Covers of “Such Great Heights,” will never, ever get old.
Listen to one of my favorite musicians hailing out of the Pacific Northwest, Kris Orlowski, and his momentous interpretation of one of the most popular Postal Service track there is. Gorgeous. And it’s name your price!
Check out the rest of Independent Clauses’ celebration of making it online for 10 years and the album, Give Up, here.
Ahh..The Head and the Heart. Simply a band that can play no wrong in my eyes.
Next month when I’m camping at The Woodlands in Dover, I’ll be sure that I’m in the crowd anxiously awaiting this Seattle-based folk group. With such a lush sound, catchy choruses paired with evocative lyrics, it’s music perfect for your twenties.
Check out a handful of their tracks below, and be sure to keep up with them here.
Down in the Valley – The Head and the Heart
Lost in My Mind – The Head and the Heart
Ghosts – The Head and the Heart
Right-click and enjoy.
What I really enjoy in Kris Orlowski’s music is the modesty that just pours out. Simple mini-manifestos woven deep within beautiful folk-pop and flowing song structure. A truly talented artist that I could listen to endlessly.
In his latest release, Orlowski plays his new song, “All My People” for The Protosong Project, a Pacific Northwest group shining light on independent work. Those rich vocals sound wonderful and it’s really quite lovely to see his backing band in support.
You all know I’m a sucker for a sweet little music video. Here we’ve got Debbie Miller performing a Ballard Session of her song, “Brand New Album.”
Miller actually just released her album, Measures + Waits, last week which you can check out here. Her sophomore effort “encompasses both the seriousness and silliness of love and life.” Quirky folk-pop that’s light and whimsy, enjoy.
This track had me at the hypnotizing organ.
It’s a creeping “tubey-riff” that breaks completely open for the chorus. I enjoy the stalking guitars, the heavy hitting percussion, and pretty much the entire energy of “Walking in the Dark.” Seattle’s Black Whales have the 60′s reverb sound with obvious influences from The Turtles, The Kinks, and Neil Young. I love the fusion of psych-rock and modern melodies.
The Black Whales are an unsigned band who have released Shangri-La Indeed last summer, the album where you can find this song.
Walking In The Dark – Black Whales
Right-click and enjoy.
WOOP, it’s FRIDAY!
Sometimes these weeks just blow by and other times they just fucking drag. But today doesn’t have to friends because I’m giving you an entire playlist of songs to keep those spirits high. “Scared Straight” by The Long Winters starts off with old-school organs and funky, uptempo horns making it the perfect Friday jam. Honestly, I can’t stop bouncing around in my seat to this track. Let John Roderick quell all that’s gone wrong in the week and get yourself over to a cool 120, it’s fresh off the presses!
Scared Straight – The Long Winters
Right-click and enjoy.
Seems once the first snowfall hits everyone’s back to wanting those warmer months again. Ok, I do admit snow before
Halloween is kind of weird..but I’m a winter baby at heart with a car that’s got all wheel drive.
Anyways, despite the sudden cold that no one’s really willing to accept yet, that hasn’t stopped some bands from turning off their summer sound. Take for example Seattle’s The Royal Sea who create nice, surfy guitar riffs paired with substantial lyrics (now that’s a way to get my attention) that sums up to real feel-good music.
Listen to the band’s first track off their self-titled debut album and get lost in the tale of falling in love. Make sure to grab the rest from bandcamp, it’s worth it.
Enjoy.
It’s an understatement to say I misplace crucial items often, and yesterday proved to be a trying day.
If someone were to have come up to me and said, “Hey Lindsey, listen, I know you’ve been losing your mind lately but this new album by Cataldo will bring you a little sonic clarity at least,” then I probably would have hugged them..for a very long time. Sitting amidst my pile of albums to listen to, I stumbled upon Prison Boxing at a perfect and much needed moment.
Eric Anderson’s latest and third full length has definitely been a work in progress (three cheers for Kickstarter!). From the opening line of the very first track, “Lets begin at the end of a bad year, with bad things at my back,” immediately leads the listener into a heartfelt and wonderfully written album. Raw emotions are evoked through Anderson’s clever diction, detailing the close of a meaningful relationship. Sometimes those walls feel too small and we must break them down with relentless hyper-awareness and fluid expression, sometimes that’s in the form of writing.
And I can really fucking appreciate that.
“Cash on the Barrel” is an honest singalong jam (much like the entire album) that reminds me of The Decemberists and the nasally-yet-comforting vocals of Ben Gibbard from Death Cab. Another standout track, “Things You Need to Know,” stands as a checklist for a slipping love, reminding them of the important role they play in the other’s life. Finally, “Reach Out and Touch Someone’s Hand,” is a fantastic closer for the album (remember when I talked about tracklisting?) that’s contagiously uplifting, quickly cracking the corner’s of your mouth into a smile.
As a music lover I wish I could give you guys the entire album for free but as a blogger, I have a responsibility. Cataldo is generously handing out track, “Rock of Calvary,” for free which should already be enough of a reason for you to grab the entire album.
I implore you to make this purchase because today, Prison Boxing drops and you won’t be disappointed.
Tilt your head back and sing to the sky (right-click and enjoy).
I’m kind of thrilled right now. I just checked the weather for the next couple of days and it’s supposed to drop. I
can’t wait for winter…ok, fall.
I’m starting to take the pictures off my walls, pull the nails out, and box things up. I’ve only been in my apartment for two years but it really became my home-base.
New neighborhood, new places, new people, etc. etc. etc to look forward to. Here’s some music to ease you out of one week and into another, as these tracks have been helping me all morning.
Wait For Me – Motopony Exasperated and utterly beautiful, the reason why I am even posting today.
It’s Real – Real Estate Solid sunny, surf-rock. Like that alliteration? Listen to the first single off their second full length, Days, due out in late September.
Fall feat. Megan Washington – Lanu The beginning of this song reminds me of Greg Laswell…maybe it’s the piano? Anyways, that’s the voice of Megan Washington over producer, Lanu’s easy, classic sound.
Coming Down – Dum Dum Girls I’ll be the first to admit that I was never really into this band whenever I’d see their tracks floating around other blogs and sites. Their sound and my ears just didn’t match at the time, until now. “Coming Down” is a tragic-sounding slow burner. The guitar fuzz works well with singer Dee Dee’s strong, raw voice. I want to play this loud all throughout my apartment while I pack, of course on loop.
Right-click and enjoy.
