Category: Artist Profiles

Plainclothes Tracy

I needed some music like this. Simple; warm; comfortable. Plainclothes Tracy is a five-piece folk pop band out of Knoxville, Tennessee. They’re still in the beginning phase of their career together, which you can tell from the somewhat unvaried music throughout their self-titled EP, but their sound keeps my ears keen. It’s wonderfully charming and… Continue reading Plainclothes Tracy

The Downer Party

The Downer Party’s name makes sense, I guess. The songs aren’t exactly the happiest stories in the world (downer), but their sounds burst with life (party!). Insightful, right? I know! Thanks. The foursome is based out of San Francisco and is readying a new EP, Cities, set to drop April 1. The album captures the… Continue reading The Downer Party

Nijae Draine

Nijae Draine, singer/songwriter of the indie pop band Crash Collect, recently recorded and released a solo acoustic EP, Spring Cleaning, with six songs all less than 2:30 each. What results is a quick view into a fragile, honest collection of emotions. (It’s also nice that Nina Simone, a similarly soulful artist, comes right after Draine… Continue reading Nijae Draine

[MP3] Collider: “Mono”

Collider, the San Fransisco crew I’ve talked up a few times here, is releasing a digital single series in 2011 and decided to start in March (probably because it’s my birthday month) with Mono. If the first release is indicative of the entire series, all singles will be free to download from Collider’s Bandcamp. They’ll… Continue reading [MP3] Collider: “Mono”

New eskimeaux

Welcome back, me! Sorry I’ve been gone a while on *gulp* “real-life” work. I hate doing this (repeating earlier posts), but I feel I have no other option in this situation, as I’ve learned little else from eskimeaux. Except that Gabby and I have kept up a friendly email correspondence, even if I learn nothing!… Continue reading New eskimeaux

[Stars on C-30] Plustapes and Treetop Sorbet

Tape labels are abundant these days, as are new cassette releases, and Stars on C-30 includes reviews of some of these releases, the occasional band or label profile, and a look at the culture surrounding cassettes. In any musical genre there are quiet leaders, bands who help define a sound but never become the “it”… Continue reading [Stars on C-30] Plustapes and Treetop Sorbet

Hidden Pictures

Please believe me when I tell you I was not compelled to write about Hidden Pictures simply because of the male part of the duo’s striking resemblance to Elliott Smith. I mean, it certainly helped (and it’s pretty eerie), but their music struck me in a sweet spot as well. It’s simple, pop-infused rock, with… Continue reading Hidden Pictures

[MP3] Sam Owens: “How To Build A Clock”

Sam Owens’ fourth album, How To Build A Clock, is making some serious rounds after his first few albums were only heard by a select few. Which is a shame, really, as Owens knows how to craft head-boppers. Nowhere is that more evident than on the title track off the album, which he’s made available… Continue reading [MP3] Sam Owens: “How To Build A Clock”