Alabama Shakes

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[Left to right: Heath Fogg (guitarist) Brittany Howard (vocalist), Zac Cockrell (bassist), Steve Johnson (drummer).] / Ben Tanner on Keys (not in the photo)

-American rock band formed in 2009 in Athens, Alabama
-The band began with Brittany and Zac meeting after school (high school) to write music. Heath (a fellow schoolmate) joined in soon after hearing how great they sounded. Shortly after the trio asked Steve (who at the time worked at their local music store) to join. The rest is history, The Alabama Shakes were born! (Fun fact: They used to be 'The Shakes', but changed it to distinguish themselves from other bands called The Shakes.)
-"The things you haven't worked through... or things you can't really talk about...just put them in a song ...you might know someone and you want to tell them something but you can't cause it'll just make everything really awkward.. so you just write a song about it." - Brittany / I really liked how honest and real what was said was.
-Justin from Aquarium Drunkard blog found The Alabama Shakes and posted on the band and it was only then did the band begin to blow up.
-Covers Led Zepplin's 'How Many More Time', listen here.
-Played Bonnaroo 2012, Coachella 2012, and are expected at Lollapalooza!
-Appeared on Conan O'Brien, and David Letterman.
-Toured with Jack White
-Brittany's dream collaboration as mention on NME's Youtube interview is Jim James (My Morning Jacket) and Jack White (for his 'awesome' guitar work)

Songs to Listen to: Hold on, I Found You, Rise to the Sun



Conclusion: FML, this band is my summer band. FML because I only started to love them now. I feel like I've been missing out hardcore because of this, but none the less I am sooo in love with them. Brittany is just incredible. Her voice is just... I'm awe-stricken. I find myself completely losing my voice trying to keep up with her at home. The lyrics, the simplicity, the Roots feel as a package has me completely on team Alabama Shakes. Band of the summer friends, get into it.

Phosphorescent

Phosphorescent
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-Matthew Houck from Alabama.
-Used to perform under the name "Fillup Shack"
-Played all of the instruments on his record "Pride"
-Playing Bonnaroo 2011
-"Last thing I needed first thing this Morning" session on KEXP
-Performance on Dave Letterman
-Has two Daytrotter Sessions, click here.
-Has a Tribute album to Willie Nelson called "To Willie"
-Recorded a Black Cab Sessions for "Wolves", click here.
-New music video for "It's Hard to be Humble when you're from Alabama" posted July 2010, click here.
-"I wish I was in Heaven sitting down" on Paste Magazine. (This one's worth the click!)

Songs to listen to: Wolves (Posted below), I wish I was in Heaven sitting down, Full Grown Man.



Conclusion: I was pretty much 100% sold with "Wolves" and just overly complacent with "I wish I was in Heaven sitting down". I need to see this guy live, there's no doubt about it. If you're in Toronto April 10, you need to drop by Lee's Palace and spend the couple of dollars to check him out. It's going to be super! (Buy your tickets here!) Otherwise, if you're attending Bonnaroo and you're into folk music, make sure you stop by his stage because I have high anticipations with the guy!

The Head and the Heart

The Head And The Heart

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[Left to Right: Chris Zasche (Bassist), Josiah Johnson (Vocalist, Guitarist), Charity Theilen (Violinist), Kenny Hensley (Pianist), Tyler Williams (Drummer), Jonathon Russell (Vocalist, Guitarist)]

-formed in Seattle, Washington.

-opened for Vampire Weekend, and Dr. Dog

-Playing Bonnaroo 2011, SXSW 2011, & Sasquatch 2011

-Fans of Fleet Foxes

-Signed to Sub Pop

-They try to have the members of the band that write specific lines and verses, sing their part to keep it true to the artist.

-"The Head and the Heart is an album that begs to be heard as whole; the songs belong to each other. It's a diverse album - each track feels markedly different from the last - but it moves effortlessly... There's an artfulness to this album... As a debut LP, The Head and the Heart... should be celebrated." - Paige Richmond, Seattle Weekly

-Recieve free MP3s by signing up for their newsletter @ http://www.myspace.com/theheadandtheheart

Songs to listen to: Rivers and Roads(Below) ,Down in the Valley, Ghosts

(fast forward to 4:40, it's too good!)

Conclusion: WOW, couldn't have found them at a better time! Best part of it is they're playing a show in Toronto in a couple of days (February 24 at the Horseshoe Tavern). Anyhow, The Head and The Heart are a great band that will perfectly fit in amongst my Dawes and Fleet Foxes obsessive playlist. Their music is uplifting and makes the heart feel good. Clapping and rejoicing the lyrics are a must when listening, especially when everyone in the house is asleep. It's happy folk music that will leave an impression on what the Seattle folk scene has in it's back pocket. Happy listening!