Aurgasm

bluegrass

Barefoot in grass or dirt. Sunshine or candlelight. Worries whisked away on a breeze of insight and acceptance. Troubles are nothing more than lint caught in your pockets – so empty them. Be lighter. Refreshed and humbler. Brothers Larry and Tony Rice, friends Herb Pedersen and Chris Hillman, a founding member of The Byrds, collaborate on Out of the Woodwork.

Lighthearted harmonies.
Rice, Rice, Hillman & Pedersen – Hard Times
Rice, Rice, Hillman & Pedersen – So Begins The Task
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folk-pop // singer-songwriter

French chanteuse Mina Tindle, a.k.a. Pauline de Lassus, delivers breezy cool songs. Following the line of bright and clever indie-pop from the likes of Feist, Mina crafts little pieces of pop perfection. Her style ranges from acoustic folk ballads to buoyant piano-driven pop, while she moves effortlessly between English and French lyrics. “To Carry Many Small Things” is driven by an upbeat, toy-piano arrangements that brings to mind French superstar Camille. “I Command”, from the new album Parades (2014), is a true pop gem.

Subtle yet incredibly catchy sound.
Mina Tindle – I Command
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english folk // pop

Keston Cobblers Club delivers a joyous blend of traditional-feeling folk melodies, toe-tapping rhythms and a slightly quirky vibe. While comparisons to the early Noah and the Whale, Mumford & Sons and Beirut are inevitable, the British quintet’s take on English folk revival is unique and refreshing. The album opener, “The Children Who Wear Socks On Their Heads”, A Scene of Plenty (2013), leads with frenetic accordion and percussion is a high-energy foot-stomping musical extravaganza. “You-Go”, taken from the band’s debut album One, For Words (2012), is a delightful pop-folk gem. Don’t miss the band’s take on Vampire Weekend’s “Ya Hey!” with some vintage animation.

Infectiously joyful.
Keston Cobblers Club – The Children Who Wear Socks On Their Heads
Keston Cobblers Club – You-Go
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folk // ambient

Conjures inner odyssey.
Foreign Fields – Mountaintop
Foreign Fields – Anywhere But Where I Am
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minimal folk // avant-pop

The avant-garde pop songstress Lia Ices possesses the theatrical glamour of Florence Welch, while her husky, half-whispered vocals are reminiscent of Joanna Newsom, Kate Bush and Cat Power. Lia’s album Grown Uknown (2011) offers minimalist folk music with hand clap percussion, baroque strings and her cuttingly sweet voice. It’s the kind of record probably best listened to as a single coherent work and it’s been my soundtrack for the long cold winter nights.

Majestically haunting folk.

Lia Ices – Grown Unknown

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folk // post-rock

Nourished by Sierra mountains, wilderness, and home; cherished by sharing joy through wedding stories; Drew Barefoot renders a threshold baring nature’s cathedral in tone.. and in tune with finding hidden felicity. In a sermon from rustling leaves, or remedial gossip between wind and Forrest Creatures, there is an ageless desire for comfort and trust that is searching for awareness of Heaven from one’s touch. Spiritual union carrying you to a new world; or, for now; simple notes combining soft Iron and acoustic Wine into gently triumphant Explosions in the Sky above underground springs of piano and banjo.

Soothing, exhilarating, inspiring.
Drew Barefoot – Follow the Porcupines
Drew Barefoot – Enjoy the Calm
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british acoustic // folk

Daughter, the trio of London-based vocalist and guitarist Elena Tonra, electric guitarist Igor Haefeli and drummer Remi Aguilella, brings to the world painfully beautiful songs. Their sound is a refreshing mix of folk, tender acoustic and ambient soundscapes. However, it’s the wistful lyrics and Elena’s haunting vocals that create the magic, which will send shivers down your spine.

From heartbreaking folk to moody ambient.

Daughter – Smother
Daughter – Youth
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acoustic folk // vocal harmony

The Staves, a trio of English sisters, by the charm of their vocal harmonies, could be easily mistaken for the Southern sirens in O Brother Where Art Thou? (2000). The three sisters’ acoustic vocal folk unites melancholic English folk, uplifting West Coast pop, and Southern blues. “Icarus”, taken from Mexico EP (2011), features delicate guitar, soaring vocal harmonies and heart-warming songwriting. The Staves will be releasing their debut album in October 2012.

Ethereal harmony-drenched folk.

The Staves – Icarus
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dream-folk // scottish singer-songwriter

Rachel Sermanni’s EP Black Currents (2012) may only offer 4 tracks, but it certainly earns the Scottish songstress a spot among the most promising talents of the year. Rachel’s ethereal, some times husky Sarah Blasko-like vocals ride the delicate guitar, breezy strings and subtle piano arrangements of her debut EP. The lead track “The Fog” showcases Rachel’s rich vocal range from delicate to haunting dark tones. Don’t let this gem slip under your radar.

Heartfelt, refreshing debut.

Rachel Sermanni – The Fog
Rachel Sermanni – Breathe Easy
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acoustic // singer-songwriter

Tender lullabies for tumbles through life.
Nighttime Concert – My Love, Do You Sleep?
Nighttime Concert – Firefly Jar
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