It's hard to find new things to write about Jake Xerxes Fussell because his songs are just so consistently great. All of the previously released singles for his upcoming album have all had that traditional folk but done in a unique way while sounding completely familiar sound, and his latest also nails that. "Rolling Mills Are Burning Down" is a great folk song. Like... it's really great. It's such a simple song, but it's a rare thing to find an artist this earnest who releases music without any pretentiousness or preciousness. "Rolling Mills Are Burning Down" makes Fussell sound like a modern day John Prine in its simple beauty.
You can listen to "Rolling Mills Are Burning Down" below. Good and Green Again is due out January 21 on Paradise of Bachelors. The album can be pre-ordered/pre-saved here. For more on Jake Xerxes Fussell, check out the artist's website. Upcoming tour dates are below the song.
Fri. Jan. 21 - Chapel Hill, NC @ The Nightlight ^ Sat. Jan. 22 - Richmond, VA @ The Camel Sun. Jan. 23 - Washington, DC @ Pie Shop Tue. Jan. 25 - Philadelphia, PA @ PhilaMOCA # Wed. Jan. 26 - Brooklyn, NY @ The Knitting Factory Thu. Jan. 27 - Boston, MA @ Club Passim Fri. Jan 28 - Keene, NH @ Nova Arts Sat. Jan. 29 - Saratoga Springs, NY @ Caffe Lena Thu. Feb. 17 - Los Angeles, CA @ Gold Diggers * Sat. Feb 19 - Santa Monica, CA @ McCabe’s Guitar Shop * Tue. Feb 22 - Portland, OR @ The Old Church * Wed. Feb 23 - Seattle, WA @ Fremont Abbey * Sun. May 1 - Kilkenny, IE @ Kilkenny Roots Mon. May 2 - Kilkenny, IE @ Kilkenny Roots Tue. May 3 - Dublin, IE @ Bello Bar Wed. May 4 - Belfast, UK @ Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival Fri. May 6 - Manchester, UK @ Gulliver’s Sat. May 7 - London, UK @ Oslo Sun. May 8 - Glasgow, UK @ Glad Cafe Mon. May 9 - York, UK @ Fulford Arms Wed. May 11 - Ultrecht, NL @ Tivoli (Club Nine) Fri. May 13 - Nijmegen, NL @ Merleyn Sat. May 14 - Cologne, DE @ King Georg Mon. May 16 - Hamburg, DE @ Aalhaus Tue. May 17 - Amsterdam, NL @ Paradiso ^ w/ special guest Rosali # w/ special guest Mike Polizze * w/ special guest Tom Brosseau
Photo by Heather DeFoggi Gerard For his upcoming album, Sean Thomas Gerard recorded in the corner of his garage which is also a playroom for his two daughters. Somehow, you can hear that vibe in his latest single, "Bright Side." The song just feels like home. It's a laid back indie folk/singer-songwriter track that is overflowing with warmth. The sing is on the mainstream side of its genres, but when you nail a sound like Gerard has, there's certainly nothing wrong with that. This is the type of song that is pleasant and enjoyable when you first start it, and then you end up liking it more and more as it goes. By the time it's over, you're going to want to listen again. By the third or fourth listen, "Bright Side" is going to end up one of your favorite songs of this young year. Sean Thomas Gerard says of his music: “I think about some day when I'm gone, my kids will be able to put on my records and feel like they can spend time with me again....
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...
Photo by Sultana Garritano Brooklyn's DJ Haram has a new single out that shows off her trademark boom bap sprinkled with Middle Eastern instrumentation sound. "Fishnets" features verses from Bbymutha, SHA RAY, and August Fanon, and has an intense and almost menacing vibe, despite being an absolute banger of a track. It's hypnotic and immediately grabs your attention, and if you're unfamiliar with the trio of rappers on the song, you're sure to start pulling up their bodies of work. "Fishnets" is one of those songs that just feels cool and makes you need to hear more from all of the artists involved. DJ Haram says of her latest single: "‘Fishnets’ is for the eclectic bad bitches. The people united will never be defeated." You can listen to "Fishnets" below. Beside Myself is due out July 18 on Hyperdub, and is available for pre-order here . For more on DJ Haram, check out the artist on Instagram and Twitter . Upcoming tour dates a...