Tag: folk
October 30, 2024
Orion Walsh’s return to the music scene with “Walking Through The Forest” promises a soul-stirring experience, celebrating one of the most compelling albums of his career and absolute personal favorite of mine. Releasing on October 31, 2024, via Fair Vaux, Walsh’s 7th studio album takes listeners on an introspective journey, blending lo-fi folk and emo undertones into a deeply evocative collection. Walsh, a celebrated singer-songwriter from Lincoln, Nebraska, draws on vivid, nostalgic imagery, crafted over a 6 week tour across the UK and Europe to reflect on life’s cyclic journey of breaking and healing.… Continued →
August 11, 2023
Song of the Day: Lies Damned Lies - The Divine Image
Alternative folk-pop trio Lies Damned Lies formed in Glasgow in the late 1980s. Alternately flirting with Scottish modern rock sounds (a la fellow Scots Simple Minds) or with literate folk stylings, the band had a lengthy career through the 1990s and into the 2000s, though they were fairly unknown this side of the pond. They were regulars at the UK’s Greenbelt Festival, and while their lyrics pointed to their Christian faith, several of their releases were on mainstream pop-rock record labels.
“The Divine Image” comes to us from their 1993 full-length The Human Dress.… Continued →
February 17, 2023
Song of the Day: United Harvest Workers Union - Compassion
This folk-punk band was formed as a sort of atypical worship band. Their purpose was to create “authentic church music devoid of hype.” Hailing from Pittsburgh, the band features members of Last Hope and Timbre, its roots firmly embedded in the punk scene. Their one and only album was self-released in 2010, but saw a digital re-release in 2019 via Zap Records (home of 2 Minute Minor, Voice of the Mysterons, October Bird of Death, and others).
I reviewed the album in 2019, here, and really enjoyed it.… Continued →
July 2, 2022
Song of the Day: Lamb - You Are My Salvation
Lamb is a Messianic Jewish band that started out in the 70s which played Jewish folk music. As time progressed they did a few rockier songs including this SOTD which I still love to this day. Hope you do also.
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June 24, 2022
Song of the Day: Bruce Cockburn - Wondering Where the Lions Are
This veteran, Canadian singer-songwriter has been active since at least the early 70s (probably earlier), since his debut eponymous album came out in 1970. I first became acquainted with his music in the 1990s, reading an album review in CCM Magazine, but also hearing equally about his accolades from the secular press. I took a chance on buying a live album, when I found a copy of his 1990 live album (he’s done at least 5 live albums), Bruce Cockburn Live on cassette.
I’d heard he was a folk artist, and a songwriter, so I was prepared for the mostly acoustic sounds on the tape.… Continued →
April 3, 2022
Caedmon's Call Re-emerge From The Shadows to Drop Hints
In what may seem like a surprising move, a band that got their start with their debut record in 1997 – “Caedmon’s Call“, who inspired many and wowed fans across the globe with their original blend of music and lyrics, are teasing something BIG. Click on their website here and sign up for the newsletter list. They are saying “something NEW (and old) is happening SOON” on their website. Any guesses? Maybe a re-release of their debut for its 25th anniversary?… Continued →
October 1, 2021
Song of the Day: Havalina Rail Co. - I Change My Clothes
Havalina Rail Co. was a delightfully quirky, eccentric, genre-fusing and genre-bending experimental band from California. Across their 10-year career (give or take), the band dabbled in folk, ska, jazz, ragtime, blues, Americana, surf, and multiple internationally-themed genres. No two albums in their canon treads the same ground, and yet each successive opus is clearly recognizable as Havalina.
The band stopped recording as HRC somewhere in the early 00s, but members have turned up elsewhere. Most notably are Matt Wignall who is a renowned photographer and is perhaps now best known as the producer for several Cold War Kids albums.… Continued →
September 3, 2021
Song of the Day: Iona - Bi-Se I Mo Shuil
Contemporary Celtic band Iona have been making music since their eponymous debut released in 1990. Fusing traditional Celtic folk instruments (flutes, whistles, bodhran drums, etc.) with jazz and progressive elements caused them to stand out from their other contemporary Celtic peers.
Albums from the band commonly featured worshipful tunes (“Treasure” for instance, from their third album Beyond These Shores or “Revelation” from the second one, Book of Kells), traditional Scots-Irish tunes, as well as lengthy instrumental songs, or instrumental sections within songs.
One of the most stunning examples of the latter is “Bi-Se I Mo Shuil” (Irish Gaelic for “She is My Eye”), from their fourth album Journey into the Morn.… Continued →
July 7, 2021
Orion Walsh - Hurricane Hanna (Official Music Video)
Check out this really cool music video from Orion Walsh for the song “Hurricane Hanna” from the upcoming full length release, “So Many Places to See” which is due out July 9th. Purchase the album on Bandcamp here and stream on your digital network of choice this Friday!… Continued →
June 23, 2021
Orion Walsh - So Many Places to See (Official Music Video)
Orion Walsh is back with a new full length album titled “So Many Places” which drops digitally and on CD, July 7th. Pre-Order Digitally and on CD from Orion’s bandcamp right here. If you enjoyed ANY of his prior material or the work he did in Slow Coming Day, you will certainly find yourself a fan of this album. Check out the music video below as well as a preview listen of the new album (via bandcamp).… Continued →
May 24, 2021
Brownstory - Replanting (Full Album Stream)
Brownstory, the music project from all 4 members of Mainframe will drop their 14 song album this Tuesday May 25th. Check out a full stream of the eclectic album, below. You can purchase the album right now on Bandcamp and get a full instant download of all 14 songs. Grab lyrics and more info on the link. Enjoy!… Continued →
April 13, 2021
Arthur Alligood Releases New Song Feat. Josh and Dean of Toad The Wet Sprocket
Independent solo artist – Arthur Alligood, is back and with a brand new song titled “It’ll Be Alright” featuring Josh and Dean from Toad The Wet Sprocket. It’s a beautiful song and really well done. Showcases Arthur’s immense talent and his ear for making a great song. Having two members from one of my favorite bands, Toad The Wet Sprocket, just makes this new song all the more special. The song is available on all digital networks now. Give it a listen below this post and let us know what you think.… Continued →
March 16, 2021
March 12, 2021
Miqedem Release New Song "Nava Tehila"
Miqedem which is the world-music vibe project featuring James (Jamie) Hilsden of Man Alive, just dropped a brand new song titled “Nava Tehila” which you can download/purchase over on their bandcamp page. Listen below. The song is based on Psalm 147: 1-5. You can find lyrics and further info on their bandcamp page. Miqedem are currently working on their 3rd full length album which is quite an exciting prospect.… Continued →
December 2, 2020
November 24, 2020
November 19, 2020
November 1, 2020
Jenny and Tyler Finish Album 5
Long time husband and wife indie-folk duo known as Jenny & Tyler have just completed work on their 5th album. You can support on Patreon right here and grab the songs from there. You can find some more behind the scenes videos and clips via their facebook page here.… Continued →
September 29, 2020
September 19, 2020
Orion Walsh - House Arrest (New Music Video)
Orion Walsh will drop a new single titled “House Arrest” on September 25th through all digital markets and streaming sites. Check out the official music video below. The song is a somber take on addiction, recovery, and sobriety all told through the lens of Orion Walsh and his unique style. You can download via our bandcamp page right here.… Continued →
August 22, 2020
August 18, 2020
Orion Walsh Drops Brand New Song
Orion Walsh has just dropped a brand new song through his bandcamp page titled “Song For John Denver”. Check out the song below in the comments and be sure to support Orion Walsh directly buy purchasing on Bandcamp here.… Continued →
August 13, 2020
Jesus Freak Hideout Releases Epic 49 Song Free Compilation
Long running Christian Music website, JesusFreakHideout.com, just dropped Volume 9 of their “Songs We’ve Been Trying to Tell You About (and Others We Haven’t)” compilation series right here. Go download it and give these great indie artists a listen. Thanks to John, Scott, and the rest of the JFH gang for giving my artists a platform. I hope you all enjoy it. John DiBiase is also a talented artist and some of his drawings take up residence in my home. Make sure to see all his art pieces on Etsy here.… Continued →
July 28, 2020
July 25, 2020
REVIEW : Roemer - Straight Bars and Guns
Roemer is a stripped-back acoustic/indie folk project. If you’re anything like me, folk has to be some really special to catch my attention—a quirky vocal style, effective use of harmonies, skilful playing, or best of all hard-hitting and/or poignant lyrics. If it has one or more of those, I’m more likely to pay attention.
Straight Bars and Guns was written from an outsider looking in. Much like myself, Roemer is an American citizen living abroad. He in Berlin, me in the south of England. Being an American who doesn’t actually live in the United States gives one an interesting take—neither more nor less accurate, just different.… Continued →
July 21, 2020
June 16, 2020
June 3, 2020
May 2, 2020
Orion Walsh Drops New LIVE Album via Bandcamp
One of my dear friends in the music industry and a super talented artist I might add, Orion Walsh, just released a LIVE full length titled “Greetings From Germany” that is a fundraiser of sorts for him. Please head over to bandcamp right here and drop some change. You’ll get a really great album in the process. Plus if you want, you can buy all of his other releases for just $17. All proceeds go directly to Orion Walsh. Look for Orion’s other project “Slow Coming Day” to release “Quarantine Sessions” later this month.… Continued →
March 17, 2020
Song of the Day: Poor Bishop Hooper - Psalm 10
If you’ve been following my new release lists closely you may have noticed one artist has been in every list this year. Poor Bishop Hooper is Jesse and Leah Roberts and they’ve been busy working on a new project called EveryPsalm. Over the course of the next three years Poor Bishop Hooper will release a new song inspired by a psalm every week until all 150 psalms have been covered. That’s some dedication! Tomorrow the band will be releasing Psalm 12, but in the meantime I’d like to share one of my favorites from the songs they’ve released so far this year, Psalm 10.… Continued →