As a rule of thumb, I try to avoid EPs. I’m not sure why, because we’ve had some really good ones recently, but something about the brevity of the music makes me wary. It takes a lot for an EP to stand out …
Yearly Archives: 2014
Pharis and Jason Romero – Long Gone Out West Blues – Perfect traditional roots country music
With a female lead and high tenor harmonies, Pharis and Jason Romero are the embodiment of all that is wonderful about timeless country music. Although this album is a year old, it’s well worth covering on this site. This is the kind of …
Bonus–more thoughts on Simon and the Bande A Part.
Simon VanGend is a writer. He’s a musician too, but he’s a writer. He’s a poet who just happens to sing, and play, and collaborate very well. “Blinking and Breathing” is VanGend’s fourth full-length album. On top of that, he is doing …
Cape Canyon – Bluebonnet EP – Classic, beautiful sound with sophisticated folk, rock, and country songwriting elements
Cape Canyon are one of my favorite finds of 2014. They have absolutely stunning harmonies and a truly unique overall sound. There’s a certain raw authenticity in their writing. It’s not to say that they are inexperienced so much as to say that …
Simon and the Bande A Part: Blinking and Breathing
Simon and the Bande À Part. Blinking and Breathing. Released on Bandcamp, 2013. http://www.simonvangend.com Simon and the Bande À Part hails from Cape Town, South Africa, a country that (if it isn’t yet) really, really needs to be on your radar for hot …
Humble Tripe–organic voices, electronic noises, and melodica.
Humble Tripe is the work of love belonging to Shawn Luby, a Carolina-based lifetime musician who spent much of his life competing in the classical guitar arena. He won many of these competitions and achieved prominence as a very talented young musician. …
Free Music Friday! The Sea The Sea
Hey everyone, Happy Free Music Friday! Also, Happy World’s Down Syndrome Day! Anyway, I’ve got some exciting new music here for you, this time from a band called The Sea The Sea. I just got a hold of this album and I think …
Pandas & People – On My Way
Pandas & People have just released a 5 song EP in the vein of The Lumineers, more on that later. This group’s catchy folk-pop sound is nearly perfect. They have a knack for clever lyrics and fun rhythms with hand claps and stomps. …
Robert Ellis – Lights from the Chemical Plant – Quintessential country music with authentic voice and lyrics
Robert Ellis has the quintessential country music voice. With a southern pedigree and a knack for writing clever lyrics over catchy melodies, Ellis is a sure fire country music star. His timeless sound is one that ought to be more prevalent in Nashville, …
The Emerald Armada – The Emerald Armada – The Irish music for St. Patrick’s Day you didn’t know you needed
This is really excellent music on the debut EP from the Emerald Armada. And yes, if you’re wondering, the “Emerald” part of their name refers to their Belfast, Northern Ireland origins. This album has gang vocals, exciting harmonies, and a fun vibe great …
