Today is the third official “Before & After” post and today we have the band Fort Frances with their track “Hard Earned Heart”.  Fort Frances was most recently on the blog with their great covers project called “…As Told By” (see here) and once again provide some great music for us.

The song “Hard Earned Heart” comes from the latest FF album “The Atlas” from about a year ago with the demo being at least a couple years back.  Fort Frances founder David McMillin indicated to me that this song was a long time in coming and almost had a hard time fitting into their finished album.  Much experimenting and acclimating to a larger sound that Fort Frances has from the original demo might have been the hurdle to overcome.  In working with Sam Kassirer who produced the final album – they created a beauty from the bones of an already great demo.  The final version seems like it always should have, I guess the hard work behind the scenes does actually pay off for the listener after all!  Listen for yourself below.

And now the demo version:

“Hard Earned Heart (Demo)” – Fort Frances/David McMillin

As you can see the bigger sound of a full band/produced final version really accents this particular song from its more folk tinged beginnings.   Kudos on this one!

Visit and find Fort Frances: Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Twitter

~Smansmith

Fort Frances recently added to their cover song output with the Paul Simon penned and Simon & Garfunkel performed “The Only Living Boy in New York” off the legendary “Bridge Over Troubled Water” album.  Regardless of it being a folk staple, I come away from it quite pleased.  Considering they did a great cover of Beck’s “Guess I’m Doing Fine” from his (imho almost legendary) album “Sea Change” a while back, I find myself not surprised.  Listen to both below.

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You might also want to listen to the band playing their own music.  Consider the covers your gateway songs to the band at a minimum.

Find more on Fort Frances: Website | Facebook | Twitter

~Smansmith

Field Report (Christopher Porterfield, formerly of the band Conrad Plymouth) has a new album coming in July and I am very excited for it.  If you look for songs thick with emotion and sharp lyrics, than this is your guy.  I think “Fergus Falls” really clinched it for me from a while back that I would be watching this guy forever on what he is recording and releasing.  He has a few tracks streaming from Partisan Records (although a recent Pitchfork article indicated the album is “self released”) that you can sample below.  The latest song to emerge from what looks like a 9 track album is ‘Taking Alcatraz’ and it is my current favourite track easily.

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Visit Field Report on the new website or like on Facebook.

Next we have the new musical endeavor of Brian Borcherdt called Dusted (this is the place where I say “of the band Holy Fuck”).  The album is also staying true to the new name as it is called ‘Total Dust’ and will see a release on July 10th (maybe it will share a release day with Field Report!).  The new album has some teaser videos and a lead off track of hazey indie pop that is currently auditioning for my spring/summer “jam”.  It is a little more upbeat and layered than his previous solo work on the blow-your-mind-album ‘Coyotes’ from 2010 and I have faith it will be a worthy release at a minimum!  You can currently pre-order it over on Hand Drawn Dracula in Canada (here) & Polyvinyl in places that are not Canada (here).  Listen to the lead off track ‘(Into the) Atmosphere’ below!

Bonus Video Teaser for the new album below.

Dusted – Teaser 1 from Hand Drawn Dracula on Vimeo.

Visit Dusted on the new Website and like on Facebook.

~Smansmith

Song of the Day is from the great new album “Post-Empire” from Will Stratton.  I actually had it as my song of the night last night in general, so why not have it “officially” posted on the blog?  Why the album has not had a peep on this blog yet is beyond me (re: all my lazy ass’ fault) – so let’s start talking Will Stratton’s latest shall we?

The new album has actually been spinning over here for a surprisingly long time (as has Will Stratton’s music in general) and I don’t want to say this new album is the crown jewel in his discography, but it is the crown jewel in his discography…so far.  While not removing himself from the musical style we have heard from him in the past, he comes in with arguably his best & most complete album to date.  ‘Post-Empire’ is part finger picking folk, part retrospective alt-pop and almost a classic 70′s psychedelia.  That last reference might scare some, but is definitely subdued, but there is something that sounds older than Stratton’s years but I am not one to be able to pin it down….no matter how hard I try.  I think part of his album overview hits the mark for this album and Stratton’s focus on music in general;

“While some music writers may talk themselves hoarse about the dueling narratives of hype and authenticity these days, there will always be artists quietly making music impervious to buzz, telling real stories of decline, romance, hope, regret, and renewal.”

I have chosen the track “The Relatively Fair” for my feature song of the day from the album as it is the one that speaks to me the most.  It displays incredibly infectious hooks (well for a folk – acoustic based song at least) and immediately causes me to nod my head.  While many might say having ‘infectious hooks’ means a song of less breadth, they would be off the mark for the track.  With it’s backing strings and style of acoustic guitar, it treats you to the perfect mix of a catchy song and quality song-crafting.  Do me a favour and also follow along to the lyrics via his Bandcamp page – smart, poignant and actually have the ability to speak to someone.  Try that in the bulk in the music industry these days.  Listen below.

If I were a betting man, I would say that as long as you find yourself on this site, you will want to find yourself listening to ‘The Relatively Fair’ and ‘Post-Empire’ as a whole.  So why don’t you?

Find Will Stratton: Bandcamp | Facebook | Twitter

~Smansmith

Today sees the release of Kim Janssen’s album Ancient Crime from Snowstar Records over in the Netherlands.  It is a concept album and that concept might be stunningly gorgeous music…no really.  I have been looking forward to this album for a few months now and after more than a few listens it has become one to beat for best album of the year so far.

So when I mentioned my lame “concept album” reference above it is because it is in fact described as one in all honesty.  The album as outlined by artist and label as:

It is a album inspired by his years on boarding school in Asia. ‘Ancient Crime’ is a concept album that takes place in an old idyllic school, in a remote village in north-west England during the winter. A mixture of history, myth, memories, old and new verses and arrangements.

This is not lost on you when listening as it is extremely delicate, formal and hits a nice balance of instrumental band tracks with more traditional (yet just as grand) vocal tracks.  If I am not mistaken the album is 10 tracks and 5 are essentially instrumentals – this may immediately make many pause but the strong points in this album are so strong that they literally pull the entire album together.  I normally am not a huge fan of these interludes/ambient moments on albums and Ancient Crime has its fair share, but with tracks like ‘Drift’, ‘Tors’, ‘Casket’ and ‘Holmes’ Bonfire 1966′ being so stunning you just want more from this artist/album that the interludes fill that void left by what could effectively be an EP release if he so wanted.

The songs Drift and Tors have made appearances on Slowcoustic already and they lead the pack on the album as the truly top notch tracks.  Drift is currently my favourite track of 2012 so far…by a long shot.  Take a listen to it below:

And Janssen has recently performed it live, so let’s take a look at it as well!

There is a 10 second ad prior to the performance…just hold on!

The song Drift is a good measure of the sound and overall feel of the Ancient Crime album – it is a floating pensive moment put to a beautiful backdrop of acoustics, instruments, choirs and Janssen’s feather soft vocals.  It might be Janssen’s cadence and breathy delivery that makes you feel comfortable and at home in these songs…it just so happens he has crafted a beautiful pallet of music to coincide with.  Take a listen to ‘Tors’ below to get the full effect of the instrumentation of which I speak.

Again, the album from this co-member of the band The Black Atlantic (yes, that Kim Janssen!) is truly a “best new music” and comes highly recommended.

Find more on Kim Janssen: Facebook | Bandcamp
Purchase Ancient Crime: Bandcamp | Snowstar Records

~Smansmith

Last year’s “Generous Shadows” from The Tree Ring was a personal favourite.  With songs (and videos) like ‘Wore It Deep’ they certainly prove a sense of imagination, beauty and essentially great song-crafting.  Well yesterday one of my online brothers (Adrian from I Pick My Nose Blog) gave me the heads up on a new video from The Tree Ring from a recent “Hike-In Show” they performed that is of a new track from a new upcoming album.  You gotta watch and fall in love with TTR all over again.

THE TREE RING: HIKE-IN SHOW from Destin Daniel Cretton on Vimeo.

Find out more on The Tree Ring: Website | Facebook | Bandcamp

~Smansmith

P.S.  Lead singer Joel P West also has some solo stuff worth checking out – see a couple of posts we had here and here.

Sorry for the neglect on the blog this week my friends.  I am also cheating and just providing a playlist of tracks I have been listening to…but let’s be honest here – it isn’t the superior journalistic writing that you are here for…you can tell me.  So then, let’s have some links to get some music that I have been enjoying and urge you to as well.

• Seattle Times and their 4 day feature on Damien Jurado covers to promote his upcoming album (my vinyl shipped yesterday!).  So far there has been Jon Russell, Pickwick, Al James (Dolorean) & Jeremy Enigk (Sunny Day Real Estate).  All are worth a listen, but RIGHT HERE you will find James’ version of Cloudy Shoes.
• Horse Feathers have a new album upcoming and they have finally dropped their lead off single via Stereogum.
• Jordan Klassen has a new EP out and there is some great beauties on it.  Currently my favourite is the track ‘Threads’ as it is finger picking indie pop perfection.
• We have been putting up new live videos of Tyler Butler over on the Yer Bird Records/Winter King website.  This week had Tyler giving his best Jake Gyllenhaal impression while singing ‘Kingfisher’.  See for yourself below:
  
  Tyler Butler :: Kingfisher from Yer Bird Records.

That is all I have for now – look for more suggestions this weekend!

~Smansmith

HI54LOFI Records has a new compilation out to commemorate Valentines Day next week appropriately called ‘I Love You & Stuff” but wait, it’s soo much more.  This isn’t just 15 tracks to impress the one you love/like or even not remotely know, you also get the opportunity to actually send them a Valentine card with your “purchase”.  Come on, you know you want to spread the love and what better way than with music (…says the music blogger).

There are some really great tracks on this compilation and while it not being exclusively “Slowcoustic” or anything it has it’s fair share along with a full range of indie for the whole family.  I wanted to include a favourite from a Canadian artist I have been keeping my eye on, The Bravest Ghost.  Sean Craib-Petkau who is this said ghost recorded a song exclusively for the compilation and its another winner, so kudos to HI54LOFI for seeking him out!  Listen to ‘Long Shot’ below;

“Long Shot” – The Bravest Ghost
from ‘I Love You & Stuff’ Compilation

So that is my “pick” from the release, but there are more of note I wanted to make sure get a mention including the pixie lullaby from Shedding Feathers entitled ‘Starlet’.  Shedding Feathers is a project of Craven Canary and A Singer of Songs (who also have other contributions from their respective bands on the album).  Listen below;

And for my non-Slowcoustic recommendation, I have started a bit of a head bopping affair with Lint Vaccine’s ‘Those Freckles Compliment Each Other’.  It is a bit lo-fi but fun and includes a cow bell – why can’t this be your bleary eyed crush this year?  I think it can, just take it for a test spin here;

Find out more on this compilation and how you can order it and send cards to some folks HERE.  Visit the Bandcamp page for it HERE.  Visit HI54LOFI HERE.

~Smansmith

Message To Bears - Photo by Luke Doyle

I love the original song (it is actually one of my all time favourite tracks) but there is something about a cover track not sounding like a carbon copy, ya know?  For this cover songs, ‘Wolves’ while originally also a beautiful and sparse acoustic number in its own sense, Message To Bears takes the acoustic song forward with layers of his own that almost make the song a different beast all together.  While the cover finds the song becoming less tortured and aching than the original, it is still a great homage to the song in my opinion.

Find Message To Bears: Bandcamp (new album is stunning) | Facebook | Twitter
Find Phosphorescent’s album “Pride”: Dead Oceans Label

Enjoy your Sunday!

~Smansmith

Quick Sunday post for all you looking for some great mellow tunes over coffee.  And it is completely free!

Found via my twitter feed (I love when others do all the ground work – thanks Leentje!) and I have to say, it is incredibly beautiful to listen to and if possible use headphones.  While it is halfway between acoustic folk and shoegaze pop it can find a home with lovers of both.  Tracks like “Winter’s Wall” that opens the album has a pseudo electro start that yields to a piano/acoustic ballad with a bit of electro pop drumming.   More true Slowcousticals will enjoy the tracks “Gold” and “A Heart You Can’t Find” especially – so I will include both below and make sure you head over to their website to download the 7 track FREE album (and in better quality 320 kbps files).

RIYL: Melodramatic Pop Songs – but in a good way.

“Gold”
“A Heart You Can’t Find”

Visit Wise Children: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr

~Smansmith

Seattle based singer songwriter Sam Watts (Ghosts I’ve Met) has a new EP he has available at his live shows.  The EP “The Light Opera” has just started in rotation over at Local legend/radio station KEXP as well, so keep an ear out there as well.  The collection of tracks can be purchased from Sam directly if you are not able to make a local show (please email us and we can get you in touch if you were looking to pick up a copy) and it is still so new that it has no artwork!

The EP was recorded earlier this year at a Lakehouse in Leavenworth, Washington with Ghosts I’ve Met recording/live performance regulars Bill Patton (yes that Bill Patton) and Faustine Hudson.

We do have a track to share with you courtesy of Mr. Watts and it is true to form with his airy acoustic performance but with one addition…there is some percussion working its way into the mix here…not out of the question for this particular “folk” artist but GIM has traditionally gone light or without the element.  I like the sense of purpose it gives the track, if not a small jolt of gravitas if I had to say!  Enjoy.

“Dark Blue Sound”  – Ghosts I’ve Met, from the EP ‘The Light Opera’

Find more Ghosts I’ve Met on Bandcamp and over on Yer Bird Records.

~Smansmith

The Black Atlantic’s new EP “Darkling, I Listen” is a step beyond their previous album “Reverence for Fallen Trees” as they are not sitting on their laurels and are moving into a larger more full sound.  The crew have been huddled together growing their acoustic roots into a more full band sound and brought ‘Darkling’ to life over a few months in spring/summer 2011.  This is not to say they were never a “full band” prior, it is just the music was more of an intimate folk experience while Darkling, I Listen incorporates splashes and bursts of pure indie pop & sonic soundscapes while remaining essentially folk at its core.  Some might compare to the transition of The Black Atlantic’s sound to something along the lines of Bon Iver’s “For Emma…” album to the new “Bon Iver, Bon Iver” album.  But I am just sayin’…

Overview of “Darkling, I Listen” lyrically:

” Lyrically the songs paint the psychological tensions and inward journey of a protagonist who, after an argument, finds himself going through an intense emotional/existential rollercoaster ride.  Over the course of his sleepless night, his past, his reality, and his future appear in a whole new light of day.”

The way the EP transcends the traditional smaller scale of an “Extended Play” release is almost in the way TBA weaves the many musical elements into the songs almost like chapters of a novel.  It builds upon itself and tell stories as well as entertains with songs.  Unabashed with stating influences such as ‘70’s psychedelic folk–rock, Phil Spector-esque orchestrated chamber pop and 60’s Motown soul‘ the songs really grow in scale.  Those that are long time fans and finding my comparison to the ‘new’ sound may be worried, but do not shy away from it, embrace it…as it will you.  You still have songs like the opening track (see below) and the final track “Quiet, Humble Man” that harken to the sombre beauty of earlier works.

Fans may embrace this new Black Atlantic and some may pine for the former…personally, not unlike the Bon Iver analogy I tend to follow the band and enjoy the musical paths they are taking.  Listen to the opening track “The Aftermath (Of This Unfortunate Event)” below.  Find more, stream more, purchase more on their Bandcamp Page.

01 The Aftermath (Of This Unfortunate Event) by Beep! Beep!

Full Track Listing:

The EP is officially released on January 13th, 2012, but a pre-order now gets you the digital files including artwork.  The artwork is quite extensive and adds to this as a full experience as a release.  A must have.

~Smansmith

Today’s song of the day is the stunning ‘To Find This Home’ from the upcoming EP from Paul Otteson called “Fall Where They May”.  Well to be honest, it is available now for digital download, the actual physical EP will see its release in early December, so by saying upcoming, I mean that in the old school music enthusiast way…the CD is upcoming!

To say that Paul brings a calming sombre aura to song-crafting is an understatement.  His songs enjoy banjo laden acoustic gems, sometimes more “indie-pop” like the track ‘The Full Spectrum’, have a bit of edge like in ‘Nothing We Could Do’ and then stop you in your tracks with a stunning piano beauty ‘To Find This Home’ and a lullaby induced opening track like ‘Never Knight’.  This little 4 track EP has it all – for fans of a less ethereal Justin Vernon or even a less eccentric Sufjan Stevens…you can make your own decision.

Find more to listen to and purchase at his Bandcamp page HERE or you can swing by his website HERE.

~Smansmith

Sorry couldn’t resist the Patrick Bateman in headphones photo when looking for an “HQ” & “Music/Headphones” image.  If you have read the book American Psycho, you will know that when they get into describing music (regardless of style) you will know what it is like to be a music junkie.  But I digress…

Thought I would simply grab whatever is kinda new and playing around here up for perusal, listening and mocking.  You know, a Saturday playlist!

First off, the band responsible for one of my favourite albums in the last few years has a new song out.  Yes, The Black Atlantic has new material out from Beep! Beep! Back up the Truck over yonder!  While it has a new feel for the band, it is beautiful and brings a new facet of the band in my opinion.  There is a new EP, “Darkling, I Listen” that is practically done, so there is more to come.  Take a listen below to the first track;

The Black Atlantic – The Flooded Road by Beep! Beep!

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I have also been listening to the upcoming album from Rob St. John via Song, by Toad Records over in Scotland.  The album is called Weald and is in a word haunting and in another word intoxicating.  There is just something that hits you square in the face and drags you inside.  I get such a strong Ian Curtis (of Joy Division) vibe from St. John’s vocals on songs like “Domino” & “Sargasso Sea” but it eases up on more traditional singer songwriter cuts like “Acid Test”.  Maybe the Ian Curtis comparison is where I get the haunting impression from…so it may be misplaced, you tell me.

Rob St. John – Sargasso Sea by Song, by Toad
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Lately I have also been listening non-stop to the Chris Bathgate Kickstarter Reward Downloads.  One of the great things about getting all these songs (I think there was almost 40 of them in total!) was rediscovering the album “Silence is for Suckers”.  This album was always either my favourite or hovering in a close race for top spot the whole time, but listening to the Kickstarter remastered version brought it all back.  If you have it in your back catalog, please listen to “Cinder” in headphones right now.  Let’s help you, shall we:

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You might also want to check out Conrad Plymouth covering Strand of Oaks’ track “Two Kids”.  A little retro with the drum machine, but sooo good.  Visit the Conrad Plymouth Tumblr page HERE.

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Just to let you know that I can switch speeds and I am not a one trick pony, if you were looking for a great indie-folk-pop album from Canada (and I know you are) – check out the new album ‘The Hunting Party’ from Corey Isenor (see his bandcamp page here, that also includes his awesome “Frost” album).  There is also a nice infusion of banjo in it, so it has to be good right?  Take a listen to the first track (and one that has some of that nice finger picking banjo) now;

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Now go forth and listen this Saturday!

~Smansmith

Now playing the newest Scott Orr album Where I Lived, And What I Lived For this Sunday.  If you are looking for a great acoustic album that brings some slow burners and even a few not so slow burners (for those mid-tempo-coustic types) this just might be your next album.

I apparently thought I was listening to this album for a few months but in turn I found out I wasn’t listening to it at all until about 3 weeks ago when Scott called me on it.  For shame.  It was quickly remedied by Other Songs Music Co. and I had a copy of the album almost instantly.  Good folks over there.  So I started listening and the album starts out on a high note with what most are calling “THE song” on the album “In the Belly of a Whale”.  The song is getting a fair amount of warranted buzz for the pitch perfect delivery and soothing acoustics that it brings to the listener.  It is weird, the song has no real percussion for the most part but you feel the ebb and flow as it plays…almost like breathing.  A clear winner for the album.

I warn you not to stop and keep this track as “The Song” as there are more that can stand just as tall in this singer songwriter’s bag of acoustic goodness.  Currently songs like “Knots”, “Who Loves You” and “Nobody’s Someone” are just as compelling and warrant the same amount of love as the lead off track.  Take a listen to Nobody’s Someone below and tell me it doesn’t hit the same mark?

Overall the album should be part of your Sunday listening (regardless if your Sunday happens 7 days a week) and you should take the time to find out what Scott Orr lives for.

Visit Scott Orr:  Website | Other Songs Music Co. | Facebook
Purchase Scott Orr:  Other Songs Music Co. Bandcamp

~Smansmith

Just pre-ordered my vinyl & T-Shirt combo for the new album via their Bandcamp – go here and get it too!

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This Owen track is EXACTLY how I hear his music.  This is like a greatest hits for Owen turned into a one-track anthem.

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Triggertown’s “TT” album is a FREE download via their Bandcamp page (here) and it includes some great tracks – I specifically love the waning violin matched to the pedal steel  in this track.  Soo good.

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You’re Almost There by Lanterns on the Lake

Lanterns on the Lake are about to release their new album on Sept. 19th and I have always kind of been partial to the spacey mellowed out beauty in their sound.  The new album is no different and provides it in spades.  MP3 download: “You’re Almost There”

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So enjoy your Saturday with a cross section of some music that could quite neatly fit into one corner of the box that is Slowcoustic.

~Smansmith

Thanks to my co-horts over at Knox Road, I have had the pleasure of listening to the new 3 track EP “The Bastards: Volume One” from Radical Face! (see their post here)

The new (Free) digital EP is almost a teaser to the full length being released on October 4th and if this is an actual hint at what is upcoming, this should be a fantastic album.  Radical Face has been around for a while consistently putting out music, but keeping a bit of a low profile…or maybe people don’t appreciate a good thing…either/or.   Anyway, the three tracker is a very easy listen which might be half the battle to get Radical Face (or Ben Cooper as he might be known to family and friends) in the ears of more listeners.  I seem like I am harping on this, but someone like RF deserves a larger audience and I think these new tracks are going to work in his favour.  The songs are moody, piano laden and instantly catchy…in a good way.  A perfect example of this is the use of hand-claps that tend to follow many Radical Face albums…it can be something I absolutely hate when bands inject this clapping to music in order to try to show energy in songs.  But when Cooper does it in ‘We’re on Our Way’, it fits and works and you feel like joining in (which is the point I presume).   This EP is reminiscent of his ‘Ghost’ album from a few years back – an example is a song like one of my favourites “Winter is Coming” (a must listen for those of you who have read this far) – so if this EP gives you the yearning for more, definitely check out the album.

Overall, ‘The Bastards: Volume One’ does the two things it is supposed to:

1) provide good music
2) leave you wanting Volume Two.

Find out more on Radical Face: Website | Facebook | Soundcloud

~Smansmith

This November 7th sees the full length album “Repentance” from British Columbian (and for a short while, Calgarian) Jordan Klassen. One of my favourite artists from the 2010 Calgary Folk Fest is bringing his infectious indie folk to life once again.

Klassen’s music can be akin to a Canadian Sufjan Stevens (without all the crazy art folk mixed in) and possibly more accurately to someone along the lines of Dan Mangan. After sitting down with Jordan during the 2010 Calgary Folk Fest, I know Mangan is considered a personal favourite for him, so I think that is for an obvious reason. The two can make tracks that instantly cause toe tapping and humming along – melodies that can sound almost familiar at first hearing them. They both also mix in a great selection of upbeat indie pop with some slowed down folk ballads with great ease. Definitely a pretty polished sound for this up and coming Canadian talent.

So let’s listen to “Go To Me”, which is the first (and currently free) single from his Bandcamp Page (here).

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Klassen released his debut album in 2009 and followed it up with the St. Brigid EP late last year, both are streaming as well as available for purchase at his Bandcamp page. Since hearing of the new album, I have been revisiting his debut, Tempest and Winter, and have really enjoyed getting back into it. If you like the above track, definitely check out the songs ‘Anatomical Literacy’, ‘Song of Deborah’ and especially ‘Sing Your Song to Ares’ from his first full length.

Find out more and keep in touch with Jordan Klassen via: Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter & his Website.

~Smansmith

Bryan John Appleby’s new album “Fire on the Vine” was released today via his Bandcamp page and I have just started listening and it is fantastic.  While I just heard this song performed live from over on the Sound on the Sound blog – the studio/album version of “Noah’s Nameless Wife” is just stunning.  It is your song of the day.

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The song is a classic pining singer songwriter lament with acoustic guitar over waning strings and Appleby’s steadfast vocals.  This is some great Slowcoustic-ness here folks.  Take a listen and swing by his Bandcamp page HERE to pick up a copy of ‘Fire on the Vine’.

Those of you in or around the Seattle area can head out tomorrow for the album release show at Columbia City Theater – info: Facebook | Tickets

~Smansmith

Song of the day.  Joshua James covering Sufjan’s classic ‘To Be Alone With You’ for the charity album featuring the Seven Swans album ‘reimagined’ by a different artist for each song.  Great idea, not all tracks really worked, but overall it is a pretty solid listen.  So, then, song of the day:

Find more information on the On Joyful Wings Bandcamp page HERE.

~Smansmith

New track from Newcastle dream-pop band Lanterns On The Lake found its way to my inbox this morning, so I thought I would pass it on!  This is a great slowed down and haunting track, kinda what they are known for – it is actually quite beautiful.  Strings, piano and their patented ‘cinematic scope’ of music – it always feels so full and encompassing.
What am I talking about?  Just listen below and you will understand.

~

The new album (their debut full length) will be released on Bella Union in the UK and will see that on September 19th, 2011.

For more info on LOTL – visit them on their Facebook page and website.  You can also purchase their previous self released material on their Bandcamp page here.

~Smansmith

p.s.  Bonus track: “Forever Young (Bob Dylan Cover)” – Lanterns on the Lake

One of my recent finds was St. Louis radio station KDHX and their great list of in studio performances on their Soundcloud page.  Seriously folks, there is a massive amount of talent that comes through their doors.  While not all is up my alley, there is definitely enough to have something for pretty much any reader of this blog.  They are not for profit and are community focused, could use your support….and just happen to record kick ass sessions.  For good measure, their mission statement:

“The mission of KDHX is to build community through media, with diverse and independent voices that enrich the perspectives of our audiences.  We promote civic and cultural participation by providing the tools, technology, and training vital to informed, creative expression.”

Sounds like a good crew, right?  Okay, I know you are looking for an example of these sessions, so look and listen no further – a selection is below as our Monday playlist.

David Bazan “Virginia” Live at KDHX 6/10/11 by KDHX
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Frontier Ruckus “Junk Drawer Sorrow” Live at KDHX 6/10/11 by KDHX
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Jill Andrews “A Little Less” Live at KDHX 6/9/11 by KDHX
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The Antlers “Every Night My Teeth Are Falling Out” Live at KDHX 6/11/11 by KDHX
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This is just a sampling as they have also posted great sets from Jonsi, Strand of Oaks, William Fitzsimmons, The Low Anthem and Hayes Carll.  You can check out their live performance page HERE or simply click over to their Soundcloud page for all things worth listening to HERE.

Enjoy your Monday.

~Smansmith

“Unkind”

I have always had a soft spot for Sloan since ‘Underwhelmed’ back in the day.  I admit I haven’t followed them exclusively over the last few years, but they seem to still be pretty much Sloan.  The power guitar stroke and pseudo punk-pop feel.  This song I’m posting isn’t exactly ‘Slowcoustic’, but I need a little oompf today to get through until I go on vacation this Friday.  This new Sloan track is providing a bit of that oompf for me.

More On This Album

p.s.  One of my favourite bits of lyrics from Underwhelmed:

She wrote out a story
About her life
I think it included
Something about me
I’m not sure of that
But I’m sure of one thing
Her spelling’s atrocious

She told me to read
Between the lines
And tell her exactly
What I got out of it
I told her affection had two F’s
Especially when
You’re dealing with me

~Smansmith

Arthur Alligood emailed me about his new album (just out March 2011) and I have to say I have been pleasantly surprised with the album. It is a cross between singer songwriter, pop, folk and even a bit of folky country rock. ‘What’ you say? Surprisingly enough yes, it is all here in one 10 track package.

Admittedly I find the slowed down acoustic numbers from Alligood is where he excels and where I enjoy the release the most. Songs like ‘Turn It Over’ have a restrained story telling aura and the album ending ‘Come On Something’ has a letting go feel – but not in a sombre way, but as if one is looking almost reluctantly looking forward to bigger and better. This is one thing that might come for Alligood with the clarity and polished sound on a lot of these songs. A personal favourite is the opening track “Show Some Heart”, listen below:

A simple yet gorgeous song with acoustics, light keyboards and a honesty that only a good singer songwriter can pull off. Not heard enough of that style? How about another with a bit of waning lap steel (I think it is lap or pedal steel…)? Try this one on.

This one is probably the most sparse with the hint of country. Stunning in my opinion and probably the stand out for Slowcoustic fans I think. Nothing beats the feeling that a song like this creates, early evening, quiet times, light breeze and a open landscape view – the classic back porch with warming whisky in a mason jar. Tasty, right?

So the two songs above make the album worthwhile, but for those not sold on a one trick pony, you still get a more upbeat facet of Alligood with tracks like ‘Keep Your Head Up” & “Make Her Smile”, good for kickin’ up the heels me thinks. So why don’t you swing by his Bandcamp page to stream the full album (here) and you can even pick up an earlier EP ‘Full Circle’ as a free download (here). Let’s play you out with the title track:

For more information – find Arthur Alligood on his Website, Bandcamp, Facebook and Twitter.

~Smansmith

Today sees the local release of Samantha Savage Smith’s “Tough Cookie”, and I think this is one of the most anticipated local albums in a long while.  I think this statement can’t be more true after a few listens (I admittedly have only listen 3 or 4 times) – the album travels generations and genres in the span of 49 minutes.

While many around the world are highly anticipating Calgary albums from artists like Chad VanGaalen and Women, they are going to need to start to share the world stage soon.  The album “Tough Cookie” has been in the making for some time, but songs have been circling for a while during the finalization of this album.  The songs below from her Bandcamp page just might not be the actual versions as the final album feels a bit more polished all around.  There are the classics I have been listening to for a couple of years (The Fight) and some that I have been listening to on a regular basis for at least 6 months (albeit without the final touches).

The album is immense, loud & a bit brash at times, then soft and soothing the next.  This 24 year old has put together songs that still connect while being diverse and I find each song can even stand alone in texture and feel…as they each glide through our Rocky Mountain air.  Don’t worry, non-Calgarians will also agree, that voice can’t be stopped by any location.  That leads me to something that often is the focal point of many overviews of Savage Smith and I won’t deny that I sometimes feel a bit dated saying it.  But now that I have been listening for a while, it really can’t be denied.  The voice of this woman is soo distinct & powerful it would be a shame to overlook the obviousness of it due to it being so, well…fantastic.  Her deep and powerful (almost out of body) vocals polish off all of these songs, it is the sometimes missing instrument in almost any other band.  Her voice sounds older than her 24 years on this earth could even possibly ever have hoped to have created.   It reaches back to classic crooners in smokey cabarets…albeit as long as those cabarets had a little bit of bite.

I admit I find myself almost partial to SSS…maybe because she is local, but it might be because she seems like such a great individual.  After seeing her perform 3 times last summer at the Calgary Folk Fest, as well as sitting down with her to talk to her a bit, she seems like such a down to earth person…except she is creating this immense and catchy music on the side.  So, please ignore any fawning, the album is good and not just getting the local shine.

Slowcousticals can enjoy songs like You Always Come To Mind, Devilman, The Fight & Good of Goodbyes.  For a bit of down tempo/summer pop, you can enjoy a song like 1000 days or The Hats.  Overall the album seems a bit gritty, at 3/4 speed and I dare say a bit sexy in a late night whiskey induced nightclub sort of way.  The album, not unlike Samantha Savage Smith is more than a little bit intoxicating.

The album really took off into becoming reality after local staple Lorrie Matheson (visit) started listening to some of the many demos from Savage Smith.  She was getting a bit of a well deserved buzz in the local scene and Matheson heard the potential immediately.  The album was completed in late 2010 and found the backing crew of Chris Dadge, Scott Munro and Brooker Buckingham (who have lent their talents to recordings and live shows by Chad VanGaalen, Rae Spoon, Ghostkeeper, Fake Cops and Woodpigeon).

Listen to a couple of tracks below:

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**The album gets it’s local release TONIGHT at The Palomino Club (see here) and you will even get to hear another local hero on the bill, SAVK (see a quick post on him here).  This is truly a great line up of local talent and you will even get a chance to purchase the new album at the show!  Unfortunately at the moment I only know of her Bandcamp to purchase the album or individual tracks, but hopefully that will expand very soon!

UPDATE: Locals can purchase the new CD here in Calgary at Hot Wax, Sloth Records and Melodiya and if you are not local, you can email me and I can pass on the information about ordering direct (PayPal required & $15.00 which includes shipping worldwide).  <— get on it!

Please visit Samantha Savage Smith on her Bandcamp Page & MySpace page.

~Smansmith

p.s.  Bonus video that I LOVE from the good folks at Shot At The Dark:

SHOT AT THE DARK – Samantha Savage from Shot at The Dark on Vimeo.

Newest album out on our label Yer Bird Records is from Sam Watts out of Seattle and his debut full length from his musical moniker of Ghosts I’ve Met entitled “From A Spark”!  If you read Slowcoustic and are old school, you will know that I have been following GIM for a few years and well before we ran a music label and now we are working with him to get more of his music out there, and we couldn’t be prouder of this album.

From A Spark is more of the sound that you would have come to know via his previous EP “Payphone Patience” in the way that you get slow pining piano, waning cello and sparse acoustics to fill out the signature sound.  The sounds created here seem so frightfully delicate that you almost need them to be playing softly, almost as if they are playing naturally in the background.  Okay, before we get to far, lets go back a year and listen to the title track from the EP, “Payphone Patience” for a reference to what you can expect from Ghosts I’ve Met.

“Payphone Patience” – Ghosts I’ve Met, from 2010′s EP, Payphone Patience

The EP was/is fantastic and only leads you into the full length From A Spark.  The songs were created over months living in Marfa, Texas and upstate New York and they almost tell of journeys of his place in the world.  Watts is a huge fan of both poetry and novels and it shows in these new songs as they have grown to become almost chapters in the story of this growing singer-songwriter.

The album had some “regulars” in the Seattle area that worked on the recording and once again they bring depth to the sounds of these ghosts.  Players like Jenna Conrad, Bill Patton (another favourite around here), Faustine Hudson, Anne Marie Ruljancich, Seth Warren, Brittain Ashford and Ben Blankenship.  They create music that Watts creates to become the ballads and laments that you want on a early morning, a chilly afternoon and when pondering the big things in life – mood music if I ever heard it.

Tracklisting

Blackwoods
Winters Ruin
Out With the Embers
Import
Slanted Light
Pale White Horse
Always, Clouds
From A Spark
Through the Snow

Stream the lead off track Blackwoods:

Ghosts I’ve Met – “Blackwoods” by Yer Bird Records
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Bonus: Winters Ruin (The version from last years compilation “Folk Music for What Lies Ahead”):
Ghosts I’ve Met: “Winters Ruin” by Yer Bird Records

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Swing by your favourite online retailer to pick up a copy of the album: iTunes, Amazon and Yer Bird Records.
Stream it on Rdio

~Smansmith

I get a lot musical recommendations on a daily basis.  Honestly at least 60% of them are just that, a musical recommendation.  They are simple recommendations that are music – not necessarily something I will like or find soothing to my slowcoustical ears.  But sometimes you get recommendations from those that actually know you and hand pick something for you that they know you will enjoy.  And its beautiful.

The other day this happened to me from good friend Adrian who you may know from his blog “I Pick My Nose” that was formerly based out of San Francisco – always a great place to find music.  Well he was on a bit of a sabbatical from his blog and he is now back in North America (but you should see his photos of South Africa!) and he is firing over recommendations to me and The Tree Ring were one.  Adrian is good people.

Soooo, then Song AND Video of the day!  Yes, its true.  I actually watched the video first and then followed up with the album version of the song – while the video catches the magic of the song, the “studio” version is still a more than worthy listen.  It is a wide open song that is soft & sparse in feel but full of beautiful strings, xylophone and percussion.  At its heart the song is truly focused on the dance between the cello’s waning and the pining vocals of Joel P. West.  Simply stunning (if not a bit melodramatic…in a good way!).

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Enjoy this beautiful song and swing by the band’s website, Bandcamp and Facebook.

~Smansmith

Recommended to me last week via Twitter after posting my love for the band Isbells over on The Paper Crane Collective (formerly known as Tsuruadio).  Sure glad I got the recommendation as this other Zealrecords band is just a beautiful sounding as Isbells (and actually has member of Isbells on the album, so it might just make sense).  Marble Sounds is the recording moniker of Pieter Van Dessel alongside band-mates Gianni Marzo (Isbells), Frederik Bastiaensen (ex-General Mindy), Christophe Vandewoude and Johan De Coster (Soon) and they create dreamy, woozy pop gems. Very much recommended.

Enjoy a couple of videos from their debut album “Nice is Good” that is currently available from Zealrecords and iTunes.

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Enjoy the soothing music (& images) of Marble Sounds, find more Marble Sounds on their/his Facebook and MySpace pages.  As this was recommended to me, why don’t you do the same and pass it on?

~Smansmith

Husband and Wife pairing Rue Royale bring some of the best folk-pop around with their new album ‘Guide to an Escape’.  The album has now been officially released (March 3, 2011) from this tag team album creation factory (hand creating 7500 CDs!!) and is well worth a hearty listen.  The pair, now based in Nottingham, collaboratied in the US on the road to becoming what Rue Royale is today.  While being a “band” for less than 5 years, they show immense potential and a well crafted sound that produces a truly harmonious album.  You cannot help but hum along on your first listen, it feels comfortable and almost familiar enough to allow it into your regular listening immediately.  Try out the track “Blame” as your song of the day!

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You can stream the rest of the album on their Bandcamp and even pick up one of the handmade copies!  Swing by the Bandcamp page or visit on their Website and Facebook today.

~Smansmith

Before I try to take any credit for finding this band, I didn’t.  One of my online friend and fellow fan of all things Slowcoustic, Ryan made mention of the album on a forum post and I took a listen and thought y’all might wanna hear it as well!

The songs on this self titled release are of the “indie-singer-songwriter-indie-pop” variety and catch you immediately.  While some are more upbeat and network TV ready, the album is a pretty good listen, especially the “Classically Trained” track among them.  Other stand outs for me include “Funnel of Love” and “Planted” as they tend to be on the shed-a-tear side of the spectrum.  Listen to why Englishman draws you in with ease:

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The album was released in late 2010 and was aimed to give you warmth during the fall and winter months – something I am sure this album can do quite easily.  It is definitely something to accompany a slight chill in the air and a need for comfort.  Swing by and visit the boys on their Bandcamp page for more samples and even order the disc for a measly $8.00.

~Smansmith

Just a quick one to mention that while this post does not have any new tracks, both artists (Loch Lomond & The Builders and the Butchers) had new albums out recently – so why didn’t I mention the split 12″ they did??  [See Slowcoustic mentions of Loch Lomond's "Little Me Will Start a Storm" HERE and The Builders and the Butchers' "Dead Reckoning" HERE.]

Maybe this post also came to be because I just set up my turntable again.  Having started listening to vinyl through more than computer speakers mixed with the bands being pretty darn good led to this post…I assume.   Any excuse to recommend buying music, and then music on vinyl, I guess.  You can purchase the split 12″ they did last year from Bladen County Records and my good friends over at Song, by Toad Records.

So nothing really new here, just a couple of great tracks that make for an interesting release (as I wouldn’t normally put these two bands together).  With the whole idea of vinyl having 2 sides to the music might be the best thing for this split 12″ and really makes it work – in particular going from the airy sounds of Loch Lomond to the (at times) fever pitch of The Builders and the Butchers.  Yes, that is what I’m going with.
Loch Lomond
“Field Report” (mp3)
“When it Rains” (mp3)

from “Split 12 inch”
(Bladen County Records)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Amazon MP3
Buy the 12″ at Song, by Toad Records
More On This Album

~Smansmith

Slow down, Molasses is a Saskatchewan band (yes, that’s in Canada) that is coming out with their second full length release this coming March.  As far as albums go, this one has a little bit of everything – this is becoming a bit of a trend with bands in order to not be all “samey” and it really shows Slow down, Molasses…well, being a band…if you get my meaning.

The album is 9 tracks that span musical styles from indie pop-rock, almost Radiohead like moments and then all the way to an expansive wall of sound and still finish up nicely with intimate laments!  This can be a challenge for some bands to have such range in one album, but this prairie outfit don’t seem to have any issues.   You have full on indie rock in tracks like “Late Night Radio” and “Wake Me Up At The Coast” then they about face and immerse you melancholy with “As Meant To Be” or “Bodies” or the absolutely stunning title track “Walk Into the Sea”.  The band have also taken to full use of orchestral elements in their building of a fuller sound and it really works – now, why doesn’t everyone have trumpet alongside electric guitar and a cello?  There is no reason not to and Slow down, Molasses show your ears how much they like it.

The album also has had some truly great contributors throughout the year or so it has been coming together…ummm, Julie Doiron and Olenka and the Autumn Lovers…very nice.  This is also why I feel like the new album is a larger sound and shows growth in SdM as a full on outfit – this could be one of the next great Canadian bands.

The lead off track is “Feathers” which is below along with the newest sampling, “Fade Out”, which are both available from their Bandcamp Page.  Having a listen to both will start you on the journey that is this album, they almost sound like they could be from Side A and Side B or separate acts of a play, and not unlike the album – I like it that way.

“Feathers” – Slow down, Molasses – from 2011′s “Walk into the Sea”

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Find our more on Slow down, Molasses: Website, Facebook, MySpace & Twitter
Purchase Slow down, Molasses: iTunes, Zunior & CD Baby

Upcoming Tour Dates

March 10 – Saskatoon – Caffe Sola Walk Into The Sea All Ages album release
March 11 – Saskatoon – Amigo’s – Walk Into The Sea album release & tour kick off!
March 12 – Edmonton – Wunderbar w/ Jeans Boots and Jessica Jalbert
March 15 – Vancouver – The Biltmore w/ Jeans Boots
March 17 – Calgary – Broken City w/ Deadhorse and Scars & Scarves
March 18 – Regina – O’Hanlons w/ Jeans Boots
March 19 – Winnipeg – The Lo Pub w/ Jeans Boots, The Empty Standards and The Slow Dancers
March 20 – Thunder Bay – The Apollo w/ Jeans Boots
March 22 – Toronto – The Horseshoe w/ Jeans Boots
March 24 – Halifax – Gus’ Pub w/ Jeans Boots, Dance Movie and Klarka Weinwurm
March 25 – Fredricton – The Capitol w/ Sleepless Nights and Writer’s Strike
March 26 – Sackville – The Royal Canadian Legion – Shotgun Jimmie’s cd release!!!
March 27 – Charlottetown – Baba’s w/ Jeans BootsM
March 29 – Montreal – L’escogriffe w/ Jeans Boots
March 30 – Ottawa – The Raw Sugar w/ Jeans Boots
April 1 – Toronto – The Garrison w/ Forest City Lovers
April 2 – London – APK Live w/ Forest City Lovers

~Smansmith

Twilight Hotel are bringing their new album and tour through Calgary this coming weekend at the Kerf Music Showcast at the Ironwood.  If you are interested in a slighly 60′s influenced indie pop this will be the place for you.  I find the music of Twilight Hotel hard to describe, there are so many elements intertwined here, but it feels about what the photo above would make you think it sounds like.  That does make sense, right?

Regardless, the show is this Sunday and Calgary’s own SAVK is going to be performing as well, so it will be a great show.  Find a couple of tracks below from the new album “When The Wolves Go Blind” that was just released in January.

Twilight Hotel
“Ham Radio Blues” (mp3)
“Golden Eagle” (mp3)
“When The Wolves Go Blind” (mp3)

from “When the Wolves Go Blind”
(Cavalier Recordings)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
More On This Album

Visit Twilight Hotel on their Website, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter.

~Smansmith

The upcoming release from this “chamber folk” troupe out of Portland is shaping up to be one to look forward to.  Whether you are into the gentle but focused acoustics or the vocal styling of front-man Ritchie Young, this is looking to be a gem of a indie-pop album!

Tracklisting

Blue Lead Fences
Elephants & Little Girls (mp3)
I Love Me
Blood Bank
Water Bells
Earth Has Moved Again
Water in Astoria
Egg Song
Alice Left With Stockings and Earrings

Due Feb. 22nd, 2011 on the Tender Loving Empire label (Vinyl, CD & Digital)

Video for Blue Lead Fences’

Loch Lomond “Blue Lead Fences” directed by Alicia J. Rose from Alicia J. Rose on Vimeo.

Visit Loch Lomand: Facebook, MySpace, Label
Purchase: iTunes, Amazon (Pre-Order), Label (Pre-Order)

~Smansmith

]]> http://slowcoustic.com/2011/01/14/loch-lomond-to-release-little-me-will-start-a-storm-in-feb-2011-lead-off-track-released/feed/ 2 http://slowcoustic.com/2011/01/07/friday-mini-playlist-trespassers-william-the-prayers-and-tears-of-arthur-digby-sellers/ http://slowcoustic.com/2011/01/07/friday-mini-playlist-trespassers-william-the-prayers-and-tears-of-arthur-digby-sellers/#comments Fri, 07 Jan 2011 15:17:29 +0000 slowcoustic http://slowcoustic.com/?p=5581

above pic from Flickr – Visit the photog

Today’s “playlist” is actually two songs from my very early commute this morning.  Two songs, that whenever I hear them I always think specifically, “Damn, this song is good”.  They are the songs you think about after they finish, the songs you usually push the back button on when you get to one second left so that the song plays all over again.  They both have been on Slowcoustic already, but they deserve to be on many times and I trust you feel the same.

• “Sparrow” by Trespassers William.

Sparrow, from 2009′s “The Natural Order of Things” is a song that has both a lo-fi and produced feel.  The vocals from Anna-Lynne Williams float over a soundscape of a melody…a melody that has a distinct beat.  The cadence of the song is what makes this a winner – it feels like it is drifting, but it is very focused and moves you along with it.  The song gives me an immediate comparison to the sound and band Portishead, if only a little less “trip hop” version of Bristol band.  You have beautiful echoing vocals & lyrics over a warm blanket of song.  Please listen.  Visit.  Purchase the EP.

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• “Lisa” – The Prayers & Tears of Arthur Digby Sellers

This one is a few years older from a band that hasn’t seen much action lately, but this song just kills me.  This song is an all time favourite of yours truly, hands down.  The song is life in the rear view mirror.  Whether it is a real story, collection of stories or simply a story in song – it is beautiful like few others.  Mistakes are made in life, you will one day look back and realize this and know you cannot make it better, return to fix it and you simply drift further away from the experience the older you get.  Absolutely stunning – listen in headphones, listen to the story and tell me it doesn’t ache…just a little…

The song Lisa is from their “Redux” EP, which is a collection of rare and unreleased tracks from TP&ToADS.  This particular song was their contribution to Esopus Magazine in 2005 and the whole EP is a free download on their website.  Visit them and pick up the full 5 track EP.  They also have a fantastic album to purchase as well.

~Smansmith

Small Houses is Jeremy Quentin out in Michigan (my second home) and he is the driving force behind what is “Small Houses”.  Quentin creates acoustic folk-pop songs that follow the guidance of suburb life in Flint, Michigan.  Well, I’ll have to take his word for it…  I must say it doesn’t sound so bad in Flint, pun intended.  Seriously, his unique delivery and often hushed acoustics, he creates beautiful sounds that can be perfect for Sunday afternoons with warm coffee…or a live show…like at Woodruffs in Ypsilanti…

“When It’s Morning” – Small Houses, from 2010′s “Our Dusking Sound”
(purchase: iTunes, Amazon)

Small Houses also has contributed a track to In The Orchard Of Osiris which is a compilation of artists that span shoegaze, Midwestern indie-folk, experimental music or atmospheric post-rock compiled by Peter Richards (of the band Stargazer) and sequenced & mastered in Michigan as well.  It is quite a sonic project and can be purchased via the Bandcamp page.  Listen to the Small Houses contribution below:

If you like what you hear, what are you doing reading a blog from Canada!  Get to Mittenfest today for the Small Houses set at 5:00pm today.

Visit Small Houses: Website, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter

~Smansmith

We all know I am a big fan of the Michigan music scene and why not with a line up and winter music festival like this?  It’s Mittenfest V and it’s the place to be if you are local or planning on being in the Michigan area – If only I wasn’t 3000+ miles away.  :-/

There are crazy amounts of talent performing over the 4 days starting tomorrow.  Think about it; Matt Jones, Fields of Industry, This is Deer Country, Frontier Ruckus, Chris Bathgate, Joe Hertler, Drunken Barn Dance, Misty Lyn & The Big Beautiful, my boy Joseph Scott/White Pines, Photographers, Annie Palmer and more.  This is seriously one festival that makes this Canadian wish he was either more Easterly located or simply just “of the mitten”.

The festival has changed venues from it original location and is taking place at Woodruffs and it will be a good time, so look into it.  So how about a Mittenfest Mixtape?  Hells yes.

The Offiicial Slowcoustic “I Wish I was in Michigan” Mittenfest Mixtape

Matt Jones – “Right To Arms (live)”
Frontier Ruckus – “Adirondack Amish Holler (demo)”
Fields of Industry – “Point of Contention”
Chris Bathgate – “Salt Year (live on Impact Media)”
Joe Hertler – “Welcome to Michigan”
This is Deer Country – “Daylily King”
Drunken Barn Dance – “Seagulls (No Fantasies) (Fading Bones)”
Misty Lyn & The Big Beautiful – “The Fall”
White Pines – “Departing (Halfway House Session)”
Photographers – “Ursa Minor”
Annie Palmer – “Come Home”
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Now don’t  you want to be there as well?

Recap / Deets:

Woodruff’s
36 E Cross Street
Ypsilanti, MI 48198
Thu. 12/3010 – Sun. 01/02/11
Doors: 3PM daily
Music: 3:45PM to 2AM + Late Night Dance Party on NYE
$7/night or $25 for 4 Day Wristband / 21+

All Proceeds Go To 826michigan‘s Programming in Washtenaw County.

~Smansmith

I have had Jes Kramer on this blog previously, but I was reminded of Jes due to twitter when she started following me.  In all honesty, if I was more aware it would have been me following her first (follow her @Jes_Kramer).  Jes Kramer has always had a place in this sad bastard’s heart – a bit of a mellow ‘Casiotone’ place at that.

Well, a favourite of mine is her “Hermaphrodite” album from late 2008 – it’s chalk full of quirky, almost fun songs but still almost sad and introspective at the same time.  This is Manistee Michigan’s one woman band at it’s best.  I often call it “lo-fi” for lack of a better description, but when something apparently lo-fi has an encompassing sound it kinda seems like it isn’t quite so DIY after all.  This is how I feel about Jes and her ability to create what some people say is a stripped down electronic sound – it just seems (and is) like soo much more.  Some songs are so achingly honest they hurt and with her pixie-esque voice, it just clinches it for me.

While Jes might not be quite what some regular Slowcoustic readers looking for “folk/Americana” are really into, just stop and give it a chance as you just might find that “electronic” music ain’t the devil it is often portrayed as.  Sometimes a waning keyboard can take the place of a pedal steel…sometimes.

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Bonus:

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Another reason I am posting now is Jes has a Kickstarter to fund her next album “Nine”.  We are at 19 days to go and almost there – lots of great bonuses to donating (especially if you are in the Michigan area) – see the page HERE.

Visit Jes Kramer on her new website and on Bandcamp to purchase.

~Smansmith

“Not Gonna Argue”

Personally I believe if sadness and beauty were music, they just might sound awfully similar.  The song below about giving in to a relationship for whatever reason can be viewed as a loss or triumph…pending the vantage point.  But we all know where a relationship like this is ultimately going.  We’ve all been there, giving in and just not caring anymore or because you simply know where you want to be (and with whom).  In this case giving in to beauty for the sake of being in the presence of beauty and the fear of being alone.  Nathan Finochio (who performs this album under the moniker Alexander Fairchild) creates an eclectic collection of songs for his “self titled” album, with the below being my current stand out ballad/lament selection from it.  You know what they say; Love (or musician) by any other name…

As mentioned above, we all know where a relationship like this is going…and below you see it all in HD.  Watch the stunning, if not disturbing, video for “Not Gonna Argue”.

Alexander Fairchild – Not Gonna Argue from Brooks Reynolds on Vimeo.

“Not Gonna Argue” – Alexander Fairchild, from 2010′s S/T

Find more Alexander Fairchild at MySpace or purchase the album on iTunes.

~Smansmith

The duo from Edmonton known as “F&M” have been around for a few years in this and other incarnations, but they are continuing on full force with their 5th release in the album “Sincerely, F&M” to prove it.

The 12 track album landed at my doorstep a few weeks back, sent from the lovely Becky Anderson.  The band is made up of the real world couple Ryan and Rebecca Anderson, they co-create a blend of folk, pop, rock that often finds a down tempo aspect.  Honestly it sounds like a couple might make this music, as they switch vocal duties often and either join together in a song or find themselves solo for the track, and both work (which can be a hard scenario for some bands).  While they both provide a different angle of F&M; Becky providing a more classical/traditional folk sound and Ryan comes in to gruff it up a bit making a bit of altcountry-folk-rock-pop angle.  The track featured below is “Victoria” and it features Ryan center stage on vocals with flecks of Rebecca overtop in a slowly building balladeer track.  This is a great introduction to the band if you haven’t heard them prior, so dig in.

F&M
“Victoria” (mp3)
from “Sincerely, F&M”
(Shameless Records Canada)

More On This Album

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You might remember F&M making an appearance on my label playlist for Edmonton based “Shameless Records” (see here) that also had a solo Rebecca Anderson under the moniker of “Becky”.  So take a listen, you just might think a bit more about one of the city of champions.

Visit F&M on MySpace, Facebook, Twitter and their Website.

~Smansmith

]]> http://slowcoustic.com/2010/11/18/edmontons-fm-launch-new-album-hear-lead-off-track-victoria/feed/ 0 http://slowcoustic.com/2010/11/10/song-of-the-day-landscapes-by-gregory-and-the-hawk/ http://slowcoustic.com/2010/11/10/song-of-the-day-landscapes-by-gregory-and-the-hawk/#comments Wed, 10 Nov 2010 14:56:52 +0000 slowcoustic http://slowcoustic.com/?p=5301 Gregory & The Hawk
“Landscapes” (mp3)
from “Leche”
(Fat Cat Records)

Whether you like Gregory AND the Hawk or Gregory & the Hawk, you can rest assured that the new album “Leche” is full of great pixie-pop as you would expect.  Consistent as most G&tH releases are, you can’t go wrong with any of their/her albums, so I can resist having another track from Meredith Godreau on the blog.  Despite the PR on the album trying to dismiss the “pop” aspect, I say embrace it – when done right it really works, just take a listen.

Buy at eMusic Delivery
More On This Album

~Smansmith

Today sees the release of Carl Hauck’s new 9 track album “Windjammer”.  The album is a study in delicate finger picked singer songwriter selections that carry some of the best melodies of 2010.

Hauck is no stranger to the pages of Slowcoustic (see here, here & here) so I might be a bit biased on this Illinois’ talent.  The bias is earned, so I do not stray from that fact that I enjoy a Hauck tune.  Something about being able to bring a pitch perfect selection of lyrics to stunning acoustic arrangements…you know, that’s all.

The title track is a perfect example, it is beat steady, has a build that joins in additional layers (fantastic violin & strings in this one) and it defines what a Carl Hauck track might be.  This is the stuff that made Sufjan Stevens everyone’s favourite indie talent, listen to the song and find elements of Stevens’ work intertwined with Hauck – there’s beauty in ‘dem songs.  Listen:

Probably my favourite track on the album is the song “Martial Reisling”.  It starts with just Hauck singing over acoustics and does the build to a melodic chorus with the best of them.  Other than just being catchy, the lyrics alone show the strength in this album, example:

“My fingertips are tapping on a hefty stack of papers sitting
Stamped and sorted carefully, all ready to be sent
Sonnets, prose, and charming odes to ennui-laden scribbles so
Affected by the rain or lack thereof that fell today”

…

“Blank checks made out to certainty, the memos bursting at the seams
With issues better left unspoken of and never seen”

Quite an ominous few lines, but they fit and show the beauty of an album worth of stories/situations/laments/memories all set to music.  [Side Note: the lyrics for the album can be found on his Bandcamp page and I suggest a little "light" reading while listening.] Overall in this particular song, I think the chorus is what gets me – some may say it’s hokey, but when you earnestly sing the naked-as-I-am line “But I have dreams too” – it just hits the spot for me.   Listen:

Bonus out-take from the album (from carlhauck.com): “Sinking Ships”

So if you pick up one “folk” album today, make it Carl Hauck’s Windjammer.  If you are in Chicago, you can hit the CD Release show at Martyr’s (Facebook event info)

Visit Carl Hauck:  Website, Bandcamp, Facebook, MySpace
Purchase Carl Hauck:  Bandcamp, iTunes, eMusic

~Smansmith

When I think of the new EP from Jenny O, I think of spring, the first 30 minutes of “500 days of Summer” and a collection of 5 tracks that grown men just might <sigh> for.

With that start, do you even know what it sounds like?  Well it sounds like warm bedroom pop with better production value – 5 tracks that span pure pop ballad like the title track “Home”, something a bit groovy in “Well Okay Honey”, something to soundtrack that fantastic summer car trip with a previous lover in “Won’t Let You Leave”, and a drop dead gorgeous piano lament in “I Do I Do” (my current favourite track).  So okay, it is a pretty solid indie pop EP with a couple of great slowed down tracks – think of a Julia Stone (of Angus and Julia Stone) and you will be geared up for 16 and a half minutes of time to forget that winter is on it’s way.

The EP came out on her Bandcamp page on Sept. 16th and should be making an appearance in the iTunes store this month, but how about a couple of her Bandcamp streams?  Listen:

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Swing by and visit Jenny O. over on her Bandcamp Page, MySpace, Tumblr, Facebook and follow her on Twitter!

~Smansmith

The Pass are a band that might not normally find too much space on a blog like Slowcoustic – but know we can get our dance on once and a while.  So why not get some groove going on over here.  Yeah, I said it.

Well The Pass are a band with friends.  Friends with the blog We Listen For You (see the blogroll folks).  This leads to a fun and new video for the song “Vultures” that also comes with a bit of a contest to name all the references to music blogs ACTUALLY IN the video!!  When a music blogger is involved with making your band’s video and promoting it, you know you gonna have a shout out (or 30)….

You can find out more on the whole contest and situation over at WLFY by clicking HERE.  Whomever guesses the most (or all) of the music blog references in the video will receive $50 G/C to InSound as well as a copy of the debut album of which you hear in the video.  Make sense?  Let’s hope so – now start watching and submit your best guess to guesstheblogs@gmail.com.

Bonus:  “Trap of Mirrors” – The Pass, from the upcoming release “Burst”

Visit The Pass on MySpace or even on Bandcamp – pick up a copy of the previous EP at iTunes.
Visit We Listen For You

~Smansmith

This song had to be “song of the day” today because, well, it is Monday, the new album comes out tomorrow and its some serious down-tempo pop.  This song is like that soundtrack to a scene in a show where you stare off through a rain soaked window into dusk.  Brush off the cliches that come with that scene and enjoy the beauty that this song provides – its worth your time.

~Smansmith

More On This Album
Purchase/Pre-Order/Listen: HERE.

The Guggenheim Grotto have been mentioned here on Slowcoustic before and now find themselves releasing a new album (I think yesterday if I am not mistaken) and it once again finds its way into my listening.

GG craft melodies that most would crave to be able to, the harmony between the boys (Kevin May and Mick Lynch) seems to come by honestly and shows in the music.  While I am not the biggest fan in my circle of online friends (Trini, I see you there…) they are very worthy of more than a few spins for the new album – tracks like “Trust Me I’m A Thief” and “Never Before” and even “Map of the Human Heart” bring out pure indie pop goodness.

Please enjoy a video of the tittle track and a simple click for a free download (for an email) of it courtesy of the band.

Find The Guggenheim Grotto on MySpace or purchase on their Website or Facebook and even Twitter!

~Smansmith

p.s.  You can purchase on iTunes too (click here)!

The website is MusicFloss and if you are an independent artist and are looking for a platform to get yourself out there, this site is what you are looking for.

While MySpace is gearing up to simply be “MySpace Music” and numerous additional online distributing efforts around, I am not too familiar with a site that offers quite as much as MusicFloss does.  I mean you have Virb that is good and you have Bandcamp which is great, but this might be that half step up from Bandcamp due to promotional features.  Let’s take a look:

• Upload and sell your songs, individually, part of album, however you want
• Manage your online presence with photos, updates, tour info, videos
• Tracking system behind the scenes for sales, views, plays
• Widgets like the one below to put on your own website (including MySpace)
• Ability to send a link with your music to industry folks and have on their PR database (bloggers & review sites) and have it look pretty darn slick (see basic example)

In complete transparency, I am not working for MusicFloss but I have moved most of my label artists from my own label (Yer Bird Records, thank you very much) to join in this endeavor as I truly believe in it.  While I personally have joined as an Independent Music Label – we actually receive almost all of the revenue from any sales and if you are aware of the cut from the “big online retailers” you will know that this is a huge point of differentiation.   Aaaand if you are a solo unsigned artist it can get even better as you would receive 100% of all sales – you don’t have to worry about anyone’s “cut” of your sales.  You still have to set it all up, but if you are dedicated to your craft, spending an evening uploading/typing up the bio/getting pictures together – than this site is a no brainer.

The site is brand new as of June 1st, 2010 in a “public” sense now but has been in “beta” stages for a little while to get all the artists involved and everything up and running.  It is founded by the good folks over at the IndieMuse music blog (also a great blog for music in its own right) and it is touted as an independent community.  I know in “independent culture” the work community is thrown around quite a bit, but I think it is actually something that MusicFloss is really about.  You don’t even have to sell anything, just be there to get your music heard (this isn’t just a digital outlet, it’s the whole thing – see the breakdown of the benefits).  Remember, most sites are what you make of them, but MusicFloss kinda gives you a bit of a head start.  It is looking very promising and you should swing by for a look around!

~~Example of widgets to embed~~

Buy Ghosts I’ve Met’s music at MusicFloss. Artists earn 100%.

~Smansmith

So looking for a Michigan singer-songwriter who clearly is someone you both want to hang out with and listen to?  Well, for all of you that are not (or are) Michiganites/Michiganers/Mittens, you have the guitar strumming of Joe Hertler to help if you are lacking.

Joe Hertler’s music is why we are here and Joe has the songs that cause you to almost enjoy life (despite what the subject matter might be) and I like it.  I thought of Joe when I posted that Frontier Ruckus piece earlier today (as they are from Michigan and he has shared the stage with them previously).  I do think that the obvious choice right now is a song like “Welcome to Michigan” for it’s appropriateness – and here we go.

“Welcome to Michigan”

So, now you are welcomed, what else is there?  Well there is much more from Joe on his Bandcamp page – notably the fantastic “the Hard Times LP” that can be downloaded for “name your price” (which includes free you cheapies…  just kidding, I love all of you).  So let’s have another taster before you head over for a download of this young talent.  You can’t help but want to sing along, the hook in the chorus is almost bullet proof and I am always a sucker for acoustics that bring harmonica to the party.

“He Was Crushed”

Take a moment to stop by and visit Joe Hertler:

~Smansmith

Sea of Bees (Julie Ann Bee) has a new album coming out next week (June 1st, 2010 to be exact via Crossbill Records of which I am a fan of) and so I thought I would provide the journey of one of the tracks from this new album: Willis.  So I think it will also be my Song of the Day this Friday.

Willis is a great indie pop track set for an early fall day:  it still has the energy of the summer but it also shows something additional in its sound by not being “fluffy” or like just another throw away pop track.  I first heard Willis on the fantastic EP “Bee Eee Pee” that comes in a touch longer (maybe due to it being more DIY) and feels like something that might be heard predominantly in an 80′s teen flick love scene – its great.  It is the beat along with the pulsing keyboards and an almost rainy day delivery of the tragic lyrics.  If that makes sense.

I then found a nice live take from the Luxury Wafers session she did last year (see here) – which saw the song starting to grow legs and walk into maturity by replacing the synth sound of the keyboards with some piano.  And it works really well.  I really like this version – she really hammers on the keys at times, it seems like the song has grown into its own, possibly along with this Bee.

Now, the most recent version we have is a more “polished” take from the new album “Songs for the Ravens” (as I mentioned earlier, is due out next week).  While the album as a whole starts to move away from that DIY experience on the EP – which is still a bit new and it is still growing on me.  The song has definitely seen some additions with the sound being much fuller – but Julie’s voice is still there, and it is still lovely – if not more subdued and under control.  Let’s hear what you think on the progression of a song – give us a holler in the comments on your preference!

“Willis” – Bee Eee Pee EP version
“Willis” – Luxury Wafers Session version
“Willis” – Songs for the Ravens version

Visit and purchase Sea of Bees:

~Smansmith

p.s.  Swing by Crossbill Records for the lead off track “Marmalade” from the album as well!

p.p.s.  How about a video of “Willis” from that Luxury Wafers Session?  Okay then, see below:

p.p.p.s.  When you pick up a copy – make sure to listen to “Blind” – my current favourite track on the new one…and of course “Willis”…

A little all over the map today on stuff, but its all good at the same time, so I think it works out for the better, no?

I have had a couple of really good submissions lately and despite already being aware of both of them, sometimes I need a push…sometimes.  Those two bands are Uncles and Joseph & David.  I know of Uncles due to their recent release “Replacing Words With Other Words” that I saw on the great site Ampeater and Joseph & David due to the Green Man Festival readers poll on a band “opening the festival”.

Let’s start with Uncles.  Uncles provide a 10 track down tempo indie album that is free on their website – something I think is great option for newer bands to get noticed (it worked here at least).  I also feel bad as the album sounds like a real work – like it took something to get it out there.  Not in a physical sense like recording, mixing (but who knows) – but in a sense that it isn’t an album with throw away songs and fluff to get a “full length” album out into the music scene.  There is some really good tracks on this album, including the two below – but I suggest picking up the entire album to get a cohesive listen – get it on their site HERE.  Listen to the below tracks and tell me you aren’t picking it up?

“Settlers Song”
“Sleep Alone”

Check Uncles Session on The Ampeater Review, MySpace & their Website.

~~~

I also have Joseph & David from over yonder in the UK.  I first saw them over on the Green Man site when I was voting for Evening Chorus for the very same contest that these two are in – to play the opening of the Green Man Festival.  Well they both need to be in the top 5 to move on and they both currently are, so all is still rosy.

Well these two polite gentleman craft that soft acoustic folk-pop with (at time) soaring vocals.  Despite the songs having a slightly “tragic” sound, it builds character in a song (I think).  Not unlike Uncles above, the songs seem to have depth which can be hard at times for bands that play songs that can have a label such as “pop” attached to them.  The EP “So Short of Time” contains 6 tracks of piano infused beauty that sounds much beyond their young(er) years.  Once again, I am stunned by artists that at a such young age (or early in their musical career) can bring forth a collection of songs that are well done, sound good, have something that makes you want to sing along to and all around seem like good guys.  You can visit them on their Bandcamp page HERE or on MySpace HERE.

“Here’s to my Old Friends”

~~~

Next we have a “review” of last weekend’s The Tallest Man On Earth w/Nurses show here in Calgary.  While I don’t pretend to be a great reviewer of live shows – mostly due to my lack of extensive show attendance, I do think it was pretty darn good.  The crowd was pretty good – appreciative at the right times, sang along (wow, Calgary sings along to Tallest Man??  Nice) and while they crowded the stage, they weren’t difficult to get around to take a photo or a great view of the bands.   The venue, Local 522,  is a mish mash of good and bad:  great service for drinks, parking – had decent sound (which means something as TTMOE is entirely acoustic and Nurses have percussion, keyboards, etc.) – but lighting was a bit suspect.  I know it sounds trivial about lighting, but there was a constant “orange hue” to everyone in the crowd and the acts performing, so much so that I have had to move the photos to black and white to even make them decent.  The photos were taken from a local photog (David Kenny) who was gracious enough to send over a couple – they are downsized for the blog and again, moved to B&W for this blog only.

Aaron Chapman of Nurses (with shorter beard than normal)

The main man Kristian Matsson!

Okay the show – again, sound was pretty good overall and I was assured of this when “opening” band Nurses started playing – sound was full and fully recognizable as their music.  Sounds weird to say that, but sometimes the album clarity gets a bit forgotten in some venues and you end up getting what sounds like a grade 8 tribute band playing in place of the actual artists.  They did play the expected tunes like Technicolor which translated extremely well and a song that I am a big fan of.  There was a little banter, but not much and it was pretty much 6 songs and gone.  The 3-part team did a great job and I would see them again definitely – James from the band even worked the merch table and was very gracious in autographs and helping out all around to the fans.

Next Kristian came on after about a 15-20 minute break and did not disappoint.  Opening with the title track to the new album “The Wild Hunt” and everyone immediately got into it.  I have to say that he plays live extremely well and his voice is incredible – it holds up under everything he belts out.  With a tour like he is currently in where he is performing constantly, you might expect a touch of vocal fatigue but alas not here folks.  His delivery was phenomenal – front to back of the club – was spot on.  I mean, you know it’s live, but the power he delivers with lends to what could only be a great show.  The entire sound was full – guitar and vocal levels (not one over the other kind of scenario) was where it needed to be.  Some may ask how hard it is to have a guitar and sing – you can’t get the sound wrong??!!  Do not let these skeptics tell you this – in order to create great pitch and sound loud enough to get to the back of a sold out show (I would say 3-4 hundred where there) with no crackle, hiss, feedback or overfed channels – it takes a talented vocalist and good sound.  Kudos to the venue and who would I assume be the “roadies”!

A highlight was his cover of “Graceland” which I ever so helpfully yelled out during one of the breaks to ensure he did have the official “Slowcoustic recommendation”.  Fantastic.  He played almost the entire new album with a couple of previous cuts and ended the main set with King of Spain.  There was an encore attached which was just perfect – Kristian did talk with the audience during the show, but his speaking voice was much quieter than when he was performing, so honestly I could not make it out (what was I saying about the sound again??).  Recommended as a must see if he is in your neck of the woods.

After the show, both Nurses and TTMOE stuck around for autographs and to say hi – yours truly now owns both “Apples Acre” and “The Wild Hunt” on signed vinyl – how good is that?

That is all.

“Technicolor” – Nurses
“King of Spain” – The Tallest Man On Earth

~Smansmith

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