Sam Quinn is set to release his first solo album, The Fake That Sank 1,000 Ships, on May 11th via Ramseur Records (a HearYa label fav). We are digesting a promo copy of the album as we speak and it’s a devastatingly beautiful batch of sad songs. Quinn Put it best: “Pop songs are chemically engineered to make you feel great. These ones take a slightly different approach.”
Woody and I exchanged IM’s about the album and it went something like this:
Woody: Did you listen to Sam Quinn yet?
Oz: Not yet. Is it sad?
Woody: It’s not happy, that’s for damn sure. The pedal steel sweeping through each tune is enough to bring you to tears.
Woody: I want to get lost in his beard.
Oz: No shit. That thing is amazing. He looks like the lion from The Wizard of Oz. He makes Dan Auerbach look like Pee Wee Herman.
Oz: I think there’s a family of sparrows nesting in there somewhere.
The beard talk continued from there, but we should be ready to discuss the music on the album very soon. Before The Everybodyfields broke up we got a taste of Sam’s solo work in “Mardi Gras” and “Gun” in our HearYa Live Session with The Everybodyfields. Sam and Ramseur Records were also gracious enough to offer “Suite Motown” from the album to y’all.
The Everybodyfields posted this letter on their website. The abbreviated version is “Thanks. We’re done. Come out and see our solo projects.”
Dear friends,
We have had such a blast playing for all of you in the past five or more years. We have slept on your couches, floors, patches of grass, and the occasional dog bed. We have drank your beer, eaten your burgers, and laughed and laughed with many of you until the early morning hours. We have played shows for you from Seattle, Washington to Portland, Maine. We have played venues such as The Kennedy Center, The Fillmore East, and the Johnson City Mall (our first show as a band). There have been happy times. There have also been hard times. But, most of all, when we set out to play music years ago, we knew that we couldn’t do it alone. We needed you. Every last one of you. And you have always been there.
So, it is with heavy, hopeful and forward-looking hearts that we are now saying so long for now to the everybodyfields so that we can officially pursue our own solo careers.
Jill Andrews (www.jillandrews.com and www.myspace.com/jillandrewsmusic)
Sam Quinn and Japan Ten (www.myspace.com/samquinnjapanten).
We still need you. Maybe more now than ever.
So, come join us on the road, check out our new songs, and maybe even feed us when we are in your town. We won’t stop giving to you our honest and heartfelt songs. Oh and we can still be found at www.theeverybodyfields.com where you can buy our music and merch. And who knows, maybe one day you’ll find some new stuff there, too.
Until next time, thank you for your support. We will see you soon.
The artwork above was found at Colorcubic, an ultra-hip design firm that handles multimedia, print, branding, etc. This poster will be made available in their online store.
We may say good riddance to 2008 as a nation, but as we posted our top 50 albums of 2008, it was easy to reflect on an amazing year in music. I have a feeling 2009 will be even better. Here are the albums we’re looking forward to in the new year.
1. The Deep Dark Woods – Winter Hours (February 2009)
The first single, “All The Money I Had Is Gone,” is now streaming on their MySpace page. If the album is as good as that track, we’re in for a special treat. Their last album, Hang Me Oh Hang Me, is one of my most listened to of the past two years.
Video: Andrew Bird – Oh No (from upcoming album Noble Beast)
2. Dan Auerbach – Keep It Hid (February 10th, 2009)
Ever wonder what The Black Keys might sound like acoustic? Dan Auerbach’s leadoff track on his upcoming album appears to be adding a bit more country and acoustic tastes on his upcoming solo album, along with the signature blues sounds. Look for Hacienda backing him on his upcoming tour. Stream some tracks at Nonesuch Records.
3. M. Ward – Hold Time (February 2009)
This guy can do no wrong. Hold Time features guest performances by Lucinda Williams, Jason Lytle (ex-Grandaddy) and the ’she’ of She and Him, Zooey Deschanel.
4. Alela Diane – To Be Still (February 17th)
I really loved her debut, The Pirate’s Gospel. She has a soulful voice and a knack for songwriting. Here’s the first track from the upcoming album.
5. Justin Townes Earle – Midnight At The Movies (March 2009)
Early reports from inside Bloodshot Records indicate that Justin Towne’s Earle’s upcoming release is better than his debut. Check out our live session for some songs from his previous album, The Good Life.
The Tennessee lads signed to Universal Records and will be releasing their sixth studio LP in the summer. Until then, listen to Ben Nichols solo album, Last Pale Light In The West, inspired by Cormac McCarthy’s book Blood Meridian.
11. The Everybodyfields – TBD Title and Release Date
We were late to the game but now that we’ve found them, we’re obsessed. They are unreal. We were lucky to get an early taste of two of their new tracks during our live session with The Everybodyfields.
12. The Avett Brothers- TBD Title and Release Date
The boys left Ramseur Records for Rick Rubin’s label, American Imprint (under Columbia Records’ umbrella), and are recording a new full length album with Rubin at the controls.
13. Tulsa – TBD Title and Release Date
I Was Submergedhas been a favorite for two years, but it just teases us. It’s time for a full length. The band is currently recording in Chicago as we speak.
Bloodshot Records newbies killed their sets at SXSW 2008 and put out one of the best albums of 2007. We’ve got high hopes for their sophomore effort. Check out our live session to hear some older tracks.
Other notable releases are also coming out from U2, Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band, The Gourds, Built To Spill, The New Pornographers, Handsome Furs, and The National (maybe).
The Everybodyfields are a relatively new band to me. Woody first turned me on to them a few months ago, pointing out that we made a drastic error by not including their remarkable album,Nothing Is Okay, on our best albums of 2007 list. Since I’ve started listening to this band from Johnson City, TN, my faith has been restored in the country music genre. Jill Andrews (Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Lead Vox) and Sam Quinn (Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Lead Vox) write striking lyrics while Josh Oliver (lead guitar, keys), Tom Pryor (pedal steel), and Jamie Cook (drums) add lush textures to each song.
Shirk sent me a rough mix of “The Only King” and not leaking it early was excruciating. I’m fairly certain that Jill Andrews was sent from heaven. That song has the capacity to bring you damn near to tears for no apparent reason. I’ve been sick with anticipation to hear the rest and there’s not a weak track in the bunch.
Besides Jill’s vocals, highlights for me are Tom’s pedal steel throughout the session and the delicate nature of Sam Quinn’s voice on “I Can’t Sleep.” The Everybodyfields session introduced me to several tracks that aren’t on their latest album, so I was forced to pick up Plague of Dreams and Half-Way There. Digging into their song catalog has been a contemplative pleasure.
It was truly an honor to have this band stop in the studio. The Everybodyfields are true professionals with loads of talent. We didn’t get much info on the set list, so if anyone knows where “Gun,” “Mardi Gras,” and “City Noise” came from, I’d be interested in finding out.
The Everybodyfields are coming into the studio today for a live session before a show later tonight at The Double Door. They’ll be sharing the stage with Katie Herzig, McCarthy Trenching and HearYa Live Session alum, Samantha Crain. Looks like tickets are $10 for a great night of folk music.
Don’t let the image above fool you. Everybodyfields shows aren’t your typical stage-diving band.
