A new EP called Composure was released today featuring Kentucky based MC Alan Poe and L.A. producer Beatnick Dee on Below System Records featuring the single "Free My Mind".
The EP also features Cashius Green, Deacon The Villain, Cashus King and Versailles The Everything.
Friday, October 27, 2017
Monday, October 16, 2017
Album Review: Cory Branan "Adios" LP
One could say that Cory Branan was Sturgill Simpson before Sturgill Simpson. At least before Simpson became a recording artist.
Born in Memphis and raised in Mississippi, Branan cut his teeth during the early Outlaw Revival of the late 1990s and early 2000s with contemporaries like Scott H. Biram and Lucero (although yet to reach the same success or notoriety), self-releasing his first album, The Hell You Say, in 2001 before moving to the now defunct MADJACK Records in 2002 (the same path as Lucero) after which landing at Bloodshot Records (same as Biram).
Branan's work has always towed the fine line between singer/songwriter and outlaw poet; half Waylon Jennings and half Nick Lowe. His earlier songs also see-sawed between heartbreaking and slapstick, such as the song Crush from his 1st album, with the sweet to goofy lyrics "Remember that Halloween when I went as Jimmy Dean? You were a princess, or a gypsy, or... whatever, I was James Dean! and I had a crush on you."
His newest, Adios, released in April, is more focused, with the sweet and heartbroken Outlaw moments safely separated from the more goofy tracks instead of whipped up together.
Much like Sturgill Simpson, Branan mixes his southern Appalachian sentiment with southern gospel undertones, as evident on the track Imogene, with its blend of acoustic guitars and electric organ.
On Adios, Branan seems to come to terms with his place just outside of the spotlight in the ever increasing popularity of the Outlaw Revival movement regardless of being on the forefront all those years ago.
Then again with this more thought out offering with honest heartbreakers like Equinox and Cold Blue Moonlight, Adios may just deliver him into the light before long.
Cory Branan will be at Zanzabar on 11/4. $10)
Born in Memphis and raised in Mississippi, Branan cut his teeth during the early Outlaw Revival of the late 1990s and early 2000s with contemporaries like Scott H. Biram and Lucero (although yet to reach the same success or notoriety), self-releasing his first album, The Hell You Say, in 2001 before moving to the now defunct MADJACK Records in 2002 (the same path as Lucero) after which landing at Bloodshot Records (same as Biram).
Branan's work has always towed the fine line between singer/songwriter and outlaw poet; half Waylon Jennings and half Nick Lowe. His earlier songs also see-sawed between heartbreaking and slapstick, such as the song Crush from his 1st album, with the sweet to goofy lyrics "Remember that Halloween when I went as Jimmy Dean? You were a princess, or a gypsy, or... whatever, I was James Dean! and I had a crush on you."
His newest, Adios, released in April, is more focused, with the sweet and heartbroken Outlaw moments safely separated from the more goofy tracks instead of whipped up together.
Much like Sturgill Simpson, Branan mixes his southern Appalachian sentiment with southern gospel undertones, as evident on the track Imogene, with its blend of acoustic guitars and electric organ.
On Adios, Branan seems to come to terms with his place just outside of the spotlight in the ever increasing popularity of the Outlaw Revival movement regardless of being on the forefront all those years ago.
Then again with this more thought out offering with honest heartbreakers like Equinox and Cold Blue Moonlight, Adios may just deliver him into the light before long.
Cory Branan will be at Zanzabar on 11/4. $10)
Friday, October 6, 2017
Album Review: Watter 'History Of The Future' LP
In 2014 the Louisville instrumental group Watter broke onto the scene with the highly regarded 7 track "This World" LP on Jeremy DeVine's Temporary Residence record label. The 3 piece band consisting of Multi-instrumentalist Zak Riles (of Grails), drummer Britt Walford (of Evergreen, Breeders), and Tyler Trotter embody an indie rock supergroup; emboldened by their 2015 conceptual album with Bonnie "prince" Billy, The Devil Is People, under the name Bonnie Stillwatter.
Watter's place in Louisville music history will be solidified when their 2nd LP, History Of The Future is released on October 20th (also on Temporary Residence).
At its core History builds on the lightly woven soundscape laid out on This World but is more dynamic sonically; borrowing from many genres including math rock, jazz, dream pop, electronic, and classical among others. "History" also takes on qualities of a film score; as if David Lynch and John Carpenter made a soundtrack backed by The Drift and produced by Johnny Jewel (Symmetry, Chromatics).
The first 3 tracks are heavily influenced by Carpenter, especially the opener Telos, and mirror the soundtracks to Halloween or Assault On Precinct 13 with driving deep bass tones and ominous synthesizers before the album reaches a melodic center and settles into the calm Watter tones found on This World.
The list of guest appearances on History are a venerable Who's Who of Louisville legends, including Dom Cipola (Phantom Family Halo), Todd Cook (Jaye Jayle), Nathan Salsburg, and Rachel Grimes (Rachel's). Grimes influence is especially present on the last track, Final Sunrise, an uplifting piano driven track that would be right at home on one of Grimes' solo efforts.
Overall, History Of The Future takes the listener on a sonic tour of the instrumentalist playbook, incorporating audio clips, live instrumentation, and a plethora of synthesized emotions. History is a must have for fans of Louisville's early 1990s experimental heyday and will no doubt find it's place on many End-of-the-Year critics lists.
Order here
Tuesday, October 3, 2017
10/19: Amplify Peace at Faulkner Gallery
Amplify Peace: Saving Syrian Lives is a multi-city tour that aims to increase awareness of the humanitarian crisis in Syria and help gather support and resources to save the lives of Syrians affected by war. The tour kicks off on October 19th at the Tim Faulkner Gallery featuring Arab American artists Omar Offendum, Bassel & The Supernaturals, Kayem, Ronnie Malley & the Turath Ensemble and DJ Bella Loki and is sponsored by the Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS).
Monday, October 2, 2017
10/7: The Lone Bellow at Headliners
The Brooklyn/Nashville group Lone Bellow, fronted by singer Zach Williams is returning to Louisville on October 7 to play at Headliners Music Hall in support of their latest album, "Walk Into a Storm," which was just released Friday September 15th.