Best Indie Venues in Austin, TX
July 13th, 2011 by admin
Everyone knows that Austin is one of the live music capitals of the country so if you’re interested in taking in a show get out there! Don’t spend another Saturday knitting a scarf or researching electricity rates at shopelectricityratestexas.com…here are a few of the best live music venues in Austin:
Stubbs BBQ: Known more for it’s beef than it’s music, Stubbs is an internationally recognized performance spot. With the likes of Cake and The Indigo Girls playing shows over the years, you never Read the rest of this entry »
Why Folk Rock Is Gaining Fans
September 13th, 2011 by admin
Folk Rock is making a comeback and it’s not hard to see why. In this modern age of lip-syncing, manufactured pop, and auto-tune, folk is a breath of fresh air in a stale music environment.
Music lovers are always looking for a new sound, and folk rock is gaining fans both old and young. Not only is it refreshing to hear real rock again but folk music, with its narrative lyrics and meaningful message touches people in a place that Read the rest of this entry »
Should Folk Music Be Heard On The Radio
September 1st, 2011 by admin
When most people think of folk music, they think of a young Bob Dylan or an old Woody Guthrie plucking away on an acoustic guitar singing the songs of life. However, an influx of new bands has changed the definition of one of music’s older genres. It is with this in mind that a return to some of the more classic artists is a definite plus and need.
While a more mainstream crossover folk bank like Mumford and Sons gains popularity, can you imagine the delight in hearing some of their influences on the Read the rest of this entry »
Why Listening To Folk Rock Is Relaxing
August 17th, 2011 by admin
Folk music is a tradition in America. It was born in America and it has a sound that is completely American as well. It is also some of the most relaxing music in the world because of its sound and feel. Many people put on folk music late at night to relax and unwind and the end of the day. It is also good first thing in the morning to help you wake up as well. We all know that folk music is both inspiring Read the rest of this entry »
Different Folk Rock Bands You Never Heard Of
April 30th, 2011 by admin
The folk rock genre is a growing and eclectic one that includes a variety of styles from singer-songwriter, electric folk, and Celtic punk. It originated in the early 1960′s, but has grown and spread to be influenced by all types of cultural and folk music.
A classical take on the folk rock genre can be found in bands such as the Hansen Family, Beirut, House & Bird, and singer-songwriters like Johnny Flynn, M Ward, and Mason Jennings, who use traditional acoustic instruments, such as guitars, banjos, and ukuleles weaved into folk-style melodies and vocals.
For a more Eastern European flavor, a Read the rest of this entry »
Why Folk Rock Is So Popular
April 17th, 2011 by admin
In the mid 1960s folk singer Bob Dylan swapped his acoustic for an electric guitar and folk rock was born. At the time Dylan took a lot of heat from purists who identified folk as much by the instruments played as the stories told. Dylan’s particular genius was to recognize that whether a song is backed by screaming guitars or fiddles and banjos it’s the story that makes it relevant. And that is really Read the rest of this entry »
Video Updates
October 22nd, 2010 by illlit.com
The art of the music video has come a long way since its ill-defined beginnings. Today, music videos can make us laugh, cry, fall in love (well, maybe not that far). Here’s some clips making the rounds recently that deserve your attention.Antony and the Johnsons “Thank You for Your Love”The lead single from the album Swanlights features old black-and-white footage of Antony Hegarty smiling for the camera. The home-video look is the perfect backdrop to the band’s sound, and when the song breaks out into its joyful chorus, you can’t help but smile just as wide.KT Tunstall “Fade Like a Shadow”This well-shot video knows the artist’s strengths and plays to them. That’s why we get Tunstall front-and-center, playing her guitar solo until her band pops out of nowhere and the song explodes into a fullness her earlier works only hinted at. Some fancy visual tricks fill in the song’s pauses. Tunstall’s Tiger Suit was released September 22. Read the rest of this entry »
Upcoming Folk/Indie/Rock Releases
October 19th, 2010 by illlit.com
Ill Lit fans are a varied bunch, so we’ve included all of the albums that we thought even might be of interest in the next two weeks here. Classic folk fans will have a chance to hear another batch of Bob Dylan bootlegs, while Elton John (with Leon Russell), Rod Stewart, and Bryan Ferry all return with new material to add to their repertoires. Innovative singer-songwriters Juliette Commagere and Keller Williams show off their new albums. Some unknown experimental groups are releasing their debuts as well, including Small Black and Warpaint. Take a chance on some you don’t recognizeyou might be pleasantly surprised.October 19Bob Dylan – The Bootleg Series: The Witmark Demos: 1962-1964 Elton John & Leon Russell – The UnionKings of Leon – Come Around SundownLiz Phair – Funstyle Phantom Band – The Wants DigitalRod Stewart – Fly Me To The Moon Read the rest of this entry »
Badmen and innocence
October 15th, 2010 by illlit.com
Ill Lit’s original label was the Badman Recording Co., located in Portland, Oregon (with strong ties to San Francisco). Dylan Magierek has been the (bad)man behind the mask since the label’s humble beginnings, and uses the facilities of Type Foundry studio to make his artist’s material soar. Here’s a look at some of the label’s artists and releases.
- the innocence mission, the long-running husband-and-wife folk-pop group, returned to Badman for the release of their tenth album. Titled My Room in the Trees, it’s the group’s fourth release on the label. Karin Peris’ vocals are as sweetly entrancing as ever, and the group’s spiritual side shines through on tracks like “God Is Love” and “Shout for Joy.” Read the rest of this entry »
A look at the folktronica genre
October 12th, 2010 by illlit.com
“Folktronica” may be one of the most amusing terms for a music genre ever, but there’s more to it than just a silly name. As far as fads go, it’s relatively new, only really coming into popularity in the last decade. British musician Four Tet was one of the first artists to have the label applied, particularly with the release of his 2001 album Pause.It’s not too hard to figure out what a folktronica band sounds likeat least on the surface. Some bands emphasize the electronic aspect (such as Four Tet and also Caribou on 2005′s The milk of Human Kindness); others start with the folk foundations and apply electronic touches (like Tunng on 2005′s Mother’s Daughter and Other Songs). The sound creates a unique sort of contrast between presumably cold synthesizers and other electronics and warmer guitarshowever, even these tones and adjectives can be switched on occasion. Newcomer Ellie Goulding is one of the most popular artists peddling the sound right now, with her song Starry Eyed reaching number four on the UK Singles chart earlier this year.