Newport Folk Preview: Spirit Family Reunion LIVE

 

Words // Scott Pingeton

Spirit Family Reunion's recently-released, self-titled debut is one of my favorites of the year.  They don't make it that easy to buy or listen to, so why not check out one of their incredible live shows and buy it at a show?  Your next chance is Saturday afternoon at Newport Folk where they will kick off the weekend in style.  I can't wait, it's sure to be one of my favorite sets of the weekend and a launching pad for SFR.

I've seen them a bunch of times int he past few months, first opening for David Wax Museum in a church, and most recently at the "Road To Newport Folk" show we put on in Gloucester MA.  In the middle was the fantastic Brewery Sessions brunch show that you can listen to below.  Hear the entire house concert, documented in true Alan Lomax style for your listening pleasure.  Enjoy and please support the band by going to their shows, buying their merch and telling your friends.

Spirit Family Reunion
Boston MA - April 15, 2012

I Belong To The Band (?)
Alright Prayer
Green Rocky Road
Carry Me
No Separation
Leave Your Troubles At The Gate
Trouble (?)
Gazebo Song
On That Day
Unknown song
The Night Replaced The Day
When My Nname Is Spoken
I'll Find A Way
On My Mind (?)
Battle Hymn of the Republic

Full set download: mp3 zip

Newport Folk Preview: Alabama Shakes LIVE

   

Words // Scott Pingeton

To see Alabama Shakes live is to believe in the buzz.  They will convert you.  They will knock you on your ass.  If you see this band and don't believe in the power of rock n' roll, check your pulse.  Their show at the Paradise in April was hands down one of the greatest shows I've ever seen, and I've seen a few.  No doubt their set at Newport Folk will be one of the highlights of the weekend.

Complete live recording from the April 15 show at the Paradise in Boston is below.  Enjoy, and if you do, please support Alabama Shakes by buying their album and catch them at Newport!

Alabama Shakes
Paradise Rock Club - Boston MA
April 15, 2012

Goin' To The Party
Hold On
Hang Loose
I Found You
Always Alright
Boys & Girls
Be Mine
Worry'n Blues
Rise To The Sun
Mama
Making Me Itch
Hurricane Strut
You Ain't Alone
Heavy Chevy
--encore break--
I Ain't The Same
On Your Way
Heat Lightning
How Many More Times (Led Zeppelin cover)

Full set download: mp3 zip

New music: Jacob Augustine - Bikini Island EP

Words // Scott Pingeton

As you've probably gathered, I've been hopelessly out of touch these past few weeks.  I'm finding it difficult to find any time to discover new music, let alone edit and post the 5+ live recordings I have ready to go (promise I'll get those done soon).  But sometimes great things fall in your lap, and today was one of those times.  A tweet from Jacob Augustine lead me to his bandcamp page, and one of my favorite new music discoveries in the past few months.

Augustine is based in the "northern woods of Maine", and his songs reflect the timbre of that part of the country. Music for deep woods meditation, paddling on a glass-still pond or sunset on the rocky shoreline.  Traditional folk is the common thread, around which experimental arrangements are woven. 

"Bikini" starts with slow, chanted vocals before opening up into a rousing harmonica and guitar stomp.  "God's Guns" features rhythmic percussion and a Middle Eastern melody, but Augustine's dynamic vocals are the highlight.  In fact, throughout these four varied songs, it is the lyrics and delivery that keep knocking me on my ass.  Augustine delivers each line with such passion, whether hushed or fervent, that I can't help be mesmerized. 

The EP, which clocks in around 23 minutes, ends with "Marathon Caribou".  It's a breathtaking song, fully orchestrated with strings and haunting doubled vocals.  It will draw comparisons to Bon Iver, and is more than strong enough to stand up to those comparisons.  This is one of the most accomplished EPs I've heard this year, Jacob Augustine is definitely a songwriter to keep your eye on.

Name your own price and grab the Bikini Island EP is available on Augustine's bandcamp page now.  You won't be sorry.

Great debuts, old favorites and other shit I missed

Words // Scott Pingeton

I started a new job about two months ago, and the irony of working for a music tech company is that I'm actually listening to less new music. That needs to change, and I intend it to as I get settled into the new grind...but over the last couple months I've fallen behind. Here's some of the stuff I missed that is well worth spending more time with.

Swear and Shake - These White Walls
I had been waiting to hear Swear and Shake's debut full-length for the better part of a year, and it doesn't disappoint. These White Walls is one of the catchiest songs I've heard all year, and the rest of the album features tender ballads, folky-pop gems and dueling vocals between Kari Spieler and Adam McHeffey.

Velah - Black Olympia EP
From the ashes of two much-loved Boston bands (Static of the Gods and The Acre), rises Velah. Their debut EP Black Olympia has garnered a lot of attention around town already, and for good reason. Rich layers of alternately shimmering and fuzzy electric guitars, soaring vocals and a thunderous rythm section coalesce in a tsunami of post-punk, shoegaze and noise pop bliss. Stream the entire EP below, get your copy here and catch them tonight at TTs.

Mount Eerie - Clear Moon
Songs that are as breathtaking in their understated beauty as a misty morning, a majestic sunset or a glassy mountain lake. Simple, organic and humming with life. This is a record that needs some time devoted to it, and I intend to do just that.

New music // Juniper Tar - Since Before

Words // Scott Pingeton

Wisconsin has quickly become a hotbed of gentle, heart-on-sleeve folk.  See Bon Iver, S. Carey, Field Report, et al.  Juniper Tar's brand of midwest folk-rock is decidedly more muscular.  A steady back-beat, electric guitars and rousing keys propel these songs to anthemic heights - perfectly suited to spill from the windows of your car in the summer heat.  That isn't to say these are dumb rock songs, though - far from it.  But, Mohr's poetry is probably more Springsteen than Cohen - direct, relatable and nuanced enough to reveal more with each listen.

I'm only a few listens in, so I don't want to go too crazy yet, but it's safe to say that Since Before, the band's new album, ranks pretty high on my list of favorite albums of 2012 so far.  

You can stream the entire album below.  Then make sure to buy it at the band's bandcamp page (I went for the limited 2x vinyl, myself), and while you're at it, get both of the band's previous releases, The Howl Street EP and To The Trees, for free.  Can't beat that.

TONIGHT: Langhorne Slim / Ha Ha Tonka / Kingsley Flood at The Middle East

If you're looking for something to do tonight, there's no better choice than heading to the Middle East for what has to be one of the strongest bills of the year so far.  Langhorne Slim, Ha Ha Tonka and local favorites Kingsley Flood are going to bring a heavy dose of gritty, sweaty Americana to Central Square and I suggest you be there. 

The Way We Move - Langhorne Slim

Usual Suspects - Ha Ha Tonka

I Don't Wanna Go Home - Kingsley Flood

New music // Great Elk - "The Weight Of The Sea"

Words // Scott Pingeton

I don't remember the last time I actually read a PR email.  99% get automatically filtered, immediately deleted or sit in the purgatory of my inbox forever.  One sure fire way to get me to read about your band is to compare yourselves to My Morning Jacket and Band Of Horses.  Great Elk's email did just that, I read it, I clicked through and I heard anthemic vaguely rootsy rock that sounds perfect for a long drive through some kind of desolate or majestic landscape that doesn't really exist in this over-populated part of the country.  The New York-based band hails from Alaska, which is exactly the kind of place that desolate and majestic landscapes exist.  Their debut album Autogeography is out May 22, but you can stream the whole thing at their bandcamp page.  Listen to "The Weight Of The Sea" here...

Preview // FreshGrass Festival @ Mass MoCA 9/21-23

Words // Scott Pingeton

Mass MoCA is becoming a destination known as much for their excellent music programming as world class modern art.  Wilco's annual Solid Sound Festival has played a big part in putting the Western Mass museum on the map, but there are plenty of other events throughout the year that are well worth the drive.  One of those events that I personally will be happily making the 3 hour trek from Boston for is the FresGrass Festival in late September.  You really don't need a reason to visit the Berkshires in late-September - it's just gorgeous out that way as summer starts to fade into fall - but if you really need your arm twisted, a top-notch bluegrass festival should do the trick.  The lineup includes David Grisman, Trampled By Turtles, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Devil Makes Three, Infamous Stringdusters, Spirit Family Reunion and lots more.  Spread out over 3 days, it's the perfect excuse for a long weekend away from the city.

Tickets are on sale now for the incredibly reasonable price of just $46 for the whole weekend.  Make your plans now, I am.  Here is some brand new music from three of my favorite artists that will be at FreshGrass:

Alone - Trampled By Turtles

Boodle-De-Bum-Bum - Carolina Chocolate Drops

I Want To Be Relieved - Spirit Family Reunion

Willis Earl Beal - "(773) 295-2135"

No words required.  Just watch.