If It's Too Loud...

When I first listened to "I Do," the latest song from the collaboration between Simon and the Astronauts and Rachel Haden, I was smitten by how much it sounded like pure Rachel Haden. It sounded like early that dog. mixed with the melodies and later that dog. Turns out the song pre-dates Haden's 90's band! Simon Wells explains the origins of the song: “This song was initially a sketch written by Rachel Haden when she was just a teenager, before she started That Dog and took on global, post-grunge counter cultural status. It is a meeting of minds, the clarity of Rachel’s idea and the complexity of the Astronauts to make a Cocteau Twins soundscape.” "I Do" is an insanely gorgeous power ballad. It starts off with just Haden's vocals and a guitar. You almost forget just how powerful her voice can be until it gets a showcase like this song. The song slowly builds in instrumentation, eventually swelling into an epic complete with one of the greatest 90's s...

Photo via Facebook We loved The Haden Triplets's 2014 debut album. Their three part harmonies and traditional folk songs hit us right in a sweet spot (plus, being huge fans of that dog. doesn't hurt). Their take on the traditional "Wayfaring Stranger" has surprised me. I'd expect a very traditional take on the song, but The Haden Triplets go in an ultra-modern experimental folk direction with it. Does as a tribute to their late father, Charlie Haden, they kept their voices right up front and instrumentation to a bare minimum. All instruments are played in a very slow, haunting way to an intense effect. It's an interesting direction for The Haden Triplets, and for the song itself. You can watch the lyric video for "Wayfaring Stranger" below. The Family Songbook , the upcoming album from The Haden Triplets, will be out January 24 on Trimeter Records. You can pre-order a copy here . For more on The Haden Triplets, check them out on Facebook and T...

Rachel Haden (That Dog, The Rentals, The Haden Triplets, and Weezer's "I Just Threw Out the Love of My Dreams") has just released her debut solo single, which is surprising since she's a 20+ year music veteran. "Devil's In Me" isn't as traditionally folky as her work with The Haden Triplets and not as 90s alternative as That Dog, but instead stands with a foot in both sides. It's probably closer to the more laid back side of That Dog, especially since That Dog was always shockingly good at harmonizing for a noisy 90s band. "Devil's In Me" starts off quite quietly and folky, but slowly picks up intensity without becoming a rocker.  "Devil's In Me" is currently available in limited editions from Greenway Records. You can pick up a copy here , and be sure to check out Rachel Haden's website for any upcoming info.

After missing Friday's edition of the Newport Folk Festival, I entered Fort Adams State Park on Sunday determined not to miss a single thing. Of course, with 4 official stages all going at once, such a thing is impossible, as I re-learn every year. Starting the day off at the Quad Stage, The Haden Triplets came on bright and early at 11:05 am. Considering the last time I saw Petra and Rachel perform live, it was at the Middle East in Cambridge with That Dog, the circumstances couldn't have been more different. Instead of 90s post-grunge guitars, they performed beautiful 3 part harmonies over classic country and folk songs. Dedicating their set to their father, the recently departed Charlie Haden, they covered classics like Bill Monroe's "Voice From on High" and The Carter Family's "Single Girl, Married Girl." After The Haden Triplets, I headed down to the Harbor Stage for John Reilly & Friends. Yes, it's that John Reilly of such films a...

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...