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WATERS – Out In The Light [Album Review]

October 31, 2011

WATERS is the band that emerged after Port O’Brien dissolved. Founding POB front man Van Pierszalowski fled the States for Oslo, Norway after the breakup before continuing his travels to Alaska where he’d spent time working with his father, a commercial fisherman. Then off to his hometown in Northern California, over to Brooklyn, then back [...]

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The Deep Dark Woods – The Place I Left Behind [Album Review]

October 19, 2011

There isn’t a band in existence that I’ve evangelized more than The Deep Dark Woods. I have recommended them to family and friends and nearly all have fallen in love with the warm folk sounds produced by these Canadians.  I was on a business trip not long ago and it was the most turbulent flight [...]

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James Vincent McMorrow – We Don’t Eat [Music Video]

October 17, 2011

James Vincent McMorrow made a splash with his debut album, Early In The Morning, released in March of last year. Dublin’s answer to Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) just released a video for “We Don’t Eat” which reminded me how great that album is, especially considering it was written and self-produced in an isolated house by [...]

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Justin Townes Earles Wins Song of the Year

October 17, 2011

Justin Townes Earle took home song of the year at the 2011 Americana Music Awards for “Harlem River Blues.” It was a fitting end to what has been a long year back from an abyss filled with addictions, demons, rehab and redemption. I have met Justin a handful of times, including a Cubs game with [...]

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The Barr Brothers – S/T Debut [Album Review]

October 14, 2011

“Hey! You harpist! Turn it down. C’mon, I’m trying to think over here.” Thankfully Brad Barr didn’t have that reaction when living next door to harpist Sarah Page or else I might have been robbed of one of the most pleasant surprises of the year. In a scene that can only be recreated in a [...]

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The Head and The Heart – Metro 10/4/11 [Concert Review]

October 7, 2011

I was introduced to The Head and The Heart last year right before they signed to Sub Pop Records. At the last minute, we crammed them into our Top 50 albums of 2010 (at 47), but they should have been much higher. If we had seem them live prior to compiling our list, they would [...]

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Peter Wolf Crier – Garden of Arms [Album Review]

October 6, 2011

The duo of Peter Pisano and Brian Moen are back for their sophomore effort with Garden of Arms. Inter-Be was a great debut – full of great songwriting and excellent musicianship. In describing them to friends, I’ve labeled them the folk Black Keys. Garden of Arms takes everything from Inter-Be, adds more layers, more loops [...]

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Megafaun – Self-Titled [Album Review]

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 [...]

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Elliott BROOD – Days Into Years [Album Review]

September 27, 2011

Long time HearYa favorites, Elliott BROOD are back with their 3rd effort entitled Days Into Years. And true to their rootsy form, the Toronto based trio does not disappoint. After a 5-day journey through the seasides towns, battlefields and cemeteries of the French and Belgian coasts, BROOD saw Canadian names etched in stone at a [...]

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Blitzen Trapper Love The Way You Walk Away [new mp3, Music Video]

September 12, 2011

Blitzen Trapper’s American Goldwing is out tomorrow via Sub Pop Records. For those of you that were miffed about the prog rock sound on their previous record, Destroyer of the Void, it’s time to stop your belly-aching. The Portlanders are back with an incredible Americana rock record. I’ll have more to say very soon, but [...]

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