Coming out of a very successful year with a new album Sweet Decay that has already risen on some of the most acclaimed foreign charts is Ireland based singer/songwriter Ciaran Lavery.Not only has he had the opportunity to play on some of the biggest stages and has gathered thousand of dedicated fans, but he has the skill and talent that support his rapidly growing success. Recently, he has been awarded the Northern Ireland Music Prize for is 2016 album Let Bad In. Along with this tremendous achievement, Lavery has acquired over a million followers on Spotify and he doesn’t plan to stop there.
Throughout this wonderful album, Lavery explores self-growth and reflection through his smooth, hypnotic beats and rhythm. Vocally, it can be said that he has a very melodic voice that blends easily with the beautifully composed guitar and percussion portions of each of the tracks on the album. This attribute of Lavery’s sound is especially highlighted in, “Bones 4 Blood,” which is then followed up by a much lighter track, “Wicket Teeth.” Without a doubt, however, one of the greatest skills that this up and coming artist exhibits is the ability to fill each lyric with the appropriate emotion that almost seems tangible in the atmosphere as one sits and enjoys the musical masterpiece that Lavery has put together for his fans. In he future, this international star hopes to move his success across a grander demographic and hopes to continue to perform for adoring fans that appreciate the poetic lyricism of all of his music.
Following up on his album Home, singer-songwriter Nathan Evans Fox has released his new album Texas Dust. The Atlanta based singer has a penchant for folk, and is bringing his country roots to his latest work. A North Carolina native, Nathan was immersed in the sounds of folk, bluegrass, rock, and country at a young age. He is also well versed with a range of musical instruments such as the fiddle and the guitar. Texas Dust displays all the talents of Fox’s songwriting, instrumentation, and musical inspirations from his hometown.
A natural storyteller, Nathan’s lyrics tell the tale of his difficulty with religion and heritage growing up. The album is composed of eleven tracks, including the album’s title track “Texas Dust.” Out of those eleven tracks, my personal favorites are “Texas Dust,” “Saint Louis,” and “Great Sky.” A bittersweet ballad to a lost love in Texas, “Texas Dust” tells the story of Nathan’s grandfather- a Southern migrant worker turned Army Sergeant who eventually left the military following the death of his young daughter. The opening line sparks personal and political controversy saying “I was raised by violent men- drinking daddy and Uncle Sam.” The chorus keeps its foreboding tone, “I can’t change all my ways, can’t change the laws of grief—back when I was 21, I was Texas Dust and you were Tennessee.”
“Texas Dust” encompasses the salty and sweet of folk, while staying personal. “Saint Louis,” a wanderlust track, discusses all the places Nathan plans to go across the USA. “It’s been a full year in Saint Louis and we still ain’t getting used to it,” sings Fox. With the Midwest blues, Fox goes on “Now I’m dreaming about that boat taking me where I want to be.” “Saint Louis” holds a feeling of hope and longing, even though Nathan is stuck there. To me, “Great Sky” is perhaps the most uplifting track on Texas Dust. With talks of starting new, Fox sings “What more do I seek from this Heaven upon me?” Fox is looking to turn a spiritual new leaf. While those three tracks remain my favorite, Texas Dust has a little bit of something for everyone- even if you are not one for folk, Nathan’s lyrical talent alone will blow you away.
Sine the release of his wildly successful synth laid single, “Let It Go,” singer/songwriter Lonely Benson has been working towards the release of his newest self-titled LP. Not only is “Let It Go” the perfect sneak peak to this wonderfully laid back LP, but every song that Lonely Benson contains is full of the same indie pop magic that fans have come to love from this artist. Throughout the entire release, the listener is taken through story after story that has been perfectly executed with the use of clever lyricism and dreamy vocals. One of tracks in particular, “Lazy Lover” aligns itself to this description. Lonely Benson is the ideal listen for any occasion or circumstance–whether you are spending time with friends, laying on the beach, or on a drive by yourself in the countryside.
Throughout all of his tracks, fans will fall in love with all of the thrillingly nuanced synth-pop influences and skillful guitar work. Along with this killer skills in his back pocket, Lonely Benson has the unique ability to create a warm and inviting atmosphere with his music that is both infectious and highly coveted. Without a doubt, this artist has what it takes to make it big time, seeing as there is already a significant amount of buzz surrounding this new project. Since his debut as an artist, he has been featured on Apple Music’s alternative list and has been awarded over 2 million streams on Spotify. Along with killing it with his now millions of stream, he has also created a following through his coverage everywhere from Indie Shuffle to KickKickSnare. No doubt, this new album is going to satisfy all of those who have jumped on the Lonely Benson band wagon.
Imperfect Fifth is here to give you an exclusive first listen of Joshua Barnhart’s brand new single, “Blue Eyes”, a folk-rock track that will blow you away with its gentle yet fulfilling sound. The Oakland, CA based artist has been a member of several bands, including Port O’Brien, Release the Sunbird, Two Sheds, and Sparrows Gate, but since 2016, has been a solo artist. Following his 2016 debut solo record, Turn Out The Light, Barnhart dropped “Dance With Me” last fall, and is back at it again today with “Blue Eyes”.
Barnhart brings vocals, acoustic/electric guitar and drums to the track himself, accompanied by Paul Dutton on vocals, electric guitar and bass, Taylor Belmore’s vocals, Joel Tolbert on piano, Robe Barnhart on cello and string arrangements, and Terry Glenny playing violin. Says Barnhart:
Perhaps most significantly, is that my dad, Robe Barnhart (who has arranged strings for Crosby Stills and Nash, and The Beach Boys, among many others), wrote the string arrangements and played cello on the song. The last time we worked together in this serious of a manner was when he arranged the string parts and played cello for Port O’Brien’s album, All We Could Do Was Sing, which came out almost exactly ten years ago.
A nostalgic track, “Blue Eyes” brings the listener into a carefree, 70’s-esque soundscape, filled with carefully composed instrumentals. Barnhart has an obvious grasp on capturing an idea within a track and using a song as the canvas for a musical landscape. Give “Blue Eyes” a listen today!
Be one of the first to listen to “Blue Eyes” below!
There is way more to celebrate today than originally planned, as Oakland, CA based rock project Gibby Paul – comprised of its namesake on vocals and guitar, Barrett Wall on guitar, Adam Szyndrowski on bass, and Dan Staublin on drums – releases their full length work So Savage today, April 20th, and we’ve got the exclusive streaming premiere. Originally members of Bay Area favorite dream pop group Mammoth Life, the guys of Gibby Paul changed direction have developed a unique sound together and pushed new levels with So Savage, channeling a rock vibe from the past and pairing it with some new tricks. Their music is mind-bending at times, and perfect to listen to when you’ve got a minute to really sit and enjoy the soundscape. We’re massive, massive fans and we know you will be too!
So Savage is out now. Keep your eyes peeled for upcoming tour dates with Gibby Paul here.
Looking for something a little off-kilter, yet still pleasing? We’ve got just the song for you. Dusted has just dropped his new track, “Dead Eyes”, appearing on his sophomore album, Blackout Summer, which was just released on April 6. Dusted is the musical moniker of Toronto’s Brian Borcherdt, who was a founding quarter of 2000’s four-piece Holy Fuck and has operated his solo project under Dusted since 2012. Accompanied by his wife, Anna Edwards, and Loel Campbell, among others, for live shows, Borcherdt brings an entirely different sound than his previous projects with Dusted.
With a hazy and quirky pop sound, Dusted creates a mellow soundscape reminiscent of Wilderado. Don’t be fooled by the easy-going exterior of this song; Borcherdt still manages to back a punch in this gentle tune. Pairing skillful guitar solos with consistent percussion makes for a solid track. Give “Dead Eyes” a listen today!
Blackout Summer is out now via Polyvinyl Record Co. – check it out today! Stay connected with Dusted: Facebook – Website –Instagram
Florida natives Deaf Poets just released “Change & Bloom”, a single off of their upcoming EP of the same title which is due out on June 15th. The duo has already enjoyed quite a bit of success, having played with The Growlers, Mac DeMarco, and Matt and Kim just to name a few. Their latest single brings a throwback while incorporating a 90’s grunge style. Sean Waters provides us both the angsty vocals and the guitar on “Change & Bloom”. Bandmate Nico E.P on the other hand, shows off his mad drum skills and does not hold back. So if you are somewhere in between “I like rock” and “not heavy rock”, “Change & Bloom” is definitely for you.
Having just collected three major blues awards, Kevin “B.F.” Burt performed at the Winter Blues Fest in Des Moines on February 10. Burt, of Coralville, Iowa, is the 2018 International Blues Challenge winner for Best Solo/Duo Act, Best Harmonica Player and Best Solo/Duo Guitarist.
Don Gallardo has just dropped a brand new track, “Oh Jane”, which will appear on his upcoming record, Still Here. Gallardo says of the single, “The narrator is in love with the person being bullied and comes to her side and suggests different ways to look at the situation with a positive manner.” Moving along an easy-going folk soundscape, Gallardo elicits feelings of sympathy and shared experience with this track. Highlighting carefully crafted instrumentation and lyricism, “Oh Jane” is anything but just another folk song. Gallardo clearly knows his sound, which is further honed in his forthcoming album.
Besides his own talented songwriting and vocals, Gallardo was accompanied by other skilled musicians to bring “Oh Jane” to life.
He says of the track:
We had Dave Roe and Bryan Owings lay down the foundation of drums and bass before we built on it. I tried numerous ideas for the guitar sound, but after sitting with Brent Mason I thought it would be nice to steer away from a country feel to a more folk-rock vibe. This song features Brent Mason on guitar. He has played with numerous performers such as Vince Gill, Chet Atkins, George Strait, Brad Paisley, and tons more. The song also features Joe Andrews from Old Crow Medicine Show on mandolin and Micah Hulscher from Margo Price band on organ. Travis Stock, Clint Maine, and I worked out the backing vocals for a few days before we recorded them. We wanted a Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers vibe for the background vocals.
Still Here will be released April 27, 2018. Stay connected with Don Gallardo: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram |
