Tag Archives: Folk

Folk, Indie, Live Shows, Music, Music Video, Punk, Watch This

If You Make It, They Will Come

1 Comment

I am not shocked anymore when someone tells me about something I was not aware of.  There is just so much out there on the internets that I really need to rely on other people to point out the awesome to me.  With that said I would like to talk about an amazing website that my pal Josh pointed out to me called If You Make It.  More importantly I really want to talk about The Pink Couch Sessions.

No this is not porno...well not that I know of.

If You Make It is a website started by a music loving guy named Dave Garwacke who used to throw house shows in his basement but never really cataloged it. Realizing that there was no proof ever recorded Garwacke decided he wanted to start recording shows again but this time recording them on site for the world to see.  Seeing how he was surrounded with a circle of musical friends it was not a problem to start over and once he moved to Brooklyn he was able to start where he left off,  but this time with cameras.

After spending time recording shows and festivals Garwacke decided to start “The Pink Couch Sessions”.  These sessions were recorded in his very own home on, you guessed it, a pink couch (as well as a few on the road).  The result is an impressive intimate collection of broken down acoustic performances by many bands, some known and others soon to be known.  Some of the songs are even available for free download too!

Josh recently emailed me a link to a Pink Couch Session featuring a band I really like called Bridge & Tunnel.  I have been a huge fan of Bridge & Tunnel since the day the CD arrived at my front door and sadly missed a chance to see them live when they played a free house show at the Soggy Dog in Lakewood, OH.  Josh was there and from what he told me I missed one hell of a show.  Even if I missed it I am thrilled he sent me this link because now I know of If You Make It and am positive that it will be a weekly if not daily stop on my internet browsing habits.  There is just so much music caught behind the camera for me to even fully discuss.  It would be best if you just checked it out for yourself.

I have spent some time watching performances on the pink couch by many bands I really dig tonight as well as have been introduced to a few I really want to look in to more.  Here are a few I liked including the Bridge & Tunnel session Josh emailed me…thanks Josh.

Bridge and Tunnel – Call to the Comptroller’s Office from If You Make It on Vimeo.

Ninja Gun – Front Yard Screamers (Kitchen Kissers) from If You Make It on Vimeo.

American War – Bricks from If You Make It on Vimeo.

Bomb The Music Industry – Sadder Weirder from If You Make It on Vimeo.

The Measure [SA] – Unwritten from If You Make It on Vimeo.

Folk, Indie, Music, Music Video, New Release, Rock

Bombadil – So Fresh And So Clean…

Leave a comment

Remember the first time you heard something new and fresh to your ears?  I know when I did and after checking out Bombadil‘s Tarpits And Canyonlands on Ramseur Records I can say it happened all over again.  This Bolivian threesome really hints towards their label mates The Avett Brothers but is unique in their own and just has me wanting much more.

How unique you ask? How about a core of electric / acoustic guitars, bass, piano and drums and appearances by harmonica, xylophone, organ, synth, saxophone, trumpet, viola, charango, glockenspiel, accordion, recorder and even zampona… Yeah, almost like a folk rock Gogol Bordello.

Fans of folk and indie rock will be fans of Bombadil once they give them a chance.  Check out the video below or visit their MySpace page for a few extra tracks.

Cleveland, Download This!, Folk, Got Local?, Indie, Live Shows, Music, Music Video, New Release

Got Local? – Cleveland’s Unsparing Sea

Leave a comment

So indie rock is cool right?  Well I think so…  What about folk music?  That seems to be hitting the ears of many as of late.  Now imagine an indie folk rock band or a folk indie band that rocks or how about a rock folk indie band.  Yes this has been covered before but there is something about Cleveland’s Unsparing Sea that really hits me when I think of indie rock mixed with folk music.  Recently the band released their sophomore album entitled In The Diamond Caverns, an album full of a mix of both genres of music that was ever so tasteful to my ears.

Opening track “Sandpaper/Sadpaper” started off the CD as if one was entering the world of dreamland with inviting harps and hypnotizing cello playing temping you for a taste of what was going to come.  Originally I thought of this song as an intro but after the slightest pause the song jumped into this orgy of music with plucking and blowing (banjos and horns you perverts).

Maybe it’s the way lead singer J.R. sang along with the cello and saw (yes, saw) in “Wolves At A Wedding” but my attention perked up a tad.  The song is beautiful yet gloomy and is the kind of song someone can either profess their love to someone or devise a planned Dexter-like attack to the unsuspecting villain.  The song actually premiered on the band’s previous EP In The Crystal Canyon.

“The Diamond Caverns” is a less gloomy track and carry lyrics speaking of a savior left to be determined.  I absolutely loved the combination of the drumming and strings midway through the song.  “Sleight Of Hand” carried a more lullaby sound that continued the attractive cello with what sounded like an upright bass being gently plucked.

My choice cut on the album without a doubt is “Sing Devil Sing” as it really brought out the twang with banjo playing but kept an indie sound vocally but then out of nowhere came this Spanish trumpet playing that just brought the song together perfectly. Ryan Kelly’s drumming really makes “Fires, Attics, Etc.” a lively track to listen to.  The song is perhaps the most upbeat on the album and clearly shows this band has many sides of emotion.

Granted I had only been treated to a sample of tracks off of The Crystal Canyon I can tell you I am hooked and want more.  I was lucky enough to catch Unsparing Sea play the Music Saves 5 Year Store-A-Versary a few months back and was floored by their live performance.  It was my very first taste of a talented local act truly unique to neighboring bands.  If things go my way there might be a copy of the CD in my stocking on Jesus Day morning.

Better yet the band is scheduled to play a show on Dec. 23rd at the Beachland Ballroom‘s Yulesville Pre-Holiday Bash!  The show starts at 9pm and there is going to be a slew of bands there including Unsparing Sea.  Looks to be a fun time. Having seen Unsparing Sea live before I can tell you they are an act not to be missed.

If you are interested in purchasing this awesome Cleveland band’s material you should head over to their website.

DOWNLOAD THIS! – Unsparing Sea – “Sing Devil Sing”
DOWNLOAD THIS! – Unsparing Sea – ‘Diamond Caverns”

What?  You want more?  No problem:

Death, Folk, Music, Music News, The Suck

The Suck: Folk Singer Taylor Mitchell Dies From Coyote Attack

2 Comments

Such a shame to hear about this.  A young up and coming Canadian folk singer named Taylor Mitchell lost her life on Tuesday when she was attacked by coyotes when hiking.  She was only 19 years old.

It was reported that she was hiking by herself Tuesday in Cape Breton Highlands National Park in Nova Scotia when the animals attacked.

If you would like to check out some of her music head over to her MySpace page.

If you would like to make a donation to the Taylor Mitchell Memorial Fun please click HERE.