Had some problems with our site that we have now corrected so I am reposting our previous (November 28) blog entry in case you didn’t receive it.
One of my favorite download sites is NoiseTrade. I like being able to download an album/sampler for free, and go back and make a donation if I like it.
Here are some of my favorite download s from 2014:
Carly’s IPod Vol. 2: A sampler with 16 songs including favorites from Andrea Nardello, Love Crushed Velvet and Mac MacKelcan. click here.
Motema Fall Sampler: Motema Music’s roster includes everything from jazz to reggae and includes Ginger Baker’s latest jazz venture. Be sure to listen to the cut from Nilson Matta. click here.
Nashville Fringe Festival Sampler Fall 2014: Another sample of the diverse music of Nashville. The Markey Blue cut is worth the download. click here.
Lost Ark Studio Compilation, Vol.8: Southern California artists like The Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash (my favorite) and The Palominos. And while you’re there you can download the previous samplers as well. click here.
Africa by Wiyaala: The Ghanaian artist was nominated 4 times in 2014 for the All African Music Awards so this 4 song ep is definitely worth hearing. Her new single “Africa” is included. click here.
Field Division: “Hollow Body Weather”. Another Nashville band, and “no” you are not seeing a trend here. Besides their bio says this is music for fans of Fleet Foxes and Fleetwood Mac. click here.
Jim White vs The Packway Handle Band: “The Sawyer Sessions EP”. Jim White is one of the most original and interesting artists around. His bio references his “hallucinatory blend of country, folk and rock”; one of my favorites songs is “Handcuffed To A Fence In Mississippi”. His collaboration with The Packway Handle Band, a roots rock-bluegrass outfit, seems to be a match made in ……….! Their debut album will be out in January. Here’s a taste of what to expect. click here.
Shaky Knees: “7 Years”. A blues-rock musician from Brazil living in Canada? Click here for 4 songs from his debut album.
Deer Head Music Presents Indie Mixtape Nashville. I repeat, “You are not…….”. 20 songs that I heartily recommend particularly from Goodbye June, Heyrocco, Modoc and Kyle Andrews. click here.
An Introduction To Joe Pug. Joe has drawn comparisons to Steve Earle, with whom he has toured, and John Prine. Heady company but the kid is a genuine talent. click here.
Sturgill Simpson. Rolling Stone asked “Is Sturgill Simpson Country Music’s Savior?”. I”m not sure if he is, but Mr. Simpson is definitely worth a listen. Click here for a 4 song sampler, then find a copy of “Metamodern Sounds In Country Music”. It should be on a lot of “Best of” lists for 2014.
My Brightest Diamond: “Until Now”. Shara Worden is one of those unique artists that almost defy description. Wikipedia says she “mixes elements of opera, cabaret, chamber music and rock”. You need to hear this lady. The sampler includes songs from her first 3 albums. click here.
The Dollyrots. I’ve read descriptions that call the band “bubblegum punk”, “The Ramones with a sense of humor”, energetic pop-punk”, etc. Needless to say I like them….a lot. They have released 4 albums so far, and here’s a link to a page with a bunch of their downloads. click here.
Asthmatic Kitty Digital Sampler, Fall 2014. One of my favorite labels (just across the border in Lander, Wyoming) with a roster that includes My Brightest Diamond, Lily and Madeleine, Sufjan Stevens, Mozart’s Sister, etc. click here.