#folk-pop

[tzikeh]

A little naive and a little hand-wavey, but I'll take it.

Cute song playing over the [source] video

[nineteenfiftysix]

Visit Original Link

Eunseo - 나빠 (NAPPA) (Covers, 2022)

[alittlemorevodka]

New to Vodka, Maygen & The Birdwatcher present a beautiful blend between folk stories and styles, with nods to both bluegrass and country thrown in for good measure. Enter Antidote (seen/heard here), from the band’s recent long-player Moonshine (October 2021), which is a different twist on the classic love song. 

Lyrically, Antidote highlights the stubborn self-sufficiency of the protagonist, which is just fine with their status alone and in control, until someone comes along with the tools to crack open the protective shell:

“It’s always been my way, or no way I’ve always been just fine, if that means I’m alone I never thought too much, about constellations I never thought about the pull of the moon You came in through the side gate, unexpected Opened this untamed heart, to your blanket of love Wrapped up so tight, in unspoken safety Never release me You see me, the real me Unkempt and unrefined“

Maygen Lacey’s delivery here represents the resulting aftermath of the love that found the keys to what was locked up in her. Whether this is directly  relating to Lacey herself, or in someone she simply perceives in her story, is unclear.  That’s not important however, because it’s a great story to tell, even if it is just a different telling of love that is found.

Maygen & The Birdwatcher is represented by founding members Maygen Lacey (singer, songwriter) and Noah Neumann (guitar). Both are responsible for the lyrics of Antidote. The band includes Ethan Moravec (bass), Jesse Moravec (mandolin, fiddle), and Nik Pellinen (banjo). These members add textural beauty to what is already a wonderful song. 

You can find more information on Maygen & The Birdwatcher by heading up to their website. To be fair, this is not the most wonderful website in the world, but it has nearly everything you are looking for: a biography on the band, and links to all of the social and streaming content. What is missing are the purchasing options for Moonshine. I did find Moonshine and the original EP from 2018, The People We Don’t Choose on the band’s bandcamp.com site which appears to be missing from the website.

I can’t say enough about the band’s sound. It’s full, but doesn’t overshadow Maygen’s voice, which is a perfectly wonderful voice indeed! Take a listen to Maygen & The Birdwatcher and pickup their music now!

Note: Unfortunately, we are still dealing with Covid 19. The variants are making a comeback, which means that the livelihoods of artists like Maygen & The Birdwatcher and many others are still threatened. If your situation allows it, consider purchasing more in these tough times. Please, if you are physically able to do so, get the vaccine! –Vodka

[nofoodjustwax]

Released in 2019 by Mexican Summer Format: LP Style: Chamber Folk, Singer/Songwriter Vibe: Mellow, Morning, Soothing, Bittersweet, Warm, Introspective, Ethereal Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Sparse, Soft

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[musikblog]

Bailen - Thrilled To Be Here Vergesst First Aid Kit, Haim oder Kitty, Daisy & Lewis – zumindest fürs Erste. Bailen ist der neue Stern am Geschwisterband-Indie-Himmel. Aufgewachsen und immer noch beheimatet in New York City, präsentiert das Trio bestehend aus den Zwillingsbrüdern David (Drums) und Daniel (Bass) Bailen und… https://www.musikblog.de/2019/04/bailen-thrilled-to-be-here/

[queenraiden]

Song Review: “Spirit in the Sky” by KEiiNO (Norway)

When I die and they lay me to rest, I’m going where the Northern Lights are dancing.

For those who are able to figure out the reference to the first part of that headliner thing, you win internet points. If it went over your head, you have until the end of my commentary review to figure it out (or just scroll to the bottom of the post like I’m not watching you).

When I look through who is competing for national selections, I try to find rock acts because I like rock. There was one in the Norwegian selection Melodi Grand Prix (”Fake It” by Hank von Hell), but it was listening to KEiiNO covering Denmark’s 2013 winner “Only Teardrops” that put them on my radar.

A pop group featuring joik and I was sold. I may have not listened to the rest of the other competitors, but they had to win. Sadly, there won’t be a joik battle this year with Sweden (post for reference).

As for the song itself, it’s almost listening to this magical fairy tale. Two people, whether they are lovers or best friends, are separated. What connects them together is the lights in the sky and when they look up it’s a sign that one is looking out for the other, reassuring that no matter how far they are they’ll always be connected.

There is also this light and darkness/good and evil dichotomy in the song too. In the beginning we have this:

Have you seen my spirit Lost in the night The violent nightshade They took away my light They call us nothing My name is nothing Come see me Please see me Cause I've been running with the demons now They all see my fear They say there's nothing Nothing here 

which can be a stab at discrimination people face whether is not being given rights or rights they once had being taken away, but eventually people gain or regain those rights though others speaking out:

I need a hero I need my light Her shining lightwaves Will break away the night I call it freedom Our name is freedom Come find me Please find me Cause I am dancing with the fairies now They all sing our name I got my light here Shining here 

Overall the song is an electro-folk pop number with a message calling out for equality. Whether this song is in the finals or not, or whether this makes it into the top ten, my winner is here.

And if my reference went over your head, it’s to Norman Greenbaum’s “Spirit in the Sky”.

[booomwhadis]

Rayna - Mashala [2014] A wonderful version of a great song