Songs for Wednesday // These United States, Japandroids and more

Words // Adam Sharp

‘Human Cannonball (for Halfway House Sessions)’- Cadillac Sky
It's a bummer to hear a great song for the first time well after a band has broken up (though I'd rather hear it now than never have it exist at all).
Website: http://cadillacsky.net/

'Fire's Highway'- Japandroids
A rock and roll song played how rock and roll should be played: loud, fast, sweaty and (probably) drunk.
Website: http://japandroids.com/

Fire's Highway - Japandroids

'Amawalk'- Port St. Willow
A song that starts hollow and frail and just adds layers until suddenly you've got a full-bodied jam that's got everything (including horns).
Website: http://portstwillow.tumblr.com/

'The Angel's Share'- These United States
I'd like to take a long road trip and I would like this song to play on repeat while doing so.
Website: http://www.theseunitedstates.net/

'May This Be Love (Waterfall) (Jimi Hendrix cover)'- Michael Kiwanuka
This is perfect. Absolutely perfect.
Website: http://michaelkiwanuka.com/

Songs for Wednesday // Canasta, The Head and The Heart and more

Words // Adam Sharp

'I Don't Know Where I Was Going With This'- Canasta
It's not often an opener can silence a hyped up crowd, though it's not often the opener comes armed with a song like this. (website)

'Blue Buildings'- Aunt Martha
This is the aural equivalent of the golden hour.  (website)

'The Lowlands'- Fort Frances
A short, sweet and altogether gorgeous little tune.  (website)

 

'Beacon Hill (Damien Jurado cover)'- The Head and The Heart
Scott just did a piece on Damien Jurado covers- think of this as a bonus track.  (website)

'Over the Hill (John Martyn cover for YoursTru.ly)'- Michael Kiwanuka,
Ben Howard, Ben Lovett, The Staves and members of Bear's Den
This is just ridiculous.  (website)

Songs for Wednesday: Michael Kiwanuka, Shakey Graves and more

Words // Adam Sharp

Michael Kiwanuka - "Lasan" (featuring Dan Auerbach)
Whoa. This collaboration is just too damn smooth.  (website)

Shakey Graves - "Late July"
First you get the story behind the name, then you get an idea of why it's a name you need to remember.  (website)

Greylag - "Black Crow"
This song makes me uneasy due to never committing to a rhythm for more than a few bars. But that's also why I like it.  (website)

Greylag - Black Crow

 

Josh Ritter - "Come and Find Me"
Sometimes you forget how brilliant Josh Ritter is. Then a song like 'Come and Find Me' comes on and you remember all over again.  (website)

Pickwick - "Blackout"
If you are going to SXSW: this is the band you need to go out of your way to see. If you aren't going: get familiar- they are going to blow up soon.  (website)

Pickwick - Blackout

Michael Kiwanuka - "Home Again"

Words // Adam Sharp

Despite the obscene amount of music I consume, rare is the song that stops me dead in my tracks. In fact, I honestly can't remember the last time it occurred. That, however, is exactly what happened last night on my first listen of "Home Again" by Michael Kiwanuka. I was immediately taken by the clean, crisp guitar, light beat and Kiwanuka's fantastic, soulful croon, thinking it was all sorts of very nice. Then he got to that second chorus. Man. I just sat, jaw agape, as those double tracked vocals kicked in and I was engulfed by the swelling atmosphere of warmth coming from my speakers. Just stunning.

Michael Kiwanuka has released two EPs (I'm Getting Ready and Tell Me A Tale) this year and each is utterly fantastic and more than worth your money. "Home Again" is the title track from the EP he will be releasing in January before unleashing his proper debut full length in March. Needless to say you'll be seeing a lot of him around these parts going forward. Enjoy.