Songs For Wednesday: Nick Waterhouse, Buxton and more

Words // Adam Sharp

It's (again) been entirely too long since I checked in around these parts, but I bring musical gifts as a peace offering. Going forward I'll be posting every week or so with music I've been listening to that I think you should check out, but today's post is all about catching you up on some unbelievable tunes I've stumbled upon lately. Here's some tunes I think you'll like. Enjoy.

Nick Waterhouse - "I Can Only Give You Everything"
This song has absolutely consumed me lately with its catchy, energetic throwback R&B, showing up in every playlist I make and finding itself being the first song I link someone to when they ask what I'd recommend. (website)

Buxton - "Boy of Nine"
Another song that has continually shown up in my daily listening, 'Boy of Nine' is a jam full of mandolins and good vibes, the type that's going to show up on oodles spring mixes in a few months (including, most likely, mine).  (website)

Buxton - Boy of Nine

 

David C. Clements - "Hurricane"
'Hurricane' is a cold, slow building song made for the end of one year and the start of another, full of themes and confessions that come out during late night conversations on long, cold winter nights and an underlying redemptive spirit that sounds absolutely perfect as a new year begins.  (website)

David C. Clements - Hurricane

 

Ruler - "Keep Moving"
It's obviously early, but this tune, built on an addicting, flimsy bass line and some strong percussion, is the current leader in the clubhouse for 'Catchiest Rock Song of 2012.' (website)

Noah Gundersen - "Ledges" (Live at The Big House)
I have been enamored with the beautifully dark music of Noah Gundersen lately, the honest, cutting lyrics hitting a chord within me like few others currently are.  (website)

The Record Company - "Don't Let Me Get Lonely"
This is the type of ramshackle, bluesy number that is part of the soundtrack to a night of bad decisions.  (website)

The Record Company - Don't Let Me Get Lonely

Wildlife - Stand In The Water

Words // Scott Pingeton

Yesterday's post was truly new music.  Today's post is new-to-me music.  What the two have in common is that they're catchy-as-hell unabashed indie rock anthems from the Great White North.  Toronto's Wildlife dropped their debut album in November, and the lead track is "Stand In The Water", a song that adds layers upon layers of sounds - acoustic guitars, crunch electric fuzz, a pounding beat, soaring synths and gang vocals.  It's a sound that reminds me of two other Canadian bands you may have heard of... Broken Social Scene and The Arcade Fire.  Guaranteed to get your mind off the snow outside and thinking of summer days at the beach.

Wildlife - Stand In The Water

Plants and Animals - Lightshow

Words // Scott Pingeton

Sometimes you hear a song that you instantly know will just melt faces and get the jaded hipsters moving at a live show.  "Lightshow", the first single off Plants and Animals' upcoming album The End of That, is one of those songs.  The song layers both acoustic and electric guitars, cacophonous percussion, lyrics that beg to be shouted back at the stage and some loud/quiet dynamics.  It may be anthem-by-numbers, but by the time the guitar solo and "oh oh" refrain comes along, I defy you to not raise your beer and shout along.  The track is streaming below and The End of That drops February 28.

Obsessions... The Wooden Sky and Conrad Plymouth

Words // Scott Pingeton

I've fallen into a rut lately, and that has manifested itself as a lack of variety here on VV and in the social firehose that is twitter and facebook.  Over the past couple months I've heaped a ton of gushing praise onto two artists in particular:  The Wooden Sky and Conrad Plymouth.  Both bands have new albums coming out in 2012, and I couldn't be more freaking stoked.

Knowing that I need to use some discretion with how much I write about these bands, for fear of alienating any readers that aren't quite as obsessed as I am, I'll just combine a few bits of information into a single post.

The Wooden Sky just released "Child Of The Valley" the first track off their upcoming LP Every Child a Daughter, Every Moon a Sun.  It's great, as you would expect - starting as a gently-strummed folk tune and swelling to a crescendo that recalls a grittier Fleet Foxes.

The Wooden Sky - Child Of The Valley

We also have a Facebook campaign to get the band booked at Newport Folk in 2012...if you hear the above song and don't think it would sound sublime echoing across Newport  Harbor, please leave this site immediately (not really).  But if you do agree, go here to show your support for our campaign.  Here's hoping we'll see these guys at Newport in July.

In other news... Kitchen Sessions shot a video of The Wooden Sky performing "Take Me Out" off their recent EP on a porch in Somerville.  The video was featured in Paste Magazine's mPlayer...check it out below, and check back from more videos from their house show that day.

Conrad Plymouth is hard at work recording their debut LP with the help of Bon Iver's Justin Vernon.  I am obsessed with this band, and can't wait to hear the end result.  In the meantime I wanted to share this great live video of "Fergus Falls" off their stellar 2010 EP.

Looking back... Newport Nightcap 2011

Words // Scott Pingeton

Six months ago I was counting down the days to another Newport Folk Festival...and our Newport Nightcap afterparty.  Putting together a lineup of four fantastic artists, organizing beer sponsorships, ticket sales, lighting/sound, coordinating with a venue ill-equipped for an event of its size and everything else that went into the party (not to mention holding down a demanding day job) was tough.  But ultimately so so worth it.  The party was a huge success - great music, a HOT, packed, sold-out venue and even a little mention in Billboard magazine for our troubles.  It was a ton of fun for me personally and hopefully for everyone that could make it.

After Newport weekend we wrapped up our coverage of the festival, but what seemingly got lost in shuffle was coverage of the Nightcap.  I was too busy to take photos or video, and only managed to get recordings of two of the four bands.  Then just a few days ago, the good folks and Kitchen Sessions sent over some incredible videos shot that night - I didn't even know these existed!  The audio is a little inconsistent, but I think these show what an incredible night it was.  Great memories.

Vikesh Kapoor - Mack The Knife

Pearl And The Beard - Sweetness

Swear And Shake - Johnnie

Kingsley Flood - I Don't Wanna Go Home