"Elliott BROODis a three-piece alternative country band from Toronto, Ontario, Canada consisting of Mark Sasso on lead vocals, guitar, banjo, ukelele and harmonica, Casey Laforet on guitar, backing vocals, bass pedals, keys and ukulele and Stephen Pitkin on percussion, sampler and backing vocals. The band bills its own style as death country." - from Wikipedia. Death country, huh...is that like speed metal? No matter what the slug is, there is a huge buzz on these guys. Their CD Mountain Meadows has been selected to the Polaris Prize Shortlist, top ten best Canadian albums of 2009. And they have just posted the schedule for part two of the Future Ghost Towns Tour. Catch up with the BROOD, but beware...from their website, "It's sunnier the higher you climb the mountain, but in the Meadows below lay darker themes each with their own lore." Bring your compass...
At my old roost, before the performance studios were built out, one of the first make-shift sessions I assisted on was Nickel Creek. It's only fitting that years later, once again, I cross paths with Sara Watkins, and again we're recording in a non-traditional environment. You certainly don't get that feeling based on the amount of emotion that pours through on this song, though. The vantage point of the camera, the quietness of the tune, and the personal nature of her delivery almost makes you feel like you're not supposed to be watching. It's a music voyeur's jackpot! Enjoy this incredibly organic version of "Where Will You Be."
Chuck Prophet's new CD ¡Let Freedom Ring! is out today. It was recorded earlier this year in Mexico City in the midst of the swine flu outbreak, with surgical masks as de rigueur daily wear. Leaving the country afforded Prophet a perspective, to make as he states, "a political album for non-political people." It is rich with hauntingly familiar sonics, and pro-biotic lyrics. For a bit more insight into Chuck's epicenter, check out his just posted list of favorite films, and why, on the Indie Ear Blog at IFC.com. While you are reading, take a listen to these tunes from ¡Let Freedom Ring!
