Friday, January 21, 2011

For now, whatever, folk the world.


Well since I haven't updated since Christmas (hope you had a nice Christmas by the way) it's about time I get back on track. In the past week I've been listening to alot of folk rock. Like twelve albums. So obviously it's time for a folk rock mix right? Let's get to it then:

[LIJ] Mixtape #5- Folk Everything
http://www.mediafire.com/file/r027229jb99m2c3/%5BLIJ%5D%20Mixtape%20%235-%20Folk%20Everything.rar

I tend to get alot of good folk from the people I know; almost every artist I picked is connected with someone I know. Maybe not really connected, but in my mind they are. The first artist I picked is Talons. He plays quiet melancholy folk. It's a bit like poetry, delicate and sincere. Besides that, I admittedly know very little about the guy except that I've [probably] driven by his house on one of the most convoluted adventures of my life with the friend who introduced me to his music. We drove down Portage Path and it was kind of cool to connect with the music like that. I'd love to see him live sometime. Definitely check this one out. Most of his discography can be downloaded for free here: http://talons.bandcamp.com/
 1)Talons- Instrumental #1
 2)Talons- Goodbye Portage Path

Along with Talons, the same person introduced me to Paul Baribeau. He's much more upbeat than Talons; more happy fun folk. His album of Springsteen covers has gotten mixed reviews from the people I've played it for.
3)Paul Baribeau- I Thought I Could Find You
4)Paul Baribeau- Born To Run (Bruce Springsteen Cover)

This came from a friend I worked with at camp over the summer. He's a great songwriter himself and a better guitar player than I am. Which, admittedly, isn't saying much but still. He played True Love on several occasions and after hearing the original, I thought it'd fit nicely with the other tracks in this mix. You might recognize Devil Town if you listen to Bright Eyes extensively. There's also a documentary about him called The Devil and Daniel Johnston that I've been meaning to watch. If you see it let me know how it is.
5)Daniel Johnston- Devil Town
6)Daniel Johnston- True Love Will Find You In the End

Do you like The Decemberists by any chance? Well if you do, then you'll like this. Before The Decemberists were even a thought, lead singer Colin Meloy was in a band named after a joyous prickly desert plant. That band was:
7)Happy Cactus- Salvation
8)Happy Cactus- How About?

Finally, The Antivillans are a folk rock band fronted by the daughter of the people who own The Happy Badger shop in Bowling Green (your one stop shop for all things free trade). They are, apparently, very good live. I've never seen them live, but based on the album and quality of the Happy Badger itself, I will happily take them at their word.
9)The Antivillans- Emily
10)The Antivillans- So Much For Romance

And since I've done a bonus track on every other mix, here's a song I found a few years back. Some of the tracks on his self titled album have better live recordings, but Two Towns is still the best on the album.
BT)Blind Pilot- Two Towns From Me