Amsterdam-based acoustic folk band Malcaninsten represents the very best in terms of songcraft and musical arrangement. On their debut song release “Clive Wearing,” the listener falls immediately under a spell cast by tender picked strings and the earnest homespun vocals of Sjaak Kassies. What better way to spend a lazy Sunday enwrapped in such a pristine and soulful endeavor. Peace.

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if you’re not familiar with the homespun music of nathan k. (Nathan Klages) then it is about time you take a few minutes and sit back and absorb the work-a-day music of this incredible michigan-based singer/songwriter. nathan’s soulfully wholesome album ‘dishes’ came out this summer, from which the beautiful track, “ghost” is taken. after the jump check out the dit session #24 for the previous mentioned track. how mr. k captures so much raw emotional tumult is both heart wrenching and a total explosion of happy/sad tears all at the some time. for more, check out nathan k.’s bob seger video and shiver at it’s majesty and grace. it’s as if every time nathan picks up a guitar and sets his honest mouth and accompanies the mercurial michigan clime, the airwaves rattle with the bones of truth. peace.

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Cold Specks has just released her latest Hoxton Hall Session video, “Hector”. The second of this four-part series filmed at the famed venue in London, UK “Hector” can now be viewed on the Cold Specks website along with the first video for “Winter Solstice.” Peace.

 
JULY
12 July 2012 – Somerset House supporting Anna Calvi
13 July 2012 – Latitude Festival, Suffolk, UK
July 27 – 28 – Calgary Folk Fest, Calgary, Canada
29 July 2012 – Hillside Festival, Guelph, Canada (

AUGUST

1 August 2012 – Glasslands, Brooklyn, NY
3 – 5 August 2012- Sappy Fest, Sackville, NB
7 August 2012 – Le Divan Orange, Montreal, QC
8 August 2012 – The Great Hall, Toronto ON
10 – 12 August 2012 – Regina, SK – Regina Folk Fest
15 August 2012 – Barboza, Seattle, WA
16 August 2012 – The Echo, Los Angeles, CA
17 – 19 August 2012 – Salmon Arm, BC – Salmon Arm Roots and Blues
28 August 2012 – Feerien, Brussels, Belgium
31 August 2012 – Electric Picnic, Dublin, Ireland

SEPTEMBER
02 September 2012 – End Of The Road Festival, UK
22 Sept 2012 – Reeperbahnfestival, Hamburg, Germany
23 Sept 2012 – Kantine Berghain, Berlin, Germany
24 Sept 2012 – Studio 672, Cologne, Germany
28 Sept 2012 – Spazio 211, Turin, Italy
30 Sept 2012 – Botanique, Brussels, Belgium

OCTOBER
01 Oct 2012 – Rotown, Rotterdam, Holland
02 Oct 2012 – Paradiso, Amsterdam, Holland
04 Oct 2012 – Atlas, Aarhus, Denmark
05 Oct 2012 – Vega, Copenhagen, Denmark
07 Oct 2012 – Les Heures in – D Festival, Liege, Belgium
08 Oct 2012 – Divan Du Monde, Paris, France
10 Oct 2012 – Union Chapel, London
12 Oct 2012 – John Peel Festival of New Music presents Cold Specks Sound and Vision, Norwich
13 Oct 2012 – Kazimer, Liverpool
14 Oct 2012 – Deaf Institute, Manchester
16 Oct 2012 – Open House Festival, Black Box, Belfast
17 Oct 2012 – Sugar Club, Dublin, Ireland

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Fellow Michigander Nathan K. recently dropped his spectacular Dishes LP and if you haven’t treated yourself to a listen then you’re missing out. I had the pleasure, and honor, of reviewing the full album before its official release. This album is well stocked with tender, yet dazzling songwriting.

This is an album that happens when someone loses an important link in their life. Nathans grandfather passed recently, and it is easy to imagine how many of these songs are the result his loss. So, on its face this is a collection of songs about heartache, but it also about taking that heartache and turning it into songs of reflection.  In the end it is also ultimately about refection, and finding one’s resolve to, if not rise above it, then to cope as best you can. In the end these are songs paying homage and honoring those who leave us while we still envision having them in our lives.Yes, we carry on without their physical presence. We go about the daily rigors of life with a loved one’s remembrance stitched permanently in our hearts. The album opens with the tranquil, “For Your Own Good” and the songs speak of frustration, youthful angst, well-intentioned advice, and perhaps a need to accept one’s doubtful compulsion towards personal destiny.

For Your Own Good lyrics

I was stopped on the side of the highway. I was stopped on the side of the road. I guess I was going too fast. I guess I was going too fast for my own good. He let me go with only a warning. He let me go with only these words. (He said) Son you should try to relax. Son you should try to relax for your own good. I spent the whole day just sitting in silence. I spent the whole day with the radio off. I couldn’t think of a good song to sing. I couldn’t think of a single good thing to save my life. It’s been so long since I stared at a sunset. I was a kid last time I really felt that, the world is a beautiful place. And I guess it’s a beautiful place but it’s hard to tell. And I get so tired of hearing my own voice. But I can’t never seem to want to seem to shut my mouth for shit. It makes me sick. I can’t stop thinking about what that cop said. I can’t stop thinking about what he told me. Said, “son you should try to relax”. And I really should try to relax for my own good.

It is songs like this which comprise a seemingly journal full of personal songs that flesh out the life stories and discoveries on full display within the Dishes album. There has been much written about this release, and with this writing I’ll further the accolades, simply because they are fully deserved. Nathan K. is singer/songwriter from Ypsilanti, Michigan, and he crafts songs that not only reflect the geographic and social landscape around him, but also how the aforementioned geographic and social landscape shapes his perception. The temperatures of his heart reflect the mercurial aspects of the seasons here, and his voice is a worthy conduit coloring our souls just as bright and dour as we are.  Peace.

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Hailing from Ocala, Florida Thad Kopec crafts folksy pop odes perfectly suited for lazy days and introspective nights. Mr. Kopec is the consummate old soul cast into a young man’s body. And if you need further evidence, well listen to his track, “The Ghost And The Thief.” No doubt this young singer/songwriter is going places. I recommend you also check out his Soundcloud page for a ton of play worthy songs. I especially love what Thad has done with his cover of Lana Del Rey’s “Born To Die,” which I may just prefer over the original. You can purchase the “The Ghost And The Thief” single exclusively on iTunes. The undeniable artistry of Thad Kopec makes for an easy choice for Our Sunday Best. Peace.

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If one could take all the suffering and beauty of Michigan. Its many closed factories and depressed economy, contrast all the dark negative reality with the natural beauty found in the more rural aspects of our environs; the running rivers, those deep blue lakes, the white-tail deer, and the wild turkeys. Take all this and distill it into song. Nathan K. provides those songs, narrates our state of being into beautiful odes. Songs forlorn and gorgeous with hope and a relentless optimism. Watch the Xack Gibson directed video for Nathans’ song “Leave Them” from the forthcoming record Dishes, out June 26, 2012. Peace.

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Kelly Pratt is Bright Moments and vice versa. And although you may or may not have heard of him by name, you more than likely have come in contact with him sonically just the same. For instance, Arcade Fire, Beirut, and yes, even LCD Soundsystem. One and all of these bands have utilized K. Pratt’s most excellent talents. He’s there adding touches of gold whilst playing flugelhorn, trumpet, as well as a host of other instrumentation. With his album Natives he’s lovingly assembled a batch of modest songs, and presents them with such tenderness and a clear nights sky worth of sparkling starlit beauty. My favorite of the bunch being the incredible gorgeous “Traveling Light.” But you really have to experience the album for yourself, so head on over to www.luakabop.com and stream the Native LP. But, the fun doesn’t stop there, you can get a FREE DOWNLOAD of the Bright Moment’s track “Tourists” (Shuttle Remix) by Nate Donmoyer of Passion Pit. Peace.

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Cold Specks is the project of Al Spx. Her voice is a mixture of southern gospel, the stark organic beauty of folk, with just a tinge of bluegrass at times. The songs she sings are eloquently performed hymnals; which touch your soul dead center. And when you hear words like haunting or ethereal as descriptors they’re on the mark. I first heard her offerings via the songs “Holland” and “Old Stepstone” both weighty and not for the faint of heart. Here, I posted the song, “Blank Maps” and after listening you can ‘hear’ why I’m a fan. You can pre-order her forthcoming debut LP I Predict A Graceful Expulsion (May 22nd) at www.coldspecks.com and at Amazon. Also, for further goosebump inducing fare, check out her cover of the Swans’ “Reeling The Liars In“, taken from the 12” Dancing Coins EP. Peace.

 
Tour Dates:

May 1st – Lincoln Hall – Chicago, IL

May 2nd – High Noon Saloon – Madison, WI

May 3rd – Cedar Cultural Centre – Minneapolis, MN

May 4th – West End Cultural Centre – Winnipeg, MB

May 6th – McDougall United Church – Edmonton, AB

May 7th – Central United Church – Calgary, AB

May 8th – Southminster United Church – Lethbridge, AB

May 9th – The Royal – Nelson, BC

May 11th – The Commodore Ballroom – Vancouver, BC

May 12th – Alix Goolden Hall – Victoria, BC

May 13th – Tractor Tavern – Seattle, WA

May 14th – Doug Fir Lounge – Portland, OR

May 16th – The Independent – San Francisco, CA

May 18th – Troubadour – Los Angeles, CA

May 19th – The Compound Grilll – Phoenix, AZ

May 20th – Club Congress – Tucson, AZ

May 22nd – The Prophet Bar – Dallas, TX

May 23rd – Stubb’s BBQ (Indoor) – Austin, TX

May 24th – One Eyed Jacks – New Orleans, LA

May 25th – Variety Playhouse – Atlanta, GA

May 26th – Grey Eagle – Asheville, NC

May 27th – Rock and Roll Hotel – Washington, DC

May 28th – Johnny Brenda’s – Philadelphia, PA

May 30th – Bowery Ballroom – New York, NY

May 31st – Middle East Downstairs – Cambridge, MA

June 2nd – The Music Hall, Toronto, ON

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When it comes to music you can’t fool the ears. They recognize good music when they hear it. The ears bypass the brain and communicate directly with the heart; and together they listen. Each passing the music between them like a shared bottle of the finest ambrosia. Each shedding tears of joy at the sad beauty of it all. Jake Mattison creates music destined to be concealed in the eardrum and lodged permanently in the hallowed chambers of one’s cor caroli; the brightest star in your body’s constellation. Listen to “To The Old House (You Return) and “Sorrow” and know beauty delivered on the fragile wings of song. Despite pain, setbacks and whatever else life has thrown at you. Jake Mattison grabs his guitar, opens his mouth and settles the troubled waters around us. Thus buoying our forbearance and steeling our nerves to breathe the deep breath of hope. His music allows us to swim to safety, giving us resolve. Enough to at least seek peace and approach respite, with our ears attentively cocked and listening, asking nothing more. Peace.

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Multi-instrumentalist/producer James Jacob bka Jakwob is gaining recognition in the world of music, and his is a sound we can definitely use more of. The song “Electrify” (Ft. Jetta) is indeed some kind of wonderful. This up and coming beatologist possesses a  style which transcends  any one particular genre, commingling elements of dub step, electro, R&B and break-beat into a confluence of earth-born majesty. Currently working on a debut album, and very much in demand as a producer, he’s redefining the musical landscape and making us love and anticipate everything he blesses us with, and that is why Jakwob is Our Sunday Best. Peace.

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