Acoustic

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Keaton Henson – “Sweetheart, What Have You Done To Us”

October 11, 2012 in Acoustic, Alt-Country, Indie by chase | No comments

Acoustic guitar is good for beards, or maybe vice versa

Keaton Henson wasn’t looking for people to listen to his music. An artist and poet from the suburbs of London, his first demos were recorded in the solitude of his home and meant as a gift for friends. Soon he was convinced to put them on the internet, leading to an outpouring of support and eventually signing with Radiohead’s agency, ATC. He’s an odd soul, afflicted with panic attacks since the age of 12 and reluctant to play many live gigs or do interviews.

Still, the beauty and pain that flows out of his music is creating a rabid fanbase that only continues to grow. “Sweetheart, What Have You Done To Us” is one of those incredibly rare, genuine songs that could only come from a place of deep sorrow. As one fan commented, “Whoever broke Keaton Henson’s heart did a damn good job of it.” And even though this music wasn’t originally intended for our ears, we’re grateful for it.

Milk Carton Kids – “New York”

April 11, 2012 in Acoustic, Indie by chase | No comments

How's that for classic?

Usually two guys with nothing but guitars is only a recipe for subway platforms. But this duo from Eagle Rock, California capture a sound almost long forgotten on their album, Prologue, released last year. “New York” tells a melancholy tale of waiting around in the big city for a wayward love to come around.

Not a bad place to kill some time.

Download Prologue for free from themilkcartonkids.com Thanks to my buddy Dul for the find.

Paper Thick Walls – “Old Weathered Wooden Dock”

December 6, 2011 in Acoustic, Indie by chase | No comments

Modern troubadours

We’ve covered them before, and now Chicago’s Paper Thick Walls are gracing New York City with a set of live shows this weekend. They’ll be playing Spike Hill on Saturday, December 10th and Pianos on Sunday, December 11th. They should be an awesome live band to check out, boasting a wide array of instruments and engaging personalities (as evidenced by the video posted below).

Paper Thick Walls look beyond the traditional conventions of indie pop, putting on the layers and never once sounding, well… to put it one way – too “hipstery.” You know what I mean. “Old Weathered Wooden Dock” is a new favorite of mine, with cute chimes, soft vocalization and pleasant Winter-esque textures.

Hope to see you at the show!

Old Weathered Wooden Dock by paperthickwalls

Paper Thick Walls – Liar’s Lawyer : Audiotree Live from Audiotree Live on Vimeo.

Rebekah Higgs – “Gosh, darn, damn”

September 20, 2011 in Acoustic, Folk, Indie, Pop by chase | No comments

Folk pop artists aren't particularly comfortable in the dark

Well gosh, darn, damn if this isn’t one of the cutest songs I’ve come across in a minute. It’s the kind of tune I secretly hope my girlfriend listens to and identifies with. Heh. Rebekah Higgs occasionally takes breaks from her bleep bloopy dance pop outfit Ruby Jean and the Bees to give us adorable folk-pop tracks like “Gosh, Darn, Damn” off her recent album Odd Fellowship. The full band sound isn’t a bad approach for her, but her Spring-y, butterfly voice works best in this setting.

I will say that she could use a rebranding as well. Ruby Jean, her alter ago, is way more reflective of her musical personality than “Higgs.” Maybe she could be “Adorable Love Song Face.” Has a nice ring to it.

Rebekah Higgs – “Gosh, Darn, Damn”

Introducing: Catnaps – “I sat on the edge of my bed and I sang you Velvet Underground songs”

August 9, 2011 in Acoustic, Electronic, Indie, Pop, Twee by chase | No comments

It's a twee thing

We’re living in uncertain times to be sure – markets crashing, a world falling apart. It’s a little disheartening to say the least, but to quote The Dead, “once in a while you get shown the light, in the strangest of places if you look at it right.” That strange place for me happened to be Bandcamp last night. After sifting through seemingly endless brostep and chillwave  artists, I came across this undeniably blissful piece of musical light. I’m proud to introduce Catnaps, an unnaturally sweet indie pop quartet from Philadelphia.

Catnaps’ latest album, Why Don’t You Whisper? is a clinic on enjoyable, sunny twee – effortlessly flowing between acoustic gum drops and sugary electro-pop blankets of music. Lead singer Adrianne Gold’s seraphic voice dances among velvety pop melodies, almost daring you to be unhappy about it. While we struggle with world strife, sometimes our biggest problems in life are trying to get a loved one to appreciate our favorite classic indie foundations. And that, really, is not such a bad world after all.

Catnaps – “I sat on the edge of my bed and I sang you Velvet Underground songs”

Stream Why Don’t You Whisper? in its entirety, and purchase on Bandcamp

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