POSTS TAGGED : Alt-Folk

Jesse Jo Stark – ‘Mystery’

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We were introduced to Jesse Jo Stark‘s Gothic coated world of gently psychedelic 1960’s pop and garage, and spooky indie folk, earlier in the year with singles ‘Rot Away’ and ‘Wish I Was Dead’.

The LA-based artist is back with another brooding sliver of compelling, guitar-noir in the shape of new single ‘Mystery’. It offers us an introduction to the a different, softer and woozier side to Stark’s music. ‘Mystery’ combines her predilection for the spooky with a mellow but eerie country/bluesy tone, creating a beguiling waltz, perfectly polished off by Stark’s seductively smoky delivery. Another wonderfully compelling tune – also, the pick of recent releases too.

You can listen to ‘Mystery’ below now:

Dilemma Season – ‘Fault Lines’

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Dilemma Season is the musical alter ego of Vancouver, British Columbia-based artist and musician, Scott Hardy.

Through Dilemma Season, Hardy extricates an undeniable talent for evocative lyrics, the craft of songwriting and Americana-tinged alt-folk. ‘Fault Lines’ is an exemplary example of this as it rumbles, rolls and stomps its way into your heart. An irresistible track, Hardy’s distinctive vocals – sounding world-weary and wise – are first to suck you in, only to be joined by a gentle guitar which is intermittently cut with a stomping beat that eventually surges onward with an electrifying guitar and tidy riff work for an uptempo finish. A wonderful tune, with a hint of rawness yet beautifully crafted music. There’s a touch of Wilco, Bright Eyes/Conor Oberst to ‘Fault Lines’, an that is in no way a bad thing at all.

You can listen to ‘Fault Lines’ below. And if you like that, Dilemma Season’s latest record is available to digest here.

Incoming: A Quick Chat With The Burning Hell

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THE BURNING HELL is the alter-ego of Canadian songwriter Mathias Kom, and the band has been on the road in one form or another since 2007, playing everywhere from the chaos of Glastonbury to the loneliness of the Arctic Circle, popping up in bars, festival tents, living rooms, abandoned bunkers, and a mental asylum in rural France along the way.

Musically, the lineup and sound of the Burning Hell has been ever-changing, running the gamut from introspective folk to hyperactive rock and roll; meaning no two Burning Hell records sound alike.

In the company of incredibly witty, humorous lyrics and a real knack for storytelling, listeners are treated to a vivid adventure through hooky, upbeat pop songs, dark ballads about pet euthanasia, and anthems for barbarians, economic conferences, and love.

As The Burning Hell prepare to release studio album #8, they have embarked on a ferocious tour across Europe & N. America, and this Saturday, September 23, they roll into Newbridge town, for an intimate and special Broken Home show, with support from local indie merchants Fresco Future.

Ahead of the weekend’s show I caught up with The Burning Hell’s Mathias Kom, to chat about the project, touring and all things music.

Tell us a little bit about The Burning Hell. How did it come about? Where did the name come from?

“Ages ago, some lunatic religious zealot handed me a tract with a shitty-looking devil on the front that said “The Burning Hell” on it in fiery letters, and it was all about how good deeds won’t save you from Satan’s jaws, et cetera. At that exact moment I had been wondering what to call this new folky recording project I had started; the name seemed perfectly inappropriate, and it’s been that way ever since.”

Your lyrics are all incredibly witty, humorous and you’ve a real knack for storytelling? Is that something that’s particularly important for you to get across when writing the songs?

“Thank you, and yes—I find it amazing how many songwriters treat lyrics as an afterthought, since to me there’s not a lot of point in singing intelligible words if they’re not going to be compelling or at least not completely asinine. To paraphrase Thumper the cartoon rabbit: if you can’t sing anything interesting, don’t sing anything at all.”

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Jon C Butler – ‘A Little Misunderstanding’

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‘There has been a misunderstanding hasn’t there?’ sings Jon C Butler.

The brand new single ‘A Little Misunderstanding’ so clearly and concisely parades the endearing nature of his Americana infused jangle, it leaves no scope for misinterpretation.

Leicester-based Jon C Butler is a singer, songwriter and musician with over 25 years in the game, and it shows. ‘A Little Misunderstanding’ is reflective, profoundly stirring and intoxicating alchemy of life, love and spirit. It is a sweet song of melodic-pop with an indie-folk twist; a Dylan-esque jangle mingles with hints of Memphis country soul troubadours as Butler channels his inner Springsteen. A rather charming single that is deserving of a resounding thumbs up.

Butler’s album Universal Stranger is scheduled for release on 23 June via Strataville. While ‘A Little Misunderstanding’ is out on 14 April 2017. Have a listen below.

There is also free exclusive 4-song EP called Revelation Calling in return for an email address, not a bad deal at all. Get it here.

Bad Sea Share Sublime New Single ‘Solid Air’

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Having utterly bewitched us with their last single I’d Want U’, Dublin duo Bad Sea – aka Ciara Thompson and Alan Farrell – are at it again with their brand new single ‘Solid Air’.

As with before, Bad Sea’s sound is born from the pair’s embracing a rich vein of influences and styles to produce a smooth, smokey, alt-country sound. Moving at a leisurely, unhurried-pace ‘Solid Air’ is warm and alluring (even if the lyrics would suggest otherwise). It revolves around a steady, groovy drum beat, wiry guitar stabs and impressive pop hooks, which offer a perfect backdrop for Thompson’s rich, crisp vocals to come to the fore. At just over three minutes, this is an exquisitely crafted and delivered number, that channels the likes of Tennis et al and will leave an indelible mark on your soul.

Definitely looking forward to hearing a whole lot more from Bad Sea but for now, check out their sublime new single ‘Solid Air’. It is out now!

Simple Kid – ‘Snakes and Ladders’

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In early 2011 Simple Kid announced through his official website that there will be no further music nor tours by Simple Kid. Despite this announcement, a new single, ‘The Road’, slipped out well and truly under the radar in the Spring of 2012.

Since then? Nothing. Well not quiet it seems. In November of last year he did it again, with out any fuss or anything really, Simple Kid slid a new song under the radar, called ‘Snakes and Ladders’. The track, commissioned by the BBC as part Radio 4 series  ‘Forever Young’, suggests the synths, beats and electronics of ‘The Road’ have been put to one side for the time being. Preferred instead is that recognizable and grainy SK alt-folk sound, as he and an unknown female vocal companion lament the precariousness which is all to real for so many living through the throes Capitalism’s latest crisis. The songwriting is clever yet subtle and the song in general is superb. 

Whether this is it, or we shall be intermittently treated to the odd track here and there or, by some stroke of luck might see something more substantial is anyone’s guess. Only the kid knows that for certain.

Hat tip to former Vagabond Dave Phelan for this one.