Neko Case returns triumphantly with her sixth album, Middle Cyclone, which hits stores next week. A bit of a nomad, Case has lived in Vancouver, Chicago, the Seattle area, Tucson, and Vermont, and the players she’s assembled here are a testimony to the ease with which she’s befriended like-minded individuals in those locations. Her regular band features vocalist Kelly Hogan, multi-instrumentalist Jon Rauhouse, guitarist Paul Rigby, bassist Tom V. Ray, and drummer Barry Mirochnick; M. Ward, Garth Hudson, Sarah Harmer, members of The New Pornographers, Los Lobos, Calexico, The Sadies, Visqueen, The Lilys, and Giant Sand also guest here. Julia Clarke will bring you up to speed on the album’s sonic landscape in this Songlines podcast.
Bell X1’s third album, Flock, was a runaway success in their home country of Ireland. Several of its tracks became huge hits there, and the band secured the devotion of legions of fans with the strength of their live show. But becoming a sensation overseas doesn’t translate to automatic success in the US — it takes time to establish a foothold here. A 2008 tour, with a stop at the Non-Commvention, a sold out show at New York’s Bowery Ballroom, and appearances on both Letterman and Conan laid the groundwork for reaching American listeners. Now Bell X1 is back with a great new record, Blue Lights on the Runway, and they’re poised to make a significant impact with its lead single, “The Great Defector.” Hear parts of that tune and others in this edition of the Songlines podcast.
Thursday February 12th 2009, 1:15 pm
Filed under: Americana, Podcasts
Posted by: Sean
In the five years since making her debut performance at a Shawnee, Oklahoma coffeehouse, Samantha Crain has proven herself to be as ambitious as she is talented, traveling every road she encountered to bring her music to all who would listen. The 22-year-old’s work began to pay off last year when she caught the attention of Ramseur Records, and was invited to join the acclaimed Hotel Cafe Tour. After releasing The Confiscation EP in 2008, Crain and her band the Midnight Shivers recorded their full-length debut Songs in the Night at Echo Mountain Studios. Tales of her explorations are present here, woven through well-crafted literary allusions in a voice that marries rural and rock.
As Julia mentioned in the podcast, Samantha and her band are on tour right now. If you don’t have a chance to catch her in your own city but you’ll be at SXSW, you might work one of her four (!) sets into your Austin itinerary, and if that’s not in the cards, we’d recommend this Daytrotter session.
Wednesday January 28th 2009, 9:09 am
Filed under: Podcasts
Posted by: Melanie
Andrew Bird’s musical evolution has been long, and its results fruitful. He has radically reinvented himself through several incarnations, beginning with classical training, moving into pop-based records with his band Andrew Bird’s Bowl of Fire, and finally finding his most comfortable voice after ditching the full-band sound for a more singular approach, incorporating centuries-old instrumentation used in combination with loop pedals and multitrack recorders. His sound has never been more fully-realized than on his brand new record, Noble Beast. Hear samples from it in this edition of the Songlines podcast.
Monday January 26th 2009, 8:55 am
Filed under: Podcasts
Posted by: Melanie
Like many Canadian musicians, Sam Roberts focused on building a strong foundation north of the border before setting his sights on gaining notoriety here in the States. After disbanding with his former act Northstar (some of whose members went on to form The Dears) in 1999, Sam released two records independently, the second of which yielding a big Canadian hit. Two major-label albums followed, and with a new record on Zoe/Rounder hitting the stores soon, it’s finally time to target the U.S. in a big way. Hear snippets of lead single “Them Kids” and other tracks in this edition of the Songlines podcast.
Boston’s famed Newbury Comics, one of the best independent record stores still operating in America, is offering special autographed pre-order copies of Sam’s new record, Love at the End of the World.Find out more here.
Friday January 23rd 2009, 9:25 am
Filed under: Podcasts
Posted by: Melanie
Miranda Lee Richards‘ music is delicate, but it’s not missing teeth. I suppose this is no surprise when you look like an angel but you learned to play guitar while hanging out with Metallica. Get a feel for the lilting sounds of Miranda’s new offering, Light of X (Nettwerk), with this taste provided by Julia Clarke.
If you’ll be in LA this February, Miranda’s doing a residency at Spaceland on Tuesdays all month. And if Austin’s more your thing, you can catch her set at SXSW in March.
Wednesday December 03rd 2008, 11:51 am
Filed under: Podcasts
Posted by: Melanie
While for most of the Triple A world, Milton is a brand new name, he’s long been enjoying support from your colleagues at New York stations and venues — WFUV, WDST, WKZE, Joe’s Pub, and the Living Room, to name a few. Milton’s new CD Grand Hotel is characterized by an easygoing sound and songwriting smarts. Don’t let the holidays hit before you lend this record your ears. Julia’s podcast will give you a primer.
Thursday November 20th 2008, 8:13 am
Filed under: Podcasts
Posted by: Melanie
Don’t look now, but Akron, Ohio has developed quite a music scene. Sure, Chrissie Hynde emerged from there years ago, but she jumped at the chance to leave town and never looked back. Actually, strike that — never say never. Hynde has recently moved back to help care for her mom, has opened a vegan restaurant there, and has been spotted giving props to her hometown, wearing a rotating cast of Akron t-shirts of late. The Black Keys and Joseph Arthur have both made their ways from Akron into rotation. And now comes young Jessica Lea Mayfield, who grew up in nearby Kent. Her new record, With Blasphemy So Heartfelt, comes with high praise from the Avett Brothers and collaborations with the Black Keys and Dr. Dog. Get a feel for its sound by checking out this podcast.
Despite only conjuring up a 6.8 for “music,”Pitchfork gave Jessica’s record an 8.2 last week. In my favorite part of the review, they call Dan Auerbach’s production of the album “more Brick than Double Indemnity.” If you haven’t seen those two movies, put them in your Netflix cue. You will thank me.
Californian singer-songwriter Brett Dennen’s star has risen quickly, and will surely continue its ascent with the release of his latest, Hope for the Hopeless. He’s just announced a three-month-long headlining tour commencing in early January. To find out whether he’s coming to a venue near you, check his dates. To get a sense of the album, listen to this podcast.
Brett also has an organization called Love Speaks, which helps fans get involved in their local non-profit communities. Explore its blog to find ways to help out in your area.
Friday November 07th 2008, 8:45 am
Filed under: Podcasts
Posted by: Melanie
An unashamed romantic, young British songwriter James Morrison has attacked the difficult task of “the sophomore record” with gusto. Not content to sit back on his haunches after the success of his debut, Undiscovered (the album went to #1 in the U.K., sold 2 million copies worldwide and earned him a Brit Award), he offers up more of his trademark raw soul on his latest, Songs for You, Truths for Me. Check out some tracks in this podcast.
Like most pop records, James’ studio efforts are perfected with a distinctly professional polish, which makes it even nicer to see grainy video of him doing an acoustic rehearsal with his band:
