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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…
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GospelbeacH : On Tour
GospelbeacH is bringing the sunshine to Europe this February. You can’t miss it, especially if you’ve never seen them. They’re the reason I go to shows in an almost insatiable, they brought me to so many other artists I love, Brent is probably the reason you’re reading this website! I’m listening to Let It Burn while I relay this story. After seeing hundreds of whoever came through my small town…
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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…
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Vetiver : On Tour
In the wake of the release of the astonishingly gorgeous Up On High, Vetiver just announced their east coast tour dates. Andy Cabic and his band, a tight-knit 😉 four-piece, put on a stellar show, one that I rearranged massive plans and traveled state lines to see again. Understated but intricate, they perform a lovely blend of old and new material. Despite Vetiver’s mellow, laid-back melodies, the band certainly rocks…
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Top 10 Most-Listened Artists of 2019
Musically, 2019 was set to be a banner year, and it was. It was also the most gutting. I think I went to more shows than ever before this year, I saw so many amazing bands and musicians and traveled all over the country to do so. Many of my favorites released gorgeous albums, and I discovered new favorites. I was able to meet so many new friends and talk…
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Songs of the Year : 2019
Spotify’s Wrapped feature delivered today, and although I obviously recognize the irony that I’m about to use their service to self-promote my vain tastes, it’s become increasingly clear that it’s a necessary (emphasis on) evil in the streaming age. I try to support artists by going to shows, buying merch, buying vinyl directly and using Bandcamp. Plus, you know, starting this website in hopes that my niche and small readership…
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Prana Crafter
Will Sol’s experimental, interstellar sonic scapes are hallucinogenic enough to make you shut your eyes and find yourself transported to his native Pacific Northwest woods. The man known as Prana Crafter‘s early life sounds like something out of an old-timey classic country album, murder-ballad included, but as we chatted, things in his life got spacier and spacier, much like his catalog. Tell me about your relationship to the Pacific Northwest.I…
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The Californiana Primer : Playlist
Here’s a draft I wrote on 8/16 when I started making this playlist, “What is Californiana, anyway? I don’t know, sounds made up. A true California album does not need to be made by California natives or locals, it can simply have influences of traditional sounds associated with those made in Laurel Canyon in the 60s. Working with Thom Monahan, or working with someone who has worked with Thom Monahan,…
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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.
