We missed last week’s New Music Monday because of the ongoing recovery from Hurricane Matthew. There were some devastating impacts in the Savannah area, and the hissing lawns contributors feel fortunate to have suffered so few losses compared to so many of our friends and neighbors.
Hope you enjoy a few new tunes — I think there are some fantastic selections in this week’s post.
cheers,
bill
Kaia Kater
Toronto
“Paradise Fell” from Nine Pin live at Stringband Spectacular in April 2016, the showcase for the Savannah Music Festival’s Acoustic Music Seminar
The finale show of the Savannah Music Festival’s Acoustic Music Seminar is one of the festival’s sleepers. The 2016 ensemble performances at the Lucas Theatre were predictably awesome, but Kaia Kater’s arrangement of her own song “Paradise Fell” from her new record Nine Pin was downright electrifying. If you haven’t heard of Kater, just wait, you will. – bill
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Shovels & Rope
Charleston, SC
“Botched Execution” off the new album Little Seeds
Shovels & Rope is getting deservedly great reviews for the beautiful and varied new album Little Seeds, but right now I’m all about this crazy video. Just watch. Bonus points if you recognize the brilliant musician playing the escaped convict. – bill
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The Weeks
Jackson, Mississippi
“Gold Don’t Rust”
Another new song from The Weeks, one of the best new bands in the new-but-not-all-that-new South. I’m among a throng of fans anxiously awaiting the band’s upcoming third LP. – bill
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Jack White & Margo Price
Nashville
“I’m Lonely (But I Ain’t That Lonely Yet)” – The White Stripes cover on A Prairie Home Companion
Ok, I’m including a video from A Prairie Home Companion. Sue me. In early 2015, I got occasional questions about the “must-see” acts at the upcoming Savannah Stopover, and I always told people to see rising star Margo Price. Maybe we can quit saying “rising” soon. – bill
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Hiss Golden Messenger
Durham, NC
Heart Like A Levee
In his sixth album (and second on Merge Records), M.C.Taylor (aka Hiss Golden Messenger) turns what started off as a song cycle for one of Duke University’s “Duke Performances”, which centered around a collection of 1972 black and white photographs of a coal mining camp in eastern Kentucky, into a full blown record. It merges the evocative impressions of William Gedney’s stark photos with issues Taylor was grappling with in his own life; most notably the struggle of supporting a family vs. living his life writing songs and touring as an artist. Taylor’s music always manages to convey both struggle and joy in its’ country-tinged soul, but never more perfectly than here. These are songs that deserve to bring him the praise (and financial rewards) he has long deserved. – Kayne
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Nick Waterhouse
San Francisco/LA
Never Twice
Nick Waterhouse has been bubbling on the verge of a breakout for years. People, it’s time. This guy is simply amazing; a throwback neosoul artist stuck in the body of a 30 year old white guy. I want to stay up all night and spin obscure R&B 45’s with him. For his 3rd album Never Twice, released September 30th, he teamed back up with early collaborator and producer Michael McHugh (Black Lips, Ty Segall, Allah-Las). The result? Jazz, soul, blues, funk, boogaloo and rock pour out of every perfectly produced note. It’s both loose and tight if you know what I mean. Don’t miss the duo “Katchi” with Leon Bridges; it’s a standout among standouts. – Kayne
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Illegal Drugs
ATL, GA
Illegal Drugs, vinyl available for pre-order on Bandcamp, digitally streaming now
I caught Illegal Drugs during the ATL Mess Around, and really dug them. That I dig the new full length too, is no real surprise. Smart, hook laden, punky, garage rock with vocals that you can actually understand will forever be in my wheelhouse. – Tom
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J Mascis
Amherst, MA
“Waltz #2” from Say Yes! A Tribute to Elliott Smith, out now on American Laundromat Records
Very much a reimagining of Elliott Smith’s classic waltz, Dinosaur Jr.’s J Mascis changes the lyrics, the tone, almost the whole song, to be honest, and somehow it just works. That’s both a testament to Smith’s impeccable songwriting skills and Mascis’ alt-iconic singing style and always amazing guitar work. – Tom
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Whores.
ATL, GA
“Baby Teeth” from Gold, due 10/28 on Entertainment One
Look, I’m going to keep recommending new Whores. tunes until every heavy music fan that reads the blog has it figured out. This one is another pick sliding, mean, bulldozing, caustic, belligerent slab of nastiness. And I mean that as a compliment of the highest order. – Tom