Tag: bsides

TOTD: Jesse Daniel “Gracie Henrietta”

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It’s Friday night! Are you guys partying? The second you hit a lull and need a pick me up, throw this song on the house playlist to part like it’s 1955 (but now you have MDMA and Tinder). I really can’t get enough of this song. Whoever is playing the piano is absolutely ripping!

 

“Jesse Daniel’s self-titled debut album sounds both fresh and familiar from beginning to end. Pairing classic country styling with honest and compelling lyrics, Jesse’s album plays like an old favorite with a twist that is both edgy and uniquely his own.”

– Zach Taylor, Raised Rowdy

I really couldn’t agree more with this quote from Jesse’s website. When I read a bit about Jesse on his website, it seems that he has a deeply American story to tell, full of broken families, picking yourself up by the bootstraps, homesteading, heart break, and so much more. If you are tired of pop-country that you hear on the radio, but want some intellectual twang in your life, you can’t go wrong with Jesse Daniel.

 

-Caleb

 

Mid-Day Music Blast: Gabe Greenland “Only a Vibe”

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Spotify Link

“What’s that smell? I’m smoking kush Ma.”

Man this is one of my favorite songs at the moment. There are just so many relatable moments, like the one I quoted above (not that I was telling Ma I was smoking kush haha). There’s also a lyric that references That’s So Raven, he talks about kissing strangers and the loneliness that comes with it, he talks about moving away. This song is just hitting all the right angles for me and that’s before you get to the really sick horn solo around 2:30-3:00 minute mark.

“I’m so sick of kissing strangers

they can’t quell my craven anger

that’s so raven brazen sports….books? bras?”

Sorry I don’t know the last word, but I’m telling you, you have to go listen to this song right now. It’s only a feeling, but I guarantee you’ll love the vibe. 😉

Image result for gabe greenland bandcamp

If you are looking for more Gabe Greenland, go spend so money on his bandcamp page right here. 

Look out for this song on our June playlist soon, in the meantime, check out our May playlist.

-Caleb

TOTD: Mutant Daisies “Good People (Acoustic)”

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It’s been two years since Conor Oberst released anything. Supposedly he has an album coming out soon (thankfully), but in the meantime, I’ve found a suitable replacement. Mutant Daises have created this 7 minute epic that mixes folk music, philosophy, and haunting vocals to create a beautiful track that keeps me wanting more, despite the long run time.

Image may contain: 2 people, people smiling, people standing and outdoor

“And they say that all good people suffer sorrow,
And they say that all good people turn their heads,
All the liars hide and weep,
In the secrets that they keep,
And they say that all good people suffer sorrow”

This actually fits in pretty well with some discussion we had on our more recent podcast (listen here) about why bad things happen to good people. I tend to think there isn’t some cosmic reason or anything, though I understand why some people think there needs to be. But I think Mutant Daisies definitely bring up that painful question in an important way throughout this song.

Let’s end with this: The term Mutant Daisies comes from this picture:

Image result for mutant daisies

Now after checking Snopes, it seems a little iffy on if these mutant daisies were actually caused by nuclear radiation after Fukishima, but it is possible. And honestly, sometimes I’m not sure they need to be true for the image to matter. Now obviously, fake news is fake news, and it’s negative in it’s own way. But if this causes people to consider the environmental impact humans have on nature, I think that’s positive.

 

They say that only good mother nature suffers sorrow.

 

-Caleb

 

TOTD: Into the Ark “Caroline”

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Everyone from Neil Diamond to OutKast have written about their experiences with a girl named Caroline. Aminé, Noah Gundersen, and Netherfriends are among the multitude who have written their reviews of Caroline in the last ten years alone. Add Into the Ark to those ranks with their new song… “Caroline.” Of course.

That is where the similarities end though. This track is phenomenal. I also like that this song starts out going in a much different direction than most songs about the famous Caroline.

“I was the deer and you were the car. Such pretty lights to the eye that doesn’t know that the feeling of weightless means the higher you fly, the further you fall.”

These lyrics set the stage for a much different love story.

Then, the falsetto in the chorus really takes the song to another level as you learn that “only Caroline can do this to you. Only Caroline can be this cruel. Caroline will beat you at the only game you know.”

In summation, Caroline’s have been having an impact on musicians since the beginning of time, and the guys at Into the Ark were able to break free of the Caroline Curse* and write this vulnerable song about their time together.

*The Caroline Curse is not a real (proven) thing, and all Carolines I know are wonderful and beautiful people.

Spotify Link

-Seth

Daily Video Feature: Yung Heazy – Cuz You’re My Girl

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Does anyone else get reminded of The Truman Show by this video? That heartbreaking scene where he is trying to piece together the face of the woman he loved but gotten taken away form him? I don’t think this song is meant to be sad; it’s a really beautiful love song or ode.

 

From his Youtube channel, Yung Heazy describes it as follows: “I decided months later the day before Valentine’s Day that I would take a crack at recording it and present it to her as a gift. I wrote a lot of this song on the spot, the guitar solo was one take, a lot of the lyrics were improvised… Maybe people connect with it because of that? I didn’t have any ambitions for this, I just wanted to make something true and honest to share between two people. I think the recording is very loose but that’s what I like about it, it’s not perfect, not to be taken too seriously, I don’t know.”

 

I think he’s pretty spot on, I connect with the looseness and improvisation. I connect with that because of how genuine it feels. I think his last thought about making something true is exactly what I think good art is about. What’s that quote about art telling lies to tell a deeper truth? The best art certainly does, and Yung Heazy is making some great art.

 

Want more Yung Heazy? Check them out on Spotify. 

 

TOTD: RHAIN “SOLID GOLD”

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This song! RHAIN’s new release, Solid Gold, is something truly exciting to hear. The song starts out three steps away from a lullaby, but you can hear the intensity behind RHAIN’s voice from the beginning, and know that she is just starting to show off. Very few vocalists are as comfortable with being vulnerable as they are with barreling their power down your throat. RHAIN is one of those artists. Close your eyes while listening to it, and you can see her singing a child to sleep just as easily as you can see her rallying troops and preparing for battle.

“We only want to cut your heart out to see if it is solid gold, We only want to cut you heart out, and rise it from it’s cage of bone.”

RHAIN writes like Regina Spektor with a chip on her shoulder, sounds like First Aid Kit, and has Half Waif’s instrumentation. Do not miss out on her. We almost did, but are so glad we came across her.

Listen to the SoundCloud link above, or go follow her on Spotify.

TOTD: Flor and the Sea – “Dark Minds”

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You guys HAVE to check out this video. The song itself has this really great ambiance and use of spacey vocals, but the video really drives this whole project home. Anyone want to share their theories? The woodland creatures as a metaphor for a certain type of relationship? I just love the way this video is shot too, so many interesting angles on everyday sort of situations, especially the dark car shots. If you are looking for more from them, check them out on Spotify, we will be adding them to our monthly TOTD playlists at the end of the month.

 

TOTD: Ferentz and the Felons “Hudson County”

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This video just felt so nostalgic. It made me sad and happy and reminded me of memories I’ve never even had. I’m also pretty impressed with the production value on this video, and the song of course. Ferentz and the Felons sing: “I’m packing my bags and moving on to something new.” I think we’ve all felt that at various points in our lives, and it comes with an intense mix of hope for the future and sadness for the past you’re leaving behind. The city you leave behind will never be the same when you come back for visits. Hope you guys enjoyed this song as much as I did.

 

-Caleb