Tag: indie folk

Indie Band of the Week – The Elected

Posted on by IRC Staff

Introducing The Elected, a band that effortlessly blends indie folk and alternative rock with heartfelt storytelling and infectious melodies.

Led by the multi-talented musician Blake Sennett, The Elected has crafted a distinct sound that resonates with fans around the world.

With their introspective lyrics, rich instrumentation, and captivating performances, this California-based group has solidified their place in the music scene.

Formed in 2003, The Elected emerged as a side project for Blake Sennett, who is also known for his work as a founding member of the critically acclaimed band Rilo Kiley.

With The Elected, Sennett fully embraces his artistic vision, crafting songs that showcase his songwriting prowess and his ability to create atmospheric soundscapes.

The band’s music can be described as a delightful fusion of folk, country, and indie rock elements. Drawing inspiration from classic acts like Neil Young and Gram Parsons, The Elected infuses their songs with warm acoustic guitars, lush harmonies, and a touch of twang.

Their music takes listeners on a journey through introspective themes of love, longing, and self-discovery, while the melodies weave their way into the hearts of those who listen.

One of the standout features of The Elected’s discography are emotionally resonant songs that feel simultaneously introspective and yet universally relatable.

The band’s discography showcases Sennett’s astute lyrics and views of the complexities of human emotions, displaying an authenticity that is both raw and poetic. The band members command their instruments and vocals with true skill and dedication.

Here are some of the band’s best songs:

“Not Going Home” – This heartfelt ballad showcases The Elected’s ability to craft emotionally charged songs. With its introspective lyrics and beautiful melodies, it leaves a lasting impact.

“Go On” – A fan favorite, this track captures the essence of The Elected’s sound. The combination of poignant lyrics, lush instrumentation, and infectious hooks makes it a standout song.

“Would You Come with Me” – With its catchy guitar riffs and melodic hooks, this track showcases The Elected’s ability to create infectious indie folk-pop tunes that stick in your head.

“It Was Love” – This introspective and bittersweet song resonates with its relatable lyrics and evocative storytelling. The haunting vocals and delicate instrumentation make it a standout track.

“Desiree” – Known for its irresistible folk-rock groove, “Desiree” is a catchy and upbeat song that highlights The Elected’s knack for crafting infectious melodies.

“Not So Old as Yesterday” – This atmospheric and contemplative track features dreamy instrumentation and poetic lyrics, showcasing The Elected’s ability to create a captivating sonic landscape.

“Greetings in Braille” – A beautiful blend of acoustic folk and indie rock, this track showcases the band’s talent for crafting introspective and melodic songs.

“Have You Been Cheated” – With its introspective lyrics and infectious hooks, this song delivers an emotional punch. It showcases The Elected’s ability to infuse their music with vulnerability and authenticity.

These are just a few examples of the many exceptional songs from The Elected. Exploring their discography uncovers a treasure trove of heart-felt, captivating tracks that showcase the band’s musical prowess and unique artistic vision.

Throughout their career, The Elected has released a string of critically-acclaimed albums. Their debut album, Me First, introduced their distinctive sound to the world, while subsequent releases like Sun, Sun, Sun and Bury Me in My Rings further solidified their reputation as masters of their craft.

Each album is a testament to their growth as artists, showcasing their evolving sound and unwavering dedication to their art.

The Elected’s line-up, of course, is key to their success as a band. Each member is an essential element.

Blake Sennett: As the founding member and primary songwriter of The Elected, Blake Sennett has been the driving force behind the band. He is known for his distinctive vocals, guitar skills, and songwriting abilities. Sennett’s musical background also includes his involvement as a founding member of the critically acclaimed band Rilo Kiley.

Mike Bloom: Mike Bloom is a guitarist and a former member of The Elected. He joined the band in their early years and contributed to their musical sound with his skilled guitar playing. Bloom’s contributions helped shape the band’s distinctive folk and indie rock fusion.

Jason Boesel: Jason Boesel is a talented drummer who has collaborated with The Elected. Boesel’s rhythmic expertise added depth and energy to the band’s live performances and studio recordings. He is also known for his work with other notable acts like Rilo Kiley and Conor Oberst.

Daniel Brummel: Daniel Brummel is a multi-instrumentalist who played bass guitar and contributed backing vocals during his time with The Elected. His musical versatility and harmonizing skills added texture and depth to the band’s sound.

It’s important to note that The Elected’s lineup has evolved over time, and there may have been additional musicians who have contributed to the band’s recordings and performances.

Each member has brought their unique musical talents and creativity, collectively shaping The Elected’s distinct sound and contributing to their musical journey.

The Elected’s live performances are a testament to their musical prowess and showmanship. With their charismatic stage presence and heartfelt delivery, they create an immersive experience that leaves audiences captivated.

Whether performing at intimate venues or large festivals, The Elected never fail to connect with their fans and create an atmosphere of shared emotion and musical camaraderie.

As The Elected continues to captivate listeners with their signature sound and thought-provoking lyrics, their influence on the indie folk and alternative rock genres continues to grow. With their timeless melodies and poignant storytelling, they have carved out a unique space in the music world.

So, dive into the enchanting world of The Elected, where introspection meets melody, and allow their music to transport you to a place of emotional resonance and musical bliss.

Album Review – The Weather Station’s ‘How Is It That I Should Look At The Stars’

Posted on by Rick Sosa

The Weather Station’s How Is It That I Should Look At The Stars is an album that is thoughtful, insightful and stunning. Compared to previous albums by the folk-indie artist, this release is more simplistic in which instruments it focuses on, making the lyrics the main attraction.

Unlike All of It Was Mine or The Weather Station, the piano in this album replaces multi-instrumental songs that were previously included such as banjos, fingerpicking acoustic guitars, drums and synths.

Tamara Lindeman’s voice is quieter, more subdued— almost parallel to Linda Perhacs’ feathered voice in “Chimacum Rain.” Staying within folk tradition, Lindeman’s lyrics focus on expansive stories with nature and animal motifs.

“Taught” feels like a piano is slowly trickling in, with Lindeman’s angelic voice taking center stage. This track is dramatic and all-feeling. It’s one of those rare songs that is both deeply emotional and touching, completely enthralling you in its rarity.


“Endless Time” is vocally reminiscent of Fiona Apple and Florence and the Machine. Lyrics such as “Lemons and persimmons in the December rain” are sweet and thoughtful, although sung with deep pain.

“Ignorance” tries to find meaning as it reaches out for an answer. The piano almost thuds with quick sincerity and a flute-like instrument plays in the background. This track lyrically showcases a deep connection to nature and the wrestling of the categorization of animals by human bearers.

“Sway” exemplifies a variance in tone, as the lyrics “I move too” is followed by a higher pitch vocally as well as instrumentally. The song is upbeat, yet ethereal. It is reminiscent of Neko Case’s “Star Witness” in buildup and subtle sound, specifically in how certain vocals are carried out.

Lindeman’s intelligent lyrics and melancholic sound, particularly within this album, mark deeper mysteries not yet finished. Details from the environment are picked up and carried out to meet the listener’s ear. Taking with it, sorrows of earlier times, and earlier lovers.

The original review from Sophie Godarzi appeared in MXDWN

Artist Spotlight: Nick County’s ‘A Colorful Corner of Northeastern Pennsylvania’

Posted on by IRC Staff

Recently we came across the fascinating indie folk/alt country music of Miami musician Nicolas Mencia who uses the moniker ‘Nick County’.

Having listened to Mencia’s latest album, A Colorful Corner of Northeastern Pennsylvania, more than a half dozen times at this point, it is convincingly one of the best folk/alt. country rock albums of 2021 most people never heard of.

Mencia’s amazing recording is a collection of 13 wonderfully-written and composed tracks featuring soaring violins (“Jesus is Dead”); the cheerful piano keys on the sentimental “Going Back” (which reminds us of Kurt Vile); the upbeat melodies and unforgettable rhythym of “Stormtown”, not to mention the heartbreaking ballad, “Your Pain Tears Me Apart.”

Unlike his previous two albums, Mencia added indie pop and folk influences on his record as songs like “Stormtown” so vividly demonstrate.

Colorful was released on Public Works Department Records which Mencia co-founded. Based in Miami he considers his fellow artists on the label as his best friends who subordinate musical genre to the pursuit of songwriting.

Americana-UK writer Lyndon Bolton wrote: “‘Daddy’s Robe’ is a vivid insight into a tragic life with intense arrangements that just hold together. ’Dreamland Hotel’ has a very Brit feel, The Kinks come to mind as [Mencia] duets with his principal collaborator, Rick Moon, daring each other into oblivion: But I’ll buy the champagne/ We can toast to your pain/ Sign your name on the line and we’ll have a good time.

Mencia’s range of styles, genres and emotions is quite impressive and no doubt one of his strongest skills, a good second to his remarkable songwriting abilities.

A number of mixed-genre acoustic numbers include the sing-along “O Sailor” and the two minute and fifteen second number “Whiter Than A Ghost,” not to mention the touchingly beautiful “Prayer For You” as well as the provocative “John Silver.” Thankfully, Mencia saved one of his acoustic gems, “Denny’s Dream,” for the closing track. Nice!

When Mencia lost his father in 2019, there was a “rush of pain and profound sadness” that levelled anything he thought he had known. The fact that the two had been estranged for many years only compounded Mencia’s sense of loss.

With these emotions also came a “deep desire to reconcile” not only with his “fathers ghost,” but also the small town where Mencia grew up, and his lapsed relationship with god.

A ‘journeyman songwriter’ and a self-described ‘lifelong student of country music hailing from little havana,’ Mencia’s second album, Cocorico Simpatico Corazon, was a family affair.

He recorded in Miami and LA with a collection of old compadres and played with bands such as Gemma, Vampire Weekend, Krisp, Rick Moon, Jacuzzi Boys, and Jeff The Brotherhood.

Mencia lists his top musical influences as Hank Williams, Lucinda Williams, Neko Case, Townes Van Zandt, among others.

instagram.com/nickcounty

Folk Artist Spotlight: Andreas Owens

Posted on by IRC Staff

Recently another blogger friend introduced us to the folk musician Andreas Owens.

Based in California, Owens took some time away as the lead singer of the band The Millennial Club, to record his debut solo album Almost Everything I’ve Ever Wanted to Say.

“I put all of my different thoughts throughout COVID on paper and tried to make sense of them in the form of a single project,” he told Off The Cassette blog. “All of the songs feel related to one another in some shape or form – whether it’s sonically, emotionally, or thematically – and I think that’s truly beautiful.” He talks about how his hopes are for his honesty with his thoughts and dialogue shine though in this release, and the message is pretty clear in these songs.

One standout track is “Speaking With My Chest.” If you dig this track, you may just find yourself listening to the entire album. Owens is a talented guy.

“The song is sad, honestly, but it still makes me smile because of the clever lyrics and relatable sensibility. If you’re a fan of artists like Rusty Clanton or Darryl Rahn, you’ll find a lot to like about Owens’ excellent songwriting, phrasing, and meaningful work. There’s something about the highlights from the piano that really connect with me on this one. Owens is going to be added to my own steady rotation; this is a gem.”

Growing up in southern California, Owens met friends in high school who all began making music together. During this time period, Owens dove into learning Logic, which turned out to be a great skill that carries forward.

In addition to production, songwriting, and vocals, Owens plays guitar, drums and bass. Taking some time off from The Millennial Club Owens has expanded his creative juices totally on his own terms. The result is a suite of new songs that turned out to be among the best DIY folk of 2021.

5 Outstanding Folk Video Singles w/ Thomas LaVine, N. Kerbin, Jacksonport, Jordan Hart, Shane Lentz

Posted on by IRC Staff

One of the greatest sub-genres of indie rock music over the past couple of decades has been the indie folk-rock movement. The stellar rise in popularity of indie folk-rock from the early 2000s through the 2010s, was especially noteworthy. The list of artists and bands is epic: Fleet Foxes; Bon Iver; Bright Eyes; Sufjan Stevens; Iron & Wine; Mumford & Sons; The Decemberists; The Lumineers; Band of Horses, to name just a few.

While many indie music lovers know the ‘big’ names of indie folk-rock, there are ten times as many talented indie folk/folk-rock musicians and bands recording and dropping impressive albums and singles every month, but they rarely get covered.

Over the past 15+ years that we’ve been covering indie rock, there are hundreds of posts featuring both popular and DIY indie-folk artists and bands.

Kicking off this post is one of the best DIY, or non-DIY, indie-folk songs of the past year by way of South Carolina musician and songwriter Thomas LaVine. Together with heartfelt songwriting, feel-good, melodic acoustic guitar playing, banjo interludes, and LaVine’s, and Luna Keller’s, expressive and silky vocals, “By The Coast,” is one of the exceptional folk tracks that were largely unheard.

Watch and listen to four other splendid choice picks include recent singles from N. Kerbin, Jacksonport, Jordan Hart, and last, but definitely not least, is the amazing folk instrumental, “As The Ice Thaws,” from the exciting and accomplished guitarist Shae Lentz who plays a style similar to the late and truly great Michael Hedges (see last video below).

And the Legendary Guitarist Michael Hedges

New indie folk songs from Phillip Jonathan, Michael Witt, Chris Ho & more

Posted on by EarsToTheGround

Phillip Jonathan – “Seafront”

The narrative style of this track spoke to me from first listen. I also really appreciate the unhurried composition style. In a world of so many handclaps and “get to the hook as soon as possible” tunes, it’s nice to hear a delightfully expressive tune. The lyrics are more prosaic than a typical folk song (in the best way possible).

But there’s nothing I could say here to prepare you for the energy and power of the guitar solo that rips into the middle of this lulling acoustic folk tune. The juxtaposition is as satisfying as it is surprising. This is a gem.

 

Michael Witt – “Older”

This is a gorgeous composition. The acoustic guitar is the heartbeat, but the rest of the strings make this a magnificent chamber folk piece. Actually, heck with the genre stuff, this is just a really interesting song. It has layers of complexity that all serve one purpose; to convey the lyrical message about reflecting on a complex moment in life.

I will say the main melody reminds me of “Oceans” by Hillsong United. That said, the personable lyrics and impressive guitar work definitely stand out for us on this one.

 

Chris Ho – “Borrowed Books”

There’s something gently rewarding about this track from Chris Ho. The acoustic guitar works in perfect balance with the backing track on this one. The overall energy is genuinely calming. If you’re a book lover (like many music lovers, I’ve found), then this song’s lyrical theme will connect deeply and personally.

It’s a love song, but it’s also about the feeling in the soul experienced with connecting to another’s world. This is a remarkable piece of music with some subtle harmonies that connect perfectly with the mood of the track.

 

Charm of Finches – “Concentrate on Breathing”

The harmonies from Charm of Finches are worth their own post, feature, and round of applause. Then, in addition to the glorious vocals, the rest of the track has this mysterious “wild west” meets a mystery novel… the vibes are absolutely remarkable. I don’t know the entire story behind the mystical sound this band creates, but I am here for the atmosphere that it creates.

If you’re looking for folk music that doesn’t sound like every other hand-clappy good time band out there, check out Charm of Finches esoteric-yet-endearing aesthetic. They are delightful.

 

Sammy Copley – “Marsha”

From the very first time I heard Sammy Copley, I was reminded of the great Anna Tivel. The expressive vocal lines all feel quite intentional. The phrasing is expertly done. The piano, too, plays a pivotal role in creating a calm yet poignant message from the song. The annunciation and clarity in the vocals feel poetic as much as actual singing; it works incredibly well.

This is a kind of heady folk music that speaks to our souls here at ETTG. If you are looking for a chamber folk aesthetic with an amazing lead vocal and thoughtful lyrics, give Sammy Copley a spin.

by Greg Jones

Album Review: Michael Cooke’s ‘Midnight Call’

Posted on by NewNoiseMag

Midnight Call is the newest album by Scottish singer-songwriter Michael Cooke. The record is Cooke’s follow-up to Doin Alright, an eight-track release dropped in 2020. Cooke, who is also an actor, used his time during lockdown to write music. The result is Midnight Call, a heartfelt and personal album with the kind of chill vibes perfect for relaxing weekends and laid-back times.

Cooke is a former athlete who had aspired to be in the Olympics until an injury prevented him from doing so. On Midnight Call, Cooke imparts lessons learned from this and other past experiences.

“So many people let life pass them by and get caught up in group identity because they are scared of knowing themselves,” says Cooke. “I think once you start down the road of knowing yourself, there’s no going back, and let’s be honest it’s pretty terrifying you see a lot of things about yourself you don’t like and it’s very hard to ignore.”

“Around Here” imparts such realizations by telling a story about snippets from everyday moments. “Tired eyes but you’re never sleeping/ Poets die selling love/ So remember me when I’m gone.”

Nothing is taken for granted in Cooke’s songwriting and storytelling.

There is an intimacy and immediacy to Midnight Call that derives from the tranquil and laid-back vibes. The sounds on Midnight Call range from 60s folks to indie acoustic of the 00s singer-songwriters. That combination feels like a logical coupling under the musicianship of Cooke, who on top of that sings with clarity and earnestness that is delightful.

“Don’t Let The World” showcases Cooke’s ability to craft catchy poppy indie acoustic jams. There are also moments of experimentation and innovation. “World’s Spinning Under Me” has an almost 80s pop quality. The result is an album with a clear and defined sound that also offers eclectic moments.

Midnight Call is a charming and positive listening experience that is upbeat and invigorating. The newest record from Michael Cooke is out now.

The post Album Review: Michael Cooke – Midnight Call appeared first on New Noise Magazine

Douglas Menagh

Devin Reardon’s new track ‘Ireland Song’ is deceptively joyous

Posted on by LoveOfBands

Simon was born in London but now lives in beautiful Cornwall. Whilst waiting for his first novel to be discovered by the rest of the world, he spends his time reading anything and everything, and listening to and writing about the music he is passionate about.

“Anyone who lives long enough in a country learns that it has its up and downs,” Devin Reardon says. “‘Ireland Song’ is about me learning to find warmth in a handful of good people around you. It really just wants to wrap you in a blanket of calm… That’s how I feel it’s been moving back in with my family in Ireland.”

          Ireland Song, released a few weeks ago on the 30th April, is the debut single from Devin Reardon, an Irish-American, indie-folk singer-songwriter, hailing from North-East Florida, but now based in County Wicklow. It is a heartfelt and intimate ballad, described by some as, “mountain manish”.

“I had a bad break-up after college,” he reveals. “I felt I needed to get out of the States… start over.” And so he moved to Ireland, following in the footsteps of his mother, a native of County Dublin, who had moved back whilst Devin finished college. Within a few months, however, the first lockdown hit.

“It was hard,” he admits now. “But it also helped me realise that songwriting was a way for me to manage my mental health… reflect.”

Devin Reardon

          Songwriting, something that had always been an overriding passion, went from being a hobby to a form of “self-actualisation”, as he calls it now, and Ireland Song emerged from out of what he sees as a beautiful experience. Built along a simple, acoustic melody, revealing auto-biographical lyrics are coloured, lifted and swept along on the haunting tones of a grateful voice, and with a depth of warmth that comes from eventually finding newly found friends and family to help spite the cold rattling outside:

 “Though this place is just so cold, grey, damp, and dark
 It’s started to warm the darkest place in my heart”.

“I just want to share my own lessons and the joy of discovering positives on the other side  with other people. Just giving something to people as we emerge from this mad time. I think music can really help people,” Devin continues, “and I think this song can do that. I’m happy to share that. I just want to make some real art and music out of this madness.”

          Ireland Song is deceptively joyous, the range and depth of emotion telling of a traveller’s freshly discovered dawning of wisdom and realisation, and fully capturing that eventual sense of finding your belonging, and now reflecting on a much more balanced moment when coming out of a very difficult period; a returning home.

“I’ve learned a lot of valuable lessons in this time, and I’m excited to come out the other side with those things close to my chest.”

          Don’t be fooled by the song’s apparent simplicity, for it is deliberate and calculating within all the tone of revelation. It is a love song to the kindness and affection found within family and friends now gathered about and proving to be the narrator’s salvation in a once distant land that is now shining light amidst the once cold and grey surroundings. When Devin sings of his family the melody changes discreetly, so that both the words and the simplistic tune are no longer regaling of some cold unknown land outside, but of something now far warmer: a place where he feels he would want to be while he grows old.

 “Ireland might be icy
 But friends keep me warm in the cold
 The kind of place I’d like to be
 when I start to grow old”.

          It is a lament to the place in which he now feels he truly belongs, that he happily calls home. Devin Reardon has finally found his place in the land of his mother and, like him, we too are reassured, and calmer.

Ireland Song. Released on the 30th April

Devin Reardon

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Kings of Convenience share two dope tracks from first album in 12 years

Posted on by August W. Zander

One of IRC’s favorite European indie-folk duos, Norway’s Kings of Convenience, will drop their first album, titled Peace or Love, in 12 years.

The indisputably talented duo, Eirik Glambek Bøe and Erlend Øye, have already shared one single from the album, “Rocky Trail” (see below).

Set to drop June 18th via Imperial Records, the indie rockers have shared a second single, “Fever.” The singles are creating a lot of buzz and excitement online for the album release.

The first single, released a few weeks ago, “Rocky Trail,” is accompanied by this official music video.

“Rocky Trail” on Spotify

5 Indie Folk Rock Albums You’ve Gotta Hear – Roadkill Ghost Choir, Miner, Honey Locust, Born Standing Up, Waterwells

Posted on by Max Hammer

When indie folk and folk rock gained popularity more than a decade ago, bands like Band of Horses, The Avett Brothers, The Decemberists, The Tallest Man In The World, Bon Iver, Bright Eyes, and many others benefited from that rise in the genre. And while the indie folk scene may have suffered a downturn in recent years, it’s refreshing to know that it’ll always exist, and we’ll always be here to deliver the artists, songs, and albums that we feel need to be heard.

For this particular post, we’re highlighting five predominantly indie folk releases dropped during the past couple to few years that you’ve probably never heard, but that we strongly recommend, especially if you’re a fan of indie DIY, under-the-radar damn good folk music – with rich and subtle infusions of bluegrass, rock, pop and country. These are albums that we did not hear at the time of their original release date, but should be part of the indie folk rock archives – and so here they are.

This post is also meant to bring your attention to the artists and bands themselves, and the songs and releases that first endeared us to them – not their most recent releases. None of these artists have been published on IRC before but they live on in our playlists forever. Enjoy.

In This Installment:

Roadkill Ghost Choir – Jacksonville, Florida
Miner – Los Angeles, California
Honey Locust – Nashville, Tennessee
Born Standing Up – Oxford, Mississippi
Waterwells – Birmingham, Alabama

roadkillghostchoir

Roadkill Ghost Choir – Quiet Light

Original release: July 2013

From the Florida swamp lands of gators and cypress trees covered with Spanish moss, comes the absolutely phenomenal ambient folk rock band Roadkill Ghost Choir. In recent years, they have enjoyed the kind of attention a talented DIY band deserves. To truly appreciate RKGC, we strongly recommend listening to the band’s releases from oldest to most recent.

The ball got rolling for RKGC in 2012 when Andy Shepard (vocals, guitar) was invited to perform a gig at a local club. Not wanting to perform solo because he feared it would bore the patrons, Shepard recruited his brothers – Maxx Shepard (drums) and Zach Shepard (bass) to join him on stage.

And that was the planting of the seed that eventually spawned spectacular songs like bluegrass tinged folk rock track, “Beggar’s Guild”; the heartbreakingly beautiful acoustic ballad, “Bird in the Window,” and the less folk-influenced, more rock-driven, “Devout,” from the band’s fantastic 2013 debut EP, Quiet Light . The original three-track EP received over 150,000 plays and more than 1,200 Likes on Soundcloud.

MP3: “Beggar’s Guild” – Roadkill Ghost Choir from Quiet Light EP

Not long after playing live together, the three brothers realized, and based on the response they received from the audience, that they had something special. Wasting no time, the Shepards drafted musicians Kiffy Meyers (pedal steel, banjo, guitar), Joey Davoli (keys, trumpet) and Stephen Garza (lead guitar) to create a fuller, bigger sound.

Bonus MP3: “Bird in the Window” – Roadkill Ghost Choir from Quiet Light

The re-released expanded version of the EP, released later on, includes songs like the jammin’ folk rocker, “Drifter,” and the dreamy, melodic hooks of “Tarot Youth.”

Jumping ahead to more recently, the band’s follow-up debut 2014 album, In Tongues, won huge praise and online love, propelling the band into a new realm of popularity. It’s not hard to believe at all, when we first listened to Quiet Light a few years ago, that RKGC came back the next year with a stellar debut album.

Roadkill Ghost Choir on Facebook

Miner – Into The Morning

Original release: February 2014

Los Angeles husband and wife songwriting duo, Justin and Kate Miner, who release indie folk rock under the likely moniker, Miner, began making some waves in the LA folk revivalist scene in 2012.

Miner’s debut LP, Into The Morning, was released in February of 2014, featuring standout singles like “Carousel” and “Hey Love,” that collectively amassed over 380,000 plays and more than 2,000 Likes on Soundcloud. That’s significant for any band. The band’s intricate vocal harmonies and sing-along melodies have made them a crowd favorite in LA, throughout the west coast and increasingly across the nation.

MP3: “Carousel” – Miner from Into The Morning

In 2015, the duo expanded into a full band, welcoming other family members into the fold, including Jeremy Miner, and his cousin, Amanda Koosed, while long-time friends, Justin Krook and David Schechtman, comprised the rhythm section.

Interestingly enough, Miner was originally a Kickstarter-funded, bedroom-studio project inspired by an extended trip through central and South America during which time the duo wrote and recorded the songs from their debut.

In fact, in 2013 and 2014, Miner shared the stage with indie giants like Lord Huron, Cayucas, Typhoon and White Demin. The band lists their top musical influences as Fleet Foxes, Wilco, Beck, Arcade Fire, and the Tallest Man On Earth.


Miner’s Official Website

honeylocust-greatsouthernbrooding

Honey Locust – The Great Southern Brood

Original release: February 2014

After making Nashville indie folk band Honey Locust‘s single, “Blue Rooms,” a DIY Song of the Day last year, we were even more impressed the more we listened to their meticulously arranged 2014 debut concept LP, The Great Southern Brood – a reference to 2011’s ‘Brood XIX,’ a cyclical 17-year invasion of cicadas in the southeastern United States.

Honey Locust is the duo of 20-somethings Jacob Davis (vocals, guitar, banjo) and Patrick Howell (piano, violin), who began recording when they were still teenagers.

They spent most of 2013 in isolation, writing and recording the album with friends and “world class string players.” The result is a thoughtful and dense concept album with poignant instrumentation and heartfelt lyrics and vocals.

MP3: “Blue Rooms“ – Honey Locust from The Great Southern Brood

The album, the band contends, is an introverted and ‘earnestly somber’ form of “southern Gothic chamber music” that explores “the boundaries of contemporary folk music while maintaining connection with their traditional roots,” relying heavily on orchestral strings and horns.

The duo’s debut EP, Fear Is A Feeling, received accolades in the Nashville indie scene and led to bookings with accomplished local bands such as Saintseneca, Frontier Ruckus, River City Extension, Josephine Foster, and The Lonely Wild.

Honey Locust’s top musical influences include Andrew Bird, Timber Timbre, The National, Balmorhea, Neutral Milk Hotel, and Califone. We also really liked Davis’ answer to the question ‘what is indie rock’: It’s “music that is what it wants to be, not what anyone else wants it to be.” Nicely put.

Honey Locust on Facebook

bornstandingup

Born Standing Up – Born Standing Up

Original release: January 2014

From the time Patton Ford, chief songwriter and multi-instrumentalist for the band, Born Standing Up, heard the likes of Otis Redding and Uncle Dave Macon while in the passenger’s seat of his father’s truck as a youngster growing up in Oxford, Mississippi, he knew he had to “respond to these legends, talk back and share his stories, the same way they had done before him.”

Ford began writing songs at a family friend’s cabin in the spring of 2011. With just a guitar and his voice, he began constructing what would eventually become the songs for Born Standing Up’s eponymous debut.

MP3: “No. 9“ – Born Standing Up from Born Standing Up

After drummer Logan Little suggested his vocally-trained girlfriend, Allison Quick, sing along with Ford on the songs, the three joined forces and performed their first show in Oxford early in 2012.

Because of the grand reception they received, the trio realized they needed a bass player and a second guitarist, and ended up recruiting musician Knowlton Bourne into the band. Soon after, the band dropped their indie folk mixed with alternative country infused debut, featuring remarkable songs like “No. 9” and “Cane Break.”

“Indie rock is anyone with a guitar, laptop, microphone or a melody stuck in their head,” Bourne wrote in response to a question ‘what is indie rock?’ He continued: “It is anyone who can’t go a day without tapping their foot to the sound of music or humming a few words under their breath. Indie music is the future of music. It is something that does not reside in arenas or stadiums…[it] is humble, raw and real.”

Not surprisingly, the band’s musical inspirations include artists such as The Lumineers, Old Crow Medicine Show, Shovels & Rope, The Decemberists, Todd Snyder, Townes Van Zandt, and Steve Earle.

Born Standing Up on Facebook

waterwellsband

Waterwells – Waterwells

Original release: March 2015

And lastly, we are happy to present the unsigned alternative folk rock trio Waterwells from Birmingham, Alabama, who dropped a terrific self-titled debut EP in March of 2015 that we’ve spun a number of times in the cafe.

Early in 2014, after a year and a half of performing and recording together under the founder and singer/songwriter’s name, Chris K. Davidson, the trio of Davidson, Jeremy Allinder on bass, and Josh Argo on guitar, morphed into Waterwells.

The guys got to work instantly – writing, recording, mixing and mastering songs DIY-style at Les Nuby‘s (Verbena, Vulture Whale) Homewood, Alabama recording studio. For the final recording, the band needed a drummer – that’s when they found Jacob Freeman.

“By My Side“ – Waterwells from Waterwells

Waterwells delivers an authentic, rich, mellow folk rock sound drenched in reverb and acoustics, communicating “tales of failure, hope, and reconciliation,” Davidson writes, adding that Waterwells is “determined to make its mark on the ever-changing sonic landscape.”

After listening to songs like “Morning Light” and “By My Side” many times, Waterwells debut EP is certainly on our list of DIY indie folk releases worth a listen. Fans of Wilco, Conor Oberst and Deer Tick are the most likely to be receptive to Waterwells.

The band has opened for artists like Joel Madison Blount, Early Americans, Oh Jeremiah, The Heavy Hearts, and Tangible Green. Among their musical influences are John Mark McMillan, Ryan Adams, Nada Surf, and Judah & The Lion.

Waterwells on Facebook