It’s that time of the month again, here’s some good folk music…
William Thomas Lawrence – Doghouse of Yer Dreams
First we have some laid back summery vibes from New York’s William Thomas Lawrence. I can’t find much info on him, but he has just released an album called Doghouse of Yer Dreams and it’s great. You can get it via Bandcamp for just $4, so what are you waiting for?
Tyler Childers – Live on Red Barn Radio II
Tyler Childers is a 22 year old singer-songwriter from Eastern Kentucky. He makes classic, country-inflected folk songs which will appeal to fans of Joe Pug and John Moreland. His latest EP is a four song live recording on Kentucky’s Red Barn Radio programme. The EP opens with two covers, one a traditional song by Utah Phillips, and the other originally by John R. Miller. There are then two of Childers’s own tracks, one of which I have embedded for you listening pleasure below:
Eagle Lake Owls – Eagle Lake Owls
Next up is the brand new self-titled EP by Winnipeg’s Eagle Lake Owls. The band promise “folk songs about small town life, long winters and endless summers, filtered through a dusty car window”, and that’s pretty much what we get here. Their sound has a dash of Bowerbirds, a splash of John K. Samson and a sprinkling of the Rural Alberta Advantage. I like it a lot. My current favourite track is ‘Tall Grass Dance’, but it’s all really good. Check out ‘Sunday Morning’ below:
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/140793363″]
You can buy the EP via the band’s Bandcamp page
Small Sur – Wild Geese
Small Sur have released a brand new 7” single as part of this great feature courtesy of Singles Club. Singles Club run a subscription service, so you send some cash and they send four great records (from four different artists). Hit the play button and read the interview with lead man Bob Keal, complete with some really nice photography.
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/142375667″]
Also, if you’re not familiar with Small Sur, what are you doing?? Check out our review for the last album Labor, and then buy all their records.
Hiss Golden Messenger – Brother, Do You Know The Road?
This lovely slow-burner has been released by Merge Records in anticipation of Hiss Golden Messenger’s upcoming LP. The song won’t feature on the album though, as despite featuring in their live set, it is apparently something of a misfit. It’s a good thing it is seeing the light of day though, even for the refrain alone: ‘And though the storm’s passed over/And the sun is in its place/Oh, it took a long time/And the rain, how I know it.’
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/148184935″]
Scott Orr – A Long Life
More than a little late on this one but Scott Orr released an acoustic album back in January that is gentle and mournful and lovely. Released on Other Songs Music Company, you can grab it here.
[bandcamp width=100% height=120 album=1432074532 size=large bgcol=ffffff linkcol=0687f5 tracklist=false artwork=small track=2080799079]
Best Wishes – Best Wishes EP
Finally, another (newer) release from Scott Orr. Best Wishes sees Orr team up with friends Eric Fusilier and Matt Henderson to produce a rocky, shoegazy collection of songs, a departure from his sparse fingerpicked solo material. Again out on Other Songs, you can buy it here.
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/148941734″]