Music | Painting the Silence

“And Can It Be that I should Gain” by Page CXVI
1
Mar

After forming The Autumn Film, band members Reid and Latifah Phillips and Dann Stockton were leading worship at churches and could not deny the strong beckoning of the hymns.

They decided to develop a parallel band; the same people with a new purpose of making hymns accessible again under the new name, Page CXVI.

Recently the band released a holiday album titled Advent to Christmas. The album featured 7 songs, 4 of which are Christmas classics. The second in the series is called Lent to Maundy Thursday. The later will be released on Tuesday, March 4. Below please have a listen to the first track from the forthcoming release.

Plus, check out the promo video here.

[audio:And Can It Be that I should Gain.mp3|titles=And Can It Be that I should Gain|artists=Page CXVI]
“And Can It Be that I should Gain” by Page CXVI

And, to stream the entire album, visit SoundCloud.

Image and mp3 courtesy of Latifah Phillips

“Bag of Rocks” by Josh Matthews
25
Feb

Singer/songwriter and alt-folk artist, Josh Matthews, has previously been featured artist on MusicArtiste for his first release, A-Sides.

His new sophomore release, Co-Patriot, will be available nationally on April 19. Describing the writing and recording process, Matthews reflects on Co-Patriot saying, “I was not scared to color out of the lines and be rough.” The new album came together while Matthews was touring A-Sides.

[audio:Bag of Rocks.mp3|titles=Bag of Rocks|artists=Josh Matthews]
“Bag of Rocks” by Josh Matthews

Image and mp3 courtesy of Jennifer & Samuel of Working Brilliantly

“We Belonged” by Stoney
23
Feb

The distinctive songwriting talent of the critically acclaimed multi-instrumentalist, Mark Stoney, has been held in high regard among many in the know on both sides of the Atlantic for some time now. And, his new album More Than Animals demonstrates his natural Brit-pop sensibilities refined with profoundly intimate lyrics and melodic arrangements that burst with passion, personality, and depth.

Stoney’s keen ear for classic pop melody combined with a sharp lyrical potency and rare ability to effectively blend genres from folk to rock to trip-hoppy-electronica earned him a loyal following in the city that spawned such acts as Arctic Monkeys.

Despite his growing success, Stoney decided to cross the pond to Texas, following a performance at the world renowned SXSW festival. Shortly after, he unexpectedly re-emerged with a new musical act called “Bobby Jealousy”. Co- founded with neighbor and friend Seth Gibbs and local punk firecracker Sabrina Ellis, the trio of songwriters combined classic pop songwriting with a punk energy and soulful melodies to great effect. Defining the term “Dirt-Pop”, Bobby Jealousy quickly became one of Austin’s most lauded bands for their originality and rigorous live shows. In 2012, the band released an album and toured both U.S. coasts before Stoney parted ways to resume his solo work.

[audio:We Belonged.mp3|titles=We Belonged|artists=Stoney]
“We Belonged” by Stoney

Image and mp3 courtesy of James Moore of Independent Music Promotions

“Destination” by Nickel Creek
17
Feb

After nine years, Nickel Creek is releasing a new album! I remember seeing these guys perform back in 2004 (opening for Howie Day) at the MSU Auditorium when I was a student. Then, in 2007 I drug my sister to see their Farewell . . . for Now Tour at the Meridian in Houston which has since closed down. My sister loved it!

There will be a limited Nickel Creek tour this spring, as well as some festival dates this summer. Have a listen to the new single, “Destination.”

[audio:Destination.mp3|titles=Destination|artists=Nickel Creek]
“Destination” by Nickel Creek

Image and mp3 courtesy of Nickel Creek’s recent email campaign

“Drought” by Johnny Rooftop
29
Jan

Singer/songwriter, guitarist and producer, Johnny Rooftop (a.k.a. John Hanson), believes that anything is possible in this world. That if you set your mind to something, you can accomplish it. Thus, Johnny is determined to prove himself correct and do what it takes to pursue life as a musician. I wish you all the luck, Johnny!

Johnny has extensive experience playing live. He also holds certifications in both audio production and engineering. Furthermore, he has studied voice, guitar, songwriting, recording and writing. A busy guy he is as he also hosts an open mic in Walpole, Massachusetts where he currently resides. For more on Johnny, read his album reviews and visit his blog. Currently, he is recording his first self-produced album with expectations that it will release in 2014.

[audio:Drought.mp3|titles=Drought|artists=Johnny Rooftop]
“Drought” by Johnny Rooftop

Image and mp3 courtesy of Johnny Rooftop on SoundCloud

“Drinkin'” Live Acoustic Version by Holly Williams
26
Jan

Holly Audrey Williams is an American singer-songwriter. She is the granddaughter of Hank Williams, Sr., the daughter of Hank Williams, Jr. and half-sister of country singer Hank Williams III.

Holly Williams says she just writes songs. But as the owner of a Nashville boutique (H. Audrey) and Nashville General Store (White’s Mercantile) as well, this girl stays pretty busy. She still found time in 2013 to record her third album The Highway.

The Highway is her first self-released offering on her and her multi-instrumentalist husband Chris Coleman’s label, Georgiana Records. Williams’ spent nine months recording with a wonderful supporting cast including co-producer Charlie Peacock on keyboards, bassist Glenn Worff, and Dan Dugmore playing some beautiful pedal steel. A few friends also came to the studio to lend harmonies including Dierks Bentley, Jakob Dylan, Jackson Browne and Gwyneth Paltrow.

[audio:Drinkin’.mp3|titles=Drinkin’ (Live Acoustic)|artists=Holly Williams]
“Drinkin'” Live Acoustic Version by Holly Williams

{“Southern Living” shoot at the Ryman Auditorium}

{White’s Mercantile opened the first week of December, stocked with Williams’ favorite things she found on all her travels}

Images courtesy of Williams’ Behind The Lens-2013 blog
mp3 courtesy of NoiseTrade

“Tennessee Whiskey” by Brush Prairie (Tribute to George Jones)
25
Jan

Country music legend George Jones (aka “The Possum”), a man credited with having the finest voice in the recorded history of country music, passed away on April 26, 2013.

In honor of the man who started out as a hardcore honky tonker in the tradition of Hank Williams but, over the course of his career, developed an affecting, nuanced ballad style, Portland, Oregon-based independent record label Deer Lodge Records put together a two-CD, thirty-track collection of songs from artists across the West Coast, paying homage to “The Possum.”

Produced by Deer Lodge’s Ezra Meredith and Bert Sperling, the album spans the gamut from punk, bluegrass, post-modern pop, and even reggae, putting Jones’ songs in a different light while giving them praise.

When asked why Deer Lodge decided to do a tribute to George Jones, Deer Lodge Studios owner and co-producer Ezra Meredith quickly states, “he’s the greatest singer of all time.”

The process for picking the bands on the tribute album, which includes heavy Northwest hitters including Sassparilla, Fernando, Water Tower, Drunken Prayer, Lewi Longmire & Portland Country Underground, Hearts of Oak, and Meredith Brothers, to name a few, started with Sperling and Meredith picking artists they knew and respected, then they “reached out to some personal heroes of mine and artists that I’d always wanted to work with,” says Sperling.

The end result is something Sperling and Meredith are very proud of, something they are happy to stamp the Deer Lodge name all over.

[audio:Tennessee Whiskey.mp3|titles=Tennessee Whiskey|artists=Brush Prairie]
“Tennessee Whiskey” by Brush Prairie (Tribute to George Jones)

Image and mp3 courtesy of Alex Steininger of In Music We Trust PR

“Hold A Place” by Dinah Thorpe
25
Jan

Folk/Singer-Songwriter Dinah Thorpe has a knack for crafting smart, genre-melding pop.

Her new album, Lullabies and Wake-Up Calls, is also an exercise in beautiful contradiction. As songwriter, performer, and producer, Thorpe plays multiple stylistic roles on the album. The Toronto-based artist has been favorably compared to Laurie Anderson, Portishead, Natalie Merchant, Beth Orton, Grace Jones, Feist, and David Bowie among others. But Thorpe draws on a hugely diverse range of influences – from folk to rap, trip hop to blues, orchestral to techno – and distills them into a musical style that is unmistakably Dinah Thorpe.

[audio:Hold A Place.mp3|titles=Hold A Place|artists=Dinah Thorpe]
“Hold A Place” by Dinah Thorpe

Image and mp3 courtesy of Jennifer and Samuel of Working Brilliantly PR

“Tidal Waves and Hurricanes” by Maggie
25
Jan

Singer-songwriter, Maggie, is a small town girl with a big voice and an even bigger dream. A native of Dundas in Ontario Canada, Maggie grew up with aspirations to pursue music. Inspired by other phenomenal women like Bonnie Raitt, Etta James, and Aretha Franklin, Maggie crafted her own unique, bluesy vocal style.

Shortly after graduating high school she moved to Nashville with nothing but a suitcase and her dreams. It was there that her blues inspired vocals, beautifully crafted storytelling, and dedication to her craft finally paid off. On a trip back to Canada, Maggie was offered a record deal with Linus Entertainment. In August of 2012 she released her debut album Now Hear Me Out.

Hot off the success of the debut, Maggie made another big move to Los Angeles. That’s when her new single, Tidal Waves and Hurricanes was born. The track is addictively sunny and uptempo. Plus, its rhythmic delight is blended with Maggie’s crooned message of perseverance and strength.

[audio:Tidal Waves and Hurricanes.mp3|titles=Tidal Waves and Hurricanes|artists=Maggie]
“Tidal Waves and Hurricanes” by Maggie

Image and mp3 courtesy of SoundCloud via Sera Roadnight of MT Press

“Everything I’m Not” by Josh Matthews
20
Jan

Urban folk artist, Josh Matthews, busked on the streets of Tennessee for about three years doing some substantial soul searching and carving out his decidedly original sound. The resulting debut album, A-Sides, is an intense journey through the thoughtful, inquisitive, hopeful and often brutally honest mind of a young man who takes his time on this earth very seriously.

By accentuating the imperfections of music and embracing them, A-Sides is an unadulterated slice of life from a spirited blue collar bard.

While performing at Exit/In in Nashville, Matthews was given the inevitable compliment “Hey Man, I’m not sure how to categorize you, but I love what your doing.”

[audio:Everything I’m Not.mp3|titles=Everything I’m Not|artists=Josh Matthews]
“Everything I’m Not” by Josh Matthews