Been looking forward to Jesse Marchant’s (JBM) new album ‘Stray Ashes’ since I heard about it.  As he only makes great albums – if he has a new one, by default I am looking forward to it.  So I have been meaning to mention it here on the blog and once Music Savage (see their post here) posted on the latest track ‘Winter Ghosts’, I am now VERY MUCH looking forward to it.

The first single was actually ‘Only Now’ that premiered over on Paste Magazine’s website (here) and it is a great piano laden song with Marchant building up the almost upbeat track till just past half way when it reaches its peak before returning to an almost ambient collection of pure JBM.  The ebb and flow of that track really works for it.  Now below we are posting the second single ‘Winter Ghosts’ which comes in at whole other speed than ‘Only Now’ and it is a doozy.  This is where JBM shines – the song is whisper quiet at times and also builds (but in a much much less subdued way – you might even need headphones to really get that impression).  The slight echo in the vocal track, the ghostly backing sounds and lightly picked electric guitar meld into the song perfectly.   A beautiful must-hear song that proves the new album, Stray Ashes, will be a must-have.

“Winter Ghosts” – JBM
from the album ‘Stray Ashes’ – due May 22nd on Western Vinyl

Visit JBM: Website | Facebook | Western Vinyl

~Smansmith

I know I don’t really post on “remixes” but Slow Down, Molasses are a good crew from the mighty province of Saskatchewan and I thought you all should be aware of this just released “Free/Pay What You Want” album.

Admittedly I am not familiar with too many remixes but in true Slowcoustic form, the songs are a bit on the trance/slower side of the ‘dance floor grooves’ and they still have a bit of bite for you folks who enjoy a bit of the body rock.  Did I just type that?  Anyway, with remixes by Economics, Foam Lake and even Message to Bears – there is a little bit for everyone.  I have chosen the track ‘Light’ that was remixed by Sebastian Reynolds to share with you as it enjoys a more down-tempo beat that does scale into a wall of sound before winding back down all while echoing vocals carry you along.

I know what you are thinking – Hey Sandy, what about their album from last year “Walk Into the Sea“, isn’t that more your bag?  Well overall I would have to say yes, but can’t this old folkie enjoy a bit of a break now and again?  Maybe you need one as well…why not use this opportunity to dig into Bodies of Water then?

Find out more on Slow Down Molasses: Facebook | Bandcamp | Website | Twitter

~Smansmith

Mid 2010 found Tyler Butler recording a new-to-me session (I actually just found it the other day) for his Feral Horse EP that was released in January 2010.  I wanted to touch on this release as I tend to get wrapped up in his newer album Winter King and forget the amazing debut by this Edmonton singer songwriter.

I wanted to post these two videos because they are great songs and let’s face it, they are still new to me so I am in the honeymoon phase of ‘new’ things.  As I tend to enjoy the stripped down fully acoustic versions of songs, these live solo videos do this in fine fashion and almost comes across as an alternate version.  Currently my favourite of the two is the title track Feral Horse as it is truly a finger picking sombre track – so then, right up my alley.  Check both videos and a stream below.

The Edmo Sessions Vol 6 – Tyler Butler – Feral Horse from Daelan Wood on Vimeo.

~~

The Edmo Sessions Vol 6 – Tyler Butler – Maythorn from Daelan Wood on Vimeo.

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Tell me that isn’t great?  Well thanks to The Edmo Sessions for providing these great videos and an early look into Tyler Butler’s excruciating talent.  Find them online here and the Tyler Butler session here.

Find more songs by Tyler Butler: Bandcamp

~Smansmith

New albums are on their way from a couple of bands that might do something for you Slowcoustic readers.  The albums are from the Canadian sister duo Tasseomancy (nee Ghost Bees) and the Rhode Island duo Brown Bird: while they are both albums to look forward to, they just might be nothing alike!

First off, Tasseomancy are moving in the direction of atmospheric folk and ambient indie – a bit different from the more traditional folkier moments of their former persona ‘Ghost Bees’.  This obviously was a changing in Romi and Sari Lightman’s musical being and hence changed their sound (or refined, maybe?), took on some influences from the boys of Timber Timbre and presto – new album on its way for August 30th.  The album is called ‘Ulalume’ and is definitely on my radar.  Listen to two tracks from a previous 7″ single they put out:
Tasseomancy – The Darkest Of Things by killbeat music
~
Tasseomancy – Healthy Hands by killbeat music
~

Next we have a Slowcoustic staple in Brown Bird – no stranger to the pages of this website and I was more than pleasantly surprised to hear of a new album from David Lamb and Morganeve Swain!  The new album is called ‘Salt for Salt’ and the lead off track is a great sampler of what is to come…at least I can hope it is because it is sounding great.  A more acoustic banjo laden track as compared to Tasseomancy above, but that is also a very good thing.  The artwork for the album (see below) is a piece of art from Will Schaff (of Okkervil River fame – as you can tell with its similarity to the OR cover art for ‘Black Sheep Boy’).  Listen to the track ‘Fingers to the Bone’ below.

‘Fingers to the Bone’ – Brown Bird, from 2011′s ‘Salt for Salt’ due Oct. 18th, 2011.

~Smansmith

photo from John Statz Bandcamp page

Today I have a couple of advance bandcamp tracks from John Statz and Wentworth Kersey who have both been featured previously on the blessed pages of Slowcoustic – so why not get a jump on the new stuff?

~~

John Statz has some very decent tunes on previous albums (see both Our Love Was Made For Canada & Dusk Came Slow for examples) so I think there should be good things upcoming on “Ghost Towns” set for an August release.  Find a few tracks from the previous albums and and interview we did with John by visiting HERE.

Visit John on his Website, Bandcamp (for a name your price copy of the above track) and MySpace.

~~

Next we have Wentworth Kersey and their 3 EP project of O’s.  While being a bit more psych folk Americana than John above, they still bring some excellent tracks (see previous posts HERE and where they made it to my favourite EPs of 2009 HERE).   So to catch you up to speed, the O and the (O) EPs have been released and this summer should see the release of ((O)).  Catch ‘em if you can or you can visit them on their Blog (see the video of the below track), Official Website, Bandcamp and MySpace.

“Sun and Moon” – Wentworth Kersey, from the upcoming ((O)) EP.

~~

~Smansmith

Completely stumbled into MOHNA.  Don’t know how I got there, but simply found myself awash in the sounds from this stunning German artist.

Full of sephia toned, language barrier-ed goodness – I sat mouth agape listening.  No worries Anglos, she does sing in English (from what I have heard), but I decided not to translate and read the press section as I didn’t want to be influenced at this early point.  I have immediately downloaded the album “Mohna (1985-1994)” and been listening to the sombre honesty that is this album.   Some albums just do this to me – often ones that I have no previous knowledge of, you just simply listen and immediately know you like it.  This is one of those albums.

The album Mohna (1985-1994) was releases late last year on the Sunday Service label (home to Finn among others, and now that I think of it, it was probably this that led me to this discovery).  The songs are as if they are soundtracks to old black and white movies – the type that had no sound in the first place.  There is a lot of piano, her great pixie voice delivery and a collection of atmospheric sound samples and instruments.  Was that a small service bell?  Wait, accordion?  Was that the old movie sample I had stuck in my mind that I didn’t know existed?  I often have conversations with myself on new albums…I will be conversing into the wee hours with this album…

While it is minimal in its sound, it feels dense and textured – I am listening in noise canceling headphones as I write this and its perfect – the moments between lyrics go quiet, the layering of vocals find you, the world around you fades away and you are lost in the beauty of this 13 track opus.  Highly recommended.

Listen to a track from the album and tell me this doesn’t affect you:

“Hold Them” – Mohna

How about a video?  Okay then, see below:

MOHNA “On The Quiet” from MOHNA on Vimeo.

Please take a visit and listen – you will not be disappointed.

~Smansmith

I have been meaning to post on Arborea (well more than last time) and it keeps getting away from me.  I don’t know why as they would have been one of my top choices to see at SXSW this year and they play tonight!!  They are playing at 9pm at St. David’s Church/Bethel Hall and you should try and make it if you can.

Arborea are Shanti and Buck (both a duo in music and life) and they bring you great traditional folk with a tinge of fringe if you know what I mean.  They are a bit ambient and masters of creating atmospheric psychedelic acoustic music.  There last album was re-mastered (House of Sticks) and is highly recommended for something that is haunting, beautiful and can make you stop in your tracks.  Take a listen to a couple of tracks to get an idea:

“Dance, Sing, Fight”
“River and Rapids”
Both remastered for the “House of Sticks” album

“Son Of The Moon, Daughter Of The Sun” – Arborea track from “Leaves of Life” compilation (Buck actually curated this for the relief programs at the UN World Food Program and the full compilation included Alela Diane, Devendra Banhard, Marissa Nadler among them!).  Find it over on Darla Records HERE.

So basically, do your best to get out there and see them – you will not be disappointed!

Bonus video:

Wow!

Find more Arborea:

~Smansmith

p.s. bonus:  find their interview for SXSW 2010 with AOL by clicking HERE.

Laura Gibson & Ethan Rose
“Younger” (mp3)
from “Bridge Carols”
(Holocene Music)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
More On This Album

*A treat for fans of Gibson, maybe a bit to ambient for some but treat yourself to some good headphones and a listen to this album – it is thick and lush with layers.  You will need to listen a couple of times in order to even start to hear the entire thing.

~~~

Slow Six
“These Rivers Between Us” (mp3)
from “Tomorrow Becomes You”
(Western Vinyl)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
More On This Album

*Also a lush affair, but a bit more of a post rock instrumental journey (no, not that “Journey”).   I find that this track finds the ebb and flow of orchestral elements that I always enjoy – the strings especially – but at almost 10 minutes it does take effort to fully embrace the entire track – you make the call.

~~~

The Abramson Singers
“Fool’s Gold” (mp3)
from “The Abramson Singers”
(White Whale)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
More On This Album

*Possibly my favourite of the these three songs, The Abramson Singers simply bring an ease to this song.  It’s melodic, ethereal and extremely catchy.  These “four ladies” (at least in the photo shoot – the actual 4 sides of Leah Abramson maybe??) build beauty into song as if it was the only choice in life.  Recommended.  (Locals, please note that The Abramson Singers will be in Calgary at The Marquee Room on Feb. 27th).

~~~

~Smansmith

Balmorhea
“Bowsprit” (mp3)
from “Constellations” – (Feb. 23, 2010 release)
(Western Vinyl)

More On This Album

I am looking forward to the new album from Western Vinyl’s resident instrumental alt folk group Balmorhea.  Atmospheric and beautiful at is minimum, epic and jaw-dropping at it’s most.  Should be a pretty sweet album, but that isn’t something that you all would expect from me.  Try the first advance single above.  Enjoy an live video from a few years back below.  Enjoy your Friday!

Balmorhea “Untitled 2″ from Retread Sessions on Vimeo.

~Smansmith

Just a quick one this Sunday with a band I was reminded of a few weeks back and simply meant to make mention of it, but never did?!?  I first listened (once again) over at Love Shack, Baby as Tart seems to be in bed with all those UK type folks and gets the info and posts up tout suite like a good music blogger should.  Tart put up a taster of the new single with the B-side “Laughter” and once again, I am just a bit slow – but this is how I have chosen to live my life and listen to my music.  ;-)

The band is eagleowl (yes, I believe they are purposefully lowercase…I believe…) and they have a new single out “Sleep the Winter” with the B-side being “Laughter”.  Both are great ethereal ambient folk tracks to join the eagleowl discography.  This discography, however small, is chalk full of gorgeously crafted laments from this Edinburgh troupe.   Their music is described as “post folk” or “alt-folk” but I simply call it stunning.  There are aspects of acoustic and electric in their sound – like a cello backing a gently picked electric guitar – argh, soo good.  Definitely a headphones on a rainy Sunday type sound that brings waves of sombre beauty.  Highly recommended.

~~~

~~~

Bonus: “Blanket” from their previous EP “For the Thoughts You Never Had”
This track also appeared on Crumby Lovers: A New Weird UK Sampler (see Post HERE)

Visit and Purchase

~Smansmith

]]> http://slowcoustic.com/2010/01/10/song-of-the-day-eagleowls-sleep-the-winter/feed/ 1 http://slowcoustic.com/2009/11/21/saturday-quickie-clint-michigan-e-p-hall-akira-kosemura-josh-preston-frank-schweikhardt/ http://slowcoustic.com/2009/11/21/saturday-quickie-clint-michigan-e-p-hall-akira-kosemura-josh-preston-frank-schweikhardt/#comments Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:41:27 +0000 slowcoustic http://slowcoustic.com/?p=3162 Well this one is actually safe for work and is not the quickie some visitors might have been looking for when googling and finding yourself here.  This is a quickie because I am currently in transition with home computers, waiting for delivery guys to deliver some furniture and hence I might only have a fleeting visit to the computer to dedicate to music today.

I thought I would send you on your way into the meat of the weekend with a couple of tracks that I have been spinning lately and are tracks that I thought needed to hit the blog, ergo, you my fine readers.  They kind of span things I enjoy listening to, but sometimes everyone doesn’t enjoy all aspects of what I think “Slowcoustic” means.  Well, I use the term quite loosely and I think the below are some examples of a bit of the range of the genre.

“Hawthorn to Hennepin” – Clint Michigan {Visit}
I don’t know why there isn’t more blog love for this Brooklyn duo, they have such great harmonies and keep it basically singer songwriter with folk tinges of banjo and is just a great listen.

“Mommy Crow” – E.P. Hall {Visit}
This is an example of lo-fi female fronted vocals that draws me in; beautiful, not too over the top and you can both dig into it and drift away with it.

“Drop” – Akira Kosemura {Visit}
Definitely the ambient side of me – Kosemura is one of the artists that create something that is just stunning.  This is a track that is considered electronic, and I am willing to bring it on board a traditionally non electronic blog.  It must be good then…right?

“Question (Old 97s Cover)” – Josh Preston {Visit}
Josh sent this to me due to my covers post last weekend – great job by Josh as I am not really a huge fan of Old 97s.  This is a highly approachable track that might get you on board and then you can find numerous other tracks from Preston – he has a lot!

One last video inclusion for a new album just sent over that is really hitting home – “Life But No More” from Frank Schweikhardt.  Take a listen to The Dead – this is some great slow and acoustic stuff!

Frank Schweikhardt- The Dead from Crossroads Of America Records on Vimeo.

Enjoy!

~Smansmith

p.s.  The top photo is just a random photo from a hike last year in the beautiful Kananaskis area.

So one to always cover labels that I think go out of their way to provide something a bit different but (almost) always chock full of talent, Western Vinyl are set to release “Houseboat” next week from Sleep Whale.

Sleep Whale are from North Texas and could be considered a bit of an amalgamation of shoegaze, folk, psychedelic, noise-art are definitely and interesting crew and I am finding myself oddly drawn to it.  Truth be told, I have only the two lead off promo tracks below and myself being a pretty straight forward singer songwriter guy, this stuff is really good.  “Cotton Curls” is thick and lush and with space sounds and muffled vocals – it is soo incredibly catchy, that even this sad bastard finds himself head bopping and toe tapping.  The second track is “We Were Dripping” eases you with a bit of nice acoustic guitar into a space rock journey that seems like it might only have chanting until those vocals come in and you tend to not know if they are saying ‘We Were Dripping’ or ‘We Were Tripping’ – but I think you know where I am going with this.  I have to say I am a bit excited to hear the rest of the album, next Tuesday is the release (Nov. 10th) with the good folks at Western Vinyl.

Sleep Whale
“Cotton Curls” (mp3)
“We Were Dripping” (mp3)
from “Houseboat”
(Western Vinyl)

More On This Album

Visit & Purchase:

~Smansmith

Artist/Music submissions come fast and furious at times and it is hard to keep up being the solo person around Slowcoustic HQ.  Why even mention this?  Because it’s my blog damnit!  No just kidding – I am wanting to let you all know about a project that showed up in the ol’ inbox a few weeks back that I thought you might actually want to listen to.  I always enjoy getting artist submissions – they just don’t always match up to what I have going on around here…but that is a whole different story.  It also can be hard just keeping up with all the music!  Oh, it’s hard for a pimp…

Let’s dig into a project and get you listening to (hopefully) new music that you will love and hold over the heads of your friends because you have it and they don’t.  {I think I am a bit punchy today, no?}

~~~

We Are The Willows (Amble Down Records)

This one is well worth a listen, believe me (the American version of me, Lee @ Knoxroad, had a mention as well).  There is a free EP “A Family. A Tree. EP” and an upcoming full length on November 24th entitled “A Collection Of Sounds And Something Like The Plague” that have been playing quite regularly around here.  Anyone who has been around these parts for a while know that I can have a bit of a thing for unique and interesting vocals.  Lets be honest, for a pseudo folk singer songwriter the vocals can make and break you.  Many have been singled out for having what I believe Peter Miller has, the distinct ability to have a voice and delivery that will make you love it or hate it.  If you are worth your salt in my books, you will love it.  If you have read this far and haven’t listened yet, press play on the YouTube video below now and then read on.

You will find obvious similarities to the late Jeff Hanson (RIP) and Joel Thibodeau of Death Vessel – Miller could be the folk version of another favourite, Windmill, to if I had to say…  It can be unnerving, but the combination of the great acoustic/ambient/electro backing with perfect combination of true singer songwriter and performance art brings the full bloom of this experience.  I find it intoxicating at times, it can be one of the most delicate things you can listen to and even strangely heartbreaking (songs like “Karate” from the EP and “A Funeral Dressed As A Birthday” & “Norwalk, Iowa” from the upcoming LP).

There can be a bit of over ambient mixed in for the straight laced crowd, as Miller can provide additional audio layers with an impression of the world around us…you could say.  This is created by We Are The Willows recording most of the album with his laptop & microphone while touring his native Minneapolis to create the album but I still believe it works.   Don’t get me wrong, it can get away from him a little bit at times, but overall he reigns it in to keep it from going to over the top art house noise pop on us.   Take a bit of a glimpse into the world of WATW below;

“Karate”
“Isabel’s Song”
from A Family. A Tree. EP

“A Funeral Dressed As A Birthday”
from A Collection of Sounds And Something Like The Plague

You can stream the whole upcoming album at both Amble Down Records and the We Are The Willows Myspace page.  You can also pick up the entire “A Family. A Tree. EP” at both for a free/donation download.  If you needed to listen now, you can pre-order the album and get the download immediately – that seems like something to get your weekend started correctly, doesn’t it?

Visit/Purchase We Are The Willows:

Bonus Video:

~Smansmith

So just a quick status check on the goings on for yours truly.  I know you are all waiting with baited breath on my daily life.  Come on, don’t you feel like we need a connection?  Whatever, well lets look ahead to what is going on around here.

I am working on a few items and features with:

1. Oweihops‘ new album “Viburnum” will get a review – fantastic album and one of my good online friends, so keep an eye out for it.
2. Working on getting a decent photo of the new Slowcoustic T-shirts (men’s AND ladies thank you very much) that we have for sale for $25 w/shipping in CAN & US – so get you paypal accounts all up to date!  If you see one in New York this weekend, say “hi” to Scott for me.  Holler if you need – we will be having a give away for one, so you could also cheap out and do that as well.
3. My last day as a corporate slag will be next Thursday and then I am off to the private sector doing some web & marketing work. Very excited – screw you suit & tie humps!
4. Still waiting on my iPhone 3GS (I have the 3G regardless) – but Canada has apparently been sold out for the last month…go figure – don’t people get it, shiny things attract attention – must…buy…now…

Well enough of those numbered items, so let’s have some recommendations of listening, visiting, reading and such.

~ Rediscovered the Splice Folk Mix (original versions of traditional folk tunes) that you can pick up HERE by simply getting a splice login, which you should have regardless.  Featured artists include: These United States, Christian Kiefer, Theodore, Deer Tick, Vandaveer, Wye Oak, Phosphorescent and more – 20 artists in total!
~ Knox Road are screening the new Antlers video for “Two” (still like that Hospice album, good stuff) – check it HERE.
~ I agree with Sean over at Battery In Your Leg about not posting “Harry Patch”, drop by and agree with us at BIYL HERE.  By the way, I really like the “flash” of the site, makes me think of a change around here…
~ What was with that Radiohead drama anyway?  Just sayin’
~ Please consider visiting Speed of Dark blog, if for nothing else to show support for one of the good “guys” currently in flux for blogging.  Find a real person behind the blog template HERE.
~ Jeniferever are re-releasing their debut album “Choose a Bright Morning”, so if you like ambient/post rock/shoegaze you will find this a must listen!

Jeniferever
“From Across the Sea” (mp3)
“Alvik” (mp3)
from “Choose a Bright Morning”
(Monotreme Records)

More On This Album

That it for now, enjoy your Thursday.

~Smansmith

I just wanted to say I am sitting here mouth agape.  Amiina does that.

I haven’t been on the band wagon (no pun intended) for very long and I didn’t find them myself – I believe it was the lovely Agnes over at It All Started With Carbon Monoxide who introduced me to this Icelandic 4-some.  After finally *really* listening to their debut “Kurr” I am dumbfounded.  The album named for the sound the birds make, or are said to make, in Iceland and I am not so sure that some don’t make that very sound around these parts.  Regardless that sound does not compare to the strings, keyboards and what ever else is needed to make the experience that is Amiina.  So, Forget Sigur Rós…okay just kidding, but seriously consider Amiina if you are a fan of SR – consider them in the same family but the cousin that quietly sits near the window and gazes peacefully at the horizon.  I will post the same track that Agnes used for her post from last December when she included them on her “Year End List of best music not from 2008” we featured on Slowcoustic.  Sorry for taking soo long in taking the suggestion – I hope the rest of you learn from my mistake and in turn take my suggestion – find Amiina, now.

“Rugla” – Amiina – from 2007′s “Kurr” album (highly recommended)

Visit Amiina on their Website or on MySpace to listen to a few tracks.
Consider purchasing a copy of “Kurr” on iTunes and eMusic if you have the time and funds.

~Smansmith

p.s.  If you look closely, you just might recognize a face or two from the spectacular Sigur Rós concert film “Heima”

I thought I would feature 3 artists that all cover different sounds but all are finding a home around here.  We have a traditional folk artists Thomas Western, a dark moody experience called “The Steals” and to leave you on at least a bit of a summer note, the indie stylings of Trevor Giuliani.  Let’s get started.

~~~

Thomas Western

Thomas Western is a sound from the past, a sound that his young years couldn’t possibly know, or could he?  The folk music created from TW is definitely on the “traditional” side, and distinctly UK.  I don’t know why, but this is music for rolling farm lands (not the prairies of Americana-ville) and dreary afternoon picnics.  It achingly beautiful.  The track I’ve included is “Your Front Door” and is from his debut EP called Quite Early One Morning – which incidentally could not be more aptly named.  This is music of quite dewy fields and a lone man singing through the crisp air to the hills near Manchester.

“Your Front Door” – Thomas Western – from 2008′s “Quite Early One Morning” EP
[Purchase @ eMusic & iTunes]

~~~

The Steals

The Steals are another band out of the UK that happen to have a new album of ambient post folk (like post rock, but folk…).  The band is a four piece led by Jayn Hanna whos haunting vocals float over a surprisingly full down tempo sound.  I would almost go as far as describe it as part Gothic, part psych-folk, and part drifting lullabye.  Headphones and this will either blow your mind or put you to sleep (in a good way), you decide.  They have a new album “Static Kingdom” released this past June from Faun Records – visit, listen and tune out.

“Stay In Silence” – The Steals – from 2009′s “Static Kingdom”
[Purchase @ Faun Records Store]

~~~

Trevor Giuliani

So I will end off with some great summer tracks, well actually a nice combination of spring through fall actually.  While Trevor Giuliani’s new album “Subcontrario (In Stereo)” is a more indie-pop singer songwriter in the vain of Andrew Bird, Jens Lekman, et all: he puts together a nice solid album that he makes his own.  This thing that strikes you once listening is Giuliani’s honest lyrics and delivery.  While the world spins with flashy remix albums, viral videos and ridiculous teen movies, Trevor Giuliani brings you a reason to slow down and listen.

“Wasting Your Town” – Trevor Giuliani – from 2009′s “Subcontrario (In Stereo)”
[Purchase @ InSound]

~~~

~Smansmith

Balmorhea gets remixed.  But…

Okay, don’t get me wrong, I love Balmorhea and of the artists that I know that are doing the remixing they are impressive (Peter Broderick, Tiny Vipers, Eluvium…).  I am not sure I am completely sold on the full project.  Yes, it has some very nice ambient tracks, some a lot more ambient than others, but it is more like an alternate universe Balmorhea.  The Bizarro Balmorhea.

The thing about Balmorhea is that they are so achingly beautiful in the instrumental music that they make and it is the ebb and flow of the tracks, the harnessed energy coiled ready to be released.  All the while Balmorhea is ultimately atmospheric music – one that creates emotion and one that both soothes and gets the heart pumping at the crux of the track.  Not all Balmorhea tracks are overly dramatic and built to come to crashing crescendos, but that is the stuff that really hits home for me.  Maybe it is the fact that the remixes (mostly, at first listen) seem a bit too ambient and atmospheric – nice to listen to, but maybe I expected more.  It could be a remix project that grows on me, and it is slowly doing this each time I listen – but I really needed this one to come charging out of the gates.

Full track list below:

01. Settler (Eluvium Remix) 17:24
02. Harm & Boon (Rafael Anton Irisarri Remix) 4:48
03. Harm & Boon (Tiny Vipers Remix) 5:45
04. Elegy (Bexar Bexar Remix) 3:01
05. Remembrance (Machinefabriek Remix) 7:24
06. Coahuila (The Fun Years Remix) 4:17
07. Coahuila (Library Tapes Remix) 3:53
08. Night in the Draw (Jacaszek Remix) 4:21
09. Truth (Helios Remix) 3:45
10. November 1, 1832 (Peter Broderick Remix) 3:21
11. November 1, 1832 (Xela Remix)

Lets do some before and after, shall we!

Balmorhea
“Truth (Helios Remix)” (mp3)
from “All is Wild, All is Silent Remixes”
(Western Vinyl)

More On This Album

And previously:

~~
Balmorhea
“Harm & Boon” (mp3)
from “All Is Wild, All Is Silent”
(Western Vinyl)

More On This Album

~~

Balmorhea
“Baleen Morning” (mp3)
from “Rivers Arms”
(Western Vinyl)

More On This Album

~~

So yes, they are all in the same family, but I am sure you can hear it as I do.  So, the Bizarro Balmorhea – maybe that is the point of the remix album…Let me know your thoughts!

Visit Balmorhea on their Website and MySpace and over on their Western Vinyl Page.
Pick up a copy on eMusic (like me) or on iTunes and even at the Western Vinyl shop.

~Smansmith

Recommendations, recommendations.  Bloggers have many.  Most are pretty decent recommendations and for the most part we (hopefully) know what we are talking about.  As I often talk out of my ass, take what I say with a grain of salt – I obsess on bands or albums or songs, so when I am listening – I recommend as it is the best thing and only thing I can hear at that moment.  Well something is about to be around more and it does come recommended from me.  Long rambling opening short – the Vancouver duo Lightning Dust (representing “East Van” to those in the know).  I like Lightning Dust…a lot.

The new album has more production value than their debut self titled album from 2007, but it is often a shaky ground when you incorporate additional elements into something that is soo clearly already working.  I have to admit that I did sigh audibly after my first listen.  There is still the echoing, haunting aura that Amber Webber and Joshua Wells bring to you, the listener.  This time there is just a bit more outward instead of inward aura, ya know?  A perfect example of this would be the track “Take It Home” – you have strings, bass lines, high hats – yes, high hats – and it comes out great.  They don’t present like they are trying too hard or that someone has come into the studio and started molding them to something else.  Okay, enough about the evolution of band sound and the fact that it progresses and grows!

The band is known for a bit of performance value in the sound – it is like they could fashion a very comfortable lifestyle by sound tracking pulp horror flicks.  But the pulp horror flick that gets known more for it’s soundtrack then its box office appeal, imho.  They do not disappoint with “Infinite Light” – and no matter how hard I try, I want to say it is a little 70′s retro keyboard infused chamber pop.  As much as that puts into your head about how they actually sound, take a listen to the below track to hear the sounds I am stumbling to describe.

“Never Seen” – Lightning Dust – from 2009′s “Infinite Light”

Now, lets move along to a cryptic psychedelic theatre tune – complete with those keyboards.  The track feels as if it is about to take off, but pulls back each time.  Definitely a more upbeat tune meant to get you the hell out of your seat.  Take a spin.

“I knew” – Lightning Dust – from 2009′s “Infinite Light”

Of the two tracks above, I lean toward “Never Seen” as I do run a blog called Slowcoustic and it is the more moody track…. There are more stand out tracks such as “Dreamer” that bring a pounding string section and “Honest Man” that enjoys a duet of Webber and Wells that can only be described as “Broadway Folk as seen by Pink Floyd’s ‘TheWall’…” – it is spectacular!  Overall it is a bit of a concept album approach and it is definitely meant for the stage – but my headphones will definitely do for now.  Make sure you pick up a copy this August (I believe it is the 4th) or think about catching them on tour with the always great Cave Singers this September (check dates here)

Visit Lightning Dust on Jagjaguwar, MySpace or their Website.
Do the actual Pre-Ordering RIGHT HERE.

~Smansmith

]]> http://slowcoustic.com/2009/07/28/get-your-pre-order-on-lightning-dusts-infinite-light/feed/ 1 http://slowcoustic.com/2009/07/13/the-long-lost-lewis-clarke-interview/ http://slowcoustic.com/2009/07/13/the-long-lost-lewis-clarke-interview/#comments Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:05:39 +0000 slowcoustic http://slowcoustic.com/?p=2366

So as I mentioned earlier, I keep getting reminded how much Lewis & Clarke sneak up on me and just captivate me.   Once again, they do so.

Late last year I had a bit of back and forth with Lou Rogai about putting a post together.  Things got busy for both of us, L&C was getting ready to put out another release and it got away from us.  I thought I would get this out there along with a great track from their stellar “live at WPRB” EP from a few years back.  That particular release which provoked my renewed interest was originally a “live only vinyl” but is readily available via online digital stores/label website and is a must have for Slowcouticals.

Well onto the interview.  Honestly to call the below an interview might be a stretch, but see below for a few questions with Lou Rogai of Lewis & Clarke.

~ With your sound it seems so complete and whole with the vocals, harmony and music – do you work out a song all at once (combining the 3 aspects) or do you have a sound that you feed lyrics to or Lyrics that need a soundtrack?

I wish there was a formula like this, because I would be churning out the buttery jams at a rapid pace. There’s no real method, though. It’s all so random. The ingredients are random bits. Sometimes I am humming a tune while walking, or doing dishes. Sometimes it’s a guitar line I stumble upon while spacing out on my porch late at night. There are always paper scraps in my notebook with little poems or lyrical ideas. These things somehow always attract each other, and I am there to help them along, the ideas I mean. It’s all bits that are meant to be together, I like to think of it that way. I don’t have the time or discipline to sit down and say “Ok, it’s songwriting time, this one’s going to have a 3/4 tempo and it’s lyrical theme shall be mystically obtuse”.

~ How did the “Perfect As Cats: A Tribute to The Cure” come about – and why did you select (or did you select?) the utterly amazing “Disintegration” as your cover?

Paul from Manimal Vinyl was the mastermind behind the album, and I immediately secured that song when he asked me to contribute. It’s a undertaking, but it was obviously mirroring exactly what was going on for me personally last summer. And that track has haunted me for years. I ordered Disintegration through the CD mail order club I belonged to when I was a kid. Some older Goth gals (Thanks Jenn and Deanna, wherever you are!) had made a mix for me with early Cure that I loved. That whole album affected me, especially that song. I used to light candles and lay in the dark with headphones for that one. The breaking glass in the intro, and the repetition, I felt like I had a kindred understanding of what Robert Smith was feeling, stuck on some sort of spinning wheel and displaying intense emotional weirdness, although most of the subject matter I would not relate to in a deeper way until much later.

~ You mention new album, what is the story, date, tracklist, departure from “Blasts..” or “Bare Bones…” or continuation?  New projects, do tell???

Light Time (which is a 12″ vinyl EP) has just seen the light of day, and I am now working on material for a new full length. Some of Light Time’s tracks could have been included in the upcoming batch, but it seemed that they were framed by a certain time period, and with just reason. They fit a vibe all of their own. I am most recently creating sounds with Karen Codd (cello), brothers Ian and Shane O’hara (double bass and drums), and of course Tom Asselin (atmospherics). Each player is contributing their own unique stylings. We’ll be touring the US with Caroline Weeks this summer, starting July 24.

So, there you have it, a little insight to a few projects and on how the sounds are created and eventually shared with us all.  Speaking of sharing, after checking out the track below, head over to the label La Société Expéditionnaire to pick up an album, it is well worth it.  If you must start somewhere, the Live EP is great, but don’t miss out on “Blasts of Holy Birth” and “Bare Bones and Branches” full lengths.

Visit Lewis & Clarke on their Website and MySpace, and follow them on twitter – @Lewis_Clarke.

~Smansmith

The album, or soundtrack, for this particular mention is for a performance piece from Ms. Adrienne Hart and is a 7 piece  movement (no pun intended) described as such:

“The piece is set in a psychiatric hospital and centered around one man’s struggle to retain his identity in the most extreme of circumstances.”

Peter Broderick
“The Path to Recovery” (mp3)
from “Music for Falling from Trees”
(Western Vinyl)

More On This Album

Again, ’nuff said.

Enjoy your night, the week awaits you tomorrow!

~Smansmith

So song of the day today is from Reverie Sound Revue’s newly released self titled album and the first track “An Anniversary Away”.

The track is a more atmospheric summer jam from the Canadian pseudo electro-shoegaze outfit.  It is a lush affair to say the least and begs to be immersed in.  I can’t describe it better than they do on the group’s MySpace page:

Reality blurs and you are floating in space. Drifting, you hear the vibration of a future daydream. This is Reverie Sound Revue.

Pick up an album over on iTunes or visit the online Boompa store!

Reverie Sound Revue
“An Anniversary Away” (mp3)
from “Reverie Sound Revue”
(Boompa Records)

More On This Album

~Smansmith

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

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.

So I know it was available, I know it was getting some pretty good press from fellow bloggers.  I just didn’t immediately take the “real listen”.  I don’t know why.  I might have be the deluge of music the last few months, finding another couple of releases that took over my listening, work or general malaise…I am sure it all contributed.  Well, I am listening now, and I have to say I am glad I got my ass in gear!

So if you are familiar with The Antlers (of which most are already, again I know I am late on this album) it is/was basically a project of Peter Silberman that has since grown in members/contributors in the last couple of years.  Known for a style of folk that creeps close to “freak folk”, but pulls back on the reins and keeps it hovering in an ambient-psych-fringe style (is this even a real description??).  The stuff that isn’t always immediately catchy and some listeners take a pass upon first listen, which is unfortunate for them.  There is beauty in them there songs.  A mellow listen for the most part, it flows and draws you in – but not is a hazy way, you are involved with it because it is so interesting and involved to the trained ear.  The album has basically come out of plain sight for me and is now nestling in my favourites for the year so far.  The tracks that really catch me are “Shiva”, “Atrophy” and “Kettering” and all are as epic as they are haunting.  Have a listen to some approved media to get an idea, but pick up the album for a full listen of the previously mentioned three tracks.

“Two” – The Antlers
“Bear” – The Antlers

“Gets me back on board” is mentioned as I always revert to the 2006 album “Uprooted” because it has those same elements described above and is simply a great album.  From the more approachable “Nashua” to the absolute stunning “Uprooted”, this album is a must and if you are new to The Antlers – pick it up here (iTunes) or here (CD Baby).  Take a listen below.

“Uprooted” – The Antlers (highly recommended)
“It Seem Easy” – The Antlers
“Keys” – The Antlers

Visit The Antlers on their MySpace page for a few more downloads.  Also pick up the new album (and a shirt maybe???) at their online store HERE.

~Smansmith

This is one of the best things I have seen in a while.  Enjoy.

~Smansmith

p.s.  Check out some previous love for Balmorhea (here and here).

p.p.s.  This is up there with that damn fine Damien Jurado video for “Caskets” I posted here.

Just a little bit of Dame Satan’s ambient psych folk for your Wednesday.  This is what happens when someone blends 60s acid with an ambient production.  Sometimes too sparse to describe, sometimes way too trippy to think you actually understand it, but always worth a listen (or two).

The band and new album dissected: “It contains Fine Folk Traditions, Space Blankets, Noisy Blessings, and a Few History Lessons. All Messages and Moods within were cooked up by Human Voices, Words arranged in Meaningful Congress, Acoustic and Electric Instruments, Effects…”

And check the video for my pick for best track on the album “Ghost Dance”.

Dame Satan
“Ghost Dance” (mp3)
“Country Thief” (mp3)
“Dawn and Delta” (mp3)
from “Beaches and Bridges”
(Origami Music)

More On This Album

Visit on their Website and MySpace for more info from this San Francisco troupe – or even pick up a copy over at the Ghost Mansion Store HERE.

~Smansmith

It might not just be the color (or colour as I know it…sorry, inside joke) of clouds, but more so the weightless feeling you get while transfixed by the movement of them.  If the movement could be translated, it just might be the ambient indie pop that is “Color of Clouds”.

The new Color of Clouds EP “The Look” is now out and available at your finest online merchants (as of May 11th).  The release includes 5 tracks to wake up beside, drive to work along side of, kick back with and maybe just to float away with.  The music is gorgeous and includes harmonies that combine the vocals of the enchanting Kellie Scarr along with her counterparts Daniel Chen and Nate Greenberg.  There are orchestral leanings, indie pop hooks and the soundscapes that will definitely bring them to many wanting ears.  They definitely have an electro feeling as well – it helps the aura oozing from the EP – soft, floating songs emanate all around you the moment you press play.  The tracks are all of the same vein, but all feel separate – like chapters of this mighty novella.

Listen to them now as you will most likely find yourself listening to them without even knowing it (you may have already heard them on “One Tree Hill” a few weeks back (Kristy, settle down now! – sorry another inside joke).  While the sound is definitely “listener friendly”, it is still fresh, young and ready to become your new Summer soundtrack.  Think of Imogen Heap and crew doing a great Feist impression – ahhh, now you are thinking…

Look for Cloud member Daniel Chen’s influence on the upcoming Nicole Atkins record which he assisted in writing a few tracks as well as the much anticipated Ivana XL new EP (or possibly full length album)!

Visit them on MySpace HERE.  Friends over at Knox Road posted previously on CoC as well – check it here.

Click on the EP cover below to pick up a copy of “The Look” at iTunes.

~Smansmith

p.s.  See it isn’t always broken down cowboys on this blog…

Check out the video for “Green Meadow Island” below:

Also check out the latest release from the “Spring Tides” album with the track “Lives Apart”.  The sound is once again a production of shoegaze paced beats with electronic tinged slowcore.  It is both mesmerizing and intoxicating.  You also feel a bit of presence with the album and this song, there is an aura of grandiose included in it.  I personally dig it, especially for the 1986 New Order bass line that hits just prior to the 5 minute mark!

Enjoy the night, this track and video are a great start if I had to say.

Visit the crew on a slew of sites (see what I did there?)

www.jeniferever.com

www.myspace.com/jeniferever

www.monotremerecords.com

www.myspace.com/monotremerecords

~Smansmith

A friend recommended and sent me a copy of the new Lewis & Clarke’s “Light Time”.  That friend is Tim Showalter (or Strand of Oaks, and fellow label mate of L&C) and I can’t thank him enough and I have to say, I was reminded how much I get lost in the beauty of almost anything they do.  I dare say it, I Love Lewis & Clarke.

The press quote below for the new 4 track EP release:

Light Time is a subtle and powerful 12″ vinyl exercise in it’s own flaws, weaknesses and strength of purpose. Side A’s two tracks act as one piece of transitional music; confrontational and satisfying with the softest abandon of self-awareness. Side B glances to the past and confirms the restorative cycle of death, decay, contemplation and re-growth. For all of the whispery voiced, faux-bohemian, lilting clichés that over populate what we can loosely term as “folk music”, Lewis & Clarke once again reminds us that the heart, above all else, is a muscle.

Yes, it is a little deep, but it gets you an idea of the sounds that will be emanating from the pressed plastic that we should all own.  The 4 tracks (including a cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Chelsea Hotel” and a reworking of “Dead and Gone” from the “Bare Bones and Branches album) is currently out on coloured vinyl in a pressing of 500.  What this means is pick it up and get lost in it – you can’t but help to feel yourself stuck in time, feet in stone, heart on your sleeve.

Purchase the new EP on Vinyl or Mp3 below:

Paypal for vinyl:
$16 USA ppd.
$21 INTERNATIONAL ppd.

Digital purchase:
eMusic
iTunes

Take a listen to a track from the EP below, plus a great track from their “Blasts of Holy Birth” album.  Visit Lewis & Clarke on their Label Page and MySpace as well.

~Smansmith

p.s.  Don’t get me started on thier cover of The Cure’s “Disintegration”…stellar.  Once you get Robert Smith’s voice out of your head, you truly discover it’s worth.  The original has a bit more bite and is an all time favourite in the first place, so it takes a bit to do it justice…

There is still good in the world and this is a shining example of it.  The “Have A Good Night” Series has been around for a couple of years and is currently on it’s 4th compilation in support of Junior Solidarity.  With translation from the French site, I am not quite sure if the compilations are exclusive for charity or simply assisting in its promotion – anyone familiar, please post in the comments any info you may want to contribute.

If you are unfamiliar with Junior Solidarity (English version), it is the French based “charity” that launched an effort, using internet and multimedia, to break the isolation of children with cancer and who are hospitalized in sterile rooms across many hospitals.  The organization provides laptops which provide access to the outside world – keeping the essentially disconnected children, well, connected.  Those children who live separated from loved ones due to the necessity of “extreme hygiene” find themselves not only feeling scared due to their own circumstances, but must feel additional isolation due to often living in hospitals away from family and friends.

It can be painful to think of, but there is help from the music community in the form of the compilations where the artists offer up free contributions of music which is in turn bringing awareness to the cause.  In turn donations are provided to help Junior Solidarity bring a little bit more light through technology.  I discovered this project a while back and don’t know why I haven’t posted sooner.  Originally found via the music that in turn lead to the cause – you can find the music over on Blog up Musique.

Below are tracks from each of the 4 compilations (with Star/Moon actually being the second compilation), with the most recent release coming this past March with a tour being planned for September.

“Stay Golden” – Au Revoir Simone
“The Loveliest of Trees” – Dawn Landes

“Seaworthy Sleeper” – Johanna Kunin (Star)
“Sleeping Some” – This Is The Kit (Star)
“Werewolf” – Flowers From The Man Who Shot Your Cousin (Moon)
“Lullabye” – Grizzly Bear (Moon)

“Do The Right Thing” – My Broken Frame
“The Sea A Dream” – Liz Durrett

“Lullabye For Monkey” – La Corda
“Lily’s Knight” – My Lady’s House

So good music for a good cause – if you so choose, head over to Blog Up Musique and download all 4 compilations – massive amounts of great talent and a lot to discover (at least for me).  Go on, be one of the good guys.

~Smansmith

I am not going to tell you that I have been a fan for years and I am excited for the new release “Spring Tides” from this Swedish foursome, but in fact I now am excited having just started listening.  After a few spins to the lead off promo track, I think I am going to have to give this a bit more play and find me a copy of the album – you tell me if you feel the same way.

When I read that this album will be “As heartfelt and beautiful an album as you are likely to hear all year“, I think I started to consider the fact that I have to give this some listening.  Try the below and tell me you don’t hear yourself saying the below collection of descriptions in regards to the sounds created:

‘lush’, ‘melodic’, ‘swooping’, ‘glacial’, ‘beautiful’, ‘shimmering’, ‘sublime’, ‘electrifying’ and ‘atmospheric’…

Jeniferever
“Green Meadow Island” (mp3)
from “Spring Tides”
(Monotreme Records)

More On This Album

Sorry for the quick post, I know Jeniferever deserve more – and I will give it – just looking to try and get you folks listening prior to my site going down again!  Sorry for the last couple of days if you have not been able to get to the site or found it grotesquely slow – hopefully my host has it all figured out…

~Smansmith

What is going on around in my fellow bloggers world that is of concern to me (and hence you)?  Well, I am glad you asked.  Let me drop some links for you for items of note for me (and hence you).

~~~

• Captain Obvious has put up a post on Joe Purdy in light of his new album “Last Clock on the Wall”, which is quickly becoming a favourite of mine.  Great folk country from quite a prolific artist.
• My good friend Tim (aka Strand of Oaks) is hitting some venues on an Eastern US tour – check the dates, check the show!  Dates listed on his MySpace page.
• Thabombshelter did a great job of covering the Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy Show that took place in their neck of the woods – I tended to not do such a great job when I saw him last week.  So check out their photos, videos and rips of the tracks for consumption (but get there soon).  Of note they have the live version of “Champion” from the Chijimi EP that accompanied the “Beware” album – and just might be the better of the two, which is saying something…
• My East Coasters – Herohill – posted on the new Tom Brosseau Album that I am looking forward to.  The misunderstood troubadour might finally get his due.
• Now Blogroller (oh yeah, I did) – Hear Ya - has new John Vanderslice, some Deep Dark Woods from SXSW among much more greatness.  Go visit them…now.

~~~

Well, I leave you today with 3 very different tracks to ponder your Saturday morning (or evening depending on where ya at).

~ One is “Miss Me” from the aforementioned Joe Purdy album that the Capt. posted on, just couldn’t resist as the album is totally on repeat at the moment.  Great laid back folk with a country/Americana tinge.  This is a bit more folky than some of his previous releases (of which there are too many for me to just be hearing him now!), so go and listen, pick up an album from the man himself on his Website.

“Miss Me” – from Joe Purdy’s “Last Clock on the Wall” album (2009)

~ Next we have the lead off promo track “Convict Escapes” from local talent Pale Air Singers.  This Calgary/Victoria duo brings a bit of psych-indie to my ears, and I like it (thank you Flemish Eye Records).  The album (so far) is a mix of two sounds meshing to create something that includes introspective guitars, keyboards, organ and the perfect melding of two lead vocalists.  I say two lead vocalists as the Pale Air Singers is actually the combination of two bands – Calgary’s “The Cape May” and Victoria’s “Run Chico Run” – and is coming recommended.  Who says that all the Canadian talent is from the East??  Visit them on MySpace.

“Convict Escapes” – from Pale Air Singers self titled debut album (2009)

~ Thirdly, we have some instrumental (mostly) dreamy shoegaze pop that is just soothing (well, after the first and before the last 30 seconds at least).  It is in the form of “The Bow Song” from the band Perhapsy.  This is from the debut album from Perhapsy (or Derek Barber & co.) who has emerged from the Ohio/Michigan scene to bring is layered ambient post-rockesque project to a surprising location, Nashville.  Well, maybe the South needs more synth…who would have thought?  Visit them on MySpace and let ‘em know!

“The Bow Song” – from Perhapsy’s self titled album

~Smansmith

So take a breath, sit back, listen to some Wixel, swing by a little later today.

Sorry I have been remiss on the “If You Haven’t Heard” series here on Slowcoustic, but we have someone that you need to hear…if you haven’t heard.  It’s corny I know, but sometimes it is simply a fact, The Vega Star is a band you will want to hear.

The Vega Star are a Wisconsin foursome that draws you into the swirling Indie rock shoegaze that is their new album “The Night” that was released in February of this year.  Their debut album is fittingly titled, though not to be confused with depressing dark corners, it is meant to revel in the dusk, that time of night that you lose focus and can drift away and get lost in something – in this case the beauty of “The Night”.  The current line up of Justin Rolbiecki | Jackson Messner | John Juchemich | Stephen DeLassus have created a great alt-folk rock album in “The Night”

To start off, their debut album “The Night” is comparable to a more band orientated Gravenhurst.  So anyone knowing the folk noir of Gravenhurst can enjoy a folk-Americana noir from The Vega Star.  I also don’t want anyone to get the impression this is your indie-pop shoegaze either, it is more your indie-rock version.  I dare say that the album isn’t entirely a trip down “Sad Bastard Lane”, but might actually be secretly hiding a bit of rock band in despair.  I wouldn’t be too surprised if the band is secretly lurking behind a veil of sombre song crafting that can effectively lead to a great stage performance.

I also must apologize for being a bit all over the map on this “review”, but the album can be an enigma at times.  There seems to be a common thread that I keep tugging at, one that keeps providing more to sink my teeth into.  There is modern day 60′s Psychedelia in “The Lullaby” that has the band doing a sombre march through dark times, while a track such as “The Cell” shows a bit of folk Americana wrapped in the “Stone and Steel” of a prison lament.  And there is more, 10 tracks more to be a bit more accurate.  You might also find additional stand outs including “The Collector” and “The Wicked” that continue down the path along some terrific gothic rock – this is a band that would close out your Austin evening in style, if you know what I mean.

If you think this might be a band you need to hear in full, click on the album cover below to pick up a copy of the album.

Recommended if you like the description from their MySpace page “… if Neil Young fronted Pink Floyd while covering Bowie’s ‘Space Oddity’.”  Well, it certainly paints the picture.

Visit The Vega Star on their Website and MySpace.

~Smansmith

So the new EP “The Natural Order of Things” from Trespassers William will be released on May 25th and it is another great ambient electro-indie folk collage.  While I tend to like most of TW stuff (come on, “Different Stars” and “Having” were great) and tend to fall over backwards at any chance I get to compliment Anna-Lynne Williams, so what else am I going to say about this EP??

It is a bit darker and ethereal (at least after a few listens) than most TW stuff and it might turn off the casual listener, but you gotta let it steep.  At the same time take the auditory darkness and use it to fill the air with an epic journey through echo, reverb, acoustic accent, backing percussion and a plethora of sounds of which only the band knows.  All while Anna-Lynne’s haunting vocals pulling you along the length of the 5 tracks and 24 minutes.  You can get a great idea by the lead off track “Sparrow” included below.

“Sparrow” – Trespassers William – from 2009′s “The Natural Order of Things”

Also enjoy some of the love from 2006′s “Having” album with the video for “Weakening” if only for back story and example of what beauty TW can create.

Visit Trespassers William on their Website and pre-order “The Natural Order of Things” here.  If you can’t wait for the delivery – pick up the digital copy at CD Baby.

~Smansmith

]]> http://slowcoustic.com/2009/03/27/trespassers-william-new-ep-preview-sparrow/feed/ 0 http://slowcoustic.com/2009/03/22/modicoms-ice-storm-makes-an-appearance-in-calgary-more-or-less/ http://slowcoustic.com/2009/03/22/modicoms-ice-storm-makes-an-appearance-in-calgary-more-or-less/#comments Sun, 22 Mar 2009 20:39:45 +0000 slowcoustic http://slowcoustic.com/?p=1751 So remember when I bitched out National Geographic for showing a ridiculous photo of a snowy Calgary, Alberta and titled it “Spring in Calgary” a few posts ago?  Well, I am here to “eat crow” and say that damn it, I woke up to snow everywhere…on the first weekend in Spring (check a flickr photo from Sherlock77 in Calgary)!  It isn’t that cold or anything, but we tend to get snow at odd times due to the Rocky Mountains being so close.  So I thought I would throw out some tracks from an album from Australia’s now defunct band “Modicom” that fittingly is called “The Icestorm”.

The story is that the band recorded this album back a few years (okay, like 10 years ago) and ended up disbanding prior to actually releasing the album.  With it being on another continent and 10 years ago, I would never have heard of a band that broke up and didn’t actually release their album.  Well, with the amazing power of the music sharing network (you may know it as the internet) – I have now discovered this: 1 part shoegaze, 1 part indie and 1 part chamber pop, band.

The two tracks I have are fitting for this lazy (snow infused) Sunday and are included below.   The first one is “The Icestorm” and is an acoustic ambient song with a bit of a rock oriented cello section.  Following that up is “Mexico” which is where most Calgarians go during the winter months (again, fitting) and is another dreamy power pop lullabye with Nathan Korotkov’s baritone washing my dreary Sunday away.

Modicom
“The Icestorm” (mp3)
“Mexico” (mp3)
from “The Icestorm”
(Big Rig Records)

More On This Album

~Smansmith

p.s.  If you end up liking the tracks, unfortunately I am not even sure where to purchase a copy as the indicated label doesn’t even offer the album or have them as an artist…

So we all know I am a ridiculous fan of Joe O’Connell’s “Elephant Micah” recording persona.  I honestly have to say that his most recent full album release “Exiled Magicians” is going to be a top album for the decade for me – see for yourself by visiting Third Uncle Records to pick up a copy.  Swing by my post HERE for a stream of “Imperial Blues” from the album – just click “play in pop up” – that track stops me in my tracks each time I hear it.

If you don’t care about hushed folk, solo acoustic, walks just after dusk and the hiss of a 1963 radio then turn around right now and quickly scuffle off.  If you are interested (and you should be), give a listen and ensure you listen in the right frame of mind.  If you just finished your Vitamin B infused smoothie, come back later.   If you just closed a great deal and you are presenting your good fortune to the boss, come back later.  If you are at peace with the day, you are ready to sit back, and really enjoy a hazy fuzz folk tune – stop, stay and listen and find a home with Elephant Micah.

So I guess you have realized it isn’t really a “discovery”, but I did find some new music that is readily available on his website and it needs to be listened to.  So the below songs are all available on his “newly revamped” website (wear sunglasses prior to clicking the link) – be sure to visit for many more great examples of why I enjoy his sound soo much.  You gotta love an artist who is willing to put full albums up for free download (yes, I said full album downloads) – this man is about the music.  Almost zen in his approach to sharing his work – through almost any means necessary, as he is noted for being quite open about his positive feelings towards file sharing.  Remember though – be a good guy, donate via link on his site so we can continue to have the option of listening to more and more EM.

Update on some tour dates for Elephant Micah in case you are around (keep an eye on his site for the “?” locations), you will find Dark Dark Dark on the bill as well!

4/1/09 EUGENE, OR at “?”
4/2/09 PORTLAND, OR at The Romansion
4/3/09 OLYMPIA, WA at “?”

~Smansmith

Upcoming on April 21st, 2009 – Badman Recording Company is releasing the next album from Weinland called “Breaks In The Sun”.  If you are familiar with Weinland, you will know it will be an album of rich textrure and at times ethereal acoustic melodies.  Believe me, it is that good.  If by chance you find that all your taste is not just in your mouth, you will have the urge to pick up the album upon release.

Band Synopsis:

Beginning as a bedroom recording project in 2001 under the name John Weinland, the band turned into a full-fledged act in 2005 and as a natural evolution, dropped the name John to simply be referred to as WEINLAND. This music bears the heart of Neil Young, the thoughtfulness of Nick Drake and the beautiful sorrow of Elliott Smith. Weinland’s music stems from a myriad of experiences and by employing an arsenal of musicians to include Aaron “Rantz” Pomerantz (dobro, mandolin, bells, pedal steel, accordion, lap steel, etc), Rory Brown (bass), Ian Lyles (drums, banjo) and Paul Christensen (piano, keyboards) they assist in creating the signature lush and haunting WEINLAND sound.

While the previous album “La Lamentor” was very much acclaimed, the new album at times slips into a more empty location, it seems even more atmospheric while still retaining a “band” sound.  What I mean is that you can still tell this is not one guy sitting and recording (not always a bad thing) – but you have the depth of musicians creating and growing a sound.  There is more indie-folk songs like “Hardly Worth Saving” to the stellar “Sunken Eyes” and its somber cadence.  Not unlike moving from a solo artist to a band, Weinland may just be growing into a sound that this Portland act is most comfortable with.

Enjoy a track from the upcoming album (its a killer) with some previous works from “La Lamentor” below.

“Sunken Eyes” – Weinland – from 2009′s “Breaks In The Sun”

Weinland

“God Here I Come” (mp3)
“Sick As a Gun” (mp3)
“The Devil In Me” (mp3)
from “La Lamentor”
(Badman Recording Co)

More On This Album

Bonus Vimeo performance:

Devil In Me from Kevin Johnston on Vimeo.

Visit Weinland on their Website, MySpace Page and Label Page.

~Smansmith

Montreal Quebec’s ambient power trio Torngat create majestic instrumental music that is at times as breathtaking as the glorious Quebec mountain range from whom they take their name. Torngat return with “La petite Nicole”, the follow up to the critically acclaimed 2007 effort, “You Could Be”. This time around the band is sporting a grittier, propulsive sounding record that more closely resembles the bands live sound.

New album for my Easterly friends has just hit the online and CD/Vinyl market on March 3rd over on Alien8 Records.  The new album is “La Petit Nicole” and is described as below:

“La petite Nicole” offers forays into dub-heavy elements of post rock as well hints of kraut rock and the occasional miniature freak-outs. Aside from these flirtations in new directions, the same sound that has made them popular in Canada and festival stages remains. One gets the feeling that the band is creating music for yet-to-be-made films; while cinematic references may be considered standard when describing instrumental music, Torngat’s creations are particularly evocative of the medium.

I also know I say this a lot, but damn it people, listen with headphones with this band, it is well worth it to get all the layers out of it.  Torngat make beautiful music that, like mentioned above, might be looking for you to give it vision.  Not saying that the sound lacks focus, I just think that there is soo many ways to hear their music.  Soo many ways to decide that they made it just for you and your headphones.

Torngat
“La Petite Nicole” (mp3)
from “La Petite Nicole”
(Alien8 Recordings)

More On This Album

Visit this trio from “La Belle Province” on MySpace or check them on their Website.

~Bonus~

Torngat
“Celebrating New” (mp3)
from “You Could Be”
(Alien8 Recordings)

More On This Album

~Smansmith

]]> http://slowcoustic.com/2009/03/05/post-rock-instrumental-evening-montreals-torngat-is-invited/feed/ 0 http://slowcoustic.com/2009/03/02/the-cloud-hymn-new-album-interview/ http://slowcoustic.com/2009/03/02/the-cloud-hymn-new-album-interview/#comments Mon, 02 Mar 2009 14:32:38 +0000 slowcoustic http://slowcoustic.com/?p=1570

The day has come (or actually tomorrow, March 3rd) and we have the release of the debut album from “The Cloud Hymn”.  I have been waiting for this album for a while now ever since I started listening to a few demos last year and was so impressed, that I had to post then…on just the demos!  Well, here we are and a full album is hitting the streets tomorrow and John Nielson and crew have not disappointed.

“A Seed Buried In The Ground” – is a gorgeous lo-fi journey.  You get an almost entirely acoustic album, with just the right amount of accent from piano, harmonies and what could only be called, the aura of the album.  This aura is one that walks the line of melancholy, darkness and hope, all while you sit there transfixed.  I find that this is the kind of album that listens just as well on play 149 as on play 3.  One look at my Last.fm stats and you know I can’t put the album down.

The demos I originally posted on are all on the final album release and are left almost untouched – they are still incredibly stunning – the kind of songs that curl you up in a ball or move you to that comforting place we all have.  While much of the album was created out of unfortunate circumstances according to Nielson, the beauty created and the music that emerges from your speakers is refreshing, honest, spiritual and could be your “touchstone” in finding where you are and then where you need to be.

The Cloud Hymn’s “line up” hasn’t changed and is still the work of its creator – John Nielson.  John gets integral assistance from two of his biggest proponents and great artists themselves – the astounding Tani Alyssa (her MySpace) and another Slowcoustic Favourite Paul Brandt (Cranes & Crows).  While the album is a top album of the year so far, with holding power, let’s hear from John and some questions on him, his music and what is happening in the local music scene around Wisconsin.

INTERVIEW:

You recently had a name change to become The Cloud Hymn, was it for specific reasons and who IS The Cloud Hymn?

I wanted to use the word hymn because the songs have a spiritual element to them and because hymn just reminded me of something that was genuine and thoughtful, in addition to being spiritual. Most the songs revolve around my relationship with God. I can’t really seem to write songs about anything else, nor is there a more meaningful or worthy subject in my opinion. I suppose I put cloud at the start of the name because most of the songs were written during times of struggle and that seemed to fit the theme.

The record and music project didn’t have a name until after we recorded it. Paul and Kyle both thought putting a name on it would be a good idea and I eventually came around to that. It’s nice to have it be its own thing and not have it be stringently tied to me as a person. The Cloud Hymn is a music project that revolves around my songs, but Tani and Paul have come to play an enormous role in the whole thing. I guess the nice about having a “band name” is that it can be whatever it needs to be.

The album name “A Seed Buried In The Ground” – is there a story behind it?

The album title comes from John 12:24. Jesus is using a parable to explain his death and explains that unless a seed falls to the ground and dies, it will never grow and multiply. Most of these songs were written during a somewhat dark time of my life, but in retrospect I think I realized I had to go through those things to make it to where I am now.

Who was integral to getting your debut album “A Seed Buried In The Ground” created?

I’m glad you asked this question because I owe an enormous debt to everyone involved. I really had very little to do with making this album happen. I met Paul through a friend (the two of them make up Wake Up Poland, It’s Nine O’Clock). Paul heard some demos I had up on MySpace and told Eric about the songs. Eric then talked to me and said we should record them and that he would even do it for free. The whole thing was recorded at Eric’s home studio in Eau Claire in a weekend. So we really owe Eric an enormous debt and he’s an awesome guy to work with, in addition to having an incredible recording setup. Kyle is good friends with Eric, Paul, and everyone on Amble Down and he heard the songs and offered to release it.

From that point Kyle really took over, which was such a blessing. Eric mixed the record, Zach Hanson mastered it, and Brian Moen did the artwork. Kyle arranged all that and took care of all the details (and there are a lot more details than I imagined) and Kyle continues to take of pretty much everything promotion and production wise. In the end, we wound up with a really great sounding record with amazing album art, so much more than I had ever dreamed. I never even really expected these songs to be recorded and I would have been totally lost had I attempted to do what Kyle, Eric, Paul, and all those guys have been able to do. I owe all those guys a huge debt because essentially from stage one they just took over and did everything out of their own love of music.

Your album sounds very intimate, personal – stories from one man.  Do you see yourself ever expanding TCH to a band or is it the singer-songwriter path for you?

I think it has really already become much more of a band. I don’t play solo anymore and Tani and Paul do a lot more live than on the record. Both of them play banjo, both play piano, and both sing, depending on the song. Paul also plays lap steel guitar. All that has added a lot to the sound, which we all are really pleased with. So in that respect it really has developed into a band. Tani and Paul do their own thing and write their own parts. However, I still write all the songs and kind of maintain some level of control. I guess it’s a band where I am the musical dictator, but we tend to agree on most everything. Paul and Tani both have their own songwriting projects (which are both incredible) and so that leaves The Cloud Hymn to be my thing that I am blessed to have them be a major part of. We hope to record again this coming summer and I think the next record will be much more in the vein of our live setup right now. I like things very minimal and sparse so hopefully we can find a balance where things are more textured and interesting while still retaining that simplicity.

Your Influences, name 3 bands or artists that you feel helped you define or become The Cloud Hymn.

1) All things Justin Vernon: Bon Iver, DeYarmond Edison, solo records. I could never say enough about how all that music has shaped me, musically and otherwise.
2) A band called Weatherbox always spurs me to write songs. Their album “American Art” has been in heavy rotation for the better part of the last year.
3) Paul and Tani both write great songs. They both have been writing songs and playing music a lot longer than I have and are great songwriters.

You are part of the incredible Wisconsin Indie/folk scene, with soo much great talent around – is it like a family?

Yea, in Eau Claire there is certainly a really tight knit group of people who play music and support each other. I am a pretty recent addition to that group and am lucky to have been invited into it. I met Paul (Brandt) through a friend and he asked me to play some shows with his band Cranes & Crows and that was really the start for me.

The Eau Claire scene whole scene is really interwoven. Paul plays in Merdiene which is almost the exact same lineup as Cranes & Crows, just with roles switched around. Eric Rykal, who recorded our album, is in Meridene and his project, The Gentle Guest, includes some folks in Meridene and Laarks. Laarks drummer Brian Moen did our artwork and played in DeYarmond Edison, Justin Vernon’s old band, for a while. Eric lives with Mike Noyce who now plays guitar in Bon Iver. Mike Noyce used to front a band called Fine which Paul and members of Meridene played in. Zach Hanson mastered our record and he plays bass in Laarks and drums in The Gentle Guest. Kyle Frenette, who runs Amble Down, is dear friends with everyone and manages Bon Iver. Kyle has always had a vision for Amble Down as being this medium for a bunch of musician friends to put out records. There’s infinitely more to be said, but I’m definitely not very qualified to explain it anyways. In any event, everyone is really supportive and I think great music made by great people inspires others to do the same. Or maybe there is just something in the water.

Any tours or promotion for the new album?  Any stops in Calgary, Alberta, Canada – There is a correct answer to this one ;-)?

We really want to put together a tour this summer. It will most likely be a somewhat short one around the midwest. We all have jobs and school and whatnot, but we all really want to do something this summer. I would love to come to Canada but I don’t know if that is in the cards. I’m starting to realize how many sweet bands are from Canada, as long as we’re on the subject.

Other than your own, what album are you most looking forward to seeing released?

The Daredevil Christopher Wright is releasing their album “In Deference to a Broken Back” in May. A lot of people in Eau Claire (and elsewhere) have been waiting a really long time for that record to come out and when it does it is going to be incredible. A very close second would be the Laarks record which I am going to pick up in about four days. That is going to be insanely awesome also.

There you have it, a great interview by a great artist – Thank You again to John for having his music and thoughts on Slowcoustic!  The new album once again is called “A Seed Buried In The Ground” and is available at Amble Down Records (highly recommended label with huge talent – check it out).

You can also visit The Cloud Hymn on MySpace and thier Amble Down Artist Page.

~Smansmith

Standing out in a crowd, to get noticed, sticking out in the “sea of same”.  These days you need a bit of luck or cunning to get noticed.  Interesting band names is one way.  It is one way, but it can be a slippery slope when deciding to label yourself and your music with something that might have nothing to do with the general populace or possibly even your target market.

That being said, often you find a band because of the band name and realize that they are in fact pretty good.  Whether a unique name is created on purpose or if the name itself has purpose – it can work.  For some, it is simply novelty and for some it is a foot in the door.  I have included two bands below that caught my eye due to their band name alone.  I actually listened and it worked out…they are both a good listen and unique sounding, not unlike the reason why I found them in the first place – an interesting band name.

Drunken Barn Dance (or Scott Sellwood) is a combination of freak folk, indie singer songwriter and barn burning hoe down (no pun intended) – eclectic to say the least and definitely worth a listen.  You have both up and down tempo with “Seagulls” (down tempo) and “The Last Desperate Stand…” (up tempo).  A lo-fi winner, and now that I listen more and more, the name may actually be a description of the sound itself.

Drunken Barn Dance

“Seagulls (No Fantasies) (Fading Bones)” (mp3)
“The Last Desperate Stand of the Last Fair Man” (mp3)
from “Drunken Barn Dance”
(Quite Scientific Records)

More On This Album

~~

More Animals Of The Arctic is more shoegazey and a bit epic in sound.  You get a fuller, complete atmosphere with MAOTA – great use of piano, layering sounds – think Sigur Rós if they were English and made music that didn’t require Icelandic rocks and petrified wood to create.  A post rock slowcore experience, but with harmonica!

More Animals Of The Arctic

“John The Baptist” (mp3)
“Peacock Dream” (mp3)
from “An Appendix Of Whaling Terms”
(Standard Recording Company)

More On This Album

~Smansmith

Just saying, that’s all.  They need to get back together or do a reunion album or admit that they are not still together…sort of.  They have 6 albums with the last one “Set Free” being in ’05 and way too long ago.  Nothing is better than “Punk as Fuck” or “Aaron and Maria” – it is shoegaze indie pop at its best.  So I am not sure if there was news of an “official” disbanding of Amanset, but all I know is Andrew Kenny is now recording as/with “The Wooden Birds” so I am thinking that I might need to just give up hope.

Lament with me, won’t you?

The American Analog Set
“Born On The Cusp” (mp3)
“Immaculate Heart I” (mp3)
from “Set Free”
(Arts & Crafts)

More On This Album

For way out of date information (but a great download for the “Set Free” album demos), visit their Website.  You may even take a look at their MySpace Page if you have time.  Sorry, I couldn’t find more permissions than the tracks above, but pick up an album if you can with “Know by Heart” and “Set Free” being highlights.

~Smansmith

In true form, I give you the slowcore version of this “not quite what it is supposed to be” holiday.  Well holiday might be a strong word, but none the less, it is Valentines day.  I give you love in 1/4 speed…Small Town Boredom.

Hailing from Paisley, Scotland, Small Town Boredom record lo-fi lullabies that draw on the internal lament of what was and what could have been. The unique introspective ambience of their debut LP ‘Autumn Might Have Hope’ sets sparse arrangements of Spanish guitar, bass, mandolin, harmonium, violin, piano and slow motion drums against heavy-hearted hushed vocals and buried field recordings.

I recently found myself in possession of the group’s third release and it is uber mellow, not for everyone and not for non-stop listening (unless you are me).  The purposeful slow motion can get to some, but it is truly a beautiful album.  Sometimes you just find beauty in the places most others don’t look.  More should be looking to STB.

Visit Small Town Boredom on MySpace, their Label Page for a bit more info.

Austin’s Balmorhea has always made beautiful music, but that pulchritude has often belied the underlying sensuality that makes their music so inviting. The band takes a giant leap forward, embracing that sensuality, on their bold and variegated new album All is Wild, All is Silent. Now a six piece, the band known for their understated simplicity and restraint has produced an album as complex as the workings of the lonely human heart.

Highly recommended from Slowcoustic, I mean after River Arms (their previous album), they had a lot to live up to, and they have done a great job.  I don’t want to compare them side by side, as the new album feels “too new” at the moment in order to rate one over the other.  Take a listen to a track “Harm & Boon” for an idea.

Balmorhea
“Harm & Boon”
from “All Is Wild, All Is Silent”
(Western Vinyl)

More On This Album

~~

But lest we forget the previous album…

Balmorhea
“The Winter” (mp3)
“San Solomon” (mp3)
from “Rivers Arms”
(Western Vinyl)

More On This Album

~Smansmith

Toronto singer-songwriter Barzin can be summed up quickly.  Not because there isn’t much there or because he is one dimensional.  It is because sometimes the musical persona is a persona in itself.  Quoted from Barzin’s own site the music is “Slow and melancholic, introspective and confessional”. This easily and quickly encompasses the beautiful and atmospheric music from Barzin. All of a sudden it seems like Slowcoustic HQ just found it’s new poster band…

Barzin, is in fact the name of guy pictured above (actually Barzin Hosseini), but it is also the name of the “project” itself.  While there has been a bit of a revolving cast of participants in this project, there are 3 recurring characters circling Barzin at the core – Mike Findlay, Suzanne Hancock, and Tony Dekker (of Great Lake Swimmers fame).  This quartet and colleagues have created a few albums to date and we are expecting another release just next week.  The new album due out on Feb. 16th is entitled “Notes To An Absent Lover” and from what I can tell is a mix of old stuff and new stuff combined for the release.  In fact, one of the few tracks included below actually does double duty in appearing on a previous EP and has been updated and rerecorded for next week’s release.  The new album has the Barzin feel with its trademark minimalism and hushed vocals, but there is a bit more added to it; in the introduction of some up-tempo orchestral elements.  Overall, it follows the same path that Hosseini and crew have lead us on previously, and this is the reason it is a great album.  I for one am enjoying it immensely.

Enjoy some previous Barzin to get you in the mood, with the track “Queen Jane” being the track that has been released previously on the “Just More Drugs” EP and is included on the new album.  Also of note the track “The Dream Song” from the new album was previously on the Hinah release from a few years back, just updated and lengthened I believe (the hinah is currently sold out, so maybe that is a good thing it is included on the new album!).

Barzin
“Let’s Go Driving” (mp3)
“Just More Drugs” (mp3)
from “My Life In Rooms”
(Weewerk)

More On This Album

“Queen Jane” (mp3)
from “Just More Drugs”
(Monotreme Records)

More On This Album

“Pale Blue Eyes” (mp3)
“Past All Concerns” (mp3)
from “Barzin”
(Monotreme Records)

More On This Album

Visit Barzin on his/their Website, Label Site and MySpace.  Be on the lookout for tour dates in Europe starting in March, then it is back to Canada for April – but seems to unfortunately be only in the Eastern half of the country.  I guess the cowboys here in Calgary won’t get a chance to catch the pedal steel in “When it All Falls Apart”…

~Smansmith

]]> http://slowcoustic.com/2009/02/11/just-more-barzin/feed/ 0 4:36 Toronto singer-songwriter Barzin can be summed up quickly.  Not because there isn't much there or because he is one dimensional.  It is because sometimes the ... Toronto singer-songwriter Barzin can be summed up quickly.  Not because there isn't much there or because he is one dimensional.  It is because sometimes the musical persona is a persona in itself.  Quoted from Barzin's own site the music is "Slow and melancholic, introspective and confessional". This easily and quickly encompasses the beautiful and atmospheric music from Barzin. All of a sudden it seems like Slowcoustic HQ just found it's new poster band... Barzin, is in fact the name of guy pictured above (actually Barzin Hosseini), but it is also the name of the "project" itself.  While there has been a bit of a revolving cast of participants in this project, there are 3 recurring characters circling Barzin at the core - Mike Findlay, Suzanne Hancock, and Tony Dekker (of Great Lake Swimmers fame).  This quartet and colleagues have created a few albums to date and we are expecting another release just next week.  The new album due out on Feb. 16th is entitled "Notes To An Absent Lover" and from what I can tell is a mix of old stuff and new stuff combined for the release.  In fact, one of the few tracks included below actually does double duty in appearing on a previous EP and has been updated and rerecorded for next week's release.  The new album has the Barzin feel with its trademark minimalism and hushed vocals, but there is a bit more added to it; in the introduction of some up-tempo orchestral elements.  Overall, it follows the same path that Hosseini and crew have lead us on previously, and this is the reason it is a great album.  I for one am enjoying it immensely. Enjoy some previous Barzin to get you in the mood, with the track "Queen Jane" being the track that has been released previously on the "Just More Drugs" EP and is included on the new album.  Also of note the track "The Dream Song" from the new album was previously on the Hinah release from a few years back, just updated and lengthened I believe (the hinah is currently sold out, so maybe that is a good thing it is included on the new album!). Barzin "Let's Go Driving" (mp3) "Just More Drugs" (mp3) from "My Life In Rooms" (Weewerk) More On This Album "Queen Jane" (mp3) from "Just More Drugs" (Monotreme Records) More On This Album "Pale Blue Eyes" (mp3) "Past All Concerns" (mp3) from "Barzin" (Monotreme Records) More On This Album Visit Barzin on his/their Website, Label Site and MySpace.  Be on the lookout for tour dates in Europe starting in March, then it is back to Canada for April - but seems to unfortunately be only in the Eastern half of the country.  I guess the cowboys here in Calgary won't get a chance to catch the pedal steel in "When it All Falls Apart"... ~Smansmith Ambient, Canadian, Down-Tempo, indie, New Album, Post Rock, Shoegaze, Singer Songwriter no no http://slowcoustic.com/2009/02/04/suturee-suturee-2008/ http://slowcoustic.com/2009/02/04/suturee-suturee-2008/#comments Wed, 04 Feb 2009 15:26:33 +0000 slowcoustic http://slowcoustic.com/?p=1088

Welcome the slow portion of the day….funny guy, I know.  Well regardless, its true, this is some great shoegaze/ambient-esque music to ease you into the rest of your day.  Sometimes you need to take a breathe, and really breather – let Suturee’s self titled album be your muse.

Suturee [soo-cher-ee] = someone who has been sutured.  I am not sure if there is a story behind the name, but I am sure there is.  I not sure if they have had the time to experience a story worthy of the band name as the band’s history seems short and fairly straight forward:

Suturee formed in August, 2007 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The band members are Julian Brau (Guasp, The Deep Sea Ensemble, Thee Locked Room) and Rebecca Adorno (Lalia, Parasolar). Julian and Rebecca met randomly through mutual friends and began writing and recording together right away. The 9 track self-titled album was completed in March, 2008. In August 2008 Julian and Rebecca relocated to New York City…

I think the future is something that might hold a lot for this duo…a move to a new country (and New York none the less) can only mean a progression in what Suturee might become, I for one am looking forward to it.

Enjoy a couple of my favourites from the album – “To Depart” and “The Presence” – you can also check out an acoustic performance of both here (just make sure you brush up on your Spanish).

~Smansmith

Some tracks that have caught my ear over the last bit.  I don’t think that they necessarily are all that connected – hell, some of these bands might even have absolutely nothing in common at all.  Well, nothing in common other than some Canadian dude putting them on his blog and calling it a “Mixlist”.  But that is the point of a mixed list, now isn’t it?

• Arrows

“She Wore A Cabernet Smile” (mp3)
from “Modern Art & Politics”
(Hobbledehoy Record Co)

More On This Album

• The Apples in Stereo

“Go” (mp3)
from “The Discovery of a World Inside the Moone”
(The Apples in stereo)

More On This Album

• Matt & Kim

“No More Long Years” (mp3)
from “Self Titled”
(iheartcomix)

More On This Album

• Blackout Beach

“Cloud of Evil” (mp3)
from “Skin of Evil”
(Soft Abuse)

More On This Album

• Slaraffenland

“Show Me the Way” (mp3)
from “Private Cinema”
(Rumraket)

More On This Album

• The Coast

“The Lines Are Cut” (mp3)
from “The Coast”
(Aporia Records)

More On This Album

• Deer Tick

“Long Time” (mp3)
from “War Elephant”
(Partisan Records)

More On This Album

• Mean Sea Level

“Nothing Less” (mp3)
from “Mean Sea Level”
(Cardboard Sangria Records)

More On This Album

~~

Go on and consume, you know you want to.

~Smansmith

I also am doing a post to bring it all back to slow and acoustic (well more slow than acoustic).  I might have been forgetting myself with all this up tempo stuff I have been posting on lately, so let’s pump the brakes and just mellow the ‘F’ out.

I am providing and possibly introducing you all to music at 1/4 speed.  This is Pear.  Two guys from Belgium.  They sound like this:

While the music is ambient, often acoustic, some piano/keyboard – it is a drifting sound, meant for long travels via rail.  This is, as one certain music blogger described it, “sad bastard music”.  While the description doesn’t seem like a positive one, it is not entirely inaccurate just the same.

Two tracks included below span over 3 years, but could be pieces in the same puzzle that is Pear.  Each piece bringing the sound of their music into focus.  While “Leaf Tea” takes you on a instrumental journey, you don’t get the sense of a song that is missing anything, especially lyrics.  The newer track is “Garden at Dusk” and it is EXACTLY what you might describe both this song and the aural image of a garden just as darkness falls.

Visit Pear on MySpace and Last.fm for more ethereal lamenting.

~Smansmith

p.s.  This is another Last.fm discovery for me, and do not, I repeat, do not miss tomorrow as we will be having another Last.fm release that you will not want to miss.  We also have a return guest blogger…intrigued yet?

I have previously posted on husband&wife (yes, there is no space in the band name – it is like its one word) and I have been advised that today (Jan. 29th) there will be an appearance from h&w on the indie hit-maker Daytrotter.  This is exciting, I think the new album (due on Feb. 24th – mark your calendar) entitled “Dark Dark Woods” is going to be a must have.

You get 11 tracks of mellow indie soundscape.  I say soundscape as there is an aura created on the album that flows through most, if not all of the songs.  I am one to not use flash and diversion in my music listening.  I enjoy my jams to be straight forward, honest and the type of music that creates an atmosphere.  You have it in spades with their newest album.  I know I compared h&w to Death Cab for Cutie in the aforementioned post and I think it can hold up, if you think of Transatlanticism-era Death Cab.  More so the title track from the DCFC album created this melancholic and immense sound – both introspective and all encompassing.  I find this the thread that joins the two for me.

Stand out tracks from the album are “Comp Jam”, “England Lives” (personal favourite), “Thanks For Understanding” and “Haven’t Got A Friend”.  As with most albums, there are moments where my vision strays from the album – songs like “I Got Fat” create a more “Indie-pop” feel with use of horns and a snappy(er) bass line.  They then follow that up with some almost alt-rock leanings on “Red Cross Fever” and it works!   Overall, this is a solid album and comes recommended from yours truly.  Whether you are pining for the new girl/guy in class, cleaning the apartment on the weekend, cruising around Friday night looking for a place to crash – this album has something that could back your every move.

My previous post included a couple of songs in video form and I include the last of the 3 Vimeo performances here for “Thanks For Understanding” – this is where I hear DCFC – check it below:

husband&wife – Thanks For Understanding from Crossroads Of America Records on Vimeo.

The above video is a live performance in the studio of Community Access Television Services Incorporation in which I posted two more on my previous post.  Enjoy a couple of tracks from the album below.

You can catch up with husband&wife on their Website, MySpace Page and their Label Site.

~Smansmith

FatCat Records is pretty much an “ahead of the curve” indie label with a few great “straight ahead” indie artists.  If you are a bit sketchy on what I am trying to say, think of starting at Animal Collective and move towards Frightened Rabbit.  See, now you know what I mean.  It is always hard to get all the “new stuff” for an entire label’s roster (and there is surprising little downloads on the their website), but check out below for some great samples of what FC has to offer.

• Amandine
  “Faintest Of Sparks” (mp3)
  from “Solace In Sore Hands”
  (Fat Cat Records) More On This Album
• David Karsten Daniels
  “Martha Ann” (mp3)
  from “Fear of Flying”
  (Fat Cat Records) More On This Album
• Frightened Rabbit
  “Be Less Rude” (mp3)
  from “Sing the Greys”
  (Fat Cat Records) More On This Album
• Frightened Rabbit
  “Head Rolls Off” (mp3)
  from “The Midnight Organ Fight”
  (Fat Cat Records) More On This Album
• Gregory & The Hawk
  “Grey Weather” (mp3)
  from “Moenie And Kitchi”
  (Fat Cat Records) More On This Album
• Hauschka
  “Freibad” (mp3)
  from “Ferndorf”
  (Fat Cat Records) More On This Album
• Mice Parade
  “Double Dolphins On The Nickel” (mp3)
  from “Mice Parade”
  (Fat Cat Records) More On This Album
• Mum
  “Dancing Behind My Eyelids” (mp3)
  from “Go Go Smear the Poison Ivy”
  (Fat Cat Records) More On This Album
• No Age
  “My Life’s Alright Without You” (mp3)
  from “Weirdo Rippers”
  (Fat Cat Records) More On This Album
• Songs Of Green Pheasant
  “King Friday” (mp3)
  from “Gyllyng Street”
  (Fat Cat Records) More On This Album
• Ten Kens
  “Bearfight” (mp3)
  from “Ten Kens”
  (Fat Cat Records) More On This Album
• The Twilight Sad
  “Cold Days From The Birdhouse” (mp3)
  from “Fourteen Autumns, Fifteen Winters”
  (Fat Cat Records) More On This Album

• Silje Nes

“Ames Room” (mp3)
from “Yellow EP”
(Fat Cat Records)
More On This Album

There you have it, hefty amount of music for a Tuesday, no?

~Smansmith