Kentuckyseven

Arbouretums fourth album The Gathering is out Tuesday February 15 via Thrill Jockey Records. It´s inspired by Carl Jung and comes at you like wild horses. It´s not like anything else out there right now.

This is oldtime folkpsych with a heavy-stoner guitarsound and a doom-bitter twist. The Baltimoreband is touring America in Feb and Europe in March. To know what to expect, here´s a fresh livetake.

Arbouretum – ”Waxing Crescents” – Live at the Ottobar from Thrill Jockey Records on Vimeo.

Label: Heavenly Recordings
Releasedate: 2011-02-07

Sea of Bees is Julie Ann Bee’s musical project. And the term project is well used in describing this album.

The songs evolve, changes and comes to life when listening to them. Just when you think that you got it, it takes another path. The world of Julie Ann Bee seems to drag you with it. The mysterious, sweet and yet dark songs seem to be telling you a story. Trying to catch on, I find myself humming along to songs I’ve not yet heard. Feeling poetic yet frantic.

The single Wizbot is one of those songs that just stick. From the very first note. Bee’s voice is clear yet fragile. There is something fresh yet familiar with this album. It is a building of sound. My feeling is that I’ve just entered the lobby. But I will make it to the roof.

Feels like a record that will grow with every listening. Right now it is a 5. Thanks for the ride Julie Ann Bee.

Listen to songs from Songs For The Ravens @ Myspace

Download ”Marmalade” @ Seeofbees.com

Photo: Maria Gunnesson

Iron & Wine @ Trägår’n, Gothenburg, Sweden 2011-02-04

Crowded with beards and chequered shirts. There is no doubt that this is going to be something special.

When Sam Beam and friends enter the stage, mine and all others heart start to pound. Worth the wait? Indeed.

But there is more than just Iron & Wine tonight, something new. Something else. The crowd is invited to Sam Beams personal musical universe. Jazz-tunes, Funky melodies and Calypso fills the room, and takes the songs to yet another level. This could have been a small, dark and quiet evening with touchy feel, but instead we are given a journey. A journey that leaves no one untouched. Except for those in the back, who apparently did some serious misreading when they bought their tickets. Talking with their backs against the stage, during the most magical extra song right in the end. Sad.

However, this is a new era, a new way to listen to great music, from a great man. I will be there next time too. Me and Lazareus too.

I haven’t had the pleasure of listening that much to the new album, but from this evening and on, it will surely take a place in my heart.

A six out of seven is not too much. That is what it is worth. Play it again, Sam. Please.

A round of applause to the greatest gang in the west. Woody West, who made it happen.

Introducing Delta Maid, wonderful Liverpudlian who takes the blues back to their breathtakin roots. Delta Maid was raised on Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal, Stevie Ray Vaughan and BB King. You can tell by the way she smiles.

This 25-year old is really making a name for herself. Hometown paper Liverpool Daily Post says ”Every now and again, a musician comes along that gets the industry talking. Delta Maid is that musician.”

Well Kentuckyseven aint no industry. But we sure loved Delta Maid from the first chord, and yepp we´re talking about her. Here´s why:

Delta Maid by the awesome Mahogany Sessions. Debut album Outside Looking In is released by Geffen on May 8th.

Been waiting forever. Just to get a date. And finally it’s out there. May 2 is the date. The date to mark in your calendar.

Fleet Foxes second album ”Helplessness Blues” will be released May 2:nd. The Seattleband follows up on their superdebut from 2008.

Producer on the new album is Phil Ek (Band of Horses, Modest Mouse and Shins among many). The album is released on Bella Union (Cosmos Music Group)

Twelve new tracks, and one new member. And for those of you who want to see them this summer. You’re in luck. Fleet Foxes are signed up for europe’s best festival. Way Out West.

Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues by subpop

Check out the first album on Spotify

James Walbourne – The Hill

Label: Heavenly. Releasedate: Jan 31 2011.

James Walbourne´s debut album hit stores Monday morning. The Londoner is out doing his legwork, supporting Justin Townes Earle on tour and in February Walbourne gets on the dusty road with labelbuddies Sea of Bees and Trevor Moss and Hannah-Lou.

Listening to James Walbourne I get a good Tim Easton slash Lars Winnerbäck vibe. It´s easygoing, free stuff yet thoughtful and willowy. My hunch says Walbourn and bandmates had a great time recording this album, you can tell just by listening to the tunes. The Hill welcomes you around for tea, the nice sort.

James Walbourne helps Chrissie Hynde out in The Pretenders. He played the guitar on iconic pianoburner Jerry Lee Lewis´ last year album. He tours with Son Volt and The Pogues. Not bad for a young fella…but listening to The Hill you know why. This is blues, countryrock and folk all wrapped up and ready to go. Me like.

¤ Judge says: 4/7 Kentuckyseven´s.

¤ Best tracks: The Hill, Cocaine Eyes

¤ Drink while you listen: 400 Pound Monkey

¤ Check it out: JW – Myspace + JW – Spotify

There are musicians that hit that note deep down in you, the very first time you hear them. James Vincent McMorrow is one of them.

The man keeps on touching throughout all his music. In the true spirit of real Bon Iver-ish he takes the great genre of singer/songwriting to the next level.

The debut ”Early in The Morning” was released jan 25 by Vagrant Records in the US and will be available in europe march 7 via iTunes. I suggest you pick that album up. If you don’t want to miss out on a great album filled with that sweet sound that is James Vincent McMorrow.

Check out more on James Vincent McMorrow:

@ Jamesmvcmorrow.com I @ Facebook I @ Spotify @ Vagrant Records

Kentuckyseven has a mission. A mission to spread the word on great music.  Here are some guys you pay close attention to.

Galapaghost

Casey Chandler from Woodstock NY, with his creation Galapaghost. Living in Austin TX, he has released 2 prior Ep’s and now releases his third, for free.

Casey has toured with John Grant, and played with such Kentuckyseven-favourites as Alessi’s Ark. The man has got something, something to tell. Listen.

Galapaghost is the singer/songwriter-styled music that is all what Kentuckyseven is about.

Runnin’ by Galapaghost

George Glass

The call themselves a pre-apocalyptic rock band, from L.A. A hard working band, doing all on their own budget and time. By the way they just had a vinyl release party for the EP.

If you wanna listen to George Glass live, you should be traveling to AZ or northern Cali, where they will be @ LaBrie’s Lounge in march. The full lenght will be released early 2012.

Meanwhile listen to the tunes on bandcamp, iTunes, spotify, amazon.

Anthony Ruptak

Singer/songwriter from Colorado, who is dedicated to music. For real. Influenced by Charles Bukowski and others in his writing, and has a thing for artists such as Bob Dylan, Bon Iver and Fleet Foxes.

A young writer born in the Rocky Mountains. Schooled by his mother and scorned by his father. He began to associate himself with music, realizing that it was the one thing he could control and contribute. The lyrics of the most recent songs deal with thematic issues and storyline that try to breach the gap between life and death, and capture the listener with the raw, acoustic feel.

Cold War Kids – Mine Is Yours

Label: Downtown records. Releasedate: Jan 25, 2011

First time I heard Cold War Kids was on tv. Watching Letterman, this gang produced a crazy Hospital bed, or was it We used to vacation. Anyways. It got to me like chickenpox. Remined you I also digged the followup, not press-adored 2008 album Loyalty to Loyalty, expectations were up when I opened the box from Cosmos. And man, it blew me away.

This wonderful punksoulband from California has made a brilliant album. Singer Nathan Willett told me a couple of days ago that “We want people to dig deep in this album. It’s not an easy one, but it has a lot to offer.” True dat, Nathan. I´m hooked from the quiet beginning via the catchy Royal Blue to the best part, the last four songs who makes a fistful of greatness.

It is a different Cold War Kids album. It´s more mature and spins a lot around commitment and friendship. It´s like the wild nights caught up with the band and left them stranded with an empty bottle. On that end they found producer Jacquire King (Modest Mouse, Tom Waits) and eleven enchanting songs. Instead of turning boring they turned the corner.

Credit to drummer Matt Aveiro for the sound, the often erie beginnings and twisted ends. To me – let´s make it easy – this is a record I wanna listen to. Piling up and down in the playlist, Mine Is Yours gets stuck in playmode. I´m keeping it that way.

¤ Judge says: 6/7 Kentuckyseven´s.

¤ Best Track: Bulldozer

¤ Drink while you listen: Brooklyn East India Pale Ale

¤ Check it out: CWK – Myspace + CWK – Spotify

We got an absolute gem for ya´ll = an exclusive interview with singer Nathan Willett of the awesome punksoulband Cold War Kids.

The Kids release their new album Mine Is Yours Jan 25 and you´ll find the review come Monday morning right here on Kentuckyseven.

Until then, enjoy!

Photo: Lucy Hamblin

Congrats on a great new album! Your hopes for 2011?

”We want people to dig deep in this album. It’s not an easy one, but it has a lot to offer. I think we’ll be touring it all year.”

Any books or records that have influenced you in the making of Mine Is Yours?

”Woody Allen – Husbands and Wives. Cassavettes – A Woman Under the Influence. Jonathan Franzen – The Discomfort Zone.”

Track #8 ”Bulldozer” have been on repeat @ Kentuckyseven for quite a  while. What can you tell us about the song?

”It probably embodies the content of this record more than any other song. The struggle of relationships. It’s the band’s favorite song.”

No band opens a song as brilliantly as you guys (readers: check out track #10 Cold Toes On The Cold Floor). It´s like you´re not ready and then it rolls on like a circus in a thunder storm. How does that work in the studio?

”We like to do things live. We like to hear things in the background, or tape rolling or something natural.”

I sense a diffrence in the sound, the lyrics and the approach of the new album. It´s more Cold War Men than Kids, it´s a more mature album if you will. Agree?

”Yes. Lyrically, it’s less fictional character driven, more journalism/autobiographical. Coming from a group of friends who are crossing in to age 30, dealing with relationships and commitment.”

The album is produced by Jacquire King (Tom Waits, Kings of Leon). What´s his input to Mine Is Yours.

”Jacquire put us at our best. He watched how we work, let us exhaust and idea and suggested new ways to think about arrangements. Simple, mystical stuff.”

Any swedish memories you could share with our readers?

”The first time we went to Europe was for the Oya festival five years ago or so. Beautiful girls with great educations.”

In my book your previous full length albums Robbers & Cowards (2006) and Loyalty to Loyalty (2008) are just epic stuff. This is your third one, could you see CWK doing three more albums?

”Absolutely, I think we are in it for the long haul. We try to think of every record as the first.”

I played track #3 Royal Blue to my wife the other day. She couldn´t stop dancing. Is this dance music?

”The guitar line on that song has a certain swing to it that’ll get ya moving.”

Thanks for a great album, take care and hope to see ya´ll soon!

”Cheers!”

¤¤¤Want more of Cold War Kids? Check out this and this.