Insert clever comment here. Follow with some witty banter about said comment. Transition into introduction to this week's collection of new music. Then say something like.... "What are we awaiting for? Here are 5 Songs YOU NEED to Hear.... right now!" There. My work here is finished. :-)
1. Friends - Raury. This is my current jam in the car. I stumbled upon this song one day as a suggestion from Spotify. I had a little free time to spare so I was exploring some of the recommended music the Spot-Bots generated based on what I have previously listened to. Out of nowhere comes this free-spirited anthem of unity and community, hearkening back to the kind of hippy, flower-power, peace-love-and-groovy-daffodils vibe of the late Sixties. There's a cool backstory to the video, too. Apparently, Raury is a multi-talented singer/songwriter/musician/rapper/producer wunderkind from Stone Mountain, GA right here in the ATL. He and a buddy wanted to get to Chicago so they decided to use Twitter to catch rides from their fans as far as they would take them. They would crash at their house, go out to eat with them, get to know them personally. They videoed their adventures along the way and edited them into the video for his song.
Warning: Although Raury is an amazing, creative talent, much of his other music contains explicit lyrics, so please be aware if you decide to check out any of his other songs.
2. Faith and Hope - Zeke Duhon. I found this gem on Noisetrade last week. Download the whole album. It is all great. But if I had to pick a favorite from this Nashville based singer-songwriter, it would be this one. The studio version is really good, but the best video I could find is an acoustic version he filmed and recorded himself in the tunnels of downtown Tulsa, OK. Apparently, this is a well-known place that a lot of indie artists use for their videos. Cool song, great lyrics, and I really love this guy's whole attitude and approach.
Bonus: Check out Zeke's unique, minor-key approach to Taylor Swift's "Shake It Off." Exceptionally cool. Look for it on an upcoming 5 Covers You Ned to Hear edition.
3. Do Not Destroy - Cicada Rhythm. And the award for most hipster song of the week goes to..... Cicada Rhythm. Andrea DeMarcus is a Julliard trained musician who plays the upright bass. Her partner, Dave Kirslis plays acoustic guitar. They blend these unique talents and voices into a mesmerizing sound I have never heard anywhere else. While I really enjoy the music, I can't help but feel like I am not nearly cool enough to appreciate them. I get the feeling just from listening to them and watching them play that if I knew them, they wouldn't let me hang around them. Or they would constantly look at me with a mixture of loathing and pity, like "Oh, he still thinks U2 is cool. Poor thing." But I still think you need to hear this music. And for the record, U2 is still cool.
4. Other Suns - MAGIC GIANT. Another great Noisetrade discovery from last week. These guys make an exuberant, joyful, magic noise. They look like refugees from a traveling carnival and they are the musical equivalent of a whole bag of Skittles dumped into your mouth all at once. This song was my favorite from the sampler I downloaded...
5. Waiting on June - Holly Williams. I saved this one for lat because by the end of it, you will be crying and I don't want you to fry your computer with your tears and not hear the other songs first. Holly Williams is the grand-daughter of country music pioneer Hank Williams, and the daughter of equally legendary Hank Williams, Jr. She wrote this song about her maternal grandparents' 58 year marriage from the point of view of her grandfather. It's one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. Touching, tender, genuine, heartfelt. It's a new all time favorite for me and hopefully soon will be for you, too.
Insert clever ending comments here. Encourage people to support new music. Say good-bye.
"Good-bye." :-)
Good stuff.
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