Boy + Bear = Yeah!

You all probably know about Angus and Julia Stone, but there's another really good Australian folk band around called Boy & Bear. After having heard their second full-lenght album Moonfire we are happy as two drunk drifters in a staircase, because this is good!


Thanks Kulturbloggen for filling in our almost non existent knowledge gaps! ;)

Mazzy Star returns in style

It's been a while since we heard something from Mazzy Star's dreamy landscapes, but yesterday we found out that Hope and David have been back in the studio, and the result is stunning. Check it out!

The Winter of The Beard

I watched this film the other day called The Winter of The Beard, it's a documentary on a group of men across the USA that decides to grow a beard for six months, no shaving, no trimming, no nothing. They each got a camera and had to talk about their lives an the beard-growing experience for an hour every week. It resulted in more than 600 hours of footage cropped down to a two hour film.

I was actually really moved by this film, the beardgrowing-project got to be almost like an excuse for theese men to talk about their inner feelings, memories, fears and aspirations. Here's the trailer:



Jefferson Pitcher, one of the filmmakers (who also grows a beard in the film) is also a musician, I kinda like him. Here's an album he made with Christan Kiefer (who actually also is a part of the film) that I've been listening to for a couple of days: Christian Kiefer – To All Dead Sailors

Rave on Buddy Holly!

Check out this compilation of amazing artist covering Buddy Holly songs (Spotify-link). After listening throught it quickly I think most of them, more or less, have done Buddy justice (exept for Paul McCartney... just sad) my favourite is My Morning Jackets beautiful version of True Love Ways and (surprise!) The Black Keys great interpretation of Dearest.

  Rave On Buddy Holly by concordmusicgroup

http://raveonbuddyholly.com/

Where is Jason Molina?

Where is Jason Molina? A question I have asked myself ever since he cancelled the tour with Will Johnson two years ago. Jason Molina (of Magnolia Electric Co. and Songs: Ohia) is one of my absolute favourites singes/songwriters of all times and my heart cries out for him when I read the following message in the Magnolia Electric Co.-homepage.


"Many of you have inquired as to Jason’s whereabouts and well-being since he canceled his tours with Will Johnson in 2009.  Over the last two years Jason has been in and out of rehab facilities and hospitals in England, Chicago, Indianapolis, and New Orleans.  It has been a very trying time for Jason, his friends, and his family.  Although no one can be sure what the future holds, we feel very encouraged by the recent steps Jason has taken on the road towards becoming healthy and productive once again.  Unfortunately, because he has no medical insurance, he has accrued substantial medical bills.  We are asking all friends of Jason’s music to come together with a showing of financial support for him.  Please consider a contribution to his medical fund.

Feel free to forward this to any and all appropriate parties.  We are hoping to raise whatever funds we possibly can for Jason.  He is currently working on a farm in West Virginia raising goats and chickens for the next year or so, and is looking forward to making great music again.  Please also show your support and well wishes by sending letters and postcards to:


Jason Molina
P.O. Box 423
Beaver, WV 25813


If you do not wish to use paypal, please make donations out to Ashley Lawson at the same address.


With our sincere thanks, The Molina Family"





I send all my best wishes to Jason (and the little money I can spare).

http://www.magnoliaelectricco.com/

Justin Vernon and James Blake = Fall Creek Boys Choir: Album out tomorrow!

You probably already heard about the collaboration between Justin Vernon and James Blake called Fall Creek Boys Choir (Fall Creek, Wisconsin, is where Justin has a studio). Anyways, according to rumours they will release an album tomorrow and you can already catch a glimpse of it here: www.myspace.com/fallcreekboyschoir/music

Sounds really promising!

Money for the Weekend Electric - Alberta Cross

Blind Pilot's new album - Exciting sneak preview

We had a few doubts about the new Blind Pilot album "We Are The Tide" (out in september) after a statement of lead singer Israel Nebeker (see previous post about Blind Pilot), but the sneak preview seems to clear all those doubts!

Vetiver's new album "The Errant Charm" - First taste!

You probably loved Vetivers Everyday from their 2009 album Tight Knit. After two years of waiting their new album The Errant Charm will be released in less than a month (june 14:th) and we already have two really promising samples from that album! As if this would not be enough, they will be playing for us here in Stockholm (Debaser Slussen) a week later. DON'T miss!

UPDATE JUNE 7: Full album can be heard over at KCRW!

Bon Iver's new album leaked

Damn, this is BIG! The most anticipated album EVER for us here at Beard Makes Better Music has leaked and is available for listening right now. The album is set for official release on june 20:th.

These guys told us about it. We looked it up and found direct download links by searching the big search engine. Most files are packaged in .rar files, just a small hint.

The Leisure Society - Into the (not so) Murky Water

British eight man (and women) band The Leisure Society today released the follow up of their splendid lo-fi debut album "The Sleeper" (2009). The new album called "Into the Murky Water" is really folk and pop in one brew, some traditional irish folk music, a slice of african rythm (read: Vampire Weekend) blended with chopped up chewing gum pop. The name of the second song on the album probably says it all: Dust on the Dancefloor. I'm not sure I'm standing on my chair cheering here, but it's a much better follow up than most of what I've heard this spring. (Did you just hear me saying Fleet Foxes?) Despite it's name it's a really cheerful album and will blend perfectly with your glass of tepid rose wine any evening soon.


This is a link to open Into the Murky Water on Spotify >>

The extremely talented Mr. Richard Swift

I can't exactly remember how I found out about Richard Swift. But I remember that it was august last year, the rain kept pouring down outside of my house on Gotland, and I remember that I was stuck instantly.


There was this vast variety of styles he used and the huge musical talent coming through in all the songs that made me think about Jeff Lynne or even Brian Wilson.


A few days later I had bought a flight ticket for London and a show ticket for Richard warming up for his buddy Damien Jurado in Camden Town. (Richard produced both Damien's last album and his coming album.) The show was kind of a dissapointment though. Richard seemed a bit withdrawn and played the piano with his back against the audience. Damien appeared extremely exhausted. Anyway, next tuesday both me and Elvira will see Damien perform at Södra Teatern in Stockholm, then we'll probably find out if at least Damien just had a bad day at work in London. I hope so.

Link to open Richard Swift on Spotify >>

Download: New single from My Morning Jacket

May 31 My Morning Jackets new album Circuital is set to be released. Today they've released the seven minute title track, free for you to download by clicking on the cover art below!

New video from Austin Lucas - Thunder Rail

Exclusive release: new Wayflower single Follow Me!

We've kinda written about Wayflower before, back then their name where Eightyones, now they've gained two bandmembers and changed name to Wayflower. On top of this, they've recorded two new songs, one of them exclusively released on Beard makes better music - right now!

The new material is easygoing pop-rock that gives, at least me, kind of a late '90s feel - in a good way! Wayflower has radio hit-potential, no doubt about it.

Follow Me - exclusively on Beard makes better music:

   Follow Me by Wayflower

Wayflower - Stay A Little Longer
  Stay A Little Longer by Wayflower

Crystal Stilts - Music for the dead drunk

After having lost ourselves into the dark psych rock cave of The Black Angels we discovered some more bands in the surroundings, The Wooden Shjips, Dead Meadow and The Brian Jonestown Massacre to name a few. Behind a big boulder we also found a band playing a fuzzy, melancholic sound, perfect for a late rainy night, feeling dead drunk and awful, The Crystal Stilts. The singer Brad Hargett can't even hold a tone, but it doesn't matter because it sounds just the way it should on a night like that. So, have a couple of beer, than another couple, then some more beer, maby drink some bad vodka, then turn the volume up really loud and play this song:



Continue with this next one, and tell us you are not ready to puke.

Crystal Stilts - crippled croon by bicycle-edition

Salary friday beard tune - Strand of Oaks

You have probably never heard of Tim Showalter a.k.a. Strand of Oaks, but we prodly introduce him, playing our salary friday tune "Little Wishes" from the album "Folk Music For What Lies Ahead", enjoy!

Strand of Oaks: "Little Wishes" by Yer Bird Records

The Black Angels on Debaser Slussen

Black Angels Stockholm show, snapshot by Mårten

The other night we took a stroll down to Debaser Slussen here in Stockholm to see The Black Angels. In case you are not familiar with the Austin band, their psychedelic rock is a bit heavier than the Lo-Fi music we usually talk about here. But the singer Alex Maas does wear a fine beard and Phosphene Dream was definitely one of my favourite albums last year. However, listening to an album is often quite another thing than hearing it live, so our expectations were pretty low. Happily for us this evening The Black Angels really blew us away with their extremely loud, hypnotic sound. In fact, they must be one of the best live acts out there right now. If you have the chance to see them, just go.


The Black Angels performing You on the Run in France (2010).

This is a link to open The Black Angels on Spotify >>

New album from Austin Lucas coming up!

The amazing bluegrass/country/folk-singer Austin Lucas is releasing his new album, A new home in the old world, the 4th of April. I'm really looking forward to hearing the full album, which seem to be a bit different from his earlier with a full band and rumors on "genre-changing". The album is up for pre-orders here, and you can hear two tracks from the new album at Ninebullets.net.

For those of you who haven't heard Austin Lucas previously, I urge you to hear him out - now!

Austin Lucas on MySpace
Austin Lucas on Spotify
Austin Lucas official homepage

Dan Auerbach got a little inspired?

Ever since I heard Mean Monsoon with Dan Auerbach (of The Black Keys) for the first time I've been sure that he had used a melody from another song and just added new lyrics. Though, I couldn't recollect which song it was and even though I googled it for hours (well...) there was nothing to find on the subject.
Today it got to me. Listen to this and tell me I'm not mad:

Mean Monsoon with Dan Auerbach


All I can do is cry with Mike Ness (cover - original artist Wayne Walker)

Kurt Vile - Great new beardless album

You may have read between the lines here, we haven't been overwhelmed about the music released this year so far. But finally good new music has reached us. Sadly for our case it comes from one very talented but awfully beardless guy, Kurt Vile of Philadelphia. The new album "Smoke Ring For My Halo" will be out march 8, but you can already hear it over at, well, you know where. If you've listened to his earlier albums you won't get lost here, the sound is very much the same, dreamlike and melancholic, building on Vile's great voice and guitar play. The album scores four tall indie beards and one small moustache out of five possible beards, not bad for a beardless guy. One can't stop wondering how good he would be sporting a beard.

Below Beach on the Moon from the album God Is Saying This To You.


Kurt Vile - I Wanted Everything from Square Shells

This is a link to open Kurt Vile on Spotify >>

New Lykke Li album Wounded Rhymes to be released march 1st, listen to it here!

Wounded Rhymes, the new album from Lykke Li comes out March 1 on her own label LL Recordings. But right now you can listen to the whole album here!

Lykke Li - Wounded Rhymes (Hype Machine Album Exclusive) by LykkeLi

New video from I'm Kingfisher - Smile with your 1000 teeth

I'm Kingfisher aka Thomas Denver Jonsson recently released a new music video. This time it's one of my favourite I'm Kingfisher-songs, Smile with your 1000 teeth. Enjoy! By the way, there are rumors going around that we might get the chance to see I'm Kingfisher in Stockholm this spring, but for those of you close to Malmö, there's a higly anticipated gig with Damien Jurado coming up in april!

Update: The gig in Stockholm is official, this too along with Damien Jurado. Me and Mårten got ourselves front row seats, hope to see you there!


I´m Kingfisher "Smile with your thousand theet" - Official Music Video. from Nicholas Wakeham on Vimeo.

AA Bondy can see the pines are dancing

Scott Bondy, also known as AA Bondy (born Auguste Arthur), is one of those typical folk singers that would fit so neatly into our beard-music theory if it wasn't for the fact that he has a very narrow shaven beard so to speak. His music is way dark, obviously to match the state of his sore mind. This makes me think about our formula for truly great music: A bit of a beard plus some hardship matched with a big portion of musical talent and great music will automatically follow? If we could only ask John Grant or maybe Justin Vernon about this one... Anyway, Scott Bondy has relased two really good albums of which the latest one "When the devil's loose" from 2009 probably is the best one. "I Can See the Pines are Dancing" is maybe the catchiest song on that record and a good start for digging into Bondy's music and mind.



"Killed Myself When I Was Young", just slightly darker... :P



This is a link to open AA Bondy on Spotify >

A few AA Bondy songs on Soundcloud >

Damien Jurado recording with Richard Swift again

Damien and Richard

One of our favourite albums last year was Damien Jurado's melancholic "Saint Bartlett". Now great news has come from his wife Sarah, who says in her blog that Damien and companion Richard Swift (another favourite) are working together on Damien's tenth album. She says "in the time it took Shealynn and I to run out and get burgers, he and Swift recorded 5 immaculate tracks of guitar & vocals. Two hours later, 4 more. Their pace is inspiring, as is the end product."

If you missed "Saint Bartlett" consider filling in the gap! :-)
Follow this link to open Damien Jurado's "Saint Bartlett" on Spotify.

The Low Anthem leaving god and Darwin for "Smart Flesh"

We're in the midst of the springflood of beard music here, and the next album to wash us over is The Low Anthem's "Smart Flesh", following their successful debute "Oh My God, Charlie Darwin". The new album is not yet released, but you can already hear it over at... well, yeah...NPR. Hear the album in it's entirety here!

Bright Eyes final album "The People's Key" now on NPR and Youtube

On Conor Oberst's birthday, february 15th, less than a week from now, what seems to be Bright Eyes final album "The People's Key" will land. But you can already hear it over at NPR and on Youtube. The day after Bright Eyes will be performing in Stockholm and BMBM will off course be there, looking swell as we always do... Favourite track on the album: Ladder Song.

El Madrigal @ Southside Pub, Stockholm

If you are located in Stockholm or nearby I strongly suggest you that you get your asses to Southside Pub to see El Madrigal play this friday at 20.00. A highly anticipated gig for yours truly, I've been longing to see El Madrigal live for quite some time, but missed out last time.

Attend to event on Facebook here!

New single from Okkervil River - Mermaid

 I've always had some kind of love/hate feelings towards Okkervil River, but I actually like the new single released today. Their upcoming album is to be released on Jagjaguwar the 10th of may and this single will not be featured as far as I understand. Im kinda looking forward to it after hearing Mermaid.

Review: Iron & Wine - Kiss Each Other Clean by Sarah Lacasse

Imagine if you will, that you stand located in the middle of a lush forest. Towering trees, and wildlife surround you. You hear a rustling in the distance and soon after a man emerges from the brush. The man has a guitar slung over his back and sports an unkempt beard. He continues past you, easily navigating the ground, which is strewn with fallen branches. You stare after him a while, in awe of his beardly glory, before making the decision to follow him. As you trace the steps of the strange man, you happen upon a cabin from which a soothing melody seeps. The song whispers in your ear as the man caresses the guitar and breathes storytelling lyrics. The song ends softly and you press your ear hard against the wooden door, aching to hear more of his art.

The scene that you have just pictured is a representation of Iron & Wine’s previous musical style. Sam Beam has been known for simplistic songs consisting of only his rustic voice and rhythmic guitar riffs. Sam Beam usually goes solo, but occasionally his sister’s dulcet voice adds subtle harmonies, giving his sound beautiful depth.

On January 25th, Iron & Wine released its first album in three years. Many loyal Iron & Wine fans (including myself) anticipated the album titled “Kiss Each Other Clean,” but were shocked at Sam Beam’s new sound. Remember that peaceful log cabin? Now picture that same cabin, but rather than nestled in the quiet forest, it is smack in the middle of Dundas Square. Under any other circumstances, you probably wouldn’t much care that big city and quaint country were being meshed. The little log

house in the middle just doesn’t look right being at the centre of such a loud, bustling place.

“Kiss Each Other Clean” is exactly that misplaced log cabin. Sam Beam’s voice is lost amidst a slew of effects and various instruments. Had this album been released under any other name, I would say to myself “This album is really original; there is a strange mix of instruments and some interesting effects.” My opinion is certainly affected by my preconceived ideas of what Iron & Wine’s music should sound like. I give my respect to Sam Beam for trying out something new, and executing it successfully, however this is not the album that I was awaiting for three years. For that reason, I give “Kiss Each Other Clean” three and a half beards out of five.

Written by Sarah Lacasse
contact: sarahrlacasse@gmail.com

Listen:
Iron & Wine - Kiss Each Other Clean on Spotify
Iron & Wine official home page

Beard song of the day: Alberta Cross - Lucy Rider (acoustic)

Alberta Cross consists of a mix of swedish, british and american members, really grungy looking fellows with beards and long hippie hairs. Their acoustic version of Lucy Rider is very sweet however. :-)



Link to open Alberta Cross in Spotify >>

Newsflash: Fleet Foxes new album out May 3:rd!

We just heard that Fleet Foxes will release their new album Helplessness Blues in the beginning of may. They have also released a teaser title album song, enjoy!




Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues by subpop

Blind Pilot taking another round and a new sound

Another fave of ours Blind Pilot, the hardest pedaling folk duo in the world (sorry Bret and Jemaine) announces on Twitter that they are working on a follow-up of their awesome debut album 3 Rounds and a Sound. On their Myspace page lead singer Israel Nebeker says “one of the things I’m most excited about recording the next album is to see how different we can make it ... The sound that we have going is working really well right now, but I’m totally excited to mess it up.” Well, let's just hope for the best and another great round soon.

Meanwhile, enjoy the superb stuff from their first album!





"One Red Thread" - Blind Pilot

Link to open Blind Pilot's debut album "3 Rounds And A Sound" on Spotify >>

Siskiyou - Great Lake Swimmers gone Californian mountain range

While we were sitting on our butts waiting for the spring flood of beard music to arrive we realized that we had nearly missed an awesome album this autumn. Siskiyou is lyckily for us not only a mountain range in northern California, but also a collaboration of Colin Huebert (left) former drummer of Canada's Great Lake Swimmers and Erik Arnesen (right) guitarist of GLS.



The result of the collaboration is a dreamy, experimental folk landscape. Imagine yourself enjoying a calm, warm, summer sunset in a northern Californian mountain range and you are not too far off. The best tracks: "Hold it in", "Everything I Have" and "Never Ever Ever Ever Again".

James Vincent McMorrow - This Old Dark Machine

Sometimes a mustache is enough: The Super Orchestra

"The Super Orchestra creates small wonders; songs shaped to soothe your ear." is how the group initially is described on their MySpace-page. Thats probably why my last.fm-stats looks like this right now:

The Super Orchestra has been listened to 256 times this week.

I've fallen asleep to this record,which you can download here for free, three nights in a row - on repeat. Not because it's boring, but because it's beautiful, frail and... yes soothing. The three members, Eric Lindestad (Wild at Heart), Robin af Ekestam and Per Rinaldo, orchestrate a fusion of pump organ, guitar, vocals and kitchen utilities into a music experience that is kinda hard for me to describe, but then again im terribly lousy at putting labels on music overall.

As far as I know, the Super Orchestra ain't playing together for the moment in favor to other projects and family and stuff, but let's hope for some sort of comeback, right?

This ain't perticularly beardy, but sometimes a mustache is just enough (look at the video, you'll get it) ...


The Super Orchestra - No One Deserves a Winter from The Super Orchestra on Vimeo.

Waiting for the spring flood of new beard music

Our bearded musical friends have been busy like bees during the end of last year and the nearest months appears to become nothing less than a huge spring flood of great new beard music. The Decemberists, Iron & Wine, Bright Eyes, The Low Anthem, The Cave Singers, Ducktails, Death Cab For Cutie, The Antlers and last but not least premium beard band Fleet Foxes are all releasing new albums within short. If you are as thrilled as we are and can't wait to hear what the new Fleet Foxes album will sound like we may just have the answer for you. Check out Robin Pecknold performing "Lorelai" live during his tour with Joanna Newsom!



Stay tuned for more...

Beard makes better music - playlist no. 5

This playlist is a little different from the others. Well, because it's practically empty. This time you'll fill it with one of your favourite songs. This playlist is collaborative, when in Spotify just drag the song you wan't to add to it, and it's done.

For those of you who don't have Spotify, please make a comment with your favourite song and I will add it, later when it's done I'll post the whole playlist so that you can take part of it too.

Beard makes better music 5