Tag: folk

August 11, 2023

Song of the Day: Lies Damned Lies - The Divine Image

Alternative folk-pop trio Lies Damned Lies formed in Glasgow in the late 1980s. Alternately flirting with Scottish modern rock sounds (a la fellow Scots Simple Minds) or with literate folk stylings, the band had a lengthy career through the 1990s and into the 2000s, though they were fairly unknown this side of the pond. They were regulars at the UK’s Greenbelt Festival, and while their lyrics pointed to their Christian faith, several of their releases were on mainstream pop-rock record labels. “The Divine Image” comes to us from their 1993 full-length The Human Dress.… Continued →

February 17, 2023

Song of the Day: United Harvest Workers Union - Compassion

This folk-punk band was formed as a sort of atypical worship band. Their purpose was to create “authentic church music devoid of hype.” Hailing from Pittsburgh, the band features members of Last Hope and Timbre, its roots firmly embedded in the punk scene. Their one and only album was self-released in 2010, but saw a digital re-release in 2019 via Zap Records (home of 2 Minute Minor, Voice of the Mysterons, October Bird of Death, and others). I reviewed the album in 2019, here, and really enjoyed it.… Continued →

July 2, 2022

June 24, 2022

Song of the Day: Bruce Cockburn - Wondering Where the Lions Are

This veteran, Canadian singer-songwriter has been active since at least the early 70s (probably earlier), since his debut eponymous album came out in 1970. I first became acquainted with his music in the 1990s, reading an album review in CCM Magazine, but also hearing equally about his accolades from the secular press. I took a chance on buying a live album, when I found a copy of his 1990 live album (he’s done at least 5 live albums), Bruce Cockburn Live on cassette. I’d heard he was a folk artist, and a songwriter, so I was prepared for the mostly acoustic sounds on the tape.… Continued →

April 3, 2022

Caedmon's Call Re-emerge From The Shadows to Drop Hints

In what may seem like a surprising move, a band that got their start with their debut record in 1997 – “Caedmon’s Call“, who inspired many and wowed fans across the globe with their original blend of music and lyrics, are teasing something BIG. Click on their website here and sign up for the newsletter list. They are saying “something NEW (and old) is happening SOON” on their website. Any guesses? Maybe a re-release of their debut for its 25th anniversary?… Continued →

October 1, 2021

Song of the Day: Havalina Rail Co. - I Change My Clothes

Havalina Rail Co. was a delightfully quirky, eccentric, genre-fusing and genre-bending experimental band from California. Across their 10-year career (give or take), the band dabbled in folk, ska, jazz, ragtime, blues, Americana, surf, and multiple internationally-themed genres. No two albums in their canon treads the same ground, and yet each successive opus is clearly recognizable as Havalina. The band stopped recording as HRC somewhere in the early 00s, but members have turned up elsewhere. Most notably are Matt Wignall who is a renowned photographer and is perhaps now best known as the producer for several Cold War Kids albums.… Continued →

September 3, 2021

Song of the Day: Iona - Bi-Se I Mo Shuil

Contemporary Celtic band Iona have been making music since their eponymous debut released in 1990. Fusing traditional Celtic folk instruments (flutes, whistles, bodhran drums, etc.) with jazz and progressive elements caused them to stand out from their other contemporary Celtic peers. Albums from the band commonly featured worshipful tunes (“Treasure” for instance, from their third album Beyond These Shores or “Revelation” from the second one, Book of Kells), traditional Scots-Irish tunes, as well as lengthy instrumental songs, or instrumental sections within songs. One of the most stunning examples of the latter is “Bi-Se I Mo Shuil” (Irish Gaelic for “She is My Eye”), from their fourth album Journey into the Morn.… Continued →

July 7, 2021

June 23, 2021

Orion Walsh - So Many Places to See (Official Music Video)

Orion Walsh is back with a new full length album titled “So Many Places” which drops digitally and on CD, July 7th. Pre-Order Digitally and on CD from Orion’s bandcamp right here. If you enjoyed ANY of his prior material or the work he did in Slow Coming Day, you will certainly find yourself a fan of this album. Check out the music video below as well as a preview listen of the new album (via bandcamp).… Continued →

May 24, 2021

April 13, 2021

Arthur Alligood Releases New Song Feat. Josh and Dean of Toad The Wet Sprocket

Independent solo artist – Arthur Alligood, is back and with a brand new song titled “It’ll Be Alright” featuring Josh and Dean from Toad The Wet Sprocket. It’s a beautiful song and really well done. Showcases Arthur’s immense talent and his ear for making a great song. Having two members from one of my favorite bands, Toad The Wet Sprocket, just makes this new song all the more special. The song is available on all digital networks now. Give it a listen below this post and let us know what you think.… Continued →

March 16, 2021

March 12, 2021

Miqedem Release New Song "Nava Tehila"

Miqedem which is the world-music vibe project featuring James (Jamie) Hilsden of Man Alive, just dropped a brand new song titled “Nava Tehila” which you can download/purchase over on their bandcamp page. Listen below. The song is based on Psalm 147: 1-5. You can find lyrics and further info on their bandcamp page. Miqedem are currently working on their 3rd full length album which is quite an exciting prospect.… Continued →

December 2, 2020

November 24, 2020

November 19, 2020

November 1, 2020

September 29, 2020

September 19, 2020

August 22, 2020

August 18, 2020

August 13, 2020

Jesus Freak Hideout Releases Epic 49 Song Free Compilation

Long running Christian Music website, JesusFreakHideout.com, just dropped Volume 9 of their “Songs We’ve Been Trying to Tell You About (and Others We Haven’t)” compilation series right here. Go download it and give these great indie artists a listen. Thanks to John, Scott, and the rest of the JFH gang for giving my artists a platform. I hope you all enjoy it. John DiBiase is also a talented artist and some of his drawings take up residence in my home. Make sure to see all his art pieces on Etsy here.… Continued →

July 28, 2020

July 25, 2020

REVIEW : Roemer - Straight Bars and Guns

Roemer is a stripped-back acoustic/indie folk project. If you’re anything like me, folk has to be some really special to catch my attention—a quirky vocal style, effective use of harmonies, skilful playing, or best of all hard-hitting and/or poignant lyrics. If it has one or more of those, I’m more likely to pay attention. Straight Bars and Guns was written from an outsider looking in. Much like myself, Roemer is an American citizen living abroad. He in Berlin, me in the south of England. Being an American who doesn’t actually live in the United States gives one an interesting take—neither more nor less accurate, just different.… Continued →

July 21, 2020

June 16, 2020

June 3, 2020

May 2, 2020

Orion Walsh Drops New LIVE Album via Bandcamp

One of my dear friends in the music industry and a super talented artist I might add, Orion Walsh, just released a LIVE full length titled “Greetings From Germany” that is a fundraiser of sorts for him. Please head over to bandcamp right here and drop some change. You’ll get a really great album in the process. Plus if you want, you can buy all of his other releases for just $17. All proceeds go directly to Orion Walsh. Look for Orion’s other project “Slow Coming Day” to release “Quarantine Sessions” later this month.… Continued →

March 17, 2020

Song of the Day: Poor Bishop Hooper - Psalm 10

If you’ve been following my new release lists closely you may have noticed one artist has been in every list this year. Poor Bishop Hooper is Jesse and Leah Roberts and they’ve been busy working on a new project called EveryPsalm. Over the course of the next three years Poor Bishop Hooper will release a new song inspired by a psalm every week until all 150 psalms have been covered. That’s some dedication! Tomorrow the band will be releasing Psalm 12, but in the meantime I’d like to share one of my favorites from the songs they’ve released so far this year, Psalm 10.… Continued →

February 29, 2020

Har Adonai Releases New Album "Now is Golden", Makes a Fan Out of Me

I’ve known Adam Rosenfeld for several years since his days running Men of Israel Records, the home of Man Alive in their early years. He has been making music under a number of different names for the past 2 decades and now has unveiled his latest project, Har Adonai. He takes indie rock and folk, combines it in one explosive push of the mix button on the blender and creates a sonic masterpiece only he could make. I can’t even describe what it sounds like other than to say it sounds like HAR ADONAI.… Continued →