Tag Archives: Brother

From little acorns grow: Mighty Oaks release mini-documentary

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In February, Mighty Oaks, an acoustic folk rock trio out of Berlin that I’ve written about here often, released their album Howl in Europe. Luckily, I have music friends across the pond who procured a digital copy for me. I have literally not stopped playing it for the last three + months. The music is pure, beautiful in its simplicity – songs of friendship, love, loss, grief, and embracing life. Listening to the record feels like looking through a well-loved photo album, and it puts me at peace. I am utterly smitten with it.

Although lead singer Ian Hooper is American, the band is based in Berlin, and is multi-national:  guitar/mandolin/everything player Claudio Donzelli is Italian, and bassist Craig Saunders is British.  Hooper moved to Germany after finishing college, and until March, had never played as a band in his home country.  But, interest from labels brought them to the States earlier this spring, and saw them play in Los Angeles, at SXSW, and in New York City.  While on their trek, they were accompanied by a friend who shot a mini-documentary on their journey.  The band released “A Place That I Know” in three five-minute segments over the last few weeks.  I’m not sure how anyone could watch this and not be cheering for these guys to make it… The way they talk about the music they make together, the obvious admiration and love they have for each other, and their smiles and laughter are enough to win my heart over (and the toast to Ian’s mom in part 3 makes me tear up every time; his mom passed away in 2012 and several of the band’s songs reference her or tell her story).

So…here, in all three parts… ” A Place That I Know.”  Good luck with not falling in love with them!

More Mighty Oaks: Web | Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | Just One Day EP

 

New Music from Mighty Oaks

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Hi.  Happy 2014.  I’ve been a total blogging slacker.  I’ll get better, I promise.

Although the year has gotten off to a slow start, there have been a bunch-a good music things a brewing this week, a ridiculous concert calendar shaping up through March, and The Rock Boat is only five weeks away.

But today…today brought the best thing of 2014 so far.  A new (and unexpected, which makes it that much sweeter!) song and video from Mighty Oaks – the American-Italian-British trio living in Germany.  AND, even better… news that they have a new album, Howl, coming out on February 28th!

The band describes “Brother” as “a story of friendship, youth, and adventure.” The video is darling. My loyal-to-the-core heart loves the story, adores the idea of friendships so strong that time can’t weather them. I’m telling you kids, this band…this band is going to win hearts in a big way.  2014 is their year.

I am already hopelessly obsessed with this song.  Give it until 1:30, I bet you will be, too.

If you’re lucky enough to live in Germany, you can pre-order the new album on iTunes or Amazon. (I’m hoping that it will be available in the States soon, too… but if it’s not, I may have to find a German friend willing to buy it for me on release day!)

More Mighty Oaks: Web | Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | Just One Day EP

The Sunday Funday Playlist – January 22, 2011

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First week in awhile I’ve had to really sit down and listen to some new music…of course, a lot of it is by some of my old favorites, but there’s a few new voices that have snuck in.

1. “Walking Shoes” – Red Wanting Blue

I am totally in love with Red Wanting Blue’s new album, The Vanishing Point.  It’s half love song to a person, half love song to being in a band.  This is my favorite of the latter songs, and possibly my favorite on the album, catchy as all get out.  And the first line is so awesome…”I am the blurred out background spot in that photo on your wall.”

2.  “Brother” – Matt Corby

Apparently, this fella won Australian Idol a few years ago or something…but I am digging his voice in a big way.  That throaty chorus gets to my bones.  Of course, you can’t buy anything here in the States.  So frustrating.  Luckily, this song was available for free download on a few websites.  Side note:  Passenger fans, Matt sang on Passenger’s latest release, Flight of the Crow.

3.  Foy Vance – Be the Song

When I was in Ireland, I had a conversation with Christy’s very hot podiatrist (don’t ask – long story) about Irish/local music and he told me I should check out Foy Vance.  I downloaded a few of his older albums and have been loving them.  Then, noticed he had recorded a Daytrotter session in Decemeber, and downloaded that, too.  The three-song session is AMAZING, and this might be my favorite.  Love, love, love.

4. “Tokyo” – Imagine Dragons

I bought Imagine Dragons It’s Time this past summer, but for the past couple of weeks, I’ve had it on repeat.  I just love this song…It’s so…FUN.  You MUST check out the video.  It will make you laugh, and want to dance around your living room.

5.  “We Take Care of Our Own” – Bruce Springsteen

An unexpected surprise this week…Bruce releases a single and announces the much anticipated new album release date.  Not as much of a surprise, the song has a very “Born In the USA”-esque type theme to it.  A questioning, “What are we doing to help each other get through in hard times” kind of song.  “Where are the hearts that run over with mercy,” strikes me as the most poignant line. A challenge, almost, for people to reinvigorate the American spirit.  And damn, it sounds so good at top volume in the car!