Thursday, February 3, 2011
Monday, January 31, 2011
The Innocence Mission
Official Website: http://www.theinnocencemission.com
The Innocence Mission hails from the Amish Country. Centered on husband-and-wife songwriters Karen and Don Peris,the original group, including Mike Bitts (bass) and Steve Brown (drums), was formed in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in the early '80s. Their music appeared in the movie Empire Records and on the television series Party of Five.
Here is a video I found on YouTube of their song "Lakes of Canada", it's not an actual music video, but will let you hear the original version of this song (Sufjan Stevens has covered this one)...
The Innocence Mission hails from the Amish Country. Centered on husband-and-wife songwriters Karen and Don Peris,the original group, including Mike Bitts (bass) and Steve Brown (drums), was formed in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in the early '80s. Their music appeared in the movie Empire Records and on the television series Party of Five.
Here is a video I found on YouTube of their song "Lakes of Canada", it's not an actual music video, but will let you hear the original version of this song (Sufjan Stevens has covered this one)...
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Mason Jennings
Official Website: http://www.masonjennings.com
Mason Jennings is a singer/songwriter from Minnesota. He is currently signed to Jack Johnson's Brushfire Records label. Jennings' latest release, The Flood, debuted at #1 on itunes singer/songwriter chart.
Mason Jennings is a singer/songwriter from Minnesota. He is currently signed to Jack Johnson's Brushfire Records label. Jennings' latest release, The Flood, debuted at #1 on itunes singer/songwriter chart.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Jesse Aycock
Official Website: http://www.jesseaycock.com
I had the privilege to catch Jesse Aycock in concert last month with Samantha Crain. I hadn't heard of him prior to that show, but since that show I've become a fan of his music. Jesse's music can be described as a blend of styles including early rock, traditional folk, psychedelic, country and soul. His high tenor (bordering on falsetto) coupled with his acoustic guitar (along with his "Lennon-esque" appearance) made it easy for me to imagine I was hanging out in Greenwich Village during the 60's.
Jesse is from Tulsa and has music in his blood; his father is Scott Aycock, who is a singer/songwriter and host of Folk Salad on KOSU.
In addition to his solo work, he's involved in a number of side projects:Boondogs, Little Chairs, The Dustin Pittsley Band, Paul Benjamin Band, and Love Ghost.
I had the privilege to catch Jesse Aycock in concert last month with Samantha Crain. I hadn't heard of him prior to that show, but since that show I've become a fan of his music. Jesse's music can be described as a blend of styles including early rock, traditional folk, psychedelic, country and soul. His high tenor (bordering on falsetto) coupled with his acoustic guitar (along with his "Lennon-esque" appearance) made it easy for me to imagine I was hanging out in Greenwich Village during the 60's.
Jesse is from Tulsa and has music in his blood; his father is Scott Aycock, who is a singer/songwriter and host of Folk Salad on KOSU.
In addition to his solo work, he's involved in a number of side projects:Boondogs, Little Chairs, The Dustin Pittsley Band, Paul Benjamin Band, and Love Ghost.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Great Lake Swimmers
Official Website: http://www.greatlakeswimmers.com/
Great Lake Swimmers is a Canadian melodic folk band built around the songs of singer-songwriter Tony Dekker. Originally from Wainfleet, Ontario, the band is currently based in Toronto.
The current touring line-up includes Tony Dekker on lead vocals, acoustic guitar and harmonica, Erik Arnesen plays banjo, electric guitar and harmonium, Greg Millson plays drums, Bret Higgins on upright bass and Miranda Mulholland plays violin and sings the backing vocals.
Dekker has said his influences include Gram Parsons and Hank Williams. The band's style has similarities to Red House Painters, Nick Drake, and Iron & Wine among others.
The band released their fourth album, Lost Channels, on March 31, 2009. It was shortlisted for the 2009 Polaris Music Prize, and was nominated for a Juno Award in the category of Roots & Traditional Album of the Year – Group.
In 2008, Dekker appeared on Jenny Omnichord's album Charlotte or Otis: Duets for Children, Their Parents and Other People Too, performing a duet vocal on the song "Do You Know Karate".
In 2010, the band contributed four tracks to the online music community Swim Drink Fish Music, including live versions of their songs "Your Rocky Spine", "I Could Be Nothing" and "Everything Is Moving So Fast" and a previously unreleased track, "Ballad of a Fisherman's Wife".
Below is the video to one of my favorite songs of theirs, "Stealing Tomorrow"...Enjoy!
Great Lake Swimmers is a Canadian melodic folk band built around the songs of singer-songwriter Tony Dekker. Originally from Wainfleet, Ontario, the band is currently based in Toronto.
The current touring line-up includes Tony Dekker on lead vocals, acoustic guitar and harmonica, Erik Arnesen plays banjo, electric guitar and harmonium, Greg Millson plays drums, Bret Higgins on upright bass and Miranda Mulholland plays violin and sings the backing vocals.
Dekker has said his influences include Gram Parsons and Hank Williams. The band's style has similarities to Red House Painters, Nick Drake, and Iron & Wine among others.
The band released their fourth album, Lost Channels, on March 31, 2009. It was shortlisted for the 2009 Polaris Music Prize, and was nominated for a Juno Award in the category of Roots & Traditional Album of the Year – Group.
In 2008, Dekker appeared on Jenny Omnichord's album Charlotte or Otis: Duets for Children, Their Parents and Other People Too, performing a duet vocal on the song "Do You Know Karate".
In 2010, the band contributed four tracks to the online music community Swim Drink Fish Music, including live versions of their songs "Your Rocky Spine", "I Could Be Nothing" and "Everything Is Moving So Fast" and a previously unreleased track, "Ballad of a Fisherman's Wife".
Below is the video to one of my favorite songs of theirs, "Stealing Tomorrow"...Enjoy!
Brett Dennen
Official Website: http://www.brettdennen.net
Brett Dennen is a singer/songwriter from Oakdale, California.
In 2004, Dennen released his first self-titled album, Brett Dennen, and has been releasing albums on a regular basis since. Dennen's music has been featured in several television shows, including Roadtrip Nation on PBS, Grey's Anatomy, House, The Unit, Scrubs, Ugly Betty, and Parenthood. Dennen also appeared shoeless (as is his custom) on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on April 8, 2008, and followed up that appearance with showings on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, The Ellen DeGeneres Show and The Late Show with David Letterman in 2009. In addition to television series, Dennen has also sold to national advertising campaigns for companies such as Hilton Hotels.
He has traveled extensively across the U.S., serving as stagehand for musicians such as John Mayer, Michael Franti, and guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela.
Dennen has been a part of The Mosaic Project, a San Francisco Bay Area-based non-profit organization, since its inception. The Mosaic Project works towards a peaceful future by uniting young children of diverse backgrounds, providing them with essential skills to thrive in an increasingly diverse society, and empowering them to strive for peace. As The Mosaic Project's Resident Rock Star, Dennen created an original musical curriculum for the program, which they released as an album called Children's Songs for Peace and a Better World, in 2003. It won a Children's Music Web 2004 Award and a Parent's Choice 2004 Approved Award.
In 2008, Entertainment Weekly named Dennen one of its eight "Guys on the Rise". Dennen has toured with Mason Jennings and Missy Higgins, and spent the summer of 2008 attending festivals such as the Rothbury Music Festival in Michigan, Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Lyons Folk Festival, and the Mile High Music Festival in Colorado.
In 2008, Dennen, along with Jason Mraz, contributed the song "Long Road to Forgiveness" to the Survival International charity album Songs for Survival.
In January 2009, Dennen embarked on a 3-month vacation across the US, with friends Erin McCarley and Angus & Julia Stone.
On August 1, 2009, Dennen played at the Newport Folk Festival in Newport, Rhode Island, USA.
For those that haven't heard Brett Dennen's music before, here's a short sample featuring some of my favorite songs off his self-titled debut album...
Brett Dennen is a singer/songwriter from Oakdale, California.
In 2004, Dennen released his first self-titled album, Brett Dennen, and has been releasing albums on a regular basis since. Dennen's music has been featured in several television shows, including Roadtrip Nation on PBS, Grey's Anatomy, House, The Unit, Scrubs, Ugly Betty, and Parenthood. Dennen also appeared shoeless (as is his custom) on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on April 8, 2008, and followed up that appearance with showings on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, The Ellen DeGeneres Show and The Late Show with David Letterman in 2009. In addition to television series, Dennen has also sold to national advertising campaigns for companies such as Hilton Hotels.
He has traveled extensively across the U.S., serving as stagehand for musicians such as John Mayer, Michael Franti, and guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela.
Dennen has been a part of The Mosaic Project, a San Francisco Bay Area-based non-profit organization, since its inception. The Mosaic Project works towards a peaceful future by uniting young children of diverse backgrounds, providing them with essential skills to thrive in an increasingly diverse society, and empowering them to strive for peace. As The Mosaic Project's Resident Rock Star, Dennen created an original musical curriculum for the program, which they released as an album called Children's Songs for Peace and a Better World, in 2003. It won a Children's Music Web 2004 Award and a Parent's Choice 2004 Approved Award.
In 2008, Entertainment Weekly named Dennen one of its eight "Guys on the Rise". Dennen has toured with Mason Jennings and Missy Higgins, and spent the summer of 2008 attending festivals such as the Rothbury Music Festival in Michigan, Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Lyons Folk Festival, and the Mile High Music Festival in Colorado.
In 2008, Dennen, along with Jason Mraz, contributed the song "Long Road to Forgiveness" to the Survival International charity album Songs for Survival.
In January 2009, Dennen embarked on a 3-month vacation across the US, with friends Erin McCarley and Angus & Julia Stone.
On August 1, 2009, Dennen played at the Newport Folk Festival in Newport, Rhode Island, USA.
For those that haven't heard Brett Dennen's music before, here's a short sample featuring some of my favorite songs off his self-titled debut album...
Friday, December 31, 2010
Fionn Regan
Website: http://www.myspace.com/fionnregan
Fionn Regan is a singer-songwriter hailing from Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland. Regan was nominated for two Meteor Music Awards (Best Male and Best Newcomer) in 2006 and his album The End of History was nominated for Irish Album of the Year at the Choice Music Prize and was shortlisted for the 2007 Mercury Music Prize.
His song "Be Good Or Be Gone" has been featured in shows such as Grey's Anatomy, though not quite in the form below.
I love how each environment he is in has its own unique acoustic properties, that lend to such an interesting video despite it being a low-budget, lo-fi offering.
Fionn Regan is a singer-songwriter hailing from Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland. Regan was nominated for two Meteor Music Awards (Best Male and Best Newcomer) in 2006 and his album The End of History was nominated for Irish Album of the Year at the Choice Music Prize and was shortlisted for the 2007 Mercury Music Prize.
His song "Be Good Or Be Gone" has been featured in shows such as Grey's Anatomy, though not quite in the form below.
I love how each environment he is in has its own unique acoustic properties, that lend to such an interesting video despite it being a low-budget, lo-fi offering.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Zee Avi
Official Website: http://www.zeeavi.com/home/
So if you've been reading this blog at all, you've probably seen a trend...a lot of the music I now enjoy I discovered while driving through Alabama on my way to Georgia.
Zee Avi was another of the artists I got to enjoy hearing for the first time last April. At the time I was hearing her song "Bitter Heart" (which is a great song, though not my favorite of hers).
Zee Avi is a Malaysian singer-songwriter, guitarist, and ukulele player. She was born in Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia. She moved to Kuala Lumpur when she was 12 and later went on to study fashion design at American InterContinental University in London. In September 2007 Avi posted a video of her first song on YouTube for one of her friends who had missed her first performance in Kuala Lumpur. That posting got her discovered and she is now on the artist roster for Jack Johnson's label, Brushfire Records.
Here is a video of one of my favorite songs of her's, "Monte", brought to you courtesy of the site that helped give her her start...
So if you've been reading this blog at all, you've probably seen a trend...a lot of the music I now enjoy I discovered while driving through Alabama on my way to Georgia.
Zee Avi was another of the artists I got to enjoy hearing for the first time last April. At the time I was hearing her song "Bitter Heart" (which is a great song, though not my favorite of hers).
Zee Avi is a Malaysian singer-songwriter, guitarist, and ukulele player. She was born in Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia. She moved to Kuala Lumpur when she was 12 and later went on to study fashion design at American InterContinental University in London. In September 2007 Avi posted a video of her first song on YouTube for one of her friends who had missed her first performance in Kuala Lumpur. That posting got her discovered and she is now on the artist roster for Jack Johnson's label, Brushfire Records.
Here is a video of one of my favorite songs of her's, "Monte", brought to you courtesy of the site that helped give her her start...
Mumford & Sons
Official Website: http://www.mumfordandsons.com/
I first heard of this band April of last year while on a trip through Alabama (RIP Live 100.5, you will be missed). Fantastic folk sounds from the UK.
Here's the video from the first song of theirs I heard..."The Cave". Enjoy!
I first heard of this band April of last year while on a trip through Alabama (RIP Live 100.5, you will be missed). Fantastic folk sounds from the UK.
Here's the video from the first song of theirs I heard..."The Cave". Enjoy!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Radio Show: Folk Salad
Official Website: http://www.folksalad.com
Folk Salad Hosts Richard Higgs and Scott Aycock (an artist in his own right, a singer/songwriter and father of Jesse Aycock) play an eclectic mix of Folk, Singer/songwriter, Americana, Bluegrass, Blues, Red Dirt, and anything else they happen to like that week. They also air interviews and in-studio performances by local and nationally known performers.
Folk Salad airs each Sunday at 7:00 pm on KWGS, 89.5 FM, Tulsa's Public Radio Station. Folk Salad airs each Saturday at 8:00 pm on KOSU, 91.7FM (Stillwater) and 107.5 FM (Bartlesville) Radio Stations.
Folk Salad Hosts Richard Higgs and Scott Aycock (an artist in his own right, a singer/songwriter and father of Jesse Aycock) play an eclectic mix of Folk, Singer/songwriter, Americana, Bluegrass, Blues, Red Dirt, and anything else they happen to like that week. They also air interviews and in-studio performances by local and nationally known performers.
Folk Salad airs each Sunday at 7:00 pm on KWGS, 89.5 FM, Tulsa's Public Radio Station. Folk Salad airs each Saturday at 8:00 pm on KOSU, 91.7FM (Stillwater) and 107.5 FM (Bartlesville) Radio Stations.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Ashton Allen
Official Website: http://www.ashtonallen.net/
So as I've started off a good portion of my posts thus far, here's another artist I came across through Pandora which blessed me with hearing the title track to his 2005 release, "Dewdrops". Ashton Allen is a singer/songwriter from Mt. Dora, Florida. His music combines his vocals that are sometimes reminiscent of Elliott Smith (or perhaps a slightly more upbeat Iron and Wine depending on the song) with his guitar (or sometimes piano and a handful of other instruments) for well written songs.
Allen is also the Executive Creative Director for Rock Salt Songwriters, which as he states on the website "is a dedicated music production team that does national, regional, and local work all from an undisclosed location in beautiful downtown Mt. Dora, Florida. Services include writing, producing, and mixing custom designed music, scoring for film and television, and music catalog services." Check out the sample video on their page to see a number of projects that he's had a hand in. The man's got talent!
Ashton also has a side project called Rabbit!, that tends to be more ultra-happy friendly pop music (think Jack Johnson's Curious George soundtrack meets Owl City).
So as I've started off a good portion of my posts thus far, here's another artist I came across through Pandora which blessed me with hearing the title track to his 2005 release, "Dewdrops". Ashton Allen is a singer/songwriter from Mt. Dora, Florida. His music combines his vocals that are sometimes reminiscent of Elliott Smith (or perhaps a slightly more upbeat Iron and Wine depending on the song) with his guitar (or sometimes piano and a handful of other instruments) for well written songs.
Allen is also the Executive Creative Director for Rock Salt Songwriters, which as he states on the website "is a dedicated music production team that does national, regional, and local work all from an undisclosed location in beautiful downtown Mt. Dora, Florida. Services include writing, producing, and mixing custom designed music, scoring for film and television, and music catalog services." Check out the sample video on their page to see a number of projects that he's had a hand in. The man's got talent!
Ashton also has a side project called Rabbit!, that tends to be more ultra-happy friendly pop music (think Jack Johnson's Curious George soundtrack meets Owl City).
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Joe Purdy
Official Website: http://joepurdy.com/So I'd heard of Joe Purdy a few years back when his song, "The City", was featured on the Grey's Anatomy First Season Soundtrack. I liked the song, but at the time wasn't really into his style of music.
Well fast forward to now, I enjoy his style...and lucky for me (and you too because I'm a nice guy and like to share), he is offering a FREE download of his new album This American directly from his website.
Well fast forward to now, I enjoy his style...and lucky for me (and you too because I'm a nice guy and like to share), he is offering a FREE download of his new album This American directly from his website.
So head on over, check out his music and enjoy a free download.
Website: Acoustic Oklahoma
I happened across this Facebook profile a few months back and "liked" it. The site has been delivering videos of a large variety of Oklahoma's talented singer/songwriters since sometime around September 29th of this year (as that is as far back as I can go on their wall).
If you aren't on Facebook or can't access the page, the videos are also archived to the owner's YouTube channel here.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Carolina Chocolate Drops
Official Website: http://www.carolinachocolatedrops.com
The band members (Dom Flemons, Rhiannon Giddens, and Justin Robinson) are all multi-instrumentalists and trade leads both on instruments and vocals.
Rhiannon's vocal talents come from a wide array of influences: from her training in opera, to her work with her sister in a Celtic band, and various folk and Appalachian music influences. Check out this sample of her vocal talents as she knocks it out of the park (a cappella even)...
The band's website features a nicely written history of the band and Black String Band history.
Here's a nice short piece on the band from a TV station in Michigan...
And last but not least, here's a video of their remake of Blu Cantrell's "Hit 'Em Up Style" complete with Justin knocking out a great beatbox set...
The Avett Brothers
Official Site: http://www.theavettbrothers.com
So one of the first bands I came across on my recent musical journey was these guys, The Avett Brothers. I was travelling to a wedding of a friend in Georgia and while passing through Alabama I picked up a radio station out of Birmingham that played a variety of good music and I heard the Avett's song, "Murder in the City". It connected with me, simple instrumentation, simple delivery, powerful lyrics: they had depth, they had meaning, they were moving. Check out the video below and see if you don't agree.
Since my return home from that trip, I researched their music, purchased "The Second Gleam" at a local music store (Guestroom Records) and have been hooked on their music ever since. They've been through the Oklahoma City area twice this year. I have seen them live at the Rose State Performing Arts Center and at the Coca-Cola Bricktown Events Center. Both shows were great. They bring a great energy to the stage and make every show an experience well worth the money.
Each member of the group, the brothers Scott and Seth Avett, bassist Bob Crawford, and cellist Joe Kwon each have such talent.
Seth has a solo side project he records as Timothy Seth Avett as Darling. Below is the first of his solo songs I discovered. Some of his solo songs have been brought into the Avett Brothers catalog and will sometimes come out during their live shows which is always a treat.
Scott Avett is an accomplished artist. He has done a lot of the art that either adorns the covers of their albums or is tucked into the inserts. His work can be viewed here.
Bassist Bob Crawford has 2 side projects he's worked on outside of his time recording and touring with the Avetts. The first was New Jersey Transient and his latest is Overmountain Men.
And last, but not least, cellist Joseph Kwon edits a blog to entertain both your visual and culinary senses called Taste on Tour. Reading his blog really makes me want to head out to North Carolina very soon and take in the sights and tastes (as well as the awesome music) of the area.
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