Folks We Oughta Know – The January Version

     On a semi-regular basis, a post is dedicated to the Indie Folk genre. Even though it has been less than a month since the last one, this post has more than its share of deserving entries

     Indie Obsessive featured John Butler Trio prior to the 2014 Bonnaroo Festival. Since then, the Australians have released another treat – “Spring to Come.” The John Butler Trio is based in Fremantle, Australia and is formed of John Butler, Nicky Bomba (Drums), and Byron Luiters (Bass). They will visit the U.S. more than once this year, including a stop in Monterey, California on May 22.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnButlerTrio

Website: http://johnbutlertrio.com/new/

     If you listen to the XM satellite radio stations that feature Canadian Indie music, you’re probably aware of “Rollin’” by Current Swell. It’s a road trip song that continues to receive radio play almost a year after its release. The band is based in Victoria, British Columbia, and the members are Scott Stanton, Davers Lang, Chris Petersen, and Ghosty Boy. Current Swell will be at The Fillmore in San Francisco on April 23.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/currentswell

Website: http://currentswell.com/

    In December 2014, Brian Motyll released the 10-track album “Opal” by Riverhorse. We debated over whether to post “”County Fair” or “I Think It’s Time,” since they both deserve exposure to a wide audience. We selected “Country Fair” for its cooperative vocals and the Lumineers-type brief shouts and counts. Motyll is offering "Opal" on a name-your-own-price basis, if you visit the Bandcamp site that is included after the song.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/riverhorsemusic

Bandcamp:  http://riverhorsemusic.bandcamp.com/

     Don’t judge the next song by its first 52 seconds – there is a force to “You Look Like Trouble (But I Guess I Do Too)” by Lisa LeBlanc. Start the song and then get out of the way. Otherwise, it will push you out of its way - not once, but twice. LeBlanc is a Canadian based in Rosaireville, New Brunswick.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisaleblancmusic

Website: http://www.lisaleblanc.ca/en

     Cigarettes and Milk is an odd name, but the same can be said for our blog title. The performer is actually named Nathan Przekop. He is in Norwich, Connecticut. This month, five songs were released on Bandcamp, again on a name-your-own-price basis. The Bandcamp site is included below). Our favorite of the songs is “Vagabond.”  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nathanprzekop

Bandcamp: http://mexicanturtles.bandcamp.com/releases

     From Thousand Oaks, California comes Mountaineer!. That’s the performance name of Danny Poissant. The song is “Nested.”

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danny.poissant

Bandcamp: http://mountaineer-familytrees.bandcamp.com/

     “Breathe Your Last” by Jameson blends strong banjo playing with harmonization and interesting percussion. Jameson is in Santa Ana, California and its members are Jameson Burt, David Beste, and Dallas Kruse.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamesonmakesmusic

Website: http://www.jamesonmakesmusic.com/

“Year Three” by And the Echo

      Today, Indie Obsessive enters its third year of existence. We’re optimistic that both readership and the quality of our work will continue to increase.  

     It’s appropriate to post the song “Year Three” by And the Echo, which is a Synth-pop duo from Oxford, Mississippi. The members are Winn McElroy and Morgan Pennington.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndTheEcho

Website: http://andtheecho.com/

Liu Bei – A Band Review

      Liu Bei is a band that’s one song removed from experiencing a major breakout. Liu Bei has four songs uploaded to its Soundcloud account, with the addition of “Fields” this morning. Then, there’s a fifth song at their Bandcamp site. After listening to the five songs a number of times, we concluded that all five are blogworthy. Liu Bei only needs that “hit” that triggers a wide-spread curiosity and exploration into the body of work from the band.

     The song “Goodness” has received some well-deserved attention in the blogosphere. And we enjoy “Fields,” particularly because the collaboration with Rachel Goswell (of Slowdive) provides a melodic blend of male and female vocals (and we always appreciate it when a band incorporates a cello into a song that has an emotional feel to it).

      Still, “Atlas World” is our favorite song by Liu Bei. The mixing is exceptional and the energy transitions (for example, at 2:20) are well executed. The sound of Liu Bei includes processed vocals, with “Atlas World” being no exception. And the portions of the song that feature a non-complex use of the keyboard (for example, the beginning and the last 15 seconds) provide an instrumental backdrop that doesn’t step on the vocals.

      Liu Bei is a London band that comprises Aaron Graham, Dan Joyce, Matt Reynolds, PJP, and Richard Walters.

     “Atlas World”

     “Fields" featuring Rachel Goswell of Slowdive

     “Goodness"

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liubeiwins

Website: http://www.liubeiwins.com/