New Music Video!

We wrote about her stunning voice a few days ago. Check out Emma Hill's brand new music video!

Emma Hill -- Official, Facebook, Bandcamp, iTunes, CDBaby

Want to see Lambchop?

The band. Not the puppet.

They'll be playing Warsaw (in Brooklyn, not Poland) on June 16th. $25.

Buy tickets here. It will be part of the Northside (not Southside) Festival.

Clear?

Good.

Larabee -- Expose a Little Wire

There's something a-brewin' in Philly, and I rather like it. The Sparklers and The Miners (my two new favorite bands since starting this blog, incidentally) are shining examples of alt-country revival. Add Larabee to the list.

The only critique I have of Expose a Little Wire is that it's far too short. But that's the trouble with EPs. (Really, why do we need them in this day and age?) Maybe if enough of you buy the EP, the Studio Fairy will help Larabee record a full album.


Larabee -- Official, Tumblr, Facebook, Bandcamp, CD Baby, iTunes

The Blind Owl Band Wants Your Money

You may remember my post from some time ago about a barefoot, rabble-rousing bluegrass group called the Blind Owl Band.

Well, thank goodness, they're making a second album. But they need your help.



See Kickstarter and give them some dough!

Joe Kille -- Arkadelphia

A strange thing happened the other day. I often get CDs sent to me in the mail. I'm not quite sure how individual bands get my address (and I'm not sure if I want to) but they manage to find their way to my home.

That's not the unusual part.

I also received a large, somewhat flat box. I knew what it had to be: an LP. But as much of a totally-not-hipster-except-I'm-the-only-one-who's-fooling-myself music buff as I am, I do not own a record player.

After a few exchanged e-mails, Arkadelphia was absolutely worth the wait.

A fellow TriCollege alumn, Joe Kille's songs are emotional as they are literary. I know it's my job to tell you more about the music, but there's not much I can say. The entire record is captivating from the first note to the last. It's certainly one of my favorites so far this year.

Joe is not so into the Internets and technology, but here are some YouTube videos and there are instructions for how to purchase the record below.



 Listen to the rest on Joe Kille's tumblr

If you'd like to purchase the LP, send Joe an e-mail.

The Hems -- Those Early Years

Thank goodness for the Civil Wars. If not for their popularity, we wouldn't have folk duos like The Hems.

I think at this point we should just admit that this is a subgenre (or maybe it is and I'm late to the party.) There's an intimacy and a special chemistry between two people playing music together that you just don't get with a band.

The Hems' synergy is evident. Heavily inspired by classic country acts, The Hems add their own off-kilter touch to their music. "Honey Twist" and "Acres of My Own" have a weird (to me) at least chord progression that simultaneously confuses my brain and makes me want to hear more. Songs like "Dream Will Do," "Novaleen," and "Rebecca" are more traditional in approach, but that certainly does not make them weak or derivative. Those Early Years is a fantastic debut. Can't wait for the later years.

The Hems -- ReverbNation, Facebook, Bandcamp

Molly Venter and Eben Pariser -- Goodnight Moonshine

"Synergy" is really the word for this album. Venter and Pariser, giants of the Brooklyn folk scene in their own rights, sound like they were born playing music together. Showcasing a mixture of roots and pop on their debut album, Goodnight Moonshine is a powerful  album.

Venter and Pariser have talent in ample supply. "Gasoline" is sure to be a breakout hit on the independent radio stations of the world. "Willow Tree" is a more traditional song, and I think it will be the favorite of most of you folks. "Dark Side of the Rainbow" is easily the coolest mashup I've heard in a loooooooong time.

While the songs embedded below are from Bandcamp, you can (and should) buy the album on CDBaby. See the link below.


Goodnight Moonshine -- Official, Buy Goodnight Moonshine