Burn The Bowery 'Top 12 Albums of 2012' (#'s 1-5)

So without further ado here's #'s 1-5 of my 'Top Albums of 2012' list.

#5 FIELD REPORT (SELF TITLED)
favorite track: "Incommunicado" (listen)
other standouts: "Evergreen" "Fergus Falls" & "Chico the American"

#4 OF MONSTERS & MEN- MY HEAD IS AN ANIMAL
favorite track: "Six Weeks" (watch)
other standouts: "Mountain Sound" "Dirty Paws" & "Slow & Steady"

#3 JBM- STRAY ASHES
favorite track:"Only Now"(listen)
other standouts: "Thames" "Ferry" & "On Fire On a Tightrope"

#2 LORD HURON- LONESOME DREAMS
favorite track: "She Lit a Fire" (watch)
other standouts: "The Man Who Lives Forever" "Lonesome Dreams" & "Setting Sun"

#1 DAMIEN JURADO- MARAQOPA
favorite track: "Working Titles" (listen)
other standouts: "Life Away From the Garden" "Reel to Reel" & "Museum of Flight"

Burn The Bowery 'Top 12 Albums of 2012' (#'s 12-6)

Well better late than never I guess. Here's my long delayed top 12 albums of 2012 list.
Personally it's been a year of a lot of ups and downs, and major changes in my life, which culminated in December with a move from the NY/NJ area to Austin, Tx.
As always I just want to say a big thanks to all that stopped by, left a comment, re-blogged, or got in touch in some shape or form. Hope you all had a great year and that even bigger & better things are out there for everyone in 2013.


#12 ALABAMA SHAKES- BOYS & GIRLS
Favorite track: "I Found You" (listen)
other standouts: "Hold On" "I Ain't the Same" & "Heartbreaker"

#11 DAVID RAMIREZ- APOLOGIES
Favorite track: "Stick Around"(watch)
other standouts: "Chapter II" "Goodbye" & "Find the Light"

#10 COLD SPECKS- I PREDICT A GRACEFUL EXPLOSION
Favorite track: "Blank Maps" (listen)
other standouts: "Holland" "Winter Solstice" & "The Mark"

# 9 TENNIS- YOUNG & OLD
favorite track: "Origins" (watch)
other standouts: "Never to Part" "Traveling" & "Take Me to Heaven"

#8 EVENING HYMS- SPECTRAL DUSK
favorite track: "Asleep in the Pews" (listen)
other standouts: "Arrows" "Spirit in the Sky" & "Cabin in the Burn"

#7 ALT-J - AN AWESOME WAVE
favorite track: "Tessellate" (watch)
other standouts: "Breezeblocks" "Matilda" & "Something Good"

#6 THE WOODEN SKY- EVERY CHILD A DAUGHTER EVERY MOON A SUN
favorite track: "It Gets Old to Be Alone" (listen)
Other standouts: "Child of the Valley" "Bald Naked & Red" & "Malibu Rum"

....stay tuned for #'s 1-5 coming soon.

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Ryan Adams- "Shining Through the Dark" on Conan

I have to admit I've been down on Ryan Adams and the last few records he's put out. So much so that I apparently completely slept on his most recent release Ashes & Fire. Long story short, I went to see the new Judd Apatow movie, 'This Is 40' the other night and I found myself completely falling in love with Adams' music all over again thanks to their placement. The film & soundtrack feature two tracks from Adams, "Lucky Now" off of Ashes... which closes out the film, and "Shining Through the Dark" a reworked track that appeared before on a charity compilation. Catch him playing the latter track on a recent appearance on Conan O'Brien last week.

2012 Highlights: Miner "Hey Love"

Naming an actual 'song of the year' is always to daunting a task for me to tackle at years end. But if I had to say what was probably a safe bet for my most played song this year it would have to go to the California group, Miner and their incredibly infectious track, "Hey Love." This song just keeps building and building, until you think it's over, then it kicks into even another gear. You can't help but want to sing along, clap your hands, stomp your feet, or just plain download it. Look out for more of these guys in 2013.
Give it a spin below.


http://www.thisisminer.com

2012 Highlights: Jesse Woods- "Danger in the Dancehall"

Back in October I found out that I would be moving to Austin, Tx. and I started to do some research on local artists in the area. Luckily I happened to stumble upon songwriter Jesse Woods, who as the story goes was discovered out of his garage by a passing by member of Neon Indian. Woods is readying a brand new LP, Get Your Burdens Lifted, no release date as of yet, but you can check out the albums first single, "Danger in the Dancehall" which was one of my favorites this year.


https://www.facebook.com/JesseWoodsMusic
http://jessewoods.bandcamp.com/

Milo Greene- "1957"

Inevitably at the end of the year when perusing around all the best of lists I'll find a band that I kick myself for totally missing out on and wondering how I did so. This years version comes in the form of Los Angeles band, Milo Greene and their track, "1957" which was released this past Spring. This song has been fitting right into my wheelhouse, fantastic guy/girl harmonies, soaring folk-pop.
You can grab their self titled disc out now via Chop Shop.



http://www.milogreene.com/

2012 Highlights: Broken Twin- "Beaches"

Beautiful, fragile piano driven goodness out of Denmark. The duo's debut EP Hold Onto Nothing is out now via Broken Records.


https://www.facebook.com/brokentwin

Lord Huron- 'Lonesome Dreams'

Some of my all-time favorite albums over the years all seem to have a running theme to them, a cinematic quality,  a narrative, or a clear beginning a middle and an end. The debut LP, Lonesome Dreams from Lord Huron fits effortlessly in this category, and the amazing thing about it is that it is only their debut disc. The group are led by front man Ben Schneider who created this alternate universe where the songs & stories live. From the lyrics, to the press photo's & videos, Schneider has been meticulous in conveying an idea & sound that mesh together.
He said in an interview with the Boston Globe ... “I think the basis of it all is a folk and country core. That’s the stuff I grew up listening to, and it influenced me a lot,” ... “I approached them like they’re frontier songs telling these stories from the West,” he says. “That theme and aesthetic guided the record. I was really focused on storytelling, not just lyrically but also with the sonic choices. I tried to do stuff that was evocative of movie soundtracks and spaces and places. I was trying to create those environments and then tell a story with the lyrics.”
Give a listen to the lead track that sets the stage of this great Western, "Ends of the Earth Below."


http://www.lordhuron.com/

Night Beds- You Were Afraid (live)

Via Dead Oceans: After performing at NYC’s Mercury Lounge in early Oct. Night Beds stopped by Braund Sound to perform their single, “You Were Afraid.” It’s the b-side to their recently released Even If We Try 7″, available now at SC Distribution. Night Beds returns to New York for a performance at Pianos on December 11. Before NYC, Night Beds head to London for opening dates with Sharon Van Etten and Wild Nothing. You’ll find all upcoming shows HERE.



more at http://www.nightbeds.org/

Matthew Ryan- "And So it Goes"

Been wanting to touch on the new LP from Matthew Ryan for the last several weeks. His latest album, In the Dusk of Everything came out the end of October and it's another stellar affair from start to finish. So far my favorite has got to be, "And So It Goes."

Gve it a try below and stream the new work over on his bandcamp page HERE.

No Internet, No Power, No Posts

Luckily I can say that there was no major damage here on my end due to Hurricane Sandy, just some minor inconveniences when you put it all in perspective. My neighborhood, my friends and the rest of the tri-state area didn't fare the same I'm afraid to say. My thoughts and prayers go out to all that were affected. Do what you can to help out, if you feel inclined.
Posts should be returning shortly, lot's to catch up on.

Oscar & The Wolf- "All I Want"

Belgium may be a wee small country in Europe, but the whole world knows it for some pretty sweet contributions like, chocolate, beer, friets & waffles to name a few. Pretty good in my book. One of my favorite new things to come from the tiny EU country is the band, Oscar & the Wolf. The Ghent based band recently released their new EP Summer Skin to some critical acclaim back in their native land, even grabbing some opening slots for bands like Warpaint and Mercury Rev.
The new disc is the bands second via PIAS records and it was said to have been recorded in an old abandoned church in Belgium over a four-week stretch. The EP is available now over on the US iTunes store, and you can give a listen to the dreamy atmospherics of "All I Want" below. 

also check out this very excellent version of their single, "Orange Sky" below. 


http://www.oscarandthewolf.com/
http://www.facebook.com/oscarandthewolf

The Dove & The Wolf- "Springtime"

The Dove & the Wolf are Paloma Gil and Louise Hayat-Camard, a French folk act that just released their debut 4 song EP. With a sound that's been compared to the likes of First Aid Kit, the pair craft mellow, hazy, acoustic gems highlighted by their first single, "Springtime."
You can stream the bands self titled EP over on their bandcamp page HERE.



https://twitter.com/doveandwolf

Die Mason Die- "Hold My Crown"

We talked several weeks back about the young UK group, Die Mason Die and their upcoming debut EP. We were pretty stoked with their first single, "Lost" & now the trio just unveiled a new track "Hold My Crown" via the site: blahblahblahscience. This one has a bit more kick then the first single, it's a nice steady builder, give it a spin below & download it via the bands soundcloud page.
The US release of the EP will be this November 5th via N.Y. label Heavy Rock.





http://www.facebook.com/DieMasonDieMusic

'Song of the Week': The Falls- "Hey"

I just recently discovered this Australian duo, The Falls. Their 6 track Hollywood EP came out during the Summer and it features fantastic harmonies and emotional songwriting, detailing the pairs relationship & break-up. Give a listen to the track "Hey" below and here's a little description from the bands website: "At a time when for most it would be the end of a relationship, for The Falls this feels like it is just the beginning... Almost subconsciously they have documented their whole relationship in their songs. The love, the betrayal, the heartbreak. While at times it is hard for them to wear their hearts so openly on their sleeve, for The Falls, it has been a huge part of their songwriting. As Stevie Nicks said "devastation leads to writing good things". In the fallout from Valentines Day, The Falls decided that rather than wallowing in self pity they would put their heartbreak to tape. So they pulled out their little tascam 4-track portastudio, which, with all its tape wobbles and noise, aptly captured the fragility of their hearts. These fledgling recordings were just the beginning of what has become their debut EP Hollywood.
 


http://www.musicfromthefalls.com/
http://www.facebook.com/musicfromthefalls

Get to Know: Valerie June-"Workin' Woman Blues"

One listen to Valerie June’s debut single, "Workin’ Woman Blues" and you can tell she's a force. Born and raised in Jackson, Tennessee, June is self-taught,  her music being dubbed 'organic moonshine roots music', mixing styles of old school country, soul & delta blues. On her debut full length she brought on board Dan Auerbach (Black Keys) and Kevin Augunas (Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros) recording at The Black Key’s Easy Eye Studio in Nashville.  

The single "Workin’ Woman Blues" sees it's release on Nov. 19th with her debut full-length Pushin’ Against A Stone slated for early 2013. Keep an eye out for this one.




http://www.valeriejune.com/

We Are Augustines: Live Session for XFM

We Are Augustines have been zig zagging across the UK for a good part of the past several months. While on a recent jaunt the guys stopped by the XFM studios to perform stripped down versions of 4 songs. Check out below their fantastic take on Damien Jurado's "Ohio" as well as album centerpiece "Book of James." To see the full session go HERE.





http://www.weareaugustines.com/

River City Extension- "If You Need Me Back in Brooklyn"

You don't exactly think of great Americana or folk music when you conjure up images of New Jersey. But this 8 piece NJ group deal it out and then some on their latest sophomore disc, Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Your Anger which came out this past Spring. I know I'm late to the party on the disc but a friend recently introduced me and I've been falling hard for this album. I keep coming back to this stunner of a track, "If You Need Me Back in Brooklyn." Listen below.



http://rivercityextension.com/

Trixie Whitley releases 'mixtape' featuring 2 new songs

Trixie Whitley fans have been waiting for this day for quite a while. The soulful Brooklyn singer recently announced that she'll be releasing her first solo full length called Fourth Corner. It's being released in the US this January 29th, 2013 and in Europe on February 11th. In advance of the new disc Whitley just put out a free mix (tips suggested) via Noisetrade that offers two of the new songs from her upcoming debut, "Breathe You In My Dreams" & "Hotel No Name." The mixtape also features a live performance from Rockwood Music Hall in NYC, an exclusive outtake, and a recording of the track she did w/ Black Dub (Daniel Lanois, Brian Blade) "I'd Rather Go Blind." 


http://www.trixiewhitley.com/

Daughter - "Youth" live on David Letterman 10/11/12

UK trio Daughter made their US television debut last week on David Letterman. They played "Youth" off of their fantastic 2011 EP 'The Wild Youth.'


more at http://www.ohdaughter.com/

New Videos: Sharon Van Etten "Magic Chords" & "Serpents"

Two new videos surfaced this past week from Brooklyn's own Sharon Van Etten. Via Jagjaguwar: First, it’s the official video for her song “Magic Chords.” Director Rick Alverson, who you know for his film The Comedy, pairs the song with a visual that is both stunningly beautiful and disturbing. Shot in Bloomington, IN last month, the video follows Sharon, dressed as puritan, through the woods and into a lake, all while she is having visions of naked bodies in piles. Also last night, Sharon and her band performed live on the esteemed BBC music program, Later with Jools Holland. They chose to play one of Tramp’s standout tracks, “Serpents.” Watch below.

Die Mason Die- "Lost"

Die Mason Die is a young UK group fronted by talented 19 year old singer, Samuel Mason, who was born in Wales, raised in Australia, and is now based out of London. Originally a solo project, Mason enlisted the help of some band mates for their new EP which is due out on Nov. 5th via Heavy Rock.
 Check out their first single, "Lost" below, which they also debuted a new video for last week. The "Lost" single is available on Oct. 15th.





http://www.facebook.com/DieMasonDieMusic

Aidan Knight- "A Mirror"

I recently discovered Victoria, BC-based songwriter Aidan Knight via a fellow blogger, Megan over at musicvsmisery blog (check her out here). Knight is set to release his second album this month called Small Reveal and it’s due in stores this October 23 on Outside Music. Check out the albums first single “A Mirror”  below. I love the atmosphere and arrangement of this one, dreamy strings & horns and it's funky offbeat rhythms. Give it a spin.




more at http://aidanknight.com/

New Video: Twin River- "Can't Keep This Alive"

Vancouver 5 piece Twin River released their Rough Gold EP earlier this Summer, but the group recently signed on board with the folks at Light Organ Records. Keeping the good vibes rolling the band just unveiled their new video for the EP's opening track "Can't Keep This Alive."
 
Twin River - Can't Keep This Alive from Light Organ Records on Vimeo.


http://twinriver.bandcamp.com/

Song of the Week: Bootstraps- "Sleeping Giant"

The self titled debut from Los Angeles outfit,
Bootstraps has been on heavy repeat the past several weeks for me, in my iPod, in my car, at home, you name it. The disc is so rock steady that it's been one of those albums that with each new listen I think I have a new favorite track. This week it's the shuffling beauty of, "Sleeping Giant" that's been working it's magic. Give it a spin below and stream the whole album over on the bands Souncloud page here if you like what you here.



http://bootstrapsmusic.com/
https://twitter.com/bootstrapsmusic

New Dan Mangan- Radicals 7" Single

I''m a big fan of Vancouver singer/songwriter Dan Mangan. In fact his 2011 release Oh Fortune made my Best Album of 2011 list with standout tracks like, "Post-War Blues" and "Rows of Houses." So I was pleasantly surprised to wake up with new music from Mangan in my inbox this morning in the form of a new 7-inch single, Radicals. 'The new release comes out digitally on October 16,  and features the song "We Want To Be Pleasantly Surprised, Not Expectedly Let Down", an outtake from his Oh Fortune sessions, as well as a cover of the Yukon Blonde track "Stairway."  
A physical version of the 7-inch will be available at all live shows, check out his website for all the tour dates HERE.


and check out a great live version of "Rows of Houses" off of his '11 release 'Oh Fortune'  below.  


http://www.danmanganmusic.com

Get to Know: Wickerbird-'The Crow Mother'

If intimate, dreamy folk tunes are your thing, then you need to seriously run out and get the new album, The Crow Mother from Wickerbird. The small solo project is the creation of Washington native, Blake Cowan. The LP was recorded deep in the woods of Washington state, and you can almost feel it in your bones when listening. The ambient and minimalist tones shine through, especially on the song, "The Fold." Give a watch to the video for the track below and tell me that the imagery doesn't fit the song perfectly.
You can also stream The Crow Mother in full over at Wickerbird's bandcamp page, where you can purchase it for only five dollars. Well worth it.



http://www.facebook.com/Wickerbird

New Video: The Alabama Shakes-"I Ain't the Same"

One of the big buzz bands of 2012 and deservedly so,  the Alabama Shakes have ridden a wave of success off of their soulful old school vibes. Their debut LP, Boys and Girls is full of goodness including the album track,  “I Ain’t The Same,” which they just released a new video for. It was directed by Jane Pollard and it is set at The Kinks singer Ray Daives Konk Studios in London.




more at http://www.alabamashakes.com/

The Helio Sequence-"Hall of Mirrors"

After a 4 year abscence Potrland electro-indie rockers, The Helio Sequence are back with a brand new album, 'Negotiations' out on Subpop Records. I was a huge fan of their 2008 breakout release, Keep Your Eyes Ahead, which featured probably two of my most played tracks of that year, the slow building "Lately" and the dreamy acoustic number "Shed Your Love."

The two piece, Brandon Summers and Benjamin Weikel recently stopped by their local Oregon Public Broadcasting station where they performed a kick ass version of the track, "Hall of Mirrors" off of the new LP.




from 2008's Keep Your Eyes Ahead:




 more at http://www.heliosequence.com/

Field Report-"Fergus Falls" live @wfuv

After a much anticipated wait for many, the debut album from Field Report is finally here. You can grab it now over at Partisan Records or over at Amazon here. In the meantime check out this gorgeous live performance of "Fergus Falls" performed live while at a stop at local NY radio station WFUV.

Can't wait to catch these guys live in the NYC area on Nov. 10th.



http://www.field-report.org/

'Song of the Week': The Bony King of Nowhere-"Travelling Man"

Not entirely that well known here in the States yet, Bram Vanparys aka The Bony King of Nowhere is a gifted singer & songwriter hailing from Ghent, Belgium. While living overseas briefly from '07-'09 I had the chance to get to know the man and his music, and he was as open and sincere as his voice is pure. His first two LP's earned him critical success across Europe and now he's readying his third album, a self titled effort which is said to have been recorded in one long creative night. It comes out in Belgium on Oct. 22nd and it should be available digitally through his website or online retailers.

The first taste off the new LP is the stripped back stunner "Travelling Man" which you can get familiar with below.



http://thebonykingofnowhere.be/ 

Matthew Ryan-"She's a Sparrow"

Listening to Matthew Ryan's music always gives me a bit of a nostalgic feeling. I can remember vividly being on a road trip with friends back in '97 & hearing his song, "Guilty" on the radio off his debut album 'Mayday.'  We were so floored by what we were hearing that we immediately found the nearest Tower Records (remember them?) to pick up the CD, and we went on to play the hell out of that disc on our trip, and we've been lifelong fans of his music ever since. Fast forward 15 years and Ryan is still putting out killer music, using the same timeless formula he always has of great storytelling, great music, and a unique point of view. There's never anything flashy, no bells and whistles, but always just enough new influences and a constant hopeless romanticism to his artistry to wow you. He's a throwback as artists go today, and one that we could use more of.

Ryan just released a brand new single titled, "She's a Sparrow" off his forthcoming album In The Dusk of Everything and it doesn't disappoint. The new album is self released & it comes out October 30th. Find out how to get it here, and be sure to listen & read along below.




She's A Sparrow
I'm leaving here
different then when i came
things can't be
what they were once they've changed

but let's go down to the mercy
let's play all the songs we loved
let's relive all that was beautiful
as if beauty was enough
i can still hear the laughter
over late nights in the flood
of a roar that broke a bright and brilliant heart
is it just too late or can't we even start.. again?

we settled down
time and disappointments took their toll
until we both stopped trying
and the summer turned to snow

now the sky is full of airplanes
no you can't make a wish
but you could throw your arms around me
like you did before all this
I'm sorry that i hurt you
i was lost and turning cruel
but i swear none of that darkness my love
was meant for you

she's a sparrow
and i'm a street
she's a sparrow
and i'm a street
she's a sparrow
and i'm a street
and i'll watch her float away
from me

Produced by David Ricketts & Matthew Ryan
http://www.matthewryanonline.com

Get to Know: Night Beds

Fresh off of signing on with Dead Oceans, Nashville based project, Night Beds have released their "Even If We Try/ You Were Afraid" 7" single. It's hauntingly beautiful stuff filled with strings and hush lullaby like vocals. Expect to hear a lot more from this group in the months to come, including the release of their upcoming full length 'Country Sleep.'

Here's a little blurb from the bands website about the forthcoming LP, "So the songs come together over acoustic guitars, over the first skeletal melodies, and then they grow. Yellen’s voice takes on a pure kind of thirst when wrapped in the sonic landscapes he devises. It’s searching. It’s taken several years to map everything out, but after a hiatus spent driving the deserts and prairies and coastal roads of the United States, sleeping in a hatchback or on friendly couches – after a long time spent alone – Night Beds has found a home in Nashville. Soon it will see the release of Country Sleep, a full-length album in the spirit of the vagabond, in the winding path to a place of good rest."



http://www.nightbeds.org/

Kalle Mattson- 'Lives In Between'

More great new music out of Ontario, Canada that makes me want to pick up and move up North of the border. This EP came out back in May but I only recently found it because of an interview that Gavin Gardiner (The Wooden Sky) gave with Mousertime blog, where he mentioned that he was producing a new record from Kalle Mattson. Being that The Wooden Sky are fav's of mine I checked it out and was thoroughly blown away. You can pick it up over at Kalle Mattson's bandcamp page by just naming your price. Don't miss out on "Waterfall" below from the EP, as well as "Come & Gone" off of his 2011 full length.



http://kallemattson.bandcamp.com
https://twitter.com/kallemattson

You can follow us on Twitter & Facebook too

Sorry I haven't been posting as much as I'd like to lately here on the blog. Life & work has been getting the best of me I guess, but I just wanted to let you guys know that you can also keep up on what I've been listening to via Facebook & Twitter, where I'm probably posting a little more frequently these days.
Thanks as always for checking things out!

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Song of the Week: Evening Hymns-"Asleep in the Pews"

I know this track has been out since 2011, but it's been blowing me away for the past few weeks and I wanted to share. I just only recently got turned onto Evening Hymns after seeing that they were opening some dates for fellow Ontario band, The Wooden Sky, and decided to give them a listen. The first two tracks I heard from the band, "Dead Deer" off their first LP, Spirit Guides, and "Asleep in the Pews" instantly had me hooked. Both tracks floored me, in the arrangements and lyrics, falling right into my sweet spot of music I love. The latter of the two tracks, "Asleep in the Pews" hails from the bands forthcoming LP, Spectral Dusk that has seen a delay in it's release from early Spring 2012 to a later date of this Summer, August sometime according to frontman Jonas Bonnetta. The new disc is said to be very personal and it was recorded in a remote log cabin in the woods of Ontario with some of the bands close friends (The Wooden Sky, Ohbijou, and City and Colour) who all make guest appearances on the disc. Get familiar with "Asleep in the Pews" below and head over to the bands website to check out their first LP, Spirit Guides & more.
 


Evening Hymns- "Asleep In the Pews"
I put my head on a hymn book and fell asleep
In the nosebleed pews it was too dark to speak
There was a man spitting fire whose words were familiar to me
He said "friends drag me out of here, pull this feeling from me"

So I spent some time in the woods, they were dark, they were deep
Long to come home to you, lay my lips down to sleep
But I got lost or was it found? I was running down a dream
Oh it was hard to explain all the pain that was running through me

This is something I am sure will be so hard to endure
And how that whispered breath would grow and get so loud
I try to work as hard as you hoping that it will cut through
To make you feel so loved and so proud

But now I'm waiting for some strength, something remarkable to change
Just like those leaves that turn to gold are then set free
Oh it was hard to explain all the pain that was running through me
Yes it was hard to explain all the pain that was running through me

Yes it was hard to explain all the pain that was running through me
On those nights in the woods, they were dark, they were deep

http://www.facebook.com/eveninghymns

New Music: Suburban Living-"Float In Clouds"

If there's any 80's new wave acts reuniting this Summer to tour, they need to look up Norfolk, Virgina's Suburban Living, aka Wesley Bunch to add onto the bill. Bunch combines elements of dreamy pop bliss and jangly new wave guitars that would make bands like The Cure and New Order envious. We loved his first single, "Give Up" that he released late last year, and now we have his newest track, the aptly titled "Float in Clouds" to help our minds wander off while were at work. Both tracks should be appearing on his upcoming EP which is slated for a release sometime this Summer.


http://suburbanlivingzzz.tumblr.com/

The Wooden Sky- In NYC Weds. 5/09 & Fri. 5/11

If you stop by the blog now and again, you probably know what a big fan I am of Ontario band, The Wooden Sky. Fresh off the release of their brilliant third album, Every Child A Daughter, Every Moon A Sun, the 5 piece has been out on the road supporting the new LP. The band rolls into our area this week in NYC, where they'll be playing shows at Union Pool this Wednesday night & Piano's this Friday night. Come on down and check them out, you won't be disappointed.
Here's one of my favorite's off the new LP, "It Gets Old to be Alone."



http://thewoodenskymusic.com/

Aunt Martha releases '87"

Constantly touring and recording it's sometimes hard to keep up with all the new music pouring out of Tim Noyes' project, Aunt Martha. Just last week Aunt Martha unveiled three previously unreleased tracks collectively titled, '87'.  The three songs, "Brian Breathing" "Kelly Mitchell" and "Earthquake" had all been around in some shape or form but had never seen a proper release. Here's what Tim had to say about '87' .... "These are the first recordings of these songs, but they were all written at different points over the course of last year. One in Maine, one in Montana, and one in the van on the streets of NYC." 

Check out a live performance of "Brian Breathing" below or head over to their website to stream all three tracks HERE.  

http://www.auntmarthaband.com/

Trampled By Turtled cover Arcade Fire-"Rebellion (Lies)"

I know I'm late to the party on these guys, but ever since seeing them on Letterman last week I've been scooping up as much Trampled by Turtles music as I possibly can. The band just unveiled a cover song of Arcade Fire's hugely popular "Rebellion (Lies)" which they performed for The A.V. Club and their Undercover series. 
Check out the Duluth, Minnesota bands most recent, Stars And Satellites, which is out now.


Trampled By Turtles covers Arcade Fire

http://trampledbyturtles.com/

Isbells- "Illusion"

Belgian band, Isbells came out with their second album, Stoalin this past March that features the hauntingly beautiful single, "Illusion." The new LP sees the Gaëtan Vandewoude led project expanding their sounds from their well received self titled debut. Here's some of what Vandewoude had to say on the new disc and it's cryptic title ..."While I’m tinkering with a new song, I tend to hum phonetic sounds or half-sentences which, at a later stage, will be replaced with sensible lyrics. But in the case of ‘Stoalin’’ I found myself unable to come up with an alterative way to express the feeling I was trying to convey. So I decided to keep the original word in, even though it’s a neologism. But as the meaning lies hidden in the emotion, I’m pretty confident the listener will get the idea.”   

Stoalin is out now via Zeal Records.


http://www.isbells.be/
http://www.facebook.com/isbells

New Video: Cold Specks-"Blank Maps"

I don't know if it's possible to fall in love with Cold Specks music anymore than I already am, but with each new little discovery of her music I find myself more amazed. The latest track to blow me away is "Blank Maps" which she just released a new video for that was directed by Olivier Groulx. "Blank Maps" appears on the double A-side seven-inch single, which also features the stunner "Winter Solstice." It's out now digitally on iTunes and physically on May 15th.  

Her upcoming LP, I Predict a Graceful Explosion hits stores this May 22nd via Mute Records





http://coldspecks.com/

Polica live on Jimmy Fallon 4/25/12

It's been a big week for bands from Minnesota, first Trampled by Turtles made their network television debut on Letterman this past Tuesday, and now the Channy Casselle led group Polica made their big debut on Jimmy Fallon last night. I just recently got turned on to this band from a friend, and apparently Polica has been catching a lot of buzz courtesy of high profile artists like Bon Iver, and most recently Jay-Z heaping praise on their debut disc, Give You the Ghost. The band performed "Leading to Death" off the new LP, watch below.


video via The AudioPerv


http://thisispolica.com/

We Are Augustines cover Damien Jurado- "Ohio"

Well this is just a slam dunk for me, combining two of my favorite artists into one great listen. We Are Augustines tackle, Damien Jurado's "Ohio" which appears as the B-side to their "Chapel Song" single released in the UK. The track also appears on their recently released iTunes live session, along with the Bruce Springsteen cover, "Tougher Than the Rest" and the previously unreleased, "Ballad of a Patient Man."
You can also catch the band on TV tonight as they'll be performing on the Carson Daly show.  



www.weareaugustines.com/

Trampled by Turtles on Letterman 4/24/12

I've been hearing a lot of talk about Minnesota band, Trampled By Turtles and their new disc, Stars and Satellites. Despite all the buzz I never really had the chance to sit down and give the band a proper listen. While flipping through the channels last night I caught the band making their network television debut on The Late Show w/ David Letterman where they performed the song, "Alone." 
You can count me in on the hype, they were brilliant, watch below. 



http://trampledbyturtles.com/

JBM- "Winter Ghosts"

I know this is a little bit of old news to some, but I'm just coming off a little vacation, so you'll have to forgive me. Brooklyn's Jesse Marchant aka JBM recently released the second single, "Winter Ghosts" from his upcoming disc, Stray Ashes which comes out next month, May 22nd on Western Vinyl. Where the first single, "Only Now" builds to an explosive burst halfway through, the new track holds back keeping things quiet and mellow.
In other JBM news, if your in the NYC area on May 19th he'll be playing with Damien Jurado at The Mercurly Lounge, with the pair adding a late set at The Rock Shop in Brooklyn after the Mercury Show. I couldn't be more excited for these shows.
Check out his website for the all the ticket info and to download the first two singles, "Only Now" and "Winter Ghosts" HERE.




http://www.jbm-music.com/home.cfm

Harriet- "I Slept with All Your Mothers"

Former Dawes member Alex Casnoff has a new project out called, Harriet. Stepping out from behind the keys the multi-instrumentalist formed the L.A. band and released their debut EP, Tell The Right Story this January. Casnoff said of the new work ...“I finally feel like I can articulate what I’ve been feeling. I was the piano player in all these other people’s bands, and yet I never felt like a piano player. I always thought of myself as a writer, and there just came a point when I felt like I was ready.”
The five-song disc has an angst and an urgency to it, which is most evident on the standout track, “I Slept With All Your Mothers,” which is as an infectious a song as I've heard this year. Try not to belt out the chorus too loud if your at work though. 

Check out the new video for the song that was directed by Ethan Berger below.



http://harrietmusic.com/

New Videos from: She Keeps Bees

I was a huge fan of She Keeps Bees, the Brooklyn duo of Jessica Larrabee & Andy LaPlant. Their first two LP's, 2006's Minisink Hotel and 08's, Nests, are gritty, raw and power-packed with swagger. To my surprise I just found out that the band put out a new album last year called, Dig On, which somehow I completely slept on. I've been getting familiar with it the past several weeks and so should you. Start by watching two new videos the pair just released for album tracks, "See Me" and "Blind to the Cup" which you can check out below.



http://shekeepsbees.com/

Song of the Week: Cold Specks- "Winter Solstice"

A few weeks back I spoke about Cold Specks, the project of Canadian singer, Al Spx and her upcoming album, I Predict a Graceful Explosion. The new LP comes out this May 22nd via Mute Records/Arts & Crafts, and listening to the music of Cold Specks I can't help but think how aptly titled the new album truly is. Armed with a powerful and intimately soulful voice Spx's tunes have a beautiful slow building quality about them that just draws you in. She recently premiered the first single off the upcoming LP, a song titled, "Winter Solstice."
Here's a little blurb about the new track (Via The Globe and Mail): The album’s first single, Winter Solstice, is a graceful, stirring sort of field holler, concerning mortality and the passing of torches to a younger generation. Spx names Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Sam Cooke as influences. “Doom soul is how describe my music to people,” she says. “It seems to make sense to them.” 



http://www.coldspecks.com/

New Video: Eamon McGrath- "Great Lakes"

I've been really looking forward to the new record from Eamon McGrath called, Young Canadians. The album comes out this April 10th via White Whale Records and McGrath just released a new video for the track, "Great Lakes" which is a country tinged slow burner. The new video was directed by Peter Dreimanis for Vulture Culture Films.


http://www.facebook.com/eamonmcgrathmusic

New Video: Bryan John Appleby-"The Words of the Revelator"

Seattle musician Bryan John Appleby just put out a new video for the track, "The Words of the Revelator." The song comes off his fantastic 2011 album, Fire on the Vine which saw a release last Summer. For the video Appleby teamed up with the folks at Pull&Bear Heritage and filmmaker Christian Sorensen Hansen, shooting the video on the coast of Davenport, California.  

Pull&Bear Heritage presents "The words of the revelator" a song by Bryan John Appleby from Pull&Bear on Vimeo.
Bryan John Appleby-"The Words of the Revelator"
I have come into your house
You say there’s something I should know by now and I vow to hear you out
But as you speak, how I feel the sting
Like the hackles on a dog’s back I rise up to meet

The words you spoke in the middle of the night
They fall heavy like a hammer on my mind
You are the light in the darkness, you’re the fire on the vine

Oh my son, I have known your ways
But I’m the gale that’ll rattle your gate; you shudder, I make you shake
You will find what you did not seek
A road less narrow, a way not steep

Oh my child
Don’t you lose your place
Remember my table
Remember my face

And the things I told you in the middle of the night
They fall heavy like a hammer on your mind
I am the light in the darkness, I’m the fire on the vine

You turn away
I’m left alone
Then came a sign
Then came the Revelation

And I said,
You, you will not dig a hole in me
You will not chop down my tree
Or hold me under the water

No and you, you will not dig a hole in me
You will not chop down my tree
Or hold me under the water

http://bryanjohnappleby.bandcamp.com/
http://www.facebook.com/bryanjohnappleby

Great Wilderness- "The Enemy"

I first learned of Portland, Oregon's Great Wilderness in early 2011 when they released their dreamy 6 song EP, Rest. The EP was produced by Victor Nash (Point Juncture, Wa.) and I had to check it out because I'm a huge fan of Victor's work with PJW. Great Wilderness are continuing their relationship with Nash on a brand new single called, "The Enemy" that the band just released over on their bandcamp page. This comes as very good news, because hopefully this means a full length is in the works.
You can listen to the new track below, or go over to their Bandcamp to download it for free until the end of the day today.

Song of the Week: Victor Olston-"Wars"

      

I've been getting real familiar with Victor Olston and his most recent 'Heritage" demos. Though only a 3 song effort, the demos are a preview of things to come from this 5 piece Americana band based out of Shreveport, Louisiana. The group is putting the finishing touches on their new full length record down in Muscle Shoals, Alabama  this month with engineer Ben Tanner (Alabama Shakes, Band of Horses, Dylan LeBlanc). 
You can check out the 'Heritage' demos below and if you head over to their bandcamp you can also find their 2010 EP, Hunters Traps, which is equally as good.




http://victorolston.bandcamp.com/
http://www.facebook.com/victorolston

Sharon Van Etten & Shearwater Take on Nicks & Petty

The A.V. Club has been doing a very cool video series called A.V. Club's Undercover series.  The series which kicked off it's third season, gives artists a list of 25 songs to cover, with each time a band selects a track, it then gets bumped from the list. While recently in Chicago, Sharon Van Etten came together with her opening act Shearwater for a pretty kick ass version of the classic 1981 Tom Petty-Stevie Nicks hit "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around".


Sharon Van Etten and Shearwater cover “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around”

http://sharonvanetten.com/
http://shearwatermusic.com/

New Music: Sarah Jaffe-"Glorified High"

Sarah Jaffe premiered the first single off her upcoming album The Body Wins. The new LP isn't  due in stores until this April 24th on Kirtland Records, but Jaffe just unveiled the new track called, "Glorified High" over on IFC. The sophomore disc was produced by John Congleton, who has worked with Explosions In the Sky, The Walkmen, and St. Vincent.
Here's what Sarah had to say about the first single. (Via IFC) "Glorified High was a 30 second scrap of a demo that I sent to John Congleton while recording with him. It was among a handful of unfinished recordings that I sent to him to spark some ideas for new songs. Thinking about the song now that it’s complete, I’m fairly certain that the song would’ve never come into existence if we didn’t dig for it. I’m so grateful to John for that. A lot of the songs from this upcoming record were recycled hooks, or lyrics from short demos that I wouldn’t have thought twice about if it wasn’t for him."

Listen to "Glorified High" over on IFC HERE.

http://sarahjaffe.com/