Young the Giant

Since I seem to be in a folky mood this week, I am going to keep it going here on the site, too. Perfect group to showcase? Young the Giant-- a five piece band from California who started up in 2004 (originally called The Jakes), and together they sound like heaven. Here's a photo of the band:

What does Young the Giant sound like? Well, as I said before there is definitely a folky vibe to their tunes. They categorize themselves as alternative rock. I'd also say they are a bit poppy. If you aren't into pop, as I tend not to be, I would recommend you listen to their string of recordings called In The Open Sessions, which are damn amazing. For a sneak peek, check this out:

     Young the Giant, "Strings", In The Open session

So good, right? If you like what you saw, keep reading. 

So, aside from the amazing location of the video, I bet one of the first things that caught you were the vocals. Well, let's give the credit to the man in charge of lead vocals, Mr. Sameer Gadhia. His voice is smooth and shaky in the most complimentary ways. Also currently in the band are: Jacob Tilley (guitar), Eric Cannata (guitar), Payam Doostzadeh (bass), and François Comtois (drums). The band members have switched up a bit since they originally formed in 2004, but I am super happy with where there are now. 

In 2009, The Jakes got the amazing opportunity to play four shows at South by Southwest, Austin TX's annual interactive, film, and music festival. After a few of their songs were showcased on television shows like MTV's Real World: Brooklyn, and A&E's The Beast, and then being played on the famed LA radio station KROQ, the band was signed to Roadrunner Records. Shortly after being signed, the band changed their name to Young the Giant. They spent 2010 touring with Minus the Bear and Steel Train while completing their self-titled first album, called third best rock album of 2010 by Amazon.com. The band's first single, My Body, went to number 5 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart; the song was also featured on an episode of American Idol; the band also got to perform it on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Young the Giant went on to perform at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards, and recently began a tour with Incubus, a long-time favorite of mine. 

A relatively new band, but rockin' it all the same. Here's a little more for you to enjoy:

     Young the Giant, "Strings", In The Open session

    Young the Giant, "Apartment", In The Open session

Recap:

Young the Giant: Sameer Gadhia (vocals),  Jacob Tilley (guitar), Eric Cannata (guitar), Payam Doostzadeh (bass), and François Comtois (drums)

Musical Style: alternative rock, folk

Albums: Young the Giant, 2010

More Info: http://www.youngthegiant.com/  

Upcoming Shows:  The band just released their 2012 tour dates.. Check them out here.

My Rating:

Ben Sollee

It was difficult for me to decide which artist to explore first. However, the moment I was exposed to the musical stylings of Ben Sollee, there was no doubt in my mind he is the most worthy contender. WOW.

Check this video out for a lil audio sneak peek of this talented gent. You'll also see a million videos of him performing live. Definitely worth getting distracted for a while...More after the jump.

                                           Ben Sollee, It's Not Impossible (Boys Don't Cry)

A child of the 80s and raised in Kentucky, Ben started playing the cello in elementary school and lists his inspirations as Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Billie Holiday, and Ray Charles. He went on to train in classical cello and never let the beat drop. In 2005, a very lucky Ben joined Abigail Washburn (banjo, vocals), Bela Fleck (banjo MASTER), and Casey Driessen (violin) in The Sparrow Quartet. Then in 2007, Ben was named one of NPR's "Top Ten Great Unknown Artists" of the year.
--He has since been featured on both NPR's All Things Considered and the PBS series On Canvas (a must-see), both in 2008.

NPR calls Ben's Learning to Bend "an inspired collection of acoustic, folk and jazz-flavored songs, filled with hope and the earnest belief that the world is good."

May 2008 marked the release of Ben's first EP If You're Gonna Lead My Country (Yep, you guessed it-- Ben writes music that occasionally takes a stance on politics-usually poverty and environmental issues. But don't worry--it isn't so in your face that it will distract you from the soulful music he writes, plays, and sings.) One month later, Learning to Bend, Ben's first solo album was released. Believe me, it is basically amazing from beginning to end, which is not something I get to say very often. Ben's music blends several genres, including bluegrass, folk, and blues. It is impossible to get bored listening to his songs, as each time you'll notice some new piece of genius. His percussive technique of playing his cello is glorious and almost other-worldly. And wait until you hear his touching, heartfelt lyrics and smooth, rich voice, which play off of each other beautifully. I'd recommend How to See the Sun Rise or A Few Honest Words as a couple of great places to start. Also, Ben wrote his own adaptation of Sam Cooke's A Change Is Gonna Come, which is more than worth checking out.

These days, Ben uses his mad cello, writing, and vocal skills to rock our faces off. Ben has paired up with such amazing musicians as Vienna Teng and The Paper Raincoat, Daniel Martin Moore, Yim Yames of My Morning Jacket and Monsters of Folk. Ben has performed all over the US, including 2010's Telluride Bluegrass Festival, and 2011's Bonnaroo--both as a stand-alone artist & with My Morning Jacket. His latest album, Inclusions, out in 2011, shows no sign of the sophomore slip we see so often from songwriters of our day. Support this man, check him out, tell a friend, go to a show. You will NOT be disappointed.

Recap:


Ben Sollee: cellist/songwriter/vocalist/environmental activist
Musical Style: folk, bluegrass, pop, R & B, blues, soul
More Info: bensollee.com    NPR Artists: Ben Sollee
Upcoming Shows:    
        Dec. 29, 2011:   KFTC Benefit with Yim Yames and Daniel Martin Moore
Comments from Others:    

      --NPR's Terri Gross: "remarkably soulful voice"

     --Sub Pop Records: "Every song is a fine, perfect creation, and they all hang together to form a true album that can be listened to from start to finish in the same way a rich, layered novel can be read."

My Rating: 

I hope you guys enjoy. Please feel free to leave feedback, comments, requests, suggestions...                                                                 


Have an amazing day.


XOXO
J

First Post

I have been designing this blog in my mind for years.. attempting to nail down every last format idea, color scheme, artist to expose, etc. However, I am now at the point where I am done dreaming. I am ready to see the finished product. I have put my heart and soul into this, as I am obsessed with all things music. When people ask me what type of music I like, my response has always been, "I love everything except polka." Music has been my best friend for my entire life. It does everything a best friend should do--music inspires me, shifts my mood in all directions, supports me, motivates me, captivates me, and is always there when I need it. Music has been there with me for every knee scrape, first date, heart break; road trip, class skip, and skinny dip. For this, MUSIC, I THANK YOU.


Some of my favorite artists? I'll list a few so as not to bore you...


The Avett Brothers, Blind Melon, Sublime, Bob Marley, Incubus, Van Morrison, Local Natives, Pretty Lights, Otis Redding, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Bassnectar, Talking Heads, Flaming Lips, The Doors, The Beatles, The XX, The Glitch Mob, Red Hot Chili Peppers, RJD2, Etta James, James Brown, The Band, The New Mastersounds, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, J.J. Cale, Radiohead, Jack Johnson... I could go on and on. 


Oh, and no-- none of the above will be showcased on this blog. I'm hoping to post more about artists and bands you don't hear every day. It is possible you'll run into an artist here and think, "Gosh. Is that really new to you??" Well, yes. Sometimes I'm a lil late. But I make it my business to bring you new tunes; tunes you wouldn't hear otherwise.

I hope you all enjoy. And if you do, why not tell someone else you know who shares our obsession? Please & thank you. Much love.

J