Michael Franti is the one of those rare singers whose boomin’ growl can start a party as quickly as it can a protest (probably about time for him to update his 1992 cover of “California Uber Alles“). His latest Spearhead joint comes on the heels of his self-booked trip to Iraq, which is documented on the DVD I Know I’m Not Alone. His experience, which included performances for U.S. soldiers and Iraqi families alike, clearly shaped the album’s compassionate (“I Know I’m Not Alone”) and passionate (“Yell Fire”) flavors of rebellion.
Jonah Matranga
Jonah Matranga is a veteran of a diverse set of rock bands (Far, New End Original, Gratitude) going back about 15 years. Jonah has now taken to the punk ethic (if not sound) of roaming the globe with a guitar and an amp and a book of intimate songs—both originals and interpretations of personal favorites. Jonah recently stepped out from behind the Onelinedrawing moniker he’d been using for his singerly/songwriterly work. Which makes sense: with music this approachable, we ought to be able to call him by name. “How Does Life Go?” is a heartbreaking yet catchy tune from a recent Welcome Home Records comp. “A New England” is a slightly Americanized rendition of a classic by one of the great living punks-roaming-the-globe-with-a-guitar-and-an-amp, Billy Bragg. If you’re digging, you should check out Jonah’s split 12-inch of covers with Frank Turner, who covers “You Are My Sunshine” and The Lemonheads “The Outdoor Type” on the flip.
Karl Blau
This guy doesn’t mess around. Guitar, flute, sax, drums—you name it, Karl Blau’s played it, whether it’s on his K Records debut, Beneath the Waves, or for Mirah, The Microphones and Laura Veirs. The album title is aptly named because listening to Blau gives you the same serenity effect as lying on the beach listening to the soothing sound of the waves crash against one another. But just as you think you’re listening to a straight-forward pop song comes songs like “Into the Nada,” which is full of Spanish-influenced melodies. Come to think of it, messing around is exactly what Karl Blau does…
Derek Fairbridge
My eyes burn. They’re too sensitive. Been staring at my computer too long. Reminds me of the night, years ago, a cop pulled me over on my way home from work. It was late. I had been doing inventory at the record (yes, record) store where I worked. Music Plus. Strolling up to my window the cop took one look at me, at my bloodshot eyes and said, “Son, what have you been smoking?” I told him the truth and nothing but the truth. Had he heard the soundtrack to our record counting adventure I doubt he would have believed me when I told him I hadn’t been smoking anything. The soundtrack was Crashing Dream by Rain Parade. That memory blossomed today thanks to the warm, dusty psychedelic songs of Derek Fairbridge. These could pass as lost songs from Crashing Dreams sessions. I love that about music—its power to unveil the past, offer hope for the future (No Sean, this inventory won’t last forever. Your eyes won’t fall from their sockets). Unfortunately that was Rain Parade’s last album, and seemingly it’s Derek Fairbridge’s only album.
Jennifer O’Connor
For some reason, I thought I’d already posted Jennifer O’Connor. I remember looking at her website, and the older songs she has available for download there were already on my iPod. Ah well, my apologies to Jennifer and her fans, and here you go. If you work her song selection from the bottom up, you can see O’Connor’s development from girl-with-acoustic-guitar to full-on rocker, especially with the track “Exeter, Rhode Island,” off her next album, Over the Mountain, Across the Valley, and Back to the Stars, due in August on Matador. Until then, she’ll be touring through July with 3hive faves Hotel Lights and Liz Durrett.
Over The Rhine
Another guest post (I’m trying to be on vacation). This one’s from Sean M. in New Hamburg, Ontario. I thought it appropriate that a Canadian school us on an American group this 4th of July.
Here’s a group that I think fits well on 3hive under the “throaty female vocalist with a passion for storytelling” genre. She’s supported by her extremely kind and poetic husband on piano, and they’ve got something like thirteen albums under their belts. They started out recording songs on their kitchen floor by themselves and a grassroots kind of feel continues through their recordings. Over The Rhine’s live shows really define them for me, though—I’ve seen them the past few years playing in these dark, hot summer nights where they’ll play for a good hour and a half or more, then come out and do an impromptu jazz session, or a fantastic cover like “Moondance”. They have this great, gentle blend of country, folk, cabaret, jazz and pop. Just a true understanding of great Americana-type music. And that’s coming from a Canadian, so if I can appreciate it, anyone can!
Unfortunately many of their best songs don’t seem to be online—a little disappointing considering the really solid songs I hoped to share, but still some good ones here. The first is a great studio recording, the other two are live performances from a new, limited edition live record.
Damon Huss
The following post is courtesy of my co-desk jockey, Jerod:
There were two kinds of American indie-rock/college rock in the 1980s—the bands that everyone knew, R.E.M., Camper Van Beethoven, Husker Du, et al. Yeah, I know, those bands were yours. You were there first. Before everyone else figured out how great they were. But then there was that awful night in 1987, you were walking past the local lame-fraternity/sorority bar and from inside you heard a group of drunken idiots singing every word to “It’s the End of the World As We Know It” at the top of their lungs. That was rough.
Lucky for you that you kept a secret stash of bands under your bed for just such an emergency. Bands you could still claim as yours, bands like Let’s Active, The dbs, Dumptruck, Love Tractor. Those doofuses from fraternity row will never get their hands on these bands. These bands are true, still slugging it out on their own terms, still making music for no other reason than to make music. These bands never let you down.
If he were around 20 years ago, Damon Huss would have been part of your secret stash. But he’s here today to keep a tradition alive of American indie rock that never aspired or cared to be anything more than indie rock. Like his underground heroes, Damon rolls the 8-track and throws it all out there for you in all its ragged, jangly, droney, angular, glory. The songs take their time and deliver on their own terms. I have no idea when this was recorded, it could have been yesterday it could have been 20 years ago. Whenever it was recorded, let’s just be thankful that there’s still an honest and great songwriter out there writing in a style that was pretty much forgotten after the underground heroes of the ’80s turned off the tape machines. So here’s Damon Huss, go get him, go hide him under your bed. He’s all yours.
Imaginational Anthem, Vol. 2
Recently a couple of interesting instrumental projects have crossed our path here at 3hive. Thought we’d share. First, a striking compilation from Tompkins Square Records. Decades before Devendra and company was John Fahey and his Takoma recording company. Imaginational Anthem bridges the generation gap, pulling together avant-folk artists from the 60’s and the younger folk artists of today. For full details on the album, and for tour dates (in L.A. tonight!) go here. Thanks to Tompkins Square Records for being so generous with the MP3s.
Brightblack Morning Light
A few helpful things to know about Nathan Shineywater and Rachael Hughes, aka Brightblack Morning Light: 1) They live in tents in the summer, a small cabin in the winter. 2) They’re from Northern California via Alabama. 3) They pal around with Devendra Banhart and Joanna Newsom. 4) They care about the world around them. 5) They roll out amazing, narcotically tempered grooves. 6) If only “punkers” were as punk as these hippies…
The Eighteenth Day of May
This London 5-piece mixes Celtic folk with ’60s psychedelic pop with old REM-style vocal murmuring for a sound that’s light, tight and user-friendly. Check out the band’s website for a few live tracks and clips of about a half dozen other songs.