Al Lover's Austin Psych Fest 2014 Mixtape Volume 2

Dig in to these groovies compiled by the incomparable Al Lover



TRACKLISTING:

1. The Brian Jonestown Massacre - Fade To White
2. The Dandy Warhols - Boys Better
3. Temples - Colours To Life
4. Panda Bear - Slow Motion
5. Morgan Delt - Beneath the Black and Purple
6. Peaking Lights - Cosmic Tides
7. Graveyard - Goliath
8. Cosmonauts - What Me Worry
9. The Fresh & Onlys - God of Suez
10. Bardo Pond - Taste
11. Mark McGuire - The Instinct
12. The Octopus Project - Perhap
13. The War On Drugs - Red Eyes
14. Pink Mountaintops - Lord, Let Us Shine
15. The Brian Jonestown Massacre - Anemone
16. Bombino - Her Tenere
17. Greg Ashley - She
18. Mind Over Mirrors - Storing the Winter
19. Guardian Alien - See the World Given to a One Love Entity (Part 1)
20. Higgins Waterproof Black Magic Band - Hugh Beaumont is Dead
21. Eagles Gift - My Siberian
22. Pure X - Thousand Year Old Child
23. Mirror Travel - Mexico
24. Mikal Cronin - See It My Way
25. Sleepy Sun - The Lane
26. Doug Tuttle - Turn This Love
27. Perhaps - Kamikaze
28. Roger Sellers - I Guess I'm To Blame
29. Secret Colours - It Can't Be Simple
30. Gnod - Visions of Load
31. Dahga Bloom - Zuu Zuu
32. Les Big Byrd - Indus Waves

The Bottom Dollars debut LP “Meet Me In Cognito”

Photo by Ky Digregorio

 Buffalo Berg, Chris Urriola, Brian Cherchiglia, Dan Shapiro and Sean Spada.

Big bodacious drums, shakin' rock and soul rhythms with great vocals and harmonies, bet your bottom dollar you'll be groovin' and movin' with Brooklyn's The Bottom Dollars debut LP “Meet Me In Cognito” released February 25, 2014 on all major digital retail outlets

PURCHASE
Engineered by: Owen McGreehan (Viking Sound Productions)
Assistant Engineer: David Brandwein (Galaxy Smith)
Mixing by: John Siket
Produced by: John Siket, David Brandwein & The Bottom Dollars
Mastering by: Fred Kevorkian (Avatar Studios)

FEATURING
Owen McGreehan - Backing Vocals, Auxiliary Percussion
Drew Schultz - Auxiliary Percussion
Sean Spada - Piano, Rhodes, Moog, Organ


LISTEN:


SPRING 2014 TOUR DATES: 

Feb 28 Davis Square Theater Somerville, MA

Mar 02 DC9 Washington, DC

Mar 04 The Royal American Charleston, SC

Mar 05 The Whiskey Wilmington, NC

Mar 06 Green Room Athens, GA

Mar 11 SXSW - Perpetual Tour Showcase (Spiderhouse) Austin, TX

Mar 12 SXSW - Info TBA Austin, TX

Mar 13 SXSW - Ham Solo Showcase & Taping Austin, TX

Mar 14 SXSW - Info TBA Austin, TX

Mar 15 SXSW - SXSocialWalrus Day Party Austin, TX

Mar 16 The Cove San Antonio, TX

Mar 19 THE SAIL INN Tempe, AZ

Mar 20 Lost Leaf Phoenix, AZ

Mar 21 Double Down Saloon Las Vegas, NV  

Mar 22 The Hood Palm Desert, CA

Mar 26 Silverlake Lounge Los Angeles, CA

Mar 27 Neck Of The Woods San Francisco, CA

Mar 28 Blue Lamp Lounge Sacramento, CA

Apr 03 analog theater Portland, OR

Apr 04 High Dive Seattle, WA

Apr 08 The Badlander Missoula, MT

Apr 10 Lost Lake Denver, CO

Apr 12 Bushwhacker's Denver, CO

Apr 15 Daytrotter Rock Island, IL

Apr 17 Amsterdam Saint Paul, MN

Apr 19 Township Chicago, IL

Apr 22 12th & Porter Nashville, TN

Pre-Order Farewell Transmission: The Music Of Jason Molina

Rock the Cause Records, a music based non-profit label is pleased to announce Farewell Transmission the Music of Jason Molina. Also involved is fellow blogger and friend Common Folk Music.

A double disc collection of Jason Molina favorites as performed by My Morning Jacket, Memorial Electric Company, Communist Daughter, Murder by Death, Sarah Jaffe and more!

PRE-ORDER ON ITUNES NOW!

A portion of the proceeds from Farewell Transmission will go to MusiCares, which supports artists dealing with depression, addiction, disability, and other health issues. Another portion of the proceeds will go to Molina's family

On March 16, 2013 Jason Molina passed away of natural causes after a longstanding battle with alcohol. Jason's death shook the world of many music-lovin' souls and the music world as a whole. At 39 years old, he left behind a remarkable song catalog and lasting impression on anyone who heard his music with Songs: Ohia and Magnolia Electric Co. Starting as a heavy metal bass player from Loraine, Ohio, he became one of the most influential and iconic singer-songwriters in indie music.

In essence, Jason was the “Pied Piper” for the outcasts, the lonely, the heartbroken, and the lost singing in some secret, abstract, yet universal language where everyone understands the deeper meaning of his imagery. Known for tapping into the heart of the working-man's blues, Jason's music is mythical, mystical, and brilliant creating a sound that is eerie and melancholic all the while remaining comfortable. So, it is with this album we would like to honor Jason's music, his memory, and his genius.

Rock the Cause Records, a music based nonprofit and record label, will donate a portion of the net proceeds from this album to MusiCares to help provide assistance to artists who are battling chemical dependency, depression, disability and other health related issues.

A portion of net proceeds will also be given to Jason's family to help provide for the loved ones he left behind. For more information on the charitable aspect of this recording please visit irockthecause.org

Disc 1

1. Get Out Get Out Get Out - Squares

2. Arm In Arm - Memorial Electric Co

3. Farewell Transmission - My Morning Jacket

4. Lioness - Enemy Planes

5. 7th Street Wonderland - Murder By Death

6. Alone With The Owl - Sarah Jaffe

7. Old Black Hen - Jonah Tolchin

8. Leave This City - Ben Lubeck of Farewell Milwaukee

9. Two Blue Lights - The Black Swans

10. Almost Was Good Enough - Bro Stephen ft. Jim James

11. Didn’t It Rain - Box Of Baby Birds

12. Memphis Moon - Cory Branan

13. The Dark Don’t Hide It - Gabriel Douglas ft. Drew Preiner

14. I’ve Been Riding With The Ghost - Fathom Lane

Disc 2

1. Trouble In Mind (Fade To Blue) - Memorial Electric Co

2. I Can Not Have Seen The Light - Matt Bauer and Heather McEntire

3. 34 Blues - Will Johnson and Briton Biesenherz

4. Hammer Down - Jim and Jennie & The Pinetops

5. Just Be Simple - Water Liars

6. Steve Albini’s Blues - Catherine Irwin

7. White Sulfur - Nathan Salsburg & Joan Shelley

8. Don’t This Look Like The Dark - Wooden Wand

9. Heart My Heart - Luke Redfield

10. Lioness - Viking Moses

11. The Big Game Is Every Night - Bottomless Pit

12. Hold On Magnolia - Communist Daughter

13. John Henry Split My Heart - Jonny James and The Hall of Fames

Listen: Farewell Transmission - My Morning Jacket

Listen: Leave This City - Ben Lubeck of Farewell Milwaukee

Listen: Alone With The Owl - Sarah Jaffe
Listen: Lioness - Enemy Planes
Listen: I've Been Riding With The Ghost - Fathom Lane

RELEASE EVENTS

3.14.14 Rock the Cause "Cause Rockers" Day Party @ SXSW Liberty Bar 12PM to 6PM - 500 advance compact disc copies of Farewell Transmission the Music of Jason Molina the will be on sale exlusively at the Liberty Bar starting at 12PM. Pick yours up before the 4.22.14 street date.RSVP here.

3.15.14 Los Angeles California @ The Church on York w Memorial Electric Company Tickets Here

Download> Hard Working Americans LIVE Park West Chicago, IL 2/22/2014

Hard Working Americans debut features 11 tracks written by a range of artists that include Randy Newman, Lucinda Williams, Kevin Gordon, Hayes Carll, Kevn Kinney (Drivin’ ‘N Cryin’), Gillian Welch & Dave Rawlings, Brian Henneman (The Bottle Rockets), Will Kimbrough, Tommy Womack, Kieran Kane, Chuck Mead (BR5-49), Don Herron and Frankie Miller (Elizabeth Cook).

Led by Snider’s intrepid vocals and backed by a band of ace players, the Hard Working Americans created fresh song arrangements to tell stories of the everyman and woman- the frustrated and downtrodden, the gritty and gorgeous, the blue-collar and no-collar- hard working folks that give this country a backbone.
Recorded at Bob Weir’s TRI Studios in San Rafael, CA, the album was produced by Dave Schools and Todd Snider and mixed by John Keane. Special guest artists include John Popper and John Keane.

As the five band members came together, they had no idea what to expect. Snider, known more as a songwriter than interpreter of songs, would just start singing and clapping, which then set the creative ideas in motion with his new band mates. This was uncharted territory as the players had not worked together previously, but it became an uninhibited, creative and fruitful environment as their chemistry was almost instant, a very pleasant surprise. In the end, the group created fresh and uniquely original arrangements of great songs, led by Snider’s intrepid vocals and backed by a band of virtuosos. The songs were then sequenced in an order that tells a story of the everyday person, the blue-collar worker, the frustrated, the struggling, the Hard Working American.
Buy from them or iTunes

Todd Snider - Vocals Dave Schools - Bass Guitar (Widespread Panic) Neal Casal - Guitars and Vocals (Cardinals and Chris Robinson Brotherhood) Chad Staehly - Keys (Great American Taxi) Duane Trucks - Drums (Col. Bruce Hampton’s School of Music)


Download Hard Working Americans LIVE Park West Chicago, IL 2/22/2014 All here, Individual below
01 – Into.mp3
02 – Blackland Farmer.mp3
03 – Another Train.mp3
04 – Is This Thing Wokring.mp3
05 – Welfare Music.mp3
06 – Stuck On The Corner.mp3
07 – Down To The Well.mp3
08 – Run A Mile.mp3
09 – Don’t Have A Gun.mp3
10 – Mountain Song.mp3
11 – Mission Accomplished.mp3
12 – Straight To Hell.mp3
13 – Guaranteed.mp3
14 – Wrecking Ball.mp3
15 – Encore break.mp3
16 – Play A Train Song.mp3
17 – Comes From The Heart.mp3
18 – Stomp And Holler.mp3

Source: Gefell M20s > Nbob actives > Aerco MP-2 > Sony PCM-M10 (24/96)
Taper: Dave Lewis

little hurricane Announce Tour Dates - Pre-Order New Album Gold Fever

little hurricane new 'Gold Fever' will be available digitally and physically on March 25th. You can pre-order the album direct here, or pre-order on iTunes here.

tickets go on sale this Friday, February 28th
5/02-Salt Lake City, UT - State Room - Tickets
5/03-Denver, CO - Larimer Lounge - Tickets
5/06-Omaha, NE - Waiting Room - Tickets
5/07-Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue - Tickets
5/08-Madison, WI - High Noon Saloon - Tickets
5/09-Chicago, IL - Schuba's - Tickets
5/10-Columbus, OH - The Basement - Tickets
5/13-Pittsburgh, PA - Club Café - Tickets
5/14-Washington DC - DC9  - Tickets
5/15-Philadelphia, PA - Boot & Saddle - Tickets
5/16-Boston, MA - Brighton Music Hall - Tickets
5/17-New York, NY - Mercury Lounge - Tickets
5/19-Nashville, TN - Mercy Lounge - Tickets
5/20-Atlanta, GA - The Earl - Tickets
5/22-Dallas, TX - House of Blues (Cambridge Room) - Tickets
5/23-Houston, TX - House of Blues (Bronze Peacock) - Tickets
5/24-Austin, TX - The Parish - Tickets
5/26-Scottsdale, AZ - The Western - Tickets
5/31-Portland, OR - Wonder Ballroom - Tickets
6/01-Seattle, WA - Tractor Tavern - Tickets
6/04-San Francisco, CA - Bottom of the Hill - Tickets
6/05-Santa Cruz, CA - Catalyst Live at The Atrium - Tickets
6/06-Los Angeles,CA - The Echo - Tickets
6/07-San Diego, CA - The House of Blues - Tickets

Release Day! New Electric Ride - Balloon Age

We hype alot around here about Beyond, Beyond is Beyond Records and radio show, with good reason. they deliver consistently great new music and bands, the much awaited first release of 2014 is from Souderland/London’s psych rockers New Electric Ride. Oozing with groovy vibes and thick with 60’s psychedelic masters influences, from Captain Beefheart, Beatles to 13th Floor Elevators ‘Balloon Age’ soars high and aims straight at 21st Century psych revivalists heart and announces we’re here join us on the ride.
Members:
Vocals/Guitars/Organs - Jack Briggs
Vocals/Bass - Adam Cole
Vocals/Organs, Electric Piano - Paul Nelson
Vocals/Drums - Craig Oxberry
____________

The Black Lillies Ramble Across America Spring 2014 Tour

By Steve Wildsmith, The Daily Times
Black Lillies front man Cruz Contreras knows a thing or two about the road.
After co-founding Robinella and the CCstringband with his wife, he spent nearly a decade traveling the road and making music from coast to coast. When his marriage – and the band – dissolved in 2007, he returned to the road … this time, as the driver of a truck for a stone company. It was here, over a year spent rolling down the highways of East Tennessee, that the songs and sounds that would form the nexus of The Black Lillies were conceived.

New Album Runaway Freeway Blues
1. The Fall
2. Gold and Roses
3. Ramblin’ Boy
4. Goodbye Charlie
5. Smokestack Lady
6. Catherine
7. Ruby
8. By the Wayside
9. All This Living
10. Baby Doe
11. Glow

Ramble Accross America Spirng 2014 Tour
Feb 26, 2014 - Lexington, KY @ Cosmic Charlie's - Buy Tickets
Feb 27, 2014 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Thunderbird Cafe - Buy Tickets
Feb 28, 2014 - Shepherdstown, WV @ The Shepherdstown Opera House - Buy Tickets

Mar 1, 2014 - Wellsville, NY @ Wellsville Creative Arts Center - Buy Tickets

Mar 2, 2014 - Buffalo, NY @ Sportsman's Tavern -Buy Tickets

Mar 3, 2014 - Rochester, NY @ Abilene Bar & Lounge

Mar 4, 2014 - Thomas, WV @ The Purple Fiddle -Buy Tickets

Mar 6, 2014 - Sellersville, PA @ Sellersville Theater 1894 w/ YARN - Buy Tickets

Mar 7, 2014 - Wilmington, DE @ World Cafe Live at the Queen w/ YARN - Buy Tickets

Mar 8, 2014 - Frederick, MD @ Weinberg Center For the Arts - Americana Festival - Buy Tickets

Mar 12, 2014 - Austin, TX @ Shotguns on 6th - SXSW -Buy Tickets

Mar 12, 2014 - Austin, TX @ G & S Lounge - NotSXSW

Mar 13, 2014 - Houston, TX @ McGonigel's Mucky Duck - Buy Tickets

Mar 15, 2014 - Austin, TX @ Threadgill's World Headquarters - Folk Alliance SXSW Party 

Mar 27, 2014 - Athens, GA @ The Melting Point - Buy Tickets

Mar 28, 2014 - Decatur, GA @ Eddie's Attic - Buy Tickets

Apr 4-6 2014 - Knoxville, TN @ Rhythm N' Blooms Festival - Buy Tickets

The Black Feathers - Debut Strangers We Meet

Based out of Gloucester's eclectic music scene, The Black Feathers, Sian and Ray have blended their talents together since '04 when they formed "Just to Annoy Ray" with Trevor Short, Rupert Irving, and Matthew Aldis a band with quite a unique sound, fusing elements of folk music from around the world with rock and funk. Moving on in '08 the duo kicked around the UK playing cover songs in clubs and pubs, looking to spread their feathers, Sian put pen to paper and started writing vocal melodies and words and Ray laid down some guitar rhythm's and harmonies, the result is a powerful, dynamic duo tapping a mix of Americana, old English folk with beautiful crafted lyrics and mesmerizing vocalization's.

"I find writing vocal melodies and words a very personal thing", says Sian. 

Back in Janurary '13 we brought you their demo EP and the Malmesbury Acoustic Sessions, now the long awaited 'Strangers We Meet' was released today it is well worth the wait, for this recording they have recruited some extra players to fill out the sound: mandolin, resonator guitar, percussion and electric guitar. Their beautiful harmonies and concise instrumentation bring a warmth and familiarity like raindrops falling on a tin roof, mesmerizing and hypnotic.
____________

Ashley Riley "All The Pretty Things"

"With a voice that soars strong and full and hushes soft and sweet, Ashley Riley pulls you into her songs of life's hardships and hopes.  Often compared to Stevie Nicks or Jewel, her sound is something you won't soon forget:  roots-pop infused with finger-style guitar, and a subtle, dreamy hint of Mazzy Star."

Ashley first took the stage as solo performer in her hometown of Decatur, IL.  Playing anywhere and everywhere as often as possible, she quickly found her place in Decatur's music scene.  Becoming the host of one of the local open mics, Ashley helped revitalize and nurture the underground singer-songwriter scene in Decatur.

In the summer of 2008, Ashley released her solo debut, Last One Standing.  Since then her songs have been featured on “The Midnight Special” radio show with Rich Warren, “Night Sounds with Dave Leonatti,” and Live 365's Women of Substance Radio.  Women of Substance Radio notes:  "Ashley's songs have an ethereal and delicate quality...  Her reverence for Americana artists like Neil Young and Patty Griffin is unmistakable.  She pens lyrics that are unsettling and sometimes even disturbing, as all good lyrics should be."  Illinois Entertainer puts it bluntly, "Make no mistake, Ashley Riley has an utterly gorgeous voice and a sound all her own."

All The Pretty Things was releasedd on Feburary 18th

Mainland's Debut EP Shiner

Photo by Sasha Lytvyn

Members:
Jordan Topf
Corey Mullee
Alex Pitta
Dylan Longstreet

New York rockers Mainland’s debut EP Shiner drops tomorrow Feb. 25th infectious garage rock and rowdy energy abound on the four song EP.

"It wasn't planned... It was about getting out of the city. Following the untimely loss of his father, Jordan Topf, singer/guitarist of Mainland, scraped together enough money to buy a van and set out with the band on a tour across America. It was an escape from everything that had encapsulated the last four years. Each night a new city, new faces, boundless freedom, a creative turning point for the band’s modern take on late 70's New York Proto-Punk. Despite personal troubles and uncertainty about the future, the group poured their inspiration into their new set of songs. While on tour in Austin, the band met Jim Eno (of Spoon) and began discussing plans to record the new songs at his studio Public Hi-Fi."


Upon the band's return to New York, unsure if their plans would come to fruition, the band continued to write and demo tirelessly. They chose 4 songs, their most furious, energetic, and unrestrained to date. When their plans to record at Public Hi-Fi with Jim were confirmed they set off once again for Austin Texas, this time by plane. The result is Mainland's new EP, Shiner. Recorded onto tape, the band expands their sound, tying together concrete drums, punchy garage-rock guitar riffs, rhythmic synthesizers, and driving bass lines into catchy rock and roll songs.


Often compared to artists such as The Smith Westerns, Television, and Palma Violets, the sound of the record reflects its various birthplaces; Downtown New York, (the birthplace of the band), Austin (the birthplace of the recordings) and California (the birthplace of the majority of the band members).


Shiner EP Tracklisting:
1. Savant
2. Shiner
3. Leave The Lights On
4. Heaven

If you're a trotter, Mainland's daytrotter session recorded Aug 27, 2013 is live and raw. The session includes two previously unreleased tracks:

The Active Listener Records Label Sampler

The Active Listener is one of my long time go to bandcamp pages for great psych discoveries and compilations, they've recently expanded into a record label of choice cuts. Check out the new sampler.

John The Conqueror's NEW album The Good Life

Photo by Cinthya Vong

Ryan Lynn, Pierre Moore, Michael Gardner 

There's a new funkin' blues man in town, Moore and his mates deliver eleven songs of powerful blues, hard scrapple delta mud under the figernails kinda blues, packed with move on or get the hell out of my way soulful passion.
The Philly-based (by way of Mississippi) blues-rock trio John The Conqueror have just wraped up their European tour, which has been a masive success with sold-out shows and extensive Euro media coverage. They'll be mapping out their national Spring U.S. tour upon their return

“I’m a blues man; all I got are stories,” admits John The Conqueror's singer-songwriter Pierre Moore. "When I started this album," Moore said, "I completely devoted myself to becoming a better writer." 

On 'Waking Up To You, Moore told Speakeasy.

“I’d fallen hard for a wonderful woman a few months before and she helped me clean up my life, I didn’t know how I would make it through those hard nights without her by my side and I couldn’t bring myself to tell her. I wrote her this song to tell her what I was feeling even though I knew she already knew. She’s the best thing that ever happened to me.” 

 The Good Life, will release Tuesday Feb. 25th on Alive Naturalsound Records  Listen to 'Waking Up To You'

Tracklist:
01. Get ‘Em
02. Mississippi Drinkin’
03. Waking Up To You
04. What Am I Gonna Do
05. Golden Rule
06. Burn Down The Cornfield (Randy Newman cover)
07. Road to Bayport
08. You Don’t Know
09. John Doe
10. Daddy’s Little Girl
11. She Said


Catch them 3/7/2014 at Milkboy 1100 Chestnut Street  Philadelphia, PA

John the Conqueror live at the 2013 Bayport BBQ Deep Blues Festival

Lily & The Parlour Tricks NEW Single Requiem

Brooklyn's Lily and the Parlour Tricks light up any space they find themselves in, spunky, funky and fun.
Lily’s songwriting influences range from The Andrews Sisters to Nine Inch Nails, with heavy doses of millennial pop and early rock n’ roll.

“‘I will write you a requiem’ was a phrase that had been rattling around my head for a while,” said Lily Claire. “I had been thinking about the way we—me, you, anyone—come to terms with the expiration of a relationship. The period of mourning can be so dramatic even if the ending itself is anticlimactic. I had tried the line in a few different places but nothing felt quite right until I wrote that bass line on the piano.”

Catch them 03.01.2014 at Rockwood Music Hall Stage II
196 Allen Street, New York, NY 9:30pm

Lily & The Parlour Tricks performing 'Made For Radio' on BalconyTV May 2013

NEW Video 'Sari Girl' from The Harmonica Lewinskies 2nd LP, "Dad Rock,"

Friday, February 21st at the Bitter End, The Harmonica Lewinskies held their Album/Video release party for the latest LP 'Dad Rock' available on bandcamp. check out the rompin' NEW video below and look for them at SXSW

"Sari Girl" / The Harmonica Lewinskies from Oliver Fetter on Vimeo.

Listen> Lonely Beast from Brown Shoe's upcoming three part full length

Photo by Charles Hall

Brown Shoe is made up of four brothers—Aaron, Bryson, Ryan and Landon Baggaley. Their music has been described as an “imaginatively dense soundscape…alongside steady awe-inspiring rhythms and uplifting melodies.” Their four albums (The Wheat Patch, Vanity, Jackalope and The Gift Horse) received broad radio play, charted on CMJ, and garnered numerous TV placements. Their sound has drawn comparisons to Sigur Ros, Radiohead, Mumford and Sons, The Red House Painters, Bon Iver, and The National. In recent years Brown Shoe has crisscrossed North America a number of times, playing festivals, clubs, and colleges, winning over a diverse fan base across the country.
'Â Lonely Beast' is Brown Shoe's follow up to 2011's The Gift Horse and their first release since moving from Northern California to Los Angeles.
With spacious ambience and haunting beauty 'Lonely Beast' soaks deep into you. Listen below



Brown Shoe’s fifth release, Lonely Beast, is a full-length album broken up into three EP’s, the first of which will be released on February 25, 2014. The idea behind breaking it up into three parts is a convoluted one; you could chalk it up to the changing landscape of digital media (or whatever), or to the shrinking attention span of the general public.

"You could call it a “think piece,” says Bryson, “(just kidding.)” But really, when the idea presented itself, the final point was this: Why not?"

The band has always been pulled in two directions: simple and smart, and loud and big. Three EP’s means three concentrated sessions of recording and producing, rather than one long, protracted one. It means circumventing the pressure to release ten or twelve songs all at once simply because that’s the format an album was supposed to adhere to not that long ago. The band will write these new songs because that’s what’s exciting to them. It’s a way for them to be excited pretty much all the goddamn time, and to make music for people that feel the same.

This week from Mama Coco's Funky Kitchen

This week saw two stellar releases from the ever productive, eclectic Mama Coco's Funky Kitchen

"Goodman is not afraid to be your garage prophet. Listening to Isn't It Sad, his 12-song follow up to 2012's loner pop opus What We Want, one can't help but sense that the stakes are higher. The man of a million quips has opened the door of his bedroom, where once he crooned of sleepless evenings and girls with catchy names, and stepped straight into the blinding, emetic daylight of our culture. For all his laments and cringes, though, Goodman never retreats into the plush cave of irony. He wades through the detritus with sharp eyes and a potent scoff, scratching earworms out of his Fender with a rare sense of purpose in such a climate of wayward buzz bands."

___________
 Released 13 February 2014 All Music & Lyrics Composed by Michael Goodman, except for track 12: Music by Michael Goodman, Lyrics by Michael Goodman & Emily Oliveira
Michael Goodman - Vocals, Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Synth, Hammond Organ, Banjo, Vibraphone, Percussion
Oliver Ignatius - Bass, Synth on "This Is Our Youth"
Zac Coe- Drums Produced, Engineered & Mixed by Oliver Ignatius at Mama Coco's Funky Kitchen

"American Hymn," the debut full length by pop-psych-cabaret-soul combo Toot Sweet. Led by powerhouse chanteuse Mary Knapp, the record weaves through chamber folk, classical pop and vintage R&B, drawing additional influence from such disparate strains as disco and Balkan music, coalescing in one big sighing American Hymn." 

All songs and interludes written by Mary Spencer Knapp 2013* Recorded, mixed & mastered by Oliver Ignatius of Mama Coco's Funky Kitchen, Brooklyn, NY 2014 *In A Cold World and Cleaned Up include excerpts from the poetry of Emily Dickinson and T.S. Eliot (see individual tracks for details) Released 18 February 2014 Mary Spencer Knapp - vocals, accordion, piano, organ Benji Marx - upright bass, electric bass, electric guitar, mandolin Jesse Maynard - drums Alex Carter - tenor saxophone (2, 8) Marc Orleans - mandolin (5, 6) Hannah Sloane-Barton - violin (9) Tyler Kaneshiro - trumpet (11)

Secret Colours - Positive Distraction Part I

Secret Colours released Positive Distraction Part I digitally on Tuesday with Positive Distractions Part II being released digitally on April 29, 2014 to mark Secret Colours return to Texas for 2014's Austin Psych Fest. Positive Distractions Part I & Part II's combined physical incarnation will be issued on vinyl and cassette on April 29, 2014.
There is a parallel metaphor of evolution one could use to describe Secret Colours since releasing their sophomore effort Peach in May 2013. Two original members are all that remain of the sometime six-piece band from Chicago, Vocalist/Guitarist Tommy Evans and Drummer Justin Frederick. Within the transformations of relationships, the hardships of being independent, and the inspiration that comes from that independence, Secret Colours are eager to celebrate the much leaner four-piece collective, rounded out by newcomers Eric Hehr (Bass) and Mike Novak (Guitar) Secret Colours have taken a decidedly different direction with both parts of Positive Distractions– they’re relying much more on the live spirit that swells from the stage, but more so, the songs are unlike anything the band has put to tape over the course of releasing their debut Secret Colours (2010).

DA & The Jones debut LP Sirens

LA-based duo DA & The Jones will release their debut LP Sirens on March 4th. They've already shared album track "Could've Had It All," and today, they release the haunting title track, which features meandering melodies and shimmering, intertwining vocals.

 Before joining forces with Mindy, Daniel played in Brooklyn/LA band Ill Lit and later released a solo album entitled Long Way Home, which saw tracks featured in the hit comedy No Strings Attached as well as hit TV shows including Army Wives, Mercy, Pretty Little Liars, and more. Mindy also released a solo album, Mercy (Nov. 2013), which features the title track produced by friend & collaborator Moby. Mindy is featured on four tracks from Moby’s most recent release, Innocents, and she and Daniel are featured together on his recent single “The Perfect Life.” The duo has also toured with Moby, and Mindy has been featured alongside him on Conan O’Brien and KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic.
Daniel Ahearn & Mindy Jones first began collaborating as DA & The Jones in 2011, after both seeing success as solo artists. Daniel has had a handful of tracks featured in hit TV shows (Mercy, Pretty Little Liars, Army Wives & more), while Mindy is a frequent collaborator of Moby's-- her vocals are featured on four tracks from his most recent release, Innocents. The duo also toured with Moby around their debut EP last year.
They recently premired the title track Sirens on Impose Magazine, listen below.

Sirens Tracklist:
1. Sirens
2. Doubt My Love
3. Could've Had It All
4. I Owe You
5. If Only It Could Be
6. Love Lights The Way
7. Make It Right
8. Undone
9. Take Me Home
10. Crazy Along The Way

DA & The Jones LIVE:

2/25: Los Angeles, CA @ Little Joy (1477 W Sunset Blvd.) - FREE

3/3: Los Angeles, CA @ The Satellite (Record Release Show)

3/10: Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo

Mat D and the Profane Saints NEW Album Holyoke

Mathew deRiso - Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin, Banjo

Kurt Mullins - Fretless Bass, Lead Electric Guitar, Keys

Jeff Deignan - Drums and Percussion

Shawn Blomberg- Bass Guitar

Mat D and the Profane Saints new album Holyoke (release date March 04, 2014) was originally conceived as a solo album, production on Holyoke began in August of 2011 as a follow up to Mat's acclaimed 2010 release Plank Road Drag. Percussionist Jeff Deignan was asked to record drum tracks for the new album adding a new element to the sessions to round out the sound in an attempt to depart the percussion-less solo recordings of the past.
Upon rehearsing many of the songs slated for release on the album, it was decided that the project was leaning more towards a full band effort; despite the album's more subdued and personal tone in comparison to the Profane Saints earlier irreverent work on Small Town Burning and Dirt Town City Limits. After some argument and serious debate, the old recordings were scrapped almost a year later - even though the album was virtually complete. The band started over from scratch. As sessions continued the album transitioned from a solo recording to a full blown Profane Saints album. The group forged ahead into new territory, leaving little of the Rockabilly infused Country Rock of it’s past for a decidedly more progressive sound marrying a blend of Blues, Surf, Cajun, Old Time Country and Americana influences into an insurgent Roots Rock sound that better reflected the mood and the overall direction of the songwriting. Lyrically the album was inspired by the desert prairie landscape of Eastern Colorado, Western Nebraska and the Black Hills of South Dakota. The death of Mat's Father in 2008 and subsequent death of his Grandfather in 2011 meant many road trips back to his native State of Colorado to say goodbye. On the final and somber trip back home from Denver, Mat saw a sign on the edge of the interstate that read "HOLYOKE" and thought "Holyoke - there's nothing holy about this landscape...it all seems so forsaken…so barren.

" Mat's thoughts culminated in this statement: "I felt as though everywhere I turned and in every direction I was a half mile from hell." 

The inspiration had been found. The concept and theme of the new album took form recalling the topography, deep seeded legends and myths of the Old West. Snapshots of ghost towns and landmarks that lay in ruins with long lost angels of a golden age reborn as languished spirits in the decay of the modern world. Old train depots, dive bars, lonely highways and abandoned mines were translated into gritty tales of phantom railroads, ill-revered roadhouses and back door brothels with a salty cast of killers and ramblers that populated them; with death and the devil waiting for them all at the bitter end. Holyoke also marks a new beginning for the band with the addition of bass guitarist Shawn Blomberg, with founding members Jeff Deignan (drums/percussion) and Kurt Mullins (electric guitar / bass guitar) remaining as a revitalized and focused core the group with their eyes set firmly on the band‘s future, looking forward to hitting the road with singer-songwriter Mathew deRiso at the helm with plenty of Hard Luck Americana and Bad Man Ballads on tap.


Download Gambling, Girls and Guns

Left Arm Tan - Thurm Remaster

Troy Austin, Daniel Hines, Tim Manders, Jeff Scroggins

Left Arm Tan is Texas driving music that carries you from the Hill Country, through the Rust Belt, on to California highways and back. Hang your arm out the window and nourish your soul.

LAT, based in Fort Worth, Texas, is a band busy redefining Americana music. LAT writes songs that combine the sweet country harmonies of the Eagles, the blue collar ethic of Reckless Kelly, and the brainy lyrics of Wilco. Featured often on Americana Rock Mix
Thurm - Remaster released Febuary 19, 2014

PEP 'I Met A Boy' Video

PEP’s retro ‘50s and ‘60s stylings debut EP My Baby And Me came out last week, and here's a new video for 'I Met A Boy'

Philadelphia based Scottish Folk Rocker - Paul Saint John NEW Single 'Finn McCool'

Originally from the East Coast of Scotland (he was a founding member of the UK folk-rock group, The Cottonfield), now based out of Philadelphia, Paul Saint John is a one man band, he released his debut album – 'Eleventeen'  in September and it made it on my top ten releases of 2013, throughout the album, John’s crisp unique vocals used at times as call and response and his rhythmic guitar that he works as a drum beat create the sound of a robust band.  Scottish folk lies just under the surface of his songwriting as simple things in life oft overlooked anchor his story telling.
Earlier this month he recorded a new single 'Finn McCool' Get it for free in exchange for an email addy.

Free EPK from ReverbNation.com

Eleventeen is available as download at Cd Baby, iTunes, Amazon  Available as physical Cd at Cd Baby and Amazon.

Feel Bad For You Feburary 2014 Mix Tape

Oh those rascally FBFYers never miss a meme. 

Download

Title: Misery Over Dispute
Artist: Waxahatchee
Album (2013): Cerulean Salt
Submitted By: Truersound
Comments: The things you pickup hanging around a record store

Title: Oyster and Pearl
Artist: Amy Ray
Album (2014): Goodnight Tender
Submitted By: @philnorman
Comments: Most of Amy Ray’s non-Indigo Girls solo work skews Hüsker-Dyke, but this new country effort is full of great songs.

Title: Єлена (Elena)
Artist: ДахаБраха & Port Mone
Album (2012): Хмелева Project
Submitted By: hoosier buddy
Comments: This project by two Ukrainian bands (DakhaBrakha from Kyiv and Port Mone from Minsk) began with joint rehearsals in the Dniester River canyon amid snow-white flowered trees, hills of red clay and restless spring birds. Khmeleva Project is an exploration of traditional Ukrainian music and instrumentation driven by a “boldly go where no one has gone before” sensibility. Take a trip on the ethno-chaos train!

Title: Crazy
Artist: The Delta Saints
Album (2014): Drink it Slow EP
Submitted By: @popa2unes
Comments: 9 mins of killer blues from their recent 3 song Noisetrade EP get it!

Title: Cozmina
Artist: Otis Gibbs
Album (2014): Souvenirs of a Misspent Youth
Submitted By: @BoogieStudio22
Comments: Otis Gibbs’ new album, Souvenirs of a Misspent Youth, is my first of the new year. A top-notch set of ten storytelling songs. It was tough to pick just one song so I chose the first track.

Title: False From True
Artist: Pete Seeger
Album: At 89 (1989):
Submitted By: @tincanman2010
Comments: The ‘uncle of modern folk music’ died last week, his combination of talent, humility and political stubborness unparralled. He wrote recorded this song in 1968 in traditional protest style, and reinvented it for his spunky, Grammy winning 89, at age 89. YuoTube tip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFLMpzIoq7s)

Title: Mission From God
Artist: Pujol
Album (2012): United States Of Being
Submitted By: annieTUFF
Comments: These guys are rowdy fun.

Title: Now You’re Defeated
Artist: American Music Club
Album: California (1988)
Submitted By: toomuchcountry
Comments: As I submit this, the Super Bowl looms just a few hours away. But on Monday, many will be licking their wounds. Seattle or Denver will be wondering ‘what if…”. Gamblers will be lighter in the wallet. Homeowners will be pissed at friends for having wrecked their place during SB parties. Corporate America will be distraught as consumers can’t remember products and services advertised in overpriced, memorable commercials. And New Jersey will again lose to New York City despite actually hosting the game. When all that defeat happens, I will feel bad for you…kinda.

Title: It’s Gonna Be Easy
Artist: Doug Sahm
Album: Doug Sam and Band (1973)
Submitted By: Trailer – farcethemusic.com
Comments:

Title: Glass Armour
Artist: Laura Cantrell
Album (2014): Title: No Way There From Here
Submitted By: Simon www.beat-surrender.com
Comments: Always being a huge fan of Laura Cantrell and her latest
album is no exception, this track’s a co-write with another favourite
Tracyanne Campbell of Camera Obscura

Title: Southern United States
Artist: Leif Vollebekk
Album: North Americana (2014)
Submitted By: Mad Mackerel Music Blog
Comments: A lovely slice of thoughtful, conversational, rambling Americana that wouldn’t have been out of place on an early 70s Dylan album.

Title: “Motel”
Artist: Hayden
Album (2013): Us Alone
Submitted By: TheSecondSingle
Comments: Great song from the consistently great Canadian singer-songwriter that I wish I’d heard before making my year-end list.

Title: Insane in the Brain
Artist: Cypress Hill
Album (1993): Black Sunday
Submitted By: Rockstar Aimz
Comments: Get out of your winter funk and shake your ass.

Title: Coal Tattoo
Artist: Hazel Dickens
Album (1990): A Few Old Memories
Submitted By: Truersound
Comments: for WV, for Pete