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Posts tagged ‘folk’

Mar 22

Peter and Kerry – ‘Clothes, Friends, Photos’ EP

‘Clothes, Friends, Photos’ EP

..is the debut release from Peter and Kerry, a new duo made up by two singers whose chance meeting and collaborative instincts led to them penning a collection of their own original songs.

‘Clothes, Friends, Photos’ is a upbeat, folky, atmospheric and lovely release with influences from the likes of Local Natives, Grizzly Bear and some lo-fi folk pop. The collaboration between two solo singers gives it a living and at the same time relaxing feel.

‘Clothes, Friends, Photos’ will be released on April 4, followed by a show in London on April 26.

Jul 19

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Circus Envy

Circus Envy

Circus Envy are an alternative band formed in Hull (the best band from Hull) in 2005, by Leigh Hirst, Andy Clark, Mick Harding, James Paddison and Mike Richmond.

They play primarily acoustic instruments, and add a traditional sensibility to their intricately crafted harmony-led modern songs with use of bouzouki, mandolin and cajon.

And have released debut album, ‘Take Me Home’ (2008) – something that led to the band being selected to play at the Beverley and Oxford Folk Festivals. High profile support gigs including Jim Moray, Megson, Martin Simpson and Jackie Leven have cemented the band’s reputation as a live act.

The band’s latest EP, “A New Dawn”, produced by Stu Hanna and featuring guest appearances by Sam Sweeney and Hannah James, was released in 2010. The band is currently on the road promoting the EP and will return to the studio later in the year to commence work on their second album.

“A New Dawn” has an overall great musical composition, where you can everything from the acoustically beautiful “A New Dawn”. The lovely vocals and a great ensemble of violin and acoustic – something that makes it a great opening track.

The more typical country folk sound can be heard in “Going Nowhere” and “Three Score and Ten”.

To the upbeat guitar and flute driven “The Game” and well written “The Night Draws Closer”, which has a great blend of an acoustic guitar and a piano.

Going Nowhere

Jul 19

Band Bios: The Brute Chorus & Ivory Drive

Band Bios:
The Brute Chorus | Ivory Drive

The Brute Chorus

The Brute Chorus has been described as UK’s Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes, whilst a parallel can be drawn to their theatrical story telling their musical stamp is more old time blues and surf rock than alternative folk.

They’re formed out of the ashes of Low Sparks, and the total lineup is James Steel, Nick Foots, David Ferrett and Matthew Day. Their (self titled) debut was recorded live at the Roundhouse, and they’re currently working an second album.

Tags: dirty rock, folk, anti-folk, alternative.

Good songs: Chateau, Hercules, Could this be Love?

Ivory Drive

Ivory Drive is an Alternative/Indie band from Boulder, Colorado. They are Van Wampler (Vocals, Piano/Organ), Wes Barton (Drums), Geoff Boux (Saxophone), Sean Whissen (Bass), Colton Crandell (Trumpet).

Debut album “From this Far” was released in 2009, and the song “Otherwise Pretend” was selected as a Semi-Finalist in Mike Pinder’s Songwars songwriting competition on January 1, 2009.”

With a combination of piano, organ, drums, bass, trumpet, and sax, their unique sound is a savory stew of rock and jazz, flavored with blues, world, folk, and even bits of classical. And the most brilliant combination of old music meet new!

Tags: retro folk, alternative, folk, sax.

Good songs: Breath of the Victory March, Otherwise Pretend, Glory Faded.

Jun 5

Uno Møller – ‘How To Lead You Home’

Uno Møller – ‘How To Lead You Home’

Uno Møller is a Norwegian singer and songwriter, previously known as the lead singer of Wintermare.

He started his songwriting project in 2009, and wrote a series of EPs titled “Lost in My Beautiful Colorball” and “From Me to Myself”.

His last single “How to Lead You Home” was released through Lazy Acre Records on May 17.

“How to Lead You Home” is first single out from Uno Møller’s debut album – due to be released in the summer of 2010, and consist of two exclusive new b-sides “Hola!” and “Sailing with Hats”.

The first thing you’ll probably think of when you hear Uno Møller’s music for the first time is the variety of his music.

On three tracks you’ll hear everything from a gentle, fragile and acoustically beautiful musical composition in “How to Lead You Home” and “Hola!”, to an experimental and pure instrumental track in “Sailing with Hats”.

This is the kind of music you can just sit down, listen to, and just enjoy.

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MySpace

Apr 21

Joanna Erdos and the Midnight Show

Joanna Erdos and the Midnight Show

Joanna Erdos is a singer and songwriter born and based in Brooklyn, New York. She’s known for her unique, beautifully rich and dreamy voice, and for having that kind of voice (and music) that most likely will melt your heart or tear it apart.

Joanna Erdos and her band The Midnight Show have so far released one (self-titled) album (2008). A catchy album with a musical style that makes even the craziest song sound heartbreaking and sweet.

This is urban folk. A beautiful mix of music sung directly from her heart makes this music warm and memorable. The music is highly enjoyable and makes you feel it, sense it, and somehow involve yourself in the music. The mix of urban folk, indie rock and piano rock is a mixture you don’t hear so often, and when it’s presents like this, just makes you want more.

Sexy Secrets

Apr 5

April Smith and the Great Picture Show

April Smith and the Great Picture Show

April Smith was born and grew up in Toms River, New Jersey with a mum that adored Queen and a father that feed her with Elvis Presley, Tom Waits and Kinky Friedman through his old 8-track tape player.

April herself crashed her older siblings’ practice sessions, talent shows and parties with her outstanding living room shows and stole every show she could ever take part of.

She is now living in Brooklyn, New York and have her own band, consisting of Stevens (bass), Marty (lead guitar), Mike (keys) and Nick (drums).

April and her band have played on various venues all over town, where she’s known for her confidence and playful performances.
They have also been branded by Rolling Stone of “30 Bands to Watch” at Lollapalooza.

The debut album “Songs for a Sinking Ship” was released in January 2010.

April Smith is extremely talented, and is like a modern edition of one of the highly respected ladies that sang jazz alongside a piano in the olden days.

The lyrics are quirky, witty and and ..wise. That goes very well to its indescribable and rockabilly ambiance.

Stop Wondering

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MySpace
Last.fm

Something Similar:
La Shark
Aaron King
Bitter Ruin

Apr 1

Givers


Givers

Givers are Taylor Guarisco, Teddy Tif Lamson, Josh Leblanc, William Henderson and Kirby Campbell and they are a bunch of people who create upbeat and highly enjoyable music.

They’re based in Lafayette, Louisiana and have so far released one self-titled EP.

The first official single is “Up, up, up”. This is a upbeat alternative pop/rock track with some heavy folk influences.

The rest of the music can be described as a mix of a party edition of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes and disco pop band who just play to have fun. Something you really can hear through the music, as it’s pure fun.

Mar 19

Little Joy

Little Joy

Little Joy are a Brazilian/American band formed in 2007 by Los Hermanos singer/guitarist Rodrigo Amarante, The Strokes drummer Fabrizzo Moretti and Binki Shapiro.

The band came together when Amarante and Moretti met in 2006, at a festival in Lisbon where both their bands were performing, and the idea came up to start a new musical project unrelated to their respective bands.

Amarante and Moretti met again when Amarante travelled to Los Angeles to collaborate with Devendra Banhart on his Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon album.

Through mutual acquaintances, they met multi-instrumentalist Binki Shapiro, who encouraged the pair to work on a few songs Moretti had begun writing.

The self-titles debut album “Little Joy” was released in 2008.

The sound of Little Joy is the sound of an alternative folk rock band from the 60’s. The bright, yet reggae inspired rhythms on some of the songs makes this to a perfect album on a hot summers day.

The music is adorable and have a consistently well lo-fi style through the entire album, without making it sound like some sort of low budget recording.

How to Hang a Warhol

Mar 4

Boy & Bear

Boy & Bear

Boy & Bear was formed in early 2009 by Jake Tarasenko (bass), Dave Hosking (lead vocals/guitar), Killian Gavin (vocals/guitars) and Tim Hart (drums/vocals.)

They’re based in Sydney, and are built up by the collaboration of three front men of separate bands. The combination of three songwriters has resulted in songs that reflect a variety of genres and personalities.

It’s a relative new band, and two singles has been released so far. “The Storm” and “Mexican Mavis” give you a great interpretation of 70’s folk and catchy folk rock. This music is rural, catchy, and proves that this is a band with a lot of potential.

They are currently working on the debut EP, due to be released later this year.

Mexican Mavis

Mar 3

Sherlock’s Daughter

Sherlock’s Daughter

Sherlock’s Daughter is an alternative folk band from Sydney, Australia. They are Tanya Horo, William Russell, Liam Flanagan, Jonti Danilewitz and Tim Maybury.

They released their self-titled debut EP in late 2009, and have so far toured with School of Seven Bells and the Temper Trap. Now it’s their turn to take the world by storm.

“Sherlock’s Daughter” consists of five uplifting, folky and atmospheric tracks. And it’s like a mix of psychedelic folk, hippie folk, dreamy and experimental pop and indietronica.

This is something that makes this music well developed, and ahead of time. And somehow, a lighter (and less quirky) version of Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros.

Song for old people

Feb 23

The Travelling Band

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The Travelling Band

I think folk is cosy. The Travelling Band is one of those bands that bring life to the good old folk style, with no special effects attached.

They are Adam Gorman, Snaf Ballinger, Jo Dudderidge, Steve Mullen, Nick Vaal, Chris Spencer and Dicky Levs. And they come from sunny Manchester.

They’re signed to Sideways Saloon and released the debut album “Under the Pavement” in 2008.

This music is like a road trip in the middle of nowhere on a hot summer day. The mix elements of folk rock, rockabilly rock and tangerine pop, something that makes this music sound fresh and uplifting.

i.N.V.E.R.T is a happy pop/folky kind of thing and can just as well be taken directly from the soundtrack of an good old western movie. Just as much as pop/rock from the 90′s.

Only Waiting

Feb 23

The Half Sisters

The Half Sisters

The Half Sisters are Isadora, Freya-Rose and Fifi, two sisters and a best friend from Brighton. They make music that makes even the obstinate rock smile. This statement makes sense when you release how natural and delight this music is.

They make music out of love, peace and “ukulele, flute and drums combined with three point harmonies create a lush and mesmerising chorus of catchy pop hooks and adorable honesty.”
And the result is happy and upbeat pop music that absolutely make you happy.

Feb 23

Bitter Ruin

Bitter Ruin

Bitter Ruin are Ben Richards (guitar and vocals) and Georgia Train (vocals) a dramatic theatrical duo from Brighton. They have played together for about two years and have so far released “We’re not Dancing” (EP).

This music is like a musical theatrical performance between two people with a big love for cabaret folk. The interaction between the leading parts is just something that makes this music so remarkable and something you just don’t forget.

The vocals are powerful, yet so vulnerable and give a good basic for the debut album that will be released on May 26.

Beware

Jan 19

Cabins in the Forest

Cabins in the Forest

Cabins in the Forest are a Cape Town, South Africa based acoustic duo that began writing and gigging together in mid 2006. They are Gary Thomas (acoustic guitar & vocals) and Andy Jamieson (acoustic guitar & vocals).

The debut album “Spells for Bribes” came out 14th March 2008 and it show you pretty much everything you wants to hear of rare folk, acoustic jazz, nu folk and a nice dose of Americana.
And they sound like a great mix of some elements from Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Devendra Banhart and Animal Collective.

Army Of The Disenchanted is a dreamy and a acoustic great track. The mix and composition of acoustic guitar, drums and original and inventive vocals makes this into a folky and harmonic masterpiece.

Another track that show you some (and other) of the typical elements of Cabins in the Forest is She is on an Island. This is a modern, yet retro version of a typical upbeat and rural folk track.

Oct 14

Blame Ringo

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Blame Ringo

Blame Ringo are a Brisbane based band, consisting of Pete Kilroy (guitar/vocals), Rosco Pearson (guitar/vocals), Jessiah Cocks (bass/vocals) and Tony Garrett (drums/vocals).

They are formerly known as ‘Goodnight Vienna’, but they had to change the band name when they unfortunately were named after Ringo Starr’s 4th studio album. Something that gave the band a mission; to blame Ringo ..for everything.

Blame Ringo released the debut album ‘Lucky number 9’ in 2009. Along with the debut single ‘Garble Arch’. The music video was filmed outside Abbey Road and it was one of the most viewed videos on YouTube the week it was released. It reached 50,000 views within the first 24 hrs.

This music is uplifting and possible one of the brightest debut albums coming out in 2009. They have some 60’s influences, well, 60’s pop to be precise. And the lyrics are original, developed and suit the music perfectly.

You hear the mix of new pop, retro pop, the good folk sound ..with flute and the last touch of some good guitar riffs.

Garble Arch

Apr 14

Our Lost Infantry

Our Lost Infantry

Our Lost Infantry (former Moscow Flyer) are a folk/indie band, created in Farnham by Thom Ashworth (vocals), Tom Astbury, Parkin (drums, vocals) and Matt Phelps (vocals).

The lyrics, the vocals and the musical skills in this music make this music extraordinary and uplifting. And this is the kind of music you don’t forget, and rather come back and listens to it over and over again.

Our Lost Infantry represent indie folk perfectly, a new (returning) and coming genre in this world of music. They’ve gone from sounding like an inventive folk band to a progressive folk band.