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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.
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The Blank Tapes – Look Into the Light : Album Review
The Blank Tapes released their second album of the year, available today on Bandcamp. A seasonal companion to the Superbloom EP, Look Into the Light is a heady, heavy autumnal record. The title track has a funky, tropical sound, a slight departure from their more summery, laid-back stoner jams. The Tapes’ characteristic lushness and fascinating, complex guitar work is present as always; but rather than their usual kaleidoscopic rainbow sound,…
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GospelbeacH – Let It Burn
“So the music helps, it’s everything. That’s why the album is called Let it Burn because you let those feelings burn. You don’t let the good stuff burn, you let the bad stuff burn.” When I interviewed GospelbeacH’s Brent Rademaker in July, he described Let it Burn as less PCH and more Sunset Boulevard. Let it Burn is the darker side of Hollywood – a drive after leaving a show…
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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.…
