Singer-songwriters tend to emulate their heroes. Some rearrange covers and add their own flare to a song, others shoot for a duet or a compilation record, but not Nashville’s Aaron Lee Tasjan. Tasjan opted to indulge in copious amounts of THC a’la his role model Guy Clark, after hearing of Clark burning down more than a few before penning what turned out to be some of his best numbers. READ MORE…
Chris Porter’s debut solo album, This Red Mountain, is the record some musicians hope to make even once during their career — not just because of the unique family ties the musicians share on the album, but the quality of songcraft festooned with emotional rawness and bleak realism. This record gladly brings the pain and heals it up, only to open it up again just a little bit deeper. Slated for a March 10 release, and recorded and produced by Will Johnson (Centro-matic, South San Gabriel) at Ramble Creek Studios in Austin, TX, This Red Mountain is the story of a man’s travails, for better or for worse. Porter’s journey has been all for the better. VIEW HERE…
The 13 solo effort from Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Jesse Harris entitled No Wrong No Right is charted for a February 10 release on Dangerbird Records. Enter the obligatory Norah Jones reference that earned him said Grammy, but Jesse Harris is chock full of sad songs and jazzy folk-pop bravado, enough to have collaborated with some of the world’s most talented artists. He’s written genre-scaling songs that highlight the performances of artists like Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, Bright Eyes, and Cat Power.
This latest effort is mature and playful, a relaxed journey through the inner workings of Harris’ prolific, custom style of song crafting. Flanked by the dynamic drums and guitar duo of experimental rockers Star Rover, Harris’ creative vehicle was treated to parameters unknown. The duo are a sure fit for Harris’ trademark instrumental musical journeys, this time graced with heavenly horns and arrangements by Paul Simon and Bon Iver compatriot CJ Camerieri – a fitting touch to the crafty, catchy record as a whole.
Harris pulled from the well of Neil Young for inspiration on No Wrong No Right. Inspired by the blueprint of Young’s After the Gold Rush, Harris states, “Some of that record was done with Crazy Horse, and it’s a rock record, but then you also have these hushed acoustic folk songs, and it keeps shifting back and forth between the two distinct moods. I always loved the way that worked, so I started there.” The triple-threat of Harris’ instrumentals, three piece rock band (with Star Rover backing him up), and the acoustic anchored duets with guitar god Julian Lage prove that the number three is a charm on Harris’s lucky record number 13.
The album opens with the first of the instrumental gems, “Pandora’s Box,” then quickly bursts into the romantic Latin folk-jazz of “Nothing’s Gone But the Night.” It’s an entrancing, harmonious journey with luscious, barely present female backing vocals and xylophones for days.
We’re pleased and honored to premiere the third song from the new record, “It Would Have Been So Easy.” This is a prime example of the catchy pop-loaded songs that seem to effortlessly flow from the mind of Jesse Harris and cohorts. No Wrong No Right is a tremendously fine album from start to finish, never a dull moment or a copied sound, a true-to-form artful blueprint, a carousel ride of poetic songwriting. READ MORE…
Atlanta’s less-is-more, indie-folk septet, Book Club is currently putting its finishing touches on their second full-length album, One-Way Moon, due out February 17, 2014 on the Cottage Recording Co. (Small Houses) & Bear Kids Recordings. A harrowing collection of decimal songs with a conglomerate of roots and stylings held together by melodious yet old-timey lyrical delivery, spotlighting the unorthodox harmonic meld between frontman/singer/songwriter, Robbie Horlick, and songstress Rachel Buckley. Formed in 2011, Book Club has procured a lush touring docket, having honed their stage skills with the likes of Roadkill Ghost Choir, Richard Buckner, and Deep Dark Woods, amassing the attention of Grammy nominated producer Matt Goldman somewhere along the way. Goldman was tagged to produce and record One-Way Moon at his Atlanta based, Glow in the Dark Studios. A definite breath of fresh air for Goldman who has gained his stripes primarily producing Christian hardcore acts the likes of Underoath and As Cities Burn.
Sometimes opposites attract and a beautiful bi-product can be birthed. Book Club’s debut record, 2011’s Ghost, was contrived a complete 180 degrees, about face from the tactics employed by Goldman. Book Club gelled with Goldman and his seemingly old-school recording tactics. He gathered the band facing each other in a circle and recorded everything live, as it should be. No bells and whistles, just artists and instruments. A set-up not unfamiliar to the band as this is the typical lay out for a Book Club rehearsal gathered in Horlick’s living room. What’s left is a “warts and all” finished product with imperfections quite possible being the perfection. “Each of us was positioned so that we had a direct line of sight to every other band member—we could see and hear exactly what was happening at all times. You play differently in that setting. I’d always been about layering track after track, but this time, myself and Will Raines (Mastodon, West End Motel) were a live, two-piece string ensemble. It was beautiful, Bill Callahan-style—sinister and simple”, adds cellist and Book Club co-founder Matt Jarrard (Royal Thunder, Oryx & Crake). READ MORE…
Nashville’s country-soul slinger Sam Lewis has just signed with Atlanta-based label Brash Records, with plans to enter the studio with producer Oliver Wood. In the wake of Lewis’ self-titled debut album, the two will embark on the new record via Southern Ground Studios in Nashville, TN.
Calling on the musical spirit of Leon Russell and maybe Al Green, after a weekend with Willie and Waylon in Dripping Springs, TX, Sam Lewis’ debut record was no slouch. Having enlisted the help of Marty Stuart’s guitar picker deluxe, Kenny Vaughn, Reggie Bradley Smith on the keys, and Dave Jaques, with Derek Mixon handling the rhythm section, Lewis surrounded himself with some of Nashville’s finest session players for his freshman effort. It was the first time he had played that particular batch of songs with anyone else, much less musicians of that caliber. — usually opting for just himself and an acoustic guitar to cast his art into an audience’s direction. READ MORE…
NYC-by-way-of-Atlanta-based singer-songwriter Sara Rachele is set to release her debut record Diamond Street on Angrygal Records this coming September 2, 2014. It’s a live-straight-to-tape recording, which is an impressive feat itself on your debut record, not to mention they managed to put down all eight tracks and two bonus tracks in just two days. That’s always a sure sign of confidence and artistry. But, put that together with some of Atlanta’s finest musicians and you’ve got a bad-ass rock album. Vocally, she’s a glorious amalgamation of Neko Case and Lydia Loveless with a smattering of Harriet Wheeler (The Sundays). For those of us still reeling from Lydia’s last effort, Diamond Street will satisfy that void. LISTEN HERE…