So let’s get one thing straight.  Growing up, I would have laughed at myself telling younger me that I would be listening to Country music.  And if I said, I was listening and loving Country music, I might have done more than laughing.  But, here I am…

As part of our label life over at Yer Bird Records, we are so excited to provide some old time country music in the form of the 10 track Wild Desert Rose album from Caleb “Bobby” Coy.  He is truly Southern and it shows, these songs are what you think of when you think of country music, not a CMT television “spectacular”.  The whole album is a demo inspired collection of honest songs that span love lost, drinkin’ and living in the South.  You can listen below for yourself.  Highly recommended (but I would say that…).  ;-)

Caleb Coy
“I’ll Be Damned” (mp3)
from “Wild Desert Rose”
(Yer Bird Records)

Buy at Amazon MP3
Buy at iTunes
Buy at eMusic
More On This Album

You can also visit Caleb over on his artist page at Yer Bird Records, his new Tumblr page and even Facebook!

Bonus:  How about a cover track from Caleb’s Tumblr page?  Listen: “Suited Me (Richard Dobson Cover)”

~Smansmith

I think the post title says it all.  This Saskatchewan troubadour is quickly making me more than a casual fan – this guy is definitely some of the best new (to me) Canadian talent!

While this is his 3rd official release, it is coming on strong with great mellow acoustics, serious Americana hooks and a voice that lands exactly where it should be (a touch rough but with a harmony that is rock steady).  Favourite tracks are the title track, “O’ Ontario”, “Don’t Ask Me to Sing”, hell…they are all recommended.  The only fault I have is that excluding the first track as an “introduction” it is only 8 songs…

Come & Gone Tracklisting

1. Introduction
2. Coming back home
3. Small town streets
4. Sins of my father, sins of mine
5. Lake of the woods
6. O’ Ontario
7. Don’t ask me to sing
8. Town to town
9. Hard to love

Lucky is also still on his massive tour, so visit his MySpace page for a list of dates across Canada (here).

Watch some early workings of one of the tracks “Don’t ask me to sing” from ZL’s Vimeo page:

Don’t ask me to sing from zachary lucky on Vimeo.

Find Zachary on Bandcamp ($10 gets you the digital, $12 gets the actual CD!), Facebook and Twitter as well.  You can also purchase at iTunes by clicking here.

~Smansmith

Today we have a Song of the Day from Andy Berkhout’s “Song Per Week Project” and this one is pretty damn good.  Andy has been on the blog prior (see here) and I am more than happy to have him back.  The song is “Endless Rhyme” and it is more of a harmonica laced “Americana” track.  I am a sucker for two things in my folk and folk inspired music and they are banjo and harmonica.  The song also has a touch of twang, if only in the tone of Berkhout’s voice.  It is a totally solo affair and it lends me to believe that if this is just a “week’s worth” of creation, this guy is going somewhere!

“Endless Rhyme” – Andy Berkhout, from week 29 of the “Song Per Week Project”

Find more Andy Berkhout on his Website, MySpace and see below for a couple of upcoming shows:

Bonus video of the track:

~Smansmith

I have been waiting on this post for a while.  I have only had it since early June, but I feel like I have been waiting a long time as I have wanted to tell everyone about this album.  This album came out of nowhere for me, I didn’t know of the brothers harm prior and now I constantly listen to them.  This is a band of traditional Americana if I ever heard one.  I only think of the heartland of the USA when I hear them.   They might be based back in Cottage Grove, Oregon and that is close enough to dusty plains as they need to be.  All The Lies Songs You Wanna Hear, yes.

So I don’t know too much about the boys, but there is a pretty good biography of the band on their MySpace – it tells of the beginning in Oregon, the coming and going of members, the return to Oregon and the rebirth of the band and new album that is banjo, country, ass kicking at times and real down to earth music that works in headphones and on a stage with drink in hand.  Sometimes when you listen to bands you feel like they might be trying too hard or maybe they haven’t fully meshed yet…this is nowhere to be found on this new break out album.

The Harmed Brothers today consist of founding member Donnie Vietti and Alex Salcido and having not heard previous versions of the band, I believe they just might have found something that needs to be heard, heard a lot.  So, as you can see I really like these two “brothers” sound and by the look of many of the photos on their MySpace page, I think that they might be the kinda guys you wanna know as well as listen to!

I don’t have the official release date to purchase, but will update when I confirm – but seriously, seek them out, email them, see them on tour this summer (see below).  Listen to one of my favourite tracks from the album below as a taster and hopefully soon you will have an opportunity to fall in love with the album as well.

“One in the Garden” – The Harmed Brothers, from 2010′s “All The Lies You Wanna Hear”

Love that track!  Other great songs from the album are “One Night”, “Song for Lauren”, When I Get Back (Tailor-Made Blues)”, “Kansas Wind”, “Cryin’ Shame”, “Greetings From Mardi Gras” <—- Also freakin’ good, so you see there are numerous winners on this album.  I really wish I had info to purchase!!

UPDATE: Purchase the album digitally on CD Baby by clicking HERE!

They are also at the Mountain Stomp Music Festival this weekend if you are in the Oregon area – but they will also be in Eugene for their CD Release show on July 8th at the Wandering Goat.  Be there.  More dates below:

The Washington Family Roadshow!

Visit:

Enjoy one of the best Americana/folk/country bands I have heard in a long while.

~Smansmith

This is one transit fare I would have no problem paying.

Shot At The Dark – The Sumner Brothers from Shot at The Dark on Vimeo.

AND the fantastic Part Two!

Shot at The Dark – The Sumner Brothers Part Two from Shot at The Dark on Vimeo.

~~~

The self titled album from a couple of years back is definitely a must for anyone who appreciates the down trodden with a bit of twang.  Need an example?  How about something like:

“Pain” – The Sumner Brothers, self titled (2008)

While I have been listening for a while, I have never gotten around to posting on this Canadian Duo (Brian and Bob).  Weird, I know.  There are two albums to dig into (so far…I think the new album is finished and due in the fall) and come highly recommended.  You can find the possibly more raw “In The Garage” from 2006 and then 2008′s self titled release that has seen a bit more production value (but still with teeth, if you get what I am saying).  If you are still wondering what they are all about, their new website definitely hits the nail on the head with the below:

It is this commitment to authenticity that first drew the brothers to the songs of country, folk and blues, to roots music. Somehow banjos, harmonica’s and steel string guitars seem to lend themselves well to the notion of truth. These sounds coupled with the devastatingly low baritone of brother Brian, and the hauntingly sorrowful croon of brother Bob’s tenor, collide to form a sound, both unique and powerful.

If the above two videos and sample track haven’t convinced you, then you my friend do not enjoy the incredible talent of The Sumner Brothers and their Canadiana like I do.  ’nuff said.

Visit and purchase The Sumner Brothers:

~Smansmith

Sam Quinn’s new album is pretty darn special.  After only a couple of listens, his laid back country fused sound just grabs me.  The new album basically just came out on Ramseur Records and is one of the new albums that has really stuck out for me – I mean a lot of people really liked “The Everybodyfields” (his former band) but I really like where this new stuff recorded with Japan 10 is going.  It is not meant to replace everybodyfields, so get that out of your head, this is new (yet feels like it has been around for years) and it really works.

Sam’s unique voice is primed for a bit of twang from a pedal steel, blends naturally with acoustics and if you can visually focus outside of his immense facial hair you will hear it all too.  Highly recommended.  Check a video of a demo from one of the new tracks below:

Sam Quinn + Japan Ten: “Hello” @ Ramseur Records HQ from Ramseur Records on Vimeo.

~~~

You can find a absolutely fantastic deal on his site…get this:  CD AND loseless digital download for $9.99!  You cannot beat that.  Visit the SAM QUINN STORE for that deal.  Also for those who can’t handle  artist stores and need the warm comforting embrace of a full blown digital retailer, get your iTunes love on.  If you need a bit of a sampler to take with you, visit the good folks at HearYa who have some more video and the track “Suite Motown” from the new album for download.

I don’t officially have any downloads for ya folks, I know, I know – but stream a couple why don’t ya?  Also, not featured below – make sure you buy it as you can’t miss out on “Gun”, “Help Me” & “River” as well…sooo good.

~Smansmith

p.s.  He’s touring to, if you wanted to see it all live (you do) – Tour dates.

Red Clay River are the type of band that I am getting to really like.  They have the slow burners that I frickin really like, but they still have jump with a bit of rockin’ out.  I don’t always “rock out” as I put it, but sometimes it is good to know that you can – or at least your bands can!

RCR sent over some demos and videos of said demos to listen/see and it just happened at the right time.  I was hankering for something a bit gritty and had a bit more bite than my standard singer songwriters or down tempo indie pop that I can get lost in.  This is the band that helped me go for a stroll down Alt-Country-fringe-folk lane once again.  And I enjoyed my stay.  I just really liked the way they provide the hard drinkin’ devil may care music that has brought comparisons to Tom Waits, Against Me, O’Death, Micah P. Hinson, Gogol Bordello, Mark Lanegan.  This my friends is your Alt Country Friday.

“Build A Fire” (mp3)

~~

“Fall Like The Devil” (mp3)

Bonus tracks:

Slower: “Letters to the Sky”
Gritty: “Ain’t No Blues”

Click Below to Visit Red Clay River:
New release “Cover Our Faces With Soot and Dreams” available by clicking below as well

~Smansmith

“With Love”(mp3)

The thing about songwriting is that often it takes a specific experience or occasion or catalyst in general that makes for a great song.  Great songs (for me at least) tend to be a touch darker or even lonely, but you all may know this already.

This track from Ronnie Fauss from his “New Songs for the Old Frontier, Volume 1″ album to his own admission was almost subconsciously hidden as the last track on the release.  This is because it is from a specific experience in Fauss’ life that could only be dark and even lonely.  I don’t presume to know the real background of taking this experience to song, but listen to the lyrics and know that in his own words how it can “..show how a tragic beginning can have a redemptive ending.”

The album cover above is actually of Ronnie Fauss (the child) and his father a couple years prior to his father passing away – which in turn is the focus of “With Love”.  This week represents the 25th anniversary.

Visit and Purchase:

~Smansmith

Mark Erelli {Visit}

Jeffrey Foucault and long time friend Mark Erelli have murder in their heart.  And in their latest collaborative album.

So I felt I had to post this because it was like I was meant to, I basically had to.  I don’t normally hear too much from either artist despite being a big fan of Foucault and slightly more than average fan of Erelli.  Then, last weekend I get an email from fellow blogger Laura at You Crazy Dreamers to check out a b-side/demo from Foucault (listen: “Geese Fly By“).  I realize later that she was getting ready to see the show last week out in Chicago that ended up being her favourite concert this year.  And she has seen more than a few so far.  She purchased the Seven Curses album and immediately sent it over to me and I have been playing non-stop…well, lots.

Then I notice on one of my regular reads, Cover Lay Down, that this album gets a mention as essentially the album is a collection of murder ballad covers – hence the mention on Cover Lay Down.  Okay this is getting weird, so I decide in order to get my aura clean I had to post on the album and here we are.

So basically, I really like the album – but people, you have to be ready for the (alt) country in you to be represented.  The album could be considered a country album if this was 10 years ago, so now a days I would call it folk-country or so.  Both Erelli and Foucault are singer-songwriter/troubadours in the full sense of the word – these two would feel just as comfortable in a whiskey soaked stage at midnight just as easily in the back woods of Colorado when singing to whomever is around.  The covers range from the full on country version of Woody Guthrie (Philadelphia Lawyer) to the honky tonk version of Bruce Springsteen (Johnny 99) to a mellowed out Steve Earle (Ellis Unit 1) and the below version of Richard Buckner’s version of a Edgar Lee Masters Poem called Tom Merritt (from what I can tell).  Essentially, this is a great country cover album that possibly gets a bit too country for me at times, but it always pulls itself back with a stunning track that keeps me listening.  Recommended.

“Tom Merritt” - Jeffrey Foucault & Mark Erelli, from 2010′s “Seven Curses”
(you can also visit Foucault’s site for 2 more tracks, here)

Purchase:

~Smansmith

The first track and recommendation is for Cavalier Rose.  This newly minted band out of Brooklyn has something that you don’t get much from me – a bit of energy.  Okay…its kind of a dirty, downtown basement club energy.  This is not an insult in any way – this is the stuff you dig your teeth into.  I mean I admit I like the toned down side of CR (so from what I hear, I cannot see them live as the show is supposed to be pretty loud!!) but there is still something about Heather Christian’s vocals taunting you to lean in only to get your ass firmly handed back to you.  You might want to check out “Sparrow”, my favourite track from their Daytrotter session to get an idea, as well as their website for a listen (streaming and download) for a bounty of demos.

“Lamplight” – Cavalier Rose

~~~

The next song and recommendation is from a similar styled band in the aspect that comes with a bit of energy, but knows how to slow it down just right.  This Boston foursome known as The Longwalls have one of the sweetest Alt Country ballads I’ve heard in a while in the title track from their upcoming EP “Dark Academy”.   I first heard of The Longwalls from fellow blogger Matt over at DysonSound due to a previous EP “Field Guide for the Zombie Survivalist” which didn’t catch me off the bat.  I admit I walked into Dark Academy not expecting what I heard – great classic Alt-Country/ Indie that allows you to enjoy both the energy of your evening plus the mellowing out on the way home at 2:00am.  I think of a similar style “local” band from Edmonton Alberta, The Wheat Pool when I hear them – and that ain’t too shabby at all.  If you have a chance you can stream the whole EP on SoundCloud HERE (you might want to check out the track “Ghosts” as well).  You can also check them on MySpace or watch quite an entertaining video for Zombies from their former album over on YouTube.

Dark Academy by StaticMotor

I hope you can get a chance to dig into both of the above!

~Smansmith

Haven’t heard it yet, no problem.  Streamed a bit on MySpace, but you never know, right?  Well how to decide if you want the new Theodore album “Hold You Like A Lover” in two easy steps.

1. Listen to a sample from the previous album Defeated, TN:
   “Wade’s Lament”
   
2. Listen to a sample from the previous, previous album Songs For The Weary:
   “Back From the War”
   
3. Super secret 3rd reason – my post where they cover Damien Jurado’s “Fuel” – HERE

The album is out now (released Feb. 9, 2010) from Moon Jaw Records and is available on CD and Vinyl – no digital at the moment, but hopefully soon…

Visit Theodore and purchase “Hold You Like A Lover” below

You can also find the above tracks and 6 others over on Moonjaw for free download!

~Smansmith

p.s.  If you like the above two songs, and you do like them, please stream “Across The River” on MySpace – frickin’ good!

Need a bit of heartache & story telling to ease you into the weekend?  How about a bit of southern drawl in your daily listening?  How about both in one package, “Addition by Subtraction” by Lucas Westcott just may be exactly what you are looking for.

Lucas sent me the CD the other week which was actually released in 2008 and I was completely unaware of it!  Did I say I like getting great musical recommendations?  Well I do.  Around here I tend to cover a range of artists who’s sound might range from fringe folk to a more traditional country and Lucas sways closer to the country side of that spectrum.  He has some great slow burners and it’s his drawl that makes you think it has southern roots when in fact he is from Michigan.  I have firmly believed in the Michigan scene and now I know they have even more including some in the alt-country variety.

The majority and the best tracks from the album include Westcott’s vocals out front with it’s country/blues tenor, almost if he is a cross between Texas and Mississippi.   I think he could get away with even more grit in his sound as his voice can carry it.  That voice looks to be beyond his years and brings me back to days of which I have never been, but you still know it takes you back…if you get what I am saying.  The album is pretty straight forward, he knows his sound and he sticks with it – most (if not all) of the tracks are solo singer songwriter in the “troubadour on a back porch” style and that works for me.  I want to leave you with two tracks that feature some great tales set to country ballads that should make you run out and pick up a copy…even if we are a year late.

“Father of the Year”
“Hometown”

Visit & Purchase Lucas Westcott:

~Smansmith

Sidenote: Even with my wife saying she thought “they wore their jeans very well…” I didn’t hold that against them and still would welcome these boys around anytime!

Enjoy the brand new video (just released yesterday) from their new album Hauntario!

Hey, you had video, how about a repeat of the tracks previously posted:

The Wheat Pool
“This Is It” (mp3)
“One of These Nights” (mp3)
from “Hauntario”
(Shameless Records Canada)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
More On This Album

~Smansmith

So I was recently called out in front of the class for chewing gum not finding local talent.  The calling out cam from fellow Canadian blogger Herohill and the local talent in question is Cam Penner.  Wait, let’s move back a touch – Craig over at Songs:Illinois posted on a nice little find with Cam Penner.  Said post is read by Herohill and then I am called out on ignoring local talent not finding this great roots/Americana/folk artist that I should have.

Okay, us Canadians sometimes have to rely on our friends to the south to find great artists from our own backyard.  It is bound to happen, Canada is MASSIVELY TALENTED when it comes to the indie music scene.  That is not the coincidental stuff, it comes next.

I look into this post by Songs:Illinois on Penner’s new album and low and behold, I find myself downloading the track and enjoying it quite a bit.  I then look into this Canadian musician and find out he is currently based in Calgary – where I live!  Then I look into it some more and find out Cam Penner is originally from Manitoba – where I moved from!  If anyone reading this is familiar with Southern Manitoba, it is full of smaller (mostly) farming communities and a fairly hefty religious and Mennonite presence.  It does turn out that Cam is from such a Mennonite community in Southern Manitoba…for all I know, he was a neighbor of my wife who is also a Mennonite from Southern Manitoba!  That would be too much so I am not looking into it any longer.

Don’t get me started on the fact that part of promotion for Cam Penner is through Kerf Music who I found out last week is the company our bookkeeper at my current job also works for….come on!

So, long not so interesting story short, listen to Cam Penner.  If you enjoy a bit of down-trodden folk with real Canadiana and a splash of country he is well worth it.

Also enjoy a video for the track that was posted to start this all:

Visit and purchase Cam Penner:

~Smansmith

I have been a bit lax on the label playlist feature here on Slowcoustic so I noticed that the good folks at IODA have quite a bit of content from Shameless Records available.  Hell, it is time to represent Alberta here – Canadian label action from my own province!  They have a pretty eclectic  roster, with my clear stand out favourite being The Wheat Pool – but that’s how I roll (all families have their favourite child, right?).

In reading over the info on their website, you know that 2002 was the official start of the label with organizing by Glen Erickson (wait, does he play guitar in a band…).  Erickson wanted to create a local scene that was growing and what better way to do this than be a label in the City of Champions (Edmonton, Alberta).  Not that this label is exclusive to Edmonton, its roots are there and they are hoping to grow it world-wide (hey, why not?).  The label is basically “indie” with artists falling into the alt-country, folk-pop-rock genres, but I don’t think they are stopping there – swing by the page, get to know them.

Lets build a playlist now with hand picked examples of some tunes!

~~~

The Wheat Pool
“This Is It” (mp3)
“One of These Nights” (mp3)
from “Hauntario”
(Shameless Records Canada)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Rhapsody

More On This Album
(NEW ALBUM)

~~~

The Wheat Pool
“Peniel, SK” (mp3)
“Evergreen” (mp3)
from “Township” (Excellent album)
(Shameless Records Canada)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at eMusic

More On This Album

~~~

F&M
“Shrug It Off” (mp3)
from “Every Light Must Fade”
(Shameless Records Canada)
More On This Album

~~~

F&M
“I Pray For The Fog” (mp3)
from “Let Every Light Shine”

(Shameless Records Canada)
More On This Album

~~~

Hector Fector
“All the Way’s We’re Living” (mp3)
“Let’s Make Friends” (mp3)
from “We Are Romantic”

(Shameless Records Canada)
More On This Album

~~~

James Murdoch Band
“Building a Bridge” (mp3)
“Canadian Summer” (mp3)
from “Wondering Where the Rush Has Gone”

(Shameless Records Canada)
More On This Album

~~~

Becky
“This Winter” (mp3)
“Breath” (mp3)
“Untitled in May” (mp3)
from “Some Like The Water” (GREAT album)
(Shameless Records Canada)

More On This Album

~~~

Now don’t you just want to be Canadian?

~Smansmith

I am a bit confused by The Big Nasty – they have two CDs coming out and one is more country folk and the other more rock alternative.  I mean each is its own project – and actually kudos to them for having the energies and ability to have two separate albums to promote.  And two CDs being released when you just formed in January of this year!!  Wow, dudes have their shite together.

CD # 1: Downtown is described as:

…what it would be like to meet a girl in a train station, spend three days in a city that you can’t remember, and then get back home to realize that you are still single and no longer have a comma in your bank account.

CD #2: The Sticks is described as:

Like waking up with a hangover in a pickup truck on the outskirts of town with no memory of your last 3 days…

While I am not sure how raucous and/or hazy this band prefers to be, there is a good listen here.  Check out a track from each album below – both “The Sticks” (country) and “Downtown” (Rock) are released on October 15th.  Guess which one I prefer…
~~~
The Big Nasty
“Life of a Dog” (mp3)
from “Downtown”
(Opus Music Ventures)

More On This Album

~~~
The Big Nasty
“Lay It All Out” (mp3)
from “The Sticks”
(Opus Music Ventures)

More On This Album

**Don’t miss the double CD Release party on Oct. 15th at the Starry Plough in Berkely.  Everyone attending gets a free CD!!

You can always visit them:

~Smansmith

Holy shit I am digging this song (Tirade Of A Shitty Mom)!  Wait, I’m digging the whole damn thing.

I recently picked up the album for One Hundred Dollars – another winner from Canada folks – and this song (and below video) are just amazing.  It is all psychedelic, folkish and is stuck in my head.  I noticed the youtube action for it and this video really is this song.  If there is a better video for this song – tell me what it could possibly be.  Sepia tones bleeding through a burnt orange vision all blurred with 60′s infused alt-country-folk.  All along Simone Fornow chants the lament of the shitty mom.  This song definitely gives juxtapose to the full album which tends to be a bit more Americana infused country.  It is just too good.

One Hundred Dollars (I never know if I should type $100, but the long form is the true name I believe) are coming to Calgary as well!  There is an Oct. 31st (yes Halloween show) at the Palamino – if you dare go downtown in the evening on Halloween, you now have purpose. The crew is about to start a Western Canadian Tour which is a little delayed for the past while as they seemed to stay “Eastern” due to various issues.  I don’t want to judge, but it’s about damn time!!  Saying that regardless of being fairly new to the band in general…

Visit them on MySpace to see some dates and stream some more tunes.  I leave you with what I believe was the lead off track (if my fellow Canadian bloggers have anything to say about the situation) which shows the difference (or depth depending on how you look at it) between tracks on the “Forest of Tears” album.  Okay watch the above video, then listen to the track below.  Intrigued aren’t you.

“No Great Leap” – One Hundred Dollars – from 2009′s “Forest of Tears”

Purchase:  iTunes & Sonic Union.

~Smansmith

I have done this before (see here) and I just did the whole drag and drop into my iTunes and have a new playlist for this Saturday. I have had these mp3s on my desktop for weeks now and they are not related at all besides the fact that I listened quickly, liked it and downloaded it, then didn’t import the songs to my iTunes. I don’t know what I’m doing half the time – there is soo much music out there and I try to grab as much of the stuff that I like, but it is like running up a wet banana with feet doused in baby oil. Don’t ask why I just typed that description – a bit groggy after pints last night.

So again, I apologize if you are a fellow blogger and I have stolen your music (but imitation is the sincerest…) but I can’t fully remember where all these songs came from.  Hell, if I downloaded them, they are sitting out there somewhere anyway, right?  Some are aptly labeled (well the Walkmen track is) and a few are from Last.fm, some might be artist submissions that I didn’t label correctly, etc.  I like them, so I hope you all can take them and listen and maybe pick up an album or single?

Saturday Desktop Mix

On the Water (In a Van Sessions – La Blogotheque) – The Walkmen {Visit} (La Blogotheque does no wrong, visit for more from this session!)

The Vagabond, Drunkard and Bank Man – Starving Pride {Visit} (find some more free downloads on his Last.fm page)

Where Was Your Mind – John Zambricki {Visit} (Nice singer songwriter stuff here, guy needs more love!)

Curse of a Drunk – The Takers {Visit} (great indie country with a rock edge)

The Revival Is Over – Sam Lowry {Visit} (gothic folk, stunning – see previous post on Sam)

Song for God – The Mountain Goats {Visit} (out take from one of the best lo-fi albums ever “All Hail West Texas”)

Faced Down – Sweedish {Visit} (New EP of mellow folk pop is only $5 at their website!)

Enjoy the fall weekend folks (did I mention that I think I saw snow in the forecast for Calgary next week??!!?).  I am hanging on to fall for a bit longer before these Saturday mixes become snowy-hibernation playlists!

~Smansmith

So OX has a new album “Burnout” coming out on November 10th (featured that title track over on You Crazy Dreamers HERE) so I thought I would swing by their site and catch up on what was going on until now.

So Burnout looks to be the bands 3rd album with the previous album being a mix of indie, rock, alt-country and 70s radio.  So far the new album is along the lines of these, but maybe bringing a new chapter to these college radio darlings.  Being long gone out of college, I will take that with a grain of salt – but they certainly have the sound that kids might enjoy (don’t get me started on the “weed” references…).   So let’s dig into the past shall we?

~~~

OX – American Lo Fi
(purchase on iTunes)

This album got a decent amount of press and its quite good if I do say so myself – definitely strong indie tracks, a bit drowsy in its delivery and that is the basic formula for me often.  As awkward as it is to say, there is a “vibe” to the album – you get a bit of Lo Fi indie alt country with the vocals of a Sea Change era Beck.  I quite like it with the tracks “Miss Idaho” and “Surrender” being the feature songs of the album at first rotation.  Listen below:

“Miss Idaho”
“Surrender”

~~~

Ox – Dust Bowl Revival
(purchase on iTunes)

This album from 2004 could have been released today and easily fit into the current scene of college radio meets hype machine taste-makers.  There are a few ballad-esque tracks with a fair amount of piano on this one, but also a DIY feel with its lo-fi goodness and great use of country twang.  I honestly think this album could have been the one called American Lo Fi, but Dust Bowl Revival gives you the same feel if you know what I mean.

“Stolen Car”
“Transam”

~~~

A bit of a “coles notes” of some previous OX…swing on by You Crazy Dreamers for the new track “Burnout” as well – it is fantastic and on repeat over here.  Also check out some tour dates for October/November - consider checking them out if you are able!

Visit OX on their Website and MySpace by clicking below:

~Smansmith

I did see them live a few months back, and what I notice is that they become purveyors of the sound that they play.  They enjoy playing and extend many songs longer than what you may find on their recorded CDs.  If this is something you like, you have to see the video for new track “Ballad of Frank Dupree” which comes in at just under 10 minutes.  I am not going to post that video as I want you to wait and see it on HearYa – if it is a sign of new album material – we are in for a treat once again.  If you have been around this summer you may have seen the song performed at various stops (or even on YouTube at the Winnipeg Folk Festival!).  Freakin’ blows you away.  If you do one thing next week, swing by HearYa for the post on The Deep Dark Woods and get 6 tracks of pure Saskatchewan bliss!

~~~

~Smansmith

So you need some more music?  You have $2.00 in digital form?  You got some of that internets?  Well friends, I got some country folk goodness that your $2.00 will acquire for you.  Kyle Swartzwelder’s self titled album is more than worth the price (or less than the price of) of your morning coffee.  Simply hit the CD Baby link below and you can get the full album (8 tracks) for digital download for a Slowcoustic approved $2.00 fee!!

Kyle’s album is truly a mix of country and folk with much fitting the Slowcoustic genre just perfectly.  Anything with slide guitar is alright in my books.  The song I am featuring is “6x1x1″ and definitely is a ballad of the dusty roads if there ever was one.  While the country doesn’t get out of control (meaning there is no expected “hoe down”) there is enough to give it a heartland feel – if only at half speed.  Really nice.

“6 x 1 x 1″ - Kyle Swartzwelder – from 2008′s Self Titled Album

~~~

Below Links: Website / Facebok /MySpace / Purchase

Also, if it often feels like a small world, Kyle just finished mastering the new Hezekiah Jones EP!  Again, why are you still here and not at CD Baby?

~Smansmith

photo stolen from Less Noise More Signal

So I am sitting here listening to one of the many iTunes playlists I make (I am a bit of a fiend for this) and while scrobbling to my Last.fm profile I noticed that some tracks are readily available for download.  As I consider myself basically an up and up music blogger – meaning that I post only “approved” media on the blog.  I consider a track down-loadable only with an okay from the artist/label or if it is already posted for free download elsewhere, etc (well for the most part, *wink*).  So what this means is I don’t always post the songs I want to.  This is a bit of a unfortunate situation as I could like a album enough to do a feature on it, but the approved media is not the track I especially like and is not the reason I may like an artist/album.  I often feel like I have to provide the reader with songs that would normally skip over when listening to an album if I want to post anything.  This is mostly as I am a fan of the downtrodden and slowcore tracks from albums, which often are not the “lead off single” or promotional track that labels like.  Go figure.

This brings me to a couple of tracks that come from albums that I really like, but wouldn’t be the track I would have posted if I had my choice.  Who am I to say what gets released!!  I am sure the PR guy wanted a bit more of a positive feature on the blog, but this is slowcoustic…I like the slow and acoustic tracks from the album!!  No big deal, the albums are great as a whole and I do recommend them; but I think I said my piece.  Enjoy.

The “I’m not going to jail for a song” playlist

~~~

Joshua James – Build Me This (Sept. 8, 2009)

This is 25 year old James’ second album and it follows suit to his first album, The Sun Is Always Brighter, was a strong selection of intimate singer-songwriter tracks, while this album does continue that, there is a bit of sway to a fuller sound.  This sound can be summed up in the lead off single “Magazine” – the story is still that of heartache, which works well for James.  Of note, the album will be a double vinyl and include 5 additional tracks!!

“Magazine” – Joshua James
*Track I would have liked to post:  “Pitchfork”

~~~

The Maldives – Listen to the Thunder (Sept. 15th, 2009)

This one is a bit more to the country side of things and the album actually crosses the entire street of Alt-Country from a bit of rocking to whiskey soaked crooners.   I admit that the up tempo stuff is not fully my cup o’ tea, but damn they have some great country styled ballads.  While the album is not out until Sept. 15th, you can purchase it and the previous EP that includes some of the same tracks at Mt. Fuji Records here.

“Tequila Sunday” – The Maldives
*Track I would have liked to post: “Walk Away” (10 and a half minutes of beauty!)

~~~

David Bazan – Curse Your Branches (Aug. 25th, 2009)

I have been a fan of Bazan for a while (just like everyone else) from Pedro the Lion to his solo stuff.   I do admit, not unlike my comment on The Maldives above, his slower stuff is killer.  His cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” is one of my favourite songs, period.  I mean the song has been covered like a bazillion times, but it is rarely done justice…Bazan kills it.

“Bless This Mess” – David Bazan
*Track I would have liked to post: “Lost My Shape” or “Harmless Sparks” (I know Harmless Sparks is on daytrotter, but the album track)

~~~

There you have it, life as it is versus as it should be!!  HA, just kidding, enjoy the tunes, maybe pick up the three albums to see what you would have selected as your preferred track…

~Smansmith

When one visits a site like mine and listens to music, one gets and idea of the style of music you will often be subject to everytime you come back.  While there is nothing wrong with blogs that cover multile genres of music and even have a “media information” feel and cover movies, celebrity, cultural events as well as music – but that is not me.  When you come here you can expect to get great music* that tends to be on the slower side, often acoustic and what many call “lonely night” or “fall asleep” music.  Well…call it what you will, I like it and I hope I provide you the music you look for when coming here.

That random and cryptic opening aside – I want to introduce you to more of that great music*, or remind you of someone that seems to be slipping under the radar.  I only say this as I don’t seem to see to much on him in the blogosphere – at least for someone with a clearly spectacular album like Very Long Dream.  I just don’t get it.  Think of the best parts of a modern folk/country/singer songwriter album and despite what some say is “very Dylan” at its core, comes off as an overall sound influence rather than an off the cuff description of who he is.  I get the reference – the sound is timeless, played mostly solo and there might be an ever so slight scratch in the delivery – but it is all Notari, and it is all good.  See the description from his MySpace page that describes him, his past and his journey to this album:

Huck grew up in the White Mountains of New Hampshire in an old country house. He eventually found himself on the west coast where he helped form the Cardboard Songsters, a vaudeville troupe. He then landed in New Orleans miming on the streets as Charlie Chaplin where he joined the Kitchen Syncopators, a ragtime and country blues band with former members of the Songsters. He released his first solo record, “Highland” in 2007 and his second album, “Very Long Dream” in February of 2009. Accompanied by friends, he has created an original, honest country sound.

This album was sent to me months ago from one of my friends on Rate Your Music (the kind of friend that makes me feel like I don’t know anything about music, yes, he’s that good).  I admit I let is sit too long.  I started listening again and then I really started hearing it and it has moved to a top 10 album for the year for me at this point.  The album is full of rolling, lazy country hills (Undone, Fall to Hard), down trodden acoustic paths (Wall Around Your Heart, Who Could Let You Go) to my current favourites (He Rode Off, I Want to Win) to a nice little live-ish track (Dark and Dreary Day) – which could be that Dylan track of note.

I honestly believe Notari and his crew of have made a spectacular, year end list album here.

“He Rode Off” – Huck Notari – from 2009′s “Very Long Dream” (HIGHLY recommended)

Visit Huck Notari on MySpace, pick up his CD at CD Baby, iTunes and Amazon.

~Smansmith

*”great music” – The views, conclusions, findings and opinions of the author are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the general public, greater music industry or their employees.

Sometimes I get in a mood.  My mood is currently set clearly in the land of late night dusk across the plains of Maryland.  Wait?  Maryland?  Yes, Maryland.

Paul Masson delivered to myself (just yesterday) a fine example of why I could have been born in Texas in the 50′s.  Great country (or Alt-Country for those too scared to say they like country music) in the form his new EP and the stunning ballad called “My Girl Baltimore”.  Immediately I was drawn in by Masson’s perfect pitch delivery for such music: just a bit of grit, a bit breathy and clearly a history beyond his years.  Then the pedal steel kicks in.  Shit, this is good.  Just enough aching twang in the steel to break any cowboy’s heart.

The song is from Paul Masson’s debut EP that has just been released and in fact, “My Girl Baltimore” is Masson’s favourite track as well, and ritefully so.  He also let me know that the stunning pedal steel was courtesy of Tom Hnatow of These United States.  So you know its gonna be good.

“My Girl Baltimore” – Paul Masson – from 2009′s self titled EP

So support the return of Alt-Country and Mr. Paul Masson and pick up a copy of the EP:  it should be hitting some digital retailers (SEE BELOW – UPDATED) very soon or pick up an EP at any of his upcoming shows

You can always send him a note to tell him you really like it and you really need a copy via his MySpace page…

PURCHASE @

iTunes
Amazon
eMusic
Napster (yes, even Napster!)

~Smansmith

This one ain’t new to me, but it is from one of my favourite albums of last year – “We Are All Alone In This Together” from the banjo wielding Lindsey.  The song, friends is “Tomorrow is Another Night” and it is one of the best.

As I tend to, I enjoy a unique voice or vocal delivery and Graham Lindsey does not disappoint and do not shy away as once it finds it’s home, you will need more and more.  The album in question where this track is from is full of Southern style blues folk and even bluegrass with honky tonk.  Something that if I thought I would be typing in my younger years I would have scoffed at my older self.  Well younger self, get your head out of your ass…listen to this frickin song!

Visit Graham Lindsay on MySpace and pick up an album on iTunes.

Graham Lindsey
“Tomorrow is Another Night” (mp3)
from “We Are All Alone in This Together”
(SPACEBAR Recordings)

More On This Album

~Smansmith

There is something about a bit of grit from a whiskey burnt throat accompanied by a slide guitar.  Yeah, it’s called country music, well…sort of.  I do find myself often attending the “my dog is dead, my wife left me” school of music enjoyment and I have the following homework for you.  Listen to Ronnie Fauss’ “The Saddest Love That’s Ever Been” and sit back and consider yourself lucky enough to be listening.  While the context of the song isn’t the classic version, it is a more modern tale of heartfelt loss and the way relationships lose course and hold on too long.

The song is definitely down-trodden, but you have the feeling that it could go further but knows it needs to hold back – the slide guitar says it all (as it often does).  If you slowed it down to 3/4 speed, you probably would be curled up on the floor by the end of the 4 minute track – just the way I like it.  The song is from Fauss’ album “New Songs for the Old Frontier” and includes many similar styled songs, but if only a bit more upbeat – definitely leaning to the country side of Alt-Country-Folk.  Overall a pretty good listen, but for now enjoy my track of the day.

“The Saddest Love That’s Ever Been” – Ronnie Fauss

Visit Ronnie Fauss on MySpace, his Website (where you can stream the entire EP of 6 tracks).
Pick up a copy of the CD on his site HERE or visit iTunes for a digital copy.

~Smansmith

Auld Lang Syne are coming into their own and taking me along with them.  The new album “Midnight Folly” combines Americana, Rock n’ Country and epic soundscapes.  This is the band that brings it all to the table and gives you a great album with waves and surges of sound, backs off with the perfect hush then brings it all back with gritty goodness.  I dare say this album got past 2nd base with me upon first date listen…

My first trip along the prairie sun stained tracks of Auld Lang Syne was their 7″ release for “Where My Fortune Lies” of which that very track receives it’s proper album release on this album (see my previous post with the tracks HERE).  While that EP was merely a taster of what was to come with “Midnight Folly” – I really feel they have more of a full band sound and have grown a bit more gritty cowboy with this release.  So to say it’s a worthy purchase is an understatement.

From the banks of “Four Rivers” apocalyptic Southern Gothic to the crooner ballad of “Rusty Prayer” or the combination of both in “Why We Cry” this album is racing up my favourite releases for the year.  If one song sums up this album it will be the almost 12 minute “Autumn Epitaph” – this is the song that you dream of when it is 1:38am after a night of great friends, many beverages and great music.  It is also the song you will be singing along with in that moment where you realize that Auld Lang Syne is now “your” band – it picks you up and dusts you off, carries you to new heights while at the same time ends with a lament for the ages…fan-freakin-tastic.  Once you purchase the CD, look deep into the photos included with it – you see the band, where they live and breathe in the moment on stage – these pictures along with the epic “Autumn Epitaph”, if it doesn’t give you shivers – you don’t like great music.

To get an idea of what a great show will be: The Avett Bros. (!!!) will be on the bill with Auld Lang Syne upcoming this June – see below for the East Coast dates:

June 13th – The Filmore in New York, NY
June 14th – Waterstreet Music in Rochester, NY
June 16th – Carnegie Music Hall in Pittsburgh, PA

Visit Auld Lang Syne over at the good folks at Viperbite Records, pick up an album now while you can by clicking RIGHT HERE.

~Smansmith

I have held off on this post for a few weeks due to giving the album a few listens prior to sending on the recommendation.  Jeff is a great guy with some solid singer-songwriter chops, but you always have to make sure, sometimes new albums take a new path, some divert down side roads in which should never be traveled.

I put that introduction in as I do believe Zentner has taken an alternate route to his destination of small town America.  I think it is a good one, so don’t get too worried!  I first wrote of Jeff Zentner here prior to this album being released and now that it has arrived, I have been digging into it regularly.  More on the arrival of the CD later, but let’s keep on with the music.

The new album is a deeper journey into the music than his previous work on “Hymns to the Darkness”.  There is more experimenting with duets, more ambient texture mixed in with his acoustic leanings.  Take one listen to “Where We Fall We’ll Lie” and you will know of what I speak.  Zentner is bringing in a new facet of his performance – almost a fringe folk edge.  Another aspect of note is production – there definitely seems to be more emphasis on making the album a beautifully dark and raw recording.  When I say “raw” I mean something that just might take something out of you, this isn’t simply a sit down and sing your songs while we record them experience.  I especially enjoy the inclusion of the mandolin, echoing banjo and increased overall atmosphere oozing from this recording .  It is an album that needs all it’s parts though, every limb and piece of Zentner together in order to be appreciated.  Sure there are stand alone tracks that are great (the title track for one), but each one lends to the entire package.

There is much more inclusion of the fairer sex this time around as well, including Katiejane Garside (from the above mentioned “Where We Fall We’ll Lie” of which she co-wrote) and the great Josie Little who performs on at least 4 other tracks.  You even get Matt Bauer and Jay Foote on the lamenting “Night Jasmine” – one of my favourites.  Overall, maybe it is the collaborative effort of this album that gives it a larger scope, or maybe I just really like dark Americana artists.

Well I mentioned above on the CD arrival for a reason and that reason is that I have a signed copy of the new album to provide to you good folks.  In order to make it fairly easy, but take more than this post to figure out – the third person to email me (admin@slowcoustic.com) with the name of Jeff’s band that he plays in will get the personalized CD sent to you for your listening pleasure.

Enjoy a couple of tracks from the new album below – I also looking forward to hearing from you.  I will post in the comments once the contest has been completed and the winner informed.

Visit Jeff Zentner on MySpace.  Also check out a couple of posts from fellow blogger Laura on You Crazy Dreamers here & here.
Pick up a copy of “Hymns to the Darkness” or “The Dying Days of Summer” on CD Baby.

~Smansmith

So I haven’t done a “New on the ‘Nets” post in a while, but I did post some recommendations on Thursday already…so, this may be a condensed version.  So in order to fill out the post, a Saturday Playlist is in order!!

Couple of items that I need to recommend:

1. Daytrotter posted their J. Tillman session from SXSW.  Very Nice – go sign up and pick up the 4 tracks!
2. Laundromatinee has their Great Lake Swimmers session posted as well.  Hit them up for some of the video and audio love.
3. The Music Slut has been premiering her Morrissey Covers Album “TMS Hearts Moz”, at the furious pace of one song per day.  Visit daily for more and catch up, she has posted 5 so far!!

Saturday Playlist (part one)*

“Apples Burning” – Princess Mabel (think of a better Sarah Mclaughlin with and indie edge)
“Way Back Down” – Mitch Elrod & CountrySoulHouse (Gothic Alt Country…mmmm)
“Nowhere” – Martha Kronholm (uber mellow songstress)
* All artists from Collar City Records – visit for more from each, including Martha Kronholm’s full EP free!  CCR just might be my new favourite indie label!

Playlist within a playlist (or part two)**

“Flowers on the Stones” – Mark Berube (this one is a cheering section of indie pop)
“Robots” – Dan Mangan (not as folktronica as others, but country folk rock emerges in its place)
“Spring Flower” – The Great Outdoors (toned down honky tonk, but not all the way toned down)
“Dessous Les Paves, La Plage” – Corbin Murdoch And The Nautical Miles (Indie Folk from the west coast – this one changes pace from celtic to southern gothic to almost radio indie – all with horns!)
“C’mon Baby Say Bang Bang” – Jane Vain and The Dark Matter (ethereal folk pop)
“Walk On Boy” – Jim Byrnes (All time classic bluesy folk a la Canada)
“Cabin Song” – T. Nile (Countrified Folk Diva)
“Dreamer” - Jenn Grant (One of Canada’s true young voices, stunning)
“Time To Lose” – The Western States (One of my hometown alt country heroes – GREAT!)

** All Canadian talent from the good folks at Killbeat Music – Visit for a massive amount of artists represented and all include samples as above – absolutely great roster that is chok full of great music.

~Smansmith

I have been in a bit of a funk lately.  For a guy who routinely listens to “sad bastard music”, this can be a bit of a deep hole to dig out of.  So with this in mind, I have found solace in the singer songwriter (surprise), but one that comes with a signature voice.  You might have received a bit of a preview of this style of singer songwriter with the Sean Rowe post from 2 days ago.  It is a baritone style voice that is southern and gothic and can be thought of as the narrator’s voice of a campfire spook story.  Sam Lowry has it and it has been helping me dig out of this last few days and I dare say is bringing this blogger out of his funk.

The new album “With/Without” just came out this week digitally and will see an official release on May 19th and should be on your “to buy” list if it isn’t already.  I admit to hearing very little of him in the past and will definitely be checking out more of this Indiana talent.  The album cover might give you a bit of insight to what this dark Americana brings to the table.  There is songs of solitude, remorse and coming to grips with relationships in the real world – all with ominous acoustic country soundtrack.  So basically it is not light fare, but again with many artists that “hit the spot” for me, it is simply what works for me.  It works very well indeed, check out 3 songs below.

Sam Lowry
“A New Year (Song For Ryan)” (mp3)
“Naomi Says” (mp3)
“Manhattan Took Us First” (mp3)
from “With / Without”
(Higher Step Records)

More On This Album

New album tour dates

5.10.2009 – Urbana, IL
5.14.2009 – Cleveland, OH
5.15.2009 – Lansing, MI
5.16.2009 – Milwaukee, WI
5.17.2009 – Dekalb, IL
5.19.2009 – Bloomington, IN
5.28.2009 – Eugene, OR
5.29.2009 – San Francisco, CA
5.30.2009 – Los Angeles, CA
6.1.2009 – Tucson, AZ
6.3.2009 – Austin, TX
6.6.2009 – Lawrence, KS
6.7.2009 – Denver, CO
6.8.2009 – Salt Lake City, UT

Visit Sam Lowry on MySpace or on his Label page over at Higher Step Records for more info and a pre-order of the album.

~Smansmith

So this coming Thursday, Calgary get ready – Lightning Dust will be touching down on their recent tour with a stop at Broken City.  The Jagjaguwar recording duo is in Wildrose Country for a couple of shows (May 5th in Edmonton at the Pawn Shop with May 6th being the Calgary show).  It has been a while since I last listened to their self titled album that released back in 2007.  With discovering the Vancouver gothic folksters coming to my side of the Rockies, I took another listen and it still has what first caught me.  It has the all the lamenting background of country seance, but with keyboards.

They are expecting a new album from Jagjaguwar this summer/fall which is a good thing – you know us “indie bloggers” loose focus after a while…  Seriously, should be a great show this Thursday and the fact that they are bringing along another Vancouver talent in the form of Slowcoustic favourite Jon-Rae Fletcher should elevate this great concert into the stratosphere (check out my post over on You Crazy Dreamers for some Jon-Rae, here and here).  So, kids, where are you going to be this Thursday….Broken City – show starts at 8:00pm!

~Smansmith

p.s.  For all you non-Albertans, you can also check out the tour as it crosses off more destinations across Canada and the US with Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy and Cotton Jones.  Dates are available on their MySpace page and Label page. Do not forget to visit their own website while you are at it.

Tobacco Pat is the subject of this episode of “If You Haven’t Heard” and once again, you need to hear – but I guess that is the point of the series.  Well now that we are on subject, I was recently introduced to Tobacco Pat (and have previously mentioned him HERE) and now I hope to introduce you to Tobacco Pat, if you haven’t heard already.

Tobacco Pat, or Logan Farmer, is a Floridian with a sound that speaks from the belly of the South, just maybe not the south of Florida.  Not ever being in Southern Florida, I can’t say for sure, but the dark, foreboding Americana coming from Farmer is both gothic and gorgeous but doesn’t conjure up images of azure ocean and palm trees.

He has a couple of EPs – “The War” and “The Plague” out currently with a full length – “Everything Will Be Oklahoma” on the way.  So far his EP series follows different ways that this very world may end, in 5 storied tracks at a time.  While “The War” is a little more of a fuller sound and “The Plague” a bit more lo-fi, they both find themselves in common territory – downtempo goodness.  I am often biased, I lean towards the troubadour and I never cover artists/bands I don’t like – so this should be no surprise – If you haven’t heard Tobacco Pat, you must.  Head over to the YerBird Aviary of which he is a new resident or his MySpace Page for more info and downloads.  He has lots of additional tracks on his MySpace player including samples from the upcoming album that will be released in September on Feels Like Home Records!

You can also visit my duplicate post over on You Crazy Dreamers that will have a couple other songs for listening and downloading.

~Smansmith

Again, I don’t know if we are dealing with Sweden or Norway here as I am getting conflicting information and honestly I am not completely familiar with the area.  One thing I am not conflicted about is the upcoming album from PapaFahr.  I know what you are saying…who is this bearded Norwegian Swede (not pictured)?  Well he has some decent back country Americana – I have said it before and I will say it again, sometimes the best Americana is from nowhere near any America.  Although not all his material is quite as guitar/harmonica as the selected tracks, this poet-cum-musician has the authentic lazy southern charm that belies his Scandinavian roots.  Take a listen below to some samples from the new album and enjoy a few more offerings from previous work.

Visit PapaFahr on MySpace and his Norwegian/Swedish site (is this getting old yet?) here.

~Smansmith

So last night I went out.  Yes, I went out to mingle among the people, to feel the night air in my lungs, to hear the buzz of a crowded club and pounding of a kick drum.  Yes, I enjoyed live music here in Calgary (rare for me, as I find not too many “known” Slowcoustic types swing on through) and I had a pleasant surprise in “the opening band”.  This group of good old boys from Edmonton, Alberta easily warmed up a packed Ironwood (Stage & Grill officially) club and had the locals feeling the energy and love with no hint of any battle of Alberta (Edmonton band playing in Calgary…long story, but if you are local and reading this, you might know what I mean).

So I kept meaning to check out The Wheat Pool prior to watching the show as I knew they were opening for The Deep Dark Woods but with work and such, just never got around to it.  I knew I was going to see them, so I thought, “well, I’ll hear them on Friday anyway, I can decide then” – and I have decided – good frickin’ country.  I know I said “Country” and didn’t put an “alt” in front of it, let’s just except that they just might be country foremost with the “alt” & “rock” trailing only slightly behind.   Sometimes I can get lost in bands that just might be too country, but I think seeing a band live can change that…maybe it is the energy, the sheer volume or even that simply seeing a band live can win you over.  I mean you see the boys movin’ their own amps, setting up the stage, tearing down the stage and being gracious for it and playing a great set to boot…just another night for them I am sure.

The music is only a hair away from being pure country, as in it could be more accurately described as heartland Country Rock.  There is some twang, there is honest lyrics (even if their song “Neil Young” isn’t actually about Neil Young), nice harmonica and their fair share of Nashville electric guitar.  While I enjoy the uptempo stuff, they do have a slower side that might fall into end of night crooner status – this makes me happy and actually rounds out the band’s sound.  You will find the band keeping it in first gear in the great track “Peniel, SK” below.  You can then fill out your dance card with the indie rock of “Evergreen” & full on country rock of “Geographic Centre of Canada”.  If you think they are not Canadian, you will be reminded by lyrical references, spelling and song titles if nothing else!

I will always have a special place for The Deep Dark Woods as I believe they are fantastic, but there is another view of the night (from the seat next to me and the Mrs.) went a little something like this:

Packed House – check

Trucker Hats – check

Non Ironic Plaid shirt – check

4 Charismatic Dudes on stage – check

Heartbreak & Longing – check

At first glance The Wheat Pool is pure country…after a few songs…categories don’t apply. The crowd was treated to witty banter between the brothers, heartbreaking lyrics, haunting harmonica solos and the skillful playing of the guest band mate on the slide guitar. Live music is infectious – especially when it looks like the band loves what they do.  I didn’t know what to expect and I was pleasantly surprised, the band was energetic, charming and easy to listen to (not bad on the eyes either). Nothing against the extremely talented Deep Dark Woods but The Wheat Pool stole the show.

They have a new fan and I don’t mind saying I might even make the trip to Edmonton to see them play in front of a home crowd.

Enjoy the Canadiana.

Cheers!

Bonus YouTube of a solo acoustic song “Italy”

~
The Wheat Pool
“Evergreen” (mp3)
“Geographic Centre Of Canada” (mp3)
“Peniel, SK” (mp3)
from “Township”
(Shameless Records Canada)

More On This Album

You can check out The Wheat Pool on their Website and MySpace.
Pick up the “Township” album over on Shameless Records HERE.

~Smansmith

p.s.  Did my wife say they were “Easy on the eyes”?  Umm….

Not that I am getting on board the Rural Alberta Advantage late, but I am getting on board late.  I have been listening for about 6 months now, but haven’t posted prior – maybe I felt with myself being in Alberta made it kind of hokey.  Well hokey or not, The RAA deserve a play or two around any home, work, festival and barn dance – it is the kind of indie folk rock that digs deep and can rock the house down if you let it.  With the band not really being Albertan based in actuality, the music still does ring true with a lot of their songs.  It is just weird and oddly comforting at the same time to sing along to songs like “Edmonton”, “The Dethbridge in Lethbridge” and “The Ballad of the RAA” as they are real places and the references among the lyrics ring true – these are not just song names and descriptions of imagined locales to this blogger.

I have included two tracks from their website and both are stellar – “Don’t Haunt This Place” is a bit more mellow (not crazy Slowcoustic mellow, just mellow-er), but “Frank, AB” is an absolute killer.  Just that last full minute of the song when Nils Edenloff is singing about the mine collapse in Frank, Alberta – it sends chills into me and little hairs on my arm come to life when he punches out “…they’ll build up another, on the bodies of our brothers…” – soo good.  I know it has been said before about the similarity of vocal delivery of Mangum (of Neutral Milk Hotel infamy) and Edenloff, and if this is a similarity that you enjoy, the RAA deliver something that can’t be beat.

I had to be reminded to post this and it was mostly due to the Hear Ya blog and the fact that yesterday they put up their live session with the band and it is a must see/listen.  You can also download a very conveniently zipped copy of the session’s mp3s – this makes me happy as there is even a new “untitled” song!  So go HERE to check it out at Hear Ya, and don’t say I didn’t let you know.

Pick up a copy of “Hometowns” over at eMusic and Amazon.

~Smansmith

Sorry for the no post yesterday, just lost a bit of love for the blog for a day, what can I tell ya?  Well there might be a day or two that gets missed this long weekend as well due to an “over-nighter” with the Mrs. for a couple of nights HERE.  It pays to know people.

Thought I would simply keep you all up to date with some thoughts and few things I have been listening to lately.

First off, things I know:

• ~ The new Manchester Orchestra album “Mean Everything To Nothing” is okay.  Okay, as I think I always want Andy Hull as a band to be more like Andy Hull as his Right Away Great Captain persona.  A touch too much indie rock for me, but still a good listen despite the serious guitar fretwork on some tracks.  Take a quick listen here.

• ~ The Eulogies released their “Here Anonymous” album this week, great indie pop/rock and definitely going to be a great patio soundtrack this summer.  Not unlike my first point above, the new album is a touch more uptempo for the truly Slowcoustic crowd, but to remedy this they featured album tracks in a stripped down version in their “Homespun Sessions” – highly recommended.  Check out some of those “Homespun Sessions” here, here and here.  You can hear more over on My Old Kentucky Blog as well if you should so choose (please choose to do so).

• ~ Some more top EPs so far are both from the Yer Bird Aviary (I know, I keep pushing it, but come on people…) – Tobacco Pat’s 2007 EP “The War” and the 2009 EP from Basket of Figs “Oh Eye, Oh Night” – both are kick ass.  Check out a track from Tobacco Pat below and visit the good folks at Herohill for a post on the new BoF.

“Hallelujah” – Tobacco Pat from 2007′s “The War” EP

• ~ Bands/Artists I will be posting on but want to do it right and will hopefully get them out soon – The Woodlands, Cabinet of Natural Curiosities & The Western States – so don’t be afraid to check them out prior as they are all very different, but still all very recommended.

Secondly (besides bands listed above, Joe Purdy & Sarah Winchester) -things I am listening to:

A couple of pretty decent free EPs from Last.fm.

Fort King:  A more traditional quiet singer songwriter collection I discovered by one of my good friends at the German blog “Velourcarpetsforlovers“.  I don’t know why the Germans just get it, but they do.  The two songs below are from “Balsamic Moon” that you can find for download here.

“To The Moon” – Fort King
“House Finch” – Fort King

James Moore Music:  Similar to the above in the quiet singer songwriter arena, but more 60′s era Americana influenced.  Some pretty powerful stuff, and very much worth a spin if you have the time, so make some time.  Find the self released tracks here.

“Crows” – James Moore Music
“I Know It Was Hard For You” – James Moore Music

That is all I got right now, hopefully I can power up my old laptop in order to be able to blog via the Rocky Mountains this weekend…wish me luck!

~Smansmith

So Friday, April 17th, 2009 I am taking the Mrs. to see some good ol’ Saskatchewan Countrified Canadiana (or SCC as we know it) in The Deep Dark Woods.  This is going to be good.  I already think “Winter Hours” is a top 10 album (or top 5) at this point and with the immediate availability of pints of decent lager, there could be no wrong.  This is going to be good.

I admit I love the more mellowed out country ballads by the group, but I am sure after a few pints, me and the little lady will be getting into the Honky Tonk.  So, in order to make you jealous, please take a listen below to a few tracks that I am very much looking forward to, courtesy of their newly launched website.

Ramblin’ Mind
The Straight And Narrow

Five Hundred Meters
River In The Pines

All The Money I Had Is Gone
The Gallows

There you have it, wish me luck as I attempt to accost the band for autographs…

~Smansmith

To my delight, another Canuck has impressed me with his fouray into the making of great music.  The kind of music that despite being part of the same album, has the ability to range from full on folk to indie rock ballad.  This album was such a nice surprise that I find myself immediately putting something online – I just received the album 2 days ago in the mail at Slowcoustic HQ.

The 10 track collage that is “House on a Hill” is not unlike the photo above.  The album could be placed in almost any hillside field, but the chosen location above seems to be where it would finally settle.  Not that a great singer-songwriter with folk Americana leanings needs to be on the back porch of a house that is located at the end of a dusty drive, it just seems to sound that way.  Maybe it is the fact that crafting songs alone on the “back porch” would give one time to feel the warm breeze that just might take the song to the next level.    While this back porch might be located in the space between the farmlands of rural Ontario (Canada) and the hard concrete of city centres and market streets of London (Ontario).

With the world today, you get songwriters that seem more matured than one would expect.  Don’t confuse a “hard life” with “being worldly” as believe not every life experience translates into great basis for music – but when you hear it, you know it.  This is an album where you feel you might know it, there seems to be someone who has the chops, but has range of more than just the everyday guitar laden cowboy.  There is help on this musical journey from Drummer Brad Marsh and Bassist Adam Cake who put down the foundation that “moves from the consistent drive of an old diesel engine to the laid back groove of an urban cafe“.

From piano acoustic ballads: “Love Song” & “Tonight” to the aching harmonica: “A Story” & “Fire Elegy” and with accents of honky tonk: “Lead Me” and watering hole rock of “Rules” – there are many rooms to this house that Fraser has built.

Listen to Fraser on MySpace and his emerging Website or pick up a copy of the new album on CD Baby.

~Smansmith

~Smansmith

p.s.  Visit Laundromatinee for an alternate live version HERE – and pick up a few free downloads of the session.  Soo good.

So I get a recommendation – I get a lot of recommendations – but this one was from someone that I trust and someone not looking to “sell” me on anything.   I take the recommendation, I listen.  I listen some more, and I like.  I like a lot.  I am a firm believer that music can affect you more at specific times and I think I really needed something that had a bit of grit, some twang and made me think of being more than just an internet cowboy.  Nathan Xander is just what I needed.

So I don’t know too much about Nathan (other than he hung out next to my friend at the Joshua Tree, which is why I now know of him).  I know that his album “Swiftly, Surely” of which I have become enamored with shows flecks of a young Bob Dylan alongside the modern day Alt Country of a Ryan Adams (if not just from the cracking of his voice in “Almost Never Home”).  If you are looking for a candidate to join the forces of today’s Indie-Americana heroes, Nathan Xander should be on your radar, hell he should be in your ears!

Well you get the drift, the 7 tracks on “Swiftly, Surely” are all keepers, with the two below being stand outs for me.  The track “Lighthouse” is six and a half minutes of down-tempo indie rock (a la Songs: Ohia era Jason Molina) with “Almost Never Home” being a bit more straight forward Americana.  Both tracks emphasize probably his strongest trait; his drawl of a voice.  While his delivery may not unique, it is one that you just might need to hear because it could be just what you need at this moment as well.

If you can, swing by a show if you have the time:

Visit Nathan Xander on his website here for a few more tracks or even try his MySpace page.
Pick up a copy of the album on iTunes, InSound and CD Baby.

~Smansmith

Going to the BPB concert here in Calgary on Tuesday, March 24th and am getting excited.  Word is that the show is pretty darn good (various twitter feeds from fellow bloggers indicate as such).  Apparently a good mix of new and old material, so that is always a promising situation when an artist has such a deep back catalogue.

The new album “Beware” is out now on Drag City and the video above is for what you can assume is the lead off track and “I am Goodbye”.  Simple and good in video terms – and very bonnie.  You can order via the Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy website and pay via Paypal for the new album.

I have included a couple of tracks, one by BPB himself and one from fellow Drag City co-hort Bill Callahan (imagine if they toured together!!).  The Billy track is from the bonus disc for his 2006 album “The Letting Go” and is one of my all time favourite tracks and the Callahan is the promo single from his upcoming album “Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle” which drops on April 14th (of which you can also pre-order from BPB’s site if you keep clicking to find it!).

~Smansmith

So yes, promo emails are currently running rampant in many a blogger inbox.  SXSW must be right around the corner.  I think I got 5 just on my drive into work today (I can only imagine for the larger blogs!).  I am all for info, but I just hate being struck across the face (albeit only open hand slapped) as I once again am not taking the trek to Austin to see the subjects of this barrage of electronic correspondence.

One reason I would go is The Low Anthem (and almost 79 other bands) and I was happy to get the email to announce the SXSW shows and tour (including Bonnaroo – one more I will most likely miss…okay fine, I will miss).  The particular reason I liked getting this PR email is the fact that they included a track to include and it is probably one of my top 10 songs of 2008 – the “title” track to last year’s “Oh My God, Charlie Darwin”.

I love this song – it is soo good.  I think I first heard it after I waited anxiously to pick up the album due to a blog post that was not my own.  Now, I know what you are saying to yourself – blogs help you discover music…yeah, bloggers also love bloggers that help them discover music as well.  I believe it was good ol’ Captain Obvious (click my blogroll – see for your self) when he put a few tracks on his blog.  I immediately purchased their previous album “What The Crow Brings” as the new album was not released yet.  The Low Anthem have since become a favourite and the song included in this post is on the top of the heap for me.

The song “Charlie Darwin” is spectacular, fully acoustic – gospel-esque harmonies, muted harmonica, strumming of the acoustic guitar to create the backbone of this siren song.  While many may think it just another indie ballad, listen again, then again – then slap yourself for thinking it just another indie ballad.

“And who could heed the words of Charlie Darwin
Fighting for a system built to fail
Spooning water from their broken vessels
As far as I can see there is no land”

Damn…

Many of you will already have heard the album many times as it is too great to have missed – but stop, listen again and check out a some tour dates in the link below and see them live if you are able – if to only make a Western Canadian blogger jealous.

Click HERE for dates – lots of shows, some with Lisa Hannigan and even Ray LaMontagne!

Visit The Low Anthem on their Website and MySpace.

~Smansmith

So I have been listening to the new EP from Andy Wagner for about a month now and it was officially released on Rock Proper this past Monday as a FREE Digital Download.  This isn’t your standard complimentary download, this is probably my favourite EP of the year so far, and includes the potential to hold onto that title for longer.

I first posted on Angy Wagner’s album over on You Crazy Dreamers here.  To quote myself:

“There is grit that one might not immediately perceive from his made for TV leading man jawline.  There is a bit of saloon influenced Alt-Country mixed in with this Louisiana guitar slinger at heart.  You will find the toned down rocker follow up a more up-tempo song with a pained rendition of lost love – with an almost Calexico feel…”

I still stand by it, good Americana/Alt-Country from this Chicago Native – and I cannot get enough of “My Blue Sea” and it’s harmonica – nothing gets me more than a great sombre Americana ballad with harmonica (or banjo).  This song hits the spot every time I hear it.  And to quote my magnificent self again:

“His vocal delivery basically solidifies it for me.  He has Sunday morning after a rough night drawl.  This is like the good Ryan Adams stuff, if I dare say, as it has the solo and band backed tracks to fill out the full package.”

So make sure to go over and check out the You Crazy Dreamers post (more mp3s from earlier Andy Wagner works) and pick up a copy of the newest release on Rock Proper by clicking the image below:

Visit Andy Wagner on his Website or his MySpace page.

~Smansmith

So when listening on “shuffle” you find some great tracks that you missed listening to and realize that you need to listen to it more.  This came across this when A. J. Roach’s “Sears & Roebuck Suit” made an appearance as I accidentally sorted my music library alphabetically.  It was a nice surprise when listening to both A. Weather and then getting A. J. Roach – true story.  For now, let’s stick to A. J.

So I took a closer look at this Mr. Roach (as I was not a blogger when originally started listening, so I wasn’t “thinking like a blogger” when I first was introduced to Roach).  After reading a bit, it seems like he is one of the hardest working troubadours in the business!  His website tells of years of touring, hundreds of thousands of miles of travel during that touring and a couple of albums recorded/released during that time!

Backstory:

Roach was raised in the deep hollows of mountainous Scott County, Virginia, home of such legendary acts as The Carter Family and the Stanley Brothers. Growing up, AJ was fed a steady diet of bluegrass and traditional mountain music that strongly flavors his own vivid and haunting, yet contemporary tunes.

Roach’s music brings us that Alt-Country (for those who can’t admit to liking Country) and true Americana feeling.  A true sign of quality is that his songs and music seem to carry a weight at times, the message almost a burden to be lifted and you can fall deep inside its simple message and harmony.  You can find examples of this longing on both “Sears & Roebuck Suit” and “Temporary” that are included below.

Roach has two full length releases to date: 2003′s “Dogwood Winter” and 2007′s “Revelation”.  His debut album has more traditional folk Americana with his Sophomoric release bringing a bit more contemporary sound to his craft.  While the heart of A. J. Roach is located in the back country porches of the South, I think he is growing his sound.  You can hear a bit more of a modern sound in his “lo-fi” project “The Poplar Tree” – while it might be “lo-fi” it is less roots than say his “Dogwood Winter” album.  I am still deciding on it, possibly because his previous work hit home for me.

If you get a chance, please visit his Website (more music to sample) or his MySpace Page.
Pick up an album on CD Baby: “Dogwood Winter” and “Revelation”

~Smansmith

Another installment of “Why Isn’t This Guy Famous” – and seriously, why isn’t he?

Gregory Alan Isakov has been a favourite for years now, he has great albums.  When I say great albums, I mean he has multiple albums that are consistently great – not just the 3-4 good songs with some ‘throw aways” to fill it out.  All great albums.  So far 4 albums in total (don’t get me wrong, I only have 3 as one entitled “Songs From A Cold Room” has eluded me).   When I say 4 albums, there is only a mention on his press kit of his 2001 album “Songs From A Cold Room”, but his most recent albums (see below) are probably what he is known for.

From his Website:

In 1999 he sought out his solo acoustic roots and moved to Colorado where he now resides. He has been taking on the folk music scene with his 2003 release “Rust Colored Stones” LP. and his 2005 release “Songs For October”. Gregory Alan Isakov’s song-craft lends to the deepest lyrical masterpieces, and his live performance has been known to quiet and shake the biggest rooms….Gregory has toured solo and with his band “The Freight”, and has currently released a new album “That Sea, The Gambler” (2007)

So yes, there is a couple of years since his last album, and I am sure an unsigned artist might not have all the resources, so again…why isn’t this guy famous – I need more of this singer-songwriters sombre masterpieces.  He has currently just started out on a tour that will include multiple shows with Brandi Carlile in March and April before he heads over to the Netherlands for some performances.

Okay, listen to some tracks from his previous albums and tell me you don’t find yourself humming along, tapping a foot (or two) and quickly right clicking to “save as” to your desktop…

“Only Ghosts”

“Garden”

“Black & Blue”
“All There Is”
“The Stable Song”

As you now have heard, he incorporates his soft vocals alongside acoustic guitar, banjo, pedal steel for twang, snare drum for structure and great songwriting.  You can also click each album cover above to visit CD Baby and pick up any or all of the albums.

You can visit him on his Website and MySpace page – both have the upcoming tour dates and a bit more information on the man himself (but not as much as he deserves to be said about him…)

~Smansmith

Now that the day has started and you are getting things done, you are signing deals, shaking hands and kissing babies.  Let’s hope you can last the rest of the day – to assist, I bring you a refreshing blast of dark Canadiana in the form of Blood Meridian.  Not unlike the Steve Adey post below, this is another track from a couple of years ago that stuck with me.

Blood Meridian is a talented Canadian band (from Vancouver) that “describes” themselves on their MySpace page as:

in high school i killed a horse with my father’s car. that night i dreamt the horse was jumping above my head from bedpost to bedpost screaming and bucking. It had crazed blood shot eyes and the hands of a man.

The above may be more of a description of the sound as opposed to the band itself…if you get my drift.  They have great folk-country leanings, but can rock it out quite good (this of course is without ever seeing them, but I just know, ya know).  I am beginning to think some of the best southern sounding Alt-Country comes from north of the border these days…

Blood Meridian
“Soldiers of Christ” (mp3)
from “Soldiers of Christ E.P.”
(Outside Music)

More On This Album

Fast Fact: The name “Blood Meridian” comes from Cormac McCarthy’s novel of unforgiving violence in the Old West.  Quite fitting for what this country-blues-Americana troupe bring to the table.  Check out the video for “Kick Up The Dust” from the their debut album of the same name:

There you have it, hopefully you can cruise out the afternoon into evening with Blood Meridian’s “Folk Rock”.  For a few more tracks, visit their Website and be sure to swing by their MySpace page if ya have the time.

~Smansmith

Found a nice little cover of Ryan Adam’s “La Cienega Just Smiled” (which is one of my all-time favourite RA tracks) while looking for information on another post I was doing for a Canadian East Coast artist.  Who would have thunk it??

Here we have Rose Cousins and Sean Staples from a couple of years back and a live version of the Ryan Adams classic.  Hope you like it.  I included a Ryan Adams version for good measure, hope you like it as well!

~Smansmith

More Michigan* Talent Alert!

If you have 20 bones and some free time on this very Saturday and happen to be the Grand Rapids (yes, Michigan again) area – you now have plans.  For you my friend will get a great little CD release of the new Valentiger (nee Happy Hour) alongside of some quality suds at the Sazerec Lounge.

Despite being only 1440 miles away ‘as the crow flies’ from this good ol’ time, I will just have to make due listening from afar.  What I will be missing is the CD Release party for “Valentiger” – kind of a Alt-Country/Americana band with some folk leanings.  So basically right up my alley, and I am glad I had a chance to take a listen to a few tracks from the new CD and now am able to recommend picking up a copy of the new album “Power Lines To Electric Times”.

Press wise – Valentiger is described as a sound created from “Midwestern landscapes of Michigan, and the vinyl collection of parents’ basements” and I have to say that they just might be spot on.  The music has warmth, but has energy, it is nostalgic, yet contemporary.  While that description sounds a bit contradicting, it still encompasses what you might find during a night of kicking back and listening to this trio.  What I mean is that you will get more than the same track reworked and renamed – there is some range from this trio.  This “trio” consists of Brent Shirey (Guitar/harmonica), Scott Rider (Percussion) and Eric Kehoe (Bass/Keyboards) and they will be kicking off a promo tour this weekend to promote the new album.

I have included two tracks from the new album (their 3rd official release) that might be on the slower side (you know where you are right now, right?), and both are great tracks – especially “Daybed” with it’s mostly lone guitar and vocals with just the perfect amount of harmonica, love it.  You can make sure to swing by their website for a listen to a couple more tracks that show a more up tempo/indie side of the band.

Visit Valentiger – Website and MySpace.

~Smansmith

*I hereby have right to replace alerts with Wisconsin/Illinois/Minnesota and most other North Eastern states.

A new tune from Kentucky Nightmare that I am currently enamored with is “Caroline & I” from the new release “Take Her Favour”.  I hope you will enjoy it as well.  I also think I like them because of the description of the creating process of the album as such:

After excruciatingly enjoyable sessions at Mike Bridavsky’s Russian Recording, as well as the mind-bogglingly joyful experience of signing with Standard Recording Co., Kentucky Nightmare are ready to release their second effort, *Take Her Favour*, to the world. They are currently playing out as much as possible, rubbing their hands together excitedly, taking deep breaths, and feeling all the beauty as they write, rehearse, and play out the lovely daydream that is Kentucky Nightmare.

After reading that you might need to know that I assume all the “serious” notes are simply made tongue in cheek.  I know this as just preceding the above quote was the below quote;

The new Kentucky Nightmare meditated together in the spring of 2005, mixed their blood in a crucible, bicycled to Nashville, Indiana to buy belt buckles and knick-knacks, came back, set the blood on fire, and waited to see what would happen. The results were unanimously satisfactory. The band was rocking more melodic, clever, and crafty songs. The three-part harmonies rose to meed the clouds and taunt them with their cuteness.

So you know these bastards have a sense of humour!  One thing to note is that they also have solid tunes and “Caroline & I” is one of my current “it” songs, so start listening as I am sure it will quickly become a favourite of yours as well.
Kentucky Nightmare
“Caroline & I” (mp3)
from “Take Her Favour”
(Standard Recording Company)

Buy at Standard Recording Company Store
More On This Album

Check them on their Website and their MySpace Page.

~Smansmith

p.s.  Don’t think the “English/Canadian” spelling of the word “Favour” was lost on me either….

I tolds ya I would be back with some more various songs, loosely threaded together by some sort of “themed post”.  I won’t let you down today folks.  More good ones available below for consumption.

Various Artists playlist part 2:

“River of Dirt” by Marissa Nadler (new track from the upcoming release “Little Hells”)
“A Christmas Dream” by Palace_Hotel (NOT Will Oldham, but still great lazy alt-country)
“A Mother’s Wish” by novemthree (delicate lo-fi goodness)
“Blood Bank” by Bon Iver (yes, he still has it)
“In Our Talons” by Bowerbirds (spectacular “old towne” folk band, a favourite)
“The Wind” by Peasant (this one is a beauty from a few years back)
“There’s A Reason” by AA Bondy (this is a true American singer songwriter)
“Only As The Day Is Long” by Sera Cahoone (Colorado talent on display)
“To Be Gone” by Anna Ternheim (another beauty with a jazzy side)
“Postcards” by An Horse (See, it isn’t always slow and acoustic around here…)

Enjoy volume 2 by these various talents, all unique but still connected if only from this post.

~Smansmith