Introducing >>> Sci-Fi Romance

LA’s Sci-Fi Romance describe themselves as an alt-folk band and have a new album, The Ghost of John Henry due out on May 8th. Their music has attracted the moniker ‘steam folk’ and they have been compared with the Decemberists and Nick Cave, but there are nods to punk and even metal in the mix too. Enough then to make us want to give the … Continue reading Introducing >>> Sci-Fi Romance

MM Shorts 141: Return Of The Walkmen

The Walkmen were one of our End of the Road highlights last year and they will be releasing a new album, Heaven on June 5th. The title track is our first taste and the first single, and it stays true to their trademark heart-on-its-sleeve indie rock shot through with nervous energy, but this time the production is cleaner and tighter and gives the band a new … Continue reading MM Shorts 141: Return Of The Walkmen

Introducing >>> Dig Deeper

Dig Deeper mine a rich vein of musical heritage with their expert exploration of Americana, psychedelia and Alt-Country, effortlessly calling to mind artists like Son Volt, Dream Syndicate, Crazy Horse, Drive By Truckers and Green On Red. That in itself is not a surprise. However, when juxtaposed against the fact they come from the homeland of MM’s mother, Norway, frankly it is. But make no mistake, … Continue reading Introducing >>> Dig Deeper

New Single From Only The Sea Slugs

Only The Sea Slugs is an oddball band name and perfectly suits the Sydney five piece’s skewed and dark-hearted pop sound. They are one of those bands for whom one word descriptions can work very well: melancholic, brooding, twisted, dark, hypnotic, moody, absorbing. You get the picture, but actually put them all together and you start to get a far better sense of what they … Continue reading New Single From Only The Sea Slugs

Mad Mackerel Recommends…Hiss Golden Messenger

Hiss Golden Messenger is Durham, North Carolina-based songwriter M.C. Taylor, in partnership with multi-instrumentalist and recordist Scott Hirsch, who lives in Brooklyn, New York. The pair have been playing a sort of off-kilter mystical country music together for nearly two decades, although it was only with the re-release of the excellent From Country Hai East Cotton last year that we became properly aware of them. They … Continue reading Mad Mackerel Recommends…Hiss Golden Messenger

Joe Pug & Timber Timbre on Daytrotter

Every so often we highlight the Daytrotter Studio session downloads that can be yours for a mere $2 per month. Often three sessions per day handpicked from the very best of both the up and coming and well established artists across a whole range of musical genres – there are treats and delights galore to be found. Just in the past few days there have … Continue reading Joe Pug & Timber Timbre on Daytrotter

Sunday Means Six Of The Best

Six more artists and seven tunes to brighten up your Sunday. From the garage reverb of King Tuff to the mournful acoustics of Sun Kil Moon to the punk clatter of Pangea and the rootsy rock of These United States. Courtesy of Aquarium Drunkard we have two covers by Wooden Wand as he takes on punk rockers Born Against and the quirky pop of Jonathan Richman (more … Continue reading Sunday Means Six Of The Best

Free EP From Cuff The Duke

Our second Noisetrade related post of the weekend is for a free covers EP from Cuff The Duke titled In Our Time. The band recently released the album Morning Comes, which is part one of a two part album (the second part is set for release in the autumn). In celebration of the release Cuff The Duke recorded a special covers EP featuring six songs from … Continue reading Free EP From Cuff The Duke

MM Shorts 140: Strand Of Oaks

Can’t quite understand how we missed this, but thankfully picked it up from the ever excellent Folk Hive blog and thought you may have missed it too. Either way it was definitely worthy of a repost. Shaking Through is a documentary series about bringing a song to life. Each year, ten of the most exciting songwriters around are given a challenge to write and record … Continue reading MM Shorts 140: Strand Of Oaks

Free Album Download From Denison Witmer

In common with many, Denison Witmer is a singer-songwriter who has drawn influences and inspiration from such legends as Neil Young, Leonard Cohen and Nick Drake. His latest release, the deeply personal The Ones Who Wait, is out now and has been receiving much critical praise – you can purchase it direct from Asthmatic Kitty Records. He also has an excellent back-catalogue to dip into as well and … Continue reading Free Album Download From Denison Witmer