this new j. tillman project is so fucking good.
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This being my first album I’ve heard of Philadelphia’s Adam Arcuragi, I was extremely surprised at the depth and breadth of his music. There is something magical about this album, the way Adam sings, the carefully placed subtleties on the keys, horns, plucking, it all works in a way to highlight Arcuragi’s sombre raspy tones. There’s a sort of playful teasing between some of the more tender moments on this album and the flat out rabble rousing that creates a balance of sing-along, infectious music to the more introspective contemplative folk.
The album, recorded over a 12 day period in Lexington KY with Duane Lundy (Jim James, Daniel Martin Moore, Ben Sollee) reflects a lot of Arcuragi’s influences, including somewhere in the range of Hymnals to Bob Dylan, one can also hear a bit of Springsteen in his voice as well as his music. The term “Death Gospel,” has been thrown around, and I’m finding it pretty accurate and hard to not use. Though I don’t want it to seem like the entire album is a sombre one, because it really is not.
What sets this record apart is in its contrast. Arcuragi has found a way to be both poetic and graceful in his use of lyrics and the use of choir elements and on the other side he has the ability to rely on his voice to create a rousing, hollering, sing-along with all that goes with it (huge pounding rhythms see, Oh I See). Further, his songs are skillfully written and evoke a sense of soul, they feel a bit spiritual, without feeling too dense. It’s a great balance that keeps you coming back to it. This is one album above anything I’ve heard in this very young year, as it touches the soul, rips it out, and sometimes just rocks you to your core, that you must have.
Its an album, I loved from the beginning, and am glad to have him here later this week to talk about the album, and about his upcoming tour. See you on Friday?
Buy Like a fire that consumes all before it…
ADAM ARCURAGI TOUR
January 31 Café Bourbon Street Columbus, OH
February 1 Garfield Artworks Pittsburgh, PA
February 2 Union Pool Brooklyn, NY
February 3 PA’s Lounge Boston, MA
February 4 Café Nine New Haven, CT
February 6 Kung Fu Necktie Philadelphia, PA
February 7 IOTA Washington, DC
February 9 Green Lantern Lexington, KY
February 11 MOTR Pub Cincinnati, OH
February 12 The End Nashville, TN
February 14 The Earl Atlanta, GA
This is DIY at its finest, people.
Tiny Waves’ mini-documentary, titled ‘The Search for FMLY’ and filmed through the events of FMLY Fest and other CA adventures.
I just love what both these groups of people are bringing together and you really get a better understanding of what FMLY has to offer through this; I recommend playing the video above.
(Source: alazyman)
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—Secret Mountains - Make Love Stay
Secret Mountains - Make Love Stay
Ecstatic to premiere the first sounds from Secret Mountains in 2012, a live take from their sessions at Converse’s Rubber Tracks studio in NYC. “Make Love Stay” is heavy, dark, and deeply emotive, yet it starts and finishes with a ring of uplifting transcendence similar to the way Juilianna Barwick’s The Magic Place feels.
Bmoremusic is proud to present Secret Mountains, Arbouretum, and Sri Aurobindo at the Ottobar on March 8. All of Baltimore’s psychedelic enforcers on one bill, kicking off Secret Mountains’ tour to their official appearance at SXSW.
March 8th : Baltimore @ Ottobar with Sri Aurobindo and Arboureturm
March 9th : Charlotesville, VA @ Tea Bazaar with The Demon Beat
March 10th : Savannah, GA @ Savannah Stopover Festival
March 11th : Gainesville, FL @ The Church of Holy Colors with Levek
March 12th : New Orleans, LA @ The Saint with Woodsman
March 13-17 : SXSW (schedule TBA)Get tickets to the Ottobar kick-off show right here.VIA BMORE MUSIC
Hop Along - Tibetan Pop Stars
might try to go this year.
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Warm, gooey, golden melodies, coming straight from NC’s Bowerbirds the second cut from their upcoming album The Clearing, which is out 3/6/12 (awesome date). This being the second track, we’re already aware of the first nine minutes of this album. I’m extremely excited about this one, its a gorgeous mix of tenderly plucked strings and a core of vocal harmonies that are really wonderful. Get excited for this album, and a huge NA tour coming up.
Tour:
Sat. March 17 — Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle
Sun. March 18 — Asheville, NC @ Grey Eagle w/ Mandolin Orange
Mon. March 19 — Charlottesville, VA @ The Southern w/ Dry the River
Wed. March 21 — Washington, DC @ Black Cat w/ Dry the River
Thu. March 22 — Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s w/ Dry the River
Fri. March 23 — New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom w/ Dry the River
Sat. March 24 — Boston, MA @ Paradise w/ Dry the River
Mon. March 26 — Montreal, QC @ La Sala Rossa w/ Dry the River
Tue. March 27 — Toronto, ON @ The Garrison w/ Dry the River
Thu. March 29 — Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall w/ Dry the River
Fri. March 30 – Iowa City, IA @ The Mill (Mission Creek Festival) w/ Sharon Van Etten
Sat. March 31 — Minneapolis, MN @ Cedar Cultural Centre w/ Dry the River
Tue. April 3 — Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile w/ Dry the River
Wed. April 4 — Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge w/ Dry the River
Fri. April 6 — San Francisco, CA @ The Independent w/ Dry the River
Sat. April 7 — Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour w/ Dry the River
Sun. April 8 — San Diego, CA @ Casbah w/ Dry the River
Wed. April 11 — Austin, TX @ The Parish w/ Dry the River
Thu. April 12 — Dallas, TX @ The Loft w/ Dry the River
Sat. April 14 — Birmingham, AL @ The Bottletree w/ Mandolin Orange
Sun. April 15 — Atlanta, GA @ The Earl w/ Mandolin Orange
kind of counting on this album being incredible.
