Discover: David Ramirez

Honest lyrics from a road-weary traveler wrapped in music that fits like a well-worn pair of jeans. This is traveling music that makes you equally excited to be on the road and sad that your leaving home. It contradicts itself perfectly much like life itself. David Ramirez is one singer-songwriter not to miss.

Five For Friday: Blind

Just because you're blind doesn't mean you don't have vision.

Rediscover: Bing Crosby... and David Bowie?

Yep... It's a pretty weird match up, but hey, who wouldn't want to sing with Bing Crosby? You never know who you're going to be hanging out with on Christmas day. It may not be with David Bowie, but I do hope this Christmas finds you surrounded by friends and full of joy.

Happy Christmas.

Discover: Pokey LaFarge

Pokey LaFarge is either a time traveler or he's been recently thawed out from being cryogenically frozen because I swear that he is from the 1930s. Not only do his clothes and hair style fit the era, but even his facial features harken back to those times (just look at those amazingly big teeth!). Even more importantly, his voice, lyrics and playing make it hard to tell if this is new or old music... well, besides the fact that the audio quality is quite a bit clearer than it would have been back then; yet it's not so polished that it sounds current.

Pokey LaFarge was born to play old time ragtime/jazz/blues and I'm excited to see some honest, fantastic talent reviving a great era of music. You can find out more about him at his website.

Five For Friday: Christmas Time!

Happy Christmas, everyone!

Rediscover: Dave Matthews' "Some Devil"

When I first bought this album, I thought I would listen through it a time or two to get a feel for it like I do with most new music purchases, but that wasn't the case with this album. This album didn't leave my CD player for two solid weeks. I couldn't stop listening to it. I still can't stop. If I hear a song from it, I have to hear the whole thing. That's just the way it is, and I'm okay with that. Every song on it is some sort of magical (or devilry if you will) giving it such a dang good feel that covers a wide range of emotions both musically and lyrically. Do yourself a favor and get this album.

Discover: Shakey Graves

So, I've featured a few two-piece bands on here, but today's post is our first one-man band: Shakey Graves. I really like his bluesy/alt-country/make-shift/stripped-down sound. I'm not sure how versatile a single person can be, but who says you need versatility? Everclear played the same three chords for years! ;p If you like what you hear/see, head on over to his website and buy an album or two!

Five For Friday: Here's To The 90s!

Speaking of nostalgia...

Rediscover: The Smashing Pumpkins

Any time I hear The Smashing Pumpkins, I'm always reminded of my high school years. I don't know that there were many rock bands more popular than them back in the mid/late 90's besides Nirvana.

I never got to see the Pumpkins perform, but I would have loved to. I know that Billy Corgan has put the band back together over the last few years, but I don't think it would be the same. Maybe it would... Anyway, enjoy some nostalgia!

Discover: Future of Forestry

One of my friends told me about this band a while back. I didn't really check them out until recently, but I'm glad I did. The songs are far more "detailed compositions" and far less "three or four chords played over and over". They toured as a three-piece a while back and I would have loved to catch that. I always enjoy a good multi-instrumental shindig.

Find out more about Future of Forestry here.

Five For Friday: 1+1=2

This week's Five For Friday is brought to you by the number 2.

Enjoy these two piece bands and have a good weekend!

Rediscover: Madeleine Peyroux

The first time I heard Madeleine Peyroux, I instantly fell in love. Her vocalization, tonality and phrasing remind me of the beautifully smokey and perfectly effortless voice of Billie Holiday. And when that voice is enveloped within a laid-back, jazzy tune, you're pretty close to perfection.

Learn more about Madeleine Peyroux here.

Discover: Wintergatan

Here's a fun band I came across the other day. I'll let them introduce themselves (at the end of the video), but I will say that when Swedish guys play accordion, synths, music boxes and various other little instruments, you get some pretty fun music that would be perfect for most any indie film.

Learn more about them at their website.