Junip (self-titled) - 2013

Inside my studio I have every tool an artist needs to make a painting.  Brushes, turpentine, rags, etc.  The studio is setup so there is never an excuse not to create a painting.  So why do I spend time picking at my arm, staring at the wall, or stacking bottle caps?  There is an element to anything creative that is a "moment".  The now.  A celebration of impulse.   Junip captures that moment for over 45 minutes on their 2013 self titled album.  A stunning record that uses so many different instruments and tools for creating sound.....it's mind boggling.

world music/freak folk/jose gonzalez/constant hum/rock/every single track unreal:

LISTEN HERE:

Junip "Suddenly" mp3

Junip "So Clear" mp3

BUY HERE:

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Leif Vollebekk "North Americana" - 2013 LP

A lot of people have a job.  The type of job they go to for a certain amount of time everyday.  They do not own the company nor did they invent the product/service.  Someone is expecting to see results and quick.  All the while this person gets their own little slice of the pie.  A 401k, health care, and vacation. Some people don't have this type of job.  They said eff it and went for their dream.  The first person may sing in their car. The first person was good at some sports in high school buuuut life came along and hell you gotta make a livin', get married, and have kids.  The second friend doesn't get invited to every dinner.  You don't want to vacation with them.  They decided to roll the dice.  You gotta be a little off to do that.  It's a little selfish. A little ballsy.  And very stupid.  Nevertheless they wake up everyday and chase the dream.  Leif Vollebekk didn't have a choice.  He was born a musician.  He will certainly suffer for it the rest of his life.  The bright-side? He is the real deal.  A natural talent that verbalizes the struggle of being an artist to perfection.  I am very excited to see if he ever catches what he is chasing.

LISTEN HERE:

Leif Vollebekk "Southern United States" m4a

Leif Vollebekk "At the End of the Line" m4a

BUY HERE:

from the artist

Caveman (self titled) - 2013 LP

Hello, if you are stumbling on this blog for the first time and wondering:  "What the eff is this?" Here it is.  I am an artist in Los Angeles.  I listen to albums all day while I work.  So with headphones on and paint splattered clothes, I wrote about the music. There is so much absolute crap on the internet.  As a matter of fact the internet is a complete waste of time.  On par with video games and learning trigonometry.  You should be outside.  You should not be starring at this artificial screen.  Where is something intrinsically good online?  Something just plain cool.  Well you found it.  So as a thank you, here is something just damn good and cool.  Caveman has unreal potential.  Such an impressive freshman effort and certainly one of the best albums you will hear in 2013.

LISTEN HERE:

Caveman "In the City" mp3

Caveman "Where's the Time" mp3

BUY HERE:

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Futurebirds "Baba Yaga" - 2013 LP

After an 8 hour stretch of highway I needed a break.  Walking into the Dew Drop Inn of Mobile, Alabama felt like shakin' hands with an old friend.  The yocals didn't flinch when a road worn yippy bellied up to the bar.  I needed cold beer and stat.  I met regulars.  Listened to their stories.  Kids in college.  Kids not speaking to them.  Love lost and fortunes missed.  Brick layers hiding from their boss.  What turned into a pit stop, turned into an all afternoon dodgin' the heat and crushin' Kewr's Light.  For anyone who has ever hopped in a car and headed West.  Or drove through the South.  Or passed through big country up in Montana. Stopped in diners and dive bars.  Bought key chains with their girlfriend's name on it.  Chased great America through the dead of night.   Futurebirds "Baba Yaga" isn't just an album.  It's a road companion as essential as lottery scratchers, sunglasses, Creedence, and tobacco. 

LISTEN HERE:

Futurebirds "American Cowboy" mp3

Futurebirds "Tan Lines" mp3

BUY HERE:

Insound

The National "Mistaken For Strangers" Trailer