You Be My Heart Compilation For 826 National

You Be My Heart is a new compilation, due out December 9, which benefits a brilliant nonprofit organisation 826 National, whose mission is dedicated to offering a variety of inventive programs that provide under-resourced students, ages 6-18, with opportunities to explore their creativity and improve their writing skills. The San Francisco filmmaker and songwriter, Devon Reed, who volunteers with 826 National initiated, financed, and wrote … Continue reading You Be My Heart Compilation For 826 National

New Marissa Nadler Album

Long time MM fave, Marissa Nadler has announced details of her sixth album July, coming, appropriately enough, next February 4th on on Sacred Bones (US) and February 11th on Bella Union (everywhere else). The first taste is Dead City Emily, an almost six minute epic of eerie, haunting beauty where heartbreak is given an almost euphoric feel. Listen below. Mesmerise yourself. Continue reading New Marissa Nadler Album

Videos of the Day: Phosphorescent || Love Inks || Kevin Devine || David Bronson

Videos today from the wonderful Phosphorescent with Matthew Houck covering Vampire Weekend’s Ya Hey. We have Austin trio Love Inks and the succinct indie-pop melodies of Time, the video for the excellent title track from singer-songwriter Kevin Devine’s album Bubblegum, and lastly the elegant sound of David Bronson and his video for the reflective Incompetent Assassin. . . . . Continue reading Videos of the Day: Phosphorescent || Love Inks || Kevin Devine || David Bronson

Mad Mackerel Recommends…Driftwood

From Binghamton, NY comes Driftwood, a young string band with a rock n’ roll soul and a folk art mind. Their self-titled third album drops on the 3rd December. Incorporating upright bass, banjo, acoustic guitar and violin, they channel the ghost of traditional American folk music but the melodies, the harmonies and the lyrics are something else entirely. Check out infectious first single The Sun’s … Continue reading Mad Mackerel Recommends…Driftwood

Videos of the Day: Night Beds || Califone || Deep Dark Woods || Broken Twin

A set of videos from some of indie’s big hitters and up and comers today. We have the orchestral Americana of Night Beds, the gritty, and often eerie indie rock leanings of Califone, the pastoral folk of Deep Dark Woods, and the haunting singer-songwriter Broken Twin. . . . . Continue reading Videos of the Day: Night Beds || Califone || Deep Dark Woods || Broken Twin

Emily Jane White – Keeley & Holiday Song

Back at the beginning of the week we included the noirish folk of Emily Jane White in our big Round Up posting, and now as the end of the working week appears on the horizon, what better way to finish than with two more tracks from her forthcoming album Blood / Lines. First is Keeley. It is a gorgeous melancholy, gothic tinged drama, a lost … Continue reading Emily Jane White – Keeley & Holiday Song

Mad Mackerel Recommends… Scott Barkan

Somehow Scott Barkan manages to combine wonderfully the raspy, gritty quality of Tom Waits with the warm and introspective tenacity of Townes Van Zandt. On his new album Flightless Bird he manages to create a set of songs that echo with the restless, free spirit of jazz, but which are also firmly anchored by their Americana roots. Of the title track to the album he says, … Continue reading Mad Mackerel Recommends… Scott Barkan

New Track From Jus Post Bellum

We recently posted the country twang of Gimme That Gun from Jus Post Bellum’s new album Oh July, and it has gone on to become one of our favourite tracks of the moment. They’ve followed it up with another exceptional track, the civil war inspired Abe and Johnny – this is dark, intensely beautiful, and throughly authentic, Americana of the very best kind. Have a listen – … Continue reading New Track From Jus Post Bellum