By J. Brown

For our latest addition to “Free Music Friday,” we are offering not just one song but an entire album, for your downloading pleasure, from artist Chris Kiehne. This talented singer/songwriter has kindly made his entire album, Pray for Daylight, available to everyone for free as a way to promote harmony and giving. Chris and his band, along with Project Rhythm Seed, encourage you to make a donation to the people of Japan, that they may start to rebuild their lives and find some peace, comfort and security where none currently exists.  Read more...

By J. Brown

Despite suffering from a migraine, Justin Townes Earle put on quite a show at the Autry Museum in Griffith Park recently on a cold and rainy night in Los Angeles. And out of all the plentiful venue options in the Los Angeles area, The Autry could not have been more perfect for the retro-Southern folk/country of Earle and his band. Set amidst a mural of classic Western themes, the sold-out show in the middle of the museum’s courtyard drew Earle’s devoted fans.  Read more...

By J. Brown

Dark, wry, and powerful, the lyrics of musician Dan Baker reveal a talented knack for storytelling on a sophomore album that is well worth your attention. Utilizing eclectic instrumentation, Baker particularly shines on songs like “365 Days,” which lulls you into a reflective mood with its beautiful and almost exotic-sounding musicianship that is intricately blended.  Read more...

By J. Brown  Read more...

By J. Brown

With a new year in full swing, 2011 has proven to be an auspicious beginning for the band The Head and The Heart. The Seattle-based group recently announced that they had officially signed with Sub Pop Records.  Read more...

By J. Brown

The artist Jackson C. Frank once solemnly sang that “To sing is a state of mind.” Fittingly, one of Frank’s songs was recently covered by English songwriter Laura Marling, who in my opinion released the best album of 2010.  Read more...

By J. Brown

If you haven’t heard of C.W. Stoneking, you’re missing out on a truly talented singer and storyteller, especially if you’re a fan of 1920′s and 30s pre-war blues, jazz, 1920s calypso, and folklore. It’s unlikely that you’ve heard of a modern artist who sounds quite like Stoneking, who seems to model himself after various early 20th century bluesmen.  Read more...

By J. Brown

Delivering a delightful mishmash of folk-tronica and indie pop, members of the young band Freelance Whales could not hide their enthusiasm when they recently played their first show at the historic Troubadour in Los Angeles. The intimate venue filled with the organic and rhythmic sounds of a very multi-instrumental group that gently swayed the crowd for a sold-out show. Their lyrics are very imaginative, playful, often dream-like and more importantly thoughtful; for instance, take the song “Ghosting,” which describes a boy falling in love with a ghost that haunts his childhood home.  Read more...

By J. Brown

Young Rebel Set is a band for those down on their luck, as they shine when their passionate lyrics detail times when the odds are stacked up against you, as well as tough romances that aren’t for the faint of heart. When you’re in the mood to tap into your inner rebel, this band from the UK delivers the perfect mix of gritty urban folk-rock.  Read more...

By J. Brown

The beautifully soothing vocals and harmonizing of the duo Azure Ray filled the dark and sadly rather vacant venue of The Pomona Glasshouse on October 23^rd, giving listeners an intimate performance of both their newest and earlier work.  Read more...

By J. Brown

“Oh, sometimes the blues is just a passing bird / and why can’t that always be / tossing aside from your birches crown / just enough dark to see / how you’re the light over me.”—excerpt from song “The Dreamer”  Read more...

By J. Brown
Back in 2009, Stephen Fry – the English author, actor, and man of many titles – took to his twitter to tweet the following about British indie band Patch William: “Might Patch William be the next big thing? They seem rather wonderful to me …” The short message managed to generate much interest in the young band through YouTube hits and iTunes purchases of their debut album. While Fry isn’t necessarily known for his taste in music, the plug marketed the band to a wider audience and the group has had success in building a bigger fan base since that fateful tweet. Their talent for songwriting is evident while listening to their songs, and for proof in the pudding, they were nominated for an Ivor Novello award in 2009.  Read more...

 Read more...

 Read more...

 Read more...

 Read more...

By J. Brown

“O plunge your hands in water
Plunge them up to the wrist;
Stare, stare in the basin
And wonder what you’ve missed

[…]

O stand, stand at the window
As the tears scald and start;
You shall love your crooked neighbor
With your crooked heart.”  Read more...

By J. Brown

“You calm me down when the world makes me angry / So don’t ever leave me, I’ll always be true.”—excerpt from the song “On the Wind”  Read more...

By J. Brown  Read more...

By J. Brown

Sunday Night at the Belly Up in Solana Beach was a sold out show and for good reason: the night did not disappoint. The energy in the venue was palpable, undoubtedly due to the headliner Mumford & Sons, but the opening acts got the night off to a good start. “The Silent Comedy,” natives of Southern California, opened the show and the crowd loved the high energy, charisma, and style of this rocking band. While their appearance is decidedly old-fashioned, their performance at the Belly Up showed an effortless mix of styles and sounds often with loud, foot-stomping choruses that were made all the better by their lively stage presence. Simply put, their songs were fresh, fun and creative and had the crowd pumped up in no time. They have a new album out that can be purchased on their web site.  Read more...