• Damien Jurado and collaborator Richard Swift have been BFFs for a while now and they have some new, free tunes for ya.  Check out “Other People’s Songs” and grab ‘em on their new Tumblr page HERE.  Listen: “If the Sun Stops Shinin’ (Chubby Checker Cover)” – Jurado/Swift
• I was listening to the Daytrotter session from Quite Scientific artist Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr yesterday and decided that this is the type of “summer jams” that I would recommend.  Despite 5 degree weather in the mornings here in Calgary, these still get this sad bastard going!  Visit and listen: “Vocal Chords” – from the new Horse Power EP (full LP to come soon).
• I listened to a well informed tweet from fellow blogger (@dirkler) from over at Dyson Sound (check the blogroll, son) about and artist he has personally worked previously.  Lo and behold, there was a cover of Bjork’s “Hyperballad”!  Glad I listened and hit the link, I think the original is an old school classic (for the most part) and Jay McCarrol does a great acoustic version.   Visit him as well as find a YouTube rip of said track here: “Hyperballad (Acoustic Bjork Cover)” – Jay McCarrol

So yeah, there’s that.

~Smansmith

Sunday, August 29th here in Calgary, there is a bit of a family affair going on at a local “house show” venue with both the Sumner and Bullock brothers.  The event is located at the White House which is located here (606 Memorial Ave) for you locals to drop by.  I hope to do so, so if you see a lonely guy (with wife) standing alone that guy is me.  Just sayin’.

The Sumner Brothers have been a favourite for a while and especially lately with their new release “In The Garage 2″ – for the version of “Going Out West” alone!  Sooo good.  See a video of them performing it on local Calgary Transit (via Shot At The Dark).  I know I have posted it previously, but come on it is soo good.

Shot At The Dark – The Sumner Brothers from Shot at The Dark on Vimeo.

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Next there will be the Bullock brothers who I am very quickly becoming a HUGE fan of.  Local talent at it’s best.  Brothers Reuben, Ben and Distance.  I recently included Part two of Reuben’s Shot at the Dark series, so enjoy Part One below along with Ben’s contribution.  Seriously good stuff.

Night Lights – Reuben Bullock – Chapter One from Shot at The Dark on Vimeo.

SHOT AT THE DARK – Benjamin Bullock from Shot at The Dark on Vimeo.

Please consider dropping by with a donation for the boys.  Brothers.  ’nuff said.

A bit more information on the Facebook Event.

~Smansmith

Megafaun fall somewhere between rural banjo folk and country-blues-rock at times.  They flex from that great folky ballad stuff to something that you feel comfortable with seeing live and then something a little “left of centre”.  Overall, I think I am a fan.  Of this track (and songs like “Bonnie’s Song” and the epic “Comprovisation For Connor Pass”) definitely.  Album out on September 14th, 2010.

~Smansmith
More On This Album

Conrad Plymouth has my favourite EP of the year, see a video from it below.

Conrad Plymouth “Here to There” from Whitty Remarks on Vimeo.

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Reuben is a huge talent in the local Calgary scene and creates some phenomenal music.

Night Lights – Reuben Bullock – Chapter Two from Shot at The Dark on Vimeo.

Conrad Plymouth (Visit) (Purchase the new vinyl)
Reuben Bullock (Visit)

That is all.

~Smansmith

“Record Store Application” by Toothpastefordinner.com

So just a recap and a a couple of things I noticed on the webs that I thought I would translate into my own post of sorts.  Yeah…

• Strand of Oaks has a bootleg out from a Chicago show back in 2008 (it has a couple of tracks from both albums “Leave Ruin” and the new one “Pope Killdragon”).  Speaking of Pope Killdragon – this album is fighting with the next artist in this post for my favourite album of the year so far….just sayin’.  Listen to one of the tracks: “Alex Kona (live)”.  FIND THE BOOTLEG over on 17dots.com HERE.  Buy some some Oaks on eMusic HERE.
• So, the other artist that is currently battling for my favourite album of the year is J. Tillman.  I have always been a fanboy, so it isn’t a surprise.  Nothing to drastically new on the album, it is just more of the classic hushed Tillman that is amazing and I just can’t get enough of.  I noticed a nice photo set from the July 27th show at the Troubadour on the CreepingElm blog.  Wish I was there for Tillman and Phosphorescent!  See it HERE.  Listen to a track from Singing Ax (Sept. 14th, Western Vinyl): “Three Sisters”
• Caleb Coy (who will be our next release on Yer Bird Records) was showing off a cover song the other day and it is damn good.  The track is a cover of Richard Dobson (see a video of the original here) from his brand new Tumblr site, visit him!  Listen to the track: “Suited Me (Richard Dobson Cover)”.  Visit the Yer Bird page for another download here.

That is all I got today, so dig in.

~Smansmith

Photo by Alissa Anderson

A quick one today (it seems like I have been doing a lot of these lately!)…but this one is really good!

Arborea is one of my favourite lo-fi, psych-folk bands around – they just have great tunes with that little bit extra something, maybe it is the “psych” part, but they often create mood instantly and follow up with layering a great folk track over it.  Well, today’s song is Careless Love which is a new track to kinda launch their UK tour – its simply a easy, light ukulele track but it totally hits the spot for me.  Enjoy.

Careless Love Dream Surf Mix by Arborea

Download the above on their SoundCloud page by clicking above or by clicking right here: “Careless Love (Dream Surf Mix)”

Visit Arborea:  MySpace, Facebook, Blog.

~Smansmith

The first song from Phoenix, Arizona is actually a bit more “up tempo” but it totally catches your ear and brings back thoughts of simpler times and maybe is just relaxing as much as it is “folk-pop”.  I dunno, it immediately feels familiar, not in a copyright-infringing way but in a warm like weekend morning in bed.  Something like that.  People, I provide you with The Smiles and Frowns!

The Smiles and Frowns
“Cornelius” (mp3)
from “The Smiles and Frowns”
(Akoustik Anarkhy)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Amazon MP3
More On This Album

This next track is along the same lines as the above song, in a sense that it is also familiar but more so in a sub genre of music that could be called “traditional folk”…more or less.  At least from across the vast ocean blue I suppose.  This Scottish “Wyrd Folk” performer crafts songs that are also familiar to the TSAF track in the way that it feels as if it spans decades of folk while still being relevant today.  It might not be the hip indie track for summer 2010, but at least you are not going to forget it come September.  Please enjoy:

Alasdair Roberts & Friends
“The Daemon Lover” (mp3)
from “Too Long In This Condition”
(Navigator Records)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Amazon MP3
More On This Album

Enjoy your Saturday!

~Smansmith

Well this song of the day isn’t really mine, but taken as a recommendation from someone who I already admire.

I read a music recommendation over on Rock Torch that came from Lotte Kestner (Anna-Lynne Williams) and it really blew me away – it is soo good. The recommendation as you can tell from the title of this post is for Sergius Gregory who I really wasn’t aware of and now I am kicking myself. To not steal any more thunder from Ms. Williams, please check out her recommendation on Rock Torch HERE.

“Next of Kin” – Sergius Gregory

Visit him on MySpace.

~Smansmith

p.s. You can also find Lotte Kestner HERE and pick up her FANTASTIC China Mountain album on Silber Records HERE.

After listening for a little over a year (she was introduced to me from one of my counterparts in France – finding out about local talent from someone thousands of miles away…yeah…), I finally got to see her play (twice) and sit down and talk with Samantha at this year’s Calgary Folk Fest.  We did a bit of an informal interview with her and more of that will surface hopefully when I get a chance to tell you all about her upcoming album that I anxiously await.  Samantha has something about her that you might have a hard time placing – it might be her saucer like eyes that often hide behind glasses, her unique almost classic torch song voice or it is just that you want to keep listening when each song ends.  The new album (of which there are samples on her Bandcamp and MySpace pages) should officially surface soon and it will be one to keep an eye out for.

For now, please watch and listen along with me to Samantha Savage Smith (no relation).  The below video is from the great folks at Shot at The Dark and Calgary Is Awesome (see more here).

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

The above song is “You Always Come To Mind” and is currently on her BandCamp Page as a free download – so get it!!

Locals will be able to see her next at the Ironwood on August 29th – see here for more info.

Visit and purchase some Samantha, why don’t you?

~Smansmith

Caleb will have his first official release digitally over on Yer Bird Records come September 7th.  It is a mix of dirty, sad, hard drinkin’ unmixed demos called “Wild Desert Rose” and is spectacular in its earnest country feel.  Visit on Yer Bird Records.

How about a bit of a teaser to that album with a rip of the above YouTube performance – I believe it is a Willie Nelson & Waylon Jennings song, but you know….I think it’s Willie’s originally.

Bobby “Caleb” Coy – “Write Your Own Songs (Willie Nelson Cover)” – YouTube Rip

~Smansmith

A Last Minute Plan by saintbartlett
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Nothing Is The News by saintbartlett
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The Lonliest Place I’ve Ever Been (Is In Your Arms) by saintbartlett

Not meant for albums, just a (literal) stream of consciousness in the form of Jurado’s songwriting.  He’s the man.  More on the saintbartlett SoundCloud page (here).

~Smansmith

Some may remember a previous post on The Sarcastic Dharma Society being featured on a playlist a while back for his cover of Pedro the Lion (see here).  You might have thought you needed more?  Worry no more, we have more lo-fi goodness released for free download!  Mat Vuksinich who records as Sarcastic Dharma Society continues to impress – whether it is his increasing series of recordings at CLLCT or the ease at which he creates these moments of homespun musical perfection.

The new album “Sannyasa Songs (of Love)” are lo-fi beauty, catch, pop gems.  They were recorded over the last couple of years in various “basement” locations and it really brings the lo-fi simplicity to the album.  Some may shy away from “lo-fi”, but don’t, you miss out on some of the most delicate and honest songs you will ever hear.  While this style isn’t for everyone and you may have to listen to a bit of “hiss” in the background, it’s more than worth it.  Take a listen for yourself below with 2 tracks from the Less Than Three Records site.

“Molly”
“The Giving Tree”
(Taken from 2010′s Sannyasa Songs (of Love)”

Find TSDS:

~Smansmith

p.s.  Bonus cover from that aforementioned cover album “Other People’s Songs (Volume One)” – “The First Day of My Life (Bright Eyes Cover)”

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

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

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

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

~Smansmith

I think the post title says it all.  This Saskatchewan troubadour is quickly making me more than a casual fan – this guy is definitely some of the best new (to me) Canadian talent!

While this is his 3rd official release, it is coming on strong with great mellow acoustics, serious Americana hooks and a voice that lands exactly where it should be (a touch rough but with a harmony that is rock steady).  Favourite tracks are the title track, “O’ Ontario”, “Don’t Ask Me to Sing”, hell…they are all recommended.  The only fault I have is that excluding the first track as an “introduction” it is only 8 songs…

Come & Gone Tracklisting

1. Introduction
2. Coming back home
3. Small town streets
4. Sins of my father, sins of mine
5. Lake of the woods
6. O’ Ontario
7. Don’t ask me to sing
8. Town to town
9. Hard to love

Lucky is also still on his massive tour, so visit his MySpace page for a list of dates across Canada (here).

Watch some early workings of one of the tracks “Don’t ask me to sing” from ZL’s Vimeo page:

Don’t ask me to sing from zachary lucky on Vimeo.

Find Zachary on Bandcamp ($10 gets you the digital, $12 gets the actual CD!), Facebook and Twitter as well.  You can also purchase at iTunes by clicking here.

~Smansmith

Song of the day is from Land of Leland – if you like moody indie pop, then you are here at the right time.

“Macedonia” is the lead off track to Justin Keller’s new digital EP from his moniker as Land of Leland.  I have featured him prior (see here) for a great song “Winter Tune” which also makes the cut on this EP and I think he is growing on the sound from when I first listened as this entire EP is damn solid.  Justin’s ebb and flow throughout the EP is great, he brings you to a sing-a-long and then hushes everything in the very next verse – stunning stuff here.

“Macedonia” – Land of Leland, from 2010′s self titled EP

Find Land of Leland on MySpace, Bandcamp and Facebook.

~Smansmith

Okay, this “Song of the Day” could also be “Album of the Half Year” practically.  Strand of Oaks has created such a wall of sound in the form of an album that it is ridiculous.  Tim Showalter has graced the pages of this blog many times and I am glad to have more of this guy around with his new album “Pope Killdragon”.  The song featured is “Bonfire”, but know that there are at least 4 other songs that could be contenders for best new music themselves.

The previous album from SoO was “Leave Ruin” and that was a fantastic album (still is a fantastic album) so we are not going to have a competition on what album is better as they are not the same thing – Pope Killdragon is the evolution of Strand of Oaks and it has grown in use of instruments, sound and energy, but retains what could be an intimacy that still connects you to it.  You can find yourself chanting along to the song Sterling (and you will when you listen to it) but you still almost feel like he is singing it to you (or you are singing it to yourself) on your very own dark night.  The album is and will be a contender in the “Best Albums of 2010″ when it rolls around.  Find out for yourself by picking up this eMusic Selects title now by clicking HERE.

“Bonfire” – Strand of Oaks, from 2010′s “Pope Killdragon”

Visit Strand of Oaks on his MySpace, Facebook and follow him on Twitter.  Find previous SoO on La Société Expéditionnaire.

~Smansmith

Today we have a Song of the Day from Andy Berkhout’s “Song Per Week Project” and this one is pretty damn good.  Andy has been on the blog prior (see here) and I am more than happy to have him back.  The song is “Endless Rhyme” and it is more of a harmonica laced “Americana” track.  I am a sucker for two things in my folk and folk inspired music and they are banjo and harmonica.  The song also has a touch of twang, if only in the tone of Berkhout’s voice.  It is a totally solo affair and it lends me to believe that if this is just a “week’s worth” of creation, this guy is going somewhere!

“Endless Rhyme” – Andy Berkhout, from week 29 of the “Song Per Week Project”

Find more Andy Berkhout on his Website, MySpace and see below for a couple of upcoming shows:

Bonus video of the track:

~Smansmith

You had to think I would have this as a song of the day, come on.  J. Tillman treads only on paths made of flower petals and breathes in only perfumed scented air in the minds of the Slowcoustic crew.  Nuff said.

The song is “Three Sisters” and it is the opening track from his upcoming Singing Ax album on Western Vinyl.  The album is spectacular as a J. Tillman album would be.  In fact upon first hearing the album, Three Sisters immediately stuck out as the feature track and may be the one that sticks in my mind as the touchstone of the whole album.  Coming in at just over 6 1/2 minutes of beauty that includes some accent points (courtesy of Albini’s production?  Maybe?) that may immediately feel overpowering, but that is the point.  The song envelopes you in it’s story, it’s beauty via its steady cadence…step by step.  The moments of inflection in the song give it that push to be more than just another singer songwriter telling tales of man’s journey.  This is epic.

“Three Sisters” – J. Tillman, from the upcoming 2010 release “Singing Ax” (Western Vinyl)

Even more:  find lots more Tillman in our “Slowcoustic Essentials” here.

~Smansmith

Today’s song of the day is from an up and coming singer songwriter out of Texas (yes, it’s true).  Altobelli provided an album that is practically full of “Song of the Day” tracks in the Regulator, but today it is only one.  The Regulator as an album could almost be Slowcoustic 101:  it has hushed acoustics, the right amount of hooks to make the songs melodic, but not catchy and vocals that translate the sombre tone that oozes from this album.  This truly is a great album and to only have one song is a tragedy.  But alas, do not fret, you can download this album for free (for the next month) for your email address on his MySpace Page by clicking here.

“Wooden Floors” – Nicholas Altobelli, from 2010′s “The Regulator”

Altobelli is also on a bit of a tour, so if you are lucky enough to be around the below cities, maybe you should swing on by:

Find Nicholas Altobelli on his Website, MySpace, Facebook and Twitter

~Smansmith

There is something to be said for “mood music”.  Sometimes you just need it.  I often need it.  One band that has moved into the town of atmosphere and set up shop on ambient-aura street with their dog psychedelia firmly planted on their porch is Family Band.

The song is a cover of Jack Nitzsche track “Marie” and is as sombre as it is beautiful.  Family band also have a new album on the eMusic Selects label (released the same day as the Strand of Oaks album…so it was kind of like having your birthday and winning the lottery).   You can get a free download from that album on eMusic as well by visiting the new album HERE.

“Marie (Jack Nitzsche Cover)” – Family Band

Find Family Band on their Website, MySpace and Facebook.

~Smansmith

I will be on holidays next week and will be starting a string of “Song of the Day” posts – they are quick and are a great way to bring a track (or artist) along for a quick smack in the face post! Today will start off with Zachary Lucky.  The below is from a previous album (as he has a new album “Come & Gone” out August 5th) that shows off this Saskatoon singer songwriter’s talent.  He is starting a tour to coincide with the album release and low and behold, I will actually be around when he will be in Calgary on August 19th!  See you there (if I can find this ‘House of Commons’ place)…

Take a listen (stream some more on his Bandcamp page):

See some dates below and check him out when he comes through your neck of the woods.

*the above are only the August dates!!!

See his MySpace for more tour dates plus 2 songs from the new album – I think he is adding more as the release date comes closer, so check back often.

~Smansmith

Watch “Letter to a Friend” below:

THE MOUNTAINS & THE TREES – Letter To A Friend from Mitch Fillion (southernsouls.ca) on Vimeo.

Remember, you can pick up the new album by The Mountains & The Trees on his Bandcamp page.

~Smansmith

Jon Janes (The Mountains & The Trees) has released the 2nd track from his upcoming album I Made This For you.  This one is a banjo inspired romp about daily life in a relationship.  While it sounds light and airy, you may find that while you are tapping your toes and humming along you realize it isn’t such a pretty picture Janes is painting…  Even with the dour landscape, he just makes the best of the situation (not unlike the theme of the song) by bringing in a full accompaniment of piano, trumpet and the lovely pairing voice of his “partner” in crime Jillian Freeman.

“Minimum Wage Lovers” – The Mountains & The Trees, from 2010′s “I Made This For You”

The album is released on August 10th but you can pre-order it at his Bandcamp page HERE.

~Smansmith

Today sees our label release of the compilation “Folk Music For What Lies Ahead” on Yer Bird Records!  We are very excited to be finally releasing the album that consists of 18 “new, rare & unreleased” songs from a fantastic collection of talented musicians from across the globe.  The title of “What Lies Ahead” is kind of a play on the fact that the label is new to us since assuming it in 2010 from previous owner and friend Morgan King (who also did the artwork for the CD packaging!) and where we will go with actually having a music label.  It is also my way of trying to figure out what is ahead for “folk” music since it has been assumed into daily musical reference (kind of like “indie” 5 years ago and “alternative” 15 years ago) – who knows!  As folk tends to take up a wider seat at the musical table, the artists on the compilation tend to span from traditional to gothic to bluesy to “pop” with numerous other aspects of what folk music can be.  So with that, see the full line up:

We also partnered with a children’s charity (Music 4 Hunger) and will be donating a portion of each CD sold to the music based charity organization.  It is a great cause that has been close to us personally and it deserves all the help we (and you) can give.

You can purchase (digitally) direct from us via our friends at MusicFloss by clicking here or you can buy a physical CD (GASP!) by visiting Yer Bird here.  For those that purchase a physical CD, there is an insert with a coupon code for our Yer Bird Records store that ensures all your future purchases will cost you less than listed!

Take a track with you today, one that I am personally excited to have on the project from Paul Masson.  I truly enjoyed his EP from last year and he agreed to re-record a fully acoustic version of what could be his signature song “My Girl Baltimore”.  It is stunning and a favourite of the Slowcoustic/Yer Bird Records crew.

“My Girl Baltimore (Acoustic)” – Paul Masson, from 2010′s “Folk Music For What Lies Ahead” Compilation

Visit us & purchase our wares:

~Smansmith

One of the things that I found new and interesting about this year’s Calgary Folk Music Festival was the fact that they had “sessions” where you had 3-4 bands/artists performing together on one stage at one time.  I am not sure if this is a new idea or simply new to me.  Overall, it had its ups and downs, but lets take a look at a session I attended.

Sunday – July 25th: “Face Down, Feet First”

This session showed a lot of promise with the four acts being: Ohbijou, Timber Timbre, Samantha Savage-Smith and Laura Marling.  Just enough indie pop, singer songwriter and full band to get a bit of everything I thought – well, we did get a bit of everything!

The idea is for everyone to “jam” or play together with one band taking the lead for a song and move to the next artist.  What ends up happening is one artist will play one of their songs with everyone joining in to add input, layers or to just simply play along.  For the most part it worked, but essentially if you are not intimately familiar with the other band’s music, you really don’t know where to jump in or what might happen if you add your input to someone else’s song.  For example, I am not sure Laura Marling had any “real knowledge” of one of our younger Calgary artists being as she isn’t even from our continent, so you get what I am saying.  Had potential to be spectacular, but usually ended up being a subdued event overall but with some moments of full stage beauty.

What worked and moments of highlight:

~ Multiple Neil Young covers were performed – If you were following me on twitter, you would have saw me saying that this MUST be a Canadian Folk Fest when that happens.  The covers were from Ohbijou and Timber Timbre.
~ Got to hear a new track from Timber Timbre (“Vampire….” – I missed part of the title due to conversation in the crowd).  As I think TT was probably the main band I was at the entire festival for, this made my day.
~ Samantha Savage-Smith who both me and my wife are now enamored with opened with her signature song “The Fight” and almost took over the entire show.  This girl can project power with her voice and is possibly the sweetest gal around.  This is one to watch.  She could have been considered the “least known” artist on the stage, but you wouldn’t have known it.
~ Everyone sounded great – all 4 of them were “on”, nobody faltered in a live setting

What could have worked better:

~ I am not sure how much each other knew of each others songs, so often the main artists were very lightly accompanied by the rest of the stage.
~ It was a full stage.  Marling had 3, Timber Timbre had 3, Ohbijou had 5-6 and then Samantha.  So with all gear and 13 ish people on a 30 foot stage, I felt like nobody had place to really move around.
~ Laura Marling played only 2 songs.  I am not sure how comfortable she was at the performance (it was all Canadians other than her, maybe??)   She sounded great for those 2 songs, but there was 16 songs total from 4 artists and she only had her 2.  She was cheered on to play more and it looked like she was going to and then Casey from Ohbijou had to finally let her off the hook and say that “she was taking a pass”.  I think there was some disappointed fans (myself included) as she basically didn’t say a word really or play music past 15 minutes in (due to the rotation she played the 1st and 5th song out of the 16).

Overall though, the crowd very much enjoyed it (I did) and we all got to see some really great music.  Highlights were Savage-Smith’s “The Fight”, Timber Timbre’s “Demon Host” and Ohbijou’s “Black Ice” that ended the session (on recommendation of Taylor from Timber Timbre).

See some pics below:

Laura Marling

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The sisters of Ohbijou

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Samantha Savage-Smith

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Taylor Kirk of Timber Timbre

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I also want to thank the Calgary Folk Music Festival for giving Slowcoustic Media credentials in order for us to get slightly better photos than some, comfortable locales to hang in and they even assisted in interviews and festival information!  Kudos!  We will have some interviews with Calgarians Samantha Savage-Smith and Jordan Klassen upcoming this week – so keep an eye on this space.

Some music for you (as this is still a music blog…)

Goodbye England (Covered In Snow) – Laura Marling (Visit)
Black Ice – Ohbijou (Visit)
The Fight – Samantha Savage-Smith (Visit)
Lay Down In the Tall Grass (Live on Camera Music) – Timber Timbre (Visit)

~Smansmith

Yesterday (Saturday, July 24, 2010) was the Saturday of the 2010 Calgary Folk Music Festival. The weekend was looking good – weather looked to be probably the nicest weekend of weather of the year so far…sunny, not a cloud in the sky with 27c temperatures. It was actually spectacular for weather (which can be half the battle at an outdoor festival) and it boded well for seeing numerous shows.

The first show we saw was a nice early performance with Jordan Klassen and Honeybear and it was a hometown affair. What better way to kick off the day then with local talent, and it did not disappoint.

One thing to note is in order to get through all the talented musicians and acts into a short period of time, you combine performances and it ends up being almost a jam session (if you will) with in this case both artists essentially being on the same stage the entire time. It was a nice combination of young up and coming Calgary talent that included Klassen’s set of mixed tempo folk tunes and Honeybear’s ukulele laments. The whole performance was a back and forth scenario with each playing a song or two than passing off to the other: great idea so you get to enjoy a little of both throughout the just longer than an hour performance.

Overview & Notes: Jordan Klassen (Visit)

~ Infectious personality (you cannot not like them!)
~ Sets the stage with building crescendos of acoustic guitars
~ Great use of full band: Cello, drums, bass, xylophone (?!), violin, keyboards – also the full band gets involved with either clapping or singing at the top of their lungs!
~ You know they are having a good time – when needed they kick up the energy and you cannot help but get into it
~ New EP “St. Brigid” was available and will see a release soon
~ We did an interview with Jordan and that will come up live next week

Photos of the show:

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Overview & Notes: Honeybear (Visit)

~ New discovery for me – so I was very pleasantly surprised by this Slowcoustic gem
~ Sets a mood for his music by use of backing soundscapes
~ Wields his “uke” well – we are all fans of this fine instrument around here
~ I don’t want to beat this point to the ground, but you (and me) need to hear more.
~ Had a collection of songs available for purchase that came packaged as a booklet of sketches with a download code!

Photos of the show:

As mentioned Honeybear is my “best surprise” of the fest so far, so I am still looking into him (and hence have no tracks to provide, but his MySpace page has some streams, so visit). I do have a track from Jordan Klassen that might have been my favourite of his set. The track is from his album “Tempest and Winter” (purchase at iTunes or help out local Calgary music and purchase at Kerf Music).

“Sing Your Song to Ares” (mp3) – Jordan Klassen, from 2009′s “Tempest and Winter”

Gotta go and get back to the fest! Swing by for more a bit later.

~Smansmith

All photos ©2010 Slowcoustic

Last night kicked off my first day of the 2010 Calgary Folk Festival.  I think despite the constant threat of rain this night really did hit the spot!

Let me also start off by saying I am usually not a fan of “festivals” as liking a style of music that lends to a hushed and intimate setting, it can be a bit daunting to meet up with about 10,000 people in a large open area to listen to what is expected to be “folk” music.  You will notice the word folk has quotations around it as last night was a main stage only affair with 4 bands playing to open the festival: Library Voices, Natacha Atlas, Stars & The Avett Brothers.  Overall a good mix of music, but not really “folk” music.  I think you had to go with the comment Torquil Campbell of stars had: “It’s folk music if its for the “folks”, right?” – I think this was kind of the idea for the night.  I wouldn’t call it a folk festival concert as much as an outdoor festival that took place during a folk festival…

To be honest, I only saw a part of Library Voices who jumped, belted out tonnes of charisma and really started to get the crowd into their infectious music – I thought it might have been a bit refreshing to see a band come in and be dressed all in spring whites/colours and getting the crowd awake (to say the least).

I didn’t hear much of Natacha Atlas as at this time the crowds started to really grow and (let’s be honest, I had to get another beer in before the Stars show) I was a bit stuck in a “beer gardens” for that hour.  We did manage to get to the Stars show which is when the crowds really started to get into the evening (despite one of the best parts being Samantha Savage-Smith being the “in-between” artist to keep the crowd interested before Stars took the stage).  Stars kicked it up a notch definitely and if the success of the set could be measured in “indie teens” then it was a very successful collection of songs.  Really good, but I tend to get a bit tired fighting through hordes of junior high tweens in order to see or hear anything.  I relegated myself to listening from the backstage(ish) press area by a serene river setting…nuff said.

But…The Avett Brothers were next and I wasn’t missing it – they really put on a show and got the crowd to a frenzy!  These 4 guys (I believe they tour with 4 and are a trio normally???) completely got the crowd into it and it was bopping and jumping all around, including the guys on the stage!  Seth and Scott Avett are the humblest of guys and engaged the Calgary crowd with the simple use of the term “y’all”.  We love that southern shit.  They played a mix of old and new (with the new getting the biggest roars from the crowd, which is expected) and they played practically the perfect set – mixed the barn burners alongside the down tempo ditties.  Overall, I would have to say the crowd was perfect and weren’t just attending a festival main stage – the crowd that not so surprisingly changed from tweens to more college crowd/20-30-40 were there to kick it up and the Avetts did not disappoint.  Kudos, boys.

Find a few pics from the Avetts below (sorry our pics of the Stars were a bit off, but they may surface at some point):

*All photos courtesy of Slowcoustic’s wife (©Judy Smith)

There you have it – keep an eye out for more Calgary Folk Fest coverage over the weekend!!  Hopefully will have a couple of interviews and a lot more photos!

Enjoy a classic track from The Avetts from their “The Gleam II” EP – “Bella Donna” (mp3) (buy all their albums on iTunes)

~Smansmith

So tonight at the Calgary Folk Fest, I will be able to close out the night with a band I have never seen prior, but am excited to see live.  The Avett Brothers! This will be good…  Upon your return tomorrow, I should have some horrendously bad photos and an overview of the evening, so then see you tomorrow my pretties.

In the meantime, check out the video for one of my favourite tracks, “I And Love And You”:

The one thing that I am also interested in is the main stage artist line up tonight (the only show is the main stage tonight as this is the “opening night”).  I am not sure it is as cohesive as most might expect at a folk fest, but it has a bit of everything.  Considering it opens with Saskatchewan’s Library Voices (totally catchy indie pop), then goes to Natacha Atlas (kind of an Arabic/Eastern vibe with some electronics), next we mesh to Canada’s darlings Stars (more full band indie pop) and finally end with The Avett Brothers possible foot stompin’ closing.  See what I mean?   Should be interesting at the very least and immensely entertaining at best (as long as the weather holds out).

Hopefully have some photos and an overview tomorrow at some point.  Follow me on Twitter (@Slowcoustic) for some updates through the evening as well.

Visit The Avett Brothers
Visit Stars
Visit Natacha Atlas
Visit Library Voices

~Smansmith

p.s.  For a download of the track I And Love And You, visit my girl Agnes over on It All Started With Carbon Monoxide.

This one is exciting folks, the new album “Pope Killdragon” from Strand of Oaks hits eMusic Selects today (I have just downloaded and am listening now).  Tim Showalter (who is Strand of Oaks) crafts some of the most stark, warming & echoing laments in music today.  Please consider picking up the album by clicking HERE.  While SoO is starting to flex his songcrafting (meaning you might not get all 10 tracks of solo acoustic love – listen to “Giant’s Despair” or “Walking” for an example), it is exciting to see where this is going.  But don’t worry, there are still crazy good slow burners like “Pope Killdragon”, “Kill Dragon” & “Bonfire”, no pun intended.

Tracklisting

1. West River
2. Kill Dragon
3. Sterling
4. Bonfire
5. Alex Kona
6. Giant’s Despair
7. Daniel’s Blues
8. Last to Swim
9. Walking
10. Pope Killragon

To get  you in the mood, listen to a few tracks from a February 2009 performance (archive.org here) and I am including an early version of the song Daniel’s Blues from that recording as it has been rerecorded and included on Pope Killdragon.  Enjoy.

“Morning Worker”
“Dogs of War”
“Daniel’s Blues”
~from “Live at the Nave, Feb. 14, 2009″

Visit Strand of Oaks on MySpace, Facebook & Twitter.

~Smansmith

Natureboy
“Curses Fired” (mp3)
from “Natureboy” (Own Records)

I was totally unaware of Natureboy (Sara Kermanshahi) until I listened to a live set uploaded by NYCtaper (see here) and I was quite intrigued by the sound.  The music created often is down-tempo, but not necessarily sad, but maybe tragic sounding.  If that even makes sense.  There is something about her voice, especially in this song.  I think the self-titled album came out last year, but just received a re-release of sorts in Canada this month.  Enjoy!

~Smansmith

Buy at iTunes Music Store
More On This Album

Sometimes you just know good things are on their way.  We usually don’t think they come via email on a Wednesday.  But alas, they do.

Our Slowcoustic leader, Joshua Tillman, will be releasing his 7th album on Sept. 14th via Western Vinyl (see here).  As far as I know this is a vinyl and mp3 release only (those poor CDs get no play…no pun intended).  We all know I am a fan, so to say the album is “great” or “stellar” or “simply gorgeous” is simply redundant.  The album is all those with Tillman being essentially solo throughout the entire album (!!) with a few accents here and there to provide required gravitas, etc.  AND recorded in 3 days back in February…this guy is that good.

Track Listing

1. Three Sisters
2. Diamondback
3. Love No Less Worthy
4. One Task
5. Our Beloved Tyrant
6. Tillman’s Rag
7. Mere Ornaments
8. Singing Ax
9. Madness on the Mountain
10. Maria
11. A Seat at the Table

For me the standouts are the epic (and I mean epic) “Three Sisters” at almost 7 minutes in length, alongside “Our Beloved Tyrant”, “Singing Ax”, “Mere Ornaments” but it is still early.  Its very early…I don’t even think there is official artwork yet…but who knows.

No tracks for listening, but they will start a push promo-wise soon so keep watching this space.  For a bit of a sneak peak, I have included the video from the great session over at Luxury Wafers (lots of Tillman over there – go visit!) for a track that is on this release: “Diamondback”

J Tillman – Diamondback – Luxury Wafers Sessions from Luxury Wafers on Vimeo.

You also have a pretty damn good tour upcoming to promote the new album…with PHOSPHORESCENT!  Check dates below:

7/27 – Troubadour – Los Angles, CA
7/28 – Bottom of the Hill – San Francisco*
7/30 – Doug Fir Lounge – Portland, OR
7/31 – The Crocodile – Seattle, WA
8/3 – Cedar Cultural Centre – Minneapolis, MN
8/4 – Mad Planet – Milwaukee, WI
8/5 – Empty Bottle – Chicago, IL
8/6 – Radio Radio – Indianapolis, IN
8/7 – Grog Shop – Cleveland Heights, OH
8/9 – Black Cat – Washington DC
8/10 – Sonar – Baltimore, MD
8/14 – Club Hell – Providence, RI
8/15 – Middle East Downstairs – Cambridge, MA

* – with Little Wings AND Phosphorescent

So keep the ears out as you won’t want to miss this one.  I am sure there will be more love to J. Tillman among these pages up till the release anyway…

Bonus:  “When I Light Your Darkened Door” – from 2007′s Cancer and Delirium

~Smansmith

This one is a no-brainer for me…come on, Calgary Folk Fest. As most folk fests tend to do, these festivals attract a good sized crowd, great selection of artists and in particular, provide Slowcoustic the opportunity to see many, many artists in one music packed weekend.

The festival is set in Prince’s Island Park, and while working for a few years in the Eau Claire area of downtown, I always saw all these yahoos walking to the park with their blankets, lawn chairs and smiles on their faces every July. This year, I will be Mr. Yahoo, to you.

I am originally from Winnipeg, so if you are Canadian, you will know that the Winnipeg Folk Fest in one that can be hard to beat as the WFF is world class. So, now that I am a Calgarian, where do we stand? I think we are standing tall on our own if I may say so. Let’s take a look at what I am personally looking forward to (courtesy of the great “My Folk Fest” section of the CFF site).

You might see some overlap above as you never know the exact time each artist will play, so you have to kinda “double book” to ensure you see favourite artists.  The Slowcoustic nominees for “Most Looking Forward To” are:

~Timber Timbre
~Laura Marling
~The Avett Brothers
~Jordan Klassen (Calgary!)
~Samantha Savage-Smith (Calgary!)
~OX
~St. Vincent

Well, look for lots of pics and features on the Calgary Folk Fest on these pages in the upcoming week, through the weekend and after!  Anyone want to meet up – just let us know!!

Aaaaaaand, as this is a music blog, let’s have a few tracks from artists performing at the 2010 Calgary Folk Music Festival.  While all these tracks have been on Slowcoustic already, they are neatly placed in one convenient place for your listening pleasure below:

Bella Donna - The Avett Brothers

Black Ice – Ohbijou

Falling Slowly (live) – Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová

If The Creeks Don’t Rise – Sunparlour Players

In These Arms – The Swell Season

Lay Down In the Tall Grass (Live on Camera Music) – Timber Timbre

Now, Now – St. Vincent

Road Regrets – Dan Mangan

Steep – Ohbijou

Weaving – OX

Enjoy the rest of your Friday – See you all in “Cow Town” next week.  Visit the site HERE for more info and get tickets!

~Smansmith

~~~

FADE IN:

EXT. CITY – Morning

A SERIES OF SHOTS

–a clogged freeway at rush hour.

–a mall parking lot, now empty, rows of space looking for vehicles.

–busy city streets. Buses, taxis.

INT. VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC HOLDING 2 OCCUPANTS (HUSBAND & WIFE) – 7:22AM

–stopped at traffic light waiting to start moving with traffic once again.

–Husband looks in rear view mirror, brushes overly long hair out of eyes and across forehead.

–Husband glances at wife and says in a overly “faux witty” voice

DIALOGUE:

–Husband: “Wow, I could be Justin Bieber with this hair!”

–Wife:  “Wow…you could be Justin Bieber’s dad with that hair…”

INT. VEHICLE

–silence as car pulls away from traffic light and moves closer to downtown

–silence continues…

~~~

“Haircut (A Silent Symphony of Scissors at Age Six” – Theodore & Edgar

Visit Theodore & Edgar on Myspace.

~Smansmith (husband)

I wanted to update anyone who is reading about the upcoming compilation over on our record label side of things at Yer Bird Records. It is getting close, so we are increasingly excited and can’t help but have it spill over to our Slowcoustic personna. Sorry to pander, but seriously if you like Slowcoustic, you are going to love this project.

The CD & digital release will see the official light of day on July 27th (yes, less than 2 weeks!) and is so incredibly chock full of Slowcoustic favourites it isn’t even funny (18 tracks in total). We reached out to our own label artists and to artists that we are fans of and we got a very good group of folks that have donated a “new, unreleased or rare” track to the disc.

We are also working with Music 4 Hunger that assists in feeding children in local and worldwide locations. This is a basic need and often seems to slip past our daily thoughts but it is something that deserves more attention in order to end this tragedy. You can read a bit more on this part and see a note of our release over at Music 4 Hunger by clicking HERE. We will be donating a portion of each CD sold to the charity and hopefully our efforts can join in the cause.

For the music side of things you can see the full roster and track listing over on Yer Bird Records HERE. If you are lucky enough to have an iPhone, we recently launched our free iPhone app (click here to download or find out in the Apple app store) and we are currently streaming a sneek peek of the first 9 tracks from the app. See below for a list of the songs currently streaming for one week:

1. “My Girl Baltimore (Acoustic)”: Paul Masson – Paul re-recorded a solo acoustic version of his signature track from his previously released EP – crazy good.
2. “Sweetheart”: Lotte Kestner – Anna-Lynne Williams a.k.a. “Lotte Kestner” who you may know from the band Trespassers William, has donated her previously unreleased track for use – you may have heard it in her MySpace player, but find the official version on the compilation
3. “Little Wishes”: Strand of Oaks – Tim Showalter who records as SoO is a friend and amazing up and coming artist (new album “Pope Killdragon” will be out next week on eMusic) – find an unreleased track that will ever so delicately break your heart.
4. “Say So What”: Sharon Van Etten – the first of our Brooklyn ladies provides this “duet” with herself that has the perfect balance of lo-fi that she is known for.
5. “Winters Ruin”: Ghosts I’ve Met – Sam Watts & Company who form GIM provide another reason why Seattle creates some of the best music around. We have another stunning beauty from Sam along with Jenna Conrad – amazing.
6. “Ella (Live)”: The Black Atlantic – The foursome from Groningen provide an track from their Live EP available over on Beep! Beep! label and is the only track from that recommended EP that isn’t on their stand out debut release.
7. “Couch Surfing (Acoustic)”: Ivana XL – You will find Ivana at her best here (and coming in as our second Brooklyn songstress). This is a light and almost playful song with that almost sultry voice draped over parts and dancing over others. You will hum this one for days.
8. “Into The Deep Blue Night”: Nic Garcia – Nic is currently working on a new album and this brings his acoustic Midwest drawl back into focus. This is the kind of guy that you should not miss.
9. “You Fool”: Oweihops – Michael Metivier and crew provide a scratchy piece of Massachusetts that sounds like it could be a harmony direct from life in rural America.

That is it – go and get the iPhone app (if you can, steal a friends phone, do whatever!) and listen to all the above and if you like, swing by the store in a couple of weeks to get a copy! Don’t worry a full stream will surface for public for the release as well!

Also, Sharon Van Etten who comes in a track 4 also has an album coming out this October and her lead off promo track I feel bodes very well for the 7 track release on Ba da Bing. I also find it lends to the sound of the track on this compilation, so as this post has no song yet, how about one from Sharon? Enjoy “Love More” (mp3) from the upcoming album “Epic” from SVE.

~Smansmith

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

~Smansmith

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

This one is from about 3 years ago and was a pretty darn good release then and after hearing this track again, its a pretty good release now too.  This one is a pretty straight forward folk tune, but sometimes that is exactly what you need.

~Smansmith

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

Bonus:  Two more tracks courtesy of their label page:  “Land of Sea” & “Horse of the Sky”

Extras:  See their MySpace page AND they have a new 3 song EP on iTunes (click here)

With an album title like “Hibernation Songs”, you know it was going to hit this website at some time…it just had to.  The song featured is very much something for hibernating – but more so from a relationship or “situation” instead of a traditionally chilly season.  Its absolutely stunning.

~Smansmith

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Amazon MP3
More On This Album

So it is true that this EP hit me out of nowhere, but I think I really expected it to.

The reason I expected it to be great was the fact that I have a secret man-crush on another blogger that will go un-named as I am a shy & fragile creature and I know he likes it.  So then I must like it.  I also have a lot of “crushes” in other bloggers as I am such a music fiend that when I find someone who I admire, it is just natural.  Who hasn’t become fond of a teacher in school, an actor that you admire, etc.  And before you freaks read into this, this is a music crush here people!  HA!  Okay, whatever.

So this other blogger is a big fan of a lot of artists that I also am a big fan of, so in turn I knew I would like Conrad Plymouth.  I just knew it, but sometimes you still have to find out, and find out I did.  This 4 track EP available on their Bandcamp page is stunning (CLICK HERE).  It is gorgeous and flows over you – I mean if you are into that sort of thing.  It is such a full sound without being drowned in itself – it feels warm, expansive and yet delicate and personal.  This is the good stuff.  And yes, I know I tend to be a bit of a softy when it comes to talking about music on this blog – but it doesn’t mean it isn’t a hell of an EP from this Milwaukee (soon to be) staple.

Of the 4 tracks, 3 are available completely free (including the one below – but go get the full 320 kbps version) and with only one track, “Fergus Falls” having a pay-what-you-want option (and no minimum, thank you very much).  Plunk in a couple of bucks and pick it up – highly recommended.  This might be one of my favourite EPs of the year so far….you never know come year end.

“Metamora” – Conrad Plymouth

Visit Conrad Plymouth:

~Smansmith

p.s.  You are all allowed to guess at the mystery blogger in the comments…but please, be gentle…

I have been waiting on this post for a while.  I have only had it since early June, but I feel like I have been waiting a long time as I have wanted to tell everyone about this album.  This album came out of nowhere for me, I didn’t know of the brothers harm prior and now I constantly listen to them.  This is a band of traditional Americana if I ever heard one.  I only think of the heartland of the USA when I hear them.   They might be based back in Cottage Grove, Oregon and that is close enough to dusty plains as they need to be.  All The Lies Songs You Wanna Hear, yes.

So I don’t know too much about the boys, but there is a pretty good biography of the band on their MySpace – it tells of the beginning in Oregon, the coming and going of members, the return to Oregon and the rebirth of the band and new album that is banjo, country, ass kicking at times and real down to earth music that works in headphones and on a stage with drink in hand.  Sometimes when you listen to bands you feel like they might be trying too hard or maybe they haven’t fully meshed yet…this is nowhere to be found on this new break out album.

The Harmed Brothers today consist of founding member Donnie Vietti and Alex Salcido and having not heard previous versions of the band, I believe they just might have found something that needs to be heard, heard a lot.  So, as you can see I really like these two “brothers” sound and by the look of many of the photos on their MySpace page, I think that they might be the kinda guys you wanna know as well as listen to!

I don’t have the official release date to purchase, but will update when I confirm – but seriously, seek them out, email them, see them on tour this summer (see below).  Listen to one of my favourite tracks from the album below as a taster and hopefully soon you will have an opportunity to fall in love with the album as well.

“One in the Garden” – The Harmed Brothers, from 2010′s “All The Lies You Wanna Hear”

Love that track!  Other great songs from the album are “One Night”, “Song for Lauren”, When I Get Back (Tailor-Made Blues)”, “Kansas Wind”, “Cryin’ Shame”, “Greetings From Mardi Gras” <—- Also freakin’ good, so you see there are numerous winners on this album.  I really wish I had info to purchase!!

UPDATE: Purchase the album digitally on CD Baby by clicking HERE!

They are also at the Mountain Stomp Music Festival this weekend if you are in the Oregon area – but they will also be in Eugene for their CD Release show on July 8th at the Wandering Goat.  Be there.  More dates below:

The Washington Family Roadshow!

Visit:

Enjoy one of the best Americana/folk/country bands I have heard in a long while.

~Smansmith

So tonight is Friday, you are kicking around Calgary.  You lean into the bearded guy next to you and say, “Brother, what the hell do you do in Calgary on a Friday night?”.  Well, thank you for asking….

Tonight’s official Slowcoustic recommendation is taking place at the “Arrata” venue (all ages surprisingly enough) and goes something along the lines of:

Come on, you can’t do much better on a Friday night….in Calgary….right?  It all goes down at the Arrata Opera Centre at 1315 – 7th Street SW!

To get you in the mood:

“Just Once” – DM Stith
“Pigs (feat. Jefferson Street Band)” – DM Stith

~~

Video from Inlets:

~~

“The Ice” – Odawas
“Harmless Lover’s Discourse” – Odawas
“Alleluia” – Odawas

~~

Video from Silje Nes:

Silje Nes – Crystals from One Little Indian Records on Vimeo.

~~

“Squall” – Azeda Booth
“Samoan Girls” – Azeda Booth

~~

Okay there you have it, our recommendation.  So it might not be as “hip” indie as some others (hello Olympic Plaza featuring Fucked Up, Why?, Ted Leo & The Pharmacists, The Thermals, Built to Spill and Girl Talk) and actually might get a little out there/ambient especially with DM Stith and Azeda Booth on the bill but it should be interesting!  I think the break out star here will be the lovely Silje Nes…just sayin.

For more information or alternate shows for tonight (or tomorrow) – Visit Sled Island HERE.

~Smansmith

photo by Katya Kirilloff (visit)

How good is this?

This album makes this sad bastard just a little bit happier today.

No really, how good is this?
~~~

Visit Joe Purdy:

~Smansmith

Well the album now has been blessed with a clear vinyl release that is available at the Hand Drawn Dracula store (here).  The video is for the track that is considered the “single” off the album called “Tobias Grey” – it is ominous, delicate and a personal favourite.  See why below.

Postdata – Tobias Grey from Hand Drawn Dracula on Vimeo.

Bonus – “Tobias Grey” (mp3)

Now don’t get me started about the show here in Calgary….doors at 8pm, stage at 11:40pm….on a school night!!  Worth it.

Visit Postdata:

~Smansmith

The new DKD is out with a blast of horns in the form of the lead off track “The Funeral Bell”. I think the influence of Fight The Big Bull is heard front and centre in this track and leads an accent to Daniels quirky sense of indie folk-pop. You get a little bit of everything with this album and it is hard to really classify or put a label on, but overall I would say it is, dare I say, fun with some depth. I don’t even know what that means, but give it a listen and maybe you can decide and let me know!

David Karsten Daniels, Fight The Big Bull
“The Funeral Bell” (mp3)
from “I Mean to Live Here Still”
(Fat Cat Records)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at eMusic Delivery
More On This Album

~~~
As a bonus, find a great track that I have enjoyed for a couple of years “Martha Ann” – it might be a bit more “rock” than some others, but still tasty.

David Karsten Daniels
“Martha Ann” (mp3)
from “Fear of Flying”
(Fat Cat Records)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at eMusic Delivery
Buy at Amazon MP3
Buy at Puretracks
More On This Album

~Smansmith

Starting today is the new album from the now condensed named Ben & Bruno – “BB” who have a new album out on RC Legacy.  Ben and Bruno is essentially Peter Brant and he is a master of crafting quirky folk/fringe folk songs that find themselves both delicate and moving at the same time.  His “higher than average” vocal style is something that always draws me in, I am a sucker for an “interesting/unique” vocal style – and while it isn’t out there that much, it still is enough to separate it from others.

The new album is called “Marcescant” and is out now (available on white vinyl no less) and is a nice compliment to any Saturday listening party you may be having – lo-fi indie pop at its finest.

Click here to purchase, here to visit, below to listen:

“You Have No Love” (mp3)

~~~

Next we have  something equally as mellow, but a different spin on style.  So to get into it, Wolfgang Schaefer is definitely more to the Americana side of things – one listen to that harmonica and you just know it.  This Milwakee resident plays the lonely guitar and sings with the true tired voice of the open plain troubadour.  Whether he is or not, it sounds great.  There is the stunning acoustics that perfectly match his vocals and you simply wonder why this guy isn’t a household name already.  Sometimes I just don’t get it – he creates the kind of music that you can both hear on a soundtrack on a “hip” television show, but still find a home in a down and out club playing for 8 people.  I have a track from his upcoming EP that should see a release this summer and will be a definite must buy!

*photo from MySpace photo album

Click here to visit, below to listen:

“Broken Hearts and Billy Clubs” (mp3)

~~~

Next we have Hip Hatchett who is a more traditional acoustic folk artist – you could say he is a staple of the Slowcoustic style of folk music.  He has a new album over on BandCamp called “Men Who Share My Name” and it is extra conveniently priced at “$2.00 or more” – come on, you can’t beat that.  Hip Hatchet is actually the performing name of  Philippe Bronchtein who is a self proclaimed musician from the age of 3 hails from Vermont and his deep but soothing voice could be the blanket of “hushed” atmosphere of any fall day from the North East state.  I can’t say enough about how $2.00 will get you 10 tracks from this guy – use headphones as well, wander around with this as your soundtrack – perfect!

Click here (be sure to stop the player in the comments immediately) to visit, here to buy or below to listen:

“Hungry Wolves” (mp3)

~~~

There you have another Saturday collection of great music – please swing by all the above artists sites and make a comment, become a friend or simply sit and listen.

~Smansmith

So my blogger mates Aaron at Tsururadio and Chris at Culture Bully are taking it to the mat and battling it out today in a mix tape-off!

What it is basically is a friendly (or is it?) comparison of a collection of music assembled together with a pseudo theme of 80′s vs. 90′s (Tsuru vs. Bully).  So who will win?  Will the crane be victorious or will the bully simply be just that, a bully!  Swing on over and place your vote in the comments on their respective blogs sometime today!

Just in case you were wondering, once again, it is:

Tsururadio brings the 1980′s to life! (click to visit and listen to his mix tape)

VS.

Culture Bully reliving the 1990′s! (click to visit and listen to his mix tape)

So head over and listen, download and vote!

To get you pumped up, how about tough as nails METAL!

Domine
“Battle Gods (Of The Universe)” (mp3)
from “Emperor Of The Black Runes”
(Dragonheart)

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

~~~
DoomSword
“In the Battlefield” (mp3)
from “Let Battle Commence”
(Dragonheart)

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

I also can’t wait till this is all up close and personal when Aaron (Tsuru) & wifey visit Calgary next week (to enjoy the Sled Island Festival and visit Slowcoustic/Culture Bully HQ) and then Chris from Culture Bully looks him in the eye to say either……..”In yo face with your weak sauce mix tape” OR “Good job on the mix tape, it was really good and I admit your crushing jabs and knockout jams and you beat me utterly”….

~Smansmith

Stephen van Kampen released a new album this past March – as a fairly new Calgarian, I missed it.  I am dumb.

So this is less a “review” as it is just a heads up on an album that shows a lot of promise.  I say that because I have only been listening for a short while (remember, I am dumb?) but there is a bit for everyone who might frequent this blog.  You have some slow burners, lots of banjo and then some not so slow numbers to keep it interesting.  Remember, you may remember him from Beija Flor who have recently gone their separate ways, but go in fresh and don’t think of this as a “solo project of a band member” as much as it is simply Van Kampen’s new album.

The below 2 videos are good examples of what to expect from Sark’s album- the first being found from the good folks at Calgary Is Awesome and taken from the “Shot At The Dark” series.  It is kinda like Calgary’s version of Black Cab Sessions/La Blogotheque/other indie video hub and is great snippet into the workings of Van Kampen – it might be a bit hard to hear due to the street noise, but lean in as it will reward with banjo goodness.

SHOT AT THE DARK – Stephen Van Kampen from Shot at The Dark on Vimeo.
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This next video is for the track “The Red Eye” from his self titled album (I think kinda like the “lead off single” if there was one) and brings in a bit of “art-folk” if that is even a genre.  Again, good flexing of the banjo chops.

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Upcoming shows in the Calgary area:

• 1 Jul 2010 / Aratta Opera Centre (part of Sled Island Festival!!)
• 8 Jul 2010 / Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Association
• 14 Aug 2010 / CJSW Summer Concert Series

There are some links below to visit or purchase.  If you are local and wanted to keep it local, you can always purchase (and stream 2 tracks) over at Kerf Music HERE.

Find and purchase more Savk:

~Smansmith

Just noticed this in the IODA library and as I am a bit of a fan, I thought I would put up the official promo-tracks for the album released in May of this year.  While the “Don’t Smoke Crack” is a bit of a busking journey, they really flex the songwriting/crafting in “Joseph is Flying”.  Enjoy Lo-Fi goodness!

~Smansmith

p.s.  Visit my last post for more listening HERE.
Buy at iTunes Music Store
More On This Album

A daunting task for any artist is to do covers of bands that are for the most part universally loved.  So I believe this is why most artists retain covers for live performances and personal listening/enjoyment.  Of course there could be some sort of licensing issue (especially if you are attempting to do a cover of a well known artist), but who knows.  I recently obtained some “remixes/covers/rarities” from one of our artists over at Yer Bird Records, Hezekiah Jones.  Below are two of the covers that was part of the package – HJ tends to not mess around with covers and picks some of the big guys with the two Radiohead below and others included John Lennon and David Bowie….but those will be for another time.  So let’s dig in:

“Thinking About You (Radiohead Cover)”
“Stop Whispering (Radiohead Cover)”

I also like that he used tracks from the Pablo Honey album from Radiohead and didn’t cruise right up to OK Computer for a slam dunk cover.  And come on, when you kick in that much banjo into “Stop Whispering” it can’t be wrong….or, maybe try to tell that to a die-hard RH fan…

Visit Hezekiah Jones:

Enjoy.

~Smansmith

Recommendations (to me):

• Thy Courage Quail – acoustic lo-fi recordings from a BandCamp troubadour.  Some really good tunes from this guy – two albums (well, an album and an EP) for free download (and no emails, nothing – just a straight download!).  Some live radio takes that really work alongside songs from lonely roads and late nights.  Visit on BandCamp HERE.  Thanks Drunk Country for the tip!  Enjoy a couple of tracks to get you on your way:  “Down Down Down” and “Monk Song”
• A “new” Sam Quinn track called Oceans that is from a recording session a few months back.  I can’t figure out if it is new or not (as it isn’t on the new album), but it sure is nice.   Sent to me from a reader and from a blog called “Live and Breathing” – but the kicker is it is their last post since February – so that is why I am confused if it is new.  The track is streaming on their site, so visit now HERE.

Video Section:

A nice video consisting of live shots from the recent Arborea tour along the West coast of the US has sound tracked a new video by the band.  I have been a fan of Arborea for a while and this song is from a couple of years back, but it is such a great track and now has an accompanying video.  If you like psych-folk that you can get really lost in, this is it – stunning.  Visit them on their Blog for more info.  Check out their Robbie Basho tribute album that Buck (from Arborea) curated as well (info)!

Bonus: “Dance, Sing, Fight” from remastered “House of Sticks”

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A nice surprise from the Songs From The Shed site was finding American guitar folk hero (from the video, I just feel he is a bit of a guitar fiend…) Paul Curreri.  Curreri is on a tour in the UK promoting his new album “California” which is available from Tin Angel Records (here).  Enjoy a bit of “Shed action” below:

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Email Inbox:

• Something that I am VERY excited about is the new EP from Small Sur.  This one is sooo good.  It is called “Bare Black” and will be released on July 12th via Aural State Recordings (here).  I have loved Small Sur (Bob Keal and co.) for a while – his self titled album from 2006 and “We Live In Houses Made of Wood” from 2008 still get regular rotation and come very highly recommended.  How about a new track from this feat of an EP?  Okay:  “Weeds” – Small Sur
• So JBM (Jesse Marchant) is finally releasing his “Not Even In July” album which comes highly recommended for those sad bastards out there like myself.  It is beautiful, sombre and worth your time.  The lead off track is included below and look for a full album release on July 27th.   “Cleo’s Song” – JBM

The “While I Was Typing This” Section:

• Tart at Love Shack, Baby put a nice instrumental track from eagleowl up today from their new EP “Into The Fold” – see it HERE.
• Frontloader put a classic track (for me at least) from PJ Harvey in acoustic form.  ACOUSTIC!  Visit for a great download of  “Down By The Water” HERE.

Blog post of the week by someone other than Slowcoustic (a la Knox Road’s “pick of the week”):

• HearYa put a devastatingly good session of Jill Andrews (see how I brought Sam Quinn and Jill Andrews in the same post…see what I did there?).  Wow, I think I played this session continuously at work as soon as it went up!  Find the videos and full MP3 download HERE.

That is all I have for now…enjoy the weekend!

~Smansmith

They Shoot Music (Don’t They?) have always been a great source for great impromptu videos and again I found myself receiving the reminder and just being blown away.  I thought I would post 3 videos of some of the latest – all great.

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Bonus:  Tiny Vipers “Dreamer” (mp3)
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Bonus:  “Hands In Pockets” (mp3)

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Bonus:  Taxi Taxi “More Childish Than In A Long Time” (mp3)

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~Smansmith