"Memphis" by Cam Penner

     Our library of songs that fit in the genre of “banjo-infused country pseudo rap” is one song deep. Therefore, the song “Memphis” by Cam Penner is our favorite song within this genre. But we suspect that if this obscure genre were to blossom (fat chance), Penner’s song would maintain its top position.
     Cam Penner has led an interesting life. He is from Manitoba, Canada. At 18, he went to Chicago with some friends and did not return. Instead, he stayed at a commune, and helped the homeless by dishing “mystery soup” during the day. He also worked in detox shelters and women & children shelters. “Memphis” will be on his sixth album, which is scheduled to drop in April. Some of his early work reflects the less than pleasant environment which was his world early in life.

     "Memphis" by Cam Penner - A Free, Legal and Recommnded download.

     "Driftwood"  by Cam Penner. Especially with the harmonica start, this song screams "Neil Young!" But it also rests on the skills of Penner.


      "To Build a Fire" is another song that will be on the April album. Currently, it is available as a free download.

Tom Odell is Returning to SF- Hide Your Pianos

Tom Odell at the Rickshaw Stop in SF

     Sometimes you stand at a concert performance and think, "It's very possible that someday people will be skeptical that I was among the people who attended this small performance." The thought occurs when you watch someone who you recognize as having the potential to "explode" in the near future.  
     We had that thought at the Rickshaw Stop in San Francisco on January 31, 2013. The headliner was Urban Cone from Sweden. They were even better than expected. But Tom Odell was the performer with no visible ceiling as to where he could end up in the music world. Odell is a singer-songwriter from the U.K.  His debut album is scheduled to drop in the U.K. on April 15th.
     At the Rickshaw Stop, Odell was supported by three talented musicians. But he was the show. After the first song (We think it was "Grow Old with Me"), he stopped and explained that the D note of the piano had died. For those close enough, it was apparent the piano key was at half mast relative to the other keys. Later, a second key went down. He plays with force, but without apology for his performance (although he did apologize to Yamaha as if it were a Deity).

     On Wednesday May 8, 2013, Tom Odell returns to San Francisco. He will be at the Cafe Du Nord. Before the SF stop, he will be in Los Angeles and afterward in Seattle and Portland. We will attend the SF performance, since we have tickets already purchased. If you are within driving distance of one of the performances, it's time to buy a ticket too.

     The song that brought attention to Tom Odell is "Another Love." It is easy to find the song on SoundCloud and elsewhere. It is more difficult to find streams of other songs. But below is a sampling of his music. Unfortunately, this doesn't fairly represent the energy of his live performances.
"Another Love"


"Can't Pretend"


"Grow Old with Me"


"Hold Me"

About 175 Free and Legal SXSW Songs

   The music portion of SXSW provides bands with an opportunity to get their names in front of people who can make a difference. Bands looking for a break will play as often as possible from any stage available, or from the back of a pickup truck. But prior to arriving in Austin, it is important to maximize the changes that one of the difference-makers will make a point of attending one of your performances. So, bands will distribute songs to the media with the understanding that further distribution will occur.
     To our benefit, the result is that we are offered libraries of music, without charge. This post about three offers. One is from National Public Radio (NPR), while the other two offers are from music magazines - Spin and Paste. NPR's collection of 100 songs strong. Spin has a download of 60 songs and Paste offers 30 songs. There is some duplication, but there must be at least 175 different songs.

     We have already listed the NPR songs in the March 5 blog entry, which may be accessed by CLICKING HERE FOR THE MARCH 5 POST. Therefore, we will just post some of the songs that we found particularly attractive. By going to the NPR site, you can download individual songs or the entire 100-song collection. The NPR site is - CLICK FOR NPR.  The songs we recommend are:
     America's Son" by Air Review

     "Born To" by Jesca Hoop

     "Nomads" by Joe Banfi

     "Matter of Time" by Fierce Bad Rabbit (sorry, no SoundCloud)

     "Running for Cover" by Ivan & Alyosha


     "Dirty Summer" by Mother Falcon - This is a 17-member band. Obviously, they love music, because it's difficult to make a living when income is divided among 17 people.

      "The Match" by The Eastern Sea

      "You're an Animal" by Jonathan Boulet

     "Ode to Mom" by Hannah Georgas

      "What's Your Name" by No

     "Shake, Shake Shake" by Bronze Radio Return - Our early prediction is that 2013 will go down as the year in which clapping reached its peak in popularity.


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     The Spin Magazine's SXSW collection of 60 songs contains more hip-hop than the NPR accumulation. But there is something for everyone. To listen to the individual songs and to download "Spin Austin Power," go to Spin Magazine Site. The 60 songs on the mixtape are:

1. A.Dd+ - "Can't Come Down"

2. Andrew Cedermark - "Hard Livin'"

3. Antwon - "Automatic"

4. Beach Fossils - "Generational Synthetic"

5. Beacon -" Bring You Back"

6. Bleached - "Next Stop"

7. BLKHRTS - "Bloodlines of that Gangsta Shhhhh"

8. Caitlin Rose - "Waitin'"

9. California X - "Pond Rot"

10. Celestrial Shore - "Valerie"

11. Cheatahs - "The Swan"

12. Chippy Nonstop - "☻♀☻ BOUNCE ☻♀☻"

13. The Coathangers - "Merry Go Round"

14. Dent May - "Best Friend"

15. Dizzy Wright feat. Nikkiya - "Fly High"

16. Dog Bite - "Forever, Until"

17. Doldrums - "Anomaly"

18. The Dopplegangaz - "Hark Back"

19. Ducktails - "Letter of Intent"

20. GEMS - "All I Ever"

21. Generationals - "Put A Light On"

22. Hanni El Khatib - "Family"

23. Hot Sugar - "The Girl Who Stole My Tamogatchi"

24. Iamsu! - "Mobbin'"

25. Isaac Delusion - "Transistors"

26. Jacuzzi Boys - "Cool Vapors"

27. Joshua James - "Queen of the City"

28. Keep Shelly in Athens - "Madmen Love"

29. Kisses - "The Hardest Part"

30. Kopecky Family Band - "Heartbeat"

31. Levek - "Black Mold Grow"

32. Lightouts - "Want"

33. Lissie - "In Sleep (Live)"

34. Mac DeMarco - "Freaking Out The Neighborhood"

36. Maria Minerva - "Black Magick"

37. MHz Legacy feat. Slug of Atmosphere - "Satisfied"

38. Moon King - "Appel"

39. Mr. MFN eXquire feat. Gucci Mane - "Telephuck"

40. Nu Sensae - "Swim"

41. PAWS - "Miss American Bookworm"

42. Roach Gigz - "Full Time Job"

43. Ski Lodge - "Just To Be Like You"

44. Sky Ferreira - "Everything Is Embarrassing"

45. The Soft Moon - "Die Life"

46. Souls of Mischief - "'93 'Til Infinity"

47. Supreme Cuts - "Lessons of Darkness (Apology)"

48. Toro y Moi - "Say That"

49. Trash Talk - "Exile on Broadway"

50. Unknown Mortal Orchestra - "So Good at Being in Trouble"

51. Wampire - "Spirit Forest"

52. Wavves - "Demon To Lean On"

53. Wax Idols - "Sound of a Void"

54. Waxahatchee - "Peace and Quiet"

55. Weekend - "Sirens"

56. White Lung - "Take the Mirror"

57. WHY? - "Waterlines"

58. Widowspeak - "Thick as Thieves"

59. Youth Lagoon - "Dropla"

60. 100s - "Land of the Laced"

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     The 30-song mixtape from Paste is available on NoiseTrade. The NoiseTrade site is Click Here for the NoiseTrade Site. The 30 songs are:

1. City and Colour – “Fragile Bird”

2. Matthew E. White -“ Big Love”

3. Social Studies – “Terracur”

4. LEAGUES - “You Belong Here”

5. Generationals –“ Spinoza”

6. Brendan Benson – Swimming”

7. Hurray For the Riff Raff -“ Born To Win (Part One)”

8. Josh Rouse - “Simple Pleasure”

9. Ivan & Alyosha - “Running For Cover”

10. The Lone Bellow - “You Never Need Nobody”

11. Allah-Las - “Busman's Holiday”

12. Bhi Bhiman - “Eye on You”

13. PHOX - “Noble Heart”

14. Billy Bragg - “Handyman Blues

15. Josh Ritter - “Joy To You Baby”

16. Spirit Family Reunion - “I Want To Be Relieved”

17. Ron Sexsmith - “She Does My Heart Good”

18. Von Grey - “Coming For You”

19. Easter Island -“ Frightened”

20. Mac DeMarco -“ My Kind of Woman”

21. Pickwick - “Lady Luck”

22. The View -“ Hold On Now”

23. Great Peacock - “Desert Lark”

24. ON AN ON - “Ghosts”

25. The Virginmarys - “Dead Man's Shoes”

26. Ozomatli - La Gallina”

27. Delicate Steve - “Afria Talks To You”

28. Amanda Palmer - “The Bed Song”

29. The 1975 - “Sex”

30. Red Baraat -“ Shruggy Ji”