songs:illinois

I wrote about John Fullbright this week partly because over the last two years I have seen his name in places I trust, referenced by artists I like, and playing clubs I wish I could go to. Of late the same can be said for the trio The Stray Birds. This simple acoustic trio is starting to make waves with their excellent musianship, stipped down songs and beautiful vocal harmonies. The band released an ep in 2010 and are prepping the summer release of their debut full length.

Pick up the ep Borderland here; and stay tuned to Songs:Illinois for news of the upcoming album.

Birds of the Borderland
Sparrow

“Birds of the Borderland” video

And now for something entirely different. Here is the combination western swing, experimental jazz, and film noir soundtrack from the group the Pornadoes. This group of mostly mid-westerners stuck in Seattle has a new 7 song ep called Now Swerving…

Ballard Loafers

Dan Weber is an up and coming singer songwriter in the mode of Todd Snider. He is also from the great Northwest and litters his songs with references to The Dead, Hank Williams, and liquor. His new album is called Ash and Bone. Here’s his song “Gravity” plus a video of his opus “Hank and Jesus”.

Gravity

“Hank and Jesus”

“Someday we’ll brag about them to our grandchildren, they’re that good.” Bill Flanagan Musician Magazine

The quote above is about Walter Salas Humara’s band The Silos but I’m fine with applying it to both bands playing our next house concert.

It’s been awhile but we’re back with a summer house concert (and we now have central air!). It’s actually a double bill of Walter Salas Humara of Silos fame and the Detroit based band Frontier Ruckus. The date of the show is Wednesday, June 13 at 7pm. It is a weekday so we’ll start early but school is out so we will be celebrating that and staying up late.

This show is a bit of the old (sorry Walter) and some of the new. Walter Salas Humara released his debut record in 1985. It was called “About Her Steps” and while I love it; it wasn’t til “Cuba” came out a year later that I discovered the band. “Cuba” was a revelation – in fact some credit it as the start of the americana movement in music. It was released independently by a record collective and received critical praise including Rolling Stone calling them “Americas’s best new band”. But it wasn’t until the band’s major label self-titled debut on RCA Records that the rest of the country heard about the band (this song performed on Letterman didn’t hurt). Over the last 25 years, whether it was with the Silos or with any of his solo records and project, Walter Salas Humara has been able to capture a slice of the American way of life with simple, direct songs that speak to the heart.

Frontier Ruckus on the other hand have only a few records under their belt. They are only in their early twenties but they have been praised as having some of the most poetic lyrics and unusual instrumentation (musical saw, odd toy pianos, etc.) of any band in the country. I have loved them since I first heard their 8 minute plus opus “Adirondack Amish Holler” several years back. Their record “Orion Town is already a classic to their fans. They have been touring for the last several years playing anything from a dive bar in Chicago to the über hip California festival Bonaroo to the streets of London (check out the video). They will release a double album this summer called An Eternity of Dimming. We’re lucky to have them.

So, please RSVP if you can come if you are in the Chicago area. Feel free to forward this or invite your friends, teenagers will love this. Anyone interested can RSVP to cbonnell@gmail.com. We will ask for a $20 donation but as always will provide some appetizers and beer and wine so you’ll probably break even. This one’s going to be special — hope to see you here.

Frontier Ruckus Mp3′s:

Adirondack Amish Holler (demo)
Orion Town 2

Walter Salas Humara Mp3′s

For Always
Caroline

Praise for Frontier Ruckus:

“…delicate, finger-picked banjos, aching, oaky violin and the haunting voice of frontman Matthew Milia, who conjures what might happen had Neutral Milk Hotel’s Jeff Mangum been raised in a log cabin. Their songs are full of rich, rural details: frozen lakes, swaying trees, highway lights glowing in the deep night. Add to the mix baleful brass and trembling percussion, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for Gothic Americana.” – Rolling Stone

“(Frontier Ruckus) brings a contemporary angle to its music, eschewing traditional tales of trains, whiskey and rambling for reflections on suburbia, family and ‘life on the edge of the interstate.’” – NPR Music

“So what do banjos, dobros, trumpets, alto horn and a singing saw have in common? One wouldn’t think very much were it not for Frontier Ruckus, a citified quintet of rustic folkies whose name belies their mournful melodies. Though they hail from Detroit, their songs evoke the loneliness and isolation of a dust-blown prairie. It’s a feeling owed in large measure to vocalist Matthew Milia, a star in the making…However this is no downer. Even in the face of that pervasive yearning, Deadmalls & Nightfalls boasts an unassuming, unfettered appeal that grows more affecting with each successive hearing.” – Blurt

Praise for The Silos/Walter Salas Humara:

“The band’s austere style inflects the astringent twang of The Velvet Underground with the drone of R.E.M. and adds countryish echoes that recall Gram Parsons.” Stephen Holden The New York Times

“Powerful earthy pop that sounds like the result of Nirvana riding on R.E.M’s tour bus.” Buzz McClain The Washington Post

“Someday we’ll brag about them to our grandchildren, they’re that good.” Bill Flanagan Musician Magazine

Really, Hype Machine! Nothing on the new John Fullbright album yet. He’s only the most celebrated young artist in all of americanaland. The single from the forthcoming record has already been premiered by Paste, the Kickstarter campaign was a success, SXSW was dutifully conquered and the guy has Shorefire Media working hard (hardly working) as his PR machine.

I’m usually turned off by such a successful launch but it seems like John Fullbright is the real deal. Whether he’s playing guitar or sitting at his piano Fullbright rarely hits a wrong note. On “Gawd Above” Fullbright’s normal acoustic sound is fleshed out by a rollicking band – where this has often failed in the past for other artists; the fuller sound is not an encumberance to Fullbright’s songs. Quite simply he nails it.

Pre-order this May 8th release here at Amazon.

Gawd Above

Here’s a song off Jon Dee Graham’s upcoming record Garage Sale. While I know he is an Texas institution I don’t know much else about Jon Dee. I do like this song though. It’s theme of brotherhood in the light of having lost everything else is powerful.

Garage Sale is due out June 28.

The Orphan’s Song

“Best” video via Music Fog

Polly Paulusma is one of the few singer songwriters that I like that has been able to balance a modicum of success with continued artistic output. Polly gained immediate fame (at least in the indie world) when One Little Indian picked her up in 2003 shortly after the release of her debut record. It seems she’s come full circle with her third release which she is releasing herself on her Wild Sound label. The new record is called Leaves From The Family and is uniformly lush, mostly acoustic outing with guest appearances from Adem and Erin McKeown, rock violin diva Anna Phoebe and acclaimed film composer Michael Price.

Purchase the new record from Polly Paulusma herself here or here.

Last Week Me

Seattle’s got something going on. Sure they were once known as home of the grunge. But of late when I think about Seattle I picture more cowboy boots and pedal steels than flannel. For instance they have the fine folky radio station KBCS, they have the venue The Tractor (“Music, beer & Liquor”), and now they have Joy Mills.

Joy Mills was the leader of the acclaimed pacific northwest americana band The Starlings and now she has her debut solo record out called Trick of the Eye. By and large the songs on here are low key whiskey weepers. In fact on the song “History Repeats” the combination of the sorrowful pedal steel and Joy’s breathy vocals create a pervasive sense of sorrow and heartbreak. Add Joy Mills to the small list of upcoming female alt country stars (think Zoe Muth and Eilen Jewell).

Buy the new record here.

History Repeats

Tim O’Brien, who I seem drawn to more than his traditional music peers, has a new record out of Roger Miller Covers. He is joined by his sister Mollie O’Brien, her husband Rich Moore on guitar, their daughters Brigid and Lucy Moore on vocals and piano, and Tim’s sons Jack and Joel on vocals, bass, and percussion.

In The Summertime

Well that didn’t take long. Just one week after writing about the unreleased music of Jake Klar he releases his debut self-titled EP. The seven song EP features Jake’s alternating sweet and raspy vocals, fingerpicked guitar and lyrics that you can sink your teeth into. The songs were written during the last year as Jake explored music, traveling and living.

Here’s the song “Where I’ll Be Tonight” which I fell hard for last week.

You can purchase the whole ep from iTunes here.

Where I’ll Be Tonight

I’m a fan of pretty much everything Darren Hayman. I extend that even to something he produced or mixed. In this case the new album by Antony Harding which he recorded and mixed. It’s no surprise that Antony shares some sensibilities with Darren. They both exceed at lovely british-boy-with-a-guitar lullabyes. They sing about mostly problems of the introverted and the humble English everyman.

Antony Harding’s new record will be released on the Italien label We Were Never Being Boring. The first single is the song “Kisses On A Plate”

Kisses On A Plate

“Fireworks In this Small Town” stop motion video

Fireworks In This Small Town Tonight – ANT from Antony Harding on Vimeo.

Today’s post came out of an online discussion on Elam Blackman’s Facebook page. The question was who are some of the best singer-songwriters without an album out. Among the names mentioned were ashley erin mayne, ben brown, Matt Fockler, and Jake Klar. Since I claim to champion “music that is under-appreciated and unique” it made sense to followup on these artists.

Jake Klar is a young singer songwriter presently calling Amhearst, Ma. home. There’s not much bio on his sites but it seems like he spent some time in Austin and I’m guessing he’s at one of the colleges in Amhearst now. Musically he’s clearly a fan of Woody and Dylan (which you can hear on “Where I’ll Be Tonight”) but he also mentions The Tallest Man On Earth and Justin Townes Earle as possible influences.

Usually at this point of the post I would link to somewhere you could buy the new record but instead click here to check Jake Klar out at his ReverbNation page.

Mornin’ Train

P.S. I really like this song/video of Jake performing his song “Where I’ll Be Tonight”

This may not be an official live release from Jonathan Byrd but for now it’s as good as we get. This show was recorded with fiddle player Chris Kokesh at 4th and Main in Wray, Colorado. The acoustics and presentation are top notch. The song “I Was An Oak Tree” with it’s intricate guitar parts and somber violin is presented here with clarity and emotion. On the near classic trucking song “A Big Truck Brought it” Jonathan describes how this is his 2 year old son’s favorite song.

I imagine the purpose of this record is to get you hooked on the songs of Jonathan Byrd. If these two don’t do it you may need some help. Download the whole show here. Purchase Joanthan’s latest Cackalack here.

I Was An Oak Tree

Bonus:

A Big Truck Brought It

I think somewhere along the way Caleb Groh grew up on me. He was 16 when he released his first record as Happiest Lion. Since then he has released a number of records including two collections of Christmas songs. But something is different about Caleb Groh (it’s not just the big scruffy beard) and the new record Bottomless Coffee. For starters the record has a full band (guitar, bass, drums, pedal steel, piano) and a dynamic sound (especially on the track “Smitten”), arrangements are more complicated now matching the maturity of Caleb’s poetic lyrics. And I’d even go as far as to say that Caleb’s voice has matured as well. It has filled out (like his beard). With that said there is still a mix of songs ranging from piano ballads to folk to angular rock (again “Smitten”). I wrote about the first single “Catastrophic Culprit” a couple of months ago and you should really click this link to hear it.

Here’s “Smitten” from Bottomless Coffee. Buy it here via Bandcamp ($5 for the digital copy) or iTunes here.

Smitten

Video from “Hapless Dreamer” also from the new record

I’m not going to sit here and give you the whole rundown on Martin Zellar. Yes, he was the main man behind the late 80′s group The Gear Daddies. Yes, he has since had a long and productive solo career. The thing is that while those early songs by The Gear Daddies may have aged somewhat they still hold a place near and dear to my heart. As does Martin Zellar and his current band The Hardways.

There’s a new album that came out in February called Roosters Crow. “Running On Fear” from it does a good job of spotlighting Martin Zellar’s vocals and putting them in a lyrical context that works (mainly a resigned anger). I’ve also included a song off the debut record Let’s Go Scare Al called “Statue Of Jesus” – it’s the song that initially stopped me dead in my tracks 25 years ago. You can order this record and in fact any of the band’s records at their website here.

Running On Fear

Statue Of Jesus

Gear Daddies performing “Stupid Boy” on Letterman

“Time Heals” with vocals by drummer Billy Dankert

Songs:Illinois favorite and former “S:I House Concert Series” performer Peter Mulvey has a new album and a companion EP out at the end of March. These are a slight departure as they are both cover records. The lp has songs written by Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen, Jolie Holland, Chris Smither and Duke Ellington. The companion EP is called Chaser.

Here’s “It’s Lonely At The Top” by Randy Newman from Chaser. Peter Mulvey’s record release show is this Thursday at Schubas in Chicago – he’ll have both records for sale at the show.

It’s Lonely At The Top

I’ve done a bunch of Neal Casal posts, which is weird since I don’t really have the normal connection with Neal that most music fans do. See Neal is best known as Ryan Adam’s guitarist for seven years. But my connection to him came probably fifteen years ago when I stumbled on his debut solo record Fade Away Diamond Time at Restless Records in Chicago. At the time Mathew Sweet was huge and Neal Casal was playing in a similar power pop style but with a little more of an easy going California vibe. I’ve been following his career ever since. His new record Sweeten the Distance is out in April on Royal Potato Records.

Sweeten The Distance

“Need Shelter” video

I’m not sure if every Mike and The Moonpies song revolves around drinking whiskey and playing country music but I’m willing to guess it’s a pretty high percentage. This Austin based band of long hairs has just released a four song EP and will be playing SXSW. They are playing at least 5 different gigs but I’m going to catch `em at Hoedown at the Highball on March 17 at 3pm.

Tape Machine

Bonus song

El Camino

Rose Cousins has a new record out now called We Have Made A Spark. I tweeted about a video she put together on the recording process a couple of weeks back. She recorded the album with a community of musicians in Boston (depite her Canadian rooots) including Songs:Illinois favorites like Rose Polenzani, Mark Erelli, & Kris Delmhorst. The results are pretty spectacular. Here’s one song off the new record; it’s rather bare but Rose’s voice is so strong it could probaly work a cappella.

The Darkness

This music from Vancouver based Ruffled Feathers is a little too catchy for Songs:Illinois. But if that’s the only complaint I can register that’s pretty good, right? Besides lead vocals by Gina Loes, one of the key elements the band uses is an assortment of instruments to create a layered and unsubtle type of indie folk. I’m a sucker for trumpet in my music and both songs below from the forthcoming debut lp Oracles delivers that in spades.

You can preorder the new record here.

Mockingbird
Rooftop Garden