The Sophomore Slump is a terrifying curse. It can take what seem like the most brilliant of musicians and expose them for their inability to create music equivalent to the quality found in their breakthrough performance. For some musicians, the second album will …
The Head and the Heart – KEXP Show
There’s nothing I can say that will adequately introduce this group. This recording of “Ever Since” (the second in the set) made my soul squirm in a good way. It’s a little longer than most of our videos, but it’s worth your time …
Guest Review: Dan Alland on Sunwolf UK
Sunwolf – Beyond the Sun By Dan Alland Patience is a virtue. This proverb appears to be the pre-eminent mantra for UK ambient risers, Sunwolf, whose debut album – “Beyond the Sun” – is set for its much anticipated release: 26/11/2012 on Ark …
YouTube Gem: Erin Rae – “Going Away”
Eratosthenes is a remarkable videographer with the best music connections in the Pacific Northwest. Here’s his recording of the incomparable Erin Rae. Her guitar playing is soothing and her voice like honey. Drink it in… so so sweet.
Quicksand Marching Band – Quicksand Marching Band
I love creative band names and often listen to bands strictly because of that. I admit it’s not always the best tactic, but it has served me well thus far. The most recent example is Quicksand Marching Band, a five piece bluegrass band …
Pebaluna – Carny Life
Pebaluna came by the strong recommendation of Good Old War. One site described their sound as like She and Him but I heartily disagree. The lead vocal is a bit like Zoey Deschanel, but the rest of the sound has a sophistication that …
Youtube Gems: The Last Bison
If you were fortunate enough to catch The Last Bison when they were still Bison, you’ll have heard most of the songs on their upcoming Universal Records debut. Most of the songs on that debut are off of their self produced debut “Quill” …
Two Gallants – The Bloom and the Blight
Anyone who attended festivals across America in 2012 (or at least saw the lineups) knows that a couple of the biggest themes have been simple folks bands laced with vocal harmonies and old dirty guitar garage rock. With a certain savvy, Two Gallants …
Artist Interview: The Young Vanish
It’s not every day we get a chance to hear genuine talent. Oftentimes music is full of co-opted mimicry. We don’t make it any better by saying artists sound like this one or that one. What makes true musical greatness, as we’ve learned …
Tips on How to Submit to a Music Blog
It’s been our experience that a lot of bands and promoters are doing it wrong. The process of submitting music to critics, bloggers, and other writers is complicated in one sense because each site wants things differently, but it’s often super simple. Here …
