Country & Folk

Gimme 5! Stella Maxwell Of Stella And The Very Messed (And Cruiserweight) Shares 5 Records That Influenced The Marigold EP

By / / Alternative Rock, Country & Folk, Indie Pop, Indie Rock, Jangle Pop, Power Pop, Punk / 1 Comment

With ‘Gimme 5!’ we take a peek into the collections of artists we admire. The premise is simple: artists WE like share 5 records THEY love.

There was an instant familiarity when I first heard the Marigold EP by Stella And The Very Messed. It all made sense when I found out that Stella Maxwell of Cruiserweight fronts The Very Messed. Cruiserweight was a pop punk band from Austin that had a great run in the first decade of the 2000s, and the distinct voice of Maxwell was (is!) one of the draws of that band. Together with Cruiserweight alumn Dave Hawkins, she started this new project which is not pop punk, but semi-acoustic and equal parts indie pop, ’90s alternative and americana. It’s more layered and, for lack of a better word, more mature than the music of Cruiserweight, but just as accessible an enjoyable. It’s the kind of music Maxwell’s voice seems made for. In addition to Maxwell and Hawkins, the band also includes Chris Nine (Karaoke Apocalypse, Manhole) and Donnie Adkinson (The Letters Organize, Whores), with Nik Snell (The Cutaway) and Sam Rich (Black Books) recent additions for live shows.

The video for lead single, and my personal favorite on the EP, The Feeling premieres today. The video is an arts and crafts stop-motion piece of creative brilliance. Sonically, The Feeling is a song made for spring with its gently strumming guitars and catchy forward moving bass line. Lyrically and vocally, the song pulls at the heartstrings with its dark and deeply personal undertones. “And now I drink myself to bed and I cry myself to work,” Maxwell sings, and “How can you really miss what you never really knew? I get the feeling, I do ||  How can you really miss what you never really had? I know that feeling, I do.” [post continues below]

 

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Gimme 5! Marc Ribler (Little Steven & The Disciples Of Soul) Shares 5 Records That Influenced His Upcoming Record The Whole World Awaits You

By / / Alternative Rock, Blues & Roots, Country & Folk, Funk & Soul, Garage Rock, Power Pop / Leave a Comment

With ‘Gimme 5!’ we take a peek into the collections of artists we admire. The premise is simple: artists WE like share 5 records THEY love.

I started reading Twilight Of The Gods this week, a book in which Steven Hyden explores the past, present and future of classic rock. Early in the book, Hyden calls classic rock a finite resource: “One day, it will disappear. Bands break up. Albums go unplayed and are eventually forgotten. Legends die.” Hyden has a point of course. Time does not stand still, albums are losing out to playlists, fewer and fewer bands sell out stadiums and it’s unlikely that current and future rock bands will come anywhere close to the lasting cultural impact of the classic bands from the ’60s and ’70s. But is that necessarily a bad thing? They’ve been saying that punk is dead since the late seventies, but to agree with that statement you essentially admit that you haven’t been paying attention. Ultimately,  there will always be musicians that will carry the torch of guitar music into familiar and unfamiliar territory. Which brings us to this week’s Gimme 5! which features an artist whose music celebrates the power of classic rock and soul.

Marc Ribler is a musician and producer who in recent years has been Steven Van Zandt’s right hand man in The Disciples Of Soul. Ribler also shared the stage with many Hall-Of-famers including Carole King, Elvis Costello, Bruce Springsteen, Darlene Love, and Paul McCartney. On July 9th, Ribler will release a new solo record called The Whole World Awaits You (pre-order here). Busy as Ribler is with producing, performing and writing songs and jingles for others, it is a record that’s been long in the making – some of the songs were written as early as 2005. Little Steven became excited after hearing some of the early mixes and offered to co-produce the record and release it on his label Wicked Cool Records. Based on the early singles, it’s easy to see why: Shattered and Who Could Ask For More (watch the video here) are excellent throwbacks to the heyday of rock and soul, and both songs were picked as ‘coolest song in the world’ at the Underground Garage radio station. Not only that, these songs make my speakers sound better than ever – this is some well produced, mixed and mastered music. Below Marc Ribler shares five classic albums that he drew influence from in writing the songs for The Whole World Awaits You. Enjoy reading and listening!  [post continues below]

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New album: The Pine Hill Haints || The Song Companion of a Lonestar Cowboy

By / / Blues & Roots, Country & Folk / Leave a Comment

The Pine Hill Haints perform “ghost music”, songs they consider to be “dead” in the modern world. With this premise they do themselves short, because on their new (11th!) full-length album The Song Companion of a Lone Star Cowboy they sound very much alive. These 15 roots tracks are honest and authentic (“prayers and simple meditations, cool shadows to ease the mind in the turbulent times”), a mix of originals, traditionals with new arrangements and two covers (Bo Diddley’s Pretty Thing and Hasil Adkins’ Louise). This is punk oriented country blues from and for skateboarders. The instruments, including washboard, accordion, harmonica, fiddle, mandolin, singing saw (and of course Jamie Barrier’s great voice), are treated in such a way that they provide a swampy and raucous sound. In any case, when good songs are played (and recorded) with so much effort and power by experienced musicians, they will always live on.

Out now digitally, on CD and vinyl LP through Single Lock Records. Add to wantlist: Bandcamp || Discogs

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New album: Half Deaf Clatch || Metamorphosis

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His raw down-home blues and his original song writing make Half Deaf Clatch (aka Andrew McLatchie) a welcome entrant at the British Blues Awards, where he is described as a “slide stump blues machine.” More importantly, the UK artist is steadily expanding his discography with good folky country blues. On his new album Metamorphosis, McLatchie has put on a cowboy hat and accompanies his gritty voice with an electric guitar in nine new, cinematic songs. Out now digitally and on CD via Speak Up Recordings.

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

New album: Southern Culture On The Skids || At Home With Southern Culture On The Skids

By / / Blues & Roots, Country & Folk, Garage Rock / 1 Comment

About 25 years ago we were nerdy on time at the concert hall, so we saw Southern Culture On The Skids perform twice: the sound check and the real show. Camel Walk is still one of my favorite songs and new work always leads to a jump of joy. The band – Rick Miller on guitar & vocals, Mary Huff on bass & vocals, and Dave Hartman standing behind the drums – has been playing together for 30+ years, consistently recording and touring around the world. Good news: they have an awesome new album out called At Home with Southern Culture on the Skids (already released March 12, so I almost overlooked it, but luckily our hero Little Steven brought it to my attention by playing new track Run Baby Run this week, on episode 996 of his legendary Underground Garage radio show). The 11 tracks, including 2 covers – Sugar Town (written by Lee Hazlewood, first recorded by Nancy Sinatra), and Dear Mr. Fantasy (written by Jim Capaldi, Steve Winwood & Chris Wood, recorded by Traffic) – were taped and mixed by Rick In his living room and at The Kudzu Ranch. And that is also the feeling that the new album evokes: a successful living room concert, a cozy and laidback rock ’n’ roll party with catchy songs that make you smile and sing along. We would have loved to be there, twice.

Out now digitally and on CD via Kudzu Records. Add to wantlist: Bandcamp || Discogs || SCOTS

New single: Boy Golden || Church of Better Daze / Eggs Benediction

By / / Country & Folk, Garage Rock / 1 Comment

As an introduction to his quirky, intriguing world, Boy Golden released two uplifting songs, Church of Better Daze and Eggs Benediction, out now digitally via Six Shooter Records. The Canadian songwriter has a purpose: enjoy each day and make good music. To that end, he founded The Church of Better Daze, appointing himself as minister. Redefining jam band and stoner cultures by turning dead heads into lively brains, Boy Golden wants to unite us all in a hazy dream under one roof, where it’s all about collaboration, common goals and cannabis. Whatever, this is catchy alt-country / indie rock, also great fun for non-believers who are not under the influence of narcotics. A full-length album is expected on July 16. Woohoo!

‘I was talking to a street corner preacher // He said man I’ve got a few things I can teach ya // Teach ya how to live in a righteous way // Send you off to heaven this very day’

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

New album: Jesse Aycock || Jesse Aycock

By / / Blues & Roots, Country & Folk / Leave a Comment

On his new self-titled full-length album, the American singer / songwriter / multi instrumentalist Jesse Aycock (Hard Working Americans) blends rock, folk, psych, country and soul with the original Tulsa sound. Here are thirteen poetic songs carried by Aycock’s distinctive voice, completed by the instrumentation including pedal steel, B3, strings, mellotron, lap steel, and piano. Halfway through the record you hear the song Sadder Than A Sunset, that title is a nice description of the mood and the vocals of this album. Just beautiful. Out now digitally, on CD and vinyl LP through Horton Records. RIYL: Neal Casal, Gram Parsons, Ryan Adams. Listen to Passing Days, my  favorite song from this collection.

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp || Horton Records Europe

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New album: The Side Burns || Freakout 509

By / / Country & Folk, Punk / Leave a Comment

Rockabilly from Hong Kong, why not? Please meet The Side Burns: Ziad ‘Rumplestiltskin’ Samman (guitar / vocals), Philip ‘Wolfy Gimble’ Emond (drums / deyboards / vocals), and Paul ‘Mr. Pink’ Thompson (bass / vocals). They play an entertaining mix of country punk and greasy rock ‘n’ roll, reminiscent of The Clash. Their second album Freakout 509 is out now digitally and on vinyl LP through Astral Traveller Records. The ten songs are surprisingly varied: Ode To My Lungs and Liver for example is almost a Rancid-esque song to jump on, while Tequila Blue is a sweet cocktail song with horns. Meant to play loud as you tear down a lonesome dusty road.

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

New album: The Pink Stones || Introducing… The Pink Stones

By / / Country & Folk / Leave a Comment

‘When I was a kid my mom liked country music but my dad was totally a rocker. They would constantly be switching the radio. I was definitely with my dad and had discounted country forever. Then it caught up with me and I became pretty much obsessed with it.’ This quote from Hunter Pinkston says a lot about the sound of The Pink Stones, in which Will Anderson, Adam Wayton, Logan Brammer, John Neff (Drive-By Truckers), and Jack Colclough also play. They mix elements of classic cosmic country, raucous rock ‘n’ roll and indie rock, and fresh humor and heartaches. Introducing… is a good example of a strong debut album, one that we’ll enjoy for a long time to come. Out now digitally, on CD and vinyl LP through the New West Records imprint Normaltown Records.

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp || Discogs

New album: Hope Dunbar || Sweetheartland

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Now this is a new Americana / country folk album from the Nebraska plain that deserves more attention. Sweetheartland, the second full-length by small-town preacher’s wife / singer-songwriter Hope Dunbar, is an accomplishment. Beautiful songs, visual lyrics, powerful flawless vocals, mood-enhancing musical accompaniment, great production. Listen below to the infectious earworm What Were You Thinking? (‘No, a gift card to a gas station is not a Valentine’s present’), and the uplifting tribute John Prine (‘I wish your songs were mine’), two of the standout tracks from an album worth listening to.

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp || Hope Dunbar Shop

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