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Lee Gallagher and the Hallelujah – Highway 10 : Video Premiere
Lee Gallagher and the Hallelujah released their second full-length record L.A. Yesterday earlier this summer. Recorded at engineer and guitarist Jason Soda’s Palomino Sound studio (Trummors, Miranda Lee Richards), Gallagher’s heady, ageless cosmic rock and roll will hit the listener like a bolt of lightning. Soda’s searing guitar solos, Gallagher’s unique and impassioned voice, Kirby Hammel’s opulent keys, and the hard-hitting, visceral lyrics make this album an instant classic. I’ve been completely obsessed with it. Daily listening. Morgans Brother created an appropriately trippy video for the single, “Highway 10,” premiering here today. The video is a vivid reimagining of the…
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AC Sapphire – Desert Stars : Listen
“Ethereal folk rocker” AC Sapphire’s album Omni-Present was released in February 2020. Her dreamy vocals carry ruminative lyrics and accompany her unique instruments of choice. Produced by Matt Adams of the Blank Tapes, this is some good desert music! Check it out. Buy Omni Present on Bandcamp.
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Zephaniah OHora – Don’t Have That Last Drink
The highly anticipated sophomore record from Zephaniah OHora seems to be on the horizon. OHora recently released the b-side “Don’t Have That Last Drink” from the record produced by Neal Casal, made in Brooklyn in early 2019. Although OHora reckons this song is more reminiscent of his previous record than the new one, the song promises listeners more of his finely tuned classic country-western sensibility and his whiskey-smooth baritone vocals. Featuring a dream lineup of Jon Graboff on pedal steel, Jeff Hill on bass, and Neal on rhythm guitar from time to time, the new album is sure to be…
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Pacific Range – Studio Walk : Video Premiere
Curation Records isn’t only purveying cool Californiana canciones, but curating a community. To repeat Pacific Range labelmate Farmer Dave’s statement from a past interview, “the emphasis [in music] going forward is on family… You want to be with your community.” In that spirit, I asked some friends and fans to help write this article. It’s hard to imagine that only a few weeks ago, Curation Records was putting on a hell of an end-of-the-world party. Pacific Range grooved for almost two hours, putting their all into the last concert before the day the earth stood still. Today, in the midst of…
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James Elkington – Nowhere Time : Listen
James Elkington announced upcoming album Ever-Roaming Eye, out April 3rd on Paradise of Bachelors. Elkington is one of the best living guitarists today, but he’s also a multi-instrumentalist of staggering talent, adept at instruments I haven’t even heard of (mandola?). You can hear his brilliant playing on some of my recent favorite albums by Joan Shelley, Steve Gunn, Itasca, and Michael Chapman. “Nowhere Time” proves Elkington’s musical prowess extends beyond instrumental command into masterful songcrafting. While you’re waiting, check out his 2017 album Wintres Woma, as well as Ambsace, his release with fellow fingerstylist Nathan Salsburg. Stream the singles and…
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Mapache – Life On Fire
Hell yeah. Some summery seventies vibes bringin’ some sun on a winter’s day. Mapache’s self-titled debut was an instant California classic, and this tune promises that their upcoming release will demonstrate their detailed historical knowledge and maturing musical prowess with effortless rhythms and intricate guitar playing that’ll have you flying past the palm trees on Sunset Boulevard in Echo Park, the Hollywood sign in view on a sun-lit day in your mind. Pre-order From Liberty Street on Bandcamp.
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Bonny Light Horseman – Deep in Love : Listen
No words, really. Why am I writing about music???? How dumb to try to use words to try to describe already perfect existing words and art. Listen to this song. It’s so fucking beautiful. Every piece is perfect. Ahhhhh Listen on your favorite streaming service and pre-order the album (to be released on January 24th, 2020 on 37d03d) and see them on tour. This is really something special.
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Vetiver – To Who Knows Where : Listen
Late last year, Andy Cabic and friends holed up in Yucca Valley, California to make a record that I’ve been eagerly anticipating the announcement for. Vetiver’s signature acoustic, soothing but surprising freak folk tones married with Thom Monahan’s shimmering production always equal perfection. Stoked to hear the full thing, and hopefully catch a show down the road from where the recording took place. I really need this album right now. Pre-order the album Up On High from Mama Bird Recording Co. here. Out November 1.
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GospelbeacH – Dark Angel : Listen
GospelbeacH dropped their first single today, “Dark Angel” from Let it Burn, out October 4th on Alive Natural Sound Records. Can’t wait for the full album and to see these guys live in the desert. “It’s pretty plain that it’s about loss and breakups and heartbreak. But there’s a lot of redemption there. I had to really dig deep to handle all this shit.“ Make sure to read my interview with Brent Rademaker, the man behind Gospelbeach, Beachwood Sparks, Further, and all my other favorites, to find out how this song and album came to light.
