Twenty fifteen and Crushed Beaks

Here we are on the fledgling wings of yet another year, thousands of bands vying for our attention in a sea of Soundcloud links, drop dates and nervously planned record release gigs. On days like this I’m glad to be a lowly consumer rather than an actual musician. While it makes me sound lazy (and… Continue reading Twenty fifteen and Crushed Beaks

Vök

These folks may be popular, but it’s the first I’m hearing of them, and damn am I smitten. Margret Ran Magnusdóttir, an openly gay singer, fronts the Icelandic Vök trio, and I only mention that because she’s made a point of sharing how her story, from an Icelandic perspective, has influenced her music. Regardless of what’s influenced her music, it’s… Continue reading Vök

Monophona: “Thumb”

Monophona, you’ve impressed me. “Thumb” sticks out like a sore one in the best way possible – it’s madly unique with acoustic instrumentation, sampled backgrounds, and dark/edgy atmospherics. All in all, it adds up to an odd assortment of beautiful sounds and a track that I’m finding tricky to get out of my head. Monophona… Continue reading Monophona: “Thumb”

[MP3] The North Country: “The Cross We Bear”

Sometimes it’s hard to know where you want to be. Or who you are. Are you content or are you looking for something more? Can you ever really be content? When do we get to that moment in life where we confidently say “I am fulfilled. This is me.”?  I don’t know the answers. But… Continue reading [MP3] The North Country: “The Cross We Bear”

[soundscape] and bravely, i.

[ed. note: refer to the first “and bravely, i.” soundscape for context] photo: andreia song: brother courage – “growing old” “i imagine yes is the only living thing.” — ee cummings there is one still point in a turning world. one piece of clarity for each moment. one bright star, winking at you, before closing… Continue reading [soundscape] and bravely, i.

Diagrams: “Phantom Power”

Tunng has been one of my favorite bands over the last several years, and former member Sam Genders is creating equally delightful pop under a new name, Diagrams. Diagrams actually released a debut EP in 2012, but he has a new album, Chromatics, coming out on Full Time Hobby in January and just released an… Continue reading Diagrams: “Phantom Power”

New Mansions on the Moon album

Since I usually don’t post on the weekends, it would be wise to give you more music on Fridays. Lucky for us, Mansions on the Moon just released their new s/t album, and it’s thoroughly impressive. They use their softer acoustic skills more this time around (which we knew they already had from solo Ted… Continue reading New Mansions on the Moon album