Kalispell

Do you remember, folks, when I told you briefly about my buddy Shane's band Kalispell? Well, he finally released his full-length album Westbound a little over a week ago. I hitched a ride to Eau Claire so that I could be there for the CD release show and am extremely glad I did. We Are the Willows and The Daredevil Christopher Wright opened, which that in-and-of-itself would have been a good line up. But the final build up came from seeing Shane finally perform all his great tunes from the album, start to finish, with a full band. The stage was sometimes packed with the likes of violins, upright bass, steel guitar, drums, and even a cello; and sometimes the stage slimmed down to simply Shane and one other on stage. And it was good. His old-time infused Americana-folk is the kind of stuff I love.

My favorite on the album so far is probably track 2, Methodist Lift. How can you go wrong with a song that starts with the twanging of a banjo? And I really dig the lyric: "The church taught me how to hold a grudge, My brother taught me how to let it go, He learned from his father, and We learned from our fathers. Isn't that the way it's supposed to go?" And if you're not sold yet, you can download my second favorite track, Lucky a Hundred Times, for free. 

Give him a listen. Give him a try. Then go see him in town near you!

Aaron Espe "Songs From a Small Town"

I've simply fallen in love with Aaron Espe's album "Songs From a Small Town" (link to free download). He is an artist that was recommended to me by a friend a few years ago, though I never really looked into him then. Recently, I was perusing NoiseTrade (a site where all the music is available for free download) and saw the album there, remembered his name, and decided to give him a chance. Best choice I've made in a musical while.

The album starts off with "Small Town," a tune about the simplicity and small pleasures of living in a small town. His singing is story-telling. It's basic but heartfelt, just like a small town.

This next song "Change" is more mellow in tone. It is about not being able to accomplish quite what you want, how things sometimes just don't work out, and how that can sometimes defeat a person. It's an honest assessment of life, and Espe's voice and soft guitar chords give it credibility.

The pinnacle of the album is the second-to-last track "Faith and Doubt." Espe's Christian background comes out most clearly through this honestly emotive tune. The song rises and falls with strong guitar chords, but also with surges of emotions of wanting to believe and descents into soft hues of confession of doubt and unknowing.

Throughout the entirety of the album, where Mr. Espe rises above other folky singer-songwriters is in his honesty. He never shares too much, but he shares enough where one can identify and feel exactly what he is singing about. His gentle honesty has won me over. Maybe it will win you over too.

Some Jazz Favorites

I realized that I post a lot about dancing and a lot about current music, but rarely do I post anything about jazz music. This isn't a well-thought out post, but I figured it was about time that I shared with you some great jazz.

First and foremost, I'm nuts about Sidney Bechet and Skeets Tolbert (free downloads).

Mr. Bechet with my favorite rendition of "Summertime":

Skeets Tolbert (Alice and Thomas are dancing to "Hit That Jive Jack"):

Also:
Duke Ellington "East Saint Louis Toddle-oo":

Fletcher Henderson:

Well, gotta run. Too much blogging and not enough of doing what I really ought to be doing.

Adelyn Rose

Eau Claire, Wisconsin is best known for it's local legend Bon Iver (Justin Vernon), but it's also home to a whole slew of musicians, many of which you may not have heard of.

One of these bands, Adelyn Rose, just released their single "Never Get Tired" from their upcoming album release Mezzanine due out in March. After seeing these folks play shows and switch up their sound in the past year and get better with time, I'm eager to find out what the full length will sound like. But alas, the single will have to do for now (plus it's a free download from Bandcamp, along with other free downloads from their previous work). Check it out:

Dark, Dark, Dark

I live in a wonderful city (Minneapolis) where there is a rich artistic culture that thrives. This includes the local music scene. So many great musicians and musical admirers that call this city their home and thus help this rich musical culture thrive. With that all being said, I'm continually surprised by the amount of people who still have not yet heard of the local band Dark, Dark, Dark.

This band invokes a darker mood, though not grim.They have a sound similar to Beirut, as they utilize an orchestral sound, but that is also distinct from Beirut. Where Beirut often sounds like they are taking influences from the circus or carnival, Dark, Dark, Dark sounds like they are using influences from Eastern Europe. A darker, melancholy, Eastern European, orchestral sound.

My own experience with Dark, Dark, Dark started with brief exposure to as they were played on The Current. Then I downloaded one of their Daytrotter sessions, which I highly recommend. But the thing that did me in about them was when I saw them perform for The Walker's Music and Movies in the Park. They were commissioned to write and perform a live score to go along with the 1938 silent German film SPIES. The following video is part of that live score and is of one of the greatest live music experiences I've ever experienced (though you must forgive it, as the sound quality is not the greatest).

Oh, and you can find a free download of their single "Daydreaming" over at Bandcamp!

Months of Music

I haven't blogged in a long time, and then about a month ago, my computer died. And you know what the best thing about that is? That was the time that I wanted to blog the most. But I am a lucky girl and now have a temporary computer replacement. I really should be looking up a bus schedule right now, but first I want desperately to share with you some music that I've been digging on the past few months. Ready for it? Set. GO!

Jeremiah Nelson: Saw this guy open up for We Are the Willows. Liked him then, but his music is the kind that grew on me more and more as time went on. So listen to him, but let yourself listen through more than once. If you're anything like me, after about the fifth time you've listened to the album, you will be pumped to pass it along to your friends.

The Milk Carton Kids: I work at this really great cafe in Minneapolis where I have the chance to experience some really great up and coming musicians, and these guys were one of the best gems I've gotten to see there yet. These two guys are out of Los Angeles and are super nice fellas. Their tunes have a nice, mellow Ryan Adams feel to them and they sound just as great live as they do on their album. Their two albums are free on their website, and they also have a really great Daytrotter session, all of which are worth checking out and downloading. Then, if you get a chance, you should find out if they will be coming to your town on tour and see and meet them for yourself. Really, everything about these guys is worth it.

Kalispell: This is a friend's band, but I really am excited about their music. These guys will make something of themselves if they keep with it. Their folky tunes are the type that make you close your eyes and let your body gently sway as you sink deeper into a reminiscent mood. Listen to the following tune to understand what I mean if you don't already:



Their EP, Last Year, is also available to listen to on Bandcamp! And if you are in the Midwest and get a chance to see a show, you should go.

Yellow Ostrich

This song, Campaign, has been stuck in my head all night.

Trying to look up this song, I found out that Yellow Ostrich recently signed on with Barsuk Records. This means that the album The Mistress will actually be re-released with 3 bonus songs and it will be made into hard copy (ahem, CDs). How exciting for them! Currently, you can find some older tunes for free download over at Bandcamp, but that's it. Sorry, you'll have to wait for The Mistress to be re-released on August 16th to get those tunes.

Yellow Ostrich was originally started as a solo project by Alex Schaaf (the one in the middle in the picture). Fun fact: he is from Wisconsin. Feel the pseudo-local pride. After his temporary free release of The Mistress on Bandcamp, he later joined forces with Jon Natchez (bass, horns, vocals) and Michael Tapper (drums, vocals).

If you get a chance, you really ought to check out their Take Away Show. I've watched this video many many times and I'm continually impressed at how great this music turns out live. Their performance over at Big Ugly Yellow Couch is also worth checking out.

Sufjan Stevens "Sister Winter"

Stone Arch Bridge, Minneapolis

Here in Minneapolis, people are crazy about riding their bicycles. I have recently discovered why, as I now ride my bike to work. But much like dancing and music, I could try to tell you in words why it is wonderful, but my words will never suffice to describe the feelings.

Anyway, this post is not about biking, but about music. Late last night, as I finished my shift at my beloved workplace, I hopped upon my bike for the ride home. The air was heavy with humidity and the city skyline was partially hidden by a humid haze. The city was quiet and forward movement of riding my bicycle created a nice breeze. And the song that was playing on my iPod fit that moment and the way I felt.

That song was Sufjan's "Sister Winter" from Songs for Christmas. It may not be Christmas time, but the ambiance of the song was perfect for that moment.

This song is almost cinematic. It starts with the soft chords of the piano and the sounds of violin join in soon after, as Sufjan softly sings along to echo the same delicate sentiments. But as the song moves on it builds into a hopeful and promising energy. It was a beautiful song to start my bike ride home in my wonderful city of Minneapolis.



If you like this tune, you can find a free download, along with a few more from Sufjan, here.

J. Tillman

I may not love Fleet Foxes, but I sure do love Fleet Foxes' drummer J. Tillman. He has a deeper, sort of raspy, yet very rich voice that he pairs with mellow, low key folky tunes. His music is dynamic but not overdone. Thelonious Monk once said, “Trying to explain music is like trying to dance architecture” That's how I feel about his music. I will never be able to explain it just right, you simply have to listen. And really, you must, because it is that good.

My favorite song of his:

Free downloads can be found here!

You Really Ought to Know

You really ought to know about The Daredevil Christopher Wright.

I've heard about these guys before, but never really thought much about them until I had the chance to see them as an opening band for We Are the Willows EP release show. After they played, the thought kept echoing through my brain, "How is it that more people don't know about these guys?!?" Mostly, they run along the lines of indie pop-rock/folk with a singer/songwriter influence. They provided so much energy where it was due, but also knew how to respect the melancholy. And after listening to some of their recorded stuff (which is good), I would have to suggest that they were even better live and have probably only gotten better with time.

While trying to find out more information about these guys, I came across the interview they did with Relevant Magazine back from 2009 when they released their first full-length album In Deference to a Broken Back.  In this interview, band member Jon Sunde says, "Whenever you do something that you’re passionate about, there’s a large degree of frustration and questioning—all these kinds of these things—and there’s been that, too." So true. I don't really feel that way about music, but I feel that way about dancing. I love it, but there are moments when I can be frustrated with myself or with others. It either burns you out or pushes you back to the real reason of why you love it. Anywho, back to the topic at hand...


Daredevil Christopher Wright - The Animal of Choice from PeerValidated on Vimeo.

They will be releasing a new full length album sometime in the next year. Click here to hear one of their new tunes called "A Man of the Arts" (it's a mellow one that is lyrically rich). Until you can get your hands on the new stuff, you can check out their two Daytrotter sessions (here and here) and a free Christmas download.
Or feel free to straight up buy their record or EP. I'm sure they would appreciate that.

Mates of State

I think that you should give Mates of State a listen if you haven't already.  This husband and wife indie pop duo has become a standard in my musical collection. There is something meaningful, yet cryptic about their lyrics that are delivered forth with heartfelt pop energy and "shifting rhythms." Kori, the wife, is on the piano/synthesizer/electric piano/organ and occasionally the guitar; Jason, the husband, does drums and percussion. And the two of them together combine their voices to sing us their tunes.

They are best known for their songs the The Re-Arranger and My Only Offer (link to free download) from their 2008 release Re:Arrange Us. In June of 2010 they released a covers album entitled Crushes (The Covers Mixtape)...so if you're into covers, check it out. On September 13th, they will be coming out with more original tunes on an album called Mountaintops.

Not only are they doing all of this and touring too...they do it with two little girls in tow! It's hard for me to fathom what kind of energy it would take to be doing all that they do with the kind of energy that they have. Kudos to them.

If you're not sold just yet, go ahead and download their Daytrotter session and give them a try. During the last track "These Days" you can even hear their kids, which is adorable.

With all that being said, one of my favorite tracks is called Blue and Gold Print and it's been "treating me right":

Dancing Brain Dump

Like I said before, this week I've been really busy. I started a full-time job, danced as much as I could, and said good-bye to one of my best friends as her and her husband begin their nomad journey.

In the process, I've neglected this blog. But that doesn't mean that I've stopped thinking about dancing and music...but it does mean that I haven't thought through most of my thoughts. But nonetheless, I want to share with you some of the things that have caught my attention or resurfaced on my radar.


First: I am really enjoying the posts over at It's The Way That You Do It.
Highlights include:
- Getting better takes practice
- Great look into the progression of "Why Don't You Do Right"
- I can relate to his frustrations here and here.

Second: Re-found a video of Dax and Sarah thought I thought was quite cute. But then it made me realize that Dax and Alice both dance with their new partners the same way they danced with each other. Check it:

Dax and Sarah (Swinglandia 2010)

Dax and Alice (ALHC 2008)

(small insignificant note: I really enjoy the move that happens around 1:32ish)

Alice and Thomas (ILHC 2010)

It's not a bad thing, but I just think it is so interesting how each half of the first partner pair (Dax and Alice) made 2 new partner pairs that dance quite similarly.

Sharon Van Etten

Want to be soothed and hypnotized by some great music? Then you should listen to Sharon Van Etten. I heard her first single "Save Yourself" a while back, but it is her song "Like a Diamond" (link to free download) that has done me in. Her mellow, low key vocals are soothing, but the piano cords and soft drum rhythms create one to be drawn in and hypnotized.

The lyric, "I don't really know why but I have this sense I'm not feeling, like a diamond." is repeated many times throughout the song, which is okay. I think that many of us can relate Sharon's sentiment, that sometimes we just feel hard and unaffected by life.

Like A Diamond sung by Sharon Van Etten by western.vinyl

If you like what you hear, you should check out her sophomore release Epic. Read what the folks at Pitchfork have to say about it (plus, there is a free download of her song "Love More"!).

Elizabeth & The Catapult

For a good chunk of my day, I've had Elizabeth & The Catapult's song "Go Away My Lover" stuck in my head. The rhythm that the guitar, drums, and clapping kicks out sucks you into the song, but the lyrics and smooth vocals are catchy and stay with you even after the song is finished. Click (here) for a free download of the song!

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I haven't listened to these guys in-depth but I like them. They've become my background music in the past few days and they have served their purpose well. They have a mellow, folky, yet slightly dark feel. All of their albums are free on Bandcamp, so you've got nothing to lose. 

Here is the stream of their entire album After the Warmth:



This track, "Feverhead," caught my attention by its lyric "I will hold out my arms graciously and blind."



If you end up listening to them in-depth and form an opinion, you should share it with us all.

"Northern Lights" Bowerbirds

I know, I know...I just posted about these guys. But I just really love this song and its longing lyrics.

The lyrics:
I don’t need from you a waterfall of careless praise
And I don’t need a trophy for all the games I played
But all I want is your eyes
In the morning as we wake for a short while

And I don’t need you to catch my wandering mind
And I don’t expect a southern girl to know the northern lights
And all I want is your eyes
In the morning as we wake for a short while

And I do need the wind across my pale face
And I do need the ferns to unfurl in the spring
And I do need the grass to sway,
yes I do need to know my place

yet all I want is your eyes
in the morning as we wake for a short while

Because I do need the wind across my pale face. And I do need to know my place.

Check out the Bowerbirds page on the Dead Oceans site for some free downloads.

Horse Feathers: Beards and Folk

Before I start my post, I think you should know something about me: I love beards (on men). I'm fully supportive of facial hair in general, but man, beards really get me. Yes, I'm one of those weird hipster girls. I've come to embrace this fact.

Anyways, when it comes to music, I automatically associate beards with folk. I know this isn't always the case (Black Keys, Broken Social Scene, Electric Owls). But one case in which it is true is with Horse Feathers.

Horse Feathers, like Haley Bonar and Basia Bulat, is one of the musical groups that I keep coming back to time after time. When I'm asked who my favorite artists are, they come after my beloved Haley.

Horse Feathers started with just head man Justin Ringle, but has since been playing with a cello player and a violist/saw player.

I had the chance to see them perform at the Cedar Cultural Center last April. The richness and simplicity of the strings and the low key tones of Ringle's voice created what I can only describe as 3-D sound. I felt as though the music surrounded me, enveloping me into the essence of the music. And like I've mentioned with Local Natives, Horse Feathers is the type of group that is so much greater performing live, proving that they are in fact great musicians. Because of this fact, I strongly recommend you download both of their Daytrotter sessions. You can also snag some free finds from Kill Rock Stars Records.

Here they are performing a Tiny Desk Concert. It starts with my favorite song of theirs "Working Poor."

Bowerbirds

 Oh my goodness, why have I not really listened to the Bowerbirds until now?

I'm a "poor" college student, who really shouldn't spend tons of money on music, so I search for free (legal) downloads instead to fill my new music cravings. Well, a couple nights ago, I started to look up record labels to see if they featured free sample download songs from their artists. Many of them do, with Dead Ocean Records being one of them. They are home to The Tallest Man on Earth, John Vanderslice, and the Bowerbirds.

Anywho, I made a playlist of my newly downloaded music and at the top was The Bowerbirds. Instantly, I fell in musical love.
The first song was "In Our Talons" (from Hymns for a Dark Horse), which is upbeat and starts with an accordion. The three members of the band, Phillip Moore, Beth Tacular, and Matt Damron, harmonize their voices throughout most of the song, which makes me believe that it's the type of music they could create in their living room (maybe because it makes me think of the Indiana Boys' jam session). It also reminds me a little of Beirut, without the horn section.
This was followed by "Beneath Your Tree" and "Northern Lights" (from Upper Air). These songs were a bit more mellow and had more of the indie-folk sound that people usually identify them as having.

Anywho, I'm really tempted to spend some money and buy one of their albums now. Sometimes trying to save money only leads to spending more. (Update: I was responsible and didn't spend money.)

On a side note: while looking to see if the Bowerbirds were on Bandcamp, I came across another band called The Lighthouse and the Whaler that is worth checking into.

Haley Bonar's "Golder"

Like I stated in an earlier post, I once again completed my Haley Bonar collection when I picked up her newest album Golder at her CD release show. It was held on April 22nd at the Cedar Cultural Center, which is a venue I am appreciative (other than for parking purposes) that she picked for such a show.

I could write what I thought about the show, but it would be a pitiful attempt in comparison to what Natalie Gallagher wrote for City Pages (here).
What I can add:

• The set was actually designed by her sister Torey, who was also the one to do the painting on the cover of the CD (the painting was hung up at the show and Haley even wittily remarked, "We may even let you smell it for a dollar."). 
• It is not surprising that the set list, before the encore, ended with "Candy Machine Gun" as it is Torey's favorite song (or has been professed as such at other shows).
• I wish that there had been less volume given to Jeremy and Jacob's guitars, as they sometimes overpowered Haley's vocals and made it harder to hear her. 
• I was over-joyed when she played "Us" (Lure the Fox) during the encore, as it has been my favorite Haley song.

Now for the album itself: of course I like it, it's Haley! It is definitely the type of album that I want to listen to on repeat. It starts with "Candy Machine Gun," which is a great opening song for a Haley album. It has elements of typical Haley country folk, but also a little bit of rock 'n roll. I can see why it would be one of Torey's favorites.



It ends with "Wendybird," which is the type of song that prevents you from simply moving on from it, which is part of the reason that I often end up listening to the album all over again. The banjo and cello on this song, along with Haley's heartbreaking vocals about growing up make this song beautifully and simply bitter-sweet.



My favorite song (currently) from this album is "Anyway Rattlesnake." I'm really loving the line, "So please forget the things I said, I was dark in the heart, and deep in my head but I want you to know that I loved you the best anyway."



Overall, I think that this is the Haley album that I've listened to so repeatedly, though I don't think her lyrics are as strong as they have been in the past (please go listen to her album Lure the Fox). You may really enjoy Golder too, so you should give it a listen! If you're not sold, download the track "Raggedy Man" for free (here) and give Haley a chance.

(Tour Dates are featured after the break)

Study Music

I am finishing up my senior year of college right now. Praise the Lord it's almost done. Along with this, I thought I would post a quick list of my favorite music to listen to while studying. Then after I finish, hopefully I will commence the actual studying.

1. "All is Well" by Sam Amidon
My great friend Heather first introduced me to this album back in 2008 and it has since gotten me through many a stressful night. The horns and strings combine so richly and smoothly, swirling together beautifully with Sam's almost mumbly voice. It is the type of album that works well as background music or as music to play in the quiet moments when you are stressed and need to hear the intricacies and depths of great music

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2. "All We Grow" by S. Carey
This man, also a member of Bon Iver, created one very soothing and ambient album. This has been my recent album of choice to listen to while sitting at the local coffee shop and needing to tune out the world in order to focus. If you want a better album review, read what Robin Hilton at NPR had to say.

3. "LeO" by Haley Bonar
This is Haley's third homemade EP and it's mostly instrumental and ambient. Because there are very few lyrics throughout the entire thing, rarely am I distracted by trying to figure the lyric out or singing along. Not only is it a great album to study to, it's also the right kind of relaxing to start and end your day with.

4. "Civilian" by Wye Oak
I cannot honestly say much about this album because I just purchased it tonight (thanks to Amazon's daily album deals). I have listened to the the title track "Civilian" (free download) multiple times. This song is great because it has energy but isn't so dynamic that it becomes distracting. From my initial listen of the rest of the album, this is how it seems as a whole. Which is why I will be listening to it tonight as I try to muster my way through the last of my senior year. If you want a better review, check out what Max Blau wrote for Paste Magazine.