Tag Archives: acoustic

Bell Coast Choir

Posted on February 21, 2013 by Andrew Prieto | Leave a comment

1256203520-1 Bell Coast Choir by Sydney Wayser (New York City) *

During the production of Bell Coast Choir, the fourth and undoubtedly most evolved release from French-American songstress Sydney Wayser, the NYC winter cast the artist into a mentally conjured dreamland where she could escape the cold and reside in an eternally sunny, coastal place to finish the album. It is this very concept, along with a sonic environment comprised of piano, woodwinds, ukulele, and about 20 other instruments that allows listeners to join her on a trek through such lovely geography. The album is an ambitious 14 tracks long and song titles like ‘Atlas’ and ‘Geographer’ really set a tone for where this record takes place. Musically this release bats with the best: The Weepies, Aimee Mann and others would be so lucky to have Sydney on tour with them. Highly recommend diving into this with a coffee and open shades to allow in the sunshine, though Bell Coast Choir needs no help doing just that for you. @thinknotsleep

→ Leave a comment

Posted in A: Egan, C: Staff Favorites, T: LP/EP

Tagged acoustic, Aimee Mann, Bell Coast Choir, Folk, France, indie, New Music, New York City, pop, songwriter, Sydney Wayser, The Weepies

LP I

Posted on February 14, 2013 by Andrew Prieto | Leave a comment

11794_10151429684143701_920276759_n LP I by Hideout (San Diego, CA)

A new, under-publicized release from San Diego space pop project Hideout, consisting of Boomsnake mastermind Gabriel Rodriguez and Cults/Boomsnake live members Cory Stier and Nathan Aguilar, has recently made it’s way onto a small Facebook and Twitter community of followers. The trio toured together in both aforementioned bands and have since recorded and released the first album from Hideout titled LP I for free download on Soundcloud. The album opens with ‘All I Want’ a deeply textured track with repetitively melodic acoustic and electric guitars and the feel of a young Talking Heads. The reasonably ‘verbed out production, tasteful use of delay, and roomy drums brought me back to early 70s Lennon stuff like “Oh Yoko” and succeeds in creating a sound many new bands strive for but fall short of accomplishing. Release after release from this scene of musicians has brought out some of the best minimal, indie-pop songwriting in recent years yet it continues to go underappreciated. [Free Download] @thinknotsleep

→ Leave a comment

Posted in A: Egan, C: Free Music, C: Staff Favorites, T: LP/EP

Tagged acoustic, Boomsnake, California, cults, Folk, free music, Hideout, indie, indie pop, LP I, New Music, psychedelic, rock, San Diego

Section 3

Posted on February 11, 2013 by Andrew Prieto | Leave a comment

121881039-1 Section 3 by Mama Coco’s Funky Kitchen (Brooklyn, NY)

Brooklyn DIY recording outlet Mama Coco’s Funky Kitchen has been busy establishing themselves as a staple in the underground music scene and with the release of their latest compilation Section 3 they are solidifying that title just a little more. An ambitious 23-song project all recorded at Mama Coco’s with in-house producer Oliver Ignatius, the album is a diverse collection of local NYC artists coming together to contribute their songs to a rad lineup. With standout tracks from The Dough Rollers, Grand Rapids, and Goodman, anyone stumbling on this release is bound to find a few tracks (or many) that they can dig on. [Free download] @thinknotsleep

→ Leave a comment

Posted in A: Egan, C: Free Music, T: LP/EP

Tagged acoustic, blues, Brooklyn, Compilation, DIY, Folk, free music, funk, goodman, Grand Rapids, indie, indie music, indie rock, indie-folk, Mama Coco's Funky Kitchen, New Music, New York, Punk, Section 3, soul, The Dough Rollers

Longtime Companion

Posted on February 7, 2013 by Andrew Prieto | Leave a comment

1989801266-1 Longtime Companion by Sonny & The Sunsets (San Francisco, California)

I was introduced to the music of Sonny Smith in a way I generally wouldn’t be fond of but stumbling upon a live version of his song ‘Death Cream‘ covered by The Shins on Spotify had me instantly caught in the net. A rugged 50s style pop track gives off a somewhat science fiction aura in a weird tale of a mysterious tube of cream discovered in the back seat of a car. The Sunsets have been releasing albums over the past decade on various record labels from Fat Possum to most recently Polyvinyl Record Co. with their latest album Longtime Companion. The June 2012 record returns to a classic Hank Williams era American folk style of personal accounts sung with the experiences of a traveling man. Certainly a discography worth listening through stocked with glimpses into Sonnys’ world of story telling while dabbling in punk, folk, pop, garage and other styles of music. @thinknotsleep

→ Leave a comment

Posted in A: Egan, T: LP/EP

Tagged acoustic, americana, California, Fat Possum Records, Folk, Hank Williams, indie, New Music, Polyvinyl Record Co., pop, San Francisco, Sonny & The Sunsets, Spotify, The Shins

Words

Posted on February 2, 2013 by Andrew Prieto | Leave a comment

Words by Christos Theodorou (Athens, Greece)

It is rather hard to tell whether the effect of old grand elegance was specifically intentional in the recording style or if it was a happy accident of diy, but the hiss and the buzz and the drawn out impassioned breadth of the piano styling tears deep at your heart.

A lost love reunited in a passionate evening of entanglement, possession, and revivalism. @TheSnakeRecords

→ Leave a comment

Posted in A: Spinrad, T: LP/EP

Tagged acoustic, Athens, Christos Theodorou, Experimental, piano, solo, Words

toFall.EP

Posted on January 28, 2013 by Andrew Prieto | Leave a comment

toFall.EP by rahusgem (Houston, Texas)

“Meet me in reality,” sings rahusgem, softly and sweetly, as if in a dream. This simple bedroom project oozes authenticity. I’m reminded of AnCo’s Feels: a similar sort of wistful drone, an earnest meditation on innocent love. (note: This track is best enjoyed while falling asleep, to ensure a fanciful adventure into realms of the unknown) @Solidusonmusic

→ Leave a comment

Posted in A: Solidus, T: LP/EP

Tagged acoustic, Bedroom, DIY, rahusgem

Sleep Will Set Me Free

Posted on January 17, 2013 by Andrew Prieto | Leave a comment

Sleep Will Set Me Free by Sorcha Richardson (Dublin, Ireland)

The most recent album from Sorcha Richardson slips softly into your inner cavities, teasing your senses and pulling your heartstrings. I find it exceedingly impressive anytime a solo singer/songwriter type keeps me ensnared in their emotion, emotion being usually where they reside. One hears this attempted frequently and as a result it is often overlooked, yet somehow everybody loves it when it explodes into mainstream eyes. Well, I love this now. [Free Download] @TheSnakeRecords

→ Leave a comment

Posted in A: Spinrad, C: Free Music, T: LP/EP

Tagged acoustic, DIY, Dublin, female, Folk, Ireland, New York, singer songwriter, Sleep Will Set Me Free, Sorcha Richardson, vocals

Tangled

Posted on January 9, 2013 by Andrew Prieto | Leave a comment

‘Tangled‘ by Yokel and the Heavyweight (Brooklyn, NY)

Lately I am a big fan of country sounds coming out of anywhere, but the Western United States. Brooklyn-based musician Chase Caillouette has emerged with a new project and a new single. ‘Tangled’ has a very familiar structure and tone, but manages to be current. There isn’t much online about this project yet, but if you’re local, keep Googling. We all need more live, acoustic performances in our lives. @AshleyCanino

→ Leave a comment

Posted in A: Canino, T: Single

Tagged acoustic, alternative country, Brooklyn, country, DIY, Folk, New York, NY, NYC, tangled, yokel and the heavyweight

Fur Coast

Posted on January 8, 2013 by Andrew Prieto | Leave a comment

Fur Coast by Sea Weeds (Minneapolis, MN)

From the middle of the contiguous United States comes an EP resting at the cross section of a view genres. The singer songer writer vibe is layered between oldies tones and synth melodies. I can’t really make out the lyrics, but I believe them. Overall, a set of tracks with a nice stylistic range that stay warm throughout. [Free Download] @AshleyCanino

→ Leave a comment

Posted in A: Canino, C: Free Music, T: LP/EP

Tagged acoustic, DIY, dream pop, electronic, fur coast, Minneapolis, Minnesota, MN, pop, sea weeds

Welcome Christmas

Posted on December 5, 2012 by Andrew Prieto | Leave a comment

Welcome Christmas by Bella Russe (Minneapolis, MN)

The holidays are a mixed bag. There are people you’re thrilled to be close to and celebrating with, people who you wish were there, the best gifts you gave and the cherished ones you received. Welcome Christmas is mixed up, too. The vocals are sweet, the guitar is plucky and light. These seasonal covers, plus two originals, will take you through the highs and lows, and get you through the more standard holiday appetite for angel wings and snowy things without boring you to death. I wouldn’t throw it on during your ugly sweater party. This album is for you and your eggnog. @AshleyCanino

→ Leave a comment

Posted in A: Canino, T: LP/EP

Tagged acoustic, Bella Russe, christmas, Folk, holiday, Minneapolis, MN, Welcome Christmas

Tag Archives: acoustic

WEEKLY COLUMNS