The Gunshy - I Gave Too Much Time To The Wine

and other collected eps.

So received my shiny new CD from The Gunshy last week.  Didn’t you?  If you didn’t, do you have a worthy excuse?  Go on, explain yourself.

The Gunshy’s “I Gave Too Much Time To The Wine and other collected eps” is the most recent release from the good folks over at Yer Bird Records.  I tell ya, Morgan King and his crew know it when they see it (roster including Blackbird Harmony, Hezekiah Jones and J. Tillman among many others) and once again, the latest CD does not disappoint.  The Gunshy is essentially Matt Arbogast, but he has recently grown to a full band in which they look to start recording as such starting in the new year.  Let’s not get ahead of ourselves though…

This aforementioned shiny new CD is actually a collection of 3 EPs; the just released “I Gave Too Much Time To The Wine” packaged alongside newly mastered copies of “My Home Shall No Longer Be The Sea” from 2006 and “What Will They Speak Of You When Your Gone?” from 2004.  You can’t go wrong with 16 tracks of gravel voiced folk-country-Americana!  You basically get brought up to speed with the history of The Gunshy for the last 4 years.  While I tend to really enjoy Matt’s more down tempo tracks (see below), he is no stranger from showing you he can command the stage (as seen in some of the newer tracks like “One for the Beasts” and “The Darling Days”).

So let’s get one thing out of the way, yes Matt Arbogast’s vocals are a signature of his sound.  You almost feel like someone has ground up Tom Waits and oozed him into a worn out whiskey drinkin’ tavern in small town Texas - and called it The Gunshy.  This release is also great as you will find the early days when Matt was mostly solo, then it slowly changes with growth to some band influences and some up tempo spurts.  You then find the current sound which enjoys the best of Matt’s solo performance with the added luxury of backing of a full band sound.  I think this was a great move to incorporate a band as it elevates The Gunshy’s sound and great lyrics/stories (often of drinkin, lamenting, and cold Chicago winters waiting by the phone) and Matt’s voice then becomes part of the story, not the story itself.  Ya know, after listening a few times, his voice does grows on you, go on…let it grow on you.

Visit The Gunshy on MySpace and their Website.
Purchase the new CD at Yer Bird.

~Smansmith

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Ghost Bees & Laura Barrett

photo taken from Aberdeen show flyer

So upcoming concert possibility is Ghost Bees and Laura Barrett here in Calgary on December 4th.  I am still up in the air on participating so I am putting up a couple of tracks to see if you can convince me that I will be missing something by not heading into the dark and possibly snowy evening.

I am not exactly sure who is opening for who, but I think Laura Barrett is the headline with Ghost Bees in support - I don’t know why, but I often find myself waiting in line to see the first 30 minutes of any concert.  In other words, I may just be hitting the clubs for another opening band experience.  That’s okay in my books, that makes me more “indie” doesn’t it?

I believe Barrett is touring in light of her newest album “Victory Garden” that was released this past September while Ghost Bees will be folking around with their early 2008 release “Tasseomancy”.  I have listened a bit to each and admit we are still in negotiations, but I am sure I will bend and admit that I am fully enjoying them completely.

Oh well, take a listen, let me know if you think I should hunker down and watch some network television or brave the elements and be enthralled with harmonious vocals (albeit more high pitched than average for the most part).

Wow, do I ever sound complacent and lazy…

~Smansmith

Laura Barrett
“Robot Ponies” (mp3)
from “Earth Sciences”
(Paper Bag Records)

“Deception Island Optimists Club” (mp3)
from “Earth Sciences”
(Paper Bag Records)

More On This Album

Ghost Bees
“Vampire of the West Coast” (mp3)
from “Tasseomancy”
(Youth Club Records)

More On This Album

just in case any regular readers are wondering, I post the songs twice as Hype Machine does not recognize the above label required links and only the below links.

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Akira Kosemura + Haruka Nakamura

So I am a bit under the weather today and I need something soothing (and possibly more sleep).  In looking over recent acquisitions of the musical variety I have found a soundtrack for myself today.  It is the ambient works of Akira Kosemura and Haruka Nakamura.

While most likely not household names to most of you (or me for that matter), I came across Nakamura first which led me to Kosemura - both equally talented and atmospheric I am sure.  I don’t know too much about these two artists, but I am intrigued by them.  While Nakamura’s landscape finds him a bit more electronic infused, Kosemura’s more traditional down tempo piano is the perfect symbiotic match.  Their music is that sound that plays more often during slow motion periods in media - I am sure in order to emphasize the beauty, cadence and to mesh with the visuals just right.  It is more than beautiful and will lull and hypnotize me into the slumber I rightfully need today.  I just hope I actually slip into sleeping instead of wanting to simply listen and listen over again.

I would have to recommend the 2008 releases by both - Kosemura’s “Tiny Musical” and Nakamura’s “Grace” or even the shared release by both artists “Afterglow”.

Visit Akira Kosemura on MySpace, his Website and Virb.
Visit Haruka Nakamura on MySpace and on Virb.
Visit the label of both over at Schole (I hope your Japanese is up to speed though) or simply pick up a copy of “Afterglow” over on eMusic here.

Slow down this Monday with my new Japanese friends.

~Smansmith

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New on the ‘nets this week

Our weekly routine returns my fair readers, hope you enjoy the only slightly behind the now updates.  Remember if you are already aware of my trivial news, please consider placating me.

• Andy Hull’s “Right Away, Great Captain!” project released another winner this past Tuesday.  Hull’s magic in crafting a cohesive album is jaw dropping.  This one is still growing on me, but I know it will soon be leapfrogging many spots on the ol’ “best of 2008″.  Visit the Captain (my hero and no pun intended) for fresh tracks.
• I don’t know why I just don’t have the Take Away Shows (from La Blogotheque) as my homepage already, but Each Note Secure made sure to remind me of the Fleet Foxes show, check it on ENS here!
• The combination of blogging and high school recordings - LaundroMatinee - has a great session with Canadian band “The Acorn” - check it here.  That MOKB is good in my books.
• Another winner from Motel de Moka with a playlist (of which there are massive amounts of over on the blog) that is accurately (or awkwardly) entitled “After taking a bath” - of which it includes great tracks from Little Joy, Ane Brun and The Middle East!

No breaking news submitted to Slowcoustic HQ this week, so the above is all I got around to (so far).  I leave you today with Dare Dukes who’s “Prettiest Transmitter of All” comes out next Tuesday.  Dare has more of an indie folk vibe that might be an updated R.E.M. to say the least.  When I say R.E.M. it is mostly as Dare’s vocals remind me of Mike Stipe but without the anger of social unrest (zing!).  No, seriously, Dare is a good guy with consistently good tunes, you need to swing by his website Here or his Last.fm page Here (grab another track for free download).  You can also sign up for his mailing list on the website Here and receive a previously unavailable track from the November 18th release!

~Smansmith

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Geri X - Another Friday Discovery

So here is a “Friday Discovery” for all ya out there.  I can honestly say that I just discovered Geri X for myself and have been listening for the entire evening now (it’s Thursday night as I write this).

Geri X can be described ultimately as “Folk” music.  This isn’t enough, just one word, she comes off as a bit brash, proud, post punk and sombre folk artist - wrapped in the shell of a Bulgarian Singer-Songwriter.  Well Bulgarian by birth, Geri is now split between Florida and Wisconsin, but mostly Wisconsin (I know sounds awkward doesn’t it?).  While technically Geri, is in fact Geri X alone, the band actually consists of bandmates Greg Roteik on bass/guitar and Matt Bennett on percussion as well as Geri.  The trio seems to extensively tour (see their MySpace page or website for dates, there is a lot of them in the Wisconsin area in the upcoming weeks) in support of the 6 albums released in the last 3 years - yes, you read that correctly 6 albums in 3 years.  You can apparently receive 2 of the albums for free download on their website by submitting comments (although it did not pan out when I tried unfortunately), but you can also listen to some great live versions on their MySpace Player as well as pick up a track below.  You might just enjoy the gorgeous Bright Eyes cover “Landlocked Blues” as well as a feature track from the new 2008 release “Anthems of a Mended Heart” in the highly enjoyable “3,000 Lines of Defense”.

Once I actually get a chance to fully listen to more Geri X, I may just be back to add in some more to this post, so don’t go far…

Visit them on MySpace and their Website.

~Smansmith
Geri X
“Landlocked Blues” (mp3)
from “Radioactive Drool”
(24 Hour Service Station)

More On This Album

Geri X
“3,000 Lines of Defense” (mp3)
from “Anthems of a Mended Heart”
(24 Hour Service Station)

Geri X
“Kiss On Both Eyelids” (mp3)
from “Anthems of a Mended Heart”
(24 Hour Service Station)

More On This Album

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Deer Tick - War Elephant (re-issue)

So just a quick one today as I am just on the go (or something along those lines) and I apologize for not giving this release the full attention and praise it should get.  The Album is “War Elephant” from Deer Tick, a great release from last year that was just re-released 2 days ago on Partisan Records!  Now that it has been just over a year since the original release and Deer Tick has grown to a full band of 4 members, I guess it is time to be properly introduced to the “new” Deer Tick…

Deer Tick is the kind of folk band that grows on you, whether you didn’t originally jump on board due to missing it or possibly dismissing due to the almost forced gruffness in the voice and delivery of John McCauley (who apparently wrote, recorded and played 100% of the original 14 track release) now is your chance!  The opportunity to have album served up again to our willing ears is more than welcome.   If for nothing else, but just for the fact that this current “folk explosion” is not going away, so grab hold of some of the good stuff while you can.  This album was a favourite from last year with great classic folk tracks like “Diamond Ring 2007″ and the rock tinged “Not So Dense” and even the country styled ballad that is “Nevada”.  Although none of these are included below, it should give you the idea that there will be more waiting on the full album than the below additional examples of this album’s quality.

Go on and pick up the re-issue if you got a chance, you won’t be disappointed.  Enjoy a couple of the examples of what Deer Tick has to offer via label approved goodies!!

~Smansmith
Deer Tick
“Art Isn’t Real (City of Sin)” (mp3)
from “War Elephant”
(Partisan Records)

Deer Tick
“Standing at the Threshold” (mp3)
from “War Elephant”
(Partisan Records)

More On This Album

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Scott Cooper’s Tiny Increments

So, Remembrance Day is here (well in the Commonwealth at least) and on this day of reflection, I am sitting at home (no work today for me) and listening to something that almost got away from me.  The Scott Cooper beauty “Tiny Increments” from 2007.

And I have to be honest about this as well.  I was introduced to Scott Cooper from fellow Toronto native Sean Nilsson (you might know him as Sheltered In Sound) and a successful introduction it was.  Scott’s music is that warm feeling you get in late July with the windows open, dusty road, and you on the way to see an old friend in your home town.  With that little analogy down (you know what I mean), the music is a lazy Sunday, sharing with a loved one and something that is both comforting and a great listen.  Scott’s MySpace profile suggests an artist that I immediately think of when listening to Tiny Increments - Josh Rouse.  Their music pair off nicely, great indie-pop that has depth, listen to the lyrics a few times - it is delivered as spun gold but there is always something under the surface.  You will notice this with the two tracks I have attached to this post - “The Insomnia Song” with it’s a light-hearted guitar strumming and lyrics of pain and yearning.  You also have “Tilt-a-Whirl” with it’s Alt-Country lament for finding yourself by taking the hard look at where you are and what you have done to get there.  So you can see that the music isn’t always about friends and great moments, but with Scott’s delivery, you find yourself enjoying even the trying moments.

That is all I got this November 11th, so don’t forget to listen, visit and pick up an album (you can always try for a copy of Scott’s two former albums - and send them to me when you get them!!).  For further listening, visit Scott’s MySpace page and listen to a couple of tracks I also wanted to include (”Amen” and “The Summer Song” - highly recommended), but I can’t give them all to ya!

Find a copy of the album on CD Baby, Music Is Here and iTunes.
Recommended if you like: Josh Rouse, Denison Witmer and Damien Rice.

~Smansmith

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Frontier Ruckus - The Tower

So I tend to obsess on artists I like, Frontier Ruckus being one of them.  Just so everyone knows, there was a lot of life prior to the latest release “The Orion Songbook”.  I most recently took a revisit to the first EP “I Am The Water You Are Pumping” when looking forward to the this month’s release.  I have chosen a favourite from the EP and then another version of the same track from their website.

Here I have the song “The Tower” which one could say is almost a stripped down version of what we now know as Frontier Ruckus.  This would be the singer songwriter version if you will, hence I love it.  Take a listen to Matthew Milia trademark delivery with merely a guitar as back up.  The below are the actual EP version and a recorded version from “Bathgate’s Uncle’s Farmhouse” - which I can only hope is Chris Bathgate, which makes it that much better.  If you can still find a copy of the EP, I highly recommend picking it up.  You might have to contact the band directly as so far no copies on eMusic, iTunes, CD Baby or their label Quite Scientific!

Happy Monday my friends.

~Smansmith

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New on the ‘nets this week

So I must apologize for yesterday, my webhost was having a bit of a issue with keeping me and many others “online”.  What’s the big deal, who needs to be online…..er, ah, freakin’ everyone!  Okay, let’s get on with some “new on the ‘nets” shall we.  The below snippets have been pulled kickin’ and screamin’ from the very womb that is the WWW.

• das klienicum, always a venue for numerous discoveries of the musical persuasion, has a boat load of stuff including a write up on an Alela Diane concert and some Skygreen Leopards.  This is for everyone, of course if you speak German it may make a bit more sense…
• We all like cover tunes - the good folks from my blogroll have you covered (you see what I did there?) over on Captain Obvious and It All Started With Carbon Monoxide.  Pick up some music and play the game with loved ones - “Hey, guess what song this is?  AND who sings it??”
• Apparently there is going to be a shift in the Space Time Continuum due to a recent electing of a charismatic leader for the “free world”.  Yes, we can…listen to a soundtrack as well.
• For something completely different for the blog (and to let you know I have extensive musical interestes beyond an acoustic guitar) - The Hood Internet has the 3rd istallment of their Mixtape and if ya wanna get your groove on and still be cooler than the rest of your friends, check it out here.  Not really from last week, but I just found it last week!
• I meant to link to this last week, but apparently did not.  Gorilla Vs. Bear is a great blog, we are not always on the same page, but they do a great job and have a lot to read through.  This post on Beach House had the tag line of “Beach House Covers TLC“, but it is actually a fantastic live acoustic version of “Used To Be” with some waterfalls at the end - both awesome and funn-e.

That is all for now, I will leave you with an update on Great Northern - a band I am not completely familiar with, but with the track below, I am going to start to listen.  There is a new studio album in the works that is looking to creep into the light by April of next year.  There is an all encompassing feeling when listening to “Low is a Height” and it is both comforting and powerful at the same time.  You can check out their first release “Trading Twilight for Daylight” over on Eenie Meenie Records.

~Smansmith

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We/Or/Me - Ghostwriter EP and other gems

I have an EP that you should want to buy.  No, scratch that, I have an EP that you will buy.  I know this because if you are here, you are clearly a connoisseur of all things quality.  You will have no other choice to fork over your hard earned (or not so hard earned) cash.  The EP is Ghostwriter, the band is We/Or/Me.

We/Or/Me is actually Bahhaj Taherzadeh who is in fact a new resident to Chicago by way of Ireland who breathes beauty and new life into the Singer Songwriter genre for me.   Some performers grow on you after years of listening (or trying to listen) and some instantly become a favourite.  The latter is the case for me and We/Or/Me when I first heard the EP entitled “Ghostwriter”.  5 tracks of hushed indie folk - sold.  I came across We/Or/Me over at the Yer Bird Aviary and had never heard of him/them prior and have since been looking for more from Bahhaj’s version of a slowed down Irish lullaby.  Stand out track is “Tell Sarah” which is seeing it’s official release on the EP and is a bit of a “I’m Sorry” lament, almost a grocery list of someone taking stock of life’s decisions that they just cannot face up to.

While there is only the one official release for We/Or/Me in the EP “Ghostwriter”, there is also another project that is ever so slowly emerging over at the aforementioned Aviary.  A cover album!  Okay, covers seem to be ever increasing in popularity in the indie world - at first it was all tongue in cheek, but now it is more honest and real - tributes to past (or current) artists.  Imitation is the sincerest form…  Often you find a quick live take of a cover and we all enjoy it for 10 minutes, not the case here.  It takes a bit of talent to pull of a great cover and own it - case in point for “Dust Jacket Vol. 1″.  This new endeavor has unvieled 2 covers to date: “Running From Home” from Bert Jansch and just this last week “Colours” from Donovan.  Clearly Bahhaj is showing his favour of 60s European folk classics - both are great choices and tribute tracks all around.

While I don’t have either cover to offer up here, you can pick up the tracks as they become available over at the Yer Bird Aviary.  That being said, I do have the stellar track “Tell Sarah” from the Ghostwriter EP as well as a nice little track “My Goodnights” that is currently unreleased but from their MySpace page.

Make sure you visit We/Or/Me over on MySpace and on the Band Website.
Click the image below to buy the album!

~Smansmith

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