Music Video: Ricky Kendall - Ozark County Blues

Gainesville's Ricky Kendall is one of north Florida's little hidden treasures. His previous projects, Jukebox Wagon and Paxico Via Mexico, received some modest notoriety regionally, but it's his more stripped down workingman's roots music that has really been putting him on the proverbial map of late. His music is simultaneously fresh but classic in it's tonality and playfully charming in it's splendid delivery. That along with a powerhouse voice and superlative lyrical stylings will most assuredly have us hearing much more from him in the near future.


This post was contributed by Paul Chapman, Jacksonville (via Tallahassee) musician/ writer extraordinaire. If you like his style make sure to check out his regular column for metrojax, Pump up the Volume.

Album Stream: Those Lavender Whales - Tomahawk of Praise

South Carolina's twee-folk rascals Those Lavender Whales release their debut album January 17th, but decided to let us all hear it a few days early. Tomahawk is filled to the brim with songs that just make me smile, and I'd highly suggest it to everyone. Stream the entire album over at Fork and Spoon's website, and expect a full review on Athid in the very near future.

That Ghost

I really can't remember when exactly "Never Have Fun" found its way on to my iPod, but I remember it being on a mix that didn't leave my car's CD player for several months. For whatever reason, I was never really interested in finding anything else by the artist (in other words I didn't know what Hype Machine was) so That Ghost was a complete mystery to me. Obviously, when you only have one or two songs from an artist its kind easy to forget about them. Fortunately, That Ghost re-entered my consciousness with the announcement of "Songs Out Here" about a month ago after a shamefully long break. If you're new to That Ghost grab the album's first two singles along with Never Have Fun.

Calls - That Ghost (premiered today on Weekly Tape Deck)

To Like You - That Ghost

Never Have Fun - That Ghost

Breakfast in Fur EP

I'm not going to lie to you guys: The album art is a better indicator of Breakfast in Fur than anything I can write! Playful and folksy sure, but the little girl's facial expression is a hint at just how off-putting this EP can be. My first thought was that they are emotionally reminiscent of Headless Horseman, but with a drastically different sound. Both artists feature chilly vocals, but Headless Horseman back it up with glitch-pop, while Breakfast in Fur choose folk instead. Ultra-creepy falsetto aside, the real feat Breakfast in Fur accomplish is their ability to throw Goose Bump inducing subtleties into songs that would be wholly optimistic on paper.

Low Anthem - Ghost Woman Blues (David Letterman)

The Low Anthem played a new song on David Letterman a few nights ago. The song is titled Ghost Woman Blues and will be on "Smart Flesh" which drops February 22.

Did I mention this song features JAW HARP???

Update: Download the studio version of the song below

Ghost Woman Blues - The Low Anthem

Featured: Bradley Hathaway

I've had the good fortune to see Bradley Hathaway live four or five times, and every time he managed to transform his entire show into something new. I remember one particular night sitting cross-legged on the floor, crying in public when one of Bradley's poems was exactly what I needed to hear. Bradley released the "1000 Angry Panthers" EP earlier this year, a follow up to his 2009 LP "Mouth Full of Dust." Mouth Full of Dust and Angry Panthers are incredibly brave records for a Christian artist; instead of sugar coating the desperation and tragedy of sin, they highlight them while never losing sight of redemption. Bradley has posted a few thoughts on his Myspace that explore the same general themes with a more personal touch; definitely worth your time.

Read Barbra Streisand and Baby

Covered in the Blood - Bradley Hathaway

The Hug Poem (the poem that made me cry!)

Adelyn Rose EP

You can't beat this girl's voice. Think female Bon Iver but a lot happier, same home town too. If you aren't already interested then you probably won't like it. If you can't tell, I've been on a bit of a Folk kick lately...

The Reluctant Graveyard - Jeremy Messersmith

Stream live sets From S. Carey, Tallest Man on Earth

I'm generally only interesting in a few folksy artists each year, and this year the only two I can think of are S. Carey and The Tallest Man on Earth. Well what do you know, they're on tour with each other! NPR has streams of their live sets from their last night on tour together here. also theres about 2 minutes of club music playing at the beginning of The Tallest Man on Earth's set, so don't be worried about sound quality like I was!

Sean Carey, who releases under S. Carey was first noticed for being Bon Iver's drummer and released his first solo album, the heartbreakingly beautiful "All We Grow" earlier this year. The Tallest Man on Earth has received many Dylan comparisons, for his croaky, yet easily connecting voice. You'd probably never know it from listening to his music, but he's actually from Sweden and (obviously)English is not his native language!