Earworm of the Week: The Wild Feathers, “Hard Times”

Posted on August 22, 2013 by Krissie

Confession: Every two out of three days, I wish I was William from Almost Famous.

There’s something wildly intoxicating about the idea of living a life on the road, being immersed in music every day from the time you wake up to the time you go to sleep. (Aside: The reasons I identify with William, other than the obvious writing connection, over the band-aids are another blog post for another day.)

So it should come as no surprise that I have fallen madly in love with The Wild Feathers, a band that sounds and looks like they could have walked straight out of the movie. Reverb-y electric guitar mixed with acoustic strumming; road-weathered vocals peppered with assurances that no matter how crazy life gets, you’re always going to come out on the upside; and multi-part harmonies that will make you swoon. It’s an iconic sound in a style reminiscent of The Band, but with its own little modern-day charm.

I have been listening to their debut album non-stop for a week now. Dear readers, this is going to be one really awful musical crush.

This particular number, “Hard Times,” has a magnetic pull on me, so it claims Earworm of the Week status. I seriously have played it 100 times. One of those songs that I hit repeat on like six times in a row. My god, the harmonies. Love, love, love.

The Wild Feathers are playing in Charlotte next month, opening for ZZ Ward with James Bay (who also has my little musical heart pitter-pattering these days). I have pretty high expectations of them. If they are as good as they expect them to be, I’m going to quit my job and follow them on tour. Fair warning.

(A giant hat tip to The Good Groupie, who has talked about The Wild Feathers for months and inspired me to go check them out, finally.)

More The Wild Feathers: Web | Facebook | Twitter

Sofar Sounds and The Rouge

Posted on August 21, 2013 by Krissie

Earlier this week, fellow music lover and Twitter junkie Mike told me about Sofar Sounds after attending an event this weekend in Atlanta. Taking house concerts to a new level, this concept is so freaking cool. Get music lovers to sign up / host house concerts of up and coming bands in their city. Make it invite only. Keep it secret who is playing until the guests arrive.

I want in.

I immediately go to their website to check it out…and it’s started up in about 2 dozen cities around the world, but of course, nothing in Charlotte. I love my Queen City, but when it comes to music, it can be so behind the times. *insert dramatic sigh* And shit fire, I live in an apartment and can’t even offer to host something. *more dramatic sighing*

I’m not kidding you, later the same day, my insane band crush The Rouge posted a video of them playing a Sofar Sounds show in Nashville. SERIOUSLY? Now I want to be part of this inner Sofar Sounds circle even more…

Check out The Rouge performing “Medication”… and “Handcuffs” … then tell me you don’t want to be at this party, too?

More The Rouge: Web | Facebook | Twitter

Something New: Paperhouse

Posted on August 20, 2013 by Krissie

Shane Hines and Megan Conner are Nashville’s newest duo, Paperhouse.

Chasing around unknown bands and artists for years has allowed me to meet some really incredible musicians, and in a few cases, call them friends. One of those people is Shane Hines, a songwriter originally from the Washington, D.C. area, now living in Nashville. As a writer, Shane is one of the most honest that there is.

A few years ago, Shane moved to Nashville and is really finding his stride there, nurtured by a community of songwriters and kindred musical souls. More recently, he’s teamed up with Megan Conner, a smoky-voiced country sweetheart, to form a new duo called PaperHouse.

I know, I know. Duos are the “it” thing right now and everyone seems to be doing it for the sake of doing it. But, some people are just born to write and sing together, and sometimes the stars align to make it happen. That is very much the case with Paperhouse. One listen to their desire-driven, hard-driving rocker of a first single, “Cannonball,” and you’ll agree that the band name is a bit of a misnomer. This musical house is as sturdy as they come.

Keep your eyes on this pair, gang. I have a gut feeling about them.

More PaperHouse: Web | Facebook | Soundcloud

Cattle & Cane Cover The Killers

Posted on August 18, 2013 by Krissie

There is not much sweeter in the world than the “blood harmonies” that some siblings can make when they sing. There’s just something magic about the way their voices align. I think that’s what first grabbed me about Cattle & Cane, a family band out of Teesside, UK.

I adore when a band can cover someone’s else’s song and make you listen to it a completely different way. (Favorite example? Obadiah Parker’s cover of Outkast’s “Hey Ya” – seriously, the lyrics are freaking amazing!) So when Cattle & Cane posted this sweet video of Helen and Joe sitting in an average bedroom singing The Killers “Mr. Brightside,” I had to watch it. Pretty sure that one of the other band members is singing from off screen, but I can’t tell for sure. Either way…

WOW. Simple. Beautiful. Love it. Hope you do, too.

Be sure to check out the band’s original music…it is just as stunning. You can pick up a free download of “Red,” a B-side from their latest EP, for free at their Bandcamp page right now.

Happy Monday, everyone.

Earworm of the Week: Bad Suns, “Cardiac Arrest”

Posted on August 15, 2013 by Krissie

Decided to start a new segment here on jrzygyrl.com, in hopes of re-inspiring myself to write more often. Meet the Earworm of the Week – a piece where I’ll give you a new song that will get so stuck in your head that you’ll end up playing it compulsively.

So…the debut Earworm, “Cardiac Arrest” by The Bad Suns out of Los Angeles. Recently signed to Vagrant Records, this guitar-driven four piece just wrapped up recording their debut EP, expected out sometime this year. It’s hard to find much about them online, as is typical with the scrubbing o’ the web that goes on once a band gets signed, but here’s what I know:

The Bad Suns (Chris Bowman – lead vocals/guitar, Ray Libby – guitar, Gavin Bennett – bass, Miles Morris – Drums) formed sometime in 2012 in Woodland Hills, CA. The fellas are super young – Bowman is only 18! – which makes the next bit totally ballsy. They sent a demo of their song “Transpose” into make-or-break-you LA radio station KROQ, where it got picked up on the Locals Only show and generated some big buzz. Just last month, they shared the bill with the new Brit hotshots, The 1975, giving them some even bigger exposure as that band has taken off here in the States.

Their first single, “Cardiac Arrest” is insanely catchy and has some big chops – the lyrics are a little green, but at 18 years old, what do you expect? With the right team around them, I have a feeling this band is going to make a huge splash. Without further adieu… your new Earworm.

Pickup “Cardiac Arrest” on Bandcamp for $1.

(Credit where credit is due: Thanks to Sara, The Gallery’s manager, for turning me onto this band!)

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