Slowcoustic » Just a bit Honky Tonk

New (to me) Find: Willy Tea Taylor

slowcoustic — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:59:28 +0000

Not much to say here as I literally just started listening to Mr. Willy Tea Taylor about 5 days ago. Thanks to the heads up from my good friends The Sumner Brothers on this true country crooner. The voice, the look and the down home warmth you get from listening (even if they aren’t the sunniest of subject matter) is a breath of fresh air. Despite often getting lost in gritty country tunes, sometimes you need a bit of good ol’ boy mixed in with your whisky. Just sayin’.

Take a listen to a couple of tracks from his ’4 Strings’ album that came out last year below. “Life is Beautiful” is what you expect and an amazing country ballad of country life & love. Also, for a bit of context on this album I included the lead off track ‘Bones’ that gives me a strong Tallest Man on Earth vibe…and we all know we like that around here.

Please swing by and take a listen to the album on his Bandcamp page and for more info you can visit his website HERE.

~Smansmith

Caleb Coy releases “Wild Desert Rose” today. It’s now Country Tuesday!

slowcoustic — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 14:43:26 +0000

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

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

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

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

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

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

~Smansmith

Just something I was listening to on the way to work. Graham Lindsey

slowcoustic — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 14:30:07 +0000

Just thought I would share as I was listening to the above album on the way to work. The album is spectacular – this is roots banjo folk at its best. Released last year to little fanfare (why, oh why) this album is a mix of full on banjo honky tonk to slow folk(y) balladeer material. And it has grit. Grit that finds itself placed between an 80 year old tough as nails bluesman to a young punk rocker. And it really works. I have said many times that I can get down with a lot of folk themed styles but sometimes full on olde tyme folk or honky tonk country does get a bit lost on me but this album gives me hope that I will eventually be able to understand it all.

Highly recommended for the banjo lovers, fans of someone like “The Gunshy” and even a Scott Biram. Enjoy a couple of tracks below.

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

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Amazon MP3
More On This Album

~~~

Find more Graham Lindsey:

~Smansmith

p.s. I love the artwork on a few of his album covers (notably this album and his “The Mine EP”).

Why Aren’t They Famous: Stripmall Ballads “Since Jimmy Died”

slowcoustic — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:21:51 +0000

Ever since one of my mates (I can say mate as he is from the UK, so there) turned me onto Stripmall Ballads I have been wanting to post something over here on Slowcoustic. There is a great interview post over on You Crazy Dreamers HERE with Phillips Saylor who is the man they call Stripmall Ballads.

Not unlike his moniker, I find the music Saylor creates can have a bit of everything in an unassuming package – there is country, folk, noise, rock all mixed into a lo-fi package that really works. The one “piece of work” that I have really enjoyed is “Since Jimmy Died” which was released last year and is 10 tracks of a man singing his very heart out. Not in the sense that he can sing no longer, but in a sense that he leaves everything out there for you to ingest. Let yourself take it all in and you will realize that this tragic sounding album is one of the most beautiful things you will hear. I swear that this album breaks my heart just a little each time I listen to it and it isn’t entirely due to subject matter but the overall atmosphere the album creates. If I was more aware of the album, it would have been placed quite predominantly in my best of 2008 collection. Why he isn’t more well known is beyond me.

Saylor’s voice has just a little bit of the south peaking through, just enough cracking (or actually the straddling of a natural break between his higher and lower singing voice) to draw you in. It isn’t polished and it isn’t supposed to be. Polish wouldn’t work on Stripmall Ballads as this is one of those stripmalls in the industrial area of town that doesn’t have the flash and glitz but has everything you will ever need. I know bad analogy but this acoustic folk album is just too good for you to let slip by. Do yourself a favour and swing by and pick up a copy – to entice you, here are two stand out tracks below to get you moving.

“So Romantic”
“Freeloader”
~from 2008′s “Since Jimmy Died”

Visit & Purchase Stripmall Ballads

~Smansmith

p.s. You can pick up another track from Stripmall Ballads alongside another interview over on Microphone Memory Emotion Blog.

A litte bit of Country-Folk for your Friday – Lucas Westcott’s “Addition by Subtraction”

slowcoustic — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 18:05:56 +0000

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

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

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

“Father of the Year”
“Hometown”

Visit & Purchase Lucas Westcott:

~Smansmith

The Wheat Pool release new video for “This Is It”

slowcoustic — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:59:28 +0000

Still a fan of these Edmonton boys since first seeing them live here in Calgary – won me over instantly. They are not the regular acoustic folk that might grace the electronic pages of this site, but sometimes you need a bit of country rock to wake you from your stupor.

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

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

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

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

Buy at iTunes Music Store
More On This Album

~Smansmith

Just an update – Malcolm Holcombe has an album you should buy.

slowcoustic — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:13:12 +0000

It’s called “For The Mission Baby” and it is FINALLY making into serious rotation over here. I am not reviewing the album in this post as I am still only ankle deep in it. But like a recent tweet I made (yeah, I said tweet):

@Slowcoustic – I feel like I’m down on my luck and there is whiskey on my breath after the first track from the new Malcolm Holcombe album

I also have to admit I have only been a casual listener to Holcombe in the past, a bit of Gamblin’ House and Not Forgotten and even his Daytrotter session – but I am giving this one a serious listen. It is everything you think of when you think of Holcombe if I had to make a blanket statement. If you aren’t very familiar, its gritty, a bit honky tonk and a something you can get a drink to. While I don’t have an official promo track (I just don’t see Malcolm as a “promo track” kinda guy ya know?) but he is offering an outtake from the new album for free download, so it is included below for a limited time.

“Hardcore Dollar” – from the “For The Mission Baby” sessions (unreleased)

Swing on by his website and even pick up an album:

Bonus Video of “Hannah’s Trading Post” from the For The Mission Baby LP:

~Smansmith

Quick Post of the Night – Ronnie Fauss has a new EP

admin — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:56:37 +0000

Heard from Ronnie that he has released a new digital only 3 track EP just last week. The title track included below is exactly what you would think of a song of the night around here, it’s slow, it’s acoustic and it’s a song that feels just a bit lonely. The track sings of not being able to be the person for that special someone. Sometimes it doesn’t matter how much you want it, it just isn’t going to work in part to whatever flawed situation that one finds themself. The song may be bleak, dark and even a bit tragic, it still makes me happy that it fell into my inbox. Enjoy.

“I Can’t Make You Happy” – Ronnie Fauss

Visit Ronnie / Purchase The EP

~Smansmith

My “Various Desktop Mp3s” playlist

slowcoustic — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 17:33:03 +0000

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

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

Saturday Desktop Mix

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

~Smansmith

The best $2.00 you will spend today, Kyle Swartzwelder’s self titled album

slowcoustic — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:24:05 +0000

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

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

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

~~~

Below Links: Website / Facebok /MySpace / Purchase

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

~Smansmith

Song of the Day – Jon Crocker’s “Moved to Nebraska”

slowcoustic — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 13:11:11 +0000

Don’t know much about Nebraska – drove through it once and spent the night at a small low rent chain motel on the outskirts of Lincoln. Saw lots of corn fields (from the side of the road), a truck with a personalized license plate with “Hunters” on it and endless 2 door coupes with “support our troops” magnets. Not to say that it was the essence of “Midwestern”, that is just the impression it gives off. As mentioned we did stay for a bit in Lincoln, and it was a sweet little town. I quite liked it and always joke with my wife that we would move there because it seemed like an honest but growing town, plus we got a good cup of coffee the morning we left. I don’t know where I was going with this, oh yeah, moving to Nebraska…

Jon Crocker has some nice folk tunes – “Moved to Nebraska” is from his new album “Farewell, America!” and I think I kinda like it. You gotta like a guy who isn’t afraid of the banjo AND mandolin.

Jon Crocker

Song of the Day:

“Moved to Nebraska” (mp3)

Bonus #1:

“Alabama Hills” (mp3) – a bit more uptempo for you diehard SLOWcoustic folks…
from “Farewell, America!”
(Greydawn Records)

More On This Album

~~
Bonus #2:
Jon Crocker
“I Just Can’t Say No” (mp3)
from “The Dust Will Settle”
(Bluetint Records)

More On This Album

If you happen to enjoy Mr. Crocker – visit him on his Website and even MySpace.

Song of the Day – Graham Lindsey’s “Tomorrow is Another Night”

slowcoustic — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:18:04 +0000

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

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

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

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

More On This Album

~Smansmith

Auld Lang Syne’s “Midnight Folly” – A Pun and Great Music Intended

slowcoustic — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 13:01:13 +0000

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

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

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

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

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

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

~Smansmith

Saturday Playlist(s) and New on the ‘Nets – a duo (trio) post!

slowcoustic — Sat, 09 May 2009 17:26:50 +0000

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

Couple of items that I need to recommend:

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

Saturday Playlist (part one)*

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

Playlist within a playlist (or part two)**

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

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

~Smansmith

Sean Rowe’s New Album is “Magic”

slowcoustic — Wed, 06 May 2009 12:57:17 +0000

When you hear Sean Rowe start up, you can’t help but picture a gothic version of the South, or what I envision what the South would be like. As I don’t really know much of the real South and I am sure many residents of this mythical “South” would guffaw at this Canadian, I still have my hopes. My hopes are that there is always a haze of gritty and sweltering heat, an open field next to a rushing creek and chairs made from long dead trees. This is the South that Sean Rowe makes me think of, one of many long told stories and old community churches on the outskirts of small towns. While his music takes you to such places, it is his voice that brings it all to life, take a listen to see for yourself. Think of a more folk revival singing Bill Callahan…so you know its going to be good.

Sean Rowe
“Surprise” (mp3)
“Old Black Dodge” (mp3)
from “Magic”
(Collar City Records)

More On This Album

The new album is “Magic” and was released on Collar City Records this past April. Visit Sean on his Website and his MySpace for some more listening and info. Drop by the Collar City Store to pick up a copy!

~Smansmith

p.s. Head to his MySpace and listen to “American” & “Wet” (both from the “Magic” album) – pretty frickin’ good. Oh, and sorry about the title of the post, I had to.

Eamon McGrath Makes Whiskey Sound Good

slowcoustic — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:58:21 +0000

Just thought I would post something that oozes of late night, being down on your luck and gritty back alleys. But for some reason it is something that still draws you in like its home. Ladies and Gentleman, I give you Edmonton’s Eamon McGrath.

First showing on Slowcoustic had Eamon on a playlist here with the track “I Am Deer” from his Dead Empire EP which also brings you his post punk songwriter presence. Just something about his voice, it is as if he spent the night screaming at the house band, only to end up sitting down after closing and showing them how it’s done. The guy can belt it out and shake the room, but I find he truly excels in the gothic americana of his slower stuff. If you like the below, make sure you hit up his MySpace page and download the Dead Empire EP – highly recommended.

If you needed a touch more, check out the good folks at Herohill for a bit more in depth look at the new album “13 Songs of Whiskey & Light” on their review here.

Eamon McGrath

“Welcome to the Heart” (mp3)
from “13 Songs of Whiskey and Light”
(White Whale)

More On This Album

~Smansmith

If You Haven’t Heard – Tobacco Pat

slowcoustic — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:52:45 +0000

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

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

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

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

~Smansmith

The Wheat Pool – Country Rock from the City of Champions

slowcoustic — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 18:40:47 +0000

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

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

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

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

Packed House – check

Trucker Hats – check

Non Ironic Plaid shirt – check

4 Charismatic Dudes on stage – check

Heartbreak & Longing – check

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

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

Enjoy the Canadiana.

Cheers!

Bonus YouTube of a solo acoustic song “Italy”

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

More On This Album

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

~Smansmith

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

From One Albertan to Another, Well Kinda – The RAA.

slowcoustic — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:11:43 +0000

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

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

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

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

~Smansmith

I’m Going to The Deep Dark Woods Next Week, So There.

slowcoustic — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 14:23:46 +0000

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

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

Ramblin’ Mind
The Straight And Narrow

Five Hundred Meters
River In The Pines

All The Money I Had Is Gone
The Gallows

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

~Smansmith

Fraser’s “House on a Hill” finds itself a home.

slowcoustic — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 12:50:11 +0000

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

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

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

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

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

~Smansmith

The Low Anthem Play SXSW (and many other dates) – No Stops in Western Canada!

slowcoustic — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 14:12:04 +0000

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

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

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

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

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

Damn…

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

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

Visit The Low Anthem on their Website and MySpace.

~Smansmith

Baby Eagle. This is definitely not the Constantines.

slowcoustic — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 16:25:04 +0000

Baby Eagle…hmmm, somehow got onto this member of the Constantines solo project the other day. Why is it that the solo projects from band members are often nothing like their day jobs? Maybe a release, maybe they need to expand, spread their wings and just not do the same thing? Most likely…I guess you can’t simply record songs that sound exactly like your band without wreaking havoc in the band and creating a version of “office politics”.

This Baby Eagle is Steve Lambke who some of you may know as a member of the “rock” band Constantines. While I don’t see him leaving the Constantines for this project (or maybe..), I think it is a well worth it endeavor. I dare say I like it more than the Constantines…although coming from this blog, that shouldn’t surprise you too much. Not unlike the whole Brian Borcherdt solo vs. Holy Fuck – I tend to lean towards a solo effort as they are often darker, slower and much more intimate and stripped down (for the most part).

Described as;

“…acoustic guitar, snare ‘n’ kick, and piano accompaniment is far from intrusive, and creates the ideal background for Baby Eagle’s voice, a fine-sandpaper-rubbed instrument. Singing songs about hearts beating with a broken wing, being punch drunk by folk songs and the Redpath sugar factory, Baby Eagle creates his own mythology out of Canada’s varied landscapes and fragments of his own experience.”

I was also intrigued due to the creation of Lambke’s debut album as it was recorded in Winnipeg, Manitoba where I spent many years after graduation before moving West to Calgary. Some Winnipeg icons involved with the album as noted below;

“Joining Steve in making Baby Eagle come to life are singer Christine Fellows and John K. Samson (The Weakerthans), Keith MacLeod “played mandolin and works for VIA rail,” and Jack Jonasson. Cam Leoppky “helped with all things technical and we mixed the record at his house. He does live sound for The Weakerthans and, when we can afford it, The Constantines.” Producer Jeff McMurrich also recorded one song, “Lady Come Greet Me.””

So enjoy a couple of tracks from his 2006 Album (he does have a follow up “No Blues” from 2007 that was recorded with some artists of note including: Shotgun Jimmie, Fred Squire, Julie Doiron). Maybe you will also see that Mr. Lambke has at least one more layer to be peeled and enjoyed.

Baby Eagle
“Lady Come Greet Me” (mp3)
“High Winds At Sea” (mp3)
“Redpath Sugar Factory” (mp3)
from “Baby Eagle”
(Outside Music)

More On This Album

Visit Baby Eagle on his Label Page and MySpace or consider visiting Constantines on MySpace or website.
Buy a copy of “Baby Eagle” or “No Blues” at Outside Music.

~Smansmith

p.s. Do you think mellow folk bands have solo projects and end up just rocking out? If you know of any, please post in the comments!