Iron & Wine

I recently have come to Love Iron & Wine. Iron & Wine is the stage name for a  Samuel Beam (born July 26, 1974), an American singer-songwriter.  His whispered vocals and beautiful guitar make the perfect match for a “homespun indie folk” artist. His style of music is truly beautiful. The Iron & Wine station on Pandora is one of my favorites. Music for those who love pretty soft music to listen to while their thoughts are free to explore or focus.

Beam was raised in South Carolina, Beam received his bachelors degree in art from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond and later his Master of Fine Arts degree from Florida State University Film School. As an interesting fact, The name Iron & Wine is taken from a dietary supplement named "Beef Iron & Wine" that he found in a general store while shooting a film in school.

Since 2002 Beam has been creating albums, EP’s, singles, and even a few download only’s - all beautiful music.

Iron & Wine is truly unique-and I think it is evident he wants that. He looks as if he were a hitchhiker traveling in different countries. He has a giants beard and most photos of him he looks rather peculiar. None the less, it is intriguing and honestly, when you make music like he does, It doesn’t really matter what you look like.

Find out more about Iron & Wine at his website: http://www.ironandwine.com/

My Lullaby

For over two years there was particular song I listened to almost every night. The song became almost a lullaby to rock me to sleep. Unfortunately my lullaby came from a burned CD given to me, so I never knew the name or artist. The song is beautiful. The voice is innocent and young sounding. The words are clear and simple-yet profound and so touching. I loved more than anything to just listen to the song while drifting into unconsciousness. After months and months of wondering where this song came from, I just came to the realization that I would never know the true origin.

 About a year ago I heard about an artist by the name of Sufjan Stevens. There was much talk about the beauty of his music so I decided to check him out. The sound was so familiar-suddenly, it hit me. The song I had loved for years was not going to remain unknown-It had a name, and an artist: Casimir Pulaski Day, by Sufjan Stevens.

Sufjan Stevens born 1975 is an American singer-songwriter and musician born in Detroit, Michigan. Stevens first began releasing his music, beginning with 2000 release A Sun Came, on the Asthmatic Kitty label, http://asthmatickitty.com/  which he formed with his stepfather. Since then Stevens has been producing music and catching the attention of listeners. Many people might consider Stevens a folksy artist, as my first impression of him was, but since 2000- Stevens has released albums of varying styles, from the electronica of Enjoy Your Rabbit and the folk of Seven Swans to the symphonic instrumentation of Illinois and then Stevens even produced Christmas-themed Songs for Christmas.

Stevens is considered part of the folk revival in indie pop, but looking at his work, it is evident that his influences are very broad. He uses variety of instruments, often playing many of them himself on the same track, and writes music in various time signatures. His music is becoming more known to more than just the folk scene. With his recent album, The Age of ADZ, his unique style and independent lifestyle has proven Sufjan Stevens one of the great artists in the indie world. His unique ability to capture hearts I’m sure will only progress as he continues making music that can be a lullaby for people like me.

Remember This Name

Out of Provo, Utah comes the next big folk indie artist. Paste Magazine even named him one of their "Next 25 Artists You Need To Know" in their September 2008 issue. Joshua James is the name. He is American rock and folk musician, known for his intimate vocal style and bittersweet lyrics, often dealing with tragedy, religion, and substance abuse.

Joshua James' sounds are light, and easy-with a variety of upbeat more fun/rock and roll songs, and slow emotional songs as well. Many songs are solely his voice and guitar, but often times there will be a piano, and even full band sounds behind him. Joshua James is often compared to Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Bright Eyes or Ray LaMontagne.

I first heard Joshua James in America Fork, Utah at 2010 Garbett Homes Fork Fest. Performing alongside other indie bands such as Fictionist, The Vibrant Sound and Location Location, James was the featured final act-where the amphitheatre was packed with hundreds of indie fans. What stuck out most about James was his passion in what he was doing, he gave a completely in the moment and intimate performance. There was hardly a moment James wasn’t moving his entire body in a jellyfish like motion. It was especially entertaining during the guitar solos when he would dance around himself across the stage, once practically lying center stage.

His original digital release of The Sun is Always Brighter on iTunes reached #1 on the service's Folk Album list in 2007. The album caught the attention of the indie folk scene, with, and prompting artists such as John Mayer, David Gray, Ani DiFranco, and Brett Dennen to have him support their North American tours.

You can find Joshua James music and more information at http://www.joshuajames.tv/

For "those" days

Sometimes-well, very often, we have those bad days. I've felt feelings I wish I never knew existed. I, along with most of the rest of the world are in need of a medicine. And that's where music comes in. To me, when I hear something so beautiful I can't help but forget my struggles and concerns for a moment and get lost in melodies. Contrary to many others who turn to loud screaming music for comfort or release of pain, I usually chose something different. Pandora and I have become very good friends over the past months (it's easy to do, just sign up for free http://www.pandora.com/) I put in one of my favorite slow "pretty" bands-Sigur Ros, and recently came across a band called,  Palaxy Tracks. I can't remember exactly what I was doing at the time, but I paused and was surprised at the feelings I was getting from the music. Love. Haha, cheesy maybe, but it was that feeling that sends you into a comfortably numb and blissful state. I immediately bookmarked the band and have been casually listening to their stuff. The founding members of indie rockers Palaxy Tracks -- Jason Masters, Greg Wallace, and Brandon Durham -- originally came together in Austin (keep Austin weird!) under the name the Seven Hundred Club in late 1995. In 1997 they changed their name to Palaxy Tracks, and by 2000 they had their first album. Palaxy Tracks has similar qualities of Radiohead, The Little Ones, and Early day Miners. I also would compare them a bit to Sigur Ros and Explosions in The Sky because of their relaxing tone. I strongly suggest them for the next time you are having one of those days. Thank goodness for melodies that can take me out of reality for a while.