all of her secrets are locked up in her head...

I saw The David Mayfield Parade open for The Avett Brothers in Milwaukee this past November. I'd no idea who the DMP were, and thought maybe he was related to Jessica Lee Mayfield (he is). He and his band put on quite the show that night; he's a fabulous entertainer...the best way to describe him would be Zach Galifinakis meets Josh Ritter. I remember thinking that they seemed like a band that pushed the limits live and played with all the energy they could muster (much like The Avett's did early in their career) but that their recordings might lack that live punch. I was right. Their only album, a self-titled release from 2010, is good but not great. Hopefully they'll harness that creative energy on their next album, which should be out this year. This is their best song, Human Cannonball.



turn it up so you know it's got soul.

i'm a beggar in the morning, i'm a king at night.

I'm back. Before the first post of the comeback, here are a few important things from 2011:

- Bon Iver put out the album of the year (Bon Iver, Bon Iver).
- The 2011 Holiday album is complete, but still being shipped. If you haven't received one and want one (especially if you haven't asked for one, holler).
- Spotify has significantly improved my life.


Significant holiday album contributor JV sent me this song earlier today. The Barr Brothers are from Montreal and released their self-titled debut album in September 2011. This is the best of many good songs that can be found on it.



turn it up so you know it's got soul.

don't keep it just to figure it out.

The halfway point of 2011 has come and gone, which means the playlist for AVSH 2011 is growing rapidly, and this here Brett Dennen tune, off his latest album, Loverboy, is definitely in the mix. Below is a terrific solo version of "Comeback Kid." Thanks, JV.



music saves.

your careless heart invites me in just to see me go.

Last July, in this post, I raved about The David Wax Museum, a band I saw open for the Old 97s here in Fargo. Nearly a year later, they've released their new album and toured relentlessly, which has resulted in loads of deserved praise over their album and their live shows. Fortunately for us in this neighborhood, they're playing TWO shows in ten days. The first is at the Aquarium (above Dempsey's) in Fargo on Saturday, July 2 and the second is Tuesday, July 12 at the North Dakota Museum of Art on the campus of the University of North Dakota. If you haven't heard of them, do so now by viewing/listening to the videos below. If you have heard of them, watch/listen anyway, and then go to one or both of the shows because you won't be disappointed. The third video is "Let Me Rest" from their show last July here in Fargo.

"Yes, Maria, Yes,"


"Born With a Broken Heart"


"Let Me Rest"


"Unfruitful"


music saves.

i guess it’s easy when you’re young and you know you still want it so badly...

The Airborne Toxic Event released a new album last week (4.26.11), called All At Once. Ever since I first heard "Sometime Around Midnight" off their self-titled 2007 debut I've been a fan. They fall in line with bands like Kings of Leon and The Strokes, but what I think separates them is Mikel Jolett's songwriting ability. His raw approach is displayed always in complete sentences and is easy to relate to and sing along to. Below are my favorites off the new album.

All I Ever Wanted


Half of Something Else


It Doesn't Mean a Thing


Graveyard Near the House


it saves.

under the covers, chapter thirty-seven: and like goliath, they'll be conquered.

The Denver based band The Lumineers are featured covering Bob Dylan's "When The Ship Comes In" in this chapter of under the covers. No version of the original was available....but the cover is enough to get your knees bouncing and your hands clapping.

When The Ship Comes In


music saves.

under the covers, chapter thirty-six: i'll be holding all the tickets and you'll be holding all the fines.

Birdy, a fourteen year old UK sensation, has released a single of Bon Iver's "Skinny Love." The words I could try to come up with to describe it would be worthless. Just go on and listen. The original is below it. Come on, Skinny Love. Thanks to Mike D on this one.

Birdy


Bon Iver


it saves.

Uncle Leo Comes to Fargo

Leo Kottke is playing the Fargo Theatre on Saturday, April 30. If you live in Fargo, you need to go. He's playing in St. Cloud the night before and Bismarck the night after. For more tour dates, click here.

I've been fortunate enough to see Leo three or four times over the years, and I distinctly remember walking out of each show and thinking that my life was now better for what I'd just witnessed. His phenomenal guitar skills paired with his fabulous stories are sure to give you more than your money's worth. Such stories and songs are below, so go on and enjoy. And go see the show.

Bob Dylan Story


Rings


Train and the Gate & Vaseline Machine Gun


it saves.

under the covers, chapter thirty-five: from a war that must be won in the name of truth

Seven-piece Seattle boys Hey Marseilles have been dominating my days lately, and in this three way chapter of under the covers, they get after Iron & Wine's cover of "Love Vigilantes," originally done by New Order.

Hey Marseilles


Iron & Wine


New Order


it saves.

and if you feel just like a tourist in the city you were born then it's time to go

The new Death Cab For Cutie album, Codes and Keys, comes out May 31. The new video for their single, You Are a Tourist, will be the "first live, scripted, one-take music video shoot ever" on their website on Tuesday, April 5th at 7 PM Eastern. Color me excited.



it saves.