In the past twelve months, Howling Owls may well have featured more on MM than any other band. Ever since we discovered their uniquely sinister take on the world with queasy tales of small town life, they have continued to delight and surprise with a whole series of tracks that have been uniform in their excellence. So we are delighted to have both details of their … Continue reading Howling Owls: When Tipsy Turns Somber EP
We have long been fans of We Are Country Mice, and they have now shortened their name to simply Country Mice and will release their debut album Twister via Wao Wao Records on 7th June. Coming across like a mix between Wilco and The Pixies they are equally at home with the country rock of the former and the blistering sonic experiments of the latter combining both to … Continue reading New From Country Mice
Another month, another mix. A collection of twenty or so of the best tunes we posted in April plus a couple of tasty new ones. Download, hit play, relax. Download Ha Ha Tonka – Usual Suspects mp3 (from Death Of A Decade) Soulful, catchy, country rock. Download Sweet Lights – The Shortest Man On Earth mp3 (from Digital Single) Beautifully judged excursion into the world of classic sunshine and … Continue reading Mad Mackerel’s Best Of The Month: April 2011
Ontario’s Dark Mean have built up quite a buzz and a following since 2007 when they started recording their debut album. During this period band members Mark Dean, Billy Holmes, and Sandy Johnston released two “work in progress” EPs without expectation. However, Frankencottage and Music Box ended up being downloaded in more than 100 countries and expectations certainly were set by their brilliant blend of folk and alt-country. … Continue reading Mad Mackerel Recommends…Dark Mean
It is fair to say that Hurray For The Riff Raff are a very close second to The Cave Singers in Mrs Mackerel’s must see bands for 2011. This came after we fell in love with the band’s self-titled UK debut of haunting and melancholy Americana that was released in late March on Loose Music. So join Mrs M in London or check out the … Continue reading Hurray For The Riff Raff – UK Tour
Formed in 2009, The Pear Traps are a 5 piece band from Chicago who mix lo-fi garage rock and alt-country, and do it well. Come Home is from their new six track self-titled EP. The band describe it as “a rolling tune flush with alt-country drive, a rhythmic back-beat and echoing vocals” and having played it a few times, it seems a pretty fair description. … Continue reading Introducing…The Pear Traps
It is fair to say that Celebration, Florida by the superb Felice Brothers is one of our most anticipated releases of 2011. The good news is it is out on Fat Possum Records on the 10th May. Apparently the new album is chock full of new stories and casts scenes of dreamy characters and stories interwoven like a block of primetime TV. Among the tales: a young … Continue reading Felice Brothers: Celebration, Florida Album
Zachary Cale has got in touch a couple of times recently with tracks from a recent 7″ and from his forthcoming album called Noise of Welcome. Sometimes when you get sent a lot of music stuff can slip through the cracks, it’s not much of an excuse, but it is the truth and such is our excuse where Mr Cale is concerned. While at first … Continue reading Mad Mackerel Recommends…Zachary Cale
Miss Shevaughn & Yuma Wray are a duo who multi-task on guitars, kick drum, banjo, mandolin, lap steel and harmonica. Their influences include Motown, 60s AM radio country and western movies. In February they packed up and left Chicago to live on the road in their Honda Element for all of 2011, playing about 20 shows a month all over the country. Their new EP … Continue reading Introducing…Miss Shevaughn & Yuma Wray
Grayson Capps‘ fifth studio album, The Lost Cause Minstrels, is set for release on 7th June via Royal Potato Family. The 11-track effort demonstrates his often unholy tales of the Southern Gothic have not lost any of their sting. Some songs shudder with the righteous indignation of the best bluesmen and others are smoothed over with the self-reflection and acceptance of the best soul singers – … Continue reading Mad Mackerel Recommends…Grayson Capps
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