24 Hr Records presents FIST

Members of Blank Range, Cy Barkley & The Way Outsiders, Chrome Pony and No Regrets Coyote get together for 24 hours to record 3 songs. The results are well worth a watch. The Making Of video is an entertaining bit of late-night struggle over at Club Roar or you can just dive into the results below. Quality all around.

FIST – “My Way Home”
FIST – “We’ve Got You Surrounded (My Latin Baby)”
FIST – “Headed West”

The Golden Sounds – Waiting on the Birds

Good to see that Todd Evans is continuing with this dreamy undertaking, The Golden Sounds. I’ve always enjoyed that a band with such a positive name really seems to carry a musical vibe that is striving to match that optimism. It’s melancholy but it works.

The Dead Deads

I am, admittedly, a sucker for many things. So, when you combine a group of girls copping a slightly macabre vibe mixed with hard rock leaning pop songs I’m inevitably going to fall for it. It might not make your “most deep thinking record of the year” list but maybe you can shake loose the chains of indie rock snoot and just enjoy it. I did and it feels right.

The Life and Death of an Indie-Rock Prince

Much will be written about this in-depth piece about the life and unfortunate death of Ben Todd. Largely because it’s running in Spin and it paints Todd as a foregone conclusion – beyond reach in his determined goal to take his own life. 

I did not know Ben Todd well but can safely say that this piece largely misrepresents the people that did know him well. He did a great service to Nashville and was, obviously, in need of help. 

I am hesitant to point anyone in the direction of the article as it certainly shares personal details that probably shouldn’t be run in a national music publication. However, it does serve as  reminder that Nashville has something great to offer beyond what you’re reading from sources that don’t understand it. Ben Todd was one of those great things.

Also, listen to D. Watusi – always good.

Eef Barzelay & Ole Mossy Face – The Sound of Music City

How about five covers from The Sound of Music soundtrack as performed by Eef Barzelay and Ole Mossy Face to start your week? Eef’s voice has never let me down in the “painfully yearning” department and combined with Ole Mossy Face, they knock it out of the park reimagining these songs.

The By Gods – I Don’t Care Who Believes Me…

Yes, a million times, Yes. Straight up rock and roll with fist pumping attitude, throat ripping vocal conviction and yet still maintaing a healthy dose of singalong chorus. Yea, that’s right, I said “throat ripping” and I stand by it. Get in your car, crank this up and drive off into nowhere.

D. Striker – “Country Dance Off”

There’s something about the way D. Striker carries himself (and his music) that is perfectly laid back. His storytelling yarns are amusing but never stupid. His Friday the 13th parties return only once this year – June 13th, 2014. Don’t miss it. And don’t miss his breakdancing moves in the above video – ridiculous in all the right ways.