David Ramirez- “Ball and Chain”

A new tune from David Ramirez to grace your ears this morning. This one called “Ball and Chain” was recorded at the Hotel Cafe with backing vocals provided by Amy Stroup.

http://davidramirezmusic.com/

The Saint Johns- "Your Head and Your Heart"

I've had this Nashville duo on my radar since back in January when I discovered their song, "Your Head and Your Heart." The pair, Louis Johnson and Jordan Meredith now officially released the track via iTunes and it came with the added announcement of a new forthcoming EP titled, Open Water, which gets a release date of this Oct. 15th. Give a listen below.

https://www.facebook.com/TheSaintJohns

RY X- “Berlin” live for Cardinal Sessions

While out on tour in Germany RY X sat down for the folks at Cardinal Sessions and played this lovely version of his song “Berlin.” The track comes off his debut EP of the same name, which is in stores now.

http://www.ry-x.com/
http://www.cardinalsessions.com/

Washed Out- “All I Know”

This new album from Washed Out has been the perfect end of Summer soundtrack. Take a listen to the track “All I Know” below, and pick up his sophomore LP Paracosm which is out now via Sub Pop. 

http://washedout.net/

Augustines-"Cruel City"

It really doesn't matter whether the name is Pela, We Are Augustines, or just Augustines, Billy McCarthy and Eric Sanderson have been longtime favorites here on the blog. After the split up of Pela around 2009 the band re-formed as We Are Augustines and released their triumphant debut disc, Rise Ye Sunken Ships, which just so happened to have nabbed my 2011 'best album of the year' honors. Drummer Rob Allen joined the guys soon after and they took to the road for most of 2011 and 2012 touring and gaining support for the new project. Almost two years later the band has another slight change, renaming themselves simply, Augustines, and a new LP on the way. They just unveiled a brand new track off it yesterday titled, "Cruel City." 
The as yet untitled LP has a due date of January 21st, 2014.

http://www.weareaugustines.com/

New Video: Gambles- "So I Cry Out"

Sometimes a song will come along that just hits you like a punch in the gut. The lyrics, the emotion, the story, that perfect combination that can create goosebumps. That's how I got when I first heard the tunes of Matthew Daniel Siskin aka Gambles, and how I still feel today with each new track I discover from this talented new artist. His debut full length Trust comes out this Oct. 1st and it features this stunner of a track, "So I Cry Out" which he just premiered a new video for.

http://www.gmbls.com/

Volcano Choir- "Byegone" (Live on Fallon) 9/10/13

Volcano Choir's new album 'Repave' hit stores recently, and to celebrate the band made their network television debut on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon last night. Watch the band perform the track "Byegone" below.

http://volcanochoir.com/

New Video: Hayden- "Blurry Nights"

One of the true 'sleeper' albums of 2013 is Us Alone from Toronto Canada's, Hayden. It features the fantastic track, "Blurry Nights" which has standout guest vocals by Lou Canon. Watch the new video below.

http://wasteyourdaysaway.com/ 

Get to Know: Valley Maker

One of my favorite new finds lately is the Austin Crane led project, Valley Maker. Crane began releasing music under his own name while in college in Columbia, South Carolina a few years ago. Now he's relocated to Seattle, WA. and Crane just debuted his second full length, Yes I know I’ve Loved This World. Two songs that have stayed on heavy repeat include, "By My Side (Everlasting Life)" and "Only Time."
Listen below and stream the whole album over on Valley Maker's Bandcamp page now. 


http://valleymaker.com/

Wildcat! Wildcat!- "Garden Grays"

The Los Angeles trio Wildcat! Wildcat! will be releasing their much buzzed about self-titled debut EP next month. The band just debuted another new track from the EP, the dreamy end of Summer jam, “Garden Grays.” 
The Wildcat! Wildcat! EP is out Sept. 10 via Downtown Records.

 http://wildcatwildcat.com/

New Music: Kalle Mattson- "An American Dream/Darkness"

Woke up pretty excited this morning to find new music from Canada's, Kalle Mattson. He just unveiled a new split 7" titled "American Dream/Darkness" which comes as a preview from his soon to be released third LP produced by The Wooden Sky's Gavin Gardiner. Seriously looking forward to hearing more from this down the road, stay tuned.

http://www.kallemattson.com/

New Video: The National- "Graceless"

If it seems like all things on the blog these days are related to The National, it's probably because they're my favorite band who just so happen to have put out my favorite album so far this year, Trouble Will Find Me. See the the bands take on the album track, "Graceless" below, which they just released a comical new video for.

http://www.americanmary.com/

Shakey Graves- "Roll the Bones" (live session)

One of Austin's finest, the one man show known as Shakey Graves. Watch and learn.

http://shakeygraves.com/

Song of the Week: Gambles- "So I Cry Out"

There may not be an artist's music that has touched me more this year than the work of Matthew Daniel Siskin, Aka Gambles. His 'Far From Your Arms' EP has been on constant repeat with it's stripped back raw sound and emotional lyrics cutting right through me.
Gambles also has a debut full length on the way called Trust, and it hits shelves this Oct.1. The LP features the heart-breaker of a track "So I Cry Out" which premiered yesterday on Stereogum.  


GAMBLES- "SO I CRY OUT"

so here we are
in the final stand
kids grown up
by the hardest
of circumstance
its sad to blame
when things
go from good
to dark
we tried a very
long time to start
so I cry out
and I cry out
and you
hide your eyes
so I cry out
and I cry out
our world
we can not
recognize
but if we had
made
what we tried
to have
that boy or girl
would have
been
so loved
had a dad
so I'll cry out
and I cry out
and you just
hold my hand
so I'll cry out
and I cry out
but you
cannot look
in my eyes
and love
has hands
while the moon
holds the tiniest
eye
but whose to choose
who will grow
who will laugh
who will die
so I cry out
and I cry out
and you
cannot look at me
so I cry out
and I cry out
I wish that I felt
differently
so here we are
in the final stand
kids grown up
by the hardest
of circumstance

find more at http://www.gmbls.com/

Rayland Baxter: 'AshkeLon'

Rayland Baxter has a new five-song digital EP, AshkeLon out tomorrow, Aug. 20th.
The EP is named after the town in Israel where Baxter spent a pivotal time of his life. It was recorded live in one day, at East Nashville's Casino studio, and features three new songs as well as alternative versions of "the mtn song" and "driveway meLody," which were featured on his critically acclaimed debut,  feathers & fishHooks.
Baxter says...“AshkeLon is where I started writing songs and where I have returned numerous times. For me, that was where this all began," ... "It’s a very special place. It’s my little green garden in the desert.” (via Paste)

http://www.raylandbaxter.com/

The National: Live on 89.3 The Current

Watch The National play tracks "Don't Swallow The Cap" and "Pink Rabbits" for 89.3 The Current.



and as long as I'm on my big The National kick today, you might as well check out their 'full set' from Lollapalooza from a few weeks back too.

http://www.americanmary.com/

New music from Volcano Choir- "Comrade"

Several weeks back the Justin Vernon led project Volcano Choir released the first track off their soon to be released LP, Repave called "Byegone." It was a big soaring number, extremely promising, and had me wondering what the rest of the album would shape out to be. Well today the band just offered up another new track titled, "Comrade" that is equally as impressive. Go give it a spin below.
Volcano Choir's 'Repave' comes out September 3rd on Jagjaguwar

http://volcanochoir.com/

Get to Know: RY X- "Berlin"

RY X has a new EP coming out called, Berlin this Aug. 28th. Originally from Australia but now based out of L.A., RY X has often been compared to Bon Iver due to his soft falsetto. Don't let that sway you either way though, just see for yourself and give a listen to the emotional title track below.



http://www.ry-x.com/

Watch Bears Den Cover "Don't Save Me" by Haim

U.K. trio Bears Den recently broke news that Agape, their debut EP will be getting a U.S. release date this August 27 via Communion Records. To celebrate the release, the band will be kicking off several tour dates in the States with Mumford & Sons and Daughter. 

If you head over to their website now you can grab yourself a copy of the song "Isaac" which is available for free download. http://www.bearsdenmusic.co.uk/

Also be sure to watch their excellent cover of the Haim track, "Don't Save Me" below.

Western Lows- "'Grapevine"

I've always had a little soft spot for some 90's shoegaze, and L.A. band Western Lows pay homage with their latest track, "Grapevine." The song comes off their recently released album Glacial which is out now via Jaxart Records.

 https://www.facebook.com/WesternLows

Die Mason Die- "You're Lonely"

Young and talented London quartet Die Mason Die's music has been described as ghost-folk. One listen to their haunting new single "You're Lonely" and you'll fully understand why. "You're Lonely" will be released September 9th via Young & Lost Club.

https://www.facebook.com/DieMasonDieMusic