Kingsley Flood - I Don't Wanna Go Home

Kingsley Flood's brand new single debuted as NPR's song of the day a few hours ago and I couldn't be more proud of this Boston based band. They've been playing the song live for months and it's certainly one of the highlights of the show. It's very exciting to finally have the song in an ipod friendly format so I can drive around playing this song as loud as possible.

Kingsley Flood - I Don't Wanna Go Home

They will be giving this song away for free on their website and facebook page for a limited time. Check out their early summer dates, they put on a show you don't want to miss. I would know I've been to more than I can count.

The Inebriations

Once upon a time in my early days of blogging, there was a music submission waiting with an enticing band name.  Unfortunately, what I heard was not something I would post, and I tried to give my best constructive feedback. Nearly a year later, I got another e-mail and because the band name is so memorable and likable I knew exactly who it was. I listened with trepidation and was so excited that I liked it (really liked it!) and with the direction that Dave took the music, that I nearly peed my pants. It's now amongst the favorite blogging stories.

The Inebriations - Next to You

The original music I heard was something along the lines of a bass/duo thing. This new demo is leaps and bounds, hell, a million miles away from that.  Dave came across an old bowlback mandolin and went for the Americana sound and he does it well. The band name even fits better now. Seeing The Inebriations, a one man band, transform from one sound to something different serves as a good reminder to never write off a band completely. I'm looking forward to seeing where Dave takes this in the future. The EP is available for free on bandcamp, go listen. You can like The Inebriations on facebook too.

Coyote Kolb - Freight Train

Coyote Kolb was recommended by fellow local americana band, Larcenists, when I asked for some suggestions. I actually got a chance to see them at the recent Americana Festival in Boston and loved their songs. There was a free sampler given away at the festival and this happened to be one of my favorite songs on it, especially after I learned the backstory.

Coyote Kolb - Freight Train

The song "Freight Train was written by Elizabeth Cotton in the early 1900's, allegedly when she was only 11 years old. The rest of the Americana compilation features other boston bands doing renditions of old-timey's in danger of dying. It certaintly isn't the happiest compilation, but the stories that are told through song are in danger of being lost in the forgetten stacks in the library or on a smithsonian shelf somewhere. The fact that these local and modern bands are giving them a new life means the stories can be passed around once again. The band goes on to say "These are the kinds of songs, and the kind of music woven into our history as a nation, and as a people,. We believe this (americana) music tells many tales of who and what we have been and are becoming as a people. We intend not so much to preserve, but to apply. "

Of course make sure you check out their original songs from the album Massachusett on bandcamp. "Word to the Wise" is my weekday anthem.

Upcoming shows: 

April 30th - Tom Waits Tribute Shwo

May 25th - Precinct

May 26th - The Red Door (Portsmouth, NH)

May 27th - Capitol Center for the Arts (Concord, NH)