Category: Singer-Songwriter

New Music: Fisticuffs – “Would You” (Single)

Fisticuffs is Jordan Kurtz: former drummer for Saskatoon band We Were Lovers, pianist and vocalist of Saskatoon’s Tuxedo Mask, and sometime drummer for his brother Scott Kurtz in Boycott Scott.  He is, as The Sheaf notes, “one busy dude.”  He is also the writer of excellent songs like “Would You,” which is the harbinger of an in-progress EP from the band.

In addition to Kurtz, the single features a number of other musicians on trumpet, bells, drums, mellotron, and a few other sundry instruments.  The effect of all these talented musicians playing together is a single that contains beautiful harmonies, and an atmosphere that moves between quiet introspection and a driving desire to move forward.  It’s quite a span for the six-minute track, but never one that feels contrived or false.

It is, indeed, a refreshing work from a talented singer-songwriter, and one that I think you should hear immediately.  So, just follow me for that…

Continue reading “New Music: Fisticuffs – “Would You” (Single)”

Music for a Rainy Day: The Girls from the North Country

The Girls from the North Country are a pair of Parisian singer-songwriters – Paloma Gil and Louise Hayat (also of Black Ivy)- that I came across over at Live at Carlone’s when researching some other entries.  Their cover of Ryan Adams’ “Oh My Sweet Carolina” was so awesome, however, that I had to abandon all research and write this post.  (And given how scarce I’ve been around here, you know it’s gotta be good…)

The Girls’ cover immediately grabs you with its rich, warm harmonies, as well as its unexpected gravity.  Paloma and Louise sing with an earnestness that feels well beyond their young years.  Indeed, in Louise’s captivating “Sail Every Sea!” (also below), the pair produce such a depth of atmosphere and feeling that it’s hard to remember that these songs are the work of a young singer-songwriter.

Why not come have a listen and see for yourself?

Continue reading “Music for a Rainy Day: The Girls from the North Country”

Mailbag: Elisa Flynn – 19th Century Songs

Before beginning, I have to confess that I have been criminally negligent with Elisa Flynn’s 19th Century Songs.  Elisa e-mailed me a rather long time ago to tell me about the album’s release on Bandcamp, and – despite my thorough enjoyment of the album – I always seemed to forget I had it when I sat down to throw together a post.  And so, for that, I’m sorry!

But I am also sorry to you, reader, for keeping such an exciting recording all to myself!  Here’s the scoop:

Elisa Flynn is a singer-songwriter from Brooklyn who writes songs that walk a fine line between beauty and danger.  They treat on topics like the serial killer Dr. H.H. Holmes, William Tecumseh Sherman, and a ship held fast in the ice.  It’s an impressive collection of concepts and images that all, rather surprisingly, create a wonderfully immersive recording.  Let’s have a look:

Continue reading “Mailbag: Elisa Flynn – 19th Century Songs”

Recommended: We/Or/Me – Sleeping City

We/Or/Me is Bahhaj Taherzadeh, a Chicago-based singer-songwriter whose voice conjures forth Nick Drake and Sam Bean (Iron and Wine).  His music hearkens back to the traditions of British folk rock, and is both spellbinding and beautiful.  And because of all these things, and more, I am very happy to report that Bahhaj has written with news that his first full-length – Sleeping City – is now out on Bandcamp.

Continue reading “Recommended: We/Or/Me – Sleeping City”

Mailbag: Clara Engel

Clara Engel is an experimental, post-punk artist from Montreal who puts together songs full of textures and atmosphere.  Songs like “Lick My Fins” (below) are challenging, evoking as they do anything from cabaret punk to Siouxsie and the Banshees… even hints of Annie Lennox and Patti Smith.  It’s a challenging, but ultimately rewarding, listen to an artist that is clearly driven by an inner poetry that burns from the inside-out.

The great testament to the highly original nature of Clara’s music is my complete inability to find any sort of description that feels appropriate.  One of her many albums – Secret Beasts – feels at times tortured, and at others calmly spiritual.  It’s a mystery, and, honestly, I feel unfit to reduce it to the constraints of a review.  (And actually, that does feel like a compliment to me.)

Continue reading “Mailbag: Clara Engel”