Campfire Ok - Our Hearts Beat Light

Campfire Ok have been warming the hearts of many since their debut album in 2011. Their sophomore album, When They Have Arrived, isn't out yet but they've been releasing one song a month on their bandcamp page. It'll be one to look out for in 2013.


Site // Bandcamp // Facebook

Motopony - King of Diamonds

Motopony's album was released a year ago but the first time I heard about them was two weeks ago when the Doe Bay Festival line-up was announced. The band sums up why I like them so much in their own lyrics, "You got everything I needed, that's why I'm loving you so much". Everything is here from the gentle lull of the melodies, the soft and soothing vocals, and the stories the lyrics outline. This music was made for daydreams, let them soundtrack yours.

Motopony - King of Diamonds

Motopony - Wait for Me

Connect: Site // Facebook

Beat Connection - Think/Feel (ft. Chelsey Scheffe)

If you've been following this blog for awhile you might be familiar with my obsession with Seattle electronic band Beat Connection and their 2010 hit In the Water. They are in a small group of electronic artists that I will never hesitate to post about. That group is really just two bands, Beat Connection and Philly's Sun Airway. They just posted this new track and it provides a great backdrop for zoning out while sipping on your morning tea. (spotted via Dipped in Dollars).

Hey Marseilles - Cafe Lights

At the top of my most anticipated release list for 2012 sits Hey Marseilles's sophomore album due out this winter. They released Elegy, a 7", a few months ago that has been staring at me longingly waiting for the installation of a turntable. I had the chance to tell the band how immediately taken I was with "Cafe Lights" when I heard it live this fall. While the lyrics tug at my heart strings a bit, it's that ending crescendo that I anxiously wait for during every listen. Stream/Buy on Bandcamp.



There's also this great video of their release show back in November featuring the A side song "Elegy"

[Video] Hey Marseilles - Elegy

Yeah 2011 was great and there are so many albums to choose from for a year end list blah, blah, blah...What if I told you that I'm just really excited for First Aid Kit, Pickwick, Anna Ternheim and the ever wonderful Hey Marseilles albums coming out in 2012? Because that's all I can think about these days. Here's a fantastic video session with Hey Marseilles performing "Elegy" off their just released 7" which you should definitely buy because the B side might be even better. Is is too early to say cheers to 2012?

"Elegy" by Hey Marseilles from Look Sessions on Vimeo.

Damien Jurado - Nothing is the News

Damien Jurado has released his first single from his forthcoming album, Maraqopa, due out February 21st. There's not much else to say because it's new Damien Jurado and it's insanely good but probably not what you're expecting to hear. He's one of the few that has taken the mundane "folk" genre and pulled it and stretched it in every possible direction. He continues to evolve starting with this song.

Damien Jurado - Nothing is the News

[Video] Pickwick - Blackout

This video captures an a cappella performance by Pickwick at the Suzzallo Reading Room at the University of Washington. It sounds incredible and will absolutely make your day. Have a listen to the original version below as well. Stream/Buy the music on bandcamp if you haven't already. Seriously, why haven't you bought Myths yet?

Download audio from the video: Blackout (A Cappella version)

Pickwick - Blackout (Suzzallo Reading Room) from Tyler Kalberg on Vimeo.

 Blackout by Pickwick 

Buried in Bandcamp: Annabel Lee

Despite what you might contrive from the name Annabel Lee, the band is not one woman but rather three women playing folk music with pretty harmonies based out of Seattle. A new album is in the works and you can listen to more on their facebook. I was skeptical about the "Raindrop Jam" song until they did a wonderful job imitating the sound of raindrops with their voices. They have something that is simply pleasing and an easy listen.

Find Elsewhere: Website // Bandcamp // Facebook

Tea Cozies - Dead Man's Sister

There is so much goodness for an East Coaster to catch up on in reading all of Seattle, Washington's reviews of the annual Doe Bay Fest. I love smaller intimate festivals because chances are you'll fall for a band you've never heard of before. One band I came across in reading about the weekend was Tea Cozies. If you love the guitar (meaning everyone) you should listen.

Tea Cozies - Dead Man's Sister

Find Tea Cozies: Website // Facebook // Buy

Pickwick - Turn the Light Out (Concours d'Elegance cover)

I hope that if I write enough about Pickwick, they'll come to Boston. Also, I love them and have neither a problem nor a hesitation when it comes to writing about songs they release. Earlier this week they released a split release with another Seattle band, electro-pop group Concours d'Elegance, where they cover each other's songs. It's fun, danceable, and I love how they interpreted each other's songs. Pickwick is a band you need to know about, so definitely check out the rest of their stuff on bandcamp. They've been playing lots of shows in Seattle, so if you're in the area I suggest you go with your dancing shoes on.

Shenandoah Davis - Proof

It's been a good while since I heard a piano song as satisfying as Shenandoah Davis's "Proof". It sounds like fat raindrops hitting the scalding hot pavement, a happy kind of rain. Her voice is like a tightrope walker wobbling on the wire just to make the audience gasp. Not that your Grandma would necessarily listen to this, there's an old timey feel to it, like you should be sitting in a rocking chair listening to the cracks and pops of the vinyl coming from a phonograph. I was excited it was one of the songs chosen for the daytrotter session that came out today. You can stream/buy the full album at bandcamp.

Shenandoah Davis - Proof (Daytrotter Session)

Shenandoah Davis - We; Camera (Daytrotter Session)

Cataldo - Rock of Calvary

Cataldo, otherwise known as Eric Anderson and a rotating group of friends, has finally given us a peek at the new album due out in September. I've been asking every Seattle person I know for news on Cataldo's progress, and I'm very excited to finally be able to share some new tracks. For the past two years I've been coming back to Cataldo's 2008 album, Signal Flare, because it just feels so fitting all too often. I keep that album in my car and it always makes forgetting my ipod a welcome pleasure. On one of my favorite songs, "Five Years Coming", he sings “It’s been five years coming and one thing I can attest: that the simple songs of hope I wrote have always been my best.” and on these two new songs that Cataldo is sharing off the new album, Prison Boxing, I think it's safe to say he stuck to that formula. You can use the bandcamp link to download the songs.

Cataldo - Rock of Calvary

Pickwick - Myths

The soul revival sound is a hard thing to do well, but when bands have success with it you're bound to hear about it. Pickwick is one you want to....actually need to hear about. If you're like me, and have played Fitz & the Tantrums to death, you might be ready for a new band. They released six of their songs in 3 volumes over the course of a few months on bandcamp called Myths, Vol. 1, 2, and 3. Pickwick is based out of Seattle and I expect they'll be garnering attention from far outside of their locale in the very near future. His voice is so rich and smooth, it's like butter, how can you not like this?
Listen/Buy: Bandcamp // Soundcloud



 Hacienda Motel by Pickwick
 The Round by Pickwick
 Staged Names by Pickwick

Ivan & Alyosha - Easy to Love

Seattle band, Ivan & Alyosha, are currently touring with Brandi Carlisle which is huge for them considering not many people knew about them a year ago. A few months ago they offered their latest album Fathers Be Kind on a name your price basis on bandcamp and the blogosphere exploded with kind words for them. In some songs they sound like a smaller The Head & The Heart and have that indie folk/pop sound that makes you wonder why songs like this aren't on the radio. It's music that's easy to attach yourself to without much effort. They are still offering their first album from 2009 The Verse, The Chorus for free on bandcamp. I think it's the hand claps and whistling that make this song my favorite and with lyrics like "The sky turns black, we know it will from time to time/ and we've been through that, and we came out on top" the optimism is infectious.

Ivan & Alyosha - Easy to Love

Download "Glorify" off their new album for the price of an email