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…And I’m back! Getting caught up this morning and I came across the new Feist video. Naturally, it’s amazing. Loving the cinematic montage quality of it – leaves much to be interpreted!
Hey friends,
I’ll be in Brooklyn for the week. I’ve been moving into my new apartment in Toronto and never got the chance to queue up some posts so I won’t be blogging for a few days. It’s been a while since I’ve done this, but it might be good to take a break and recharge. I’ve got some news and goodies coming up – until then, listen to that new Spirit Family Reunion mixtape (below) because it is oh-so good.
And if you signed up for the FWBA newsletter, you’ll be getting a mix and letter from me anyway. Haven’t done that yet? Enter your email address on the sidebar to your right.
I’ll be back soon!
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was without question, one of the best bands I discovered last year. I was completely blown away when they played for us at SXSW and have been listening to their record ever since they handed us a homemade cd. Since then I’ve taken every opportunity to sing their praises. Taking inspiration from the early folk, with that Southern foot stomping- hand clapping, whiskey drinking kind of vibe. Rather than emulating an era, they embody it superbly. You feel the authenticity in their full band instrumentation, dusty overalls and powerful harmonies. There’s not much kitsch or presentation, it’s just beautifully loud (enough for them to project their voices on street corners and farmers markets).
There’s a spirit to the band that sounds largely inspired by Southern Baptist church music, with hollering “Hallelujahs” they sound fit for pews and communion. So naturally, the theme for this mixtape is “unity” and is filled with hymns and songs of freedom. They explain below:
French/Finnish Duo – The Dø recently covered Janelle Monae’s Tightrope and brought that unique primitive yelping sound to it. It moves to a slow groove, Olivia Merilahti sings with vocals that sometimes have a life of their own. This is a fantastic cover.
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Have you been noticing a trend? That I only seem to be posting about female artists these days? It’s my subconscious telling me to pick up a guitar and fulfill my childhood girl band dreams. I know it. Anyway, Grouper isn’t something I’d typically dig, but there’s something spooky and muffled about her that really gets to me. She recently covered Dead Moon’s “Demona” for the latest issue of Yeti Magazine which includes a 7″ which you can grab And listen, below.
I fell in love with after I saw her open for Sharon Van Etten in San Diego. The Golden Record affirmed that initial infatuation and I’ve grown to deeply love that record over the last year. So when I saw this interview with her for L Magazine I was excited to find that she’s authentic and has overcome a lot. She’s a powerful woman who works outside of the limitations of what a song could be and for that, I’m a fan. Check out some more videos.
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If I were to come up with a visual representation of this song, it would be this video. Holly Newsom of has a way of making you feel uncomfortable. In the way that gazing into someone’s eyes can feel uncomfortable, or revealing your true feelings – it’s the moment when you admit you’re human and wait to be accepted. And this dance of awkward movements between this couple feels like exactly that. Combined with Newsom’s ability to use quiet spaces between singing as a device to communicate the tension in the room, this is one of the more real-feeling videos I’ve seen in a long while. Kudos to for putting this one together. You can watch more of their videos
‘s sophomore CYRK is a brilliant follow-up to her whimsical Me Oh My. There are so many interesting moments in this record, Greta trails along to the final sounds of a trumpet and a marching band beat, Falcon Eyed is a punky up-beat jam, The Man I Wanted is a lazy rock lullaby, Ploughing Out 2 is the most removed – with a muffled vocal effect and jangly percussion – she’s definitely grown in confidence with more of that full band sound. She’s most certainly detached herself from any comparison to Nico, Cate Le Bon is becoming a sound all her own. Watch her video for Fold the Cloth, below.
“Forget Me” is the new single from Chicago’s . These synthpop scientists have acquired every ingredient to a romance song and masterfully concocted “Forget Me” for all of us belt aloud. If I had a girlfriend, I would break up with her just so I could live this song. – Brandon
is set to drop their Young & Old LP on Vday through . It seems as though their sound has been steadily evolving since their days at sea – will be cool to see how much they’ve grown (or not). It also marks the one year anniversary? (for lack of a better word) of my work trip to Vegas. Yes, I spent last Valentine’s Day in Vegas with my two bro co-worker friends, and received quite the spa treatment thanks to my boyfriend’s sneaky schemes. This year, I’m going to stay as far away from Vegas as possible. This is totally off topic and only a funny story to me. Listen to their track Origins, below.
Tracklist
1. It All Feels The Same
2. Origins
3. My Better Self
4. Traveling
5. Petition
6. Robin
7. High Road
8. Dreaming
9. Take Me To Heaven
10. Never To Part