Free Download: Caleb McCoach – Beer Friday Live Session
If you follow me on Twitter, you’ve likely noticed me preaching about the strength of Indianapolis songwriter Caleb McCoach’s debut album Songs From an Empty Shore. The record was the first release from upstart Indianapolis imprint In Store Recordings. I reviewed it for Musical Family Tree earlier this spring, and find myself returning to it as often as any material released in 2013. I keep qualifying my statements by saying Songs from an Empty Shore is my favorite “acoustic” album of the year. However, the truth of the matter is it’s my favorite album of 2013 – acoustic, electronic, blue, black brown or red.
There are other records that I’ve loved from 2013. I’m partial to Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s II (review). Sonny Smith’s 100 Records Vol. 3 and his latest LP with the Sunsets are both terrific. I think Thee Oh Sees’s Floating Coffin is arguably the group’s best work to date, which is saying A LOT. However, nothing else comes close to McCoach in terms of impact and authenticity. Maybe his lyrics resonate more with me because McCoach is from my hometown, and we make a cultural connection on a more granular level. I’m not sure.
Last month, McCoach stopped by the SmallBox office in Broad Ripple for our last Beer Friday prior to moving into our new building. He played a handful of songs in an impromptu set that left the few fortunate souls lingering after 5 PM on a Friday in silent awe. For those who missed the initial live stream, a full download of the 5-song set and brief interview is available for free from the SmallBox Soundcloud page. Listen to McCoach’s live set below and grab a copy of Songs From an Empty Shore on CD via Bandcamp.
Connect with Caleb McCoach via Facebook
Written by Rob Peoni
Fresh Track: Serengeti “Crush Em”
Serengeti ‘s Saal, released earlier this year, was the emotional peak of his recent three album run started by Family & Friends and followed by C.A.R. He’s released the albums at a consistent one-per-year pace, but he has found plenty of projects to keep him busy in between Serengeti releases, most coming from his more lighthearted alter ego Kenny Dennis. His new single “Crush em,” the first from the Kenny Dennis LP being released on Anticon, builds on the sound of 2012’s outstanding Kenny Dennis EP. In the amazing first verse Kenny breaks down the difference between England and America by listing several examples of things they birthed into existence (“English made economy, America made comedy”). The song’s spacey production is provided by Odd Nosdam who, along with his partner Jel, produced C.A.R. and both the Kenny Dennis EP and the Kenny Dennis LP.
If you’re an Indianapolis resident like myself, you have a unique opportunity to catch Serengeti’s album release show this Saturday at Indiana City Beer at 9:00. The show is only 5 bucks and food trucks outside will be serving up some of Kenny’s favorites, brats and chops. Come out this Saturday, sample some brew, and see one of hip hop’s best kept secrets on the cheap before he heads out to Europe on tour.
Connect with Serengeti via Facebook | Twitter
Written by John Bugbee
Video: Ka “Our Father”
Hip hop is becoming a genre that almost demands at least a one-project-per-year pace just to stay relevant. For an artist like Ka, who wrote, rapped, produced, and shot his own videos for each tightly woven track on his 2012 sophomore album Grief Pedigree, it’s hard to imagine he would be able to repeat himself just over a year later. While one song is a small sample size, his intricate, streetwise wordplay and hypnotic, minimalist production are both better than ever on “Our Father,” the first single/video from his recently announced follow up album The Night’s Gambit. Here’s hoping he can stay this prolific for a few years, but even if he can’t, I’ll be willing to wait for any music he feels like releasing. Pick up The Night’s Gambit on when it drops on July 13, and grab Grief Pedigree now if you have been sleeping.
Connect with Ka via Facebook | Twitter
Written by John Bugbee
Thought on Tracks 