Hear It First: Milo Greene

The interns at NPR Music created something that may be even better than NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts...Interns' Deskless Concerts! They were sick of their bosses not listening to them about good music & took matters into their own hands. I just heard this band today (more like, 10 minutes ago) and I just knew I had to blog about them. This year has been HUGE for me and male/female harmonies so it's no surprise that I fell in love with Milo Greene  before I even heard them (saw the denim, plaid & beards first). Their debut album is due out in 2012 and with a tour opening for The Civil Wars on their heels, I'm sure this won't be the last time you hear them.

The Lumineers

      While the tv shows on the CW may not have quality storylines, they somehow manage to get REALLY great music. In an episode of Hart of Dixie that also featured songs by Needtobreathe and The Head and The Heart, I heard a song that my ears just needed to hear again. After much googling, I finally found it. "Ho Hey" has got everything I love about a song - a simple yet catchy chorus, a foot stomping beat, and an awesome "HEY" shout. The full length album isn't out until March 2012 but there are plenty of youtube videos and an EP to hold me over until then. For fans of the folk rock scene, definitely keep your ears open for The Lumineers in 2012.

Now Playing - Delta Rae

Soulful, foot-stomping, harmonizing, gospel, alt-pop. It's really hard to find the words to describe this band. Delta Rae has not one, not two, not three, but FOUR lead singers (3 of which are siblings) and somehow manage to still form a signature sound. They all equally share the spotlight while getting SO into it that it's impossible for the passion not to translate to the crowd. Check out "Morning Comes" off of their self-titled EP for a taste of the Delta Rae that got me hooked last Saturday at their show. Their new video for "Bottom Of The River" is really great too. It's haunting, yet lovely. WARNING: The masks are creepy.

Now Playing - Chris Velan

I went to see my friends, Eric French & Mr. Hyde, play last week & got there early enough to catch the opener.  So glad I did! Canada's own Chris Velan took the stage and the combo of his voice, the use of a loop pedal, + his beard won me over. I picked up Fables For Fighters on vinyl and couldn't wait to listen. It takes off with ukelele on "Any Number of Ways" and continues on into the dreamy "Oceans Ago". Velan has that 70's singer-songwriter sound to him and the whole album is incredibly tasty.





Hurting You Kind - Chris Velan

You're On Your Own Now - Chris Velan

Now Playing - Quiet Hounds

I have to admit, most times when I'm blogging about a band, I know very little about them. Usually, I haven't yet had a chance to see them live & I'm just anxious to talk about the music. So, I do some googling and can easily find some background info to pull together a post. Well, a background is something that Quiet Hounds don't have. A google search turns up lots of cute puppy images, but that's about it. So how did I hear about them? Well, when JrzyGyrl recommends something, I listen.

Apparently, they wrote & recorded their self-titled EP in a warehouse in just two short weeks. You'd never know it was put together so quickly. These 5 songs are so fantastic they sound like they could've taken months to create. I just can't get enough of the catchy beats, incredible melodies & great lyrics. Their elusive facebook bio describes the EP as "anthemic nostalgia" and I really can't think of a better way to say it.

I can't wait to hear more from these guys (I'm assuming they're guys....). Until then, I'll continue to wear out the EP. "Southern Charm" is my current favorite track due to its sing-a-long-ability. As for you, the EP is up for free download HERE.

Newport Folk Festival - Brown Bird

While looking through the schedule for Sunday's lineup of the Newport Folk Festival, I came across Rhode Island's own Brown Bird. One look at that gorgeous beard and I knew I couldn't miss their set. I got there super early & managed to get a seat in the Harbor Stage tent for their early morning show.
David Lamb & his partner, MorganEve Swain, are beautiful. They win for most adorable couple actually in a relationship at Newport. (The Civil Wars win most adorable couple not in a relationship.) David came out playing banjo & I thought my heart was going to explode. MorganEve played strings throughout the set, switching up between violin, cello & upright bass. Their voices compliment each other perfectly.
The duo is releasing a new album in October & I'll definitely be picking it up and catching them at a show.
Some of my favorite tunes - "By the Reins" & the new one, "Fingers to the Bone"

You can also hear their whole set from the festival on NPR.

Major Update - Summer 2011

Turntable.fm, I wish I knew how to quit you....

Between my new friendship with Krissie (@jrzygyrl), the introduction of Spotify to the U.S. & my obsession with TT.fm, I have an abundance of new music. If only I could get off the DJ booth long enough to listen to it all!

Nothing is more satisfying to me than sharing new, great tunes with people. When heads start bobbing to my song of choice, I can't help but feel proud. I'm lame, I know.

So here's some stuff I have discovered through some DJ friends. Most of it I haven't given thorough listens to (nor have I purchased)because I haven't had time, but I've liked everything I've heard so far. -

Pepper Rabbit. Free downloads on Noisetrade.
Older Brother is a fixture in my TT queue.

Roman Candle. Check out their Daytrotter session.

Hey Rosetta! Free downloads on Noisetrade.

Here's some stuff I can thank Krissie for -

"Tommy and Krista" - Thirsty Merc
Kind of obsessed with this song. The video is awful though so beware.


Justin Hopkins.  Listen on his facebook page.

She played a great song, "Perfect Day", by a band The Constellations for me. A few days later I went to see Horrible Bosses and heard it in the movie. That's just weird.

Finally, here's some stuff I didn't need any help with -

The new TFDI album. Anything that has Tony Lucca's name on it deserves a listen. When mixed with a little Matt Duke and a little Jay Nash, it's even better. Get When I Stop Running for $1.99 on amazonmp3.

Needtobreathe's new tunes. If "Slumber" and "Drive All Night" are any indication of what the new album is going to be like, I will surely love it.

Andrew Belle. I've been meaning to get his album The Ladder for a while but kept putting it off. WHY? Because I AM A MORON!! SO GOOD! Free download of a live show HERE.

And I've been rockin' this song for a while now thanks to various people. It is addicting and so fun! DANCE PARTY!