While I don’t consider myself an active listener of “World” music, one of my new favorite musicians has made me realize that I really need to explore this genre more. His name is Mamer and he is from Xinjiang, China.

Mamer’s reinterprets ancient Kazak folk songs with a modernized alt-country aesthetic, using instruments such as an open-tuned acoustic guitar, dombra, sherter (plucked lute), Jew’s harp, and dabel drum. He searches for inspiration from the old and new, saying “I always stay awhile with the old people in the mountains, learning their songs and traditions. Without this a whole way of life will be lost to the young generation. I want to breathe new life into the poems and songs I grew up with.”

Some contributing musicians on his debut release, Eagle, include French composer Hector Zazou, a throat singer named Ilichi, Bela Fleck, and Mamer’s former band IZ. Fleck and Mamer play dual banjos on “Celebration,” and it’s pretty amazing.

I can’t recommend this album enough. It’s soothing to the ears, original, and overall, just one of the most enjoyable albums I’ve listened to recently. Mamer sings in the Kazakh language, so there is absolutely no way one who doesn’t speak the Kazakh language will know what he is saying (unless you hire a costly translator, which I strongly considered doing, but ultimately decided against).

Eagle (2009):

Mamer – Kargashai

Mamer – Celebration

Myspace | Amazon |iTunes| Real World Records (label & more bio info)

Eagle does not release in the UK until May 15th, but you can Pre-order from Real World Records (link above).

If you are a fan of Jens Lekman, Ron Sexsmith, or Xiu Xiu, I highly recommend you check out the music of Sleeping States, which is the brainchild of musician Markland Starkie. Recently, I’ve been turning to his 2007 debut, There The Open Spaces, when looking for good music to chill out to. If you enjoy lo-fi, dreamy music, or music that has been influenced by knitting (see Myspace), this album has some fantastic songs for you to add to your rotation.

My favorite tracks off the album include “Rivers,” which has been one of my mix songs welcoming summer, as well as “Sleeping States, Or Who Has Been Rocking My Dreamboat?,” “I Wonder,” and the ten minute track “Memory Games.”

Starkie is in his late twenties, and based in Bristol. Although There The Open Spaces is his main release, he started Sleeping States in 2004 and has released EP’s before and after the 2007 release.

There The Open Spaces (2007):

Sleeping States – Rivers

Sleeping States – Sleeping States, Or Who Has Been Rocking My Dreamboat?

Site | iTunes | Amazon | Myspace

If you are a fan of She & Him, Forest City Lovers, or Regina Spektor, be sure to check out Seattle based singer/songwriter Shenandoah Davis. Although her minimalist lo-fi sound isn’t for everyone, I am a big fan of her piano compositions and, for the most part, really enjoy her classical vocals. Her voice will definitely draw some comparisons to Joanna Newsom, but in my opinion, Davis’ vocals are much more pleasant.

The title track “We; Camera,” along with “These Rocks,” “Hobos and Bulls,” “Take Ourselves Out,” and “Up&Over” are my favorite tracks on her 2008 debut album. These songs carry a vintage sound, as if they came straight out of the early 1900s. This, aligned with Davis’ confident voice, makes for a really unique treat (not to mention that she incorporates the vibraphone & accordion). We; Camera is also a concise album, with most tracks coming in under three minutes long.

As her biography states, Shenandoah Davis started teaching herself piano at the age of three and continued her classical studies up until college, where she decided to audition as a classical voice major despite having no prior vocal training. Studying classical voice, piano, jazz guitar and harp during college, she became frustrated with the ‘tunnel vision’ and politics of academia and, swearing off classical music after completing her degree, she began composing on her own. In the winter of 2006, a series of “travels and tribulations” led her to Seattle, where she currently resides. In January of last year, Davis released a 7 track EP, entitled Milagros, and her full-length debut released last July. She also plays accordion, piano and vibraphone with Grand Hallway, accordion and wurli with Jack Wilson and the Wife Stealers, and a as-of-now-only-recording project with secret other people called hello, broken arrow. She’s playing some shows in Seattle, so if you live there, check her Myspace for dates.

We; Camera (2008):

(mp3) Shenandoah Davis – We; Camera

(mp3) Shenandoah Davis – These Rocks

(mp3) Shenandoah Davis- Up & Over (I really like this composition)

myspace | itunes | cdbaby

Here is a really creative and quirky music video for “We; Camera.” Directed by Clyde Peterson. I like this a lot.

On Tuesday, I saw Swedish band Loney Dear open for Andrew Bird, and must say, I almost enjoyed their set more than Mr. Bird’s. . . which is saying a lot, given Bird is one of my very favorite musicians. I’ve been listening to their music for a few years now, but Tuesday night’s live performance gave me a whole new appreciation.

The best part of the set was when lead singer Emil Svanängen asked the crowd to sing along on “I Am John.” It was really beautiful. You can listen to the set on NPR (“I am John” is 20 minutes in), but the recording quality doesn’t really pay justice to the performance. Svanängen is a really personable guy too, and strikes a perfect balance between being confident (talking a lot to the crowd), and bashful, which can be verified by anyone who saw him putting on a band-aid after his minor guitar string accident. He also called the Black Cat (venue) the “very black cat,” and the 9:30 club balcony “shelves,” which I thought was pretty funny.

The band has a new album that came out January 27th called Dear John. I prefer the lighter tone of their 2007 debut album, Loney, Noir, but Dear John still has some solid songs on it.

Loney Dear is from Jonkoping, Sweden, and its primary member, Emil Svanängen, first began making homemade recordings of delicate, folkish indie pop in the early 2000s. As Loney, Dear (the band has since deleted the comma from its name), Svanängen self-released three homemade CD-Rs through his website: River Fontana Redux, Citadel Band, and Sologne. As buzz developed through MP3 blogs and other new media manifestations, Sub Pop offered Svanängen a contract in 2006. The first proper Loney Dear album, Loney, Noir, was released in early 2007.

Dear John (2009):

Loney Dear – Airport Surroundings

Loney, Noir (2007):

Loney Dear – I Am John

Loney Dear – I Will Call You Lover Again

Sologne (2006):

Loney Dear – I Fought The Battle Of Trinidad & Tobago

site | amazon | itunes | myspace

Tour dates & “Airport Surroundings” video after the break.

Read more

Photo courtesy of dcmandrill

We can officially score one for the females, as The National Zoo announced today that the zoo’s 3 week old baby gorilla is a girl! Apparently, it can take a while for humans to know the sex of a gorilla, which is why we are only finding out today. In terms of family lineage, the zoo was hoping it would be a girl, so it’s a good day for gorillas and zookeepers everywhere.

It’s also good to see that the zoo prefers mother-rearing over hand-rearing, meaning the baby girl will be able to stay with her mother, Mandara. Be sure to check out the video below of them together!

Video of Mandara and baby courtesy of RoxandaBear.

Song Mandara and boyfriend probably listened to on dates:

Animal Collective – Grass

Song by Gorillaz for humans:

Gorillaz – Last Living Souls

Hey, hope everyone is doing well! We have more music features on the way soon, but in the meantime, I thought I’d share this New York Times article that shows how a Martin guitar is made. The C.F. Martin Company has been producing guitars since 1833 and is considered one of the best guitar manufacturers in the world. It’s a pretty cool process that I think you would appreciate, especially if you play the guitar. I’m a Breedlove man myself–and am still saving up for that $6,000 Jeff Tweedy Breedlove Guitar.

Song played on a guitar that I like:

Bowerbirds – Dark Horse

Six years after the Beatles broke up, at the apex of Neil Young’s influence stateside, New Zealand’s Split Enz released an album encompassing Young’s folk ideals tinged with the Beatles charming quirks. At times, Beginning of the Enz sounds like B-sides – or simply an alternate version – of Magical Mystery Tour, at others like a sequel to Harvest. It’s freak-folk, it’s art-rock inflected bluegrass, it’s something entirely different, a mélange of influences spanning the world, and a reflection of New Zealand’s isolation from the rest of the world. Their harmonies are guttural and often off key; but they’re real, they feel right, like Malkmus’s harmonies in early Silver Jews recordings. The refrain in “For You” transforms after each verse, separated by bursts of bass-driven melody and backed by a sweeping, string-driven descent into something wonderful. “Home Sweet Home” is backed by harpsichord and rushing cymbals, and freaked-out with voice-over samples from what sounds like an old-tyme British TV show. The album is constantly evolving, a trip as epic as New Zealand itself. Distorted guitars wash over twangy mandolin, spacy keyboards compliment airy vocals, while popping, rolling bass backs everything. Get into it.

From Beginning of the Enz:

Split Enz – For You

Split Enz – Home Sweet Home

Split Enz – Split Ends

And below is the video for their 1980 hit, “I got You.” This song increased their notoriety worldwide, making them one of the few New Zealand bands to make it internationally. Hysterically 80s, also a major departure from their ’75 sound.

MySpace | Amazon

As of recent, I’ve been listening a lot to David Karsten Daniels’ album Fear of Flying. If you are a fan of Devendra Banhart, The Bowerbirds, or Wilco, I think you’ll dig his folk sound–It’s unfortunate that such a talented musician hasn’t gotten more exposure. Daniels incorporates a variety of beautiful instrumentals into his songs to make for a lush listening experience.

Fear of Flying released in 2008, and is Daniels’ sophomore album (there have been five albums in all, but this is his second widely available one). My favorite tracks on the album include “That Knot Unties?,” “Martha Ann,” and “Falling Down.” The first track on Fear of Flying, “Wheelchairs,” quickly reveals the theme of the album: fear of growing old.

What I respect so much about Daniels’ music is similar to what draws me to some other folk musicians, particularly The Shivers. Like Shivers frontman Keith Zarriello, he isn’t willing to compromise his art to make an easily recognizable hit song, though he is clearly capable of producing one. Listening to his albums, it’s apparent that with a little self-restraint, Daniels sculpts his music to fit his messages. Most artists compose their music to be instantly gratifying, while Daniels often uses build ups, and with a little patients, it’s extremely rewarding.

David Karsten Daniels is from Seattle, though his website bio says he “has lived in too many places to really be from anywhere.” It goes on to say, “He currently resides in Ashland, Oregon with his lovely wife and schizophrenic pet rabbit [editors note: you have to watch out for those schizophrenic pet rabbits]” Although Daniels debut, Sharp Teeth, was widely overshadowed when it came out in 2007, it got critical acclaim from those who did hear it. His two main albums have been released on FatCat recordings and were recorded at his home.

Fear of Flying (2008):

David Karsten Daniels – That Knot Unties?

David Karsten Daniels – Martha Ann

Sharp Teeth (2007):

David Karsten Daniels – American Pastime

David Karsten Daniels – Jesus and the Devil

Site | iTunes | Amazon | Myspace

As much as I support the hype around Animal Collective’s Merriweather Post Pavilion, I’m a bit surprised that more people haven’t been talking about Andrew Bird’s superb new album, Noble Beast. It releases today, and is likely going to be my favorite of this year–Noble Beast displays Bird’s progression as a musician, both instrumentally and lyrically.

It’s hard to pick only a few favorites off the album, but some tracks that I do find myself seeking out are “Oh No” “Masterswarm,” “Effigy,” “Not A Robot,” But A Ghost,””Anonanimal,” and “Natural Disaster.” Although I still think Mysterious Production of Eggs is Andrew’s best album to date, Noble Beast is definitely a close contender.

I find it really interesting that Bird maintains a column on New York Times’ “Measure by Measure” blog, where he writes extensively about his process, both in his head and the studio from before, during, and after the recording Noble Beast. For those who are interested in music, his posts are a must read. It feels like we sometimes take for granted the production side of things and only care about the finished product–whether it be a movie, album, book or any other form of art that stems from ones imagination. The inside access Bird provides on this album makes me appreciate his music on a whole new level.

Here is an except from one of his posts:

We [Martin Dosh] discuss a lot of things to help us get the songs just right — like not hitting cymbals because the crashes can be “cheap thrills.” Instead we favored the dark, walloping sound of the toms. Often times the choice becomes: Do you give the song what it wants? Or do you go against its demands? “Oh No” seemed to be asking for a 1970s Jackson Brown or Fleetwood Mac type of dead snare drum sound. That “everything’s gonna be just fine” sort of beat. The pitfall of approaching it like this is that your song can get hijacked by someone else’s record collection. I personally feel that the world has had its fill of 70s light rock. So we’re forced to be more creative. Not a bad alternative, though sometimes, you just say, “Why fight it? This just feels too good.”

Noble Beast (2009):

(mp3) Andrew Bird – Masterswarm

(mp3) Andrew Bird – Effigy

Useless Creatures (2009):

This is an instrumental record that Andrew worked on during the recording of Noble Beast. He calls it his “indulgent” record, and it comes with the deluxe edition of Noble Beast. He says in his latest post, “The piece on Useless Creatures I’m most excited about is called ‘The Barn Tapes.’ Three summers ago I had an engineer friend come out to my barn in western Illinois with an old quarter-inch tape machine. We opened all the doors and windows, hooked up my violin to six amps placed throughout the barn, put microphones inside and out and made four hours of ambient loops…“

(mp3) Andrew Bird – The Barn Tapes

Website | iTunes | Amazon (Useless Creatures) | Myspace (stream entire album)

Andrew is incredible live. See him if given the opportunity.

Jan 25 – Philadelphia, PA – Theatre of the Living Arts
Jan 28 – New York, NY – Carnegie Hall
Jan 30 – Boston, MA – Orpheum Theatre
Feb 3 – Washington, DC – 930 Club
Feb 4 – Atlanta, GA – The Variety Playhouse
Feb 6 – Orlando, FL – The Plaza Theatre
Feb 7 – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues
Feb 12 – Austin, TX – The Paramount Theatre
Feb 13 – Albuquerque, NM – The El Rey Theater
Feb 14 – Tucson, AZ – Rialto Theater
Feb 15 – San Diego, CA – SOMA
Feb 18 – Los Angeles, CA – The Orpheum Theatre
Feb 19 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore
Feb 20 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore
Feb 21 – Portland, OR – The Roseland Theater
Feb 23 – Seattle, WA – The Moore Theater
Feb 24 – Boise, ID – Knitting Factory
Feb 25 – Murray, UT – The Murray Theater
Feb 26 – Denver, CO – The Ogden Theater
Feb 27 – Omaha, NE – Slowdown
Mar 15 – St. Louis, MO – The Pageant
Mar 17 – Tulsa, OK – Cain’s Ballroom
Mar 21 – Houston, TX – House of Blues
Mar 22 – Dallas, TX – Granada Theater
Mar 23 – Oxford, MS – The Lyric Oxford
Apr 3 – Toronto, ON – Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Apr 4 – Montreal, QC – Le National
Apr 5 – South Burlington, VT – Higher Ground
Apr 7 – Pittsburgh, PA – Carnegie Music Hall
Apr 10 – Chicago, IL – The Civic Opera House
Apr 11 – Minneapolis, MN – The State Theater

Recently, I wrote about the Dark Was The Night charity compilation on my Examiner column. Aaron and Bryce Dessner of The National produced the compilation that includes 32 exclusive tracks from an impressive list of musicians. By impressive, I’m talking Andrew Bird, Sufjan Stevens, Beirut, Feist, The National, Arcade Fire, Iron and Wine… the list goes on. Even better, all the proceeds are going towards the fight against HIV/AIDS. The compilation releases February 17th worldwide by 4AD as a double CD or triple vinyl.

If you are like me and can’t wait to hear these new songs, you’re in luck–from January 15 through February 1, each track, in order will be released for one day only at Dark Was the Night’s Myspace page, as well as on the bands MySpace page. Many charity compilations have good intentions, but the quality doesn’t usually offer a big incentive for people to help out. That’s not the case with this album–you’ll be helping a great cause, and receive top quality exclusive music from your favorite artists in return. Below are two songs from the compilation for your listening pleasure–again, please be sure to buy this album when it becomes available for purchase.

Dark Was The Night (2009):

Feist & Ben Gibbard – Train Song (Vashti Bunyan cover) (removed by request)

Dirty Projectors & David Byrne – Knotty Pine

Bonus:

Vashti Bunyan – Train Song (written by Alasdair Clayre)

Track list:

THIS DISC (DISC ONE):

1. “Knotty Pine” – Dirty Projectors + David Byrne
2. “Cello Song” – The Books featuring Jose Gonzalez
3. “Train Song” – Feist and Ben Gibbard
4. “Brackett, WI” – Bon Iver
5. “Deep Blue Sea” – Grizzly Bear
6. “So Far Around The Bend” – The National
7. “Tightrope” – Yeasayer
8. “Feeling Good” – My Brightest Diamond
9. “Dark Was The Night” – Kronos Quartet
10. “I Was Young When I Left Home” – Antony with Bryce Dessner
11. “Big Red Machine” – Justin Vernon + Aaron Dessner
12. “Sleepless” – The Decemberists
13. “Stolen Houses (Die)” – Iron & Wine
14. “Service Bell” – Grizzly Bear + Feist
15. “You Are The Blood” – Sufjan Stevens

THAT DISC (DISC TWO):

1. “Well-Alright” – Spoon
2. “Lenin” – Arcade Fire
3. “Mimizan” – Beirut
4. “El Caporal” – My Morning Jacket
5. “Inspiration Information” – Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings
6. “With A Girl Like You” – Dave Sitek
7. “Blood Pt. 2” – Buck 65 Remix (featuring Sufjan Stevens and Serengeti)
8. “Hey, Snow White” – The New Pornographers
9. “Gentle Hour” – Yo La Tengo
10. “Amazing Grace” – Cat Power
11. “Happiness” – Riceboy Sleeps
12. “Another Saturday” – Stuart Murdoch
13. “The Giant Of Illinois” – Andrew Bird
14. “Lua” – Conor Oberst with Gillian Welch
15. “When The Road Runs Out” – Blonde Redhead & Devastations
16. “Love Vs. Porn” – Kevin Drew