Songs for Wednesday // The Cellar Door, Kelli Scarr and more

Words // Adam Sharp

'Ground'- The Cellar Door
Plucked strings, tight harmonies and cascading/layered vocals to close- yeah, I'd say these are some talented teenagers.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/findthecellardoor

Ground - The Cellar Door

'Dangling Teeth'- Kelli Scarr
As this song proves, not every summer jam has to be loud and anthemic.
Website: http://www.kelliscarrmusic.com/

Dangling Teeth - Kelli Scarr

'That Darkness'- Hot Bodies in Motion
Appropriate activities while listening to this song: sweating profusely, drinking and dancing in a wholly inappropriate way.
Website: http://hotbodiesinmotion.com/

'Ivory Coast'- Pure Bathing Culture
So. Much. Dreaminess.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/purebathingculture?ref=ts

Ivory Coast - Pure Bathing Culture

'Since I Left You'- The Avalanches
Even after a decade this song still sounds like pure summer.
Website: http://www.theavalanches.com/

New music // Juniper Tar - Since Before

Words // Scott Pingeton

Wisconsin has quickly become a hotbed of gentle, heart-on-sleeve folk.  See Bon Iver, S. Carey, Field Report, et al.  Juniper Tar's brand of midwest folk-rock is decidedly more muscular.  A steady back-beat, electric guitars and rousing keys propel these songs to anthemic heights - perfectly suited to spill from the windows of your car in the summer heat.  That isn't to say these are dumb rock songs, though - far from it.  But, Mohr's poetry is probably more Springsteen than Cohen - direct, relatable and nuanced enough to reveal more with each listen.

I'm only a few listens in, so I don't want to go too crazy yet, but it's safe to say that Since Before, the band's new album, ranks pretty high on my list of favorite albums of 2012 so far.  

You can stream the entire album below.  Then make sure to buy it at the band's bandcamp page (I went for the limited 2x vinyl, myself), and while you're at it, get both of the band's previous releases, The Howl Street EP and To The Trees, for free.  Can't beat that.

TONIGHT: Langhorne Slim / Ha Ha Tonka / Kingsley Flood at The Middle East

If you're looking for something to do tonight, there's no better choice than heading to the Middle East for what has to be one of the strongest bills of the year so far.  Langhorne Slim, Ha Ha Tonka and local favorites Kingsley Flood are going to bring a heavy dose of gritty, sweaty Americana to Central Square and I suggest you be there. 

The Way We Move - Langhorne Slim

Usual Suspects - Ha Ha Tonka

I Don't Wanna Go Home - Kingsley Flood

Songs for Wednesday // Houndmouth, Aunt Martha and more

Words // Adam Sharp

'Houston Train'- Houndmouth
Be warned that when you hit play below you’re likely to hear your new favorite song.
Website: http://houndmouth.com/

'Kelly Mitchell'- Aunt Martha
A sad, sleepy gem of a song, that'll make you feel feelings while clapping along.
Website: http://www.auntmarthaband.com/

'Oak Tree'- Desert Noises
There are some songs made for driving fast through the country to.  This is one of those.
Website: http://www.desertnoisesmusic.com/

'Thames'- JBM
My favorite song off one of the most underrated albums to come out so far this year.
Website: http://www.jbm-music.com/fr_news.cfm

'Empty (Tour Bus Session)'- Lianne La Havas
That. Voice.
Website: http://www.liannelahavas.com/

New music // Great Elk - "The Weight Of The Sea"

Words // Scott Pingeton

I don't remember the last time I actually read a PR email.  99% get automatically filtered, immediately deleted or sit in the purgatory of my inbox forever.  One sure fire way to get me to read about your band is to compare yourselves to My Morning Jacket and Band Of Horses.  Great Elk's email did just that, I read it, I clicked through and I heard anthemic vaguely rootsy rock that sounds perfect for a long drive through some kind of desolate or majestic landscape that doesn't really exist in this over-populated part of the country.  The New York-based band hails from Alaska, which is exactly the kind of place that desolate and majestic landscapes exist.  Their debut album Autogeography is out May 22, but you can stream the whole thing at their bandcamp page.  Listen to "The Weight Of The Sea" here...

Preview // FreshGrass Festival @ Mass MoCA 9/21-23

Words // Scott Pingeton

Mass MoCA is becoming a destination known as much for their excellent music programming as world class modern art.  Wilco's annual Solid Sound Festival has played a big part in putting the Western Mass museum on the map, but there are plenty of other events throughout the year that are well worth the drive.  One of those events that I personally will be happily making the 3 hour trek from Boston for is the FresGrass Festival in late September.  You really don't need a reason to visit the Berkshires in late-September - it's just gorgeous out that way as summer starts to fade into fall - but if you really need your arm twisted, a top-notch bluegrass festival should do the trick.  The lineup includes David Grisman, Trampled By Turtles, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Devil Makes Three, Infamous Stringdusters, Spirit Family Reunion and lots more.  Spread out over 3 days, it's the perfect excuse for a long weekend away from the city.

Tickets are on sale now for the incredibly reasonable price of just $46 for the whole weekend.  Make your plans now, I am.  Here is some brand new music from three of my favorite artists that will be at FreshGrass:

Alone - Trampled By Turtles

Boodle-De-Bum-Bum - Carolina Chocolate Drops

I Want To Be Relieved - Spirit Family Reunion

Willis Earl Beal - "(773) 295-2135"

No words required.  Just watch.

Review: Kalispell - Westbound

Words // Scott Pingeton

I think you're gonna dig this one, so listen up.  Kalispell is the work of Shane Leonard, and it brims with the earnestness you may have come to expect from fellow Eau Claire Wisconsin locals Justin Vernon, S. Carey and Chris Porterfield.  Westbound is a gorgeous and deeply personal record, perhaps influenced at least in part by the circumstances around Leonard's move from Massachusetts to Wisconsin. I think Kalispell's bandcamp page paints a better picture than I could:

It's like when good friends gather, perhaps around a fire in someone's backyard as the night settles or on the front stoop of your house, cigarette in hand—the setting doesn't matter. It's about the moment after the laughter quiets and the tone shifts, when you venture to say what's been heavy on the mind, so near the tongue, so hard to admit: 

How you've grown impatient with the "state of summer's same."
How you feel alone with the person who should know you best.
How "there was no devotion / in our frozen poses."
How you said yes when you meant no.

Intimate confessions set to folk music is nothing unique, but I think Kalispell does it particularly well - combining confident lyrics with intricate, textured compositions.  From the clawhammer banjo on "Methodist Lift" to "Marion, MT", a folk-dirge that recalls The Low Anthem, to "Lucky A Hundred Times", a gently rolling highlight, the album covers enough sonic ground to hold the listeners interest throughout.  It's a great listen - highly recommended.

Kalispell - Lucky A Hundred Times

Kalispell was at the Middle East in Cambridge last week -- my timing sucks.  Shout if you were there!

Songs for Wednesday // Lemolo, Shakey Graves and more

Words // Adam Sharp

'On Again, Off Again'- Lemolo
Dreamy, echoing goodness. I absolutely cannot wait for this album.
Website: http://lemolomusic.com/

Lemolo - On Again, Off Again

'Thumper'- The Wedding Band
You like Mumford & Sons? Then you’re going to love The Wedding Band
(because it’s just all the same guys playing under a different name,
basically).
Website: http://www.mumfordandsons.com/

'1904'- The Tallest Man on Earth
Kristian Matsson is back with a gorgeous, brisk song that expands on
his sound ever so slightly.
Website: http://www.thetallestmanonearth.com/

1904 - The Tallest Man on Earth

'Word of Mouth'- Shakey Graves
Music for cowboys from the heart of Texas.
Website: http://shakeygraves.tumblr.com/

'Float'- KO KO
This song will give your ears a sunburn.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/longlivekoko#!/longlivekoko

Float - KO KO