I Am Ampersand, otherwise known as singer-songwriter Matt Hainsby, delivers a folk-blues gem with 20 Seas 4 Oceans from his November 2012 long-player Grave Goods. Just a little acoustic playful guitar, a bit of electronic noodling-but only for texture, a nice tenor voice and great spare backing vocals. This could have dropped straight out of the late 60’s playbook onto your doorstep. Matt Hainsby’s solo work here is in stark contrast to the nearly progressive folk-rock of his regular band, Fujiya &…
Read MoreIt’s no accident that this cover of the Yardbirds For Your Love should be performed by Nashville, Tennessee’s Magnolia Sons. The band has been making 60’s and 70’s r&b and rock retro tunes in single form for the past couple of years. Their latest two-song single, Nobody But You and Hey Emmaline (April 2013) continues that pattern of single releases in that retro style. Magnolia Sons has no posted bio on their web site but you can get a close approximation by clicking…
Read MoreUpdate: The video for this track is no more. I’ll be honest, I’m not sure if I like the video for Desert Bird from one of Spring’s Skull alter egos Louise L’Amour, but I love the music. Retro literally oozes from the pores of this song. The website describes the six-song EP, Cowgirl Slop Pop (February 2013), where Desert Bird is from as “loosely influenced by Ennio Morricone’s ‘Once Upon A Time in the West’ soundtrack, 1960′s surf, pop, and girl groups, ‘Gunslinger’ era Bo Diddley, and vocal music” which I can definitely hear. There is little information to be found on the…
Read MoreUpdate: The original video is gone. Vodka managed to find this audio-only version, so you can still take a listen: Inspired by ’60s psychedelic and garage rock, The Gone show that being retro is not only cool but musically worth your time. Here on Down Down Below from the band’s February 2013 long-player, Real Gone, they show what they are made of. The lead-off track of the long-player, All My Dreams, is decidedly more upbeat and full of organ fills and the type of rhythms…
Read MoreI know, I know! You’re saying: “Steve, you just posted for Lonely Drifter Karen a couple of days ago!” Yes, I know. I’m fully aware that I’m repeating myself. Here’s the deal: After listening to a couple more tracks from the band, I don’t think I was totally fair in my assessment. I’m finding the band compelling to listen to. Take this track, Three Colors Red, which channels a little Jefferson Airplane along with today’s alt-pop sounds, as an example….
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