Ghostflake is the second (and last) in a small series of b-sides released this year from Owls of the Swamp (the indie folk project of Australian singer-songwriter, Pete Uhlenbruch), currently recording his third album in Iceland and UK (due for release in 2014). The track is a brief departure from his usual guitar-picking sound. Driven instead by warm antique pianos and a collection of vintage … Continue reading MM Shorts 472: Owls Of The Swamp
There have been more than a few covers of Pink Floyd’s classic track Comfortably Numb, and now Graph Rabbit have added their version to the list. The track is undoubtedly 100% Graph Rabbit too, with sedate acoustic guitar strumming and endlessly evolving arpeggios – the feeling is one of bliss rather than anguish – a different kind of numbness, heavy with psychedelic overtones and, perhaps, even … Continue reading Graph Rabbit Cover Pink Floyd
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
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
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
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
Check out folk trio Poor Remy’s excellent new track North Carolina. The track comes off their brand new EP Bitters, which comes out November 12th. Continue reading Check Out Poor Remy
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
We posted Lola Colt’s latest single Jackson a couple of weeks ago, and now here is the b-side, Time To Burn, which swaps some of the psychedelic twang for something more ornate and orchestral. The single is out on 2nd December via Black Tigress Records – pre-order here. Continue reading MM Shorts 471: Lola Colt
Mulberry Love is the excellent debut single from Toronto four-piece Running Red Lights. It is almost six minutes of beautifully contrasting sweet folk, honeyed harmonies, and dark pop – like a musical equivalent of Snow White and that juicy, tempting red apple. You can listen, but you’d better not touch. “Oh she leaves and arrives like the skies of a rolling storm and while away … Continue reading Running Red Lights – Mulberry Love
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