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Loner folk legend Dave Bixby announces “Harbinger Orchestra”
Dave Bixby is a living folk legend, and quite literally developed a cult following. his definitive loner acid folk album, ‘Ode to Quetzalcoatl’ was recorded following a long period of time Dave spent in what he calls ‘the void’, a dark, depressive episode after a prolonged period of taking LSD almost daily. The haunting 1969 album was reissued by Spanish label Guerssen in 2009, catching the attention of private press collectors everywhere. Dave’s had a really fascinating life, beginning with his leadership within a Michigan-based Christian Cult only known as the Group. Always a loner and an adventurer, Dave left…
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Bill MacKay & Nathan Bowles – Joy Ride : Listen
Guitar and banjo virtuosos, respectively, Bill MacKay and Nathan Bowles have announced an album of duets, entitled Keys, out on Drag City on April 9th. Listen to the first single, “Joy Ride,” below. MacKay has been one of my favorite guitarists for the past few years, recording a slew of artful, interesting albums alone, and with an assortment of various instrumentalists, including fellow guitarist Ryley Walker, cellist Katinka Klejn, and now banjoist Nathan Bowles. Bowles has several solo albums under his belt and with bands including the Black Twig Pickers, Pelt, and Hiss Golden Messenger. The debut single from their…
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Cameron Knowler & Eli Winter – Strawberry Milk : Listen
What’s better than one acoustic guitarist? Two acoustic guitarists, interweaving and interloping, playing complementarily and conversationally, balancing classic folk guitar elements with modern experimentalism. Also, a fantastic rendition of Michael Chapman’s “Caddo Lake.” Longtime friends Cameron Knowler and Eli Winter offer all this and more on Anticipation, their upcoming record of duets, recorded on the tail of a long jaunt through the deserts and hills of Texas before landing in Houston. Check out the album opener, “Strawberry Milk” below: Winter’s album of three expansive, wandering tunes, Unbecoming, was one of our favorites last year, and we’re looking forward to becoming…
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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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Lizzie No – Holidays : Review
Lizzie No is the monarch of wide-eyed, bedroom folk pop, writing earnest, heartfelt songs filled with candid sincerity. Holidays is no different – a short and sweet collection of songs that capture a very relatable array of emotions felt throughout celebratory seasons. As a terminal grinch, I balked upon seeing the title of this EP, but Lizzie reassured me: “This isn’t a holiday EP in the traditional Christmasy sense, but rather a collection of festive moments full of discomfort. Because that’s what holidays mean to me.” “Birthday Party” captures every introvert’s awkward feeling at any gathering, a reminder of what we’re…
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Gwenifer Raymond – Hell For Certain : Listen
The Welsh guitar phenomenon has released the second single and video from her forthcoming album, Strange Lights Over Garth Mountain. Her playing is intense, intricate, and absolutely enrapturing. Not a song for soft background noises – this song’s enough to rouse some spirits, clearly. The album is composed of 8 tracks Raymond recorded herself in a basement apartment. Raymond says “I tried to take something of Welsh folk horror to make my own ‘Welsh Primitive.'” Pre-order Strange Lights Over Garth Mountain here. Out November 13th on Tompkins Square.
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Ran On Pure Lightning
This review is part of a series in which I review Neal’s solo records one by one chronologically, and chat with various friends and bandmates who were part of the making of each record. This short and sweet collection of songs released in 2002 came to be after Neal finished a tour as a part of Beachwood Sparks and joined the incredible Shannon McNally’s touring band, along with Neal’s friends Jeff Hill and Dan Fadel, who would stay up late after shows to listen to records and go on to form Hazy Malaze. Recorded at what was then known as…
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Black River Sides
This review is part of a series in which I review Neal’s solo records one by one chronologically, and chat with various friends and bandmates who were part of the making of each record. Last November, the entirety of Neal Casal’s solo discography became available on Spotify, and the difficult-to-find Black River Sides was at last available to the masses. This intimate-sounding live duet album was made with Neal’s good friend, Kenny Roby, on August 2nd and 3rd, 1999 at Bernie’s Black River, in Chester, NJ. Roby’s deep croon is a perfect foil to Neal’s silky tenor, and each song…
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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.
