Unearthed Music

Jacob Miller and the Bridge City Crooners: East Side Drag

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Jacob Miller and the Bridge City Crooners is a five piece band that is as steeped in whiskey as they are old-timey Americana. They are: Jacob Miller on guitar,vocals, and kazoo. Ben Bailey on washboard, snare, and vocals Kyle Neumann on harmonica, tenor banjo, and dobro. Joy Pearson on vocals, tenor banjo and kazoo, and finally, Mike Team on the upright bass.

Their album, East Side Drag, was released in June of 2012 and boasts eight tracks of the finest pickin' and singin' that Portland Oregon has to offer. However, beyond a slick brand and a niche market, Jocob Miller and the Bridge City Crooners are bringing real musical talent and authenticity to bear. For my taste, Hesitation Blues and the Belmont Strut are the high points of the album. I love the combination of Jacob Miller's tenor warble alongside his enviable guitar impersonation of Mississippi John Hurt. Furthermore, the subtly Ben Bailey's washboard percussion amplifies the song's interesting texture.

Read on to give the full album a listen. You dig?

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New Releases

First Blush: Supersynthetic EP

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First Blush is a NYC based band that boasts Charles Sekel on vocals/keyboards, Zach Honoroff on drums & Zak Croxall on bass. I've enjoyed this band since they debuted their self-titled EP over a year ago, however, I've never been comfortable describing genre titles when things get this blurry, so I'll let them do it. "First Blush makes genre-bending synthpop, combining ethereal electronic elements with strong, catchy melodies and riffs." My thought is that it doesn't matter what you call it, so long as you call it good.

Regardless, in March of this year First Blush released their second EP entitled Supersynthetic. Supersynthetic is six tracks of engaging music that showcases sensitive and thoughtful consideration for musical shape, coupled with a unceasing understanding of groove. Charles Sekel and First Blush show real growth between the two EPs and I look forward to seeing where the band goes as they continue to progress.

Read on to check out the full EP for yourself and then stay in touch with the band via Facebook, Twitter, their Official Webpage, and even their Youtube channel. You dig?

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Videos

Bryan John Appleby: 2011 Doe Bay Sessions Performance

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Bryan John Appleby is perhaps my favorite newly discovered artist of 2013. However, while his epic beard and wonderful songwriting may be new to me, he has been a mainstay of the Pacific Northwest for the last few years. If you want a quick catch up you can find my review of his album Fire On The Vine here, or you can visit all the usual stops of Facebook, Twitter, and Offical Webpage to get your fill of Mr. BJA.

The performance is a two song set starting with The Road and finishing with Noah's Nameless Wife. The performance is strengthened by the bands unusual orchestration and their thoughtful attention to layering as the song builds. Additionally, I've always been a sucker for thoughtful xylophone performances on foggy mornings. Following this is Noah's Nameless Wife were BJA manages to to nail his choreography with the local Belted Kingfishers. Apparently the cue for their performance is the word "gander", so keep that in mind the next time you need a unique bird call in your folk song. You dig?

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Album Reviews

Noah Gundersen: Family

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Good morning Dig Nation. It's good to be back, thank you to Steve for holding down the fort, or blog, or whatever, for me while I was away for work and then down and out with a pretty nasty cold. Today I've got a Seattle based singer songwriter for you named Noah Gundersen. Alongside his sister Abby Gundersen they've put out a steady line of work since 2009 but this summer you will be able to check them out live at the Timber! Outdoor Music Fest – a great event that just keeps on booking amazing artists.

Read on for my thoughts on Noah Gundersen's 2011 release Family as well as a streaming copy the album complete with his music video for the side one track entitled David.

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Album Reviews

Allison Weiss – Say What You Mean

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Over the past few months, I kept receiving emails about the new album Say What You Mean by Allison Weiss and the various songs being released. Single after single, they just kept coming, and I kept putting off a post so that I could include them all. The album came out 4/16 and I still haven't shared anything, which is really a shame because it's quite awesome. So check it out today if you haven't already.

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