Big Richard Covers David Olney

By -


For their latest single, Big Richard have chosen to cover David Olney's 1991 song "Millionaire." It's a very faithful version of Olney's original, with Big Richard's being just a little more bluegrass. Decades later, a song about greed is only more timely, with maybe the only edit needed would be upgrading it to "Billionaire." The line about owning the President feels especially timely in 2026. The cover feels a little more desperate and angry than the 1991 version, which fits the times we currently exist in. "Millionaire" is a great single, and a perfect new release for Big Richard. We're definitely looking forward to their soon to be released album.

Bonnie Sims (mandolin and guitar) says of her band's upcoming album:

“Big Richard is so much about our energetic delivery, and so I think it's been really important for us as a group to figure out how to do that for a record."

You can listen to "Millionaire" below. Pet is due out February 6 on Signature Sounds, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Big Richard, check out the artist's website.

On Repeat...

Monday Mix: Newport Folk Festival 2014 Must See Bands

By -
Image
With this weekend's upcoming Newport Folk Festival, we thought we'd highlight some of this year's can't miss acts. We're focusing on the bands playing smaller stages and earlier in the day. I mean, you're obviously going to see Ryan Adams and Jack White. Instead, these are the acts worth getting there early for, and seeking out the smaller stages. Phox Friday, 1:50, Quad Stage Phox hails from Baraboo, WI, the winter home of the Ringling Brothers' Circus. I'm not sure if that is connected to their music or not, but Phox has an otherworldly charm and a magical feel. They come across as a more grounded St. Vincent or a less intense version of early Tori Amos. Their music is simply beautiful and uplifting.  Reignwolf Friday, 2:55, Quad Stage Truly pushing the boundaries of what can be considered "folk" are Reignwolf. Reignwolf is Jordan Cook, who sounds like a mixture of The Black Keys and Queens of the Stone Age, mixed with just a lit...
Read more

Minibeast - "High Sea"

By -
Image
Somehow Peter Prescott of Mission of Burma and Volcano Suns has another band that I never knew about. Minibeast already released an album that I completely missed back in 2012, and they are currently at work on the follow up, Free Will. Based on a track from the upcoming album, "High Sea," Minibeast shares some common sonic ground with Mission of Burma, but with an added emphasis on the groovy side of things. It's basically the noise and dissonance of Burma but heard through a 60s surf groove, as if Frankie and Annette were punks. You can listen to "High Sea" below. Minibeast currently have a Kickstarter to help fund the final production of Free Will. You can get more information on that here . It should be out sometime in June.
Read more

The Cairo Gang - "Be What You Are"

By -
Image
Photo by Rachel Cassels The Cairo Gang is mostly Emmett Kelly, who recorded most of their upcoming album, Goes Missing,  on his own while travelling. "Be What You Are" is pure pop gold, reminiscent of British invasion bands like The Kinks and The Zombies. It features jangly guitars and some of the most infectious layered vocals you've heard in years. Luckily the beauty of this style of music is that it never quite sounds dated. It might sound like it's from a certain era that happened 50 years ago, but everything you've ever listened to since then borrows so heavily from it that it always sounds current. It's the kind of music you wish you hadn't missed, only now you haven't. Goes Missing  is due out June 23rd on God? Records. You can pre-order the album now, and be sure to check out The Cairo Gang's Facebook . Listen to "Be What You Are" below, and below that are tour dates, many opening for Mikal Cronin. Sat. Sept. 5 - Portlan...
Read more