This month, I will be posting some information about some bands that are offering links for videos, trailers, singles, or even EP s and full albums for free download for a limited time.

Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank

These boys have a trailer on their new website (www.consideritcorrespondence.com) that gives a peak at the film Moments and Truths that documents the making of their new album, Traveling Show, that was recorded in Brooklyn. The film, directed by Joshua Priestley, also shows footage of their tour across the country and is a bonus offering with their new CD. Accompanying the trailer is the title track of their album “Traveling Show.” This cut is one of three tracks featuring organist Marco Benevento. Other guest on the album are Jon Graboff (pedal steel player from Ryan Adams and The Cardinals) and Ryan Young, Erik Berry, and Dave Carroll from Trampled By Turtles.

Order Traveling Show at www.consideritcorrespondence.com

Music without the film is available digitally at CD Baby.

The EELS

EELS OFFER FREE DOWNLOAD TO FANS UPON EXCLUSIVE VINYL RELEASE:
The MySpace Transmission Sessions is featuring a performance by EELS leader Mark Oliver Everett aka E. Watch footage of E being interviewed and performing 5 songs, and download the audio for all 5 songs FREE for a limited time right now, right here:
http://www.myspace.com/transmissions

The complete session including a 6th song, “The Longing,” was released on limited edition 12″ vinyl Sept. 1. You can get it here: http://eelstheband.com/stores.php

There’s lots of new EELS news, info and videos to check out at:
www.EELStheband.com
and:
www.myspace.com/eels

THE VERY BEST featuring EZRA KOENIG

“Warm Heart of Africa” is a new 7 inch vinyl single from GREEN OWL, a NYC-based record label started by artists for artists with the idea that great music can be sustainable—both economically and environmentally.

Side A of the single has the Afropop party hit “Warm Heart of Africa” that showcases The Very Best’s Esau Mwamwaya and a surprise appearance from Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend! Side B offers a previously unreleased song, “Yalira,” from The Very Best’s debut LP that came out August 25. The cover of the record is an exclusively commissioned painting from master artist BP Konon of the Ivory Coast and is printed proudly in Brooklyn with vegetable-based ink using windpower on 100% post-consumer paper.

You can hear full tracks at http://greenowl.com/theverybest

The Very Best with Radioclit also has a great free download at:

http://www.myspace.com/radioclit

Just scroll down until you see the Free Download Click icon on the album cover with the African animals on it. This is great Afropop!

JONAH SMITH’S LIGHTS ON OUT NOW

SELF-RELEASED RECORD FUNDED BY FANS, PRODUCED BY MALCOLM BURN

Lights On, the latest effort from singer/songwriter Jonah Smith, is out now via Smith’s own Voluptuary Records. Self-released, the album was recorded with fan funding, allowing Smith to bypass the need for a label. Lights On pulls from the deep well of American blues and many of its offshoots including soul, country and folk. Smith is supporting the record with a national tour.

[Live Music Alert: Jonah Smith will appear November 2 at the Flying Mango in Des Moines, IA, and on November 4 at the Dakota Jazz Club Minneapolis, MN.]

Smith’s fourth record, Lights On, is the follow-up to 2006’s self-titled effort. Hailing from Syracuse, Smith now resides in Brooklyn and continues to tour extensively across the U.S.

Smith is offering an alternate acoustic version of the album track “Mrs. Cooper,” not available anywhere:

http://www.sendspace.com/file/9uwxb0

VIC CHESTNUTT

You can grab the track “Philip Guston” from Vic Chesnutt’s latest album, At the Cut, due out Sept 22 on Constellation Records:

http://cstrecords.com/releases/cst060/audio_files

OR You can get “Flirted with You All My Life” here:

http://cstrecords.com/files/08FlirtedWithYouAllMyLife.mp3

Constellation has also given away the track “Chain.” You can link to all three mp3s here:

http://cstrecords.com/releases/cst060/audio_files

The record features Chesnutt collaborating with Fugazi’s Guy Picciotto and members of Godspeed You! Black Emperor, and Silver Mt. Zion.

[Live Music Alert: Vic ChestnuttNovember 19 Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis, MN]

This fall Vic Chesnutt will embark on a six-week North American tour in support of his latest CD At the Cut. The touring band features Fugazi’s Guy Picciotto and members of Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Silver Mt. Zion, all of whom collaborated with Chesnutt on the new album which is out September 22 on Constellation Records. At the Cut is the follow-up to North Star Deserter, Chesnutt’s 2007 collaborative recording with the same group.

At the Cut focuses on themes of cowardice, courage, mortality, tenacity, defiance, mourning, and memory. The opening track, “Coward,” was originally written for director (and Chesnutt collaborator) Jem Cohen’s Empires of Tin and premiered in a live performance by Chesnutt and his band at the 2007 Vienna Film Festival. Reflecting the broad stylistic range of contributors on the album, the songs on At the Cut span the musical spectrum from classic Vic Chesnutt solo acoustic tracks to the sweeping walls of noise and snarling, angular guitars trademarked by his many collaborators.

In the 19 years since Chesnutt’s debut album, he has made his mark by collaborating with a wide range of artists including Michael Stipe, Lambchop, Bill Frisell, Elephant Six mainstays Elf Power, Widespread Panic, and the Cowboy Junkies. Hailing from rural Georgia and confined to a wheelchair since an automobile accident at the age of 18, Chesnutt has released 15 critically acclaimed records; been covered by a number of artists on the tribute album Sweet Relief II: Gravity of the Situation, including R.E.M., the Smashing Pumpkins, Madonna, and Sparklehorse. He was also the subject of the 1992 PBS documentary Speed Racer and appeared in the Oscar Award-winning film Sling Blade.

THE MOTET

Download their new album here:

http://www.myspace.com/themotetmusic

If you’re in Colorado, The Motet will be playing special sets of Sly and the Family Stone music Oct 28-30.

With its 6th release, Dig Deep, The Motet once again proves that it is a group committed to exploring and pushing the sonic envelope, while still remaining dedicated to the musical traditions that have defined their sound. A heavy-horned afrobeat influence countered with a textural blanket of electronica, this album showcases the talents and strengths of the cast of characters that drummer and producer Dave Watts has assembled. Keyboardist Joey Porter lays down the funk under the coursing melodies of saxophonist Dominic Lalli in pure Motet fashion, with the ever-driving beats of Watts’ masterful rhythmic production pushing the music through sonic peaks and valleys that tantalize and invigorate listeners. If you’ve loved The Motet for years or are just tuning in, listen up. You won’t be disappointed.

The Motet is known for its revolving musicians and a breadth of musical influences, and Dig Deep plays to the strengths of many former and current members. Bassists Garrett Sayers and Paul McDaniel both shine brilliantly on Dig Deep, adding the sonic drive that is characteristic of The Motet’s sound, which has steadily morphed and evolved over the last ten years. Sayers’ bass solo on ‘Guru’ is a perfect example of his technical virtuosity, and with this, Watts as a producer has captured a quintessential Motet moment. The title track ‘Dig Deep’ showcases another side of The Motet low-end, heavy-bass sound, with McDaniel laying down raw grooves in an open section that is peppered with Watts’ sonic explorations.

Longtime fans of The Motet will be happy to hear Jans Ingber’s voice on ‘Push,’ a track that was born from an improvisational moment during the band’s New Years 2009 show. Last featured on The Motet’s 2000 release Play, Beth Quist’s soaring vocals are highlighted on the Fela Kuti track ‘Kalakuta Show’ and the tune ‘The Luxury of Doubt,’ a collaborative effort with Watts. Throughout Dig Deep, percussionist Scott Messersmith adds his signature textural rhythms, anchoring the evolutionary sound of the band in its Afro-Cuban and West African roots. His contributions are particularly salient in the afrobeat tunes ‘Mighty’ and ‘Roforofo Fight.” Guitarists Mike Tiernan and Zivanni Masango both add their talents on Dig Deep, as do Danny Sears on trumpet and John Stuart on baritone saxophone. With this mix of talented musicians contributing to the album, it is no wonder the album sounds as good as it does. But at the helm is drummer Dave Watts, simultaneously embodying the roles of bandleader, musician, composer, and producer. It is Watts’ creative imagination that drives Dig Deep, mixing recorded and sampled tracks that seamlessly carry the music forward throughout the album. As a drummer, Watts has been called “the human metronome.” His sense of timing and polyrhythmic understanding is what has made him a force in the live music scene for over twenty years.

Dig Deep is his most in-depth exploration into production work thus far. Watts has amply represented the layered electronica-funk vibe that has begun to characterize The Motet’s sound over the last few years, and he has truly “dug deep” to bring you Dig Deep.

SEEPEOPLES

Apocalyse Cow Vol 2 Available as a Free download at www.seepeoples.com

SeepeopleS is proud to announce the release of their long-awaited 4th full length album, Apocalypse Cow Vol.2. Over two and half years in the making, the release is a landmark in the evolution of SeepeopleS’ unique sound and a return to the hybrid rock and electronica sound that made their second album, The Corn Syrup Conspiracy, a true underground classic. The album started being released FOR FREE on September 4th as a musical financial bailout (you’re welcome America). The 12 track version of the album will be available for download for six full months until the hard copy 17 track version is released in early Spring 2010, in time for the band’s 10 year anniversary.

Formed in Boston in 2000 by songwriter, Will Bradford, the band relocated to North Carolina, which has been home since 2004. While SeepeopleS has undergone numerous line up changes over the years, the sound has always remained the focused vision of Bradford. The current members Will Bradford, Matt McDonald (formerly of Perpetual Groove), Ben Wells, and Adam Chase (formerly of the Phish cover band Strange Design and pop act Black Eyed Susan) are a heavy hitting lineup.

Though SeepeopleS featured many musical guests on their albums, including members of Morphine, Spearhead, Parliament/Funkadelic, and Tim Reynolds, Apocalyse Cow Vol 2 was recorded solely by the band with additional strings and backing vocals.

The band is also currently in production on a music video from Apocalyse Cow Vol 2 for the first single, “Modern Times.”

NORFOLK & WESTERN

Listen to a stream of Norfolk & Western’s new album, Dinero Severo, on their website:

www.norfolkandwestern.org You do have to sign up but you also get access to their videos.

[LIVE MUSIC ALERT: Norfolk & Western tour with Mirah, Sept 30, the Aquarium, Fargo, ND and Oct 1 at the Cedar Cultural Centre in Minneapolis]

Dinero Severo was recorded both in Portland OR and in Puerto de Santa Maria, Spain, making it a most uncommon album. The band is now streaming the record in its entirety for a limited time on their website, www.norfolkandwestern.org. The past year has been an extremely busy one, as Norfolk members have been and are continuing to play and tour with M. Ward, Jolie Holland, Mirah, and Loch Lomond. Now that everyone’s back from their respective tours, Norfolk & Western will reconvene and hit the road this fall supporting Mirah. News about the album’s official release will be announced at a later date.

Norfolk & Western is Rachel Blumberg (drums, vocals, piano, mellotron, organ, omnichord, percussion, orchestra bells), Dave Depper (bass, vocals, piano, mellotron, guitar, organ, farfisa, banjo, dulcimer), and Adam Selzer (vocals, guitar, mellotron, harmonica). The are assisted by guest artists: Raúl Pastor-Medall (bass on “Hiding Home” and harmonica on “This is a Number 5”), Alia Farah (vocals on “Hiding Home”), and Adam Shearer (vocals on “The Long Goodbye”).

If you’re not familiar with Norfolk & Western, don’t think you’re going to hear an Americana group or even a world music. This is fuzz-busted mellow rock.

NOAH AND THE WHALE

NPR All Songs Considered and podcast downloads at

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112812083

Noah and the Whale is a new ambient rock group with moody vocals from the UK. They also have a film, The First Day of Spring, whose title is taken from one of their songs, will be released in the US on October 6. A special screening will be held at Bryant Park Bowl in Minneapolis on October 8 at 9:30 pm.

There are trailers and clips on their website: http://www.myspace.com/noahandthewhale

STEVE KIMOCK

You can get a bunch of live show downloads of Crazy Engine and a number of other projects Steve Kimock has on his website: http://www.kimock.com/frames/index_home.html Look under Tunes.

Crazy Engine appeared at 10KLF this summer, but unfortunately Steve Kimock (in any format) won’t be in the region for some time. Not just a gifted guitarists, Kimock has drawn talented musicians around him, producing all manner of music with elements of classic rock, jazz, prog, and rhythm & blues, with the kind of soul only someone with his experience and depth could pull together.

His latest project, aptly named Crazy Engine, is a mix of old and new. The line-up includes the legendary Hammond B3 player Melvin Seals, known for his twenty years with the Jerry Garcia Band, as well as Kimock’s own son, John Morgan Kimock on drums. Not without merit, the twenty-year-old drummer has organized a number of self-released albums earning him a record deal with Rope-A-Dope Records by the age of 18. Rounding out the quartet is accomplished singer-songwriter and cello player, Trevor Exter, who was plucked out of the NYC indie music scene to fill the roll of bass and vocals. This arrangement of seasoned players and talented youthful musicians blends with Kimock’s innovative mind for music – and foretells a merge of his vintage appeal with a modern twist, to befit music lovers of all types.

Look for an extended in-depth feature on Steve Kimock later this year.

DRINK UP BUTTERCUP

Drink Up Buttercup, a Philadelphia-based four-some with some very British invasion influences, just signed with Yep Roc Records. In celebration, they are giving away the single “Even Think,” a fast-paced fist-pumper, driven by frenzied organ arpeggios and swelling vocal harmonies reminiscent of the sound of Brian Wilson re-imagining The Velvet Underground’s White Light/White Heat – all recorded and mixed in less than 24 hours. It is a rare lo-fi gift for their fans because it is sonically unique from their other recorded material. This giveaway is just a taste of what’s in store when their full length album comes out in early 2010.

The B side is an all new alternate version of the live performance fan favorite “Heavy Hand.”

The double-sided digital single can be downloaded for FREE at Yep Roc’s site:

http://www.yeproc.com/news.php?articleId=6261

An ultra limited-edition as a 7-inch single, which is for sale, will feature a cover of the Buzzcocks classic “Why Can’t I Touch It.” You can buy that for $5.99 while supplies last.

This entry was posted on Monday, September 21st, 2009 at 6:51 pm and is filed under Issues, September 2009. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.