The White Soots 2nd Album

Rock/Blues/Psychedelic Kyle Byrum- Guitar/Vocals - Karl Benge - Bass - Kraig Byrum- Drums

The White Soots are best friends. They have known each other since birth. The White Soots are loud. Fun. They are obnoxious. You are guaranteed to have a good time at a White Soots show. They began playing in clubs in Dayton, Ohio in April 2009 and are constantly working toward bigger and better things, Like their 2nd Album. The material is written. And they are ready to roll. But like many Independent artists they need your help getting  the music to your ears, So they have a kickstarter. 

When a White Soots song comes up on my shuffle I immediately hit stop and scroll to the album (released 2010) and play the whole thing, every song on their debut album is excellent lyrically, vocally and musicality. Fueled by the guitar histrionics of Kyle Byrum, the Soots filter 70s arena sludge, 60s garage, and 50s rock n’ roll into an exceptionally engaging package. With copious doses of fuzzy psychedelia, deep rhythmic grooves and Byrum’s growling vocal delivery, The album was even voted the 32nd best album in the Top 50 best albums of  2010 by Cybucca Sounds, a website dedicated to underground and unsigned music.

 If you haven't giving them an ear yet and you like fuzzy, bluesy, psychedelic mix of guitar infused rock and roll,  Download it and listen and you will listen again and again. In order to titillate your ears and flexate your wallet listen and download their first album below for free.

Ok, are you all primed up and ready to go? Of course you now want more from this rockin trio. So gather up some change you've been saving and help them out.

   
Pledge $15 or more and receive a cd of the self-titled debut by The White Soots autographed by all 3 band members!

A contribution of $20 or more wins you a FREE VINYL copy of The White Soots new album, autographed by all 3 members of the band, in addition to the $15 pledge mentioned above!

Check them out on Facebook and Twitter

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Jim From The Moon

Glaciers rumble slowly across the landscape picking up bits and pieces of their environment as they proceed on their journey, carrying them along and dispersing them randomly in unlikely places far from their origin. Looking at their receding path a story emerges for those that look and wonder about such things.

Download, share, enjoy and as always, support. Click on arrow to play, right click individual songs, save link as, or click here download all

Jim from the Moon - To Live To Roam.mp3
Jim from the Moon - You Don't Hear The Dead Whine.mp3
Jim From The Moon - I Like You More Than I'd Like To.mp3
Jim From The Moon - New Years.mp3
Jim From The Moon - Panic King Gills/A Bit Of Soul.mp3

Jim from the Moon has been playing guitar and writing original music since he was 11. Growing up he spent summers with his family in Ireland. There, he was immersed in the culture of storytelling, with seemingly everyone able to pick up any instrument and play a tune. In high school he taught his two friends to play guitar and bass so he could start his first band. They played as the grungy punk rock band Utica with Drummer Evan Sheperd from 2002-’04, recorded demos "Algal Bloom" and "Death To Emo" and played extensively with the local punk rock bands of Northern suburban N.J.

In the winter of 2010-’11 he moved to Baltimore and quickly got together with engineer Mike Franklin at Hour Haus Studios to record the EP "I Am Going to Steal You," a short but rich collection of tunes written while in Ireland and Baltimore. It is a stripped-down sound highlighting Jim's unique take on the old Irish "Sean-nos" singing, strummed and plucked to a warm acoustic guitar. Soon after recording "I Am Going to Steal You," Jim started to play with local drummer Jeff Boyd. They began building an impressive repertoire of dark folk/space rock tunes as a two-piece. They have played many venues in Baltimore and D.C. (The 8x10, Joe Squared, Sidebar Tavern, SubmergeDC) and plan to expand their fan base while promoting their upcoming album (due out early 2012). 

Check him out of Facebook, Twitter and Website
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Joe Pug Free Sampler

On April 24, singer-songwriter Joe Pug will release a new studio album entitled 'The Great Despiser' the Chicago-based folk artist drafted The Hold Steady’s Craig Finn to sing backup vocals on the title track. The 11-song album was recorded in Chicago with producer Brian Deck (Modest Mouse, Iron & Wine, Califone).

As we all chomp at the bit in anticipation he released a five song FREE sampler download to hold us over in the meantime.

1. Hymn #101

2. Nation of Heat

3. Not So Sure

4. How Good You Are

5. Dodging the Wind

Join the mailing list and get a free EP 'In The Meantime' 

Joe Pug "The Great Despiser" Preview

Check him out on Facebook, Twitter Web
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Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros Here

Earlier in the year Alt-folk collective Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros announced that they were working on a follow-up to their 2009 breakout 'Up From Below.' Now the band have divulged a little more information about their sophomore full-length. The new LP album will apparently be called 'Here' and is due out May 29 via Community Music/Vagrant.

According to an issued press release, the band will release a second album before the end of 2012. “In the middle of the recording process we realized we were essentially making a double album. Being four years since our last album, the writing explored a wide variety of subject and sound, as it turned out we had a lot to say,” explained the band’s Alex Ebert in a statement. “Instead of putting it out all at once, we found that two different albums seemed to be forming. Alone these albums are albums. Together these albums express a varying and so relatively living portrait of our lives.”

Listen 'That's What's Up'

Free Download 'Man On Fire'

Check them out on Facebook, Twitter Tumblr and the Web
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Soul Senate- Good Side

Photo courtesy of Shane “Lord Fotog” Williams

Felicia Loud – vocals / Mickey Postal – vocals / Garrett Smith - guitar

Ed Vance - B3 Organ / Bucket – bass / FunkDoc Reading - drums

Moose Barber – trumpet / Tracy Ferrara - tenor sax

Good things are happening for this August Seattle Body of Funky Soul, Just recently opening for JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound at El Corazon and having also just releasing a new EP of funkilicious tunes 'Good Side' that'll put a groove in your moves. Give it a listen, and get it.

Bridging the decidedly funky sounds of the 60s & early 70s–such as the Meters, Stevie Wonder, and the Stax label of Memphis–with a distinct modern sound in the vein of Amy Winehouse, Raphael Saadiq, Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, and Mayer Hawthorne; Soul Senate claims their own musical territory with booty shaking grooves, well-crafted arrangements, sizzling horns, and memorable melodies. Ain’t no party like a soul party!

Check them out here Facebook, Website

Seattle Funky Folk Party Time!

MAKAR's "Funeral Genius" Lives Up To Its Name

Guest Post by Matthew Warburton cross posted at Screaming at the Wall

This is the second piece I'm writing for Popa's Tunes, which has been a pleasure, as well as an excellent opportunity to expose myself to some new music. He has a natural ear for the sounds worth paying attention to, so I never turn down the chance to work with him. 

In November 2011, NYC Indie Pop band MAKAR came out with their second major release "Funeral Genius," and the unique qualities of this album make it an extremely significant addition to my collection. Andrea DeAngelis and Mark Purnell are the core of MAKAR, both demonstrate their extraordinary affinity for singing and songwriting throughout the album, with Andrea on guitar and Mark on piano. "Funeral Genius" also features bassist Mark Nilges and drummer Dawn McGrath, and the end result is something that deserves attention.

I've only had my hands on the album for about a week or so, but I have been listening to it on repeat nonstop. One of the greatest strengths of this twelve-track artistic accomplishment is the technically flawless layering of multiple styles; the instrumentals alone provide a good look at the finely-honed talent of every member. Purnell and DeAngelis alternating on vocals further enhance the multi-faceted nature of their work, and no amount of genre labels or comparisons would really do MAKAR justice. Each song carries its own particular sound, but it all comes together as a complete and well-rounded album. I keep finding myself a little more appreciative of each track every time I listen to it.

I was already enjoying myself immensely just listening to "Funeral Genius," but after getting my hands on the lyrics I was blown away. The words to every song read like poetry, and despite the outstanding musical performance, I would consider this one of the most impressive aspects. The tone throughout each song comes across as folk with a dark taste to it, but the music is by no stretch of the imagination depressing. Mark and Andrea walk a very fine line with the words, but they do it with a level of style that makes the overall emotional impact something that makes you think and feel in a different kind of way. These lyrics have some real substance to them, and it raises my already massive appreciation for MAKAR's music.

Personal Favorite Tracks:

5. I Can't Tell You To Stay: One of the best bass lines on the entire album starts off this track, both Mark and Andrea sing, fantastic song. This is the one that really caught my attention.

I Can't Tell You To Stay.mp3

11. Three Times A Midnight: A slow paced, well put-together song that has an immaculate chorus. Every member really shines in this song, and the lyrics are superb.

Three Times A Midnight.mp3

12. Devil In A Dream: Perfect bluesy folk song, low tech recording with an acoustic guitar in a basement somewhere in Mendham, NJ. What more do you need?

Devil In A Dream.mp3

"Funeral Genius" is an album worth its value several times over, and any releases coming from these standout NYC artists in the near future will become an instant addition to my collection. Even if you aren't an indie pop fan, there's a good chance the hauntingly majestic sounds of MAKAR will change your opinion on the genre. In the meantime, I will be eagerly anticipating anything they come up with.

Purchase: 

Makar | Funeral Genius | CD Baby

Check them out: Facbook, Website, Twitter

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