MizMr: Musical Fortune Telling

MizMr: Musical Fortune Telling... A girl (Miz.) and a guy (Mr.) craft your musical destiny. Covering NYC and Philly with juicy juicy enthusiasm.

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Daniel and the Lion Cover Bon Iver... Song: Holocene

This is a solid cover...  enjoy.

-Miz.

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Hoots and Hellmouth...  Song: What Good are Plowshares

Sandy, be damned!  Hoots and Hellmouth play Union Hall tonight...

-Miz.

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Mates Of State...  Song:  Unless I'm Led

Lyric:  "[...] Oh, lil' girl pick up the pieces. Oh, you'll, come around.  Oh, lil' girl pick up the pieces. And it all will turn around.  Oh, lil' girl pick up the pieces. You'll learn to live without me [...]"

An indie pop pep talk Mates of State style...  Check out the band's new album, Mountaintops and see them live; their optimistic/introspective pop will remind you why music can make you happy.   -Miz. 

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Hoots and Hellmouth...  Song:  Why Would You Not Want To Go There?

Hoots and Hellmouth played an amazing November 16, 2011 Rockwood Music Hall show in support of their new album: Salt.  Led by the soulful vocals of frontman Sean Hoots, this Philly foursome plays their roots/americana/bluegrass/folk-tinged music with the enthusiasm of four thirst starved men finding fresh water. Drink up kids, this is inspiring stuff. Think vocals, harmonies, guitar, mandolin, banjo, bass and percussion that will wake you up with all the performative guts and glory a live music fan could ask for.   Also, be sure to check out Hoots and Hellmouth's earlier full-length records (Hoots and Hellmouth and Holy Open Secret), and their recent EP (Face First in the Dirt). Seriously, this is music you do not want to miss. For fans of: Mumford and Sons; Ha Ha Tonka; Fleet Foxes; Devil Makes Three; Langhorne Slim; and Punch Brothers.  Enjoy.  -Miz.

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Fitz And The Tantrums...  Song:  Don't Gotta Work It Out

Fitz And The Tantrums played a sold out show at Terminal 5 on November 10, 2011, and confirmed why NYC loves the band's pop-glazed Motown soul.  The band's songs have a familiar old time sound but sparkle with a unique flair.  For instance, lead vocalist Mike Fitzpatrick (Fitz) can legitimately pull off a Hamptons red skinny suit, "dance and sing it" to a deep burgundy, and his counterpoint,  Noelle Scaggs, can work her voice, the audience, and her tambourine like there's no tomorrow.  See this band live... their energy, harmonies, keyboards, saxophone, and percussion remind you why soul is the essence of being and a musical state of mind.  This video will give you a taste...   -Miz.

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Cameron McGill And What Army...  Song: Counterfeit

Lyric: "I love you but you're counterfeit."  There's nothing counterfeit about the Midwestern indie/rock/pop/folk goodness of Cameron and his crew.   You can check out more of Cam's music here: http://soundcloud.com/search?q%5Bfulltext%5D=cameron+mcgill+and+what+army.  See this man live and check out his 2010 album (Is A Beast); you'll be glad you did.  -Miz.

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New Music...  Buxton

Texas represent...  recently, my favorite new music keeps coming out of the Lone Star State.  Check out Buxton's blend of americana/rock/bluegrass inspired folk and see them play NYC in December (http://www.buxtonband.com/) --these kids put on a solid/high energy show.  Enjoy and remember when in doubt, go mandolin.  -Miz.

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Lord Huron...  Song: We Went Wild

I gushed about the sunny dreaminess of Lord Huron's music to friends post-CMJ last year...  they were just as good this year.  Think indie pastoral pop layered with guitars and percussion to create warm island-inspired soundscapes that suck you in.  Perhaps it's the band name, but as I listen I imagine J.R.R. Tolkien characters after a fairytale Jamaican holiday.  Take a listen to the band's EPs (Into the Sun and Mighty) and you'll see what I mean: http://soundcloud.com/search?q%5Bfulltext%5D=lord+huron.  Rock on. -Miz.

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Robert Ellis...  Song: Comin' Home

 Robert Ellis' vintage country live show was one of my favorite CMJ acts.  You gotta love an early 20-something/married/musician from Texas who can cover classics, has a rhinestone guitar strap, a badass band shredding pedal steel, drums, and electric guitar and bass, and somehow managed to move a NYC audience to its feet with bluegrass!  Robert's latest album (Photographs) came out this summer and his music/live show are for fans of honest country with elements of bluegrass, folk, and rock and roll.  Seriously, grab yourself a whiskey and see this man live... you'll come home happy.    -Miz.

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Alamo Race Track...  Song:  Apples

Alamo Race Track played a fantastic Monday night pre-CMJ show at the Mercury Lounge.  This quirky Dutch quintet plays hooky folk/rock/pop --think five-part harmonies, strings, percussion, and horns.  For fans of early Beatles, The Mountain Goats, River City Extension, and Jens Lekman.  Check out their latest album (Unicorn Loves Deer) and earlier work at the attached link: http://soundcloud.com/search?q%5Bfulltext%5D=alamo+race.  Enjoy.  -Miz.

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Brandi Carlile Covers Johnny Cash...  Song: Folsom Prison Blues

Two musical giants came to mind when I recently saw Brandi Carlile perform live.  The first was Elvis and the second was Johnny Cash...  here's a chick who legitimately performs with the swagger of Elvis and the rebelliousness of Cash. In this age of the pre-packaged/oversexualized/overproduced female pop star, it's refreshing to see a woman succeeding on the merits of her writing and live performance.  With songs covering the spectrum of rockabilly, rock and roll, folk, pop, bluegrass, and country, Brandi plays authentic music that literally made the entire NYC audience swoon; it doesn't get more rock and roll than that.  Enjoy.  -Miz

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Under White Pines...  Song: Poor Family

I like this.

-Mr.

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Bruce Springsteen...  Song:  Growing Up (1972 Live Video)

Bruce Springsteen celebrated his 62nd birthday yesterday.  I think it's safe to say he successfully navigated "growing up" and secured his status as an authentic musical hero. Boss, here's wishing  you a happy belated birthday; keep the music coming. 

-Miz.

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Punch Brothers...  Song: Rye Whiskey

Mr., this is for you...  safe travels and I'll see you and Chris at Telluride 2012; I'll bring the whiskey.   And remember, everything is better with bluegrass.   Rock on. 

-Miz.

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 Women In Jazz: Gretchen Parlato And Esperanza Spalding Perform Jobim's "Useless Landscape"

Two voices and a bass...  musical liquid gold: warm, fluid, glistening, and priceless.  -Miz.

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Josh Ritter...  Song: Come And Find Me

Josh Ritter performing at Yosemite National Park...  this is lovely.  -Miz.

Lyrics:

"If I could trace the line that ran Between your smile and your sleight of hand I'd guess that you put something up my sleeve Now every time I see your face the bells ring in a far-off place We can find each other this way I believe

From the hills and up behind my town Is naked from the horizon down The curvature is pressed against the raise We walked up in the fields alone And the silence fell it was like a stone That got lost in the wild blue and the gravel grey

Come and find me now Come and find me now

Though I'm here in this far off place My air is not this time and space I draw you close with every breath You don't know it's right until it's wrong You don't know it's yours until it's gone I didn't know that it was home ‘til you up and left You just up and left me now

Come and find me now Come and find me now Come and find me now Come and find me now

So I keep you in a flower vase With your fatalism and your crooked face With the daisies and the violet brocades And I keep me in a vacant lot In the ivies and forget-me-nots Hoping you will come and untangle me one of these days

Come and find me now Come and find me now Come and find me now Come and find me now

Cause I was young when I left home I was young when I left home I was young when I left home I was young when I left home I was young when I left home I was young when I left home I was young when I left home I was young when I left home I was young when you left home

Come and find me Come and find me"

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Great Lake Swimmers' Tiny Desk Concert At NPR...  Albums: Lost Channels And; Bodies And Minds

Earnest contemplative folk and the warm vocals and shyness of Tony Dekker make this charming mini-concert.  Check out the Great Lake Swimmers' catalogue and see them live; you'll be glad you did. 

-Miz.