Hip Hatchet - Joy and Better Days - artwork by Markel Uriu

New album from Hip Hatchet due on April 10th!  If the lead off track that is currently streaming on his Bandcamp page is any indication we are in for a treat.  Philippe Bronchtein (the one they call ‘Hip Hatchet’) crafts mixtures of late night drinking, introspective moments and life changing themes into music and delivers in his deep, if not slightly gritty, delivery.  Songs that you can both sway together with a partner and sit alone and ponder what should have been or what will be soon.  I might be a bit partial to his style of music, so I would always tell you it is good for any situation…but that is just me.

This lead off track below, Sing Me A Reprise, was “written during a period of relocation from Vermont to Portland and navigates themes of transition, home, memory, and relationships”.  The song was recorded by engineer and producer Tim Shrout, it features Alex Lewis on the electric guitar, Charlie Freundlich on the double bass and Philippe Bronchtein behind the rest of the instrumentation.

So the album comes out on April 10th via Gravitation Records and you can find a bit more info and full track listing over on the Hip Hatchet Bandcamp page.  You can also find more on his Tumblr page and ‘like’ him on Facebook.

~Smansmith

Debut album from Sergius Gregory is now out on Saint-Loup Records (April 1st release) and while I haven’t heard the entire thing, its a damn good album.  What?  How do I know?  Sometimes you just do.

Why is this album going to be good?  Well, let’s see.

1. The guy has an amazing back story.  Living in a train tunnel?  Moving to Alaska to create music?  Them moving to Hawaii and recording in a shed?  Then moved back to Alaska to make even more music.  Yeah.
2. This is the first release on the newly minted Saint-Loup Records that is run by Anna-Lynne Williams of Lotte Kestner and Trespassers William fame.  Anyone who makes some of the best music around then vouches for someone who they say makes some of the best music around…well, you get where I’m going.
3. And of course, listen: “Caught” (mp3)
4. Watch:
   

I wouldn’t steer you wrong folks, so swing by Saint-Loup Records and pick up a copy of the album today (and why don’t you combine your purchase with one of the best albums of the last decade “China Mountain” from Lotte Kestner).   Purchase Sergius Gregory’s “Sounds Like People” by clicking here.

Find more info on Sergius Gregory on Facebook and the Saint-Loup Website.

~Smansmith

You all know we are fans of Matt Bauer delicate finger picking song-crafting on this blog but did you know he has friends too?  Yes, friends that also make great music.  One of these friends is Dana Falconberry and they have a split single coming out on August 24th which will be followed by a European tour.

This long distance collaboration (Matt in Brooklyn and Dana in Austin) was a bit of an experience in itself, but I am sure glad it all worked out as the final product is spectacular.  With Dana’s pixie vocals front and centre with Matt’s accompaniment on “Oh, Matthew” and just the opposite on “Waiting for Your Shadow to Fall”.  Take a listen to the streams below and purchase now for a measly $1.98 on their new Bandcamp page HERE.

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Visit Dana Falconberry on her Website or MySpace.
Visit Matt Bauer on his Website or MySpace.

Bonus:  Listen/download Matt Bauer’s “Don’t Let Me Out” courtesy of our friends at La Société Expéditionnaire (visit here)

~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).

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• 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.

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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

While I admit Windmill’s album “Puddle City Racing Lights” was a sleeper hit for me in 2007/2008, it is not necessarily something that gets a lot of play around the blog.  It is definitely slow, mellow and at times breathtakingly gorgeous – some just find it a bit “odd”.  Well I like “odd” and the album was fairly well received, but I think it deserved more.  Take a listen to a few tracks below, and although I don’t have the permissions for my favourite tracks “Tilting Trains” and “Fashion House”, these two are pretty damn good too.

Windmill
“Tokyo Moon” (mp3)
“Fluorescent Lights” (mp3)
from “Puddle City Racing Lights”
(Friendly Fire Recordings)

More On This Album

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I also have something new from “Here We Go Magic”, and while I am familiar with the man behind the HWGM (Luke Temple), I must say this is a new avenue for him.  The just released self titled album from Here We Go Magic is not what I am used to from Temple – all I can say is it is no “Snowbeast” or “Hold a Match for a Gasoline World”, but still interesting.  Description of the album from IODA:

Developed over a two-month period of stream-of-consciousness recording in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, Luke’s self-titled debut under his new moniker Here We Go Magic is a remarkable departure from his signature singer-songwriter material. Luke recorded the album at home using analog synths, a cassette 4-track, and his trusty SM-57 mic, coloring the sound with warmth and creating textures you want to wrap yourself in.

Here We Go Magic
“Fangela” (mp3)
from “Here We Go Magic
(Western Vinyl)

More On This Album

~Smansmith

The very musically experimental Devendra Banhart has been a staple on the indie circuit for many years.  He recently featured his ladylove Natalie Portman (and porn legend Ron Jeremy) in his music video for Carmensita from Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon.  Carmensita is styled like a 60’s / 70’s Bollywood movie and showcases a multilingual Devendra.

Devendra’s unique vocals turn even ordinary lyrics into a performance that truly stands alone.  The pairing of Devendra and Natalie and the subsequent casting in the video may draw comparisons to her acclaimed performance in the indie darling “Garden State” (did Zach Braff really win a grammy for a mixed tape??)  To me Natalie will always be Queen Amidala regardless of how many music videos’ she stars in.  Devendra will be crossing over to the big screen with his cameo appearance in Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist due in theatres October 2008 (Devendra also contributes to the soundtrack).  The art of the “cross over” is a tricky one and while I don’t think Natalie or Devendra will abandon their current occupation, I enjoyed their “out of the box moment” but please don’t do it again.

Finding a duet partner for Devendra has proven to be a bit tricky so I ask for a little slack and an open mind.  I would like to introduce the angel like harmony of a Canadian Trio called The Wailin’ Jennys.

The ‘Jennys could be described as the perfect marriage of country, folk with a bit of celtic for some flavour.  Firecracker came out in 2006 and the group is currently touring the USA. It’s a fun slightly campy cd – and can be found on their website.

I am hoping you can connect the dots here people…

~Judes

So a few days ago we are on our way to see “The Dark Knight” and Smansmith is giving Stanley Brinks’ “Dank U” a whirl…I’m enjoying it but it makes me think of Hayden. So I say “When is Hayden coming out with something new?”  Okay so, I am not on top of every release and it has to be explained to me that Hayden has already come out with something in 2008 and I didn’t mind it. This is why I am the luckiest gal in the cyber music world. Not only am I introduced to great music daily but also, Smansmith can always tell me if I enjoyed an artist from the feeblest description of the lyrics or heaven forbid I try and hum a few bars.  Oh yeah, did I say I am Smansmith’s wife?

Living with a music guru can be daunting at times…we both have a strong opinions and quite often they aren’t the same.  I for one can’t see the brilliance of Joanna Newsom although I am reminded it’s there I just need to get past the screeching noise (that’s all me). I am also a bit fickle when it comes to artists – how could I have forgotten about Hayden’s latest release considering he is one of my favourite artists???  It’s a pretty good problem to have, too many artists, too little time.  To prove I really listen to the great artists I have exposed to I will take a brief detour to 2004 and back to someone new (ish) to me.

In 2004, I was lucky enough to see Hayden perform at a tiny slightly dive-y theatre celebrating “Elk Lake Serenade”.  The concert was small and intimate and outside of the folks that own the theatre I was one of three people in attendance who also had a full time job. “Elk Lake Serenade” has it all, a little bit of comedy a lot of heartbreak and that lonely feeling often found with a guy and a guitar on a stage.

As soon as I hear someone new I automatically figure out if they will be part of my own private music festival and if there is someone they should do a duet with (slight obsession with duets – thanks Mom for Kenny & Dolly).  Because Hayden is a bit quirky I immediately put him with the very talented Laura Veirs.  Ms. Veirs released an EP titled  “Two Beers Veirs” this year.  Lovely. A female vocalist who is content to show us her talent without making us endure 6 minutes of vocal gymnastics (I’m looking at your Mariah).  Laura shows us a bit of comedy a bit or heartbreak and just a little bit of lonely.  Now how do I get these two in a room together???  Please enjoy a few tracks of two folks I can’t forget.

~Judes