dc.

WTMD has been playing this song almost on repeat. It's pretty darn catchy. Though, the Genghis Khan reference is intellectually lazy to me... Ha. Anyway, the video cracked me up. Bravo.

They really might be the best act out there- definitely the most diverse, exciting. And their bassist might be the chillest fella on the planet. And damn her voice can do gymnastics

Made it to Hot August Music Festival yesterday, was very cool. Saw some great acts like Cabinet (bluegrass jam band) and Punch Brothers (side project of Nickel Creek front man). Headliner was Counting Crows... personal fave who played a great set, but short - only about 90 min Did a great alternate version of one of their sins I hadn't heard before - Goodnight Elizabeth mashed with Lou Reeds Pale Blue Eyes. Below is a version from years past, transition is at about 3:30. They are great at mixing these things.

The Bellevederes are another one I caught at that WTMD concert. Good retro stuff - some very rare. But my favorite part is their hypeman Velvet Johnson. Not his best work here, but a little taste... and he just stands around and claps for the rest of the show.

Bosley! A local boy. Nice choice. Have you heard his cover of Beck's "Debra?" Can't find it online right now... but so good. Meanwhile, I saw him at WTMD's 24 Hour concert at their new venue a few years ago. Walked in as he started this song. The intro, in person, is pretty epic. It just builds and builds. Not quite captured on the track as well.

The other one in my head this week...

Future People - Alabama Shakes. The two tracks above are good. This is the track that makes my jaw drop sometimes, thinking this is the same band as 3 years ago. And thinking damn, Brittany can sing.

Two groups that are evolving in a big way... First, all signs point to these guys absolutely DESTROYING IT with their new album. I was on board when they just had the EP with Hold On a few years ago - but these new tracks are just unreal. https://youtu.be/_sNNTpORtDQ Then, these fellas... well, they are definitely evolving and re-inventing. I like this version of the tune on SNL a lot more than I like the actual track. It just sounds muddy to me. Not sure how I feel on this change. I respect their comments, though, where they pretty much said, "We had a lot more in us than our first albums; we didn't want to remake that." I am hoping the rest of this album maybe has some middle ground because as I said, not sold on it yet. And yes - Garfunkel and Oates are hilarious. I love Kate Marcucci (is she G or O?) from her roles with Scrubs and Raising Hope.

Don't disagree. It's a cover of a really, really cheesy techno-y pop song from the late 90s (I think). I mean REALLY cheesy. I didn't even recognize it when I first heard it. I was also just more impressed - when you compare to "Long Hot Summer Day" and their other worl, when this song first came on the radio I didn't even think it was technically acoustic - let alone Nickel Creek.

Playing for Change is also amazing!

Nickel Creek is great. They were child prodigies and hit it big in the early 2000s. Their comeback last year was phenomenal. Their version of Hayloft sounds like a techno sing off shirts, but all just their instruments and voices.

Had this stuck in my head for about a month now.

Michael Kiwanuka... crazy mixture of some of the greatest in classic soul/rock/folk... Van Morrison, Willie Nelson, Al Green... all hidden in here. This is the one that's just been stuck in my head for weeks. But check out his others.

Bengal Billy... we can start this debate if you want... but put on some Mumford & Sons or some Dawes and tell me they aren't doing some fantastic things. Writing all their own music. Playing it all themselves. Quality song writing without being cheesy or overly cliched. And both, at very young ages, have written not only solid albums, but albums that span from anthems to slower quality 'drawls' for lack of a better word.