Weekly Roundup Aug 11 – 17, 2013
Apologies for the delay in this latest Weekly Roundup post, but I was hosting a good friend over the weekend. Here now is a quick batch of songs and videos, plus shows to check out this week.
Vikesh Kapoor: I Dreamt Blues
Vikesh Kapoor is set to release his debut album in the growing family of the Portland based Mama Bird Recording Co. this October 15th. It will be entitled The Ballad of Willy Robbins. Drawing inspiration from his family roots in rural Pennsylvania, Vikesh Kapoor writes material which centralizes around the hardship of the working class American, but expressed through the character study of Willy Robbins. In other words, the character is the vehicle for his compositions and stories. In this way Vikesh Kapoor is continuing the tradition of American troubadours like Woody Guthrie and Tom Waits.
In the single I Dreamt Blues, Vikesh paints the picture of a seemingly endless work cycle and the feelings of apathy or insignificance in the face of great power which can accompany that lifestyle. His lyrics are poignant, beautifully written, and should give you pause for repose when considered. Please read on for my full thoughts.
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Julianna Barwick Nepenthe First Listen
Julianna Barwick releases her newest album Nepenthe on Tuesday, but NPR's got a first listen link you should not miss.
Sound City
I saw Sound City earlier this year. It's an interesting documentary, directed by Dave Grohl, about the titular recording studio. Read on for my thoughts.
NYC Show Picks This Week August 13 Edition
Here are some show picks for the week in NYC.
Weekly Roundup Aug 4 – 10, 2013
Good morning. Lots happened over the past week, but we all know the only thing that really mattered: the return of Breaking Bad. It's great to have it back. Speaking of great, here's a new Weekly Roundup with some great new music and videos.
Stefan Weiner – Sardines
Our friend Stefan Weiner has a cool new project on the cusp of release called the Potluck EP. It features interesting collaborations with a variety of songwriters, including Mree for the track "Sardines."
Julian Lage and Chris Eldridge: Close To Picture EP
The Close To Picture EP was released recently on August 6, 2013. The responsible parties are Julian Lage and Chris Eldridge who is best known for his work with the prolific Punch Brothers. Close To Picture is a four track EP available to own at only four dollars. It is a small collection of thought provoking works for acoustic guitar. The melodies and compositional forms are engaging, and the performances are highly virtuosic. Seldom do guitar players in this medium perform with this high of a sense of shape, tone, musicality, and composition. In their own words, "With Lage’s background in modern jazz and new music, and Eldridge’s deep relationship with bluegrass as well as his being a member of the widely acclaimed band, Punch Brothers, this duo lives at the nexus of improvisation, spontaneous composition, and virtuosic refinement, all performed on their respective 1939 Martin guitars."
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Episode 5 Tests and Breasts
Today, we have a new installment of the music of Freaks and Geeks series. It's on Episode 5, "Tests and Breasts," where Lindsay helps Daniel cheat on a math test and Sam goes through sex ed in a less conventional way. Let's talk about love.
Pay The Devil: Money For Old Rope EP
Since 2011, friends of the Dig Pay The Devil have worked to become a regular component of the Milwaukee Wisconsin music scene. The four piece band is comprised of Ivan Eisenberg on banjo, harmonica, and vocals, Ivan Wayne Baker III on guitar, and vocals, Matt Gibbons on mandolin, and vocals, and finally Kent Heberling on spoons, kick drum, and snare. Their newest EP is entitled Money For Old Rope and was released this week on August 6, 2013. True to their nature, it is a mix of Bluegrass, Americana, and new compositions which speak to the audience through the filter of traditional music.
Read on for my complete thoughts. You dig?
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