Deer Tick - Live at the Paradise Boston MA 3.3.11

Matt Vasquez (Delta Spirit) joins Deer Tick for Bruce Springsteen's "Racing In The Street"Sandwiched between Dawes and Middle Brother, Deer Tick played an energetic, loose set (they know no other kind) to a rowdy almost-hometown crowd in Boston.  The set was sprinkled with new arrangements for old Deer Tick songs and brand new songs.  A bar band at heart, John McCauley and company threw in a few choice covers from two of my personal favorites - a revved-up take on Bruce Springsteen's classic "Racing In The Street" and Sam Cooke's "Bring It On Home To Me" both featured Delta Spirit's Matt Vasquez.  However, in many ways the night found its peak as Matt Vasquez, Jonny Corndawg and Dawes all crowded on stage for cajun party song "Down South In New Orleans" - thoughts of The Last Waltz were inevitable.  Deer Tick, Dawes and Delta Spirit may not be The Band, Dylan and Neil Young...but seeing three of the best bands making music today having a blast on stage together is still an awe inspiring sight.

Complete Deer Tick recording is available below for stream or download in pristine sound.  This rounds out the trifecta (Dawes and Middle Brother sets are already up).  Thanks again to the fantastic staff at the Paradise and each of the bands for allowing us to document such a magical night.  Enjoy!

Deer Tick
Paradise Rock Club - Boston, MA
March 3, 2011

Something To Brag About
Bury Deep
Smith Hill
Ashamed
Idaho
Racing In The Street (Bruce Springsteen)
Bring It On Home To Me (Sam Cooke)
Spend The Night
Born At Zero
Hope Is Big
These Old Shoes
Christ Jesus
Down South In New Orleans (Bobby Charles)

Full set download:  mp3 zip

(Note:  the kind folks at Partisan Records asked that we not post a couple of the brand new tracks)

Related posts:
Dawes - Live at the Paradise Boston MA 3.3.11
Middle Brother - Live at the Paradise Boston MA 3.3.11

Dawes - Live at the Paradise Boston MA 3.3.11

Deer Tick's John McCauley joins Dawes for "When My Time Comes" in Boston, March 3, 2011The very first post on Visible Voice back in March of 2010 was a live recording of Dawes at Great Scott in Allston, so it's fitting to mark the approximate 1 year anniversary of the site with a brand new recording of Dawes.  While I marvel at the growth of Visible Voice in the last year, the ascent of Dawes in that same timeframe is staggering.  From a tiny, albeit sold out, Great Scott in February to a monumental breakout set at Newport Folk to another sold out Royale show in November, the band has been playing larger and larger venues across the country, and growing an ever-larger fanbase.  It's really no surprise - when I first heard Dawes sometime in early 2009 I liked what I heard, but wasn't a believer until I saw them live.  They play with a passion and intensity that seems to becoming more rare among many of today's entitled,  P4k-hyped buzz bands.  Dawes is doing it the old fashioned way, and it's paying off.

Playing first on a stacked bill that also included Deer Tick and Middle Brother, Dawes played to an already-packed house - opening with Bedside Manner from 2009 debut North Hills.  Their set consisted of a fairly even mix of old favorites and new tracks from their upcoming sophomore LP.  Highlights from the new songs include "If I Wanted Someone" and "Fire Away", both hard-edged takes on the rootsy classic rock sound that has become the band's trademark.  Jonny Corndawg joined the band for a 5-song mini-set of his own tunes, expousing the benefits of exercise, razors and taking out the trash.  Anyone that wasn't already a convert certainly was by the time the set ended, as John McCauley joined the band for an expectedly blistering take on "When My Time Comes", a cathartic singalong and brilliant set closer.

The full recording is available for stream or download below in pristine sound (soundboard+room matrix).  Thanks to the staff at the Paradise for a fantastic mix, and to Dawes for their taper-friendly polilcies.  I hope everyone enjoys this...it's a good one!

Dawes
Paradise Rock Club - Boston MA
March 3, 2011

Bedside Manner
How Far We've Come
My Girl To Me
That Western Skyline
If I Wanted Someone
Out In The Woods (Leon Russell cover)
Peace In The Valley
Keep Your Body Happy Through Exercise (w/ Jonny Corndawg)
Shaved Like A Razor (w/ Jonny Corndawg)
When A Ford Man Turns To Chevy (w/ Jonny Corndawg)
Trashday (w/ Jonny Corndawg)
Goodbye (w/ Jonny Corndawg)
Fire Away
When My Time Comes (w/ John McCauley)

Full set download:  mp3 zip

Related post:  Middle Brother - Live at the Paradise Boston MA 3.3.11

Visible Voice Spring 2011 Mixtape

The ground is starting to thaw and the air is getting back that moist smell of mud and life.  Spring is (almost) here.  We made it.  Now here are some tunes to help you shake off the lingering effects of hibernation...

My music listening habits tend to follow seasonal trends and, true to form, in Spring my musical palette expands to embrace the vibrancy of the season.  Lush pop sounds and grand statements are what I gravitate towards, and you'll see that reflected in the Spring Mixtape.  Following the arc of spring, Side A is alternately anthemic and introspective and Side B is a blast of pure summery fun. 

Comprised of almost all brand new or unreleased songs, there should be something new here for everyone.  Enjoy the tunes, let me know what you think in the comments and please share with friends! 

Side A
Southeast Engine - New Growth (from Canary, out 3/29 - preorder)
Apache Relay - Home Is Not Places (from American Nomad, out 4/12 - preorder)
The Leadership - Keep The Change (from Frontiers - buy)
The David Mayfield Parade - Blue Skies Again (from The David Mayfield Parade - buy)
Thousands - MTSES III (from The Sound Of Everything, out 3/21 - preview)
Daniel Lefkowitz - Death Is A Warm Bath (from Wilder Shores Of Love, self-released)

Side B
Cults - Go Outside (from Cults 7" - listen)
The Veils - The Stars Came Out Once The Light Went Out (from The Troubles of The Brain - listen)
Mean Creek - Sunlight (from Hemophiliac - buy)
Thick Shakes - Go Back To New York (from Why Buy the Cow 7" - free download)
We Can't Enjoy Ourselves - Put Your Blue Dress On (from One Belongs Here More Than You - free download)
Yuck - Get Away (from Yuck - buy)

Middle Brother - Live at The Paradise Boston MA 3.3.11

It was almost a year ago to the day that I first heard the rumors about MG&V, an indie-folk-rock "supergroup" comprised of the frontmen of Deer Tick, Delta Spirit and Dawes.  Now, 12 months and 1 name-change later, Middle Brother is a reality.  I won't go into too much detail on the record itself, but I will say that all of my expectations were surpassed.  Rather than a collection of unpolished outtakes or throwaways that weren't good enough for their full-time bands, the collaboration showcases each of the songwriters in top form - each putting their stylistic mark on the album.  Matt Vasquez brings gritty soul-infused rock, John McCauley his trademark whiskey-soaked country-folk and Taylor Goldsmith lends a heart-on-sleeve croon and searing lead guitar.  It's an album that finds harmony in the cohesion between three talented and unique songwriters.

Fresh off the release of their self-titled album, the "Middle Brother Revue" rolled into Boston last Thursday.  I can't recall the last time I was as excited for a show - afterall, how often do you get a chance to see three of your favorite bands sharing the same stage?  Dawes and Deer Tick both played solid opening sets to a packed house (more on those in later posts...), setting the stage for Middle Brother and underscoring the unique dynamic of the lineup.  On this night, the opening bands' material was much more familiar to most of the crowd than that of the headliner.  With a revolving cast of bandmembers of stage for both of the opening sets, both of which featured crowd-favorite originals and singalong covers, the actual headlining set could have been anti-climatic.  As soon as the threesome, joined by members of Dawes, took the stage, any such notion was erased.  They exploded with confidence and energy, clearly having a blast, playing off of one another and delivering one of the most memorable sets I've seen in a while.

The Matt Vasquez-led opener "Blue Eyes" started the show on a rollicking note, while Taylor Goldsmith's poignant "Wilderness" and McCauley's sweetly wistful "Daydreaming" provided slower counterpoints.  The show, like the album, gave each bandmember a chance to shine, with "Million Dollar Bill" as the sparkling centerpiece with gorgeous three-part harmonies and traded verses.  As a perfectly-sloppy version of "Twist and Shout" capped-off over three hours of music, I couldn't help but think how lucky I was to be able to see this band in person.  Call me a pessimist, but I'm not sure the busy schedules of three increasingly-popular bands will allow for too many collaborations/tours like this down the road.  I hope I'm wrong.

Enjoy a fantastic complete recording of the show below - sound is excellent thanks to a great mix at the Paradise and a clean soundboard+room matrix.  Keep an eye out for the Dawes and Deer Tick sets soon too!  Please support all 4 bands by buying their music:  Middle Brother | Deer Tick | Dawes | Delta Spirit

Middle Brother
Paradise Rock Club - Boston MA
March 3, 2011

Blue Eyes
Mom and Dad
Thanks For Nothing
Someday
Daydreaming
Blood and Guts
Theater
Me Me Me
Wilderness
Million Dollar Bill
Middle Brother
Portland
Twist and Shout

Full set download:  mp3 zip

Related post: Dawes - Live at the Paradise Boston MA 3.3.11

New music: Maxim Ludwig & The Santa Fe Seven

Maxim Ludwig & The Santa Fe Seven might be the best country- rock band you don't know.  Their soulful, dusty sound is what the E Street band might have sounded like if Springsteen kept driving down that "Rattlesnake Speedway in the Utah desert" and set up shop in Laurel Canyon, living out a sunny and stoned existence, far from the gray, smoke-stacked skies of northern New Jersey.

Maxim Ludwig isn't breaking new ground, but they join a rapidly growing corner of indie rock that is paying homage to the visceral classic rock of still-vital icons such as Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen and Neil Young.  Highly  recommended for fans of Phosphorescent, Dawes, early-MMJ and Gold/Cold Roses-era Ryan Adams.

"Stacy, C'mon" starts as weary-yet-upbeat pedal steel and organ shuffle before electric guitars enter for the singalong "na na na" chorus.  Doo-wop backing vocals, distorted electric guitar and wailing harmonica bring the song to a crescendo, before fading out in an extended coda.

Maxim Ludwig & The Santa Fe Seven - Stacy, C'mon

Grab their entire discography for free here (!).  And if you'll be down in Austin later this month, catch Ludwig & Co. at one of 4 SXSW showcases:

3/16 @ 3:30pm - SXSW Guitar Town/Conqueroo Party
3/17 @ 1:00pm - SXSW Music Fog @ Threadgill’s
3/18 @ 4:00pm - SXSW Sin City Party @ Maria’s Taco Xpress
3/18 @ 8:00pm - SXSW Official Hotel Cafe Showcase @ Ale House

Harrison Hudson - "Run My Way"

My day-to-day listening might lean more towards folk or garage rock, but there's nothing that lifts my mood and gets my toe tapping like a great Stax b-side.  And on those occasions when a soul tune veers into ragged garage rock territory, watch out.  You'll no doubt find early-period Elvis Costello, The Compulsive Gamblers/Reigning Sound, The Love Language et al among my very favorite bands.

I knew I was in for a treat when I saw the cover art for Harrison Hudson's new single "Run My Way" in all its 45-inspired glory.  And the track delivers - tambourines, horns, a stomping beat and belted-out, yearning vocals.  Every bit as satisfying as one of those dusty record store discount-bin gems.  Grab it free here.

Harrison Hudson - Run My Way

Yes we're going to a party party...

Visible Voice is one year old today!  I vividly remember the late night that I published the first post (a live recording of Dawes at Great Scott), and the intervening year has been a lot of fun and a lot of work.  It's been exciting and gratifying to meet fans of the site at shows, watch traffic grow day-after-day and generally have an outlet for my passion for music - I can't wait to see what year #2 has in store...

From the beginning, the goal of Visible Voice was to expose readers to great new music, with a specific focus on live music.  To me, there's nothing quite like live music and I try to do my part to capture a bit of that magic however possible.  In the last year we've shared nearly 30 live recordings - not to mention videos, photos and reviews.  So, what better way to commemorate our first year than by highlighting some of our favorite concert moments...

Wilco - Magazine Called Sunset  (Solid Sound Festival - North Adams MA 8.14.10)
The Low Anthem - Sally Where'd You Get Your Liquor From (Paradise - Boston MA 4.20.10 download)
John McCauley (Deer Tick) - Baltimore Blues No. 1 (Middle East - Cambridge MA 1.14.11 download)
The David Wax Museum - Born With A Broken Heart (Paradise - Boston MA 10.16.11 download)
Dr. Dog - The Way The Lazy Do (Paradise - Boston MA 5.12.10 download)
Dawes - Fire Away (Royale - Boston MA 11.6.10 download)
The Head And The Heart - Ghosts  (Paradise - Boston MA 2.20.11 download)
The Walkmen - Blue As Your Blood (Nor'easter Festival - Lincoln NH 9.25.10 download)
Gaslight Anthem - Bring It On (Nor'easter Festival - Lincoln NH 9.25.10 download)
Frontier Ruckus - Dark Autumn Hour (Red Room at Cafe 939 - Boston MA 2.12.11)

The Head And The Heart - Live at the Paradise Boston 4.20.11

The Head And The Heart's fantastic self-titled debut record landed at #14 on my favorite albums of 2010 list.  The truth is, with a few more months to marinate, it's now probably somewhere in the top 10.  Songs of weariness, of love and of home, delivered with honesty, confidence and a bouncy folk-pop jangle.  With a rough-edged charm, sugary-sweet melodies, male-female vocals and earnest stories of distance, there's a lot to love about this band.

As memorable as the songs themselves are, I'll never forget the journey they took into my collection.  Waking up in Seattle, hungover, with fading, hours-old memories of hearing about this great band that had just signed to Sub Pop records, I opened the band's myspace page and let the music revive me.  It wasn't long before I was in a coffeeshop expousing the merits of the band from my little soapbox here.  Hours later I was on a mission to get the album; a digital download just wouldn't do, I needed the physical artifact.  You see, there was no telling if I would have another chance to get the pre-Sub Pop self-released version back home in Boston - and for someone like me, that just wouldn't do.  So we walked.  First a pleasant stroll to Sonic Boom Lower Queen Anne.  "Sold out".  Then, coffee in-hand, a longer jaunt in a steady drizzle to Silver Platters.  "Nope, but Sonic Boom Capitol Hill might have some copies".  The cold drizzle now a heavy downpour, we kept walking - there was one last chance.  Through puddles and mud and tire spray, up Capitol Hill (the long, long way) and finally success.  I've never worked so hard to get my hands on an album.  Admittedly, it was a little insane - but well-worth all the effort.

So, you can understand my excitement this past weekend to see the band live for the first time.  As good as the songs are on record, believe me when I say that this is a band that you have to see live.  Playing their first-ever shows in Boston in support of Dr. Dog, they exuded the stage presence of a band far more seasoned.  It was one of the most impressive opening sets I've seen in a long time.  They held the focus of a rowdy crowd, performing a set that was energetic, engaging and hopefully a precursor to many headlining shows to come.

Check out a full recording of the show below - taped from the front row of the balcony, the sound is excellent.  Please support the band by picking up their album here.

The Head And The Heart
Paradise Rock Club - Boston, MA
February 20, 2011

Cats And Dogs
Ghosts
Honey Come Home
Heaven Go Easy On Me
Lost In My Mind
Winter Song
Sounds Like Hallelujah
Down In The Valley
Rivers And Roads

Full set download: mp3 zip

More photos

The Low Anthem - Smart Flesh review, Live in Boston 4.20.10

My most anticipated album of early 2011, The Low Anthem's Smart Flesh, is out today.  It's been more than a year since I first heard live versions of many of these songs - but in the intervening months the band holed themselves up in a freezing, abandoned pasta sauce factory and put the songs to wax.  The result is as beautiful and memorable an album as I expect to hear this year.

Smart Flesh showcases the band's continued growth - mixing delicate, whisper-soft hymns ("Ghost Woman Blues", "I'll Take Out Your Ashes", "Love And Altar") with electric guitar stomps that give the listener a chance to breathe ("Boeing 737", "Hey, All You Hippies!").  Haunting imagery, deft turns of phrase and starkly personal subjects - Ben Knox Miller's songwriting stands up as an example of songwriting at its best and most pure.

What lies within these grooves is a collection of songs that drip with soul but benefit from restraint.  Big ideas and intense emotion, stripped to the bone.  Devoid of pretense or anything superfluous, the songs have a lived-in patina and hand-worn luster - simply beautiful.

The Low Anthem will be at Old South Church in Boston on March 4 (tickets) and will be back in Boston on April 19 at the House of Blues, opening for Iron & Wine.  Two must-see shows.

Check out a remastered version of our excellent recording of the band at the Paradise last April 20 - the sound is improved over the last version, and is a pristine soundboard+room matrix.  Don't miss this!

The Low Anthem
Paradise Rock Club - Boston MA
April 20, 2010

Cage The Songbird
Ticket Taker
[thanks]
Sally Where'd You Get Your Liquor From *
To The Ghosts Who Write History Books
Apothecary Love
Ghost Woman Blues
Charlie Darwin
Home I'll Never Be **
Cigarettes, Whiskey & Wild, Wild Women ^
Maybe So
This God Damn House
Don't Let Nobody Turn You Around %
Ain't No More Cane %
Dreams Can't Chase You Down
Ohio
Love And Altar
I'll Take Out Your Ashes

* - Rev. Gary Davis
** - Jack Kerouac
^ - Jim Croce
% - Traditional

Full set download (mp3 zip)