posted by Tina on November 9, 2011
Who doesn’t like a good drum beat? Certainly not me. Formed in 2008, Bronze Radio Return bring the beat back to Indie music. Is it coincidence that so much good music comes from states where it gets really cold in the wintertime? What else is there to do besides coup yourself up and write music that makes people move? Every time I hear one of their tunes I find myself looking at Pandora to see who it is and lately it’s been New England’s Bronze Radio Return. Each of the six band members have managed to contribute their best music making capabilities to form their latest release Shake Shake Shake. Like any band that comes into its own over time, you can only hope that each new album release will be even better than the last. BRR have accomplished just that with this second album. Front man Chris Henderson makes music just the way I would…if I was so musically talented. First the creation of a melody, which turns into a tune, which then leads to coming up with lyrics that fit the tune.
“Worth Wondering” comes from their first album Old Time Speaker released in 2009. The kick drum will pull you in and if that doesn’t the snare drum will. Add to that a little tambourine and you’ll be moving and tapping your foot before you can even ask “Who is this band?” Then hit the play button again. Old Time Speaker was well received and launched BRR into a relentless touring schedule. Two years later came Shake Shake Shake and found the band reuniting with producer Chad Copelin in the town of Norman, Oklahoma. “Warm Day, Cold War” is just one of the catchy tunes off the latest release and by far not the only one you’ll want to hear. As you find yourself taping your foot or nodding your head to the music, you’ll realize the band has clearly accomplished their goal of making people want to move.
Bronze Radio Return – Worth Wondering (Downloaded 412 times)
Bronze Radio Return – Warm Day Cold War (Downloaded 275 times)
» To download, right-click title & “save as”
» Love/Like/Hate it? Please rate it.
» Meaningless labels: Catchy • Danceable • Happy • Indie Folk
(12 votes)
Loading ...posted by Tina on October 4, 2011
It’s been awhile since we brought up a Seattle band. I always seem to find the singer songwriters. Listening to a little Ray Lamontagne radio on Pandora brought Rocky Votolato into my life. One of my favorite things about music is discovering the history of where the music comes from. How did it come about? Why these lyrics? Why this guitar pitch? What keeps them going and writing? Moving forward till they reach that level of success where the music finally does what the creator meant it to do. Get to you. You would never guess it, but this singer songwriter started out punk rock. Through life’s trials and travails it brought him to a serene place where he was able to find peace and produce music with a soft spoken voice and passion from within…
His latest release True Devotion in 2010 shows signs of brilliance and ethereal lyrics with just a hint of sadness from experiences we can all relate to. Being lost at one time? Finding it hard to find your path and your purpose in life? Rocky Votolato covers it all. You can always find that musical artist who hit home with one or two tunes. But to put those experiences into music with all your heart is an accomplishment that should be well praised. I know I couldn’t do it. Rocky Votolato can. I chose to post a song from one of Votolato’s older albums Makers as it strikes a match and hits a chord that I’m familiar with. And let’s face it…it’s just plain catchy.
Rocky Votolato – White Daisy Passing (Downloaded 242 times)
» To download, right-click title & “save as”
» Love/Like/Hate it? Please rate it.
» Meaningless labels: Acoustic • Male vocal • Singer-Songwriter
(6 votes) Loading ...posted by Tina on September 5, 2011
If my Indieball friends haven’t figured out by now what a HUGE Band of Horses fan I am…well…now you know. I’m always keeping my eye out for any side or solo project that comes from any of its five band members. Tyler Ramsey is no exception to that rule. You might recognize him as the extremely tall guitar player in Band of Horses but Tyler had his solo music out before he joined the band in 2007. I recently made a visit to Asheveille, NC where Ramsey calls home and I cannot say enough what an extremely great and musical town Asheville is. Seems where ever you go, no matter what bar or venue I was at, there was some sort of sign, book, or comment made about “Asheville’s own” Tyler Ramsey. And why wouldn’t they be proud of such a talented guitar player…occasionally referred to as “fingers”…
Ramsey’s first self titled release was put out in 2004 followed by A Long Dream About Swimming Across The Sea in 2008. I chose the tune “Ships” as the lyrics always catch me every time I hear it and the violins in the music are a soft subtle hint of sounds from his home. If you like what you hear, then good news follows. Tyler has a new release coming out this month called The Valley Wind. Recorded while on and off tour with Band of Horses this past year, Tyler found the time to make it to Alex The Great studio in Nashville, TN to record his third album release. Bandmate Bill Reynolds helped produce and contribute bass to create this heartwarming and comfortable music that is his own. You can check out a sample off the new release on Tyler’s facebook page. Tyler is also touring for the next few months. Should he make a stop in your hometown, be sure not to miss him. It’s those smaller quieter venues that singer songwriters choose to play at, that stick with you forever…
Tyler Ramsey – Ships (Downloaded 271 times)
» To download, right-click title & “save as”
» Love/Like/Hate it? Please rate it.
» Meaningless labels: Acoustic • Americana • Folk • Male vocal
(10 votes) Loading ...posted by Tina on August 19, 2011
How can I put into words the meaning behind the madness that is Band of Horses? After reading review after review….after review….after review….one struggles with originality to describe a show and actually capture the way you felt when you were there. Only people who have been to see them “get it.” When I first heard of the cancellation of the Kings of Leon tour, my heart sank. Just like a large percentage of the people who bought tickets…I was only going because of Band of Horses. However…knowing the band’s background and the type of fellas they are…including management…I hoped that they would find a way to make it happen. And sure enough….my wish came true. See..all good things DO come to those who wait. And thus brings us to the August 10th show at the Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC. Not only did they keep their rendezvous with NY…they kept the exact date! And believe me..to be able to book a show on that short of notice at ANY venue in NYC….is practically impossible. Unless you’re Band of Horses!!! To me…that says a lot about the band. The guys mentioned once, in the brief moment I got to meet them at last year’s Grand Central Station secret show that they aren’t really big fans of coming to the city and honestly, I don’t blame them. New York is challenging each and every day. But these guys showed up with smiles on all their faces and more “thank yous” to everyone there than anyone could possibly imagine. They rocked the Hammerstein as if they had waited their whole lives to play there.
Ben Bridwell opened the show with the comment “Look at all you last minute Johnnys!!” Last minute??? Little did they know…some of us had been looking forward to this for months!!!! The whole crowd was literally… “No…thank you for still coming.”
How disappointing for them must it had been when they realized that KOL was going to bail? How can you not love a band that follows through with a tour when the headliner cancels? Where does one even begin to make that happen? I’m guessing that the fans were the first thought in their head and not the money. Of course the money helps to pay the bills and allows them to travel across the world but….it’s evident when Ben speaks to the crowd, that he’s not there because of the money. He’s there because of his passion for music and wanting to make people happy. I’ve seen many many a band in my time, and I have never felt like a band was there for the crowd and not for themselves as much as I do when I see Band of Horses.
If you’ve been following the band for awhile, then you can see the difference in a show just two years ago compared to a show now. Ben Bridwell has turned into this frontman that went from shy and modest to getting right out there, engaging the crowd, leading the band onward into success. The thing that I admire about the band is that every single interview I see, the band is always positive, always excited about what they are doing and eager to talk to the crowd. Even after answering the same questions over and over again, Ben Bridwell always answers with such positive motivation and integrity, you can’t help but admire the guy. When the band is on stage, there is such an exuberant amount of energy in the air that it just rubs off into the crowd. They all literally look like they are having a good time and not “working” the crowd. I feel like I’m in the presence of them practicing in a garage space it’s just that up close and personal. Like they’re there just for you.
Hammerstein’s show was nothing less than what I thought it would be. Outstanding. Surprises. Old songs. New Ones. Jokes made about KOL. At some point in the middle of the show Ben Announced “We’re starting to record the next album…..TOMORROW!!!!” He said it was a bit earlier than planned but that “Our tour got FUCKED!!!” and thus recording began on August 11th. Imagine how excited the crowd was to hear that. I wanted to share that with you all here. The band’s been busy trying not to let their fans down, booking more and more shows. Of course they won’t be able to hit every town or city that missed them…but they are definitely trying their hardest to make it happen. So be patient my little grasshoppers. And if they come CLOSE to your town but not close enough, I implore you, make the drive and go see them. Kings Of Leon cancelling may have been the best thing that ever happened for Band of Horses and because of this effort to keep their commitments, this may excel them to the level of greatness. Not that they aren’t already in my eyes but…..you know what I mean.
» Meaningless labels: Americana • Big Sound • Clever Lyrics • Driven • Male vocal
(13 votes) Loading ...i love your blog, i have it in my rss reader and always like new things coming up from it.
Howdy, make sure you tell us when we’ll see a follow up.
Thanks so much. We really appreicate the feedback!
November 9th, 2011 at 7:47 pm
Probably my two favorite songs on the two CDs. Awesome choices to post. Awesome live band as well.
February 19th, 2012 at 11:54 pm
nice !