March 2010

seabear

I don’t know anyone from Iceland. What do Icelanders look like? I’m picturing white hair…maybe silver like tinsel. Steely blue eyes. Very pale and very thin, like Donny Wahlberg standing in his tighty whities in that creepy bathroom scene in Sixth Sense. Do they only eat fish? Do they give good high-fives? I bet they really know how to party (I actually know this to be true).

Seabear is an English singing Icelandic septet that recently released their sophomore album, We Build A Fire. They’ve been compared to Sufjan Stevens and Arcade Fire and despite those comparisons, I really like them. They give me that same feeling I got when I first listened to Great Lake Swimmers’ folk stunner, Ongiara. The vocals don’t standout because they blend into the stringed arrangements to join the fabric of each song. It’s an atmospheric album that might not stand out right away, but it will. It will slowly seep into your pores.

I regret missing this band at SxSW. I bet they give great hugs. I also regret that Shirk will be out of town this weekend, so we won’t be able to make a session happen with them. If you’re in Chicago, check them out at Schubas on Friday. We’ll be covering the show and would love to compare notes.

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Seabear – Lion Faced Boy

Video: Seabear – I’ll Build You A Fire

Seabear – I’ll Build You A Fire from seabear on Vimeo.

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Brothers Joey, Andy and the band stopped in our studio during Lollapalooza for a live session, early morning bloody mary’s and several laughs. The band recently signed to one of our favorite labels, TBD Records, which is also home to Radiohead, Port O’Brien, White Rabbits and Other Lives. Head over here to download the session.

Exclusive: The Henry Clay People – Switch Kids (HearYa Live Session version)

Catch them on tour with Drive-By Truckers:

May Tour With Drive By Truckers

May 5th Rialto Theatre Tucson, AZ
May 6th House Of Blues San Diego, CA
May 7th Avalon Ballroom LA, CA
May 8th Fillmore Theater San Fran, CA
May 12th In The Venue Salt Lake City, Utah
May 13th Boulder Theater Boulder, CO
May 14th Aggie Theater Ft. Collins, CO
May 15th Belly Up Aspen, CO

Video: The Henry Clay People – Something In The Water

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Yes, you heard me. Awesome. Our blog has a crush on her after our party at SxSW. Lissie could sing the phone book and I’d listen.

Also check out our live session with Lissie.

Video: Lissie – Bad Romance (Lady Gaga Cover)

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Wilco on La Blogotheque

by oz on March 30, 2010

Wilco still hasn’t made it in for a HearYa Live Session, but it’s only a matter of time before Tweedy and gang give us a call or show up on our doorstep. Until then, check out their “Take Away Show” from La Blogotheque, the quintessential video sessions.

Video: Wilco – Country Disappeared

Wilco – Country Disappeared – A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

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Woody’s Best Sets, Surprises and Highlights of SxSW 2010

March 29, 2010

Four days, miles walked, countless venues, endless street food and somewhere in the vicinity of 45 bands witnessed. Somewhere in the middle of that, we also threw a pretty damn good party. Best Sets of Each Day Wednesday – Joe Pug: His set at the Paste party was awesome. Although I pretty much know all [...]

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Nick Jaina’s Days In My Room [Video Premiere]

March 29, 2010

Nick Jaina was a songwriter I’d never heard of until last week when we were asked to premiere his new video for “Days In My Room.” He’s been putting out music for 5+ years, but his new album may find him the audience he’s been looking for. Much like fellow Portland folk songwriter, Leonard Mynx, [...]

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RIP Jim Marshall – Rock Photography Icon.

March 28, 2010

Jim Marshall is a rock and roll photography icon, best known for the image above. He was one of a very few photographers invited into the inner circles of musicians in the 60′s and 70′s including the likes of Hendrix, Joplin, The Stones, The Dead, and more. NPR has a nice remembrance here. He died [...]

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Joe Pug – The Door Is Always Open, from the HearYa SxSW 2010 Party

March 27, 2010

Joe Pug has been a HearYa favorite since the very beginning with the release of his free Nation of Heat EP. He’s since come into the studio for a HearYa Live Session, played in both of our SxSW parties, and put out one of our favorite records of 2010 with his new release, The Messenger. [...]

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Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – Beat The Devil’s Tattoo [Album Review]

March 26, 2010

Back in the mid 90′s, I was a high school kid rummaging through used CD stores to find anything others in my high school weren’t listening to. By all accounts, I was a jock, so discussing the brilliance of albums by Pavement, Jawbox and Uncle Tupelo with an eccentric record store owner was a form [...]

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The Low Anthem – To The Ghosts Who Write History Books, from the HearYa SxSW 2010 Party

March 25, 2010

The Low Anthem didn’t perform “To The Ghosts Who Write History Books” during our live session, much to my disappointment. It’s an overlooked track from their stellar ’09 album, Oh My God, Charlie Darwin, and places their songwriting prowess at the forefront. Once I heard them introduce the song at our SxSW 2010 party, I [...]

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