posted by Leigh on January 15, 2011
If you have been in and around the indie music circuit at some point during the last decade, it is likely that you have heard of Phosphorescent, as their popularity seemed to soar at a steady pace throughout and into the current. Whether you have or whether you haven’t, their 2010 release, Here’s To Taking It Easy, provides Southerners with pride knowing this music has ties to down below and provides non-Southerners with one of those I-Wish-I-Had-Some-Southern-Charm moments.
From Athens, Georgia, and now based in Brooklyn, New York, Phosphorescent is fronted by Matthew Houck, who is originally from Alabama. Relevant, yes, because the song included here is aptly titled “It’s Hard to Be Humble (When You’re From Alabama)”. Twangy and earthy, the track delves deep into Southern roots. Once there, it pulls out the ones that are the strongest, the ones that can be replanted elsewhere and thrive. And, for those partial to a little pedal steel . . . bingo.
I was able to check out their New York show at Bowery Ballroom back in December, and it was an indie alt country folk rock menagerie of talent and explosive moments. I would bet that even the dog that Houck brought on stage for a cameo is damn musical, if given the chance. “It’s Hard to Be Humble (When You’re From Alabama)” is only one face of Here’s to Taking It Easy (another notable face includes the slower, steadier, meltingly pretty variety), which is why I highly recommend giving the entire album a slow, steady, drawling listen.
Phosphorescent – Its Hard to Be Humble (Downloaded 337 times)
Phosphorescent “It’s Hard To Be Humble When You’re From Alabama” from Secretly Jag on Vimeo.
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» Meaningless labels: Alt-country • Big Sound • Catchy • Driven • Folk • Male vocal
(5 votes)
Loading ...posted by Patrick on April 19, 2010
In the beginning, there was Indie Pop. The beginning of this blog, that is, long, long ago. I started Indieball to deliver indie pop to the People, to make the masses move their asses, or tap their toes at least. But it turns out there’s more to music (and life) than jangling guitars + backbeats, and our interests have expanded accordingly. ‘Devil In You’ by The Watson Twins is Example A: a lurching, shuffling, alt-country (or alt-something-else) gem of a song, with soaring vocals and a lilting piano in the background. Not poppy, exactly, but catchy in its own weird way. ‘U N Me’ is less interesting but showcases the Twins’ terrific voices. Both tracks are from the recently released EP ‘Talking To You, Talking To Me’.
The Watson Twins – Devil In You (Downloaded 869 times)
The Watson Twins – U N Me (Downloaded 516 times)
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» Meaningless labels: Alt-country • Dischordant • Downbeat • Female vocal • Rollicking
(14 votes) Loading ...posted by Tina on March 4, 2009
For years now, Susie Ulrey has entranced audiences several times over. Are they Indie? Americana? Or maybe even a tad Alt-country, you decide. Whatever category you choose, the music will fit. That’s just how Rec Center’s music is. The last time I attended a live show of Rec Center, what I remember most was how Susie Ulrey’s voice held the crowd’s attention from the front row to the very back. People wandered in from outside just to see who was behind this amazing sound. Rec Center isn’t about rocking the house or shaking you to your core. They’re just about creating a sound unlike any other indie band and keeping the momentum going. If you’re in the mood to slow things down a bit, Rec Center is highly recommended.
Rec Center – Without A Scratch (Downloaded 218 times)
Rec Center – Take It Back (Downloaded 203 times)
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» Meaningless labels: Alt-country • Amazing Voice • Downbeat • Female vocal
(8 votes) Loading ...posted by Patrick on January 18, 2009
With countless blogs and tens of millions of music lovers scouring the interweb for new tunes every day, it’s unusual to discover a great band before the rest of the world does. But this is one of those lucky days. The Lazy Darlings have only one four-song EP to their names, which means you can listen to their entire catalog while the coffee brews. And you’ll want to hear it all, probably more than once, because “Life is Easy” is a truly terrific album. The title track features Daves James doing his best Dylan impression, if Dylan sang alt-country duets. “Laura” has a harder-edge but the same West Texas twang. The band’s Myspace page doesn’t mention a follow-up album, but hopefully it’s in the works. Until then, buy the the other half of the album and enjoy.
The Lazy Darlings – Life is Easy
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» Meaningless labels: Alt-country • Amazing Voice • Catchy • Male vocal
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May 15th, 2010 at 11:37 am
This sounds exactly like fiona apple. Like… exactly like half the songs on ‘when the pawn hits’
its actually kind of freaky unoriginal, but then again what is original these days?