Music Monday: Current obsessions

Artist: Liza Anne
Album: The Colder Months (listen here on SoundCloud)
Why I love it: It consists of heartbreakingly honest & smart lyrics, plus she has a beautiful, pure voice.
Favorite song(s): 1,000 years & Lying
For fans of: Lily & Madeleine, Savannah Smith

Artist: Jared & the Mill

Album: Western Expansion (listen here on SoundCloud)

Why I love it: It's toe-tappin Americana at its finest.

Favorite song(s): Breathe me in, Just for now

For fans of: Pigpen Theatre Co., Mumford & Sons 

Artist: Grey Reverend 

Album: A Hero's Lie (listen here on Spotify)

Why I love it: It makes my heart melt. every. single. time. 

Favorite song(s): This way, My hands 

For fans of: Amos Lee, Ruston Kelly

Artist: Seasick Mama 

Album: Tip Top Shape (listen here on SoundCloud)

Why I love it: It's fun and dancey with an occasional awesome 80s vibe. 

Favorite song(s): Tees & Jeans, Holy Smokes

For fans of: Tennis, Gwen Stefani

Artist: Lord Huron

Album: Lonesome Dreams (listen here on SoundCloud)

Why I love it: It's pretty dreamy and magical. 

Favorite song(s): Ends of the earth, The ghost on the shore

For fans of: Band of Horses, Milo Greene, Fleet Foxes

Music Monday: Current obsessions

Artist: PigPen Theatre Co.
Album: The Way I'm Running (listen here on Bandcamp)
Why I love it: There's a solid mix of super fun, upbeat songs and slower pieces—all with lots of gorgeous harmonies.
Favorite song(s): Sailor
For fans of: Seryn, Mumford & Sons
Bonus: I can't believe it, but these guys are coming to Bham on March 19th to Workplay!

Artist: Smallpools

Album: Smallpools EP (listen here on SoundCloud) 

Why I love it: It's an instant mood-lifter.

Favorite song(s): Dreaming, Over & Over

For fans of: Phoenix, Matt & Kim

Artist: Zachary Cale

Album: Blue Rider (listen here on Bandcamp)

Why I love it: His voice is so unique, he reminds me of a modern day Bob Dylan. Yes I just said that. 

Favorite song(s): Blood Rushes On, Wayward Son

For fans of: Bob Dylan, John Fahey

Artist: Bear's Den

Album: Agape (listen here on Paste)

Why I love it: The music on this album is powerful in a quiet kind of way—much like how I interpret the name of the band. It's also really beautiful music with really beautiful lyrics.

Favorite song(s): Agape, Isaac

For fans of: Mumford & Sons, Glen Hansard

Artist: Softly Dear

Album: Portico (listen here on Bandcamp)

Why I love it: It's mellow and chill, primarily in a spacey/breathy kind of way. There are also lots of crescendos and tempo changes that I'm a big fan of. 

Favorite song(s): Know My Name, Lenses

For fans of: Explosions in the Sky, Sigur Ros

Music Monday: Current obsessions

Artist: Wild Child
Album: The Runaround (listen here on their website)
Why I love it: It's upbeat and just a little bit quirky.
Favorite song(s): Crazy Bird, Stitches
For fans of: The Oh Hello's, The Weepies

Artist: Song Preservation Society 

Album: Ready Room (listen here on Bandcamp)

Why I love it: I feel like it completely lives up to the name of their band. If that makes any sense at all?

Favorite song(s): Love Me Like She Did

For fans of: Great Peacock, M. Ward

Artist: Carolina Story

Album: Chapter One EP (listen here on Amazon)

Why I love it: I will always love Ben & Emily's harmony and song writing abilities. Listen to their music and you will feel what they feel. 

Favorite song(s): Even When the Road Gets Hard, Slippin' Away

For fans of: The Civil Wars, Shovels & Rope 

Artist: Dear Georgiana

Album: Dear Georgiana (listen here on Bandcamp)

Why I love it: It's super dreamy.

Favorite song(s): Wait for Me, Over You

For fans of: Nora Jones, Tennis

Artist: Red Tail Ring

Album: The Heart's Swift Foot (listen on Spotify)

Why I love it: It's a singer/songwriter kind of sound with banjo pickin. It's beautiful. 

Favorite song(s): A Clearing in the Wind

For fans of: Alison Krauss & Union Station, Sarah Jarosz

Music Monday: Current obsessions

Artist: Rue Royale
Album: Changed My Grip (listen on Suncloud)
Why I love it: It's super chill, peaceful and mellow and just oh so pretty.
Favorite song(s): Shouldn't Have Closed My Eyes, Try as They Might
For fans of: Ivan & Alyosha, Greg Laswell

Artist: Lorde

Album: Pure Heroine (listen on Spotify) 

Why I love it: It sounds so different to anything else out there right now. 

Favorite song(s): Royals, Ribs, White Teeth Teens 

For fans of: Youngblood Hawke, Kitten

Artist: Alpha Rev

Album: Bloom (listen on Spotify) 

Why I love it: I can't quite put my finger on it. It's catchy enough to be maintstream, but it's not overly produced or cheesy. I guess it has the quality of band like Coldplay of Mumford, without actually sounding just like them. 

Favorite song(s): Sing Loud 

For fans of: Coldplay, Matt Kearney, NEEDTOBREATHE

Artist: Al Lewis

Album: Battles (listen on Spotify) 

Why I love it: It's nice easy, everyday-kind-of-listening and the lyrics are incredible. 

Favorite song(s): Battles, Make a Little Room

For fans of: Jackson Browne, James Taylor 

Artist: Screen Door Porch

Album: The Fate & the Fruit (listen on Bandcamp) 

Why I love it: It's a different take on Americana. Kind of sultry, kind of rock, kind of pickin'. I kind of dig it. 

Favorite song(s): Devil's Honey, Lovin' Strange

For fans of: Shovels & Rope, Bonnie "Prince" Billy & Dawn McCarthy

Music Monday: Rayland Baxter

So if you're trying to save some cash by not attending quite as many shows as you'd like to, one thing you should never ever do is listen to an artist's album that you like who is also coming in town.

Yep, I knew Rayland Baxter was coming in town to open up for Holly Williams (yes, of the Hank Williams Jr. & Sr. lineage) and I told myself I needed to save some dough. I had to start making choices somewhere and not see every single show that came in town that I was interested in. Plus, I wasn't feeling well last week and I needed rest. So I told myself I needed to stay home anyhow.

And then I listened to his album Feathers & Fish Hooks (which I listed as a current obsession back in May) and I knew I didn't stand a chance staying away from Workplay last Thursday night. So after J and I had dinner, I threw out the idea of the Rayland Baxter show, and he was down, so off we went. And honestly, I don't regret spending the money at all.

Rayland Baxter at Workplay in Birmingham on October 17, 2013.

I got to hear a lot of new songs Rayland had apparently been working on, plus some of my favorites from his aforementioned album. He was much more interactive with the audience than I would've expected and was quite funny.

I was also really suprised at how young he seemed to be in person. Judging by his song writing ability and his lyrics, he sounds to me like someone who's seen more of the world than I have. I assumed that was due to age, but now I think otherwise.

We also stayed to hear some of Holly's set and I think I enjoyed her more than J did. Mostly I was impressed that she has so much pressure of the big boots to fill (of her dad and grandad) and she seems to not feel that pressure at all. I think she's just out there doing what she enjoys and not trying to live up to anyone's expectations but her own. Seriously impressive in my book.

To make a long story short, it was money well spent and if Rayland comes to your town, I think you should check him out.

Music Monday: The Lumineers

Chances are that some of you probably know by now that I'm a pretty big Lumineers fan. I mean, I do have part of one of their lyrics tattooed on my wrist. (and no, the tattoo is not because of the band. It's because of the amazing song/lyrics.)

And I also saw them earlier this year and once or twice last year—and yes, one of those times I went alone. Yeah, see, big fan.

Anyhow, I was clearly pretty excited to see them this past week at the Tuscaloosa Ampitheater, even if it did mean getting home at midnight on a "school" night (yep, rockstar! scratch that, coffee for the win).

And yet even though I was excited, I was a bit nervous because lately when I go to shows at larger venues, I feel so separated from the artist(s) and the music. I was really worried that seeing The Lumineers at a show like this would ruin the usual experience I have at their shows.

But I have to say that from the second the chandeliers starting lowering before The Lumineers even took the stage to the moment after the encore was complete, I was all in. I was connected. I was entranced. And most of all, I was in my happy place.

Everything from their debut album sounded great—as it always does—and I even got to hear a couple of new songs as well as a couple of covers. And they also came out into the middle of the crowd to perform a song. Definitely a good way to make everyone in the ampitheater feel like they are a part of the performance.

All in all it was a great night spent outside listening and singing along to some of my favorite songs with some of my favorite people—J, Joy and Justin (yes, that's a lot of J's).  Totally worth the sleep deprivation :)

Music Monday: Current obsessions

Artist: Joshua Radin
Album: Wax Wings (listen on Spotify)
Why I love it: It sounds just similar enough to all the other Joshua Radin albums that I love. And trust me, that is a compliment.
Favorite song(s): My my baby
For fans of: Joshua Radin, Matt Wertz,
Peter Bradley Adams
Bonus: You can see Joshua Radin at Workplay in B'ham on Oct. 15th.

Artist: Cowboy Indian Bear

Album: Live Old, Die Young (listen on their website)

Why I love it: They have a very unique sound.
Kind of like mixing folk with some good old fashioned ambient pop. 

Favorite song(s): Washing, Seventeen, Let it Down

For fans of: Seryn, Gotye, Peter Gabriel 

Artist: Young Readers

Album: Family Trees (listen on bandcamp)

Why I love it: It's my favorite blend of mellow melancholy.

Favorite song(s): All I have

For fans of: A.A. Bondy, The Felice Brothers

Artist: Count This Penny

Album: Pitchman (listen on Spotify)

Why I love it: It's lovely and peaceful and has great female/male harmonies. Oh and I forgot to mention a little bit of pickin', too. 

Favorite song(s): Roll Up Your Sleeves,
Big Tall Pines

For fans of: The Lone Bellow, Carolina Story

Artist: Courtney Jaye

Album: The Exotic Sounds of Courtney Jaye
(listen on Spotify)

Why I love it: It's a little bit country, a little bit island-y and maybe even a teensy bit 60s pop.

Favorite song(s): Need Love, Tiger's Eye

For fans of: Brandi Carlile, Juliana Hatfield,
She & Him

Bonus: You can catch Courtney Jaye at the
Cask & Drum music festival in B'ham on Oct. 12th. 

Music Monday: Current obsessions

Artist: Leftover Cuties
Album: The Spark and the Fire (listen on Spotify)
Why I love it: It's like a combination of Nora Jones' sultry jazz voice combined with a big band sound.
Favorite song(s): Thick and Thin, One Heart
For fans of: Nora Jones, April Smith and the Great Picture Show

Artist: Gregory Alan Isakov
Album: The Weatherman (listen on Spotify)
Why I love it: It's so mellow it will make you melt. Plus this man can do no wrong in my opinion.
Favorite song(s): All Shades of Blue and Living Proof
For fans of: Peter Bradley Adams, Joe Purdy
Bonus: If you're local, he's coming to Workplay on 9/30. I'll see you there!

Artist: The Revivalists
Album: City of Sound (listen here)
Why I love it: It makes me think of a re-invented, funkier Dave Matthews Band. I really dig the saxophones and horns.
Favorite song(s): When I'm Able and Criminal
For fans of: Vintage Trouble, Amasa Hines

Artist: La Guerre
Album: Violent (listen on Spotify)
Why I love it: It's dream pop at its finest.
Favorite song(s): Lovers Sway
For fans of: A Fine Frenzy, Of Monsters and Men

Artist: Colossal Gospel
Album: Circles (listen on Spotify)
Why I love it: There's a great vintage quality to their sound. I think it has a lot to do with the lead singer's powdery soft voice.
Favorite song(s): Leaving
For fans of: Beirut, Josh Garrels

Music Monday: Great Peacock concert review

You might recall me mentioning a band called Great Peacock back in May when I chose them as one of my current music obsessions that month. My friends Kyle, John and Katie were actually the ones who introduced me to their music, so I was pretty excited that J and I were able to actually go see Great Peacock with that crew this past Friday at Bottletree.

I was a little disappointed in the size of the crowd there that night, but I guess that just means when these guys make it big, I can say I saw them "way back when.." at Bottletree one night. Anyhow, the openers were Teen Getaway and the District Attorneys. Teen Getaway is a local Bham band that I have actually never seen before, but will definitely check them out again in the future. They were loud and fun and upbeat and J was diggin them, which made me even more pumped.

After maybe two songs, one of the guitar players in Teen Getaway broke a string and I witnessed a pretty nice gesture from a Great Peacock band member—Blount brought out one of their guitars to let Teen Getaway use while he fixed the string on the one that broke. I mean, talk about some band love. I was touched :)

The District Attorneys played a good show and sounded really professional, but I just don't think they are playing the kind of music that I am really into.

Great Peacock performing at The Bottletree.

Great Peacock finally took the stage somewhere around midnight (ugh, so late, I am too old for this kind of night on a Friday!) and put on a great show—complete with bedazzled peacocks on their shirts. They have a great alt-country sound going for them, but it's the more folky-ish songs like "Take me to the Mountain" and "Desert Lark" that really draw me in. I think it's because these kind of songs build and do a great job of featuring Blount and Andrew's beautiful harmonies.

J and I managed to hang around until the District Attorneys took the stage with Great Peacock and played a couple of covers together at the end of the show. By this time it was somewhere around 1:30 am and I just couldn't hang anymore. Especially not with a looming 9 mile run in my very near (6:30 am) future.

Here's hoping that the next time these guys come to town I'm better rested and there's a bigger crowd! Until then, be sure to check out Great Peacock's music here on bandcamp.

Music Monday: Secret Stages

I'm not sure how it happened, but I just attended my first Secret Stages weekend here in Birmingham and the festival has been happening since 2011. Either they've been keeping the festival secret a little too well or I am just slow to the game. Regardless, I'm glad I finally caught up to the scene.

If you're not familiar with Secret Stages, I like to compare it to the Birmingham Sidewalk Film Festival, though obviously you're watching bands instead of films. But the principle is the same in that there are so many different genres and bands performing at the same time.

Basically it's like any other festival in that you choose which bands you're most interested in, but it's great because there are at least five artists performing at all times. And all of the shows are held at local bars and venues downtown near 2nd Street North—putting you within a quick walking distance to a ridiculous amount of music.

I'd say the weekend pass (for only $20) is definitely the best way to go, and that's exactly what J & I decided to do. We were able to catch nine different bands perform each night, for a total of 18 bands over the weekend. Um yeah, insane.

I was able to see some of my local favorites like the Great Book of John and The Banditos plus see completely new bands that I have never heard of like Amasa Hines (J's fav act that we caught) and Foreign Fields (my fav show from the weekend).

One of my other favorite highlights from Secret Stages includes seeing Cleve Eaton, who has performed and recorded with many greats like Count Basie, John Coltrane and Miles Davis, play the upright bass with his band Saturday evening.

And suprisingly enough I also really enjoyed watching Bit Brigade—I mean, there was a live performance of someone playing Mega Man while the band played, who wouldn't love that?! And I even caught a hip hop act, Mr. Invisible, which was a crazy high energy and super fun show as well. It was really neat having the opportunity to branch out of my usual musical choices and experience new bands.

Obviously the weekend was a blast, and quite honestly a little exhaustin, but I definitely plan to attend again next year. And if you live nearby, you should, too.

Music Monday: Current obsessions

Artist: The Olms

Album: The Olms (listen here on Grooveshark)

Why I love it: It sounds like it came straight 

out of the 1970s. 

Favorite song(s): On the Line, Twice as Nice

For fans of: The Beatles, The Beach Boys

Artist: Hey Marseilles

Album: Lines We Trace (listen on spotify)

Why I love it: It sounds like something you 

would hear under a magical 'big top' tent. 

Yes, that sounds crazy, but just go with me on it. 

Favorite song(s): Tides, Dead of Night

For fans of: The Decemberists, Ivan & Alyosha

Artist: Johnnyswim

Album: Heart Beats (listen here)

Why I love it: It's like singer songwriter meets
sing-songy folksy band with a little bit of pop mixed
in. It's a beautiful, powerful blend.

Favorite song(s): Don't Let It Get You Down

For fans of: Florence & the Machine, Adele,
Of Monsters & Men

Artist: Pokey LaFarge

Album: Pokey LaFarge (listen on spotify)

Why I love it: It sends me back in time.
Like way back. Like Ali and Noah on
The Notebook way back. And you know
that's a great place to be. 

Favorite song(s): Won'tcha Please Don't Do It

For fans of: Justin Townes Earle,
Hank Williams, Sr. 

 Artist: Hope for agoldensummer

Album: Life Inside Body (listen on spotify)

Why I love it: I can't seem to get enough of
sisterly harmonies these days. 

Favorite song(s): Daniel Bloom

For fans of: Lily & Madeleine, The Secret Sisters