Category: Now Playing

New Music: Lizzie Nunnery – Company of Ghosts

In the interest of full disclosure, I should say that I met Lizzie Nunnery while I was a student at Oxford, and I’m still a little bit afraid of her.  Lizzie is one of those quiet, unassuming people who, once you get them going, just explodes with sound and light.  I met her while working on one of her student plays, and I have followed her over the years as she tours the U.K. with her music and her drama.  She is most prolific.  As her biography notes: “…her most recent stage play “Intemperance,” receiving a 5 star review in the Guardian. Her play with songs, “The Singer”, was broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 08 and she co-composed the soundtrack to her short film, “Monkey Love”, broadcast on Channel 4 in September 2009.”  Gosh, it’s a long way from sitting around in Oxford and thinking up comedy sketches (which, of course, I will use to blackmail her when she’s rich and famous.  Don’t tell!).

But what’s best about Lizzie is that her art always speaks to something inside you that you weren’t quite aware of.  Her voice carries a sincerity of purpose, and a measure of spirit, that is beyond compelling.  Indeed, I suspect that you will spend most of the time that you listen to her debut album Company of Ghosts (out now on Fellside Recordings, Amazon, and others) looking off into the distance for something that you suddenly sense but can’t quite see.  Lizzie has released two EPs previously – Monkeys & Devils and Hungry – which are, sadly, sold out.  Of course, I won’t leave you hanging, and you can find a taste below.  And really, I think taste is the right word.  No one passively encounters Lizzie… you take her in deep, or you don’t take her in at all.  Follow me, have a listen, and see for yourself.  Then, hop over to her myspace page for more:

And hey, if you ever see her, ask her when “Llama! The Musical” is coming out.  Seriously.

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New Music: That Ghost

While researching that most recent Friday Night Videos post, I came across That Ghost.  I honestly have no idea how it happened, but I’m so glad that it did.  The music is remarkably eclectic in style and mood, but all similarly – and comfortingly – low-fi.  From the sleepy sounds of “Going Out When It’s Warm At Night” (video below) – which answers the question “Hey! What if Hope Sandoval were a boy?” – to the jangly, fuzzy, help-the-70s-have-exploded-in-my-iPod sounds of “The Red Bow” and “Never Have Fun,” That Ghost knows how to take you places.   The sounds remind me of his native California… or, rather, the California of movies and dreams.  There’s a slackness to the sound – but not the writing – that exudes the languidness that one would expect to find on some imaginary beach, as the sun drifts lazily over boys and girls at play.

You can check out That Ghost on his myspace page, or find some of his releases at Twosyllable Records.  There’s also an excellent interview/podcast over at The Bay Bridged that’s well worth checking out.  But for now, you can follow me for a couple of free tracks and a video:

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New Music: Best Coast – “When I’m With You”

If Earth Day reminds us of anything (oh, yeah, it’s Di’s birthday.  Hi, Di!), then it reminds us that every living thing needs love and sunshine.  And if we can add to that, then fun is definitely right up there on the list.  In the depths of deepest, darkest, dissertation-induced fits of alliteration and sadness, I need all three.  Thank goodness, then, for Best Coast!  Bethany Cosentino’s fuzz-driving, haze-inducing outfit from California delivers hints of lazy Summer days, and better times to come.  Surf guitars, summer breezes, and an ocean of distortion to splash around in.  What could be better, right?

So, follow me to check out a video featuring Ronald McDonald, cats, the beach, and, yes Donny, the In-N-Out Burger.  Then, check out their myspace page for more songs.  Last, if you want to know more, there’s a nice interview over at Fact Mag:

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New Music: Doug Burr – O Ye Devastator

Today, I’m sinking into some more new music while working on my dissertation.  By far the best of it is from Doug Burr, and he comes to me courtesy of You Crazy Dreamers.  The track in question is “Red, Red” from his forthcoming O Ye Devastator album (out May 4th on Spune).  This is actually Doug’s third album, but it’s entirely new to me.  But after just a few listens through of the player on his site (seen below), I’m hooked.  The songs have an earnest, thoughtful quality, but never stray into self-indulgent territory.  Instead, they feel dusty… even, grimy at times… and bear all the impressions of a life spent “out there” somewhere, where the sky and the land meet to watch trucks rumble through the night. (One presumes that this is an entirely different place than where the ocean meets the sky.)

So, if you’re looking to sink into some great – at times dreamy, at other times rockin’ – folk/Americana from straight out of Texas, then look no further than the end of this article.  I’m sure that the songs will charm you with their sincerity and thoughtfulness, and your day will be a lot better for it.

You can also find more of Doug’s music on his myspace page (I especially recommend “Graniteville”), and his page on Spune.

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Now Playing: April 12th, 2010

It’s months like this that I’m really thankful for all the excellent music blogs out there that keep me well-stocked with new and interesting things.  From Slowcoustic to The Yellow Stereo, Stereogum to Gorilla vs. Bear, I really am spoiled for choice.  I’m also still digging my way through those excellent shows over at KEXP and Wolfgang’s Concert Vault.  All in all, it’s been a great couple of weeks for music!  And so, in this slightly shorter edition of “Now Playing,” I’ll pass on some of the great things that have come my way.  Let’s begin!

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