Things are looking up, right? Concerts are being planned, the vaccine rollout is going swimmingly in the US, I even quit my old job and got a shiny new one. Everyone should be on cloud nine. But no, unfortunately, it seems that after a year of discomfort (thankfully that’s all it was) and disinterest, the problem isn’t fear or a bad job or lack of socializing or events – it’s just my bad brain. My jaw is still perma-clenched and only ONE thing is helping – that, of course, is music. Specifically the type that’s like a cool slice of…

Son of Buzzi is Blind Joey Deaf, the mysterious persona cultivated by Zurich musician Sebastian Bischoff. Earlier this year he released Fluss, a collection of “sound collages” made by layered, multi-dimensional guitar soli, electric guitar, and the sparkling, gentle sound of the river Limmat captured on New Year’s Eve. Bischoff is a talented player, and those field recordings are a differentiator, making Fluss stand apart from other guitar soli releases. Fluss starts out quite simply, with plaintive, acoustic finger-picking on “Die Riese,” then becomes more multi-layered, with resonance as drone enters the territory on “Wir sind das Wasser,” the strums…

Minor Moon’s album Tethers was released on 3/26, a cinematic, visionary record blending midwest Americana, smart lyricism, and iridescent harmonies. From beginning to end, each track contains lush, full orchestration, with Wurlitzer and lap steel adding sparkling, sweeping elements, and songwriter and band leader Sam Cantor’s sometimes winking, sometimes somber, always solid vocal delivery rounding out the sound. Selecting singles must have been a difficult feat because there are no weak moments on this album. The only frustration that comes from listening to Tethers is the bewilderment as to why they’re not more gigantic. Sam was kind enough to make…

Montreal musician Michael Feuerstack was kind enough to curate this week’s playlist for Petal Motel. Earlier this month, he released the album Harmonize the Moon on Halifax’s Forward Music Group. Formerly recording with The Wooden Stars prior to a stint under the nom de plume Snailhouse, Michael recorded this album all on his own at his home in the spring of 2020, pensive, lyric-forward songs that took shape over gentle, thrummed guitar. Harmonize the Moon is filled with ten gorgeous songs, Michael’s gentle, embroidered acoustic guitar complimented by pedal steel wanderings. His rich, warm voice creates an atmosphere of intimacy,…

Soon I will go to the mountains.. these are the songs I’m excited to listen to there. Last week I watched Without Getting Killed or Caught and was struck again at how the songwriters who write these stories of immense sadness and joy have such a lore that surrounds them which makes these stories even more vivid and compelling, and all the more heart-rending. Often the real-life stories are even more heartbreaking than the ones in the songs… and some are still living and smiling through it all, creating beauty despite tremendous pain. To me, this is the essence of…

Inspired by a recent conversation you’ll be hearing soon! Here’s a mix of songs both traditional and Morricone-inspired, and post-modern psychedelia, which capture the cosmic, mysterious energy spirals only found in Southwestern landscapes, made by musicians in New Mexico, Texas, Mexico, and of course California. You can listen on Mixcloud or on Spotify. TRACKLIST:Hacienda Brothers – SaguaroTrummors – Peacock AngelMIEN – RopesAndrew Collberg – FrontierUay – Para Entrar en la SierraGiant Sand – HeaventuallyJoanne Forman – Moon Castle IDiatom Deli – Sepiatoned RainbowLee Gallagher and the Hallelujah – Astral Plane BluesErika Wennerstrom – Staring Out the WindowBobby Lee – Looking…

Americana singer and songwriter Emily Zuzik had a birthday last week and to celebrate, she made us this great playlist of other Piscean musicians. The result is a dreamy flow of songs by artists who live in their own world just a bit, and through their music, allow us to visit. Emily is an LA-based Americana singer and songwriter. Her latest album, 2020’s Torch & Trouble, was produced by Ted Russell Kamp, and sounds very Sheryl Crowe with hints of both modern pop and classic country. Check out her Bandcamp to see the rest of her impressive discography. On the…

Another Saturday mix for you, again from my Bandcamp collection, a little more experimental this time around. Got some some elements of Indian classical, some new age-y, jazzy business, culminating in all of the pedal steel and bottleneck guitar of my dreams I’ve been really into instrumentals lately, particularly when I’m writing. I feel guilty about not paying attention to lyrics while I’m focused on other words, and I’m really interested in the concept of vocals as an instrument. There are a few songs here with lyrics, but I think the singing itself is especially important in contributing to the…