Homegrown: Dan Blakeslee, Coyote Kolb, and Caleb Groh

Words // Scott Pingeton

When it comes to Boston bands, I often find myself caught between two extremes.  On one hand, I want to root for the local guys.  The idea of finding your new favorite band sweating it out in the local bars is a romantic dream, but visions of the Cavern Club can cloud one's judgement.  On the other hand, I have no interest in pandering to the local scene.  I seek out the best music period, regardless of geography - and that often means paying less attention to Boston than to Seattle, Nashville and New York. Every once in a while I need to remind myself that there is a lot of great music being made in Boston.  Here are three artists you need to know:

Dan Blakeslee
Dan Blakeslee is one of Boston's most promising songwriters - spinning literate songs that feature the perfect mix of folky grit and soulful swoon. Tatnic Tales is a record I'm ashamed to say I overlooked in 2011, but I've made time for it in 2012 and I encourage you to do the same.  "Lazy Eyed Girl" is a beautiful piano and fiddle folk jam - perfect for those nights when the party is winding down, but you're not ready to leave.  (website)

Dan Blakeslee- Lazy Eyed Girl

Coyote Kolb
Coyote Kolb is a band that I've been aware of for a while, but only fell in love with recently.  Hearing their new record United State for the first time, I can't help but feel like I've made a big, big mistake by not getting on board sooner.  Country, folk and blues meld into something magical and mysterious - the musical equivalent of a dark desert highway, ominous clouds fast approaching.  (website)

Caleb Groh
I was vaguely aware of Caleb Groh's Happiest Lion project - which, fairly or unfairly, I sort of considered to be Sufjan Stevens-lite.  I was intrigued and excited by the rootsy new direction on last years' Down, Dakota! EP - it's hard to go wrong with simple folk songs and banjo.  "Hapless Dreamer" is from his upcoming LP Bottomless Coffee and it suggests yet another (exciting) new direction - melodic, melancholy indie-folk.  (website)