Video: Barna Howard (The Portland Sessions)
I’ve been wrestling with Missouri native Barna Howard‘s debut, self-titled LP all day. As the day draws near an end, I’m realizing that my review isn’t going to be finished. As a teaser, I thought I’d share a bit of phenomenal video footage courtesy of The Portland Sessions. More and more bands are debuting video trailers for album releases. Why not reviews? Howard runs through three tracks from the debut in just under 11 minutes, offering the viewer a terrific sample of the singer’s gift for honest, character-driven writing in the vein of Townes Van Zandt or John Prine.
My introduction to Howard came in January via MOKB’s premier of his debut single “Promise I Won’t Laugh.” I loved the track, but admittedly forgot to return to the release when it dropped in February. Note to readers: always pre-order. Fortunately, the memory resurfaced and I find myself falling in love all over again. With any luck, I’ll have a review together over the weekend or first thing Monday. Enjoy.
Songs featured:
“Promise I Won’t Laugh”
“Song for Joe”
“Timber, Nails and Tears”
Connect with Barna Howard via Facebook
Written by Rob Peoni
EP Stream: Illogic & Blockhead ‘Preparing for Capture’
I highlighted a song and video from Columbus, OH rapper Illogic and his new producer Blockhead a few weeks back on Thought On Tracks. The song was a leak from their new EP Preparing For Capture, which is everything I could have hoped for in an introductory EP. I was a little worried that the EP would be a random collection of songs that didn’t make the cut for their upcoming full length album, but that is not the case. Similar themes run throughout Illogic’s rhymes as he tells tales of trial and error, growth, and cause and effect.
Blockhead’s shifting beats are great throughout and allow Illogic to be creative as he wants to be with his rhyme schemes and song structures. The final song “HERstory” is a standout song on which Illogic spins a story of generational family self-destruction over a chameleon of a beat from Blockhead. On “Nails” Illogic and Rob Sonic trade impressive stream of conscience verses and “Teach Me To Learn” sees Illogic in vintage form over a psychedelic, trumpet blaring banger from Blockhead. Illogic and Blockhead are two veteran musicians at the peak of their powers that seem to be building towards something really substantial, get on board now. You can stream the EP below, but it’s also available for free download. If you like it, grab a physical copy with two bonus tracks and poster for 7.99.
Connet with Illogic via Facebook | Twitter
Written by John Bugbee
Video: Polica Visits KEXP
If you haven’t noticed, there are several of us (read: all) who write on this blog who have a particular affinity for the female lead singer indie band model. What it is that drives us to fall in love with this style cannot be completely understood or explained, but my guess is that it involves some weird mesh of sound, sensuality, and sexuality. 2012’s newest darling has to be Channey Leaneagh. Her newest project Poliça released their fabulous 2012 album Give You The Ghost earlier this year that has become an instant favorite in my rotation. The group dropped by KEXP studios in February with the set just reaching the interwebs late last week. And like everything KEXP posts, it is just incredible.
Set list:
Dark Star
The Maker
Wandering Star
Leading to Death
Connect with Polica via Facebook | Twitter
Written by Greg Dahman
Thought on Tracks 