Bandcamp Friday Shopping List – March Edition
SO many great records are being released today. I’ve noticed an interesting trend lately – lots of new releases coming my way with album art featuring doorways. Guess we all have, you know, leaving on the brain. My urge for going is stronger than ever in some ways. One year into the pandemic and some of us are settling into the groove, many more are suffering, and everyone is just trying to survive. There’s a beam of light streaming through the crack in the doorway though – despite a frustrating rollout, lots of folks we love are at least halfway vaccinated, concerts are being planned for later in the year, spring’s around the corner. It’s been a long and lonely winter, but for the time being, as a lot of this artwork seems to illustrate, for the foreseeable future let’s settle on the inward journey. All these albums are great soundtracks for doing some deep introspection and communion with oneself. But hey, let’s all hope that portal comes our way.
The Hanging Stars – The Dolphins/Apples of Red
I fell hard for the Hanging Stars last year with their cosmic british psychedelia and incandescent lyrics. My infatuation with their sparkling third album, A New Kind of Sky, was sealed when I heard their “Song for Fred Neil.” While working on their fourth album high up on the eastern coast of Scotland, they recorded Neil’s timeless tune to make use of their last 30 minutes of studio time. The result is a mystical, soaring version, an ornate homage – all the beauty, with new life breathed in by the Stars’ ringing harmonies and celestial pedal steel. Out today!
Elkhorn – Southern Star
Guitar duo Jesse Sheppard and Drew Gardner were touring the Northeast in 2020 right before the pandemic turned things inside out. Luckily, many of these intimate performances were caught on tape and turned into this collection of six songs, one from each show. Mike Gangloff (Pelt), Nate Scheible, Harmonica Dan & Ken Brenninger, and Jordan Perry all contribute to weave a lustrous, intimate tapestry in conjunction with the brilliant guitar work of Sheppard and Gardner. Out today on WarHen Records.
Drew Gardner – Drew Gardner
Yes, Drew has two albums out today – the above, with Elkhorn, and his self-titled solo debut. Recorded with Andy Cush (of Garcia Peoples) on bass and Ryan Jewell on drums. Gardner’s guitar work is just as intricate and interesting as his work in Elkhorn, but there’s a lot more room made for jam and improvisation, a looser, relaxed fit that makes for an enjoyable, yet still involved listen. Out today on Eiderdown Records.
The Modern Folk – Primitive Future/ Lyran Group
As the album name may indicate, this collection of American primitive moments, field recordings, strings, synth, and thumb piano. Side A is organic and improvisational, and side B gets weird and stretches the imagination and fingers. It’s about capitalism!! And not in a praiseful way. A thoughtful bend to what could easily be ”another guitar record.” Out today on Eiderdown Records.
Josh Medina – Drifting Towards the Absolute
A shimmering backdrop of twinkling synth, organ, and acoustic guitar make up the seven-song solo debut from Seattle’s Josh Medina. Nothing weird or out of place – just a fuzzy blanket of pleasing noise song after song. Out today on Eiderdown Records.
Juliet Quick – Glass Years
New Yorker Juliet Quick’s latest EP shows remarkable precocity and mindfulness. With lyrical depth and unwavering strength, Glass Years addresses depression, anxiety, assault, and global warming. Her voice is crystal clear, and the takeaway message is one of overcoming and liberation. Out today on Substitute Scene.
Naomi in Blue – An Experiment
British/Chilean award-winning journalist Naomi Larsson turned to song-writing as another form of storytelling. Produced by the excellent pedal steelist (and one of my favorite radio show hosts) Joe Harvey Whyte, the four-song EP is comprised of songs that are journalistic in the best way – straightforward and earnest, facing issues and identity with honesty and self-awareness in a way perhaps not possible within another medium. Musically packaged in a Laurel Canyon haze, An Experiment is a promising debut. Out now!
Bobby Lee – Origin Myths
Bobby Lee is standing in the dusty, glinting haze, decked out in all the trappings of Cosmic Americana, at that interstellar crossroads between Americana, American primitive, psychedelia and shoegaze. The songs positively vibrate, each shimmering song communing with the earth and stars and breathing refreshing life into the concept of instrumental music. Out today on Tompkins Square.
Valerie June – The Moon And Stars: Prescriptions For Dreamers
I haven’t heard this yet but based on what I have heard from the celestial siren that is Valerie June, it’ll be a dreamy, gorgeous collection of songs. June’s voice reaches through the atmosphere while her lyrics ground the listener back to earth. It’s going to be my first buy on Bandcamp Friday. Out 3/12.
GospelbeacH – Jam Jam EP
Sunshiney rock and roll band GospelbeacH has stepped away from their signature country-fried Pacific pop sound to record an EP of glam rock and bubble gum power pop covers. Band mainstays Brent Rademaker and Jonny Neimann are joined by LA legends Don Heffington and Bob Glaub to pay tribute to The American Jam Band, Chunky, Michel Pagliaro, Sandy Salisbury, and Crazy Elephant. “Albatross Baby” is the first single, out today. Out 4/16 on Curation Records.
Jeffrey Silverstein – Torii Gates
As usual, Jeffrey has provide a go-to for soothing, meditative, cleansing tones – but there’s an edge, a sophistication in this album, perhaps likely due to the more dire circumstances we find ourselves in. Barry Walker Jr’s pedal steel playing hits all the heartstrings, while Jeffrey’s reassuring voice and guitar latticework induces a powerful state of calm. Out 4/16 on Arrowhawk Records.
Nightjars – Modjeska
Nightjars is AJ Matias Bell’s first full-length EP, consisting of songs that were written between 2013-2019. The album documents coming-of-age in Orange County, exploring the intersection of nostalgia and place. Produced by Rosie Tucker, Bell’s voice is that of an old soul, their lyrics nostalgic and heartfelt. The title track is out today, and you can pre-order the full release out 5/7.
