Strand Of Oaks

Damien Jurado tweets that this version of “Ohio” is better than his own.

by oz on April 8, 2011

I spoke with Tim (aka Strand of Oaks) after his set at The Earl in Atlanta the other night, and he was on top of the world. Damien Jurado recently took notice of our Strand of Oaks session and tweeted to his followers that the Strand Of Oaks cover of  “Ohio” was better than his own. “Ohio” is a song obsession for both Tim and I, (for me, dating back to my college days in Oxford, OH) so it’s only natural that we shared a mutual chubby over this tweet by Jurado.

Our  conversation went something like this (in the tone of two 14 year old girls with Bieber fever):

Tim: Can you believe Jurado tweeted that?! That was amazing!
Me: Yeah. That was awesome! I’m pumped that he was listening to music on our site!

We resisted the urge to hold hands and jump up and down screaming, but that feeling was palpable.

Shirk randomly texted a few minutes later saying he was cutting a video for “Ohio.” Here it is, along with the mp3.

Exclusive: Strand of Oaks – Ohio (Damien Jurado Cover)

In our first session with Strand of Oaks, Tim also covered Springsteen’s “Used Cars.”

Exclusive: Strand of Oaks – Used Cars (Bruce Springsteen Cover)

 

{ 3 comments }

Joe Pug covered Tex Thomas last night at The Earl. Tex who?

by oz on April 7, 2011

Joe Pug and Strand of Oaks played an early show at The Earl in Atlanta last night. I’d review the show, but do I really need to say more about Joe and Tim? It’s impossible not to love both of these artists and I’m proud to have been introduced to their music very early on in their careers.  Take the time to check out the tour dates. It’ll be the best $10 you’ve spent in awhile.

Other than seeing Joe accompanied by upright bass and an incredible lead guitarist on this tour, one of the highlights from last night was seeing Pug cover an Austin, TX singer/songwriter named Tex Thomas. I don’t have the song title, but it’s a great two minutes of song. Anyone out there familiar with Tex Thomas?

Video: Joe Pug covers Tex Thomas (Live at The Earl in Atlanta, 4/6/11)

{ 4 comments }

Strand Of Oaks, Live Session #86

by oz on March 29, 2011

It’s been great to watch Strand Of Oaks (Tim Showalter) gain in popularity over the past couple years. It’s been a very organic, word-of-mouth process, but it he’s still indie music’s best kept secret. His passion is rivaled by that of his fans and his genuineness further endears him to those that love his music.

So back in October, a year since our previous Strand Of Oaks session, Tim called up producer Steve Shirk and said he was in Chicago with some time to kill. There weren’t any managers or publicists coordinating dates, times and backline for a HearYa Live Session. Two friends just decided to meet at the studio to catch up on life and music. They started tinkering around and then recorded an impromptu session. Because that’s what they do. Tim Showalter on lead guitar, vocals, and keys. Steve Shirk on camera ops and studio controls.

I’m sometimes amazed at what a solo musician is able to accomplish. We mentioned Strand Of Oaks joining Joe Pug on tour and they both have a unique ability to offer profound songwriting and sound bigger than themselves. Tim’s music is often desolate, much like Springsteen’s Nebraska, but the space he creates keeps your attention and leaves you hanging on every word.

Most of these songs can be found on Strand Of Oaks’ latest album, Pope Killdragon, with the exception of his take on one of my all time favorite songs, “Ohio,” by Damien Jurado.

Strand Of Oaks Introduction

Exclusive: Strand Of Oaks – Bonfire (Videos: Vimeo | YouTube)

Exclusive: Strand Of Oaks – Alex Kona

Exclusive: Strand Of Oaks – Ohio (Damien Jurado Cover)

Exclusive: Strand Of Oaks – Kill Dragon (Videos: Vimeo | YouTube)

Download the Strand Of Oaks Live Session as a zip file.

Video: Strand Of Oaks – Bonfire (Live at Shirk Music + Sound in Chicago)

Video: Strand Of Oaks – Kill Dragon (Live at Shirk Music + Sound in Chicago)

 

 

{ 7 comments }

Joe Pug and Strand of Oaks Cover Each Other’s Songs, Begin Tour

by oz on March 28, 2011

I have two special treats today. The first is an announcement that two of my favorite songwriters, Joe Pug and Strand of Oaks (aka Timothy Showalter) are embarking on a tour together. The second is that, to kick off the announcement, each artist covered a favorite song from the other. Pug chose to record “End In Flames” off of Strand of Oaks’ debut album Leave Ruin while Strand of Oaks chose to cover “Hymn #101,” the song from Pug’s debut EP that put him on the map.

You’ll find tour dates below the mp3′s. I’m planning to be at the show in Atlanta.

Joe Pug – End In Flames (Strand of Oaks Cover)

Strand of Oaks – Hymn #101 (Joe Pug Cover)

Previously posted:

Strand of Oaks – End In Flames (Album Version)

Strand of Oaks – End In Flames (from the Hearya Live Session)

Joe Pug – Hymn #101 (from the HearYa Live Session)

Joe Pug + Strand of Oaks Tour Dates

March 31 Austin, TX–Mohawk
April 1 Houston, TX–Mucky Duck
April 2 Dallas, TX–The Loft
April 3 Knoxville, TN–Rhythm and Blooms Festival (JP Only)
April 5 Asheville, NC–The Grey Eagle
April 6 Atlanta, GA–The Earl
April 7 Birmingham, AL–Workplay
April 8 Nashville, TN–The Basement
April 9 Charlotte, NC–The Evening Muse
April 11 Chapel Hill, NC–Local 506
April 12 Charlottesville, VA–The Southern
April 13 Washington, DC–The Black Cat
April 14 Philadelphia, PA–Johnny Brendas
April 15 Brooklyn, NY–The Rock Shop
April 16 New York, NY–The Mercury Lounge
April 18 Boston, MA–Middle East Upstairs
April 19 Williamstown, MA–Private Show
April 20 Toronto, ON–The Horseshoe
April 21 Buffalo NY–9th Ward
April 22 Cleveland, OH–Beachland Tavern
April 23 Pittsburgh, PA–The Club Cafe
April 26 Columbus, OH–Rumba Cafe
April 27 Champaign, IL–The Canopy Club
April 28 Bloomington, IN–The Bishop
April 29 Chicago, IL–Lincoln Hall
April 30 St. Paul, MN–Turf Club
May 1 Madison, WI–High Noon Saloon
May 2 Iowa City, IA–The Blue Moose
May 3 St. Louis, MO–Off Broadway
May 4 Lawrence, KS–The Bottleneck
May 6 Denver, CO–Hi Dive
May 7 Colorado Springs, CO–Fuel/Friends House Show
May 8 Salt Lake City, UT–Kilby Court
May 10 Pullman, WA–BellTower
May 11 Bellingham, WA–The Green Frog
May 12 Vancouver, CAN–The Media Club
May 13 Seattle, WA–Tractor Tavern
May 14 Portland, OR–The Doug Fir
May 15 Willamina, OR–Wildwood Hotel
May 17 San Francisco, CA–Bottom of the Hill
May 18 Santa Cruz, CA–The Crepe Place
May 19 San Diego, CA–The Casbah
May 20 Los Angeles, CA–The Satellite (formerly Spaceland)
May 21 Tempe, AZ–The Sail Inn
May 22 Albuquerque, NM–Low Spirits
May 24 Oklahoma City, NM–The Blue Door

{ 2 comments }

Strand Of Oaks – Pope Killdragon [Album Review]

October 20, 2010

Strand Of Oaks (aka Timothy Showalter) faces the same dilemma that The Acorn faced in following up their debut Glory Hope Mountain. Both had released deeply personal albums where the back story  carried as much weight as the actual songs. But much like The Acorn’s follow up No Ghost, Strand Of Oaks’ Pope Kildragon is [...]

3 comments Read the full article →

Strand of Oaks – Leave Ruin [Album Review]

April 16, 2009

Strand of Oaks is a bit deceptive as a moniker since the band is really just one man named Timothy Showalter. He’s an Indiana native that’s now living as a school teacher and school bus driver in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. He’s also a brilliant songwriter that has quietly released a stunning debut album called Leave Ruin. [...]

6 comments Read the full article →