Julia Jacklin Covers Rowland S. Howard

Photo by Derek Henderson

I have to admit that I'm not at all familiar with Rowland S. Howard or his song "Shivers." Released as a single for Howard and Nick Cave's band The Boys Next Door, fellow Julia Jacklin recorded a version for a tribute to Australian producer Tony Cohen. Jacklin's version stays quite faithful to the original, just maybe not quite as dark. (At least as not dark as a song can be when the opening line is "I've been contemplating suicide.") It's still a sparse song that is kind of like a post-punk singer/songwriter track, but Jacklin's vocals seem to elevate the song. Is it even possible for any song not to benefit from her voice? It's a powerful song made even more compelling by Jacklin.

Julia Jacklin says of the song:

“It’s been covered a lot, but it’s a special one for me. It was one of the first songs I ever learnt to play. Many Sydney bars, venues and open mic nights have heard me sing this song. Howard wrote it at 16 and I’ve always loved how much the lyrics capture that type of unbridled, dramatic teenage infatuation. The kind that physically hurts but also makes you laugh at yourself.”

You can listen to Julia Jacklin's version of "Shivers" below. The song is available as a single via Polyvinyl. For more on Julia Jacklin, check out the artist's website. Upcoming tour dates are below the song.

7/14 - Burlington, VT - Higher Ground* 

7/15 - Ottawa, ON - Ottawa Bluesfest  

7/16 - Buffalo, NY - Asbury Hall* 

7/17 - Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop* 

7/21 - Indianapolis, IN - Hifi Annex +

7/22 - Chicago, IL - Pitchfork Music Fest 

7/23 - Milwaukee, WI - Turner Ballroom + 

7/25 - Omaha, NE - Slowdown +

7/26 - Kansas City, MO - Record Bar +

7/27 - St. Louis, MO - Off Broadway +

7/31 - Asheville, NC - Orange Peel =

8/1 - Carrboro, NC - Cat’s Cradle =

8/3 - Baltimore, MD - Ottobar =

8/4 - Woodstock, NY - Levon Helm Studios =

8/5 - Holyoke, MA - Holyoke Arts Center =

8/6 - Montreal, QC - Osheaga Music Festival

9/6 - Ogden, UT - Ogden Twilight with Noah Cyrus 

9/16 - Cincinnati, OH - Homecoming Festival 

* Black Belt Eagle Scout

+ Macie Stewart 

= Kara Jackson

Julia Jacklin - "Lydia Wears a Cross"

We've been huge fans of Julia Jacklin's blend of neo-folk and indie rock for a few years now. While many of her contemporaries have been delving more and more into the world of pop music, Jacklin is staying with what she does quite well on her latest. That's not to say "Lydia Wears a Cross" doesn't show Jacklin expanding her sound and even creeping towards pop a little. The new song definitely has a little bit more of a pop feel than her previous songs. Even the drums in "Lydia Wears a Cross" sound a bit electronic. But the guitars keep far more noise and branch out into a slacker solo that could never be considered pop. While Jacklin may be going a little pop, this is a beautiful folk/pop indie rock song that longtime fans of hers are going to adore.

You can watch the video for "Lydia Wears a Cross" below. PRE PLEASURE is due out August 26 on Polyvinyl, and can be pre-ordered here. For more on Julia Jacklin, check out the artist's website.

Wyn Doran Covers Julia Jacklin

Photo by Felton Kizer

In a dream pairing for us, New Hampshire's Wyn Doran has covered Julia Jacklin's holiday song from last year, "baby jesus is nobody's baby now." While Jacklin's original is fairly sparse, Doran's feels even more sparse despite having the same basic instrumentation. The only difference is while Jacklin's version is vocals and guitar, Doran's is vocals and ukulele (I believe it's a uke, at least). It's a gorgeous version of a gorgeous song, and it's the perfect way to bring a non-traditional new holiday favorite back into your playlists this year! Plus, it's not exactly a Christmas song filled with cheer, so it fits right in with Wyn Doran's oeuvre perfectly.

You can listen to Wyn Doran's version of "baby jesus is nobody's baby now" below. For more on Wyn Doran, check out the artist's website.

Julia Jacklin and RVG Cover Bjork

We're not familiar with Melbourne's RVG, but we're pretty much guaranteed to check out anything Julia Jacklin does. Add in our love of cover songs, and you know we can't ignore the two teaming up to take on Bjork's "Army of Me." It's much more true to the original than we would have expected from Jacklin. Maybe it's a little more dreamy and a little lighter, but it's a quite straightforward version of Bjork's 90's classic. It's definitely worth a listen, and it will most likely force you to check out RVG's catalog if you haven't already.

On her Bandcamp page, Julia Jacklin talks about the cover:

"I just love Bjork and I love RVG. I was running on a treadmill which I don't do very often and I was listening to Army of Me over and over again to make me feel stronger than I am. Then I thought why not try and cover this song with another artist that makes me feel stronger than I am and I did! Was a good musical punch in the face to wake me up from a year of living a very small quiet life. RVG are one of my favourite bands in the whole world and it was just a real blessing to spend some time with them making music."

You can listen to Julia Jacklin and RVG cover "Army of Me" below. The song is currently available on Jacklin's Bandcamp. For more on Julia Jacklin, check out her website. For more on RVG, check out theirs.

Julia Jacklin - "Baby Jesus is Nobody's Baby Now"

A Julia Jacklin Christmas song? How could we possibly not bring you that, especially when it ends up being the most lovely, melancholic Christmas song of the year? "Baby Jesus is Nobody's Baby Now" is just Jacklin's impossibly beautiful vocals over a lightly strummed guitar. That's it, and it's perfect. It has such a feeling of resigned sadness while still holding on to hope that it's the perfect way to put a cap on 2020, even though it was written in 2019 while looking forward to 2020. In a statement, Jacklin says:

“2019 was a pretty rough one for my family. I was touring the whole year carrying a lot of guilt for not being able to be at home. Singing super sad songs every night was a blessing and a curse depending on the day. I was imagining Christmas as being this time where we all came together again and took a collective breath but then the bushfires hit and my family live in the country so it was a direct threat.”

“I was living in Melbourne, still pretty new to it, and wasn’t able to go home; the roads were blocked and my family was being evacuated periodically for a month,” she continued. “At one point, Melbourne was blanketed in smoke from the fires, the sun was this menacing red, it felt apocalyptic and pretty hopeless. I wrote this in my room looking forward to 2020, hoping it would be a reset of some kind lol.”

You can watch the video for "Baby Jesus is Nobody's Baby Now" below. You can get a copy via Julia Jacklin's Bandcamp. For more on Julia Jacklin, check out her website.

Ken's Best of 2019 - #3: Julia Jacklin - Crushing

Back in 2016, Julia Jacklin's fantastic album Don't Let the Kids Win just narrowly missed out on being in my top ten of that year. In hindsight, it probably should have. This year's Crushing was even better and is my third favorite album of the year. Crushing is a much better showcase of what we love about Jacklin, but more confident as a musician and songwriter. In a short time she has mastered this blend of singer-songwriter Americana meets indie rock. Her show back in April at Great Scott could have also helped me become so obsessed with Crushing this year. Seeing the relatively quiet song "Head Alone" turn into a complete anthem for the young women in attendance with the line "I don't want to be touched all the time / I raise my body up to be mine" was a powerful moment. There's a reason she jumped from the 220 capacity Great Scott to the 900 seat Somerville Theater in November. Crushing is a huge moment for her, and we all need to jump on this bandwagon.

Songs of note: "Body," "Head Alone," "Pressure to Party," and "Don't Know How to Keep Loving You"

Goodside - "I've Been Feeling Something Lately"

Hailing from Sydney, Goodside's debut single might be the definition of dream pop. "I've Been Feeling Something Lately" is a hazy, swirling song that is cemented firmly in the mid-90's then alternative/now pop sound of bands like Belly. It's catchier than possible and a joy of a song. The title may sound as if it's about developing feelings for someone, according to Casey Logemann:

"When I wrote I’ve Been Feeling Something Lately, I was in a rut and had stopped playing music entirely. I had this burst of excitement to write for the first time in years, it made me feel like myself again.” She continues “I didn’t want to create pressure surrounding my creative process, I just wanted the music to be fun. That’s sort of what the song is about and also why I started Goodside."

You can listen to "I've Been Feeling Something Lately" below. Goodside's debut album will be out later this year. (Side note: Goodside features members of Phantastic Ferniture and Julia Jacklin's live band.) For more on Goodside, check them out on Facebook.

First Listen: New Releases for 22 February

Album of the Week:

Artist: Julia Jacklin
Album: Crushing
Quick Description: New album from a favorite around these parts.
Why You Should Listen: If there's any justice in the world, Jacklin will be much more well-known by the end of this year.
Overall Thoughts: While everyone was busy looking at the Dacus/Bridgers/Baker triumvirate of up-and-coming singer songwriters last year, Julia Jacklin was quietly pulling up in the left lane and is poised to own 2019 if her second album is any indication. I had an inkling that Phantastic Fernature, her more rocking side project, might be a little instructive, but I will say that this new album works in a lot of ways her already-solid debut album may not have. The first two songs grabbed my attention , and hearing lead single “Pressure to Party” in the context of the full album gave it some extra heft I didn’t hear in my initial listens. One of the best, if not the best, of the week, and is almost certain to make a number of year-end lists.
Recommendation: A must-listen.

Artist: Spellling
Album: Mazy Fly
Quick Description: New album an up-and-comer.
Why You Should Listen: This has a ton of buzz surrounding it, and for good reason.
Overall Thoughts: This is one of the better puzzles I’ve been presented with musically as of late. This is equal parts accessible and strange, and both feels like it comes in fully formed while also not quite sure where it’s going. Regardless of what it ends up being, it’s a musical achievement that’s tickled my brain like nothing else lately. In some forms, it feels like a 90s trip-hop album that took a detour into Sade’s neighborhood, but other times it feels like exploring old record/CD bins at a used shop and cramming together a lot of the songs into a cohesive unit. No song sounds quite the same as the one before it, yet it all feels whole and unique. Will this get mainstream success? Will your friends like it? Your guess is as good as mine, but if you take the plunge on this, I guarantee you’ll be rewarded.
Recommendation: Make time for this.

Artist: Vandoliers
Album: Forever
Quick Description: Roots rock wearing multiple hats.
Why You Should Listen: Offers something for everyone and succeeds in the process.
Overall Thoughts: I didn’t know about this band prior to this album, but I’m definitely into what they’re offering. Pigeonholing this as rockabilly or alt-country or country-tinged punk or whatever doesn’t really do it justice, because The Vandoliers do an amazing job of mashing up countless genres to create a fully original-feeling record. This will almost certainly bring a smile to your face this week regardless of what your preferred genre is, so don’t sleep on it.
Recommendation: Put this in as part of your rotation.

Artist: Lily & Madeliene
Album: Canterbury Girls
Quick Description: Latest from the folk-pop duo.
Why You Should Listen: This is a little more mainstream than their previous efforts, but they have yet to steer in the wrong direction.
Overall Thoughts: Latest album from this folky duo definitely feels more mainstream and has some definite moments that sound like they should absolutely take off and be a radio-friendly powerhouse (like with “Pachinko Song” or the retro-tinged “Can’t Help The Way I Feel”). I’ve loved every one of their releases so far, and this has been no different in that regard. They may not get the press and love that groups like First Aid Kit do, but if you haven’t hopped on the bandwagon yet? This is as good a time as ever.
Recommendation: A solid listen this week.

Artist: Desperate Journalist
Album: In Search of the Miraculous
Quick Description: Great alt-rock from a veteran act.
Why You Should Listen: This is the sound of a band that has perfected their sound.
Overall Thoughts: Desperate Journalist has been a band of moments for me up to now, but this album seems to complete the package for me. Sometimes reminiscent of the Jezabels, sometimes feeling like it’s transported from the 1980s, this is basically full-tilt from start to finish and I pretty much loved the whole experience. “Ocean Wave” in particular really won me over, but so much of this album works in being fresh and different while still feeling familiar.
Recommendation: Good for old fans and newcomers alike.

Artist: Telekinesis
Album: Effluxion
Quick Description: Solid indie pop.
Why You Should Listen: Telekinesis has put out album after album of quality work.
Overall Thoughts: All hail indie pop! This album is pretty much the definition of infectious, with bright and hooky songs from the word go. Telekinesis is not forging any new paths in the genre, but it is simply impossible to listen to this album and not bop your head for the duration. A solid entry into an ever-improving catalog by one of the most underrated artists on the scene at present, and arguably one of the best efforts of the week.
Recommendation: Don't sleep on this.

Artist: Adia Victoria
Album: Silences
Quick Description: Latest from the up-and-coming singer-songwriter.
Why You Should Listen: Adia Victoria should be more famous than she is, given how great she is.
Overall Thoughts: At this stage, Adia Victoria has been doing her own thing for so long I just assume her latest album will be as interesting and compelling as the rest. This album is no different – off-center instrumentation, music with a lot of emotion behind it, evocative lyrics, the whole package. Just a gorgeous, haunting experience that I hope translates into the fame I feel like she should already have.
Recommendation: A solid listen and one of the best of the week.

Artist: Sleaford Mods
Album: Eton Alive
Quick Description: Latest from the UK post-...something act.
Why You Should Listen: This may be their best and most accessible effort yet.
Overall Thoughts: Sleaford Mods might be the one act Ken and I disagree significantly on around here that isn't a mainstream pop act. He's been pushing them toward me for ages, but their sort of working class British lo-fi rap-ish...thing never really resonated with me. For whatever reason, however, Eton Alive is really working for me. The instrumentation is sparse, but meaningfully so, and the vocals feel more straightfoward on this in a way their previous albums didn't come across to me. The whole thing is worth a listen, but a song like "Policy Cream" ultimately gets me excited in a way previous Sleaford efforts haven't.
Recommendation: Give this some time.

Artist: Elaquent
Album: Blessing in Disguise
Quick Description: New album from the DJ/producer.
Why You Should Listen: The surprise of the week, great hip-hop-adjacent electronic music.
Overall Thoughts: This album is rock solid. Really reminiscent of some of the jazzy electronica that I was into in high school and college while still maintaining a modern flair, this is something that Ken sent over and just hit me out of nowhere. Definitely a mood record in many regards, this is just something you need to throw on and let take over. You won't regret it.
Recommendation: A must-hear.

Of note:

* And the Kids - When This Life is Over (A favorite act here, this is a gentle, fragile indie pop record with a lot of wonderful moments sprinkled throughout.)
* Our Native Daughters - Songs of Our Native Daughters (Folk supergroup of sorts offering a themed album of history-tinged music.)
* The Claypool Lennon Delerium - South of Reality (This is something I loved, but it’s not for everyone and I can’t imagine you don’t know whether you’d like this or not just by the names involved.)
* Ace of Wands - Lionness (Very alt-rocky in many regards, with a darker feel.)
* Le SuperHomard - Meadow Lane Park (Very gorgeous and compelling at many times; might have to spend more time with this one.)
* Emilie Kahn - Outro
* Faux Ferocious - Pretty Groovy

7 song:

* Bruiser and Bicycle - Woods Come Find Me
* Uffie - Tokyo Love Motel
* Sunwatchers - Illegal Moves

EP:

* Ohmme - Little Helper 341-2

Also out:

* Kehlani - While We Wait
* Susanna and the Brotherhood of Our Lady - Garden of Earthly Delights
* Thelma - The Only Thing
* Buck Gooter - Final Thorns

Julia Jacklin - "Comfort"

Photo by Nick Mckk

The new album from Julia Jacklin will be out this Friday, but she's released one last single while we desperately wait. So far all three singles have been quite different. "Head Alone" felt like it could have been a lost track from her previous album, Don't Let the Kids Win, but with more confidence. "Pressure to Party" was more of a rock song. The third, "Comfort," is an almost painfully quiet folk song. It's only Jacklin's voice in its most delicate possible version with a just barely strummed guitar. (There's also a tiny bit of backing vocals, but just barely and used rarely). With all three of the previewed songs being so completely different from each other (but obviously from the same universe), we can't wait until Friday. 

You can watch the video for "Comfort" below. Crushing, the new album from Julia Jacklin, will be out February 22 on Polyvinyl. You can pre-order a copy here. For more on Julia Jacklin, check out her website.

Julia Jacklin - "Pressure to Party"

Photo by Nick Mckk

Julia Jacklin's latest single, "Pressure to Party," is her most fun solo song yet. Most of her solo work tends to be on the singer/songwriter folk adjacent side of things, of which she has reached complete perfection, and we're huge fans. "Pressure to Party" is a bouncy, fun, 90's style alternative pop-rock song. There's is still enough of her Americana feel to keep things from going all out Letters to Cleo or Veruca Salt, and keeps the track from sounding like a alt-rock throwback. It's a slight style change more on the lines of her music with Phantastic Ferniture than her usual solo material, but you'll hear no complaints here.

You can watch the absurdly fun video for "Pressure to Party" below. It's a one shot video that stars Jacklin's siblings and the band Body Type, and really is a must watch. Julia Jacklin's new album, Crushing, will be out February 22 on Polyvinyl. For more on Julia Jacklin, be sure to check out her website.

Julia Jacklin - "Head Alone"

Photo by Nick Mckk

We were huge fans of Julia Jacklin's 2016 debut album Don't Let the Kids Win. It narrowly missed being in my top 10 of that year, and if I could redo my top 10 it would probably make it. Despite releasing a new album with her band Phantastic Ferniture earlier this year, she's already back again with new solo music.

"Head Alone" is mesmerizing. It's everything we loved about the Americana meets indie rock sound of Don't Let the Kids Win, but with a newfound sense of confidence. You can just hear it in her voice. While the songs off the previous album had a sense of fragility, Jacklin sounds empowered in "Head Alone."

You can watch the video for "Head Alone" below. Julia Jacklin's new album, Crushing, will be out February 22 on Polyvinyl. You can pre-order the album here. For more on Julia Jacklin, check out her website. She'll be touring the US with Black Belt Eagle Scout next year, so you'll definitely want to check that out.

Phantastic Ferniture - "Gap Year"

We were pretty huge on Julia Jacklin's 2016 debut Don't Let the Kids Win. While she doesn't have a new solo album on the horizon, she's involved in another band that does! Phantastic Ferniture started back in 2014 when Jacklin and ten friends pledged to start a band together on her birthday. The next day four of them remembered, so a band was formed. The band played what was supposed to be their first and last gig four months later, but ended up getting together when they could to play together. Thus, Phastastic Ferniture was born. Jacklin describes the new band this way: “I’d gone straight into folk music, so every experience I’d had on stage was playing sad music with a guitar in my hand. I thought, I would love to know what it’s like to make people feel good and dance.” Their new song, "Gap Year," definitely fits that description. It's far more upbeat and rocking than anything from Don't Let the Kids Win, and is just fun rock music that happens to be pretty great. Especially right after the two minute mark when the guitars truly kick in. Somehow Jacklin's voice is perfectly suited for her solo folk music and this new fun rock style. I can't wait to hear more.

You can watch the video for "Gap Year" below. Fantastic Pherniture's self-titled debut album will be out July 27 on Polyvinyl. You can pre-order a copy here. For more on Fantastic Ferniture, check out their website.

Julia Jacklin - "Cold Caller"

Photo by Nick McKinlay

Today is the release date for the latest single from Julia Jacklin, which also means that we get to check out the b-side, "Cold Caller." The song is extremely sentimental, and Jacklin began writing it after her older sister told her she was pregnant, and started recording it on the day she went into labor. The song starts off with exactly what we've come to expect from Jacklin at this point. It's a groovy, sunny Americana song. But ever so slowly the tiniest bit of noise starts to creep in, which she might have picked up from touring with Marlon Wayans so much. By the end, the song is in full on brilliant power ballad territory. If you weren't as obsessed with Julia Jacklin as we are yet, this one might do it.

You can listen to "Cold Caller" below. The "Eastwick"/"Cold Caller" 7 inch is out today on Polyvinyl Recording Co. For more on Julia Jacklin, check out her website, and be sure to see her live next time she comes around your way.

Julia Jacklin - "Eastwick"

Photo by Nick McKinlay

Although you may have to wait three more months for an actual copy of her new 7", we can now listen to the new single from Julia Jacklin. "Eastwick" was inspired by a night watching Dancing With the Stars, of all things. It starts off very quietly, as a fairly standard singer/songwriter offering. Jacklin's voice has never sounded more beautiful and vulnerable than it does in "Eastwick." But, a strange thing happens throughout the song. It builds so gradually and slowly, that it eventually becomes a mid-tempo almost noisy power ballad by the end without you even realizing it. It starts off as a really good song to one of the best you'll hear all year, all in the span of four minutes.

You can watch the video for "Eastwick" below. The 7" for "Eastwick" will be available September 15 on Polyvinyl Recording Co. For more on Julia Jacklin, check out her website. She also recently did a performance for NPR's Tiny Desk Concert series, which you can watch here. Jacklin is currently out on tour. Her dates are below the video.

Wed. June 14 – Bergen, NO @ BergenFest
Fri. June 23 – Netherlands @ Down The Rabbit Hole Festival
Sun. June 25 – Glastonbury, UK @ Glastonbury Festival
Thu. June 29 – Denmark @ Roskilde Festival
Fri. July 7 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer*
Sat. July 8 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club*
Tue. July 11 – Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop*
Fri. July 14 – Henham Park, UK @ Latitude Festival
Sun. July 16 – Riga, Latvia @ Positivus Festival
Fri. July 21 – Byron Bay, NSW @ Splendour In The Grass
Sun. July 23 – Los Angeles, LA @ FYF Fest
Wed. July 26 – Brooklyn, NY @ Union Pool
Sat. July 29 – Newport, RI @ Newport Folk Festival
Sat. Aug 5 – Sun. Aug 6 – Happy Valley, OR @ Pickathon Festival
Thu. Aug. 10 – Oslo, NO @ Oya Festival
Fri. Aug. 11 – Gothenburg, SE @ Way Out West Festival
Sat. Aug 12 – Haldern, DE @ Haldern Pop
Fri. Aug. 18 – Brecon Beacons, UK @ Green Man Festival
Sat. Aug. 19 – Hasselt, BE @ Pukkelpop
Sun. Sept. 3 – Wiltshire, UK @ End of the Road Festival
Thu. Nov 2 – Portsmouth, UK @ Wedgewood Rooms
Fri. Nov 3 – Bristol, UK @ Thekla
Sat. Nov 4– Leeds, UK @ Belgrave Music Hall
Mon. Nov 6 – Glasgow, UK @ Oran Mor
Tue. Nov 7 – Manchester, UK @ Gorilla
Wed. Nov 8 – Nottingham, UK @ Rescue Rooms
Thu. Nov 9 – London, UK @ O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire
Mon. Nov. 13 – Brooklyn, NY @ Rough Trade
Wed. Nov 15 – Toronto, ON @ The Drake
Fri. Nov. 17 – Chicago, IL @ Schubas
Sat. Nov. 18 – Vancouver, BC @ Biltmore
Sun. Nov. 19 – Portland, OR @ Doug Fir
Mon. Nov. 20 – San Francisco, CA @ Café Du Nord

Julia Jacklin Covers The Strokes

Photo credit: Nick McKinlay

Rest easy readers: Our long fifteen day streak of not bringing you a cover song is finally over! Julia Jacklin, who is quickly becoming one of our favorites for covers thanks to her covers of Leonard Cohen and Big Thief, recently stopped by Australia's Triple J. They do a thing called Like a Version, which we apparently need to pay more attention to. She broke out a version of The Strokes' "Someday." While the original is a rambling, fun rocker, Jacklin's version is a much more slower paced dreamy version. Unless you were paying close attention, it would be easy to not even realize it's a Strokes cover since it's such a huge departure from the original, and is transformed to a laid back power ballad.

You can watch Julia Jacklin perform her cover of "Someday" below. The first minute or so of the video is an interview, so skip to 1:00 if you just want to hear the song. For more on Jacklin, check out her website.

Julia Jacklin Covers Leonard Cohen

Photo by James Adams

Julia Jacklin's album, Don't Let the Kids Win, was one of my favorite albums of 2016. If I did more than a top 10, it probably would have made it at #11. Possibly as a way to remind me how much I loved the album, Jacklin has released a cover of Leonard Cohen's "Memories." It's part of her YouTube tour diaries collection, so as of right now you can't get your own copy. The video itself is a collection of mostly backstage clips of Jacklin's tour, but the audio is simply stunning. Just Jacklin and her guitar covering a master poet and songwriter. "Memories" is a fragile song under any circumstances, but somehow Jacklin turns the song into a confessional even though the words aren't hers. I can only beg you to check out this song.

You can watch the video for Julia Jacklin's cover of "Memories" below. For more on Julia Jacklin, check out her website. She is also embarking on an extensive worldwide tour. You can find the dates here.

Julia Jacklin Covers Big Thief

Photo credit: Nick McKinlay

Two of my absolute favorite releases of the year (and both strong contenders for album of the year) are Big Thief's Masterpiece and Julia Jacklin's Don't Let the Kids Win. Another thing we love here at If It's Too Loud... are cover songs, so imagine my delight to see that Julia Jacklin has covered Big Thief's "Paul." It doesn't seem like modern artists cover their contemporaries the way that artists in the 50s and 60s used to, so this is a rare choice, but a great one. Jacklin's version of "Paul" stays completely true to the original, and is a complete homage and show of admiration for Big Thief's song. Let's hope this leads to a Big Thief version of "Pool Party" or "Coming of Age."

You can watch Julia Jacklin perform "Paul" below. For more information on Julia Jacklin, check out her website. For more on Big Thief, check out theirs.

First Listen, Part Two: More New Releases for October 7

Aaaaaaaaaand we're back!

Artist: Julia Jacklin
Album: Don't Let the Kids Win
Quick Description: Debut album from a favorite here.
Why You Should Listen: She's a modern throwback in all the best ways.
Overall Thoughts: We've spilled a lot of digital ink on Jacklin over the last year, so to finally have a solo album is great, and the fact that it's meeting and exceeding expectations is just icing on the cake. This was very nearly my album of the week, and the promise that came with "Pool Party" and "Leadlight" was fulfilled, plain and simple.
Recommendation: Listen to this album. It's a must.

Artist: Springtime Carnivore
Album: Midnight Room
Quick Description: Second album from another retro-styled duo.
Why You Should Listen: When the melodies are on, they are on.
Overall Thoughts: I fell in love with this act with "Name in the Matchbook" from their debut, so seeing a new album was exciting. This continues the same sort of dreamy, poppy sound that we started out with, but with some more modern(ish) inflections. Overall, a fun listen for anyone who likes the sort of indie pop that harkens to an earlier time.
Recommendation: Worth a listen.

Artist: Joyce Manor
Album: Cody
Quick Description: Punk act takes it a little slower.
Why You Should Listen: A song like "Fake ID" will grab you, but there's a lot more to it here.
Overall Thoughts: Looking this up a bit, I was surprised to hear they're traditionally punk, because "Fake ID" (a recent Discover Weekly find) felt more indie rock and this album doesn't scream punk to me on first listen (especially in a week where NOFX has an album out). So the surprises within this quick hit of an album are great in and of themselves, but the full listen is absolutely worth it.
Recommendation: Should make your list this week.

Artist: Pony Hunt
Album: Heart Creak
Quick Description: Lo-fi country-folk.
Why You Should Listen: You wish Hooray for the Riff Raff wasn't so polished.
Overall Thoughts: I don't know if there are any drawbacks to this album. It's quiet and lovely, with singer/songwriter Jessie Antonick's melodies just flowing over everything so beautifully. There are so many wonderful, gorgeous things going on here that I can't wait to get back to the album because it's that good. The Julia Jacklin album is likely to get a lot of the press, but do not sleep on this, as it was also an album of the week contender. Just really amazing stuff here for an independent folk artist that wasn't on a lot of radars.
Recommendation: Another must-listen in a week full of them.

Artist: Hiss Golden Messenger
Album: Heart Like a Levee
Quick Description: The indie folkster comes back with something barebones.
Why You Should Listen: You're a fan and somehow the other folk offerings aren't doing it for you.
Overall Thoughts: It's almost a shame that this was the release date for Heart Like a Levee. On one hand, Hiss Golden Messenger is pretty well known, but when you have such great folk albums out this week, it's hard for this to break through. It may be good on its own, but next to Pony Hunt and Jacklin, it feels more uninspired.
Recommendation: Might work, but maybe save it for later.

Artist: Lewis Del Mar
Album: Lewis Del Mar
Quick Description: Glitchy alt-rock.
Why You Should Listen: You can't wait for the next Alt-J record.
Overall Thoughts: I make the Alt-J reference very specifically because, frankly, I don't think this album exists without them. There's the bass-heavy beats, the stilted melodies, the strange instrumentation, and it all works. It definitely has a major label/production sheen over it where Alt-J leaves a little of the rough patches, but that's really the only downside on what's easily the most interesting release this week. You can get a good idea from single "Loud(y)" as to whether this will work for you, but it worked for me.
Recommendation: Definitely worth a shot.


Also out this week:

* NOFX - First Ditch Effort (this is really good, I just have nothing to say about it)
* Brookzill - Throwback to the Future

Live Shows: Marlon Williams and Julia Jacklin, Great Scott, Allston, MA 9/30/16

Photo by Ken Sears

In one of my most anticipated double bills all year, Marlon Williams came through Boston with Julia Jacklin. Pairing two Americana artists from New Zealand and Australia seems like such an obvious choice that it would never happen, but sometimes things just work out perfectly that way.

 Any time you talk about Marlon Williams, you have to mention his voice. His voice is, quite simply, absolutely stunning. He has such a pure talent of singing that doesn't usually fit into the whole country/folk thing. It's like an American Idol crooner became obsessed after Hank Williams week. Not too many crooners sing songs about the only woman ever executed in New Zealand ("The Ballad of Minnie Dean"). He has the type of voice that gives him an immediate, obsessive and vocal female fanbase, which was out strong at Great Scott. It's a level of adoration usually reserved for the Justin Biebers of the world. 

Photo by Ken Sears

This dedication won't keep him in small dingy rock clubs for much longer. His backing band, The Yarra Benders, might just be the tightest band I've ever seen playing a club with a capacity under 300. Every song from the rowdy "Hello Miss Lonesome" to the mournful "Dark Child" captivated the crowd. The songs performed with a band and the ones he did solo and acoustic were all just as engaging as the one before it. The only time the band played on the sloppier end was on a cover of the classic "The End of the World," which is exactly what a cover song like that should be.

Julia Jacklin didn't get quite the same level of devotion that Marlon Williams received, but her album isn't even officially out yet. A good chunk of the crowd chose to sit at the bar and socialize loudly, but it was truly their mistake. Playing as a duo with a second guitar player, Jacklin had a smaller but equally as appreciative audience with completely stripped down versions of "Coming of Age" (which was dedicated to a friend celebrating his 30th birthday that night, his age said in a way to make me feel ancient) and "Pool Party," which is a strong contender for song of the year for me. Her gently strummed guitar was almost drowned out by the folks at the bar, but I'm sure they'll be bragging they were there when she's playing (and wowing the crowd at) the Newport Folk Festival next summer.

This was the type of show that everyone there will get to boast about in a few years. The large clubs and theaters will be in Williams' and Jacklin's very near future.

Julia Jacklin - "Coming of Age"

Photo credit: Nick McKinlay

Regardless of how you decide summer ends, it is definitely coming to a close in the next week or so. Luckily for us, fall tends to mean better and more frequent music releases. Right now, we have another song from Julia Jacklin's debut album. As with the previous two, I'm not lamenting the end of summer if it leads to us being closer to the release of Don't Let the Kids Win.

"Coming of Age" is a little more alt rock than the previous songs, but it still squeezes just enough Americana (despite Jacklin being from Australia) to fit right in. It's a fairly straightforward bop along rock based pop song, with jangly guitars (and one that creates a feedback swirl throughout nearly the entire song). It's one of those perfect for summer songs even though the album comes out in the fall. Although, it's spring for Australia, so maybe that does make sense.


Julia Jacklin's debut album, Don't Let the Kids Win, is due out October 7 on Polyvinyl. You can listen to "Coming of Age" below. For more information on Jacklin, check out her website, and look for her upcoming tour dates way at the bottom of this post.

  

Aug. 25 - El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles CA, USA w/ Julien Baker (Solo)
Aug. 26 - Berlin, New York City, NY, USA w/ Hollis Brown (Solo)
Aug. 31 - London, UK @ The Lexington – SOLD OUT
Sept. 2 - Vlieland, Netherlands @ Into the Great Wide Open
Sept. 3 - Salisbury, UK @ End of the Road Festival 2016
Sept. 4 - Stradbally, Ireland @ Electric Picnic 2016
Sept. 6 - Stockholm, Sweden @ Bar Brooklyn, Debaser (Solo)
Sept. 7 - Oslo, Norway @ Revolver Upstairs (Solo)
Sept. 8 - Copenhagen, Denmark @ Himmeriget Bar (Solo)
Sept. 9 - Berlin, Germany @ Dodo Beach Record Store (Solo)
Sept. 10 - Haldern, Germany @ Pop Bar (Solo)
Sept. 11 – Belgium @ Leffinge Leuren Festival (Solo)
Sept. 17 - Ottawa, ON, Canada @ Cityfolk
Sept. 18 - Toronto, ON, Canada @ Toronto Urban Roots Festival
Sept. 20 - Chicago, IL, USA @ Martyrs' $
Sept. 21 - Madison WI, USA @ The Frequency
Sept. 22 - Champaign, IL, USA @ Pygmalion Music Festival
Sept. 23 - Cincinnati, OH, USA @ Midpoint Music Festival
Sept. 24 - Washington, DC, USA @ DC9 Nightclub $
Sept. 25 - New York, NY, USA @ The Bowery Ballroom $
Sept. 27 - Philadelphia, PA, USA @ Boot & Saddle $
Sept. 29 - Montreal, QC, Canada @ Divan Orange $
Sept. 30 - Boston, MA, USA @ Great Scott’s $
Oct. 1 – Pine Plaines, NY, USA @Huichica Festival
Oct. 4 - West Hollywood, CA, USA @ Troubadour $
Oct. 6 - Portland, OR, USA @ Doug Fir Lounge $
Oct. 7 - Vancouver, BC, Canada @ Biltmore Cabaret $
Oct. 8 - Seattle, WA, USA @ Neptune Theatre
Oct. 24 - Berlin, Germany @ Maze
Oct. 25 - Cologne, Germany @ Blue Shell #

Oct. 26 - Munich, Germany @ Unter Deck #
Oct. 27 - St Gallen, Switzerland @ Palace #
Oct. 29 - Zwolle, Netherlands @ Let's Get Lost Festival
Oct. 30 - Brussels, Belgium @ AB Club #
Oct. 31 - Rotterdam, Netherlands @ Rotown
Nov. 2 - Paris, France @ Le Pop-Up du Label
Nov. 3 - Brighton, England @ The Haunt #
Nov. 4 - Nottingham, England @ Bodega #
Nov. 5 - Glasgow, Scotland @ CCA #
Nov. 6 - Newcastle, England @ The Cluny #
Nov. 8 - Manchester, England @ Manchester Gorilla #
Nov. 9 - Bristol, England @ Thekla #
Nov. 10 - London, England @ Koko #
Nov. 11 - Dublin @ Grand Social
Nov. 18-19 - Mullumbimby Music Festival, NSW, Australia
Nov. 25 - Paradise Music Festival, VIC, Australia
Nov. 26-27 - Queenscliff Music Festival, VIC, Australia
Dec. 2-3 - Fairgrounds Festival, NSW, Australia

$ w/ Marlon Williams
# w/ Whitney