Field Report (Folkadelphia Session) features 2 New Songs

In case you forgot how great the 2012 debut album from Field Report was, this recent set the band played for Philly station WXPN's 'Folkadelphia sessions' is here to remind you. It features two tracks from that aforementioned debut along with two new songs I've yet to hear.

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

Song of the Week: Small Houses- "Oh, Hiding Out"

I gotta give a little love to fellow blogger's Songsfortheday and Slowcoustic for turning me onto the work of Jeremy Quentin and his indie/folk project Small Houses. A Michigan native, Quentin is now based out of Philadelphia and his latest album Exactly Where You Wanted To Be hits outlets today via Yer Bird Records. There's something about this album that has a classic old nostalgic feel to it, and for me it's highlighted by the simple harmonica filled track, "Oh Hiding Out."
Small Houses is out on tour now in support of the new disc, and I'm pretty stoked to find out that he'll be making an appearance down at SXSW on March 17th. For more info and to keep up with all the latest tour info you can visit his website HERE.



Small Houses- "Oh, Hiding Out"
Well I'm staying with a friend down on 20,
where the yelling ain't that hard,
and the yelling ain't that hard.

And the boys they're gonna shout with the living,
and stay just where they are,
stay just where they are.

I got a year to miss with every town I'm in,
and a girl just to break my heart.

And on the weekends we can drive into the city,
where the leavings left and far,
the leavings left and far.

Well St. Louis isn't gone, no it's hidden,
and waiting in my voice,
waiting in my voice.

And the boys, they hear my block when they listen,
and sing with every noise,
sing with every noise.

I got a year to miss with every town I'm in,
and a girl just to break my heart.

And although I said I meant it when I didn't,
let's dream of Illinois,
dream of illinois.

I got a year to miss with every town I'm in,
and a girl just to break my heart.
Well Sarah I can't lift just too much more than this,
there's my head, this town, and arms.

So, I'm staying with a friend down on twenty,
where the yelling ain't that hard,
and the yelling ain't that hard.


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

New Video: Adam Arcuragi- "Oh I See"

Adam Arcuragi's new album, Like a Fire that Consumes all Before It, has been on heavy repeat ever since it came out several weeks back. One track in particular that I keep getting stuck on has been the romping sing-along, "Oh I See" that Adam just released a new video for.
Here's what he had to say about the making of the new vid (via NPR)... "The video for 'Oh I See' is a compilation of snap-shots and footage taken on tours across the U.S. and Europe, traveling, practicing and in the studio. The idea was to clean out the hard drive and share a look into the many adventures we have found ourselves on over the past months and years.
Part of the reason we chose this song was because someone happened to capture a video in the studio, of the take, of the version of "Oh I See" that appears on the record. So some of the footage is literally of the moment we were making the song you're hearing. It's a thank you to anyone and everyone that has come to a show, bought a record, played on stage and shared in the wild experience that was the making of this album. All together, it is very much an affirmation that coincides with the spirit of the song: It is the baying of many, to the moon.
I can still hear the wolves calling from miles away .."
via NPR


more at http://adamarcuragi.com/ 

Song of the Week: White Birds-"When Women Played Drums"

I recently came across Philly band, White Birds who released their debut full-length yesterday called, When Women Played Drums. The band which is made up of 3/4 of the now defunct, Drink Up Buttercup, create a hazy lo-fi wall of noise on their debut, which is led by the sweet slow building title track.
Give it a spin below and read what the band had to say about their Feb. 14th release date. 

“We decided to go ahead and release this album as kinda a little fuck you to Valentines Day since it is most definitely a break up album through and through. The song itself is of that same nature, just being the ghost to your widow who’s now living her life on earth without you.”


http://truewhitebirds.tumblr.com/ 

Stream: Adam Arcuragi- 'Like a Fire That Consumes All Before it...'

One listen to the music of Philly's Adam Arcuragi and you can tell that the man is an old soul. It's no wonder as Arcuragi grew up listening to his grandparent’s collection of old country records and Southern hymns, while mixing in a little bit of Bob Dylan and The Beatles.
Armed with a new set of tunes, Arcuragi is readying his 3rd LP, Like a Fire That Consumes All Before it... which comes out on January 31 via Thirty Tigers. 
The new album is streaming in full right now if you head over to the folks at NPR HERE.
And be sure to check out his website here for all his recently announced tour dates, which includes a stop at Union Pool in Brooklyn on Feb 2nd.  




http://adamarcuragi.com/

The War on Drugs: live on Jimmy Fallon

After putting out one of the best albums of 2011, Philadelphia's The War On Drugs are continuing the good vibes into the New Year. The band made their television debut the other night on Late Night w/ Jimmy Fallon, performing the track, "Baby Missiles." Questlove even joined in on drums.
Also the band have a new 7" single coming out for, “Come to the City” via Secretly Canadian on Jan. 24. The B-Side for the single is a previously unreleased song called, "Don’t Fear The Ghost.” Check everything out below.

The Bailey Hounds- "Along the Gallows" (free download)

Philly band, The Bailey Hounds just released their first single, "Along the Gallows" off their forthcoming debut of the same name. The album drops this Oct. 30th, and if you act fast you can grab the song as a free download via the bands website or below.




visit http://thebaileyhounds.com/

William Fitzsimmons: Live from Philly (4/16)

There may not be a bigger roller coaster of emotions than attending a William Fitzsimmons concert. If you're familiar with Fitzsimmons' music, then you're well aware of the personal nature, intimacy and emotion that he puts into his songs. But what some people may not know about Fitzsimmons, is his uncanny wit and sarcastic comedic side. William is well known for his hilarious blog posts called 'Musings From the Beard', and is probably one of the funniest guys you'll come across. So when we caught Fitzsimmons' show in Philadelphia the other night at the Tin Angel (to see the photo gallery click here) , it was no surprise that the laughter and tears (so to speak) were ever present throughout his intense set.
Blending in tracks from all three of his LP's, Fitzsimmons had the crowd pin drop silent on newer tracks like "You Still Hurt Me" and 'Just Not Each Other", while older favorites like "It' Not True" and 'Passion Play" received raucous receptions from the sold out venue. In between songs, William was always engaged with the crowd, talking and joking on everything from, flannels, being one outfit away from being homeless, and how he's going to start writing happy songs, to a heartfelt thanks to the the crowd for supporting singer/songwriters. Always apologizing for his 'depressing music' as he would say, William manages to keep the atmosphere light and the crowd in good spirits. Other highlights of the night besides William's standout guitar skills, included a surprise cover of Tom Petty's "Free Fallin", new song "Find Me To Forgive" which William says is his personal favorite right now, the track "Hazy" by opening act Rosi Golan who came out for a duet, and the simply beautiful closing track "Good Morning."

Willliam Fitzsimmons on Myspace
Story and Photo's contributed by Robert Proffe

Our new 'Liner Notes' interview w/ The War on Drugs

Coming out with one of the finest debuts in 2008, The War on Drugs album, Wagonwheel Blues gave a uniquely fresh take on some classic sounds, creating a killer blend of psychedelic Americana. We caught up with frontman and founder Adam Granduciel in Brussels recently, to chat about the recording of the new disc, hitchin' a train to Philly, and getting caught on technicalities.
'Wagonwheel Blues' is out now on Secretly Canadian.

Rachael Yamagata live @ Johnny Brenda's- Philly 9/24

For fans of Rachael Yamagata the anticipation has been building for quite some time now, ever since news of her long awaited new album was announced. So it's no wonder that at Johnny Brenda's last night in Philadelphia that the pre-show atmosphere quickly turned into a swelling of chants waiting for Rachael to take the stage (to see the photo gallery from the show click here). Yamagata opened the set with a rare treat of "Collide" off her 2003 EP and then launched straight into the popular "Be Be Your Love", which as soon as she began playing had the crowd going nuts at least a full minute into the song. From there on out Rachael mixed in songs both off of her brilliant debut LP Happenstance and her new Elephants...Teeth Sinking Into Heart. Older tracks "Letter Read" and "Worn Me Down" were highlights as were the heavier tracks "Faster" and "Sidedish Friend" off of the new disc, which showcased her band of Jason Kanakis(guitar), Justin Saunders(Cello), Jon Flaugher(Bass), Chris Giraldi(Drums), and the opener Kevin Devine sitting in on guitar most of the set.

In between songs Yamagata was candid with the crowd, chatting on topics ranging from her difficulty in switching labels, to relationships and drinking. Towards the end of the set the festive night took another turn, as the band along with the crowd serenaded Rachael with a happy birthday champage toast. Back to the music, the intimate new track "Elephants" was also a standout with just Yamagata and her piano commanding the stage, while the tender "Sunday Afternoon" closed things out before an encore of the heartbreaking "Reason Why".

Rachael's new album doesn't come out until Oct. 7th, in the meantime you can preview new tracks over at RachaelYamagata.com

story and photo's contributed by: Robert Proffe

The War On Drugs-Wagonwheel Blues

Philadelphia's the War on Drugs are one of the freshest sounding new bands out there right now, as the 5 piece combine elements of indie rock, shoegaze and alt-country. The band who have been making waves in Philly and the east coast, have recently been signed to Secretly Canadian and are out with their debut LP, Wagonwheel Blues.
If you hear some hints of Dylan in the music it may be because the group was created when Adam Granduciel(vox, guitar) and Kurt Vile (guitar) met at a party back in 2003 and discovered their affection for the singer. Granduciel's vocals and imagery paint a picture of a time gone by and putting the Dylan comparisons aside he is a dynamic frontman and gifted songwriter.
There are plenty of stellar tracks on 'Wagonwheel Blues', from the opener "Arms Like Boulders", which sets the tone early with walls of gangling guitars and harmonica under Granduciel's urgent vocals. "A Needle In Your Eye #16" starts out sounding like Springsteen with it's hammond organ but then jumps into a full fuzz and reverb stomper. There are lighter moments on the album also, like the instumental "Coast Reprise" which feels like it was meant to be played with the windows down, driving down the Pacific Coast Highway as the sun rises.
Two other favorites off 'Wagonwheel Blues' are the frantic "Taking The Farm" which shows the bands spacier indie rock side and the 9 plus minute epic "Show Me The Coast".

The War on Drugs- and were not talkin' Nancy Reagan

Philly's The War on Drugs who have a new full length hitting stores this June, have made available a free download of their 2006 Ep Barrel of Batteries. If you haven't checked them out yet, the Ep is a good place to start. Think Wilco at their trippier moments mixed with maybe a hint of some Arcade Fire and Bruce Springsteen. Singer Adam Granduciel's voice is one of the more fresher compelling young voices around today and brings an undeniable urgency to the band's sound.
You can grab a free download of the group's Barrel of Batteries Ep here.
Also, you can preview three new songs off the band's upcoming full length Wagonwheel Blues which comes out in June on their myspace, which features the killer track "A Needle In Your Eye 16".

photo credit: Brad Love