As I continue an almost-endless effort at trying to get caught up on the music sent in, we've made it up to stuff that arrived in July so there's hope. Thanks to all the artists, labels and hired hit men for their patience. Comments will be brief, but the music is what matters anyway.• • • •
Sounding much more musically polished than his 18 years, Portland's Jacob Magers released his debut EP Pendulums, which he wrote and recorded a while a high school senior. His music is influenced by the likes of The Decemberists and Fleet Foxes among others, and is just a testament to what a person can create when they are meant to be doing this. Something tells me this is the beginning of a very successful career. Highly recommended.Jacob Magers: Website • MySpace • Buy Pendulums
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Kym Campbell is an acoustic singer/songwriter from Australia by way of Seattle. She also recently released her debut EP, titled So Alive. Appropriate title, as her music is just that, with some excellent acoustic guitars keeping perfect company with a very folksy voice. She's toured Australia this year and plans on touring Japan, Europe and the USA in support of a planned 2010 full album release. Low-key, laid back and very likeable.Kym Campbell: Website • MySpace • Buy So Alive
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Steven Mark is a singer/songwriter based out of New York and his music blends reflective lyrics with sixties-inspired musical arrangements and harmonized vocals. In his short musical career he has come out with four full length albums, and his newest release, One Small Room, came out in June. His music draws well-earned comparisons to James Taylor. If you find yourself in need of good music to mellow out by, look no farther than Steven Mark.Steven Mark: Website • MySpace • One Small Room available via CD Baby
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Although shoegaze gets used frequently to describe their music, Paris trio Safeashome's work leans a little more towards dark psychedelia. But don't take that as a negative, it's actually quite a well-done noise invasion that takes the listener on a ride of comparison to My Bloody Valentine, Ride, and Slowdive to name a few. Their new singles are due out in September on the same label, Safranin Sound, that brought you Screen Vinyl Image. The music was recorded in than band's own studio somewhere beneath Paris and is due out in September.Safeashome: Website • MySpace • Watch Safranin Sound for the release
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Fiction Like Candy's Genna Giacobassi continues her summer long series of recording cover songs suggested by just about anyone that knows how to suggest. This week's song is Talking Heads' Heaven and can be heard on her MySpace page. While there, also have a listen to Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley and try to convince yourself a higher power didn't create this woman's voice.• • • •
Children Collide has toured just about everywhere in Australia in support of their new album, The Long Now. They've earned a reputation as a must-see live act and have brought it to North America with the same result. Their music is hard and the band-guitarist/vocalist Johnny MacKay, bassist Heath Crawley and drummer Ryan Caesar-absolutely knows where it's going with their music and won't compromise the direction it's headed. Their new album is out in Canada on September 29th. A fantastic rock band, highly recommended.Children Collide: Website • MySpace • Bio • The Long Now available via Amazon
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Ryan Holiday isn't afraid of trying something different. His new album, The Utterly Useless Life if Mr. Holiday, might be called a concept album but it's sort of a musical Twitter. The album follows a day in the life of a retail worker from the first time he punches the snooze button until he falls into bed, dreading the next morning(I can relate), each song having a "time stamp" and reflecting the grind, stress and dark humor of the day. It's a bit of cabaret, a bit of punk and all Ryan Holiday and Dr. Dimento would love it. It can downloaded for free from his MySpace page because the man flat doesn't care what the RIAA thinks. Good for you Ryan!Ryan Holiday: MySpace •
i really like Kym Campbell!
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a "musical Twitter".. hmm :-Z