Tag: "folk"

Since its debut, the Folgers Jingle has been transformed into country, gospel, jazz, R & B, folk, Celtic, and a cappella versions. Over the years, many artists have put their own spin on the classic tune.

Now it’s your turn. Remix your very own version of the classic Jingle and enter this year’s Folgers Jingle Contest before March 6th, 2013 for a chance to win $25,000! Ten finalists will be chosen by a panel of judges and featured on Folgers.com for public voting between May 15th and June 19th, 2013. Only one will become the Grand Prize Winner – do you have what it takes?

Writing a sophomore album is a tricky prospect, especially when a band has received a massive amount of buzz and critical praise in relation to their relatively short lifespan. Groups crumble all the time under the weight of these expectations – whether from themselves or from the media – and often are unable to recapture the magic of their first major release: the one that they had their entire lives to conjure, instead of just a few months between tours and promotion. The rapid pace of the blogosphere has magnified the effect of this pressure, churning out new acts by the day that are effective sonic replacements for any formerly beloved group that has failed to pass muster on a new release. Add in the democratic and anonymous nature of the Internet, which emboldens the opinionated to release the type of caustic criticism that most would hide in person, and it is understandable why many bands today would have some trepidation regarding the release of new material.

Local Natives seem like they may be aware of, if not certainly reactive to, these perils. In part, because their second release Hummingbird does not stray far stylistically from Gorilla Manor, the debut album that put the Los Angeles group on the map in 2010. The band’s chiming guitar parts and multi-part harmonies remain, as do their intricate percussion lines that often form the focal points of their studio compositions and their energetic live shows. For some bands, the re-creation of a uniform sonic profile reminiscent of a past release could be interpreted as an insurance against loss, a way to satisfy those listeners who are expecting more of the same from a band they already enjoy. For other groups, the preservation of the same style could simply signify their love of that particular sound, and their desire to wring it dry for all of its latent value.

Continue reading ‘Review: Local Natives – ‘Hummingbird’’

Since 1998, Matt Pond has been releasing perfectly crafted indie rock albums under the moniker Matt Pond PA, but with his most recent release The Lives Inside the Lines in Your Hand, Pond has dropped the “PA,” indicating a definite shift in tone. We caught up with Pond to chat about the songwriting for the new record, what he loves about being on the road, and the allure of a career in academia – were he not to be in a relentlessly touring rock band.

OS: The loss of the “PA” from your name signals some type of change in mentality or style. How would you compare your upcoming album to [2010's] The Dark Leaves?

Matt Pond: I finish every album with some kind of staggering realization. It’s not the objective, but it always happens. As we worked on the album, each member slipped away. So that by the end, it was just me and Chris Hansen. Incidentally, Chris is my best friend and the best musician I’ve ever played with. And that’s not hyperbole. I guess The Dark Leaves was about acceptance and The Lives is about defiance. Because of this, I couldn’t hold onto the “PA” anymore. I don’t know if I was fired or promoted, but I definitely feel different. Continue reading ‘Exclusive Q and A: Matt Pond Talks Palm Reading, “PA,” Professors’

Between the recent success of Mumford and Sons, Of Monsters and Men, and now Denver-based act, The Lumineers, folk music has been making some pretty big waves lately. And with reason – after all, there’s something undeniably catchy and perhaps even endearing about tracks like The Lumineers’ “Ho Hey.”

Performing last weekend on the Saturday Night Live stage at NBC’s famed studio 8H, The Lumineers performed “Ho Hey,” along with a new track called, “Stubborn Love.” As catchy as their previous hit (dare we say more so?), it’s just a matter of time before you’ll hear “Stubborn Love” circulating radio stations across the nation. You can check out both performances right here.

If you like The Lumineers check out OurStage artist Darlingside.

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If you love bands like Of Monsters & Men, Mumford & Sons, and Bon Iver, you’re going to love this week’s featured artist, Kory Murphy. Originally from the American midwest, Murphy has traveled all over the world in an effort to both strengthen and promote his music. With rootsy, neo-folk tinges, his recordings use simple and classic instrumentation, with guitar and keyboard offset by harmonica and occasionally forays into various unconventional forms of percussion. You can listen to “Lion and the Mouse” after the jump. Continue reading ‘Featured Artist: Kory Murphy’

Last year Frank Turner made waves in England and abroad by playing the Olympics pre-show, launching a signature beer, unveiling his hardcore band, Möngöl Hörde, and ending the year with a new single called “Four Simple Words.” But just where was the accompanying album?

Enter: Tape Deck Heart. Set for an April 23 release, the album will also have a deluxe edition available.

“There will be two versions – the normal record, and then a special edition with special packaging and an extra six songs.” Turner explained, “I’m pleased as punch with it. Some of you will know some of the songs from us playing them live, but there’s a whole bunch of new stuff on there as well. I hope you like it!”

As successful as 2012 was for Frank Turner, we have a feeling that 2013 isn’t going to be too shabby either. Check out the track listing and artwork after the jump. Continue reading ‘Frank Turner Announces New Album ‘Tape Deck Heart’’

Winter blues got you down? Did you forget it’s a Tuesday? That means new tunes to spin, and there’s nothing better than that. Check out these fantastic new albums that range from indie rock to hip-hop and metalcore.

Free Energy – Love Sign

Philadelphia’s Free Energy are back with the most recent installment of their impossibly catchy blend of classic rock, power pop, and modern indie rock. There may be no other album that makes you feel as happy this January. Pick this one up and have a bedroom dance party.

A$AP Rocky – Long.Live.A$AP

After interminable pushbacks that moved Rocky’s debut studio album back from July to October and then into the new year, the New York rapper has finally fully delivered on the promise of his Live.Love.A$AP mixtape and made a beast of an album. In addition to showcasing Rocky’s lyrical skill, the record also boasts an all-star parade of features including Skrillex and Santigold.

Continue reading ‘New Releases: January 15, 2013′

In 1964, during a single session in New Jersey, John Coltrane and his quartet recorded the entirety of A Love Supreme. The almost supernatural, single-minded focus required to produce such a complex piece of art in such a compact amount of time was a true manifestation of the spirit of the album. A statement of unity, concord, and appreciation for the mysterious workings of the higher power to which Coltrane credited his music, A Love Supreme was the sound of an artist cracking the door on the connection to his muse, and letting his listeners peer in at the light, if only for a second.

Regions of Light and Sound of God, the first solo album from My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James, bears that same mark of divine connection. This is not to bluntly compare James to Coltrane, or even to suggest that it’s possible to compare them as artists. It is, nonetheless, recognizing the possibility that, as an unabashedly spiritual album, Regions of Light can be understood in much the same way as Coltrane’s masterpiece.

Continue reading ‘Review: Jim James’ ‘Regions of Light and Sound of God’’

Straight out of the Twin Cities, this is one indie rock foursome you can’t take your eyes…er, ears off. With an intrinsic mix of folk, rock, and alternative, at times bordering on country twang, July Fighter aren’t afraid to take on the new and toss out the old. They’ve shared the stage with acts diverse as Everclear, Blind Melon, and En Vogue, and have topped several OurStage charts including winning the Indie Pop competition in February of 2012 What are you waiting for? Take a listen to “Echo”  after the jump. Continue reading ‘Featured Artist: July Fighter’

We’re saying farewell to our co-op Greg, who was a lifesaver for us here at OurStage, as he picked up tasks ranging from Community to Account Management, to Editorial. If you’re a frequent reader of Plugged In, you’ve no doubt read his work. We asked Greg to list some of his music picks for 2013:

Last week, we recapped our favorite releases from the past year. Now, as we bid 2012 adieu, we welcome 2013 and all of the awesomeness it has in store. While there are so many great releases to look forward to, coming up with this list couldn’t have been easier for me. Most of these records are still in the early stages of post-production, but I say it’s never too early to get excited. So here are my top 5 most anticipated albums of 2013 (in no particular order):

City and Colour – (Title TBA)
2011′s Little Hell really put Canadian rock star Dallas Green on the mainstream map. His 3rd full-length solo album was his most powerful yet. Now, after leaving Alexisonfire, his band of 10 years, to focus full time on City and Colour, we can only imagine that the sky is the limit for this talented singer-songwriter. Green wrapped up recording for the fourth album this past November and expects to release it sometime early-mid 2013.

The Dillinger Escape Plan – (Title TBA)
Dillinger are one of those legendary bands who go years without releasing a new album, but then when they do, you realize the wait was worth it. 2010′s Option Paralysis was possibly the most eclectic and eccentric installment by the brutal math-core wizards. With recording for their fifth full-length in the bag, fans are primed for the release this Spring.

Bad Rabbits – (Titles TBA)
In 2009, these Boston locals burst onto the scene with their groundbreaking debut EP Stick Up Kids, 7 songs of non-stop head banging funk soul party pop. On that release alone, they’ve had outstanding momentum, including their run on the 2011 Vans Warped Tour. However, as infectious as those songs are, three years is too long to go without giving fans more. Luckily, Bad Rabbits have a whole arsenal of finished recordings just waiting to be released via shotgun blast in 2013. Get ready for two more EPs, along with videos, limited edition merch, new live dates, and more.

Queens Of The Stone Age – (Title TBA)
The most anticipated rock album of 2013 may be the new Queens Of The Stone Age record. Not only has it been over five years since Josh Homme‘s last release with the project, but now, among all of the rotating members that have played in the band, Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl has returned on drums along with Nick Oliveri on bass. As two of the quintessential members of QOTSA’s breakthrough album Songs For The Deaf, they helped define the band as many fans know it today. Now that they’re back on board and finished recording, we can only imagine the sheer magnitude of this next album, due out early this year.

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