Harmon Drive is looking forward to hearing more from Speros and Max of Cicada Summer. Speros mentioned via an email last week that Max has been working with some guys up at Appalachian State, and they have been recording new material. Speros says he hasn’t gotten a chance to listen to it yet but that Max seems excited about the music so he knows it is top notch.
Speros, who is enrolled in Georgia Tech, also dropped a hint that he is working on a solo release EP of his own that he will be releasing under a yet to be determined name. “Its a bit different than the Cicada Summer sound, it has more electric guitar, and it is electronic beat oriented.” Take a listen to a few of my favorite songs from Speros and Max recording tunes under the joint venture known as Cicada Summer.
Cicada Summer- The Hollywoods
and… Cicada Summer- Backwoods and Bullfrogs
Listen to all of Cicada Summer and download their tracks for the price of an email address here.
Share this story and music with a friend on facebook, twitter, or anything else you can imagine with the button below, spread the good word! Also, check out their interview under the interviews tab at the top of this page.
04/20: Birmingham, AL @ Alabama Theater
04/21: Nashville, TN @ Municipal Auditorium
04/23: Atlanta, GA @ Chastain Park
04/24: New Orleans, LA @ Jazzfest
04/27: St. Augustine, FL @ St. Augustine Amphitheater
04/28: Charleston, SC @ Family Circle
04/30: Raleigh, NC @ Koka Booth
05/01: Columbia, MD @ Merriweather Post Pavilion
05/02: Columbus, OH @ LC Outdoor Pavilion
New songs for the weekend…Brazos via Austin, TX Brazos- Day Glo
Learn more about Brazos here.
and…
The Brian Jonestown Massacre – Anemone Catch The Brian Jonestown Massacre in Australia
Feb 18 2010
The Zoo Brisbane, Queensland
Feb 19 2010
PLAYGROUND WEEKENDER FESTIVAL Wiseman’s Ferry, New South Wales
Feb 20 2010
HiFi Bar Melbourne, Victoria
Feb 21 2010
Billboards Melbourne, Victoria
Feb 23 2010
Fowlers Adelaide, South Australia
Feb 25 2010
The Capital Theatre Perth, Western Australia
Feb 28 2010
The Metro Sydney, New South Wales
Mar 3 2010
The Factory Theatre (ALL AGES) Sydney, New South Wales
Mar 4 2010
The Cambridge Hotel Newcastle, New South Wales
Mar 6 2010
LOST WEEKEND FESTIVAL Brisbane, Queensland
Band of Horses, listen below to an unreleased track titled Laredo
Everyone has been waiting for it. Maybe not everyone, but everyone that is close to me has been talking about when the new Band of Horses album will be released. Band of Horses are a big part of the reason this website exists and quite frankly a big part of the reason I am still living in Chicago. They bring a certain feeling to me that is difficult to share, so I will just tell you it is a feeling of pure joy.
Band of Horses- Laredo (Live at Bonnaroo 09)
I just came across this Band of Horses unreleased track from their show at Bonnaroo this past year. It makes for a lovely Friday morning, well it’s lovely because I am still in bed with my headphones on and not outside in the freezing cold. Being from Texas, Laredo has always come up in conversation. Whether it was when I was 2 years old, sleeping in the back of the car while my mom drove down from San Antonio to take pictures for weddings or when my two best friends from college and I drove down to Laredo and decided to pop a top a bit early, stopping at a certain highway sign just because it was Exit 420.
I am looking forward to their new album, does anyone know when this will be out? Check out their tour dates which include stops in North Carolina and Alabama with Widespread Panic. Now, I feel like my weekend is complete before it has even started. Maybe I should just stay in bed.
Let me introduce you to Ken McAlester. He sent me his track called The Great Escape that he looped up out in Dublin, Ireland. Part of this track is a sample based off a song called I could be happy by The Dovers, a folk rock group from 1965 out of good ol’ Santa Barbara, California. You may also recognize The Dovers from the band Atlas Sound who used a loop of The Dovers in a song called Walkabout.
Skeleton Jones- The Great Escape…
I am excited about this one, I love the lyrics he put to this. Ken records under the name Skeleton Jones, a name he says he “stumbled upon”. Now, I know that Skeleton Jones is a scary name and if you google it you will get some freaky stuff so stick with his myspace page (where you can listen to more of Ken’s awesome stuff)…I am digging Skeleton Jones, stay tuned for more of Ken’s music endeavors. Bring on the weekend, all I want is to escape!
The Dovers 1965 version here.
Harmon Drive free exclusive download of The Great Escape… HERE.
I once called El Camino Real The Rolling Stones painted with MGMT. Whatever that means, unless you hang out in Ventura, Cali you probably do not know about these guys. The first time I heard this, I knew I loved it. Something funky to getya through another hump day.
El Camino Real- I Saw You
Download this song for free and read the HD Interviewhere
To enter to win two free tickets to this show at Lincoln Hall on 2.4.10 comment on this post or email: harmondriveblog@gmail.com with subject Derek Nelson
Typically, I would give you more of a heads up on a must see concert in Chicago. But, my life has not been typical the last few months so excuse me. What fun is it to be typical anyway? Derek Nelson dropped me an email today praising my site and inviting me to check out his band who will be playing at Lincoln Hall this Thursday Feb. 4. The sample of songs that Derek shared with me are absolutely right on. Derek seems genuine, his lyrics are true and not the trash that tries to break down our walls every day.
What gets me most excited about Derek Nelson & The Musicians is Derek is a real person doing what he loves, and I can appreciate that. Much like this site, with hard work and dedication people will be changed one day at a time by the music that he shares. To enter the free ticket contest, comment on this post or email: harmondriveblog@gmail.com and you will be entered to win free tickets for Thursday night’s show at Lincoln Hall.
Download for free or listen to the live session at the Empty Bottle in Chicago recorded on 1.13.10 right here.
Like Derek Nelson & The Musicians? Check out: Joe Purdy, Jeffrey Foucalt, and The Cave Singers.
Don’t like free tickies? Buy your way in here. Daysleeper and Overman will be the opening acts.
There is more snow in Chicago today. I need some sunshine. Maybe that is why I am listening to this song by Yacht, or maybe I just like it? Learn more about this interesting Portland group and how this song was born here.
Yacht- Psychic City
Head over to the Empty Bottle in Chicago on 2.27.10 to see them live or at SXSW in March. Download this song legally free.
New discoveries include: Futurebirds, Efterklang, Ben Sollee, Lux Perpetua, Twilight Elevators, Horse Feathers, and Megafaun. Every day the Harmon Drive Mailbag gets fatter, thanks to all the talented people who have sent in their work. I love my job. Keep it coming at harmondriveblog@gmail.com
Other bands I have been enjoying if you are going through a slump finding new tunes: Beach House, Kings of Convenience, A.A. Bondy, Fanfarlo, Cicada Summer, Dawes, Surfer Blood, and Phosphorescent. Most of those bands can be found on this site.
Congrats to Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore for the Harmon Drive song of the month for January:
Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore- Something, Somewhere, Sometime
This song can be found for free on the Sub Pop sampler page here.
Start the week fresh with a song about love. Jason Collett, has now embarked on a solo career after playing guitar with Broken Social Scene the last few years. Jason is from Canada, and will be touring close to home in March supporting his album that will be released March 9. A snippet of the beginning of his tour below. This song is unreleased but can be downloaded on his website FREE, click here for the link.
Jason Collett- Love is a Dirty Word 03/10/2010 Toronto, ON Lee’s Palace
03/11/2010 Guelph, ON E-Bar
03/12/2010 London, ON Call The Office
03/13/2010 Hamilton, ON Casbah
For more ways to support Jason Collett, scope out his website and tour here.
Some of you may be questioning your life right now. Looking yourself in the mirror. Why? The shots. The booze. The dancing by yourself. Sometimes, it is all worth it. Sometimes. Meet Phosphorescent, they did an entire album of Willie songs to help you through your Sunday blues.
Phosphorescent- Reasons To Quit
Purchase Phosphorescent, To Willie here. Listen to Willie’s version here.
I have kept this one to myself for a few days, I’m sorry. It was selfish. This is as good as it gets for me. Thanks to Hearya for spreading the word about this one. The Futurebirds remind me of the first time I discovered Delta Spirit. It is a feeling that you get when you find something that will stick with you forever.
“Chicago got a lonely wind, makes you wanna stop and call some lonesome friend” -Merle Haggard
1.29.10 *Alberta Cross, Hacienda @Schubas Tavern 1.30.10 *Cold War Kids @The Vic SOLD OUT 2.1.10 *La Roux @Lincoln Hall
2.5.10 *Gov’t Mule @House Of Blues
2.13.10 *Backyard Tire Fire @Double Door
2.13.10 *F**ked Up, Kurt Vile @Empty Bottle
2.15.10 *Editors, The Antlers @Vic Theatre
2.16.10 *Dawes @The Double Door
2.19.10 *Retribution Gospel Choir @The Hideout
2.20.10 *Kings Of Convenience @Metro / Smart Bar
