Artwork by Nate Jones of Kentucky Knife Fight New Year’s Eve can be hard, man. It’s usually flavored with the cynicism of downtrodden naysayers or the overly high expectations of innocent eager beavers (see: all the people who paid money to see this). Between the solo whiskey sippers and the prix fixe four course dinners … Read more
On Wednesday evening in Saint Louis, Rachael Yamagata will be bringing her new songs to Blueberry Hill (purchase tickets here), including the stellar “Even If I Don’t,” a tune you need to hear right now. Seriously, right now (the video is cool, too). The last time the singer-songwriter was in town, she thrilled us with … Read more
Photo by Jason Gonulsen In early June, I saw Buffalo Springfield at the tenth anniversary of Bonnaroo, easily one the most enjoyable days of my life. If you’ve never been to Bonnaroo, it’s a four-day music fest nestled not too far from the stretch of Interstate 24 that connects Nashville and Chattanooga. It was my … Read more
We first met Markéta Irglová five years ago, when she was only 18, a quiet and charming character in Once, the film about music and love that stole hearts around the world. Irglová’s “almost-relationship” in the movie with fellow musician Glen Hansard became a reality when a real-life relationship blossomed, and then, suddenly, ended. Irglová … Read more
Photo by Jason Gonulsen Some people get religion Some people get the truth I never get the truth I never get the truth I want to get this out of the way, even if I’ve already said it numerous times: Brandi Carlile is ridiculously good at what she does. If you haven’t found her songs, … Read more
Time’s a shark and in a hurry It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Well, for some people. For others, it’s the most hurried, nervous, pressure-filled time of the year. A time when we miss people, when family gatherings don’t always come to be. A time when we can’t always get what we want. … Read more
Yup. It’s that time of year again, and frankly, lists like these really need no introduction. The four of us who contribute to Speakers in Code (Darren, Jason, Matt, and me, the lone female, Katie) spend a lot of our free time investigating new music over the course of each year, and these 100 songs … Read more
Our favorite album of the year: Bon Iver’s Bon Iver 50 Panda Bear – Tomboy (Paw Tracks) [buy the album] 49 Nicole Atkins – Mondo Amore (Razor & Tie) [buy the album] 48 GIVERS – In Light (Glassnote) [buy the album] 47 Admiral Fallow – Boots Met My Face (Lo-Five) [buy the album] 46 The Civil Wars – … Read more
It’s December, which means you can start blaring that X-mas music, right? I mean, I saw a neon-green Santa today. And I heard an old dude at Burger King whistling “Silver Bells” while he ordered an Icee. It’s Christmas time in the city, I tell ya! This one’s a little different, though. It’s from Act … Read more
Check out songs 100-76 and 75-51. Keep up with our ever growing list on Spotify! 50 The Black Keys – Lonely Boy [buy the album] [more Black Keys on Speakers] 49 Steve Earle – Waitin’ on the Sky [buy the album] [more Earle on Speakers] 48 Frightened Rabbit – Fuck This Place [buy the album] … Read more
Well, friends, the end is no longer near. It’s here. The end of our Best Songs of 2011 countdown, that is. The real end comes next December, as we all know. Perhaps it’s no surprise that Bon Iver landed the number one spot with the track, “Holocene.” But, amazingly, the song and the record itself … Read more
Former Dawes member, Alex Casnoff, has a new thing going. Having spent the past few years playing only other people’s music, he’s finally ready to birth his new musical baby, Harriet. The Los Angeles-based band is inspired by storytellers and filmmakers, and this influence can undoubtedly be heard on today’s Jam of the Day. Harriet’s … Read more
Remember when Rachael Yamagata opened for The Swell Season at The Pageant in December of 2009 and blew your minds to little fragments, like those pieces of confetti that are still falling from The Pageant’s ceiling thanks to The Flaming Lips? Well, Ms. Yamagata is coming back, this time to Blueberry Hill on Wednesday, December … Read more
Check out songs 100-76. And keep up with the list on Spotify here. 75 The Kill Van Kulls – Lost and Found [buy the single] [more Kill Van Kulls on Speakers] 74 WILD FLAG – Boom [buy the album] [more WILD FLAG on Speakers] 73 Noah and the Whale – L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N. [buy the album] 72 Gauntlet Hair … Read more
I don’t even know what the following poem means, but it was in the middle of the press release sent out announcing our Jam of the Day, “Rad Times,” by Black Bananas. Somehow it’s fitting before listening to the song. I’m your garbage collector I’ll turn your trash to gold What you cast off is … Read more