New Music: Fisticuffs – “Would You” (Single)

Fisticuffs is Jordan Kurtz: former drummer for Saskatoon band We Were Lovers, pianist and vocalist of Saskatoon’s Tuxedo Mask, and sometime drummer for his brother Scott Kurtz in Boycott Scott.  He is, as The Sheaf notes, “one busy dude.”  He is also the writer of excellent songs like “Would You,” which is the harbinger of an in-progress EP from the band.

In addition to Kurtz, the single features a number of other musicians on trumpet, bells, drums, mellotron, and a few other sundry instruments.  The effect of all these talented musicians playing together is a single that contains beautiful harmonies, and an atmosphere that moves between quiet introspection and a driving desire to move forward.  It’s quite a span for the six-minute track, but never one that feels contrived or false.

It is, indeed, a refreshing work from a talented singer-songwriter, and one that I think you should hear immediately.  So, just follow me for that…

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Music for a Rainy Day: The Girls from the North Country

The Girls from the North Country are a pair of Parisian singer-songwriters – Paloma Gil and Louise Hayat (also of Black Ivy)- that I came across over at Live at Carlone’s when researching some other entries.  Their cover of Ryan Adams’ “Oh My Sweet Carolina” was so awesome, however, that I had to abandon all research and write this post.  (And given how scarce I’ve been around here, you know it’s gotta be good…)

The Girls’ cover immediately grabs you with its rich, warm harmonies, as well as its unexpected gravity.  Paloma and Louise sing with an earnestness that feels well beyond their young years.  Indeed, in Louise’s captivating “Sail Every Sea!” (also below), the pair produce such a depth of atmosphere and feeling that it’s hard to remember that these songs are the work of a young singer-songwriter.

Why not come have a listen and see for yourself?

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Mix-Tape Monday: “8Tracks, c’est les autres*”

One of the great pleasures of using 8Tracks to put together my mixes is the constant availability of interesting, handcrafted mixes.  I come across far more mixes than I had ever imagined, and so many of them are awesome.  And since I can search by meta tag, it’s often easy to find one that suits my mood.  So, for today’s Mix-Tape Monday, I thought I would highlight some of the great music I’ve been coming across in my wander through the site.  And hey, if they’re not your cup of tea, then throw together a mix to show us what is…

So, let’s get this show on the road.  Follow me to see and hear some of my recent favorites from 8Tracks’ wide selection of user-created mixes…

 
“Years later, he realized her SleepPlaylist was the most perfect SleepPlaylist ever created. It was the one which his 100’s of seemingly perfect SleepPlaylists always hoped to be. Somehow she had it right this whole time…” “Songs intended to make my best friend smile. They worked for her, hopefully they will for you too. =) Twelve tracks including music by Grizzly Bear, Bon Iver and Elliott Smith.”
“These are the songs that @RVRB and @fuelfriends will be listening to while we eat homemade cookies and drive the hours to the sweet musical haven of Telluride Bluegrass Festival. The first ten songs are from Fuel/Friends, the second ten are from Reverb. These songs are a little rootsy, some about travel, many about summer, and most about love.” “Fifteen tracks including music by Bon Iver, Iron & Wine and The National.”
This mix was set to private, and has been removed.
“Self explanatory.” “think happy thoughts :)”
“tracks to keep the bitter wind from flinging snow on your cheeks. when november sings, ears are covered as though from crow caws, until these songs slide down her throat and make her voice sweet again. it’s a pick-me-up mix, a love letter to happiness and sunshine, a homage to the lovely miracle of music piped into our ears as we walk on city streets. 14 tracks. sea oleena, tunng, owen pallett.” “So late it’s early. Too tired to sleep. Eleven tracks from artists including Radiohead, Air and The Album Leaf”

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Things I Should’ve Mentioned…

Hi, Everyone!  I’m finally back from the dissertation-/conference-/bacon-hangover-induced departure from blogging, and I’ve decided to catch up old-school.  So, in the spirit of the blog’s past, here’s a quick round-up of some of the things we missed while I was away.  Come on in to see and hear Wye Oak, Telekinesis, St. Vincent, and more!

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Mailbag: Elisa Flynn – 19th Century Songs

Before beginning, I have to confess that I have been criminally negligent with Elisa Flynn’s 19th Century Songs.  Elisa e-mailed me a rather long time ago to tell me about the album’s release on Bandcamp, and – despite my thorough enjoyment of the album – I always seemed to forget I had it when I sat down to throw together a post.  And so, for that, I’m sorry!

But I am also sorry to you, reader, for keeping such an exciting recording all to myself!  Here’s the scoop:

Elisa Flynn is a singer-songwriter from Brooklyn who writes songs that walk a fine line between beauty and danger.  They treat on topics like the serial killer Dr. H.H. Holmes, William Tecumseh Sherman, and a ship held fast in the ice.  It’s an impressive collection of concepts and images that all, rather surprisingly, create a wonderfully immersive recording.  Let’s have a look:

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