White Dress on Daytrotter

Always a great place for anyone to discover new music, Daytrotter is giving one of my most favorite Austin bands some much deserved exposure. Garage-blues duo White Dress is the latest local act to be featured on the site. Their four song session recorded at the "Big Orange Studio"is up for grabs right now and features several songs from their self-released, self-titled EP.

The stripped sound of White Dress is a bit gritty, yet haunting as well. This for the most part is the result of the mesmerizing Arum Rae whose vocals command with a grrrl punk sneer edged with Amy Winehouse-like soulfulness. They are one of those bands that instantly grip upon first hearing them. At least that's what happened to me. And now it can happen to you, thanks to Daytrotter.

So jump over to there now to get a taste of this awesome band. If you aren't a member, you can easily sign up for a trial membership to scoop up the session.

White Dress is also about to embark on a east coast swing for the next couple weeks. Tour dates are below, which includes a date in my native Philadelphia. So if any east coast folk are are reading, jump on this show. You will thank me for it later.

12/8 The Atheneaum / Northern Virginia Fine Arts Association Alexandria VA 7pm
12/9 Night Cat Easton MD 8pm
12/10 Tin Angel Philadelphia 10:30pm
12/12 TT the Bears Cambridge MA 8:00 pm (opening for Gary Clark JR.)
12/13 Mercury Lounge NYC 9:00 pm (opening for Gary Clark JR.)
12/14 Rockwood Music Hall NYC 11:00 pm
12/15 Brooklyn TBA
12/16 The 8 x 10 Baltimore MD 8:00 pm (opening for Gary CLark JR)
12/17 Red Palace D.C. 8:00 pm (opening for Gary Clark JR)
12/18 The Box Charlottesville VA 10pm

Balmorhea on Daytrotter

The latest Daytrotter Session from Austin's indie-classical/chamber music majesties Balmorhea is now available for you all to consume and love. This recording features renditions of the two tracks from their recent 7" vinyl release, "Candor" and "Clamor," along with a new untitled song. I'm convinced that there is no possible way that something recorded at the Daytrotter studios can sound anything less than amazing. This is no exception. Hop over and download it right away.

In other Balmorhea news, their previously limited album Live at Sint​-​Elisabethkerk is now officially available digitally on iTunes and through Bandcamp. A physical repressing from Western Vinyl is coming soon as well. I picked up a copy during their last swing of touring, so I definitely recommend this. The added arrangements to the the live performances breathe new life into these songs. It's like hearing them for the first time all over again.

 Live at Sint​-​Elisabethkerk does contain a performance of what could be my favorite song from them, "Steerage & the Lamp." The keys on here are astonishing. Take a listen below.

Jessica Lea Mayfield Daytrotter Session

So this may be turning into a blog where I just talk about Jessica Lea Mayfield all the time.  But whatever...

My favorite musician from Kent, Ohio had her Daytrotter Session go up a couple days ago. This along with her music video premiering on Stereogum are two high profile events that are well deserved. I feel like it has been forever that I've been listening to her (really it's only been since last September), but she is finally getting her some recognition from the indie world.  

Mayfeild's Daytrotter Session includes renditions of three great songs off With Blasphemy So Heartfelt: "I'm Not Lonely Anymore," "Kiss Me Again," and "Bible Days." Also, Sean Moeller has written a great piece to accompany the session. He really always does a great job with his articles. Here is a little excerpt of what he has to say...

"The songs are explosive examples what happens to an emotional being when life’s abstractions and blemishes sometimes get in the way, when things don’t go as planned and there’s a choice to be made – to throw a fit or to do the opposite and take those lumps. Mayfield has such skill in her songwriting craft at such a frighteningly young age that it’s all the more remarkable – the pace and the voice and the tone of her words, like a forest whispering throughout the night – that she already can make unforgettable music seem so easy."

This version of "Bible Days" is more rocked out than the studio one, much like how she performs it during her live show. So go over to Daytrotter and check it out; read the article and download the free tunes. 

The Boxing Lesson Daytrotter Session

I've been singing the praises of Austin's The Boxing Lesson since I discovered them this past summer. The space-rockers released their mesmerizing album Wild Streaks and Windy Days early last year and have been frantically playing live ever since. Then the band achieved another great accomplishment in December when they recorded for Daytrotter. Their session just went up today, and having recently talked to the band, I know they are quite excited about the end result. The session even includes the new song "Room 17" that they've been testing out at recent live shows. It's a good one. So make sure head over to Daytrotter and get yourself a free download.  

The Boxing Lesson is currently wrapping up a short tour and will be playing Austin again on February 26th at Stubb's. They also have some big things going on for SXSW so keep an eye on their myspace for those details. In addition, I'll have some news around SXSW time about some stuff I did for the band  as well.  Until then... Live Long and Prosper!!