Sound Cloud Sunday – September 20, 2020
Sound Cloud Sunday September 20, 2020
Another week in COVID-19 land keeps us sane here at Laurel Canyon Radio only (and I mean only) because of the amazing music oozing out of all four corners of the world. It’s great we get to feature some old Friends of the Station to our broadcast this week – including Sweden’s best yacht rock band State Cows and singer/songwriter Bob Gentry who I’ve seen perform at the Greek Theatre about a generation ago (who bowls off the wrong foot, but who I am to tell him, ummm) re-energized at a new label. Anyway, enjoy our great hour of indie music to warm your soul and stay safe, maintain social distance, wear a mask and remember we are all on the same team!
Click on the show below to listen!
Sleepy Gaucho – Morning Light
Hometown: Wisconsin
Album: From the album “Morning Light” self-released June 2.
Review Snippet: ‘Morning Light’ is the second album by multi-instrumentalist Andy Goitia. This essentially appears to be a solo album giving Andy the space to explore sonic opportunities with the aid of friends, session musicians and most notably, Patrick Sansone of Wilco. Sleepy Gaucho is appropriately self-described as contemporary cowboy music, with their style being consistent with their name. The resultant sound is fuzzy-edged, dreamy psychedelic country music which sounds like it might have resulted had Gomez ever recorded a session with George Harrison.
Website: https://www.sleepygaucho.com/
The Jensen Sisters – Best of A Bad Habit
Hometown: Goodridge, MN
Album: From the album “Yellow Frame” self-released on October 2. .
Review Snippet:
Website: https://thejensensisters.com/
The Texicana Mamas – Cocina De Amor
Hometown: Duh
Album: Self-released self-titled debut. The band are Tex/.Mex veterans Tish Hinojosa, Patricia Vonne and Stephanie Urbina Jones. Out September 21.
Review Snippet: The music on the Texicana Mamas’ debut disc is sonically rich. The three musicians seamlessly harmonize and instrumentally blend as one without losing their distinctive identities. The trio co-wrote three of the ten songs on the self-titled album (including the appropriately titled “Amigas De Corazon” or “Friends at Heart”) and co-produced the record themselves. The other seven tracks include cuts written by themselves, notable artists such as Linda Ronstadt and Cedar Rosas, and less familiar names.
Website: https://www.thetexicanamamas.com/
Eric Selby – Anxious Zen
Hometown: Maryland
Album: From the album “Do What” released in April on Soul Stew Records.
Review Snippet: Selby brilliantly intertwines iconic and soulful country music instrumental melodies with beautifully composed pop-synth vocals. Through with his unique and versatile style of production, Selby narrates this story that every listener can relate to. Capturing his fans with both detailed and passionate lyrics, this ambitiously ingenious artist creates a platform of connection and joy.
Website: https://ericselby.com/
The Northern Belle – Tailor Made
Hometown: Norway
Album: From the album “We Wither We Bloom” on Die With Your Boots On Records.
Review Snippet: Witness the Northern Belles, a seven piece ensemble with a sound that’s cheery, tasteful, upbeat and exuberant, one that brings to mind a cross between the Fleetwood Mac circa their ‘70s successful period and the girl group I’m With Her in a very merry mood of their own. With We Wither, We Bloom, the band’s third album — and first to gain international release — the band makes a concerted effort to expand their recognition factor well beyond their native terrain and into a place where they can vie for membership in today’s pop pantheon.
Website: https://www.thenorthernbelle.no/
Bob Gentry – Living With Your Ghost
Hometown: Palm Springs, CA
Album: From the EP “Back On The Horse” out September 18 on Blue Elan Records.
Review Snippet:
Website: https://bobgentry.com/
Raye Zaragosa – They Say
Hometown: LA via NY
Album: From the album “Woman In Color” out October 23 on Rebel River.
Review Snippet: Raye’s songs have a pop sensibility and an accessibility which means she has the potential to crossover to a wider audience than just traditional folk, which is a good thing. Sure there is a simplicity to some of these songs but this is part of their appeal. This is just the beginning for an artist who has something unique to say and a talent to make people listen.
Website: https://www.rayezaragoza.com/
State Cows – If We Could Be Together
Hometown: Umea, Sweden
Album: New single released August 3.
Review Snippet: Any group that can kick out a gumbo of yacht rock and Steely Dan mid-career brilliance deserves our attention. And from day one the Swedish band State Cows has serenaded our ears with this caliber of music, the kind that introduces hearty jazz-rock fusion to palettes of soulful ‘80s pop.
Website: https://statecows.com/
Brit Taylor – Back In The Fire
Hometown: Nashville via Kentucky
Album: New single on Cut A Shine Records.
Review Snippet: The emerging Americana artist with the luscious alto tone used to love that first cup of coffee and the view of the sunshine peering through the windows.
Website: https://www.brittaylormusic.com/
Otis Gibbs – Nine Foot Problem
Hometown: Again, duh (see below)
Album: From the album “Hoosier National” released September 20 on Wanamaker Records.
Review Snippet: Otis Gibbs comes from a long line of literate, politically and socially conscious folk artists., showcasing how songs about everyday life resonate. This doesn’t mean the songs are all too-worthy and dry; they are interlaced with wry observation and humor. More so, they are good tunes.
Website: https://otisgibbs.com/
Molly Tuttle – She’s A Rainbow
Hometown: Nashville via California
Album: From the album “…but I’d rather be with you” released June 26 on Compass Records.
Review Snippet:
One of the first “quarantine” recordings by a major Americana artist shows how this “new normal” atmosphere can work. Singer/songwriter Molly Tuttle crafted a set of ten eclectic covers as a stopgap while working on her next release. But there is nothing casual or spontaneous about it.
As the title (taken from the Grateful Dead’s “Standing on the Moon”) implies, this isn’t the way Tuttle would prefer to create her music. But the somewhat convoluted process of recording alone in her home with Pro Tools, then sending those files to producer Tony Berg in LA who in turn forwarded them to other musicians to add their parts, works surprisingly well. While Tuttle would rather interact face to face with her backing band, few listening to these professionally recorded tracks will be able to tell that’s not how the process went down.
Website: https://www.mollytuttlemusic.com/
R.B. Morris – Missouri River Hat Blowing Incident
Hometown: Knoxville, TN
Album: From the album “Going Up To The Sky” out August 14 on Singular Records.
Review Snippet: Teaming up with Bo Ramsey and a collection of seasoned vets including harmonica ace and longstanding Willie harmonica player Mickey Raphael, RB Morris’s latest, Going Back to the Sky, stakes a claim on being his best. Going Back to the Sky presents a collection of stripped down bare bones songwriting rehydrated in a cinematic landscape
Website: https://www.rbmorris.com/
Victoria Bailey – Ramblin’ Man
Hometown: Huntington Beach, CA
Album: From the album “Jesus, Red Wine and Patsy Cline” released June 5 on Rockridge Records.
Review Snippet: If you’re looking for a honky tonk sweetheart, then you’ve found one in native Californian Victoria Bailey, who comes sauntering out of the painted desert on a Palomino like a singin’ cowgirl from the days of old, seducing you with eyes the size of flying saucers and a sweet soprano with the most perfect country warble, singing original songs that compliment the throwback style into a full package of country music goodness.
Website: https://www.rockridgemusic.com/victoria-bailey-mgmt
Matt Costa – Slow
Hometown: .Huntington Beach, CA
Album: From the album “Yellow Coat” released May 7 on Dangerbird.
Review Snippet: After his 2013 self-titled album release, listeners patiently waited five years for his next project, Santa Rosa Fangs. This new album, released under Dangerbird Records, brings back that signature earthy acoustic guitar and calming vocals from the first two albums, with some seamless surprise lo-fi additions. The sound and themes of heartbreak and healing on this record draw in similar tones to those of Death Cab for Cutie and Jack Johnson, which Costa has toured with in the past, as well as very dominant sixties vinyl tones.
Website: https://www.mattcosta.com/
Joshua Hyslop – Let It Rain
Hometown: Saskatoon, Canada
Album: From the album “Ash & Rain” released September 11 on Nettwerk Records.
Review Snippet: If you love soothing melodies, sincere lyrics, and angelic voices, you’re sure to enjoy Joshua Hyslop,
Website: https://joshuahyslop.com/
Desert Noises – Coffee
Hometown: Provo, UT
Album: From the album “Everything Always” out August 21 on Kid Canvas.
Review Snippet: t heart, they’re a pretty simple rock ‘n’ roll band, having spent some quality time with the catalogs of Cheap Trick and Band of Horses alike.
Website: https://www.desertnoisesband.com/
