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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…
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Fruit Bats – Holy Rose
One of our very favorite artists Eric D. Johnson, aka Fruit Bats, just announced a new record, The Pet Parade, that’ll be released on March 5th via Merge Records. Eric says, “It’s a floaty record with lots of hypnotic cry-alongs, but there are also some bona fide jams in there for swaying to.” Have a listen to the incandescent first single, “Holy Rose” below. “Holy Rose” is possibly the most “direct” song on The Pet Parade. I wrote this about the 2017 Tubbs Fire in Sonoma County and was finishing it up right when fire season was raging in California. My…
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Adeline Hotel – “Photographic Memory” and “I Have Found It”
Adeline Hotel makes me feel the way I felt when I “discovered” Yo La Tengo in junior high – such a warm fuzzy feeling, quiet but so big, delicate and unassuming. When Dan Knishkowy told me he was releasing an acoustic, instrumental companion piece to last year’s Solid Love, I squealed out loud. Solid Love quickly shot to the top of my favorites of the year list, with its warmth and tenderness. Dan has this refined sensibility, a way of using spaces and silence as part of the sonic experience, rather than simply trying to fill it. Good Timing by…
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Bobby Lee – Origin Myths EP
British primitive cosmic rocker Bobby Lee has announced a forthcoming EP, out March 5th on Natural Histories. Among a plethora of incredible British cosmic cowfolk musicians, Bobby stands out with his shimmering guitar tones, standing at that interstellar crossroads between Americana, American primitive, psychedelic and shoegaze. Hot on the heels of his excellent 2020 release, Shakedown in Slabtown, the songs on Origin Myths songs positively vibrate, lifting the listener to another plane with “Broken Prayer Stick” and “Enchanted Mesa,” odes to nature and the spiritual world. Have a listen to my favorite, “Fire Medicine Man,” and “Impregnated By Drops of…
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Stephen Heath – “I Can’t Take It” : Listen
Known for his precision guitar work in L.A. Takedown, as well as for acts like Paul Bergmann, Weyes Blood and Death Valley Girls, Stephen Heath lends his craft to a propulsive collection of original material—bristling with static, impulse, and freedom. His solo debut Gavin Gruesome, out now on Perpetual Doom, is a record of fuzzed-out, wide-eyed rock’n’roll. “I Can’t Take It” is an embodiment of frustration and being fed up…with myself, with surroundings. Kinda realizing that I am the only thing in my way. It’s also definitely a driving song…I imagine a lot of my music in terms of how…
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Redray Frazier – Better Man : Listen
Portland, Oregon-based rock ’n’ soul troubadour, Redray Frazier has some serious musical chops, opening for the likes of Lenny Kravitz and Ben Harper to touring with David Byrne. This is his first single for New York Greystone Music Group (run by Redray’s brother, whom I met at… where else? 11th Street Bar) after spending the better part of the last ten years playing shows, touring, and collaborating with a band. Redray says, “My record collection celebrates Nina Simone, Bill Withers, Jose Feliciano, The Beatles, Sam Cooke, Donny Hathaway, Jimi Hendrix, Roberta Flack, Labi Siffre, Richie Havens and so on,” comments Redray on his musical…
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Buck Curran: WFMU ‘The Frow Show’ Live Session (Feat. Jodi Pedrali) : Listen
Buck Curran: WFMU 'The Frow Show' Live Session (Feat. Jodi Pedrali) by Obsolete Recordings Bergamo-based guitarist Buck Curran and keyboardist Jodi Pedrali created this mostly-improvisational recording for Jesse Jarnow’s “The Frow Show” on WFMU. Buck’s 2020 record No Love is Sorrow and Morning Haikus, Afternoon Ragas have both been heavily in my rotation the last few months, both albums sensitive and intimate, slightly melancholy, and always atmospheric. It’s exciting to hear him go electric and let it ride with this live record. Get it on Bandcamp here.
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Trevor Beld Jimenez – Everybody, It’s Christmas
It’s difficult for everyone this year to muster up the holiday spirit. Fortunately for us all, Trevor Beld Jimenez, who just released his solo debut last month, is back, releasing more Christmas magic to bring good cheer and tidings to all with this special Christmas song, “Everybody, It’s Christmas.” If you’re having a blue Christmas, bundle up, fix yourself some hot cocoa, and let Trevor’s latest lift your spirits. Trevor shares how he found some joy this season after all. I was having a bit of a Charlie Brown moment due to the year and the season and everything that’s…
