We recently featured this co-ed folk duo for their single “Poison & Wine” on our weekly jukebox. Their impeccable harmonies and musical synergy made for the perfection combination of audible harmony. Honestly, the first time I heard them I was reminded of The Swell Season, a group made famous by the modern motion picture musical “Once” released in 2006. The Civil Wars had the same type of energy and passion for the music as The Swell Season, and it really showed.
Their latest (and first official) release, Barton Hollow, exemplifies their “musical synergy”, a term first coined earlier in the first paragraph of this post by me. The album is a tribute to folk music with each track generating the kind of traditional, simple acoustic sound you’d expect from artists like Ray LaMontagne or Amos Lee. Singers John Paul White and Joy Williams first met at a camp for aspiring songwriters and immediately recognized their potential as a duet. Lucky for us, that partnership led to the creation of an EP and, now, their first full-length album.
Barton Hallow includes a recording of “Poison & Wine” along with other powerful tracks including “C’est la Mort” and the title track “Barton Hallow”. You’ll find a great mix of blue-sy, soulful folk songs that exhibit both singers vocal talent and smooth harmonies. Oddly enough, co-lead singer John Paul White also has an odd resemblance to Johnny Depp. Maybe it’s the goatee.
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I love The Decemberists. Especially in January. They have that perfect mix of folk and rock that always leaves you wanting more. The sound is contagious, and they honestly have major problems creating songs that are not good. Ok, I guess I wouldn’t say that it’s a “problem” more a blessing, but either way they have a knack for creating pure acoustic gold. With elements of Neil Young and Bob Dylan (as you’ll notice with the first blow of the harmonica), they draw on old-school folk and even some country-blues elements with soulful slide guitar and powerful vocals.
Their latest release The King Is Dead is a soulful delivery of impeccable harmonies and relaxing instrumentation. Like Enya except not. Or possibly like Kenny G, except also not. I’ve always appreciated their incredible combination of traditional folk instruments and styling to create a completely unique sound that’s instantly recognizable as The Decemberists. And with six albums currently out, they are obviously doing something right. If you stood their fan base shoulder to shoulder, the line would wrap around the world six times. That is a completely amazing fact I may or may not have just made up, but I’m sure it’s pretty close. I mean, they have a lot of fans.
Honestly, if you like The Decemberists or even just great relaxing music, you should definitely check out their latest release The King Is Dead. We promise you’ll be satisfied. And it has nothing to do with Enya. We also promise that.
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Some of my favorite things come from Memphis, TN. There is a little BBQ place on the outskirts of town that looks like an old broken down convenience store. The Cozy Corner lies lost in a better time where the only thing people had to care about was company and food made with extra love. I’ve also grown to love the gritty soul of Beale Street, where the party dies when the sun rises and Blues musicians play to the street. But Memphis also produces a lot of great folk musicians. Musicians like Drew Holcomb.
The weird thing that I have begun to notice about artists in the music industry is that, more and more, they all seem to be one big happy family. The more people that I’ve met, the more I’ve realized that they are somehow connected. For instance, Drew Holcomb has opened for a number of headlining acts nationwide including Susan Tedeschi, The Avett Brothers, Marc Broussard, Dave Barnes and Matt Hires (among many others.) He is also signed to the same label as Matthew Perryman Jones and Griffin House. So yeah, one big happy family.
But just because he’s been grouped in with these artists doesn’t mean he sounds like these artists. He has a traditional folk sound that is gritty and true, bringing back the roots of a type of music that is exceedingly lost on music listeners today. Drew Holcomb certainly keeps a piece of tradition that most artists fail to keep. His music is strong, yet peaceful. Like Gandalf the Wizard. Was that too nerdy of a reference?
If you want some great folk rock for the winter, make sure you check out Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors. If you want a great movie, check out Lord of the Rings. I’m just sayin’.
Oh, and here is a Christmas treat for you courtesy of them.
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After traveling via bus through weather that was promoted to be “Chicago’s worst storm in 70 years,” California-born Matt Costa made it to the Double Door in Chicago, IL unscathed and allowed us to take a seat and dig deeper into this former pro skateboarders unknown musical dream come true. Luckily for us (perhaps Matt too) his skateboarding career fell short at the age of 18, leading to the dawn of who is now, Matt Costa – singer/songwriter. Not to drop any names or anything, but Matt was founded by No Doubt guitarist, Tom Dumont, toured with Jack Johnson, and did some work with Phil Ek from Modest Mouse…but no big deal.
Recently releasing his third album, Mobile Chateau, Matt continues to woo the world with the single “Witchcraft” which takes a dash of pep and mixes it with a tablespoon of solid guitar riffs all the while sprinkling it with indie rock and folk. But why take it from me. Matt Costa is far better at explaining himself…himself. Check out the interview below.
We get a TON of artist submissions on a daily basis, and we absolutely love it. We go through every CD, every song and every press release to find the best stuff out there so we can bring it right to your online doorstep. But sometimes we get something that jumps out so much that we know you’ll dig it after just one listen to the first song. April Smith and The Great Picture Show is one of those bands.
Their unique sound is refreshing and up-lifting. Like using Herbal Essence shampoo or taking your shoes off after work. It contains all of the correct elements to make it “pop” without following a formula, mixing traditional folk with pop, classic rock, old-timey piano and horns. The vocals are also very traditional, but with a very unique twist. She is young and relevant, but it would be quite easy to picture April Smith as the headlining act at a cabaret in the ’30s.
However, updated lyrics and a signature swoon make this lass a popular choice for your latest new music selection. It’s not often you get such a young look and sound out of a band so deeply rooted in traditional musical stylings. But April Smith and The Great Picture Show pulls it off with flying colors.
Judging by the number of instruments they used on the album, one would have to assume that the live show is nothing less than completely interesting. Lucky for you, they have been touring heavily across the nation so you can have your very own opportunity to check them out at one of their upcoming shows. And they’ll even let you stream their entire album for free. How great is that?
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