It is Friday and I am on an extended long weekend (because that is how I roll) and wanted to throw some videos and a few songs at ya to see what sticks.  It will all stick.

Wanted to post on a new video of Zachary Lucky and Carly Maicher for “Leaves are Falling” that they played in Liverpool, Nova Scotia during their current cross Canada tour.  I mention this as they will be here in Calgary tonight at a House Show (I’m out of the loop on that) but they have an official show at the Ironwood Stage this Monday, May 21.  Me and the Mrs. will be in attendance, so you should join us for a long weekend beer and some great tunes.  Great tunes like the below!

Visit The Ironwood Stage for info on the show, directions on this Monday’ show!

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Ms. Al Spx has a new video that premiered on Rolling Stone the other day (yes, Rolling Stone – we live in a new era of indie music folks).  The new album isn’t out yet but is garnering some very high praise (myself included).  The album has been in the works for years and it is truly magnificent.  I will also make no secret that I will be voting for Cold Specks on my Polaris Prize ballot (you know the  Polaris Prize right?).  Watch a video for Winter Solstice below!

Find out and pre-order this amazing debut album from Cold Specks: Cold Specks Store

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Lastly but not leastly, we have The Great American Desert (formerly South of Lincoln who was a Slowcoustic best of the year last year) and a new ‘Classroom’ video for the track ‘Whiteclay’ from his upcoming Yer Bird Records (ahem, yes our fantastic label).  You get an intro with the story behind the song and a fantastic live version of the song followed by why Max Holmquist (The Great American Desert) picked up his career in music.  Thanks to the Lawrence High School Film & Media Program for having Max in for the session!

Listen to a bonus track below – which incidentally will be the next video for the LHS Classroom Session as well!

Find more on The Great American Desert: Website

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There you have a grab bag that is chock full of goodness!

~Smansmith

Give up yer cash early and then just try to forget about it...

I have made two pre-orders this week so far (and one Kickstarter donation, but that is for another post upcoming).  Who said the music industry was going down the shitter?

Today I would like to urge you all to purchase both the below pre-orders, or at the very least think about it and maybe get your friend to do it and then simply enjoy it with them when it arrives.  The two albums are JBM’s “Stray Ashes” from Western Vinyl and The Tallest Man On Earth’s “There’s No Leaving Now” from Dead Oceans.

First off JBM’s new album ‘Stray Ashes’, it is released very soon (May 22nd) so the pre-order is only for another few days but this is currently my must-have release as I type this.  This album from Jesse Marchant is spectacular and is going to be one of my favourite albums of 2012 for sure.  I know it.  It is very moody, ethereal at times, stunning, et al.  I can listen to the whole album together, which is a feat in itself these days, and it totally works.  There is not a weak track on this album.  The songs flex a bit in style while still falling under the JBM umbrella – listen to “Only Now” then listen to “Ferry” or “On Fire On A Tightrope” and you will understand.  I just can’t say enough about this album right now.  Listen to a few streams below.

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PRE-ORDER NOW: WESTERN VINYL SHOP

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 Next is the new album “There’s No Leaving Now” from The Tallest Man On Earth coming out on June 12th.  The internet was a buzz with the new single the other day when it was released to the hungry blogging world and it is for good reason.  While I haven’t heard the album yet, TTMOE has become one of the most consistent artists for music in my opinion – so it is a no brainer to pre-order this album to be quite honest.  If you appreciate Kristian Matsson’s musical style & vocal timbre in the first place, everything he has released has been top notch.

I also had to specifically mention the pre-order for this one as the bundle was too good to pass up (and I didn’t).  Secretly Canadian (the ever omnipotent overlord of the Dead Oceans label) is offering a smashing deal in my opinion.  Get the Vinyl album, the CD of the album, a 7″ single while quantities last and a couple posters.  For $21.99 USD!!  I run a small indie label as well and I can tell you that is a fantastic deal.  So go and pre-order this bad boy already!

“1904″ – The Tallest Man On Earth
from the upcoming “There’s No Leaving Now”

PRE-ORDER NOW – WESTERN VINYL/SECRETLY CANADIAN SHOP

Go.  Go now.

~Smansmith

The Church of the Good Thief Album Art

Courtesy of PropertyofZack (see their post here) we get the great news of the upcoming Andy Hull helmed Right Away, Great Captain! album.  This is news that warms the cockles as almost anything RAGC! is right up my alley and with the first streaming sample of the track Blame – this is going to be right in my driveway.  While the song has been circling with a demo style live recording for a while, this crisp and clean album cut really helps the song shine.

If you are familiar with Andy Hull (also of the band Manchester Orchestra) and his solo efforts, which tend to be more stripped down recordings as Right Away, Great Captain! you will not be disappointed.  His delivery is always spot on and the timber of his slightly just a bit higher pitched than you thought it would be voice just works.  It pierces right through me.  When Hull is “on”, the songs he sings just carry such an incredible weight and hit with a hammer.  This is great stuff.

The album, The Church of the Good Thief, will be out in in just over a month (June 12th) via Favorite Gentlemen Recordings and there should be a pre-order next week with a bunch of extras.  Oh, did I mention there will be a 4 x 4LP edition that includes the two previous albums?  I believe a ‘holy sheeeet’ is warranted, but that might just be me.

Find more on Right Away, Great Captain!: Facebook | Favorite Gentleman Recordings

~Smansmith

Sometimes a band name is so spot on and so accurate that it is not just the moniker of the musician(s) but speaks to what they are about, sound like and what the listener will feel when listening.  Well, Rural Ghosts is just such a band that finds itself in this position.

Rural Ghosts and the self titled 6 track EP (of course it is self titled, how could it not be?) is a recent listen for me and I am glad Erik Neilson (the man who we speak of when we say “Rural Ghosts) thought I would like a listen.   And like I do.

RG speak to what Slowcoustic might be really about.  If the description provided on the Facebook page is any indication how could they not be on this blog?

“Sparse ballads of death, love and regret, set against the thick & mysterious ambiance of Maine’s North Woods”

The songs are lo-fi and echo with intimacy.  I don’t want to assume the songs are at all autobiographical, but you always feel this way when someone rips out parts of themselves and plays music to it.  The songs are all completely acoustic and consist of guitar and voice with even the “air” around the recording adding to what is going on here.  Neilson creates songs that cause time to slip and people to slow down and listen.  While not overtly gothic sounding, the songs mix beauty and sombre like they were childhood friends reuniting after many years apart.  And they pick up exactly where they left off.  It is like the two were never apart at all.

“Bright Side” – Rural Ghosts

You can find Rural Ghosts on Facebook, Reverbnation and purchase on Etsy (yes, Etsy).

~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.

~

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

New EP from Akron, OH based White Pines is out today!  The 5 track EP is now available from our Yer Bird Records Bandcamp page right here.

I have come to really enjoy the driving force of White Pines, Joseph Scott, and his uncanny ability to bring folk acoustics into a part ambient, part folk rock vibe.  While being a stellar solo acoustic performer, he can build on a track and bring a fuller sound without taking away what you enjoyed about the “folk” aspect of it in the first place.  While it isn’t exactly jangly indie rock that all the kids are talking about, it is still a jump up for this slow and acoustic guy!

If you enjoyed the previous full length album ‘The Falls’ from White Pines, this 5 track EP falls in line with it’s overall sound and would fit nicely into being its companion.  The stand out song here is Bluebird which we have included below in both the original porch-side demo performed solo by Joseph Scott and then the EP version which shows a bit of a before and after in his song-crafting process.

So swing by and pick up a copy of the digital EP over on the Yer Bird Records Bandcamp page and we should have a link to some physical CDs in the very near future, so keep an eye out there as well.

You should be able to grab one of those physical CDs at his upcoming show this weekend if you are in the Cleveland, OH area when White Pines opens for Lambchop(!!).  See info on/rsvp to the Facebook event that just went up HERE and see the details below for those non-FB types:

Lambchop with White Pines
Beachland Ballroom
Sunday, April 22nd, 2012
7:30 pm
$15.00
(Tickets)

Visit White Pines: Album Bandcamp | Label Page | Facebook | Twitter

~Smansmith

Doug Paisley - courtesy of No Quarter

Doug Paisley is the kind of guy you just want to root for and enjoy his great music.  I tend to think his music is great in the first place, so thinking that I should *feel like* I should like him only works even more for me.  I don’t know why I think this, but maybe being Canadian, I feel that both me and Doug are already behind the 8-ball.  Regardless of feeling sorry for myself (and non ceremoniously for Paisley), I feel like Doug provides some excellent music that leap-frogs any scenario of Canadian-ness and lands in a “just plain good music” territory.  He has a new EP coming out in a matter of minutes (April 17th on No Quarter) and a new album coming out later this year I believe.  You should be anticipating both.  I just felt I should post after seeing the fantastic video from Southern Souls (below) and thinking that I should be pushing this son-of-a-bitch on all of you.

DOUG PAISLEY – To & Fro from Mitch Fillion (southernsouls.ca) on Vimeo.

Find one of his new tracks “Bats” from the 5 track EP streaming below (courtesy of Paste Magazine):

Find out more on Doug Paisley: Website | No Quarter (label)

~Smansmith

p.s.  Find a track from our Slowcoustic Best of 2010 Canadian Music here.

I have to apologize for this quick post but I wanted to make sure y’all had a chance to listen and swing by to visit Hip Hatchet today on his album release day!

Today sees “Joy and Better Days” released over on the Hip Hatchet Bandcamp Page (HERE) and comes with a Slowcoustic recommendation.  The album can be considered “folk”, but with Philippe Bronchtein’s vocals giving you a Bill Callahan vibe, you know you are getting more than just a “folk” album.  I will delve into the album further on future posts here on the blog but today is the release day and you need to swing by and give it up for the album!

BONUS: “Child’s Hand in Dirt (Demo)”

Today we also have a treat as Mr. Hip Hatchet has agreed to have us do a before/after post on what is now one of my favourite tracks on the album.  Please enjoy the demo and album version of “Child’s Hands in Dirt” above!

Visit Hip Hatchet: Bandcamp | Facebook | Twitter

~Smansmith

Good Friday Coffee Drinking!

A little bit of this and a little bit of that – today being a holiday I am without focus as I am just excited to be in comfy clothes and drinking LOTS of coffee at will.  So I thought I would post a few items that have made an appearance in the last bit for your bag of mixed goodies this Good Friday.  Today we have three options for your listening enjoyment in Trotting Bear (with Andy Berkhout) and their video session at Show Me Shows, Pickering Pick doing a great Nick Drake Cover and the lead off track on the new Jos Fortin album!

First off, visuals to awake you gently with the beautiful sounds of St. Louis based Trotting Bear!

Trotting Bear – Feet On The Ground (A Show Me Show) from Jarred Gastreich on Vimeo.

Visit Trotting Bear: Facebook | Website/Bandcamp
Visit Andy Berkhout: Facebook | Website

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Next we have Sam Pickering Pick’s cover of Nick Drake’s ‘From The Morning’.  I mentioned on Twitter when I first heard the track that Pickering Pick lends to a perfect person to cover Nick Drake – it just feels right and easy coming from him.  And it’s a free download for all you mp3 hording types!

Visit Pickering Pick: Website/Bandcamp | Twitter

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Next we have the lead off track from the new album from the Canadian folkie’s new album ‘Typewriter’.  There is just something about the song ‘So Far’ – it is traditional sounding but feels so new…maybe the echoing electric guitar paired with acoustic while there is an almost ambient background swirling around you.  Stunning.

Visit Jos Fortin: Bandcamp | Web/Tumblr

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Enjoy your Friday folks, drink more coffee in comfy pants for me, K?

~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

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

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

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

Visit JBM: Website | Facebook | Western Vinyl

~Smansmith

The new album from Cold Specks is due in May.  While being fairly familiar with Cold Specks and her previous works/monikers, the new album is looking (sounding) better and better…especially after hearing the production in Blank Maps below!  While I have always enjoyed her raw cathartic sounding ‘folk noir’ – I think it is really coming into its own with the added fine tuning for the full release.  While it does get a bit of a shinier coating, it still retains that gothic soul I have come to love from her.

The song is available to purchase in the UK, but I couldn’t find it here in Canada, so I will include some links below and hopefully you can all find the one you need!

Buy Blank Maps from iTunes: http://bit.ly/GQFtqe
Buy Blank Maps from Amazon (UK): http://amzn.to/GZy4Q3

Pre-order I Predict A Graceful Expulsion from Artist Shop: http://bit.ly/GZUpAv
Pre-order I Predict A Graceful Expulsion from Amazon (UK): http://amzn.to/GZydD5

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Visit Cold Specks: Website | Facebook | Arts & Crafts Label | Mute Label

~Smansmith

Haven’t done a “new on the nets” round up in a while so I thought I would plunder other blogs and find out the good stuff and post it here.  Rules of the jungle baby.

• We Listen For You had their (now annual?) Showcase at SXSW and once again did it on the acoustic tip.  I can appreciate this.  I also appreciate Bro. Stephen, Radical Dads, Conveyer, Dent May, Miracles of Modern Science, Kevin Barnes and The Henry Clay People taking part.  Watch some video from the event on the recap HERE.

• HearYa has given the stamp of approval to Field Report (nee Conrad Plymouth) and I have to agree.  Already pretty much liking whatever Christopher Porterfield has done it does stand to reason.  Need proof?

• The new album from Cold Specks is fast approaching.  The album has been in the works for a long time and the release can’t come soon enough.  Quick Before It Melts had the latest track “Winter Solstice” up on his blog in anticipation of May 22nd release of I Predict A Graceful Expulsion.  Listen.

• Next we have Draw Us Lines with their own event for the amazing Jennifer O’Connor.  They posted a preview of the show they helped put on from this past week (so…then…here is your…ahhh…heads up??).  Always enjoyed O’Connor and so then I also say thanks for the heads up on this little beauty of a track.
  

• BoyHowdy over at Cover Lay Down did a bit of a recap of the Couch by Couchwest “Festival” and we (Yer Bird Records) got a shout out from him as well.  Check out their recap HERE.  As we had the amazing Hezekiah Jones video exclusive to CXCW for the festival, there was no embed of it on the Cover Lay Down post…so then, here is the Chris Bathgate cover from Hezekiah Jones’ most recent album.
  Hezekiah Jones :: Last Parade on Ann Street (Chris Bathgate Cover – CXCW 2012) from Yer Bird Records on Vimeo.

• So you have heard me yammering about the Kim Janssen album Ancient Crime a few times (currently my favourite overall album of 2012) and Snowstar Records has been tweeting/posting about videos for the album, so I had to check it out.  They just posted the stunning video for the track Blyth Farjeon Choir.  Might not be for everyone, but it is beautifully shot and it is a moving track.  Watch below.
  

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There you have it.  Just me catching up on what others are doing.  Others are doing quite well apparently…

~Smansmith

Today sees the re-release of our good friend Tyler Butler’s album Winter King over on our label, Yer Bird Records!  This album has seen its fair share of coverage over here, so I just want to say that we still love it and we are happy to bring it back to you all over again.

This 2012 re-release includes some re-mastering of the first 4 songs (also called the ‘House Painter EP’ to those in the know) and includes a new recording of ‘Feral Horse’ along with the previously unheard title track, Winter King.  So it is now a 10 track release and is available at the Winter King Bandcamp Page or over at the Yer Bird Records’ store.

Tyler Butler – “Winter King” by Yer Bird Records

We also have a bonus for you all that we are offering through Slowcoustic for this particular release.  We have some additional promotional CDs that we printed and we then got some stickers made up and made an insert and presto we have an affordable way for you to have a physical copy of the new Winter King!  This is an extremely limited run of discs, so act quickly to ensure you get your copy.  Each copy will arrive with a download code for the album & a few stickers…all for less than the price of a normal CD!

Tyler Butler – Winter King

Disc w/ North America Shipping $9.00 CAD

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Tyler Butler – Winter King

Disc w/ International Shipping $11.00 CAD

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For more info on the album visit us at Yer Bird Records.
Find more on Tyler Butler: Facebook | Bandcamp | Winter King Website

~Smansmith

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

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

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

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

~Smansmith

A Friday Recommendation here for all you blog readers not scouring for the latest secret show overview from Austin (I’m not bitter about SXSW, not one little bit).  This album has just had a bit of a low key release and I want to make sure you all get your chance to listen to it as it shouldn’t be overlooked.

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John Goraj is no stranger around here as his previous album “Possible” found some love with us and we even had a track from John on our last label compilation release (find that gorgeous song “One More Winter” here).  We also did an interview with John along with providing a few samples from “Possible” back in 2009.  So it is a no brainer that his new album gets a recommendation as well!

The new album “Seen &Unseen” is 12 tracks of winding laments and almost majestic listening.  While it is in the folk realm, it feels like soo much more – the guy pours his heart into his music – not that others don’t, but it is immediately noticeable in John’s prose.  He takes his time and gets it right.  In fact me and John have been going back and forth on this album for months now and I know he has taken his time and perfected his vision for “Seen & Unseen”.  Songs like “Resting Place” and “We Were Just Kids” bring a sense of familiarity and comfort – almost like his music is his introduction of himself to you and after a few plays, you might know him more than you think.

He is offering a free track in the album opener Horse and Home but I thought I would also post the closing track Prisms as it is truly a stunning listen.  I think both songs represent well what you get with Goraj, beautiful instrumentation, earnest lyrics/delivery and something that sticks with you as a piece of work as opposed to what we so casually call an “album”.

Find more from John Goraj: Facebook | Bandcamp | Website | iTunes

~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

Today sees the release of one of my favourite releases of 2012 thus far in Zachary Lucky’s ‘Saskatchewan’!

While I have been listening to it for a couple of weeks now, I am still having a hard time putting words to this EP.  It is almost like trying to explain what/who is ‘Saskatchewan’ to someone who isn’t Canadian.  I dare say Saskatchewan is what being a traditional Canadian is really about but again, it is hard to describe.  Zachary Lucky’s home is the province in question and other than being Canada’s version of the American Heartland, it is the subject matter of this March 6th release in its entirety.  As his Bandcamp page says: “these songs are for Saskatchewan.“  And I believe him.

Lucky’s songs might always sound a bit pensive and almost longing at times and this is at the forefront here.  This may also be because Lucky is a never ending touring musician and this EP is about returning to ‘home’.  Just list the song titles and you know where this EP is going (and where it wants to be): Across The Ocean, Leaving, Back in the Fall, Leaves are Falling, Refrain and Saskatchewan.

Most notably there is a narrative of separation throughout all the songs.  Some reference a more personal relationship between two people like the track ‘Back in the Fall’.

Now listen to that song with it being even more about Lucky’s relationship with Saskatchewan itself.

Now the ‘title track’…this the pinnacle of the album with Lucky looking back fondly and pining for the past while still knowing it is just that.  Almost like that long lost Dear John letter that never made it to its rightful recipient, it is a lament of love for anything (in this case his home of Saskatchewan).  The letter than might not have ever needed to be sent but instead just repeated over and over to yourself.  It also just so happens to be a great venue to focus on some fantastic pedal steel along with Lucky’s patented strumming and vocal timbre.

Fans of Lucky’s previous work will be more than delighted with Saskatchewan and it will be required listening in many roots/folk homes.  Overall I rambled in this ‘review’ about the feeling that this album/EP has left me with – it may be just 18 ways to say the same thing but I think you get it.  The only fault of the EP is that is comes in at about 20 minutes total time due to the 8 track EP having 2 instrumental interludes and no track exceeding 3 1/2 minutes.  Despite this, they just might be the best 20 minutes you will spend on music today or any other day.

Find Zachary Lucky: Website | Bandcamp | Twitter | Facebook
Find Tour Dates for Zachary Lucky: 2012 Canadian Tour

~Smansmith

p.s.  Calgary on May 21st at the Ironwood Stage!

p.p.s.  Don’t forget the ever lovely touring partner of Lucky, Ms. Carly Maicher guesting on ‘Leaves are Falling’

I love the internet.  Forget penicillin, democracy and individually packaged mini donuts – the internet makes the world better.

Obviously I am thankful for the internet in my recent discovery of the band Good Saints out of Lexington, Kentucky.  The internet lead me to a favourite Nebraskan band Kill County due to a new split 7″ they did with some other band named…yes, you guessed it, Good Saints.  Well I obviously ordered me up some of this vinyl split, cuz you gotta and then I started listening to the Good Saints EP ‘Driftwood on the Fire’ as well.  Low and behold being a fan of Kill County has pretty much put me on the right path to find similar acts like GS to fawn over.

Good Saints can be considered ‘Country’ as much as any acoustic band can be called ‘Folk’ – it is the general vibe you get but it always seems like not enough of a word to describe it.  This is part bluesy banjo, part gothic South, part twang at 3/4 speed tossed around a skillet and served up with perfect presentation.  While I have been listening to the track from the aforementioned split 7″ entitled “Texas Moan” (and it is spectacular), there is another 5 tracks to the EP that carry on the “unique lyric focused 5 piece band”.  Multiple vocalists provide additional layers and facets of the music as well…which is saying something as sometimes having more than one singer in a band can cause a split in fans but not here – it works all around.  The songs all lament of hazy evenings, good times, hard times and drip with the timeless drawl of great southern music.  Best New Country.

So take a listen to a couple tracks below;

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So remember that sometime in the very near future (week or so) we will be giving away the split 7″ of Good Saints/Kill County to one of you Slowcoustic readers.  Stay tuned on getting your free copy of the below!

Good Saints / Kill County 7" Split

Find out more on Good Saints: Bandcamp | Facebook

~Smansmith

Brand new album from Pickering Pick has been released on his Bandcamp today!  The 11 track album is called ‘Prayer Flag’ and it once again show’s Pickering Pick’s prowess in the acoustic finger-picking folk crowd.

This album was recorded late last year in his home recording studio while he was literally just ‘getting used to’ his new gear.  As Sam indicated to me, when he gets to playing, often the flow of the music keeps coming and while not meant to be an official recording session for an album…it simply ended up being one.  While almost not moving ahead with the album, ultimately the songs continued to speak to him and hence, here we are.  If you are familiar with Sam Pickering Pick’s work (or if you are not) he creates a sound specific to him – I want to say it sounds of his homeland across the pond because I have nothing else to accurately describe it.  It sounds authentically and traditionally English despite Sam making his home in sunny California now.  That vibe is not overbearing but it floats around his music and is a welcome friend in my opinion.  His ease at creating this music is also astounding – despite not fully knowing his creative process – Pickering Pick can create stillness and beauty on almost anything he creates.  Prayer Flag is no exception.

Although having no official connection to this release, we did put out last year’s “Tiger Balm” from him on our Yer Bird Records label and I dare say this might come across as it’s companion piece.  You also might find a similarity in the artwork from Meghan Spurlock (visit) but I feel they might be joined by more than visuals.  Find a couple tracks to stream below and swing by his Bandcamp page to pick up a copy of the album digitally or one of the very limited CDs.

Enjoy and visit Pickering Pick: Facebook | Twitter | Bandcamp | Yer Bird Records

~Smansmith

p.s.  Anybody in the Sacramento, CA area can find Pickering Pick tonight at The Naked Lounge (H Street venue) around 8:30pm!

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.

Apparently we should be on the look out for a new Sergius Gregory album by the looks of this, so why not have a ‘cover-song of the day’ for it?

Sergius Gregory creates atmosphere in(stead of) music.  It is partially ambient, partially folk based and it drips with the aforementioned atmosphere.  The Morrissey cover gives a more gentle drift than the truly downtrodden Morrissey lyrics provide on paper.   The lyrics in Gregory’s delivery seem more of an account of sadness instead of an internal self loathing that you might expect from this particular track.  Either way it is a beauty and bodes well for the upcoming album “Long Life” – ETA unknown.
seasick, yet still docked (morrissey cover) by sergius gregory

More info can be had on Sergius and his previous album can be found over at Saint-Loup Records or you can always follow him via the Facebook.

~Smansmith

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

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

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

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

~Smansmith

Never has Malibu Rum sounded so good.

While I have orbited The Wooden Sky numerous times I never really took the plunge until recently when I spent some time with their recent EP ‘City of Light‘ which brought me to the new single from the upcoming album ‘Every Child A Daughter. Every Moon a Sun’.  Other than this post taking a huge tangent to “puns-ville” which I kind of apologize for, but maybe it will encourage you to take the time to listen to this excellent track.  The song starts out with a Hawaiian influenced vibe that gives way (mostly) to a pretty straight forward balladeer track.  Around here, a straight forward balladeer track is nothing to scoff at and can be extra refreshing.

The song feels timeless but still echos of something familiar.  I have decided the crisp production on the song gives you fresh ears in order to not shun the kitsch of hula girls & tiki torches that are only slightly blurred in the distance behind the acoustic guitar and pitch perfect sad sack vocals.  So then…I really like it.  Be on the lookout for the new album on February 28th when it is released by Black Box Recordings.  Did somebody say double vinyl LP??

“Malibu Rum” – The Wooden Sky
from the “Every Child a Daughter. Every Moon a Sun” album

Find out more about The Wooden Sky: Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Twitter

~Smansmith

p.s.  The crew will be here in Calgary on March 31st at the Palamino for you locals.  More dates for you non-locals 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

Today’s song of the day is from Zachary Lucky and his track “Back in the Fall” from his upcoming album Saskatchewan (some say EP, some say LP, some say who the hell cares, just let us hear it already).

The song is simply fantastic.  Whether it is the lazy banjo, the pedal steel or the honest delivery (when his voice just starts to crack when he first sings “Back in the Fall” – it’s killer).  The song is seems like it is not necessarily a story about a past relationship rather than a mantra to himself about life moving on…and its okay.  It just also happens to be painfully gorgeous.

You can pre-order his album ‘Saskatchewan’ from his Bandcamp page HERE and find out if he is visiting your hometown via his tour dates on his website HERE.

Bonus for y’all is a live video I took of this song at a recent house show Zachary did here in Calgary about a month ago, enjoy.

~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

Tyler Butler joins the crew over at our label Yer Bird Records and re-releases ‘Winter King’ on March 20th, 2012!

If you are reading Slowcoustic on a regular basis, you already know of Mr. Butler from Edmonton and we are very excited to bring one of our favourite albums of last year home to us over at Yer Bird Records.  We are re-releasing it with a couple of ‘bonus tracks’ as well!  The bonus tracks are a newly recorded version of “Feral Horse” from his previous EP Feral Horse plus the previously unheard title track ‘Winter King’.  All in all we couldn’t be happier here at Slowcoustic/Yer Bird Records with having Tyler on board as this album is simply amazing.  See a quick teaser trailer below plus the track listing.

Tyler Butler :: Winter King (March 20, 2012) from Yer Bird Records on Vimeo.

1) Barghest*
2) Morana*
3) Child-Ghost*
4) House Painter*
5) Waxwing
6) Kingfisher
7) Plover
8) Sparrow
9) Feral Horse (Winter King Version)
10) Winter King (previously un-released)

(*Re-Mastered for the 2012 release)

You also might want to check out a new video for Plover recorded in conjunction with this re-release over on the new Winter King website.  We will be uploading a video performance of all 8 of the original tracks on this site over the next few weeks!  For now also enjoy the newly remastered ‘Morana’ below.

Tyler Bulter: “Morana” by Yer Bird Records

~Smansmith

Andrew Sisk (Photo by Scott Munn)

Today’s song of the day is from one Andrew Sisk, who was passed on to me from Matt over at Pigeon Row (see them & their full list of clients here) and I am greatfull this brooding singer songwriter’s newest album is now with me.

The album, Treelines, was released on January 31st and is nine thick-with-character songs recorded “…in his apartment in Montreal with his son Elliott sleeping on his lap during vocal takes, and quietly watching him record classical guitar parts“.  The song “I Whispered It” is a stunning example of what what you would think from that last sentence.  It is a layered but still stripped down beauty – vocals just scratchy enough to feel worn in and echoing guitars in the distance causing texture.  The song both floats and digs into you at first listen.  My only ‘complaint’ is that it ends to soon.  So then, stop and listen for at least two minutes and seventeen seconds today.

Find the full album from Andrew Sisk over on his Bandcamp page.

~Smansmith

Today sees the release of the newest opus from Elephant Micah. Being big fans around Slowcoustic HQ, this is an even bigger day as we also have a quick interview with Joe O’Connell along with our post on the album!

The album is “Louder Than Thou” and is released from O’Connell’s own label Product of Palmyra in digital and vinyl formats. It is 6 tracks of what might be called a return to form if you thought that was even needed from this Indiana project. First off, it comes in at 6 songs and some of you might say that it is an EP and not an LP, but songs range from 4 1/2 to 7 1/2 minutes each so we can all agree this album while still being a touch short is definitely in the LP arena.

The songs are described as “Avant Americana” and include instrumentation some may find experimental in nature but still natural with the songs. Louder Than Thou fuses a feel for the music instead of arranging 10 x 3 minute tracks of acoustic guitar. Sure I say that flippantly, but it is actually true – the album isn’t straight forward but still includes the bones of what would be called a folk album. Tracks like (my favourite) ‘Airline Living’ has this floating aura with 70s influenced band elements and this bass line straight out of a Sofia Coppola movie soundtrack. As a stand alone track, this one has been a favourite for weeks now.

The lead off single (if that is what you would call it) is the song ‘If I Were a Surfer’ and it could be the beginning to ‘Airline Living’ and is simply a blanket of pure velvety folk goodness.

You might even get a bit of ‘upbeat’ in the track ‘My Cousin’s King’ and ambient instrumental-ism in ‘Rooster On the Loose’ but you always know you are listening to Louder Than Thou. While there is an ebb and flow to the album’s song crafting, it is still a full album and is one that fits into the incredibly deep back catalog of the band.

I had a chance to have Joe O’Connell talk about a few items on who “Elephant Micah” is and a bit about this new album.

~Interview with Joe O’Connell of Elephant Micah~

• For those in the know, they [for the most part] consider Joe O’Connell to be “Elephant Micah”. Who (or what) is Elephant Micah to Joe O’Connell?

I guess Elephant Micah is the name of a project, and I’m the person responsible for that project. The name is just a placeholder… just a title that ties together some series of performances and recordings over time. It’s supposed to be, ah, adaptable.

On this record, Justin and Nathan Vollmar (of the band Vollmar) helped me arrange and record basic tracks. Kate Long, Kyle Langvardt, and Michael Anderson each did overdubs.

• Your website indicates that Louder Than Thou is the “…clearest statement of the Elephant Micah sound”…what should someone take away from the new album if they hear it for the first time today?

This project has developed pretty slowly over time. I think it has only recently started to hit its stride. I would like this record to come across as the work of people who have been at it a long time, who are making their most compelling music in the present, and who are committed to continuing on that trajectory.

On Louder Than Thou – there is an ebb and flow on the album from the softer singer songwriter to the more experimental song crafting – how do you balance the traditional and non-traditional sounds?

On this record, it was less a matter of balancing two different styles and more a matter of creating the right, ah, stylistic contour (?) over the course of the recording. We just aimed to make decisions (in arranging, performing, mixing, etc.) that would allow the songs to hang together… within the overall scope of a record that is fun to listen to, and changes a lot over its course.

What I mean to say is, I was probably looking for a way to have changes in style without polarizing (?) style in terms of folk vs. rock, quiet vs. loud, experimental vs. “poppy,” or whatever.

How is it to be an artist and your own label? Does your label half push you to release more and then your artist side ask to slow down and enjoy the actual music?

Ooh, well, it is impossible. I just want to get this record out there and I don’t know a better way to do it.

• Would you release any other acts on your label? Any side projects that you feel shouldn’t fall under the moniker of Elephant Micah?

Sure, if I had unlimited resources, I would want to help release other people’s music. I can think of lots of great projects to do along those lines. As it stands, though, it takes all the time and money I can muster to get one Elephant Micah record out.

• As a songwriter – do you collaborate, write from experience, collect stories and combine to create an song/album?

I think the answer to this question might be “no.”

I do fool around with words, tunes, and guitar parts a lot. When I hit upon something that piques my interest, I pursue it and try to expand upon it. Sometimes my sense of an idea is strong enough that it will lead to other ideas. I try to string these ideas together into a set that I can record as an album.

My ideas come from playing with language, themes, genre rules… and maybe sometimes the starting point of an idea is something you could call experiential or real… something sort of observational. But that is mainly just a jumping off point for the rhetoric of the song. If I sing about the village of Rocky Ripple, Indiana, for example, it’s because I find it useful for staging a song with a certain aesthetic about “real places” and “real people.” I do like these genres that are take up real life (country, confessional, etc.), but I think that how they work and whether they work is purely a matter of good style, not a matter of true stories.

• Do you feel successful as an indie artist?

At first I wrote “no.” It’s a struggle to gather up all the resources I need to make a record. That’s why it’s been a while between this one and the last one.

But I’m going to go ahead and venture that I do feel successful. I’m managing to make really strong recordings, and get them out to people that derive some meaning from them. I don’t want to come across as anti-commercial in any simple way, or as being indifferent to whether more people hear my music. And I don’t want to claim some integrity or importance on the basis of being “marginal” to the indie music world. But I think I can say that I’m happy with what I’m doing, and I do see it as successful by my standards.

• Who are a few contemporaries that you would want to work with?

Will Oldham, Dark Dark Dark, the Cairo Gang, Small Sur, Hiss Golden Messenger, Vollmar, Pillars and Tongues, Magnolia Electric Company, Breathe Owl Breathe, Lougow, Bronze Float, Time and Temperature, the 1-2-3’s, the Flying Burrito Others, Scout Niblett, Thousand Arrows, Hurray for the Riff Raff, the Luddites, Bubbly Mommy Gun, the Blue River Music Association, Jon Kay, Grease Gravy, Century of Aeroplanes, Jandek, Califone, Little Wings, Aurora Nealand, Delay, For Barry Ray, Ben and Bruno, the Hollows, Open Sex, Norman Oak, Mary Oakie, Joe Manning, Nathan Salsburg and James Elkington, the Red Queen Hypothesis, Honey Radar, Canadian Rifle, Tammar, Uno Moss, June Panic, Alasdair Roberts, Cathy Irwin, Mark Kozelek, June Panic, and more.

• What was your main “New Year’s Resolution”?

“Keep going,” as they say.

~~~

Swing by the Product of Palmyra Bandcamp page HERE to pick up a copy today. Digital is “Pay What You Want” and the vinyl is a limited version of 375 and it will sell out.

~Smansmith

I have been giving this album some serious spinning for the last month or so and it is indeed a seriously great listen.  The album officially saw its release on Jan. 24th (this past Tuesday) over on Crossroads of America.  The album is available on all your favourites; space age digital, retro CD and exclusive vinyl – of which I recommend the latter…but more on that below.

First off, let us get one thing straight, this album is a creeper.  This album, while seemingly an innocent folksy little collection of mellow singer songwriter jams, is just soo much more and you really realize it from repeated listening.  This album grows on you because it is something that you dig into instead of let play in the background…which all too many people do with “folk” music in general.  If this happens to you with albums, please return to “Baptist Girls” as it unfolds soo immensely that I can’t see anyone not enjoying it.  Well, those that come to a blog called Slowcoustic should all know what I mean.

The album has an eerie comfort attached it with what could be described as it’s honest laments and life observations that just so happen to be attached to music.  These songs are performed with sincerity and you know it – especially with lyrics chosen of self deprecating and inner moments that most of us only think to ourselves.  All sung over acoustic guitar and moody synth in the ether that surrounds you as the listener.  Even being an apparent “lo-fi” recording it sounds full but doesn’t lose the intimacy that is apparent in Bro. Stephen’s recordings.

Listen: “Tears on Tape” – Bro. Stephen

Okay, I said “more on that later” in regards to the vinyl.  I recommend the vinyl version of “Baptist Girls” as it is a phenomenal album in general, so there is that.  It also forces you to listen to the album outside what might traditionally be where you hear most albums these days…your computer.  Unless you have a nice set up, you want to hear this album in its fullness on a home stereo and vinyl usually makes this the only option.  Bro. Stephen provides a delicate folk(ish) album that you can play loud and immerse in… yes, honestly it does really work.  As a bonus, it is on lovely green vinyl, aaaaaaand it is where to get two bonus tracks:

Bonus, bonus, bonus tracks: 2 bonus tracks exclusive to the vinyl option!

So there you have it, best new music and a great album that I fully recommend.  So swing by Crossroads of America to pick up your copy by clicking HERE.

Find more on Bro. Stephen:  XRA Records | Facebook | Twitter | Website | Purchase at Bandcamp

~Smansmith

Today’s song of the day is a cover of the classic track ‘Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want’ from The Smiths as performed by Pickering Pick.  Gone is the dramatically mellow angst only to be replaced by sombre aching alongside the ambient acoustics.  While we are not comparing which song is better and both are the same lyrically but give total different listens despite being the ‘same’ song.  Pickering Pick removes himself from the persona of Morissey and The Smiths and simply creates a great version of a classic song.

“Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want (The Smiths Cover)” – Pickering Pick
As part of the Rate Our Music #08 compilation “See You on the Other Side”  (FREE DOWNLOAD)

Visit and listen to more from Pickering Pick on his Bandcamp Page.

~Smansmith

I know I have posted many times on this album and I am releasing it on my label over at Yer Bird Records, so I can’t really get into it anymore without making y’all upset.  So then, here is a track to listen to and let’s pretend that this is the first you have heard of this discovery and are ready to purchase and send me personal thanks for bringing it to your attention.

Find out more from our Label page or Bandcamp page.
Purchase: Label | iTunes | Amazon

~Smansmith

Water Liars (formerly ‘Phantom Limb’) are Andrew Bryant and Justin Kinkel-Schuster and they have an album coming up on Misra Records in March.  Just found out and just started to pine for it.  Just saying.

Both musicians have been featured on Slowcoustic prior (Andrew Bryant | Justin Kinkel-Schuster) and so this has to be a good thing…right?  You might also know of Justin as the singer for the band Theodore, so there is that as well to entice you.  So far I have only heard the below acoustic videos of a couple of tracks and admittedly the word is that the album versions are a bit different, but these sound soo good.  So consider this fair warning.  Water Liars – March 5th, 2012 on Misra Records.

~

~

Remember, don’t get confused with the name change – they are Water Liars and the album is Phantom Limb (it was formerly going to be a self titled album….make sense?).

Find out more on Water Liars: Misra Records | Facebook | Twitter (I assume the name change will happen here at some point)

~Smansmith

Tomorrow sees the CD Release Show for hometown troubadour Reuben Bullock over at the Arrata Opera House here in Calgary.  I believe there is still space but make sure you check into the Facebook event for more info.

The new album “Man Made Lakes” from Bullock sees an album growth from the previous “Pulling Up Arrows” (see our feature here).  The new album is 11 tracks and honestly shows a full range of performances from delicate introspective to punchy indie rock.  Well mostly it is to the softer side but there is always something about Bullock’s performance that lets you know there is something inside almost clawing to get out.  Whether it is the gothic “Burial” to the definitely epic sing a long “Bow and Arrow”.

Where the album soars is in the moody and hallow tracks like “How to Fight” and “Pray For You” and even the stunningly fragile “Once Upon a Time” or “Lullaby”.  I also must list the track “We Belong” as it seems like the epitome of a Reuben Bullock track; focused acoustics along with the back and forth of cadence in the songcrafting.  The type of song you know brings the house down at live shows.  Wait…if there was a live show to see him where would you go?  Tomorrow’s CD Release makes for the perfect moment to see the album, hear the artist and come away with a new favourite album in Man Made Lakes.

Take a listen to a couple of tracks below to get you started along with a recent Streaming Cafe performance of a earlier Slowcoustic favourite “The Rain”.

~

Find out more on Reuben Bullock: Facebook | Bandcamp | Website |

~Smansmith

Kim Janssen (photo snagged from Last.fm)

Today’s song of the day is a beauty from Kim Janssen’s upcoming album “Ancient Crime” due out soon.  Okay, I don’t really know when, but I predict it to be fairly soon!  Some of you might know him from his “day job” in the band The Black Atlantic and some of you may know him from his great 2009 album “The Truth is, I am Always Responsible” (we had a quick mention and track back in early 2010 here).   The new song “Tors” is very reminiscent of his previous album, which is a good thing, and hence I have high hopes for ‘Ancient Crime’.  Just take a listen to the delicate acoustics and tell me you are not as well…

Make sure you keep an eye out for this one (as I am) and I hope to update you with more on the release very soon!

Visit Kim Janssen: Facebook | iTunes

~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

Found this EP just the other day due to an invite to a local house show here in Calgary.  Wow, am I glad that I got that invite.

So the artist is Paul Stewart and to be honest, I have only been listening to this EP for about 4 days now…but it has been a glorious 4 days.  The 5 songs are available as a “name your price” download over on his Bandcamp page and I immediately dropped my $5 for it after about 48 seconds of total preview split between all 5 tracks.  Why do I note this?  I am noting this as I almost can’t put forward one song as the lead track or single from it – they are all frickin’ great.  He describes his sound as “Defeatist Folk” or as many readers of this blog might call it, “Sad Bastard Folk”.  The songs might be a bit down on their luck but at the same time bring such rich beauty and comfort that I almost miss that fact.

I am selecting 2 tracks to embed below and they are the opening and closing tracks: “Glass Skull” opens the EP with gentle sepia toned echoes of lost summers…you almost picture the song playing over silent video footage of a summer camp in the 50s…it sounds like it floats due to what could be a slide guitar/pedal steel in the background, then the piano hits for the last few moments – stunning.

~~

Next is the closing track “Crowd Cocoon” which comes in a bit more ominous but with many of the same elements of piano, acoustics, reverb…but used in a more late night solitary drinking binge sort of way.  As many sad bastards know, this can be some of the most stunning and wrecking moments…the same can be said about the song.  It kills me each time I hear it.

~~

As I mentioned, all tracks are worthy, so if you like the above 2 tracks then there are 3 more just waiting for you and they are just as good.  Highly recommended.

Calgary Concert Alert: Any Calgarians can find Paul Steward at ‘The White House’ next weekend – January 21st with Alex Wesley Cardinal on their Winter Tour.  See the Facebook event for more details.

Find Paul Stewart: Bandcamp | Facebook

~Smansmith

A quick update on our upcoming release over on Yer Bird Records from John Statz: its now streaming in full on our bandcamp page!  The album is due for release in two weeks (January 24th) and will have a limited CD release alongside the super futuristic digital versions that all the kids are talking about.  The album is 10 tracks and includes some of the most honest rural Americana you will find (I am biased though…apparently).  If you don’t believe me, just take a listen to tracks like the banjo laden ’1898′ and the heartfelt laments like ‘Tired of Telephones’ or ‘Baltimore’ and then dig into the beautifully stripped down cover of Frightened Rabbit’s ‘Old Old Fashioned’.  Just a suggestion but you should swing by and give ‘er a spin.

~

While this isn’t Statz’s first kick at the can at making great Americana albums (proof), we are just proud and excited to be on board with him and his latest album.  Old Fashioned was produced by legendary Bo Ramsey (who also lends some vocals/guitar) with the added bonus of Jeremiah Nelson playing almost everything (and who did the artwork) and the icing on this talented cake would be the lovely Peita Brown!  It is a collaborative effort for sure and the results ends up as quality listening for you laid back country folk types.

Visit John Statz: Website | Old Fashioned on Bandcamp | Yer Bird Records

~Smansmith

P.S. Find a great post by our friends over at Cover Lay Down on the album HERE.

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

May your pace be lessened and your guitar be unplugged.Have a Slowcoustic 2012 everyone!

— Slowcoustic (@Slowcoustic) January 1, 2012

Sean Hayes
“New Years Day” (mp3)
from “Outtakes & Alternatives”
(Sean Hayes)

Buy at Amazon MP3
More On This Album

Quick hitter today from Slowcoustic Favourite Lotte Kestner in the form of a new cover project that includes a beautiful homage to Ghosts I’ve Met!

Anna-Lynne Williams (Lotte Kestner and 1/2 of Trespassers William) emailed me to give me the heads up while I was away on holidays last week and with my sporadic internet it was almost painful to not be able to listen.  Well, I have now been listening to the cover and it was worth the wait.  If you are familiar with Williams, she can add a stillness and beauty to almost any song…even if that song is already a stunner.  The original track from Sam Watts (Ghosts I’ve Met) is the title track from his own debut EP from a few years back and he and Williams have now connected in Seattle and what could be better than one covering the other?  Enjoy.

Find out more from Lotte Kestners new covers EP HERE.  Find the original by Ghosts I’ve Met HERE.

~Smansmith

Robert Deeble has a new single from his upcoming album “Heart Like Feathers” that found its way into my inbox yesterday.  So then, today’s song of the day is actually the “B-side” from that single/title track with the acoustic version of the song!  Surprised that I picked it, right?

The track is a great little finger picked number that really puts the focus on the Seattle singer-songwriters laid back vocals intermingled with the creaks and twangs of the guitar.  Its a beauty!  The new album is due out on February 7th, 2012 from Dead Letter Records.  For a bonus you can check out another track “Undertow” that also includes Slowcoustic favourite Lotte Kestner assisting on vocals here.

Robert Deeble – Heart Like Feathers (Acoustic Demo) by fanaticpro

Find out more on the album and Deeble in general by visiting him on his Website, Facebook, Twitter and Bandcamp!

~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

Very happy to find in my twitter feed about a new release from Joel P West (frontman of The Tree Ring – see a post on them here) and I want to assure you right now that my excitement for new material was well warranted!

There is something about West’s voice that makes me want to join in (and utterly destroy what he has going on mind you) as his timbre just works for these rich textures of acoustic goodness.  The ‘Shoulder Seasons’ EP is 5 tracks recorded just last month and were officially released on his Bandcamp page on Nov. 24th.  As the EP is an acoustic affair, I don’t want you to think it is “stark” & “lonely”, but actually quite full of rich sounding layers of strings…and again that voice over it all.  West gets a bit of help from an outside string section for the closing track ‘We’ll Learn Them Soon’ that is featured below as a perfect closing song and to match it, the opening track ‘Desperate, Desperate’ is also included.  The EP is a must have for a measly $5.00.

So swing on by his Website for more info on Mr. West & Bandcamp Page HERE to pick up the new EP, check out his film Score for The Room Behind The Fireplace and do not forget his Dust Jacket project from a few years back.

~Smansmith

Today’s song of the day is from Balto and is from the UK version of the October’s Road album with the track ‘Gravestones‘.  Well, I am not sure it is actually part of the album proper but it is included as a demo/bonus track with their recent foray into releasing the album in the UK.

As Balto has shown with numerous examples from the October’s Road album, once again, we get great acoustics, melody and hooks that almost anyone could be proud of!   I recommend looking into song ‘The Railyard‘ via the Bandcamp link below as well (my favourite from the album).  ’Gravestones‘ as a song is essentially Daniel Sheron playing all instruments and it was even produced by Hip Hatchet (yes, that Hip Hatchet) so you know it is going to be Slowcoustic goodness!

Balto – “Gravestones (Demo)”

Find out more on Balto via the band Website, Bandcamp and Facebook!

~Smansmith

Today we have the honour of premiering a track from the soundtrack of the upcoming film “Brunswick” set for limited release next week.  But before we get into the music created by Matthew Carefully for the film, you will need a bit of back story of what Brunswick is.

Synopsis:

Brunswick is a film about landscape change, told through the personal story of a farmer’s lifelong connection to his now-threatened land. The film weaves together the plight of Sanford Bonesteel, an aging farmer in his 90s, with the dynamics of small-town politics as a residential development is planned on Sanford’s former land.

The film takes place in Brunswick, New York, a small country town facing the challenge of balancing economic growth with the preservation of its rural character. It is a story both specific to Brunswick and yet recognizable to rural communities all over the United States.

So now you see the title of the track ‘Farm Prayer’ really makes sense here – both a beautiful full song in acoustics and meaning.  Before I say I have a strong connection to the American Farmer, you have to know I am Canadian, but from a small town with numerous farms and I see the nature of today’s world reflected in what today’s farmers are experiencing.  Some say that the future can’t be stopped and today’s (re: the future’s) world isn’t meant to be slow & meandering, lazy walks through wheat fields, the life that you live from and of the earth…if I was to say.  Sure there are pockets of the true rural communities around today, but I fear they are becoming a different beast now.  Sometimes progress can be needed and sometimes it is just painful in the transition.  Ahhh me, always one to be living in the city while always having a mind steeped in a rural state of mind.  But enough about it, watch the trailer below:

The Soundtrack

The soundtrack from Matthew Carefully (Bandcamp page) is as you would expect it would be.  Full of acoustic performances – 6 of which are instrumental and 4 that provide lyrics over layers of strings.  All have been written specifically for the project over the last 5 years and aren’t just sounds that looked good and happened to match with visuals.  These songs reflect the heart of a movie like Brunswick – I can only assume that the way you feel listening to the album would be the way you would experience the film.

Carefully provides a truly rural aura that flows throughout the album – it isn’t always a sombre affair with songs that truly make you think of the country lifestyle ‘Homestead Farm Bustle‘ to the heartbreaking instrumental ‘Well-Wished Waltz‘ through the banjo laden duet with Carefully and Katie Hammon on the opening track ‘Walks With Purpose‘.  I don’t know how the movie ends, but with one listen to the last track from the album in the instrumental ‘He Walks Away, Sincere’ it leaves you with a sense of hope and almost peace…probably one of the most beautiful tracks on the whole album.

The song below is my favourite on the soundtrack as I think it sums up the subject matter and the overall feel for the music on this movie.  ‘Farm Prayer’ brings the power of an instrumental but with Carefully’s pining lyrics of remembering what was is no longer.  Listen to just over 2 minutes what rural/country/farm living used to mean.

“Farm Prayer” – from the Soundtrack to Brunswick, by Matthew Carefully

For more information on the Movie from film maker Nate Simms, visit www.BrunswickFilm.com.

For more information on Matthew Carefully (and a full back catalog info) visit him on his Website and read about the experience of making the album from his blog space HERE.

~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

Lead off track from the soon to be released John Statz album has its official release today!  The track is ‘Distance’ from the album ‘Old Fashioned’ due for full release on January 24th, 2012.  If you are at all familiar with Statz, you will find the new material possibly a bit more refined and even a bit fuller than previous albums.  The album itself is gorgeous, full of lazy prairie folk with a soft edge of good ol’ Americana.  Dig into the FREE DOWNLOAD ‘Distance’ now via Bandcamp HERE.  If that is too much effort, always feel free to listen to the stream via our Yer Bird Records Soundcloud page below.

John Statz – “Distance” by Yer Bird Records

We seriously can’t wait for you to hear the whole album – expect another track to surface in December with the worldwide album release in January.  Damn that seems far away now doesn’t it?

~Smansmith