but just something that consistently brings fulfilling music – not the one hit wonders or smash and grab singles that circle the world of music these days.

Lucas has 2 previous albums to date of which both come highly recommended for lovers of the sombre almost Americana crowd.  I say almost as his music floats around many genres but doesn’t make its home in anything specific – It has essence of a Matthew Ryan’s melancholy, Leonard Cohen’s storytelling and delivery.  I used those two artists as one brings to mind a mature established performer with the other bringing something more modern down-tempo, the blending of it all gives you a great idea of what Jeffrey Luck Lucas provides.  Another way to put it is to let you know the titles of the two previous album “Hell Then Divine” and “What We Whisper”.  So you get an aching performance of the down trodden with that glimmer of redemption only moments away (all the while being aware of oneself and being awake to some humour of it all).

Well, if I can say one thing, it is “The Lion’s Jaw” is going to be another notch on this troubadour’s belt and should make it’s way to your collection…soon.  Let’s dig into a bit of “Q & A” with Jeffrey Luck Lucas.

~~~

1. Who is Jeffrey Luck Lucas – introduce yourself to our readers – and is “Luck” really your middle name?

“Luck” is as real a name as any of mine, in my opinion, though I wasn’t born with it. I was christened with the name around a pool table in a great long-lost dive bar. It had a nice ring to it so I let it stick. I don’t know how to introduce myself. Maybe we’ll let the music do the introducing? I mean, it’s all there.

2. We are big fans here at Slowcoustic/You Crazy Dreamers and me especially as I am a jokingly described as a fan of “sad bastard music” – is this how you would describe your music?

Thank you… I do appreciate the support and encouragement to keep doing the dirty work. Though I do encourage others getting dirty with me.

I would say that the music is created by a sad bastard, but it isn’t all sad (and neither is the bastard). I think there’s a lot of beauty and humor drifting alongside all the emotional wreckage and debris. Not to mention sex and violence.

I think as more recordings surface the story will become more complete. It is definitely a living voyage that just happened to begin with a funeral march.

3. Now releasing your third album “The Lion’s Jaw” – When is it being released, where can we get it?

THE LION’S JAW will be released soon, this month I believe. It has been horribly delayed. The only bright side being that I’ve basically finished the fourth album (which I’m really really excited about) and that should be coming out this year as well. I don’t have a title yet, unfortunately.

You should be able to get THE LION’S JAW soon on iTunes and other online electronic distributors. We will also be doing a limited run of vinyl and CDs that will be personalized, numbered, etc. And it will have it’s own European label/release as well.

4. What were some of the things that lead to or assisted in the creation of the new album?

A sense of growing strength. An ability to face the present with clear vision. Working through an emotional backlog. Being comfortable in the skin of the night. Giving-up black and white ideals. Coming to terms with never coming to terms. Eroticism and passion in the midst of hell. And new sources of inspiration from my friends and loved ones. From their music. And Desmond Shea’s co-vision… his ability to find diamonds in my bullshit. [please edit this at will]

I really view THE LION’S JAW as a door. It marks the end and the beginning, depending on which way you’re heading.

5. You are more than a “guy with a guitar” – you are known as a trained composer & cellist, how do these integrate into your albums?

I tried to plaster as much of my self and my vision as I could on these records. I love doing arrangements and playing any and every thing I can. I record demos for every song, playing all the instruments. I learn so much from doing that. BUT… now I’ve found some guys who’ve living the music with me… and they’re bringing something… so I think the next records will be a little less claustrophobic… more accessible in a purely collaborative/spiritual way. Jesus, did I just write that?

6. Any upcoming shows, festivals that you are appearing at – where can we see ya?

Well, we’ve been working hard to get a strong band that can handle the music, so you should be seeing us over the next few months. You have to let the record simmer for awhile before you go out to lose money in support of it. Seriously, though, we’ll be in Europe late Fall/Winter and start from there.

I’ll also have a pretty full schedule playing cello and other things with other artists like KIRA LYNN CAIN and JAMES FINCH JR. this Summer and Fall.

7. Who are artists that you have toured/worked with that have influenced you?

TINDERSTICKS, JOHN DOE, ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO, THE WILLARD GRANT CONSPIRACY come to mind, as far as artists I’ve shared the stage with. My bandmates, JUSTIN FRAHM and JAMES FINCH JR. are amazing songwriters, along with KIRA LYNN CAIN. SEAN COLEMAN (now of Dublin, Ireland) is an amazing musician and an inspiration. And we wouldn’t be here talking if it weren’t for DESMOND SHEA, producer, engineer, 5th Beatle, etc. I’m probably missing a dozen or so. What the hell…

As far as influences that I haven’t had a chance to work with or share the stage with, I would say LOU REED, SERGE GAINSBOURG, SCOTT WALKER, NICK DRAKE, NICK CAVE, LEONARD COHEN, JOHNNY CASH, LAMBCHOP, IGGY POP, ITALIAN FILM MUSIC, etc. etc.

~~

There you have the great insight of JLL and please consider frequenting his sites to find the new album once released.  Prior to that, you can pick up a copy of “What We Whisper” (iTunes and CD Baby) and “Hell Then Divine” (iTunes and CD Baby).
You can also visit Mr. Lucas over on his Website and his MySpace page for updates on the new album.

~Smansmith

Share/Save

Gareth Dickson’s Sunday Morning.

Just a quick post on Gareth (although he is deserving of more) – I simply needed to put this out there as I was listening to his “Collected Recordings” this morning and had to post.

There has been fewer perfect moments than a tranquil back yard on a Sunday Morning…the yard half immersed in sunlight and the other half (where you find yourself on the precipice of) still in the shade.  The shaded side still with the dew beneath your feet from the cool, yet crisp grass…slowly warming up due to the ever approaching sunlight.  For those moments in the dewy shade…with that first cup of coffee and Gareth’s delicate vocals drifting over what can only be described as Slowcoustic.

Enjoy a couple of tracks and swing by Polymorphic net label to pick up a free 9 track sampler that includes these two tracks.  More info at his Website and MySpace page.
Pick up a copy of “Collected Recordings” from the Drifting Falling Label HERE.

“As You Lie” – Gareth Dickson
“Climbing” – Gareth Dickson

~Smansmith

Share/Save

Summer Song! Slowcoustic gets up, dances awkwardly. People stare, but can’t look away.

Ah!  A Trilogy of not so Slowcoustic posts!  Who has taken over this blog?  Come on, we all need a fun summer song.  Well folks, look no further – I AM GIVING YOU GOLD HERE.  Thank me later after you have the best summer of your lives due to this song.  From the look of his MySpace page, the photos, the videos, I think if you WERE Jesse Matheson it would be the best summer of your life already!

“Make Out” – Jesse Matheson – from 2009’s Pleasure Pounds (re-released August 25th I think, but currently available)

Visit Jesse on his MySpace page and purchase on CD Baby and iTunes!

Enjoy.

~Smansmith

Share/Save

Saturday Afternoon with Brent Randall & his Pinecones. We all seem to get along.

So to further my effort for a bit of a “pop” infused Saturday, I bring another pseudo brit-psych-pop group, but this time from Halifax.  Come on seriously, it couldn’t be anything other than that with the album cover above, could it?

In all honestly I am trying to not be as much as a purveyor of Sad Bastard Music as I usually am because I just started my vacation.  Damn, this is feel good time.  While Brent Randall and Co. might not be jump out of your seats and sing hallelujah, it is a bit more uplifting than much around the cold echoing corridors at Slowcoustic HQ.  If that didn’t sell you on what I am about, the tours start at 11am, don’t forget your Valium.

Okay, back to the album!  The “We Were Strangers in Paddington Green” is almost an epic theme album – it is as if the album is a journey of a pop infused singer songwriter that has just slightly lost his way down the path to…somewhere.  With almost-ballads like “Daylight”, to the piano and strings of “Lions Valley” among many more, there is a wide selection – but not too wide as it still all fits together.  There has been comparison to a certain British influence (The Beatles if I have to say it) when discussing the songwriting/song crafting of this album, and yes you definitely feel it.  This is one of the reasons it is almost a concept album as it definitely has a core of eccentric crooning songwriter who floats piano hooks through each finger (almost haunting description, thank you very much).  While you feel that this might have a fair amount of tongue in cheek, there is still a little place inside of all of you that will find yourself tapping your toes and humming along.  This is also an album that is played in full, sure you can have your favourite track, but listen as a whole on a lazy day when you are looking for a bit of a lift and you don’t need to be too serious.

“Strange Love (Don’t Be Lazy)” – Brent Randall & His Pinecones – from 2009’s We Were Strangers in Paddington Green

Enjoy a video for the above track as well!

Visit BR&HP at MySpace and his (their) Website.

Don’t worry folks, it will be back to whiskey, lo-fi, acoustic stuff soon….it’s still me after all.

~Smansmith

Share/Save

Saturday Morning with Papercuts. Not as painful as it sounds.

San Francisco’s Papercuts is sound tracking my start of vacation Saturday Morning.  You can’t start all crazy and sometimes it is nice to start with something that you haven’t heard much of.  I have been meaning to spin the Papercuts recent album “You Can Have What You Want” for a while now, so why not now?  There is a bit of 60’s psychedelia and brit pop, but not too much to simply classify as such.  You can get a bit of reference with the second track from the 2007 album which is still considerably “Hazy”, but is a bit for folky than the shoegazey of the newer release.  Definitely a nice listen for today, me thinks.  Listen along with me, why don’t you?  Bonus track from the previous album “Can’t Go Back” thrown in for good measure.

Papercuts
“Future Primitive” (mp3)
from “You Can Have What You Want”
(Gnomonsong)

More On This Album

Papercuts
“John Brown” (mp3)
from “Can’t Go Back”
(Gnomonsong) More On This Album

Visit Papercuts on MySpace, pick up an album on iTunes or on the Label page at Gnomonsong.

~Smansmith

Share/Save

Friday Video Selection – Chris Bathgate “Serpentine” with bonus mp3s

Just because there is a rumor of a new album rapidly approaching from Mr. Bathgate.  I also have a bit of a “thing” for Michigan artists…

Visit Mr. Bathgate on his MySpace page and over at the good folks at Quite Scientific.

~Smansmith

Share/Save

Frontier Ruckus release Orion Songbook Double Vinyl! Slowcoustic falls to knees, weeps joyously…

This makes me VERY happy.  The double LP release of one of last year’s best albums released by anyone, anywhere – yeah I said it.  Frontier Ruckus’ “The Orion Songbook” is now available on dual vinyl!!

I just ordered my copy via Lower Peninsula Records and absolutely cannot wait.  If you are a fan of the kind of folk that rouses you from your sad pathetic existence and allows you to find yourself howling along with every track, then you now have purpose.  Whether you are hitting the banjo laden melancholy ballads to the banjo laden marches through folk-ville, you now have purpose.  Did I mention the amazing banjo on this record?

Of note for the vinyl release the fourth side of this gate-fold package comes with 6 bonus tracks titled “Way Upstate & the Crippled Summer, pt. 1″*.  The album comes with download card as well with even a bonus of a two-sided 11×17 poster…nice little collectors edition going on here.

Take a look at the track listing and enjoy a couple of tracks from it!

Side 1

1. Animals Need Animals
2. The Latter Days
3. What You Are
4. Dark Autumn Hour
5. Mount Marcy

Side 2

6. The Blood
7. Bethlehem
8. Foggy Lilac Windows
9. Orion Town 2 (MP3)

Side 3

10. The Back-Lot World
11. Rosemont
12. Orion Town 3
13. Adirondack Amish Holler
14. The Deep-Yard Dream

*Side 4

1. One-Story-Carport-Houses
2. The Great Laketown
3. Ann Arbortown
4. Mohawk, New York
5. Driving Home, Christmas Eve
6. Abigail (MP3)

Visit the creme of the crop from the Michigan scene at their Website (love their site) and Reverbnation (stream some songs why don’t you).
See previous Slowcoustic mentions/posts on Frontier Ruckus: Here, Here, Here, Here and Here.  Ummm, is that too much???  ;-)

~Smansmith

Share/Save

Calgary Concert Alert – Jenn Grant with Dan Mangan…TONIGHT, June 23rd!

You heard that right folks, tonight at the Marquee room here in Calgary – Jenn Grant with Dan Mangan.  Fill you Canadian talent boots right here in Cow-town.  Tickets are $15.00 if you purchase prior to the door, but who knows what they will hit you for at the door (in or around $15.00 I am thinking…), but don’t be late doors open at 7:00pm.  This is coast to coast entertainment here people – Jenn Grant (Halifax) and Dan Mangan (Vancouver) – how Canadian is that??

Watch:

Watch:

Visit Jenn Grant & Visit Dan Mangan.

~Smansmith

Share/Save

Horse Feathers do in fact have a home

…it is over at HearYa, with the newly released live session with Horse Feathers recorded in early May 2009.  If you like Horse Feathers, you will love this session.  The use of instruments: the aching of the violin, the pining of the saw, all along Justin Ringle’s voice holding you transfixed.  These live session tracks only solidify my thoughts of Horse Feathers being one of the greatest “folk” bands in the last few years (I want to say longer, but they really haven’t been around that long in the big picture).  Of the 4 tracks, “Heathen’s Kiss” is my stand out…so freakin’ good.

So class, head over to HearYa, and visit the HearYa Live Session 49: Horse Feathers to get blown away.

Watch the official video for “Curs in the Weeds” below then head over to get the live session version!

~Smansmith

p.s.  Don’t forget their Daytrotter Session as well.  Purchase a copy of “House with no Home” from Kill Rock Stars HERE.

Share/Save

Basket of Figs – Dead Language

Back again with the new EP from Basket of Figs.  This Toronto phenom is known for her EP releasing (maybe an album upcoming….maybe…) and they all are self released and incredibly dark, stunning lo-fi experiences.  I have said it before and I will say it again, you feel drawn into her voice, it is like it is from another time, it is Janis Joplin meets Billie Halliday, stunning.

BoF is basically unknown for the most part (see here) and that works for me, it makes the music that much more special, unique and intimate.  She has even gone as far as removing her first official EP release “666″ from being distributed, so if you have it, consider yourself lucky.  I even joked on that previous post about checking out her Tumblr page before it is deleted….guess what, yes, it now without any content at all!

The thought was that she was going to be releasing a full length album this year, but now we have another EP release…hmmm.  The EP has 6 tracks, with one track “Steady” being from that “666″ EP.  Dead Language comes in at just over 15 minutes worth of escape from your surroundings.

Please take a listen, visit the YerBird Aviary ($25 for a year membership) and get this EP, her former 2009 EP “Oh Eye, Oh Night”.

~Smansmith

p.s.  wear headphones.

Share/Save