Jessica Lea Mayfield writes the kind of broken-hearted country songs that’ve gone to die in Nashville so many times before. But Mayfield isn’t looking for gold in Music City and whatever she lacks in originality is overshadowed by her voice, a wrenchingly indifferent and thorny husk that sounds like Neko Case with a bottle of Robitussin. Maybe that’s why The Black Keys asked her to sing on their new album and why Keys guitarist Dan Auerbach offered to produce her debut, a phenomenal twelve-track parcel of sonic tears called With Blasphemy So Heartfelt. Mayfield is only nineteen, but “Kiss Me Again”—the album’s opener—might be the realest song about seduction we’ve heard in a long time. Download that track below and also stream another cut from Blasphemy—the slide-drenched “Hold Me Close."
Download: Jessica Lea Mayfield - Kiss Me Again
Stream: Jessica Lea Mayfield - Hold Me Close
Jessica Lea Mayfield's RCRD LBL Page
This year SXSW this year, we noticed a tenacious Americana folk/bluegrass/roots revival- the type invented on American porches while smoking cigarettes and drinking sweet tea. A washboard is usually involved as an instrument. You wouldn't be surprised to see chickens running around at the band members' feet. Harbingers of the movement? The vibrant, gritty Felice Brothers, The Butchers and the Builders, Phonograph, Dr. Dog, etc....check it out here.
For more click here.
The Michigan-hailing Frontier Ruckus has a rustic, hay-rustling, Appalachian lull about them. The song "The blood" is from their self-released EP, I am the water you are pumping. Talk about grass-roots campaign- their EP is literally tied together with twine into a handbook- with featuring drawings and hand-written lyrics from the band's lead singer Matthew Milia. Rest assured, it's limited edition. Regardless- it's Austin-appropriate divine, laid-back folk.
To note, the track "The Blood" is a quick first glimpse at their sound; the final, polished version of the song will be debuted later this year when their full EP is released.
Frontier Ruckus' SXSW Schedule:
March 12 2pm SXSW Day Party @ Victory Grill
March 12 8pm SXSW Showcase: Soho Lounge
March 14 1pm SXSW Day party: Quiet Scientific/Secretly Canadian/ Team Love/ Dead oceans @ Lambert's Downtown BBQ
Download: Frontier Ruckus- The Blood
Frontier Ruckus @ Myspace
Frontier Ruckus' Website
On a snowy day, NYC kinda starts to feel like a small town. Everything's a bit quieter and moves a bit slower. Nursing this mellow state this morning, I've been playing "Hangman" by Fire On Fire. The band is undeniably earthy bluegress, having begun “without a name in a warm kitchen in Maine.” In "Hangman," the vocals and harmonium gush in about 20 seconds in, as if one just opened the door to enchanting bonfire. Colleen Kinsella’s extreme shrill adds unique pathos to the circus of instruments: mandolin, banjo, harmonium, accordion, guitar, tamboritza, and jembe. It's easy to understand how Fire on Fire fits in with the rest of Michael Gira's indie label Young God Records (think Akron/Family, Devendra Banhart). This music keeps you warm and toasty, despite feezing temperatures. Well, that and the whiskey.
Download: Fire On Fire - Hangman
Fire on Fire at Young God Records
Fire on Fire on Myspace
