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Songwriter

Keaton Henson – Kronos

Keaton Henson has been a favorite around here since we first stumbled on his Dear… LP earlier this year. Turns out the album was a bit of re-release that had barely ever seen the light of day. So it came as a pleasant suprise when we heard a new rocking track from Keaton titled “Kronos” from a forthcoming new EP release called Sweetheart, What Have you Done To Us. “Kronos” busts out, with a power previously untapped, within the song’s first few measures. Like a well channeled sweet release to the impressive restraints held in check throughout Dear…. Preview “Kronos” below and keep an eye out for Keaton’s new EP dropping early November.

Keaton Henson – Kronos

Keaton Henson england (Facebook)

Rating 8.7

brown93

reviewed by
10-19-12

Peter and Kerry – Split For The City

“Split For The City” is the new single from London duo Peter and Kerry. We first introduced the band with their track “Knees” as a favorite of ours in early 2011, and it’s evident the band has kept busy conjuring up more delectable pop tracks of the finest quality. The complementing back and fourth vocals of Peter Lyons and Kerry Leatham is engaging, like story telling with a saccharine hook that you can’t resist. Grab “Split For The City” on the group’s forthcoming debut album La Trimouille available November 26th via Tape Club/Believe.

Peter and Kerry (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.2

brown8

reviewed by
10-18-12

Thus:Owls – White Night

“White Night” comes to us via Stockholm collective Thus:Owls. We haven’t been able to stop listening to this. The song’s pop sensibilities and pensive strings serenade us in a way not reminiscent of much anything we’ve heard since a release like Elysium by The Velvet Teen. It’s a pretty undeniable night-cap for any music fan capable of becoming entrenched in a well crafted melancholy. Thus:Owls sophomore new album Harbours is available now via Avalanche/Hoob Records.

Thus:Owls – White Night

Thus:Owls sweden (Facebook)

Rating 8.7

brown8

reviewed by
10-15-12

The Lumineers – Stubborn Love

The Lumineers are a multi-talented folk rock group based out of Denver whose self-professed “rustic heart on the sleeve music” is brightly soulful, fresh and melodic. The self-titled debut album from this Jersey born trio was released in April and it excels for its simplicity and open-hearted enthusiasm. While the album’s catchy premiere single “Ho Hey” hit the billboard Top 40 earlier this year, the track “Stubborn Love” really stands out for its undaunted affection, joyous discord and beautifully layered sing-along quality. Check out the Lumieers website for their tour details including a series of December shows with The Dave Matthews Band. By Erin Feathers

The Lumineers – Stubborn Love

The Lumineers colorado (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
10-15-12

Josh Kumra – Wildest Moments (Jessie Ware Cover)

Kumra really brings out the ballad in “Wildest Moments” by Jessie Ware with this latest interpretation. Without it’s body-moving shell, the track’s melody and vulnerable subject matter swell in a sea of Josh Kumra’s blue eyed croon. Highlighting Jessie Ware’s contention at this year’s Mercury Prize table, with some serious writing chops to boot.

Josh Kumra (Facebook)
Jessie Ware (Official)

Rating 8.1

brown8

reviewed by
10-12-12

Willy Mason – I Got Gold

Willy Mason keeps the songwriting train a’rollin’ with new single “I Got Gold,” taken from his much anticipated third studio album Carry On (12/3 via Fiction Records). The track is both animated and engaging with counter instrumentation exploring various time period themes in a theatrical manner. You can catch the great story man and songwriter on tour in the UK at dates with Mumford and Sons and Ben Howard, as well as on his short UK headline stint (see dates below).

TOUR DATES

12/1 King Tuts, Glasgow UK
12/2 Ruby Lounge, Manchester UK
12/3 Glee Club, Birmingham UK
12/4 Thekla, Bristol UK
12/5 Scala, London UK

Willy Mason – I Got Gold

Willy Mason massachusetts (Facebook) (Purchase)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
10-11-12

Benjamin Francis Leftwich – In the Open

Benny Leftwich has just let loose on his latest serenade. And while it may be true that he could probably sing us the menue at McDonalds, and we’d sit captive, “In The Open” is a breathing composition that showcases the York based songwriter at his very best. The minimal string arrangement and tremolo guitar lick are the perfect touch to the emotive shuffle of this tidy pop song. “In the Open” is previewed here from his forthcoming EP of the same name, expected November 19th. Those in the States be sure to catch Ben on tour this winter (tour dates below).

Benjamin Francis Leftwich england (Facebook)

TOUR DATES:

11/08 – San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill
11/09 – Los Angeles, CA @ Bootleg Bar
11/10 – San Diego, CA @ Soda Bar
11/12 – Eugene, OR @ Cozmic
11/13 – Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge
11/15 – Seattle, WA @ Tractor Tavern
11/16 – Vancouver, BC @ Media Club
11/17 – Kelowna, BC @ The Habitat
11/18 – Canmore, AB @The Communitea
11/21 – Calgary, AB @ Palomino
11/22 – Edmonton, AB @ Brixx
11/23 – Regina, SK @ The Exchange
11/24 – Winnipeg, MB @ Park Theatre
11/26 – Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry
11/28 – Chicago, IL @ Schubas
11/29 – Indianapolis, IN @ (venue TBD)
11/30 – Louisville, KY @ Uncle Slaytons
12/02 – Nashville, TN @ 3rd n Linsly
12/03 – Columbus, OH @ The Rumba Café
12/05 – Lansing, MI @ Mac Bar
12/06 – Toronto, ON @ Rivoli
12/07 – Montreal, QC @ Petit Campus
12/08 – Albany, NY @ Jacks Place
12/09 – Boston, MA @ Club 939 Berkeley
12/12 – New York, NY @ Studio @ Webster hall
12/13 – Philadelphia, PA @ World Cafe Live
12/14 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Club Cafe
12/15 – Washington, DC @ BlackCat
12/16 – Charlottesville, VA @ The Southern
12/18 – Raleigh, NC @ The Pour House
12/19 – Atlanta, GA @ Vinyl

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
10-09-12

Alex Hepburn – Pain Is

The uber-lovely and talented Alex Hepburn is a new singer-songwriter that we just can’t take our ears off of. The London based artist takes a page straight out the Janis Joplin Gospel of blues rock and soul with her new track “Pain Is”. A vocal finesse both controlled and capable, Hepburn can dig out the type of husky sounds only ever possible from a handful of gifted singers. You can near hear the lifelong search for home in Hepburn’s song. Take note to “Pain Is” below and keep an eye out for Alex’s debut album expected to see release spring 2013.

Alex Hepbun – Pain Is

Alex Hepburn (Facebook)

Rating 8.6

brown8

reviewed by
10-08-12

Jacob Butler – Mind Waltz

“Mind Waltz” indeed. Australian primetime familiar talent Jacob Butler has unleashed a beast of a track for the AAA airwaves. Previewed here from his forthcoming 2013 Reason LP, the international songwriting award winner (Unsigned Only w/ judges including Cyndi Lauper, Robert Smith, Manchester Orchestra, Kelly Clarkson…) does an upfront job of combining his passions for the music of Elliot Smith, ‘Gallaghers’, and Angus Stone with an undeniable chorus melody. Get familiar with “Mind Waltz” and Jacob Butler below.

Jacob Butler – Mind Waltz

Jacob Butler (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
10-05-12

Lily and the Tigers – No Whiskey In My Coffee

Welcome to Lily and the Tigers, the six-piece haunted folk band I met at a house party in Echo Park. Lead singer Casey Hood was strumming some good stuff when a skinny chick in a white dress started cranking Pit Bull on the communal iHome. I grabbed an album from Casey and bounced. It’s called Hiding ‘til Dawn, their sophomore release, and has been my folky go-to for the last couple weeks. Check out “No Whiskey in My Coffee”, and read my full-length interview with the band over at Cardboard Smile. By Alex Mitchell

Lily and the Tigers – No Whiskey in my Coffee

Lily and the Tigers (Bandcamp)

*Get more tunes and features from the guys at Cardboard Smile.

Rating 8.1

brown8

reviewed by
10-04-12

Blessed Feathers – Stinging Nettle, Honeysuckle

Check out the haunting folk tune “Stinging Nettle, Honeysuckle” from Wisconsin duo Blessed Feathers, excerpted here from their upcomin “Peaceful Beasts in an Ocean of Weeds”, due Oct. 16. We’re into it.

Blessed Feathers – Stinging Nettle, Honeysuckle

Blessed Feathers (Facebook)

Rating 8.1

brown8

reviewed by
10-03-12

Die Mason Die – Lost

Die Mason Die is a new noteworthy project from 19 years young frontman Samuel Mason. The band’s debut single “Lost” grabbed us from it’s delicate introduction to it’s clinching folk rock stride of a refrain. Die Mason Die showcase the dynamics and pop sensibiities of a group well beyond their years. Expect their debut EP early November.

Die Mason Die – Lost

Die Mason Die england (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

brown93

reviewed by
10-02-12