The 2nd most beautiful Christmas-song that was released this year is by one of the most amazing artists the year has seen. Josh T. Pearson had a worldwide breakthrough with his great debut record "Last Of The Country Gentlemen", his pain-drenched voice, the strong guitar-picking, it's as pure and honest as you can get. The acoustic live-version of Woman, when i've raised hell is among the most played YouTube-vids for me, it's simply beautiful. Just like this little treasure Josh recorded and which you can get via his website in exchange for your emailadress (a bargain!). I seriously doubt if there's a better version of this song out there.
As a "Farewell 2011"-series i have tried to get a little interview with the bands/artists that have made this a memorable musical year for me (and hopefully for you). Most of the bands i got in contact with responded very sweet and they have been so kind to answer a few questions about their 2011 and off course about their plans for the year to come, these will be posted in December every few days.
The next interview is with Jeremy Quentin, the main man behind Small Houses, whose album "North" is among the best I've heard this year. Small Houses is folk project around the songs and poems Jeremy writes and among the musicians that surround him we find Chris Bathgate. Not a stranger to my mp3-player either. North is a calm folk record with sweet, soft songs, played on acoustic guitar and the occasional banjo or mandoline to add a little tempo to it. Not to much though, as this is a record best enjoyed when you're not doing anything else than listening to it's beauty.
If you had to name one moment, what would you consider your highlight of 2011? I feel like the greatest part of 2011 was setting out the goal to pursue art in a lot of different facets and not just those in music. Although recording, releasing, and touring with, "North", was the biggest part of my year, I've also had the chance to start writing articles for a growing magazine inside of Michigan, taking up photography, getting a chance to dive into some acting here and there, and producing my music video which took a good handful of weeks to create. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_hK2qyGlQc). I think exploring some other forms of art will really help the direction of my music.
What are you doing at the moment (november 2011)? After I got back from tour in the middle of the month, I moved into a new sublet in Kalamazoo, MI and started working on producing a local band's album, Del Brutto, which is due out in Spring 2012.
Which great band or artist did you discover yourself in 2011? Any favourite albums? I've been listening to a lot of low talkers this year. Tom Waits, Greg Brown, Bill Callahan, Son Volt, Nathaniel Rateliff, etc. A lot of Joni Mitchell too. My new discoveries have been The Milk Carton Kids and Doug Paisley.
How will you celebrate New Year’s Eve? I'm playing a gig with some friends at Short's Brewing Company in Bellaire, MI. We all rented some cabins at our favorite campground, Chain O' Lakes. A lot of Michigan albums have been recorded on the premises, including my record, "Just Before The North". I'm sure the place will be covered in 3 feet of snow while we load up our wood burning stoves and celebrate 2012.
What are your plans for the new year? I'm recording a 7" record next month which should come out sometime in the middle of the year. I'm certain I'll get back in the studio to work on another full length sometime in the Spring, although I'm still contemplating the approach to the next one. I've got a lot of ideas to make things extra special. I might pull in a producer to help. Touring will be pretty frequent. I plan to be on the road at least 6 months of the year.
- Thanks a lot Jeremy and Small Houses for answering the questions (that New Year's Eve sounds pretty awesome btw).
Another cover of the mother of all Christmas-songs. The original can bore a person to death, but this & yesterdays versions are epic enough to last you another year. last christmas, i gave you my heart..
This last week I've been working on writing my Best of 2011-lists and I was doing a decent job at it. No real troubles about the albums, no hard decisions about the rankings. But then it all went to shit.. The EP-list needed changes after Kuhlamity & Hip Hatchet released new EPs over the last 2 weeks and now there is a perfectly done album-list that I've been working hard on that needs a look because I fell in love with The Willow & The Builder.
The Willow & The Builder are Richard Miron and Adrian Simon and they have released their 1st album a little over 2 months ago. It's a beautiful little work of art with 8 tracks that are all equally beautiful. This goes right up there with my 2011-favourites alongside The White Album and Small Houses. I've added 2 tracks here, Cut It Down is the 6-minute end of the album, to make it go out with a bang of the beautiful kind. Rosaline is an inspiring 'lovesong', but I can only advice you to get the entire album for a "spare what you can"-deal. You won't regret whatever it is that you spend on it!
How can anyone not get into the Christmas-spirit with this cool cover by Ohbijou of the ultimate X-mas-song ever: Last Christmas (I ain't even gonna deeplink this one..). They take a song that's completely wasted by hearing it TOO F*CKING MUCH and actually make it into something nice. I can listen to this classic all over again, as long as this great band is playing it.
David Lee Rad contacted me today as he is a former Old Tapes-member and he has released his 1st solo track on the webs. Old Tapes have released a great EP this year (which didn't get enough attention here, I'm sry to say) and this 1st solo-thing is pretty cool aswel. It's starts off as the soundtrack to a romantic Hollywood-picture, but as the track continues it gets a little wilder. Reminds me of an old Air-song, not a bad thing if this is your 1st track. Gonna enjoy this for a while, get it while it's hot!
As a "Farewell 2011"-series i have tried to get a little interview with the bands/artists that have made this a memorable musical year for me (and hopefully for you). Most of the bands i got in contact with responded very sweet and they have been so kind to answer a few questions about their 2011 and off course about their plans for the year to come, these will be posted in December every few days.
One of the most talented musicians I've come across in this last year is Jhameel. His album "The Human Condition" has brightened many dull days at work, making me instantly dance around the office. Being the extremely productive musician he is, he recently released 5-track EP "Waves". When comparing this EP with the album you can hear the progress he's making and when it comes to breakthroughs for the year to come, Jhameel is on top of my list. The songs are extremely powerfull & danceable, yet he also proves to be able to slow down a bit, as he does in one of my personal favourites "Songs Of Religion" from "The Human Condition". It seems there's not a lot this man can't do and it's probably very clear that I'm a BIG fan. Can't wait for new material, which luckely he releases in a fast pace!
Listen to that recently released "Waves"-EP right here (and download it for free), while you read what Jhameel has to say about 2011.
If you had to name one moment, what would you consider your highlight of 2011? For me it was finishing my latest release, WAVES. I recently released a song a week for five weeks, and it was really stressful making sure the release went smoothly, but everything went better than expected.
What are you doing at the moment? working on a cover of "My Girls" by Animal Collective
Which great band or artist did you discover yourself in 2011? Penguin Prison is one of my favorite recent discoveries
Any favourite albums? Plans by Death Cab for Cutie
How will you celebrate New Year’s Eve? In the city with good friends :)
What are your plans for the new year? I'm planning on releasing a new music series, two music videos, and touring during the summer.
This band is releasing their debut album in January, and this 1st track is a free download that's impossible to ignore. Somewhere in the distance this track reminds me a little bit of Razorlight, but Harriet seems to have a lot more fun. And off course a chorus with the line "I Slept With All Your Mothers" is too much fun to not sing a long. This track woke me up with a smile again today.. Have a good week, sleep with everyone's mothers!
Another midnight, another fine Christmas song. Earlier this year i stumbled upon Jon DeRosa's 1st solo-record "Anchored" and it's a beauty. I still listen to it a lot and it was very cool to find a little handwritten note with the album. His record company sent me a collection of 20 Christmas songs by all different artists and this is probably the best track of the entire collection. It's a relaxed Christmassy rocksong with a nice groove to it and is done before you know it. Good stuff!
