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Sounds from the Bardo, Volume II : Experience!
Psychedelic Sangha, the NYC-based collective of ‘misfit seekers,’ is back with their second immersive, packable psychedelic experience. This time, Scott Metzger, Jeff Hill, and Tony Leone provide aural accompaniment to Jessica Angima’s guided meditation and Bubba Ayoub’s visuals. “We approached the music knowing that people would be meditating, so we wanted the music to be conducive to that,” Leone says. “We also hoped to lead the meditators on a sonic journey. The same way a dance band inspires its listener to dance, we wanted to invite our meditators to a “mind dance.” The three musicians’ goal was:• Keep the music…
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Juliet Quick – Circles : Listen
“Circles” is about filtering out the feedback of others and just living inside yourself, even if that isn’t always the easiest place to be. I have trouble doing that—I have had this lifelong compulsion to be perceived as ‘good,’ even to people who I don’t think are ‘good!’ The particular kind of depression I was in when I wrote this song, though, gave me some relief from that at times. It was much more difficult to care about pleasing people. There are a handful of external voices that appear in the song—advice-givers, pedantic men, crust punks—who are kind of gently…
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Bill MacKay & Nathan Bowles – Joy Ride : Listen
Guitar and banjo virtuosos, respectively, Bill MacKay and Nathan Bowles have announced an album of duets, entitled Keys, out on Drag City on April 9th. Listen to the first single, “Joy Ride,” below. MacKay has been one of my favorite guitarists for the past few years, recording a slew of artful, interesting albums alone, and with an assortment of various instrumentalists, including fellow guitarist Ryley Walker, cellist Katinka Klejn, and now banjoist Nathan Bowles. Bowles has several solo albums under his belt and with bands including the Black Twig Pickers, Pelt, and Hiss Golden Messenger. The debut single from their…
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Ailsa Tully – Parasite : Listen
Let Ailsa Tully’s latest single, “Parasite,” be a warning. The biting song faces power dynamics and imbalances within the music industry head-on, and Ailsa’s voice makes it clear she isn’t one to be crossed. Ailsa unites the world of her Welsh choral music heritage with field recordings and folk. Her work echoes the experimentation of Julianna Barwick but carries the huge heart of songwriters like Rozi Plain. Writing her first songs on the cello, Tully soon graduated to the bass guitar, that early classical technique ensuring she developed a bass playing style unlike anyone else. Add her tender, elegant vocals to…
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Jeff Frantom – Très rythmé
Jeff Frantom is one of my favorite guitarists, a true rising star in the LA scene. Somewhat of a child prodigy, his musical journey has traced quite an interesting arc – from slaying post-metal guitar solos as a tiny third grader, he grew up, went to USC and graduated with a Master’s degree in jazz guitar, started playing shows with more than a few local bands nearly every night up until the pandemic hit. And now here he is, gorgeously arranging and reimagining classical pieces. Jeff is a wonderful, patient player, a thoughtful collaborator, a true servant of the song.…
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Maria BC – Devil’s Rain
Late last year, we premiered the first single from Maria BC’s upcoming EP, Devil’s Rain. Today, they release the title track that sounds like a lost Cocteau Twins demo. Have a listen here. “When I was little, I would spend summer months with my grandparents in northern Ohio. My grandmother would sit with me on the porch during rainstorms and read me chapter books. While we sat on the porch swing one day, the sun came out while the rain kept pouring, and she taught me the term “devil’s rain.” I think it’s a Southern expression (my grandmother grew up…
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Cameron Knowler & Eli Winter – Strawberry Milk : Listen
What’s better than one acoustic guitarist? Two acoustic guitarists, interweaving and interloping, playing complementarily and conversationally, balancing classic folk guitar elements with modern experimentalism. Also, a fantastic rendition of Michael Chapman’s “Caddo Lake.” Longtime friends Cameron Knowler and Eli Winter offer all this and more on Anticipation, their upcoming record of duets, recorded on the tail of a long jaunt through the deserts and hills of Texas before landing in Houston. Check out the album opener, “Strawberry Milk” below: Winter’s album of three expansive, wandering tunes, Unbecoming, was one of our favorites last year, and we’re looking forward to becoming…
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Kishi Bashi – Early Morning Breeze : Listen
The extraordinarily talented Kishi Bashi has shared a tribute to Dolly Parton via Joyful Noise Recordings on the morning of her birthday from the album Coat of Many Colors, which is also having a birthday this year – 50 years, in fact. The cover introduces a subtly transformed sonic palette, including a short violin solo from the string extraordinaire. “I’ve always loved Dolly Parton,” he explains. “I think an artist’s personality plays a part in appreciating their work. I love how she’s always so generous and grounded in this crazy world of show business.” We couldn’t agree more 💖 Get…
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Yasmin Williams – Urban Driftwood : Listen
Northern Virginia guitarist Yasmin Williams just released the eponymous single from her upcoming album, Urban Driftwood, out on January 29th via Spinster Sounds. As a lover of acoustic guitar, Yasmin’s style thrills me – it’s far from the usual ambient fare that I often play in the background while I work, her combination of fingerstyle and lap-tapping is dreamy and highly engaging. Watching her play is absolutely enthralling – truly hope to see her live one day. “With all of the political & social discord that is happening in the US, I felt it was extremely important to include a…
