Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Feb 10, 2012, 4:29 pm
Some people want NPR to go away because they are wasting our tax dollars. But after discovering Adam Arcuragi on NPR’s site, I’m going to say my tax dollars are being put to good use. Arcuragi and the LCS (I am never typing the full name again) sound like you put Langhorne Slim, 16 Horsepower an...
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Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Feb 8, 2012, 12:21 pm
Soon after receiving my long-awaited advanced copy of Be The Void, Oz asked me what I thought. “I’m digging it. It’s old school Dr. Dog. A return to the We All Belong years.” I liked their last record, Shame Shame, but it felt like they were trying to outdo its previous record, Fate, which i...
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Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Feb 7, 2012, 8:29 pm
They Black Keys just released their video for “Gold On The Ceiling.” Not quite as many laughs as previous videos, but it’ll do the trick. Tweet
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Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Feb 7, 2012, 5:52 pm
Some guy* named Joe Pug has a new album coming out on April 24th. He seems to be somewhat talented* with a bright future. He’s going to be touring all over God’s green earth* in the coming months, including a stop at SxSW. He’s got all sort of shit on his website. Free song 7 sampler. Joe Pug...
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Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Feb 6, 2012, 11:07 am
2012 is shaping up to be all about the women of indie music. We covered incredible albums from First Aid Kit and Sharon van Etten already and Heartless Bastards are equally deserving of praise. Erika Wennerstrom is the heart and soul of Heartless Bastards and she’s at her best on Arrow. Arrow is ...
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Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Feb 3, 2012, 4:52 pm
I first came across Sharon Van Etten when she popped up on Megafaun’s take away show. Being a Megafaun fanatic, my interest was immediately piqued. Combine that with one of our favorite sites, Muzzle of Bees, showing her a steady stream of love; I knew I had to be missing something. So I got ...
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Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Feb 2, 2012, 12:55 pm
Bowerbirds are getting ready to get up in your grill and harmonize the shit out of you with The Clearing. The Clearing is coming out on March 6th via Dead Oceans. I have to say I have never been a massive fan of these guys but I am loving both of these tracks. So that means that they have suddenly b...
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Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Feb 1, 2012, 9:24 am
I’ve never been to Athens, GA but from all accounts, it is a special place full of a rich history. Patterson Hood has enlisted the help of a number of friends in putting this song together. Here is the backstory on the song from the PR release. Some of the greatest songs were written to give voic...
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Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Jan 31, 2012, 8:47 pm
J. Tillman left The Fleet Foxes and shortly thereafter, he convinced Aubrey Plaza to act batshit crazy for his first music video. Job well done J. as I have always found Aubrey to be pretty hot and watching her eat flowers, dance with hipsters and smack J. Tillman around has always been a fantasy of...
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Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Jan 30, 2012, 11:03 am
The problem with First Aid Kit is that their singing is so damn good that you’ll overlook their equally good songwriting.  The album opens with this verse on its title track: Now the pale morning sings of forgotten things She plays a tune for those who wish to overlook the fact that they’ve ...
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Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Jan 27, 2012, 10:25 am
Little Hurricane had quite a year in 2011. While many bands struggle for years to fight for the attention of fans, labels and the media, Little Hurricane found the buzz almost immediately. The two-piece band formed after lead singer/guitarist Anthony Catalano posted an ad on Craigslist for a drumme...
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Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Jan 26, 2012, 4:56 pm
Remember the Seinfield episode when Elaine was dating a guy who she thought was African-American and in turn, he thought she was Latino. Sometimes it is just so easy to make a snap conclusion. At the end of the day, they both figured out they were both white and headed off to The Gap. Well upon li...
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Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Jan 25, 2012, 9:50 pm
Another solo effort from the lead singer of a great band. For me, these are always met with a roll of the eyes and low expectations. Alot of times, the songs come off as castoffs from the main band’s output or the lead singer just trying to broaden their horizon in a way that never fits. It never ...
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Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Jan 24, 2012, 11:32 am
There are not many bands that can take me to a state of euphoria like Trampled By Turtles. Getting an email about a new album can turn any crappy day into a great day. Stars and Satellites will be released on April, 10 via the fine folks at Thirty Tigers. I think I speak for the entirety of the Hear...
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Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Jan 23, 2012, 11:10 am
Yellow Ostrich is set to release their sophomore album, Strange Land, on March 6th. This album should mark a step forward for the band. Their previous album, The Mistress, was self-produced and created by Alex Schaaf doing it all. He played every instrument on the album. Strange Land is also self-p...
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Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Jan 20, 2012, 9:47 am
FYI, the NOW! music series continues with NOW That’s What I Call Country Ballads (seriously) or, their alternate title… NOW That’s What I Call Music for Whoopsily Impregnating Your High School Sweetheart and Then Being Forced to Marry Her by her Mustached Father Who She’ll Call ‘Daddie’...
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Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Jan 19, 2012, 11:06 am
Bruce Springsteen is releasing his new album Wrecking Ball on March 6th. Here’s a video (with lyrics) of the first single, “We Take Care of Our Own.” Tweet
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Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Jan 19, 2012, 10:12 am
River Whyless came to us via an email from one of their fans. She said, “If you have some time to take a listen you won’t be sorry.” No lofty band comparisons included and no hipster name-dropping – just a bold proclamation. Not knowing if I was about to hear electronica, metal or some blen...
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Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Dec 14, 2011, 9:10 pm
... and the Nocturnals, Gary Clark, Jr., and J. Roddy Walston & The Business. They’ll be heading back to the studio soon to follow up their incredible 2010 debut, Hampton’s Lullaby. For those in Chicago, we have a free pair of tickets to giveaway to the show at Schubas tomorrow night (Decembe...
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Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Dec 8, 2011, 11:12 am
We’re in the midst of preparing our best albums of 2011, but we can’t overlook the shorties that caught our eyes this year. These were our favorite EP’s of the year, topped by one of the biggest surprises of the year in Alabama Shakes. We’re locking in a session with them as we speak (finger...
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Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Dec 7, 2011, 4:49 pm
It’s safe to say that Lisa Hannigan’s video for “Safe Travels (Don’t Die) is one of the best videos I’ve seen released this year. It was directed by Cliona O’Flaherty and Chris Judge and painstaking attention was paid to every detail in the aesthetic of this video – the landscapes, wal...
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Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Dec 7, 2011, 10:08 am
Ryan Adams performed one of my favorite songs of the year, “Lucky Now,” on Letterman the other night. He’s on his solo tour now, so watch out for tickets – I’ll be at the Music Hall in KC. Tweet
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Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Dec 6, 2011, 4:20 pm
Howlin Rain have a new album coming out on Valentine’s Day of 2012. It is called The Russian Wilds and it’ll be released on Rick Rubin’s American Recordings. Frontman, Ethan Miller had this to say about the new album: There was a point when we were really trying to blend Jimi Hendrix’s Elec...
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Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Dec 5, 2011, 11:44 am
Rock n’ Roll meets Jack Ass on Deer Tick’s video for “Main Street.” One fart and the band would have gone up in smoke. Woody recently caught them in Chicago and had this to say: This video is almost as crazy as their live show. The Chicago show saw beers and cocktails flying, a possible Mc...
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Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Dec 2, 2011, 11:57 am
Sharon Van Etten has a new album coming out on February 7th via the fine folks at Jagjaguwar. Below you gives you a taste of what you are in for with the first single, “Serpents.” We criminally overlooked Epic in our “best albums of 2010 list,” but I feel confident we won’t be making the s...
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Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Dec 1, 2011, 11:33 am
There were big chunks of the year where I had my head up my ass. Blessed with a toddler and infant at home and busy managing a large workforce for the day job, early 2011 piled on some busy days and sleepless nights. Here at the end of 2011 (just a couple months ago), I relocated from Atlanta to Kan...
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Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Dec 1, 2011, 9:52 am
I just listened to the song “Parted Ways” from Heartless Bastards upcoming album, The Arrow. This album is officially the one I’m most eagerly anticipating in 2012, but then again, Erika Wennerstrom could sing show tunes and I’d listen. Based solely on this track and the buffalo cover art, ...
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Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Nov 2, 2011, 11:03 am
I don’t even know how Holy City ended up on my iPod. And for that matter, I don’t know why I chose to listen to a band that I never heard of. I think I must have scrolled too far past Christina Aguilera. Company come to us from South Carolina and are pretty damn good. They play catchy tunes and...
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Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Nov 1, 2011, 5:45 pm
The SxSW 2012 band list was just released. I feel like an eighty year old right now. I recognize about four bands on this list. Akina Adderley & The Vintage Playboys (Austin TX) Against Me! (Gainesville FL) Agent Fresco (Reykjavík ICELAND) Ambition (Halifax CANADA) ANR (Miami FL) Antoine Reverb (G...
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Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Nov 1, 2011, 12:03 pm
We posted a stream to the single a bit ago, but First Aid Kit now have a video for the first single, “The Lion’s Roar,” from their upcoming sophomore LP with the same name. The Lion’s Roar will be released on January 24th via Wichita Recordings. Tweet
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Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Oct 31, 2011, 5:32 pm
Dax Riggs’ live session with us was the most appropriate to dig up for Halloween. I’m pretty sure his voice pulls spirits from their graves. Dax Riggs – Say Goodnight To The World (HearYa Live Session) Dax Riggs – Let Me Be Your Cigarette (HearYa Live Session) Dax Riggs – Sleeping With ...
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Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Oct 31, 2011, 12:43 pm
WATERS is the band that emerged after Port O’Brien dissolved. Founding POB front man Van Pierszalowski fled the States for Oslo, Norway after the breakup before continuing his travels to Alaska where he’d spent time working with his father, a commercial fisherman. Then off to his hometown in Nor...
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Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Oct 28, 2011, 10:37 am
I had the pleasure of interviewing Jason Isbell about his latest album, Here We Rest, and it continues to hold up as one of my top 3 favorite albums of the year. It may be my top pick. My phone conversation with him is certainly one of my highlights of the year and restraining my fan-boy gushing was...
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Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Oct 27, 2011, 11:53 am
I was talking about Deer Tick to some guys that had never heard of them before. My description was one of an old time rock and roll band who are about drinking canned beer, smoking reds and wearing their hearts on their sleeves. In any Deer Tick album, you’re going to have a few moments that are f...
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Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Oct 26, 2011, 10:02 am
The Black Keys have a preview of their new album, El Camino, with the release of this video for their first single “Lonely Boy.” If you pre-order the album (due out on Dec. 6th) you’ll get an instant download of this track. As part of Record Store Day’s “Back to Black” Friday on Novembe...
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Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Oct 25, 2011, 9:25 am
Have you ever had a buddy tell you, (insert band name) is great, but you really need to see them live? You roll your eyes and call him (insert derogative name) and move on with your day. Well, get ready because that’s the message I am about to deliver to you. There are a number of bands rolling a...
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Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Oct 21, 2011, 10:05 am
1954: Some say soul music is invented by Ray Charles with “I Got a Woman”. The word “soul” as we know it is born. 1960’s: Soul music becomes wildly popular, with acts like Otis Redding, Little Richard, James Brown, Fats Domino, Aretha Franklin, Jackie Wilson, and Sam Cooke reaching supers...
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Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Oct 20, 2011, 1:23 pm
Since we’ve been blogging about music, I’ve discovered new bands in all sorts of unique ways. This one might take the cake. I was coaching my kid’s kindergarten baseball team and mentioned to the other coach that I was going to go to Schubas that night. It turned out that his brother-in-law an...
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Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Oct 19, 2011, 10:47 am
There isn’t a band in existence that I’ve evangelized more than The Deep Dark Woods. I have recommended them to family and friends and nearly all have fallen in love with the warm folk sounds produced by these Canadians.  I was on a business trip not long ago and it was the most turbulent fligh...
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Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Oct 17, 2011, 5:17 pm
James Vincent McMorrow made a splash with his debut album, Early In The Morning, released in March of last year. Dublin’s answer to Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) just released a video for “We Don’t Eat” which reminded me how great that album is, especially considering it was written and self-prod...
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Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Oct 17, 2011, 12:28 pm
This video is worthy of your Monday attention. Wilco visited NPR for their Tiny Desk Concert Series and shared four tracks and three denim jackets. Scratch that. Two denim jackets and one denim shirt. I’m thankful that Wilco still does these intimate type sessions. It has inspired me to continue s...
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Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Oct 17, 2011, 10:14 am
Justin Townes Earle took home song of the year at the 2011 Americana Music Awards for “Harlem River Blues.” It was a fitting end to what has been a long year back from an abyss filled with addictions, demons, rehab and redemption. I have met Justin a handful of times, including a Cubs game with ...
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Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Oct 15, 2011, 9:33 am
Up and coming Athens, GA act, The District Attorneys, have released a free EP full of demos and one excellent cover of Gillian Welch’s “Wrecking Ball.” Lucky for them they chose one of my favorites by Gillian Welch. As I mentioned in our original post, if you dig The Futurebird, you’ll most...
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Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Oct 14, 2011, 11:39 am
... Montreal only to be harassed incessantly by classic harpist Sarah Page, and thus The Barr Brothers were born. I have cast the movie with scruffy Mark Ruffalo as ... Multi-instrumentalist Andres Vial would be played James Van der Beek (big fan of Varsity Blues and he can use the work). Their d...
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Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Oct 13, 2011, 12:27 pm
Swedish sibling folk rock act, First Aid Kit, are releasing their second album entitled The Lion’s Roar on January 24th, 2012. I fell in love with their debut, The Big Black and The Blue, and was blown away by their vocals in our live session. Keep this between us, but I was secretly very nervous ...
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Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Oct 12, 2011, 10:39 am
Other Lives released their sophomore album, Tamer Animals, earlier this year. It’s not one of those albums that was created spontaneously in one session. The band spent 14 months crafting the arrangements and placing all the right sounds in all the right parts. Lead singer Jesse Tabish was quoted ...
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Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Oct 11, 2011, 4:02 pm
Only in the music world can you create a headline like that without blinking. HearYa favs, Trampled By Turtles, are doing their part for Mother Earth by releasing a bluegrassy cover of The Pixies’ “Where Is My Mind.” The song is available for free on their site and below or for a buck at onli...
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Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Oct 10, 2011, 6:01 pm
Ryan Adams has a new album, Ashes & Fire, coming out tomorrow. Adams has had some misses in his day, but his latest release is one of his winners. I have spun through it twice and was immediately hooked. Here is the video for Lucky Now. Tweet
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Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Oct 8, 2011, 4:08 pm
Pepper Rabbit are back with another unique collection of pop-based tunes on their sophomore effort, Red Velvet Snowball. Pepper Rabbit are comprised of Luc Laurent on percussion and Xander Singh on vocals and a wide array of instruments that he taught himself via YouTube videos. Amongst these are th...
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Scott O. posted an article on HearYa - Indie Music Blog - Oct 8, 2011, 8:52 am
As I mentioned in my review of The Head and The Heart show, one of the opening bands was Salt Lake City’s The Devil Whale. Apparently,  The Head and The Heart are pals with The Devil Whale and they pop up to lend a helping hand on a track called “Magic Numbers.” Teeth is their sophomore effo...
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