Side Saddle

Last post was back in August. (!) Folks, I'm a teacher by day, blogger by whenever I have damn time from the job that pays the bills...

Indie rock seems to be taking a dive into the electronic sides of things lately. I can't complain, but there is never a substitute for actual instruments being played. Side Saddle create indie rock with an Americana twist. Their EP Young Professional came out in back July and this band should be on your radar for their musicianship, melodies, and subject matter. A good place to start is their epic track, "Legs for Days." Besides its intriguing title, this song encompasses the phrase "Wait for it," as it builds and builds to  a massive climax. It's a blistering break-up tune with lead singer Ian McGuinness calmly singing about the bitter end of a relationship by plainly saying "if you want to go, hit the g-damn road because staying here with me is not making you happy." 

While the lyrics will leave a red mark, the music sets a 'calm before the storm' with peaceful organ flourishes and slide guitar building to a chugging, reassuring climax with McGuinness finding resolve in another woman whose "legs go on for days." Side Saddle perfectly mix singer-songwriter aesthetics with indie Americana. Dive in to the beautifully shot "Legs for Days" video below and get lost in the story before trying other tracks on for size. 


Legs for Days-

Animal Years

5 months. That's how long it's been since I have been excited enough about a new band to blog about. (Digging For Days doesn't post, just to post) Animal Years kind of came out of clear blue sky for me. A perfect blend of indie rock and Americana blues, this Brooklyn based band hits all the right notes for those looking for an up and coming band. "Let Go of Your Head" is a pounding track with a blistering opening line, "I wish a woman would say what she feels instead of me wondering if this thing is real." (Hits a little too close for me) And it is the songwriting that separates Animal Years from the others. "Heart on Heart" beautifully sums up falling in love, "You should hear the sound of your heart on my heart."

Lead singer Mike McFadden's emotional, searing vocals are allowed to soar and will continually bring the listener back for seconds. On closing track "Walking Slow," the band let's their rockabilly flag fly with banjo front and center. Animal Years have something for everyone- amazing vocals, catchy melodies, meaningful lyrics. One thing is certain this band will not remain under the radar very long.

Animal Years- Facebook
Let Go of Your Head-

Grace and Tony

You've got punk music in my bluegrass. You've got bluegrass in my punk music. Like Reese's peanut butter cups before them, Grace and Tony are a perfect blend of two great tastes that taste great together. Hailing, from Tennessee Grace Schultz Tony White could very well stand on their on two feet as solo artists, but they combine the lilting melodies and storytelling of bluegrass music with the fierce power of punk rock to electrifying results. 

Their album November came out fittingly this past November via Kickstarter and it brings to mind that other dynamic folk duo The Civil Wars (It doesn't hurt that Tony's brother is John Paul White of The Civil Wars) And while that group may be on a permanent hiatus, Grace and Tony are more than capable to pick up the gauntlet that was thrown down. Their  voices are the stars here, his pipes showcase a well-worn grit while hers are sweet and smooth. Apart they are great, but it's when they sing together that the listener is truly transported. 

On tracks such as the mandolin toe-tapper, "Hey Grace, Hey Tony" they trade verses about how much they can't live without each other, and it's about as sweet and romantic as you can imagine with lines like, "Scooch right up beside me, peck me on my cheek, put your hand in my hand, baby just be sweet to me." And the the title track is musically dark and foreboding but the lyrics are full of the hope of finding that special someone. Again, the mixture of themes fits perfectly here.

Grace and Tony provide instantly enjoyable Americana music with a punk rock edge that will definitely make music fans, regardless of genre, sit up and take notice. 

Grace and Tony- Facebook
Hey Grace, Hey Tony-

The Tennessee Whalers

Let's chalk it up to the fact that I just got through watching O' Brother Where Art Thou? 6 times in a row, (I teach for a living) but I am really digging The Tennessee Whalers. These harmonizing, down home, mandolin playing guys have exactly 2 songs for consumption and one of them is a Christmas song! Nevertheless, the Whalers aim to meld crystal clear harmonies with a modern edge. 

On their gently scathing song "Locks," they sing about a love that did quite a number on them begging her to give their heart back while simultaneously warning not to "come around here no more cause if you do I'll lock the door." These contradictions perfectly captures the confusing nature of a break-up that wasn't so easy. The Tennessee Whalers meld Americana folk with pop sensibilities much in the same way that other band cough-Mumford-cough does. "Locks" is just a taste and I would encourage everyone to definitely come around to listen to these guys more. Grab their free EP on NoiseTrade. 

The Tennessee Whalers-Facebook

Locks-

Grizfolk

 You know that juicer you bought because you wanted to get healthy. And then you read the recipe on the box and you're like, "Spinach, cucumber, flax seed, and a banana is not going to turn out great." And then you taste it...and you're like "uhhh...this combination is delicious. Who knew?" Grizfolk is like that. Americana rock with synth-pop sensibilities just does not sound like it would go down smoothly. One listen and you'll wonder why more bands aren't mixing it up like these guys. 

Lead single "The Struggle" is a bouncy synth-filled ode to 'what doesn't kill you makes you stronger' with hopeful lines like, "The struggle you are up against makes you who you are." Lead singer Adam Roth kills the vocals at every turn. On some tracks his voice is buzzed out against a percussion heavy beat as on "Hymnals," and others it's piercing with no effects as on the road weary "Vagabonds." 

Grizfolk is mixing genres with expertise and are definitely worth a taste. Pick up their EP sampler Indian Summer right now on NoiseTrade.

Grizfolk- Facebook
The Struggle- 

The Wild Feathers

The Wild Feathers are an amalgamation of country, rock, and soul. They've perfectly blended genres to appeal to any person who just likes great musicianship. Their sound is accessibly bombastic with equal parts grit and polish. Their self titled debut comes out in August and if their first few singles are any indication, we are talking Mumford & Sons style domination.

"The Ceiling" starts with plucky acoustic guitar and a driving drum beat played with incredible force before quieting down to take the song into an unexpected direction; an excellent first taste.

"Backwoods Company" is a blistering barn stormer filled with hand claps and electric guitar that never lets up. The Wild Feathers know how to layer vocal harmonies to always ground their sound with strong melodies. Never before has a band demanded you take notice of their unique genre-spanning sound. The Wild Feathers are aptly named. 

The Wild Feathers- Facebook
The Ceiling-

American Authors

Brooklyn's American Authors combine alt-rock and Americana in one fell swoop. With only a couple songs under their belt, American Authors are sure to catch on much like Imagine Dragons and fun. before them. Led by the bombastic vocals of Zac Barnett and the banjo licks of James Adam Shelley, these Authors bring something a little different to the scene.  

The optimistic "Believers" opens with a driving drum beat and plucky banjo, but these guys are far from your average Mumford & Sons bandwagon hoppers. They round out their sound with fuzzy guitars and vocals. 

But it is on "Best Day of My Life' that asserts itself as an earworm begging to dig itself in your subconscious and stay there. With its affirming chorus, Barnett is almost willing himself to have "the best day of [his] life." Only two songs and a cover of Ellie Goulding's "Lights" (that will make you actually want to hear that song again) American Authors are hitting all the right notes.

American Authors- Facebook
Best Day of My Life-



Lights-

Greg Holden

I love it when new music lands in my lap, and I don't have to go digging for it. Target's latest commercial features music from the raspy voiced Scot, Greg Holden. Most notable for co-writing American Idol winner Phillip Phillips' "Home," Holden is your new obsession. 

The song featured in the ad is "She's Got Something" and is an acoustic ode to the girl you fall for in a distant city and can't seem to catch. (or really any girl you fall for that doesn't quite work out) "She was a tough one to restrain/She was the one that got away/Get me back to New York." Greg Holden's voice and songwriting are the real stars here. His genre is very modern right now combining Americana and singer/songwriter sensibilities. A great find that is sure to blow up after getting such great exposure from this ad.

Greg Holden- Facebook
She's Got Something-

Delta Rae

Upon hearing "Bottom of the River," I was transfixed. Maybe it was down home stomps that carry the beat. Maybe it was the four part harmonies that so effortlessly weave in and out. Whatever it is, I'm sold. Delta Rae wear every bit of their North Carolina roots on their sleeve. I would best classify them as Ameriana folk rock. 

Their album Carry the Fire comes out this summer and from the two tracks I've heard, this group is the real deal. Made up of 3 siblings Ian, Eric, and Brittany Holljes and their longtime friend Elizabeth Hopkins, they trade off lead vocals and it provides such a change of pace for each song. Bright things coming for this group. Check out the killer (literally) video for "Bottom of the River."

Delta Rae- Facebook

Bottom of the River-