Cowboy Songs

[mp3]
Sam Amidon "Saro" (Removed upon request)

I'm not really one for posting a lot of personal stuff on this blog, mostly it's tour news, mp3s and the like. But I have to say, for some reason Vermont native Sam Amidon is really doing it for me today. His soft folk songs are some of the most authentic and true sounding American music compositions I've heard in a long time. They're slow, mournful and lonesome, recalling the American west at sundown or some snow storm out on the plains. Just wanted to let you all know that you should really check him out if you haven't. Amidon collaborates with a ton of amazing musicians like Nico Muhley, Olof Arnalds, Doveman, and Shahzad Ismaily. Amidon's newest record is called All is Well and he is coming to New York's Mercury Lounge with Anthallo on March 4th. See him shooting a can Townes Van Zandt style while singing shirtless after the jump. Yeah, he's a little out. UPDATE: "Saro" video also included ATJ.



cowboy song from Sam Amidon on Vimeo.

"Saro"

Sam Amidon Signs to Nonesuch

We're pretty geeked on Nonesuch signing the very talented yet criminally under the radar artist - Sam Amidon. While his records were never bound to be chart toppers and his live (and recorded) collaborations with Nico Muhley and Doveman weren't meant for mainstream consumption - this move nonetheless shows Nonesuch's commitment to great talent. Amidon's lonesome modern interpretations of American music capture a melodic sense that is at once uplifting and filled with longing. Bright Sunny South drops May 14. From the bio:

"Amidon expresses a broad view of what constitutes a folk tradition: Bright Sunny South features a re-arrangement of Mariah Carey’s “Shake It Off” (from The Emancipation of Mimi) and a surprisingly poignant take on Tim McGraw’s “My Old Friend” (from Live Like You Were Dying, an album, Amidon notes, that ponders in a surprisingly frank manner the same life-and-death concerns as some of these century-old numbers he has revived). "

Four Disparate but Excellent New Tracks

Pearl Harbor: "Luv Goon" - What is it about simply strummed chords, washed-out female vocals, and simple drum patterns that is so infinitely appealing? I guess it's the beauty of something so uncomplicated and accessible that makes it so hard to dislike. This is not meant as slight to the two west-coast sisters named Piper and Skylar who play under the moniker Pearl Harbor. After almost 14 years of being in bands, we can say hands down that making a simple and pleasing song is one of the hardest things to do in music. The California beach-tinged guitars and vocals here make us long for temperatures above 18 degrees, and certainly make us want to hear the rest of Pearl Harbor's EP Something About the Chapparals, out now on Mexican Summer. (via)

Sam Amidon: "How Come That Blood" - God. There aren't enough murder ballads these days. Anyone who reads us knows our love for Sam Amidon and his long-gone prairie songs that are as lonesome as "Pancho and Lefty" and recall Cormac McCarthy in tone and, sometimes, graphic violence. "How Come That Blood" touches upon all those qualities, but stretches the boundaries (in a good way) with backing arrangements from the amazing Shahzad Ismaily (what up Shahzad!) and the consummate Amidon collaborator Nico Muhley. Amidon's new record I See the Sign comes out March 1 on Bedroom Community. (via)

Blood Feathers: "Don't Know You at All" - Add another to the stable of ace bands coming out of Philly. (Also another with a "Blood" band name). Their garagey pop channels some elements of vintage strokes, and their melodies are tight, persuasive and utterly repeatable. Goodness Gracious is out now digitally with a full release on Feb 23 via Philebrity Label.


Growing: "Hormone" - We're still not sure exactly what to think of Vice Records newest signing, Growing. Yet, their lead track "Hormone" strikes us in the right way as some sort of bizarre dance mash-up of the Fuck Buttons and Gang Gang Dance. While not so much a hard hitting banger as we might have hoped, "Hormone" is a dirty little gem, with just enough grit and layering as to whet our appetites for more. Second "single" will make or break it! Love that album cover though.

Due to annoying server problems we are using some previously hosted mp3s.

Samamidon - All is Well

Playing under his smashed-together first and last names, Sam Amidon plays hushed traditional folk and blues songs with a light touch and deep resonance. The songs on his newest offering All Is Well (Bedroom Community) play out like epilogues to tragic Cormac McCarthy novels; never overdone but filled with the melancholy of a story that doesn't really end. Even his "up tempo" songs are anchored by his wistful vocal delivery. Highly recommended.
Myspace

New Ólöf Arnalds mp3 & Nite Jewel Tour Announcement

[MP3]
Ólöf Arnalds - "Við og Við" (VIA)

Ólöf Arnalds subtly made her way into the US over the past few years as more and more people discovered the delicate wintry folk music contained on her stellar debut Við og Við. The great news is, she's just finished recording her second record in Iceland, enlisting the help of producer Kjartan Sveinsson from Sigur rós along with musicians Skuli Sverrisson (Laurie Anderson), Shahzad Ismaily (whooo) (Tom Waits, Bonnie 'Prince' Billy), and Davíð Þór Jónsson (Mugison). We caught her last September at Le Poission Rouge as she captivated the audience with guest spots from Nico Muhley, Ismaily, and Sam Amidon. Arnalds has announced several NY dates including a special show with Bjork and the Dirty Projectors (!!). Can't wait for this one.

May 5th- Union Hall- Brooklyn
May 6th- Sycamore- Brooklyn
May 7th- Scandinavia House (Volvo Hall), NYC
May 8th- Housing Works Bookstore Cafe w/Björk and The Dirty Projectors- NYC

In other tour news...

[MP3]
Nite Jewel "Weak For Me"

Longtime Stark fave Nite Jewel has teamed up with new Stark sort-of-fave Telepathe for a run of dates only on the west coast (boo). See those dates after the jump!



NITE JEWEL

May 28 2009 The Smell Los Angeles, California
Jun 04 2009 Oasis Oakland, California
Jun 05 2009 Aunty Mo's Eureka, California
Jun 07 2009 Northern Olympia, Washington
Jun 09 2009 Biltmore Cabaret Vancouver, British Columbia *
Jun 10 2009 Chop Suey Seattle, Washington *
Jun 11 2009 Holocene Portland, Oregon *
Jun 12 2009 Bottom of the Hill San Francisco, California *
Jun 13 2009 The Smell Los Angeles, California *#
Jun 16 2009 Detroit Bar Costa Mesa, California *
Jun 17 2009 Modified Arts Phoenix, Arizona *

* = w/ Telepathe
# = w/ Abe Vigoda

New Music - Daniel Martin Moore - "Stray Age"

Daniel Martin Moore "Stary Age" - mp3
Here is a lovely new tune from a relatively unknown songwriter from Cold Spring, Kentucky named Daniel Martin Moore. Unknown that is, until Sup Pop signed him after hearing his unsolicited demo in 2007. Daniel Martin Moore's debut Stray Age comes out on October 7th and represents the last release in what has been a banner year for the Sub Pop label. The title track above recalls a combination of Sam Amidon's folk-country ruminations, yet possess a gray English quality which, of course, brings the inevitable Nick Drake comparisons. Although it's yet another guy with a guitar, it's clear that there's something deeper in Moore's songwriting that demands further exploration. But for now, enjoy the song on a rainy Friday.