It’s been a good year for Phosphorescent, with an acclaimed album and months touring. We caught up with Matthew Houck just before his band supported The National at Brixton Academy and talked about his year, Willie Nelson and his love of hip-hop.
Dead Oceans
Phosphorescent – Here’s To Taking It Easy
Don’t let the upbeat title mislead you. This is still Phosphorescent in hard-drinking, loving-and-losing, tortured and lovelorn mode, and all the better for it.
The Tallest Man On Earth – The Wild Hunt
It’s a simple formula, really; just a singer with his guitar making everyone swoon. But it takes someone truly accomplished to breathe new life into this often dusty musical technique. Erik Thompson reviews.
The Tallest Man On Earth – Bush Hall, London 15/03/10
Perhaps there are terrible demons and beatiful angels inside Kristian Matsson, but he’s channelled them with a grace and perfection into his songs and performance – a skill of such rare commodity in these times.
SOTD #23 // Phosphorescent: ‘It’s Hard to Be Humble (When You’re From Alabama)’
If Pride was the dark side of Houck’s alter-ego Phosphorescent, then Here’s To Taking It Easy – the new album due for release in May – is most certainly the light.
TLOBF Interview :: White Hinterland
“I don’t categorise; I get the same kick out of ‘Single Ladies’ as I do listening to Stravinsky. It’s all pleasure.” Jon Bauckham chats to the brains behind White Hinterland, Casey Dienel.
TLOBF Interview :: The Tallest Man On Earth
The Tallest Man On Earth reveals that Bob Dylan is actually his dad. Or perhaps not. Kristian Matsson shares enough to give his fans a glimpse into what inspires him, while still maintaining the mystique that has intrigued us all from the beginning.
The Tallest Man On Earth signs to Dead Oceans, announces The Wild Hunt
Dead Oceans announce the release of “The Wild Hunt” – the follow up to the massive word of mouth success of “Shallow Grave”. Download a new song inside…
Califone – All My Friends Are Funeral Singers
Elements of blues, country and folk all interspersed with sparse electronics and atmosphere. Califone return with new album ‘All My Friends Are Funeral Singers’. Marc Higgins reviews.
Bowerbirds – Upper Air
‘Upper Air’ is of a similar quality to Bowerbirds first album ‘Hymns For A Dark Horse’, but reached by a slightly different path, the lyrics focus on relationships and love and being astounded by nature.
John Vanderslice – Romanian Names
For a long time, Vanderslice has been one of the most consistent-and underrated-indie artists around; any of his previous albums are well worth seeking out. It’s a shame then that on ‘Romanian Names’ there isn’t really anything to fall in love with.
Akron/Family – Set ‘Em Wild, Set ‘Em Free
The challenge has always been there for Akron/Family to harness their improvisational tendencies and sense of community and togetherness on record, and with their latest they have succeeded to an extent. Alex Cocks reviews.
New John Vanderslice album due on Dead Oceans in May
John Vanderslice has announced details of his new album, his first on Dead Oceans, plus you can download one of the tracks now, for a sneaky taster.
Bishop Allen – Grrr…
How does a pop band such as Brooklyn’s Bishop Allen tackle the daunting challenge of topping an album as good as 2007’s ‘The Broken String’? Well, you know the old saying… “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”….
These Are Powers – All Aboard Future
Adam Nelson reviews the latest from These Are Powers. An album that, apparently, begs you to wobble around like one of those 1980′s dancing coke cans.
Introducing :: Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band
Mt. St. Helen’s Vietnam Band might originate from Seattle, but listening to them, it quickly becomes obvious that their sound is firmly rooted in all things Canadian. We caught up with band members Traci, Benjamin, Matthew, Marshall and Jared answer our assortment of musically-related questions…
