The Wealthy West

Brandon Kinder, out of Austin, Texas, is The Wealthy West, which showcases his impressive singer/songwriter skills. Employing a pensive demeanor and a forlorn timbre, Kinder delivers short, melancholic tunes with a powerful affect. Kinder recently released a five song acoustic EP with just enough despair to make you slightly unstable. But emotion is good, yeah?… Continue reading The Wealthy West

[Abby’s Road] Pulling the Plug

The galaxy of sound is deep and wide. My feet, however, are firmly planted on the amplified planets. I like the way electrified music makes my body feel; I like a driving beat, booming basslines and for my innards to flutter under the decibels of a live performance. As kids, it seems we have predisposition… Continue reading [Abby’s Road] Pulling the Plug

[MP3] Hezekiah Jones: “Borrowed Heart”

Hezekiah Jones, from the lovely Yer Bird Records, was recently featured (as in, two days ago) on Weathervane Music‘s independent artist series “Shaking Through.” This is volume two, episode four of “Shaking Through,” and “Borrowed Heart” is Hezekiah Jones’ featured song. Good choice, I say! It’s eerily beautiful, with an acoustic guitar as the backbone throughout… Continue reading [MP3] Hezekiah Jones: “Borrowed Heart”

[MP3] Ghosts I’ve Met: “Blackwoods”

Everyone needs a soft Sunday night tune to wind down the weekend and prepare for the likely grueling week ahead. There’s typically no better way to do that than listen to a Slowcoustic artist (keep reading), and true to form, we’ve got Ghosts I’ve Met’s “Blackwoods” to ring in your ears. Ghosts I’ve Met is… Continue reading [MP3] Ghosts I’ve Met: “Blackwoods”

[MP3] Zachary Cale: “Hello Oblivion” + “Mourning Glory Kid”

I’ve been waiting quite some time for a song like Zachary Cale’s “Hello Oblivion” to come around, reinforcing my (oft internally embattled) belief that “songs-that-would-have-been-on-The OC” (think Turin Brakes) are still being made. Nostalgia is beside me on this one. That alone should be enticing enough for you to want to listen. …If by the… Continue reading [MP3] Zachary Cale: “Hello Oblivion” + “Mourning Glory Kid”

Kindlewood

I don’t know where Kindlewood came from (I mean, physically, they come from the DC area, I’m just surprised I’d never heard them!), but a friendly contact passed them along and I’m impressed. Their debut EP, I Don’t Believe in Ghosts, was released in November 2010, and they’re currently finishing up their first full-length, Desiderium, which… Continue reading Kindlewood

Summertime Kids

It’s been a mostly mellow week on Knox Road, and that continues with Summertime Kids, the moniker of Gainesville, Florida’s Nick Roberts. He’s 19 years old and has a whole world ahead of him, but it’s slightly disheartening that he’s making such melancholic songs. His first solo album, Table Manners, was recorded at the latest hours… Continue reading Summertime Kids

[MP3] Chloe Makes Music: “The Duel (feat. Christopher Chu)”

From the same trusted studio source that brought the attention of The Downer Party to my ears comes “The Duel”, by Chloe Makes Music, including vocals from The Morning Benders’ frontman Christopher Chu. Chu actually produced the debut Chloe Makes Music record, The Puppeteer, which was released in January. Chloe is a gentle vocalist, playing… Continue reading [MP3] Chloe Makes Music: “The Duel (feat. Christopher Chu)”

Nijae Draine

Nijae Draine, singer/songwriter of the indie pop band Crash Collect, recently recorded and released a solo acoustic EP, Spring Cleaning, with six songs all less than 2:30 each. What results is a quick view into a fragile, honest collection of emotions. (It’s also nice that Nina Simone, a similarly soulful artist, comes right after Draine… Continue reading Nijae Draine