Megafaun

Megafaun – Self-Titled [Album Review]

by Woody on September 28, 2011

Megafaun are one of my favorite bands. Their combination of American Beauty-esque Dead elements, hints of Southern twang and a pinch of Laurel Canyon sound makes for a worthy concoction. Add in their willingness and ability to push the envelope with unique elements makes them a truly special band. With HearYa friend BJ Burton at the helm as producer, Megafaun’s latest self-titled effort is their best yet.

Their sound has always sounded spontaneous – like they picked up instruments and began composing on the fly. We witnessed this feeling in our live session when drummer Joe Westerlund threw a kit together like MacGyver while Phil and Brad Cook plugged in. When asked if they wanted to run one through to warm up, they responded with “Nah, we’ll figure it out.”

The opening tune is aptly named “Real Slow.” After opening with a wandering acoustic, the song gently kicks into gear with Westerlund’s percussion and a guitar lick with shades of Jerry Garcia. I don’t know if “Real Slow” is meant to be truth in advertising or just a coincidence, but it’s these slowed down, gentler moments on Megafaun’s latest that shine.

Another standout track is “Everything” featuring Frazey Ford of The Be Good Tanyas. Her voice is achingly beautiful and it fits in wonderfully with Megafaun’s effortless folk sound. The ballad “Hope You Know” is a gorgeous ballad centered around a simple piano riff as Westerlund keeps a lazy beat – their vocal harmonies floating effortlessly above.

For those not in the know, these guys were in a band with Justin Vernon of Bon Iver fame. As Vernon was racking up accolades and kicking it with Kanye, I was telling anybody that would listen that Megafaun was better than Bon Iver and that they were missing the boat. Now that I’ve finally come around on Bon Iver (I love his latest release), my hope is that more people will come to know and love Megafaun. For Chicagoans, head out to Schubas tonight to see them in person.

Megafaun – Get Right

Megafaun – State/Meant

Here’s a video from our Live Session with Megafaun. The song “Volunteers” is from their EP, Heretofore.

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Megafaun – Heretofore [Album Review]

by Woody on September 22, 2010

There are a number of things that I love about Megafaun. I love the way they are able to blend simple folk with  ambitious experimental sounds. The way their music comes off as improvised, yet meticulous. The way that they can stretch tunes out over 5 minutes with minimal effort.

Their latest mini-album, Heretofore, combines all of these elements into six special songs. There’s “Eagle,” a sprawling six-plus minute rambling piece of freak-folk that has more wacky left turns than New Jersey. Then there’s the tune they played for us in the studio for our live session. “Volunteers” is one of the simpler songs that Megafaun has written, but it’s absolutely gorgeous. That day in the studio, while Joe was rummaging around for parts in effort to build a drum kit, Phil and Brad rehearsed the melody and chorus and it hooked us immediately. The chorus is still in my head to this day: “Sun light, silhouettes of dogwood trees, swayin’ all alone in the Carolina breeze.” When they played it all the way through, I realized that”Volunteers” may just be my favorite tune of the year.

Megafaun – Volunteers

Megafaun – Volunteers (HearYa Session)

Video: Megafaun – Volunteers (Live at Shirk Music + Sound for a HearYa Live Session)

Megafaun – “Volunteers” – HearYa Live Session 4/8/10 from HearYa.com on Vimeo.

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Megafaun to release mini-album Heretofore. Give away Carolina Days [new mp3]

by oz on September 13, 2010

Megafaun will release their mini-album, Heretofore, tomorrow. To wet our appetites, they’ve also released a free mp3 of “Carolina Days.”

Megafaun – Carolina Days

You can also hear (and see) another new song called “Volunteers” from the album, recorded live in studio for our HearYa Live Session.

Megafaun – Volunteers

Megafaun – Volunteers (recorded live at Shirk Music + Sound)

Megafaun – “Volunteers” – HearYa Live Session 4/8/10 from HearYa.com on Vimeo.

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Megafaun, Live Session #72

by Woody on June 4, 2010

Megafaun Session

As Shirk and I sat around waiting for Megafaun to arrive to the studio, I thought back to a comment made when we booked the session. What exactly did they mean by “trying an acoustic session.” That question was answered when we met the North Carolina based band outside and offered to help carry up gear. Phil and Brad Cook just grabbed a banjo and acoustic and away we went upstairs. Once inside, drummer Joe Westerlund fashioned himself a makeshift drum kit from what was lying around the studio and the brothers saddled up for a magical session.

The boys eased through a three song set that left us in awe. The new tune called “Volunteers,” from their upcoming summer mini-albume Heretofore, is a stunning piece of lazy folk. It’ll have you humming along, singing the lyrics, and looking for a hammock in no time. These lines will be stuck in my head all weekend: “Sunlight silhouettes the dogwood trees/ Swaying all alone in the Carolina breeze.”

“The Longest Day” and “Columns” can be found on the band’s 2009 release, Gather, Form and Fly. Just like “Volunteers,” you’ll be overwhelmed by the warmth in the Cook brothers’ harmonies (and beards) in “The Longest Day.” “Columns” finished out the set with levity in lighthearted, rag-tag bluegrass style.

Thankfully, I was able to make my way down to see them that night at The Bottle. On a night that Chicago was teeming with great shows (Devil Makes Three & Trampled By Turtles at The Double Door, Deer Tick at The Bottom Lounge), it only took me a couple of tunes to realize I had made a very wise decision. Unlike the acoustic, laid back session, Megafaun turned it up a notch on stage and rocked out.

Megafaun’s new album should be out soon and we’ll be sure to keep you posted. Based on “Volunteers” and the other new tunes we heard at The Bottle, it is going to be stellar. In the meantime wet your ear drums with these tracks and videos.

Band Introduction

Exclusive: Megafaun – Volunteers (videos: Vimeo | YouTube)

Exclusive: Megafaun – The Longest Day (videos: Vimeo | YouTube)

Exclusive: Megafaun – Columns

Download the Megafaun Live Session as a zip file.

Video: Megafaun – Volunteers (Live in Chicago at Shirk Music + Sound)

Video: Megafaun – The Longest Day (Live in Chicago at Shirk Music + Sound)

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Megafaun – Gather, Form and Fly [Album Review]

August 10, 2009

The other day, I was driving back a meeting and was listening to Megafaun’s phenomenal new LP, Gather, Form and Fly. I was immediately overwhelmed by its stunning beauty and brilliance. I liked their previous release, Bury The Square, but this is in another league. The songs are tighter, better written and the instrumental interludes [...]

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