Johnny Cash on the Radio

[mp3] John Francis: "Johnny Cash on The Radio"

We're very excited about a new player in the world so easily described as "Americana." We first learned of Francis through Some Velvet Blog, and have been enjoying his fantastic new record, The Better Angels which dropped Tuesday on Dualtone. Following in the tradition of bands you know we already love, see Roadside Graves, Francis blends barroom, roadhouse country with the softer more melancholy touches of a veteran songwriter. Clearly a fresh talent, and someone we're glad we've discovered!

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New Sunset: "Moonlight"

[mp3] Sunset: "Moonlight"

[mp3] Sunset: "Late Night Dawning"

Several months ago Some Velvet Blog turned us on to the piano-driven and pleasantly distorted world of Austin's Sunset; the pop-minded but sufficiently psych-addled brainchild of the extremely talented Bill Baird. Admittedly, we fell out of touch with the band until today, we saw a new track debuted on Gorilla vs Bear. After a quick listen to "Moonlight", above, and a few emails, we're currently very much enjoying Sunset's new album Loveshines But The Moon Is Shining Too, due digitally on September 7, with a double LP to follow on October 12, via Autobus Records. Certainly an album we recommend picking up next week, if you can't hold out for the vinyl.


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Credit Where It's Due

[mp3] Sonya Cotton: "Red River"

Some of the most interesting music we've come across in the past few days has come (of course) from some of our favorite music blogs. Vince hates these double posts, but deal with it buddy. Thanks to Some Velvet Blog and Aquarium Drunkard for the below.

First, we have the delicate and gorgeous folk stylings of San Francisco's Sonya Cotton. Finding solace in simple and pleasing traditional sounding melodies, Cotton weaves her way through most songs with only finger picked guitar; yet at times the mood is broken by tasteful drums, a violin or horns. Cotton certainly fits well with Stark favorites Alela Diane and Marissa Nadler, but as SVB points out, her voice also bares resemblance to Natalie Merchant, at her least annoying. We're only beginning to dig into Cotton's self-released Red River, but so far, it's extremely satisfying. Cotton is heading East in the middle of May and you can buy Red River HERE.

[mp3] Family Band: "Fantasy"
[mp3] Family Band: "Hatred"

The lay person would probably lump both the above artist Sonya Cotton, and this artist, Brooklyn's Family Band, into the all-encompassing folk category and move on -- yet, these two artists are markedly different. Family Band channel a warmer, more organic sound - autumnal and melancholy but still with a hint of brightness. Their record Miller Path comes out April 15 and there are 500 (make that 499) limited edition vinyls available HERE. Check them out, now.

Artist to Watch: Gamble House

[mp3] Gamble House: "Central Park"

Early this morning, before coffee, we listened to "Central Park" by the LA group Gamble House as recommend by Some Velvet Blog, who called their self-titled debut "one of the best debut albums of the year so far." Coupled with the sounds coming out of the speakers, we got a rare pre-caffeine bolt of adrenaline.

Gamble House purvey a gauzy and delicate brand of orchestral folk that lands somewhere between Midlake and Grizzly Bear, and sounds like walking through the woods in upstate New York during an afternoon snow storm. The instrumentation is rich and careful at times, and ultimately buoyed by the stellar vocal performances of singer and lead member Ben Becker.

We've only taken our first listens to the album today, so it's hard to give you the full scope of the project. Yet, from what we have heard to date, it's clear that Gamble House have a fully conceived and realized vision that deserves immediate attention. Yes, they are likely to garner many comparisons to Yellow House era Grizzly Bear. But coming from bloggers that are admittedly so-so on the old 'Bear, we can say that the melodies and song structures on this record are in many ways superior to multiple Grizzly Bear compositions. While Grizzly Bear rely on instrumental flourishes and pomp, Gamble House are content to fill those spaces with choruses, hooks, and actual substance. Well done.

All comparisons aside, we're extremely glad to have Gamble House on our radar, and look forward to what they have coming in the year ahead. You can buy Gamble House's debut HERE.

The Big Pink - "Too Young To Love" Video

This came to us via Mike Bailey and Some Velvet Blog. These London natives take their name from the once Woodstock home of The Band...The Big Pink; the home's basement served as a recording studio for the Dylan-Band combination aptly titled, The Basement Tapes. You know it.

As for the song, its got balls and promise. But the video is pretty fucked. There is some nipple, body morphing and strobe light raving. It's pretty good for a mid-Monday, non-caffeinated, wake up.