Dan Bakst - Imperfect Tunes

I haven't had as much time this semester to pay attention to the music world, so I lack something substantial to share a lot of the time. I believe in quality over quantity!

So when I get  an email from a great new artist, I get excited. It's less work for me and it's essentially a gift to my inbox. Dan sent me an email last night about his newest ep, Imperfect Tunes. He used to be a member of a band called Creepers that I'm pretty fond of. This is different though. Because of that, He told me to feel free to hate it, but I'll choose to really enjoy it. He kind of reminds me of a more poppy Conor Oberst in a really good way. Listen to it. If you  like it, you can download it for free from his Bandcamp.

Carlos Forster Ft. M. Ward - Campfire Songs

Picked up Carlos Forster's album Family Trees upon a recommendation at Hear Again. Loving it more with each rotation.

The Deep Dark Woods - The Ballad of Frank Dupree

The Deep Dark Woods - The Ballad of Frank Dupree from HearYa.com on Vimeo.

I don't really know anything about these guys, but what a great song. 

myspace.com

Bill Callahan - Riding for the Feeling

Vandaveer - Dig Down Deep

Here's a video from Vandaveer. It's nice to be hearing them with a fuller sound. I'm still a fan of the earlier stuff too though. Some of the best lyrics not getting the attention they deserve these days.

M. Ward's Return to Me

 

M. Ward just announced he'll be working on solo material again this year. Exciting news from one of my favorite artists. Read the interview here: Immaculate Noise. I'm gonna use this as an excuse to post some videos I watch all the time now.

Ben Sollee - Close to You

I think Ben Sollee might be gunning for the award for most music videos made in the shortest amount of time. I'm not complaining, but he's just churning them out. Here's the video for "Close to You," it's a lot of fun to watch:

Close To You from Ben Sollee on Vimeo.

Stuart Newman - Single But Defective

I heard the Eels and Sparklehorse as I started listening to Stuart Newman. It's tastefully minimal and demanding. His album, Single But Defective, finds him matching lightly finger picked guitar with whispered vocals. Give it a listen:

stuartnewmanmusic.com

Sophie Madeleine - Song to Fall in Love to

Two things I like: a good song and a pretty girl. In that order too. Sophie Madeleine offers both. I found her about six months ago and have been a fan since. She just released a new Youtube video for "Song to Fall in Love to:"

Birdie Hilltop - The Sorrow

I just saw a video for Birdie Hilltop's "The Sorrow." It's an older song, but I guess I missed the video for it.

The Sorrow from Birdie Hilltop on Vimeo.

I was checking out his old website, as well, and found out there are stories behind each of his record. The Sorrow:

"This album took two years to complete, and although recorded digitally it is still decidedly lo-fi. There is experimentation with a fuller sound due to a larger number of available tracks, and a host of instruments make an appearance - electric guitar and bass, percussion, a real piano, etc. Recorded in New York and Lancaster 2007-2009"

birdiehilltop.com

You're So Cool - Keep Passing the Open Windows

You're so Cool just released a new album called Keep Passing the Open Windows. It's like their older stuff met up with Grizzly Bear and finds them treading more experimental territory. Check it out, I really like "I Don't Mind."

AgesandAges - Alright You Restless

Another recommendation from Nick. AgesandAges are what happen when harmonies and southern rock collide. They're a very enjoyable listen through and through. They're also currently on tour, so check their website to see if they're coming to your town.

Colorfeels

It's one of those ethereal music kind of days. I've caught Colorfeels twice live in Nashville. The first time they were kind of timid as their music indicates and maybe that was because there wasn't a big crowd, but the second time I saw them they rocked out. Either way, they were good shows. They're getting ready to release an LP, so keep an eye out for it. In the mean time, you can listen to these:

http://www.colorfeels.com/

California Wives - Tokyo

Man am I sucker for lush soundscapes! California Wives have created just that while simultaneously writing a great pop song. I'm gonna go ahead and call it my find of the day. Thanks to The Needle Drop!

CaliforniaWives-Tokyo by California Wives

californiawives.net

5 Funky, Soulful Songs for Spring

I'd rather just kick back today, but I'm gonna have to go do work. To help me through it I'm relaxing in the music sense of things. Here are five songs for just that:

Grant Green - Ease Back
Checkmates LTD - Got to See "U" Soon
The Blue Notes - Cuando Cuando
The Ohio Players - Sweet Sticky Thing
James Booker - Look What I've Got

Alden Penner - Odes to the houses

Alden Penner was a member of the Unicorns. His new EP, Odes to the house, came out Sunday. Enjoy.

Here's a video of "Last Shelter"

Thanks to YANP

Meaghan Smith - I Know

Meaghan Smith won the JUNO award for best new artist and that's how I found out about her. She has that old jazzy feel to her with a dash of contemporary sensibilities. Think along the lines of Feist. Easy listening all the way. Her song know is on it's third play in a row for me. Enjoy the cute video:

Fleet Foxes - Grown Ocean

Fleet Foxes - Grown Ocean from Fleet Foxes on Vimeo.

New Fleet Foxes video for Grown Ocean. I don't think I need to say more.

Ben Sollee - Hurting

Ben Sollee is his own category when it comes to the cello. I don't think you can find anyone else quite like him. In 2007 he released a great album called Learning to Bend and now he's set to follow that up in May with Inclusions. Here's the video for "Hurting," a track from that upcoming release. Heard about it from MOKB.

Hurting from Ben Sollee on Vimeo.

http://bensollee.com/

S. Carey at the Basement

S. Carey is playing at the Basement in Nashville on Monday. You may know him as the drummer of Bon Iver, but the man makes amazing music in his own right. My plans for Monday night are now set.

City of Music: S. Carey from MPLS.TV on Vimeo.