Hezekiah Jones: “Borrowed Heart”

Hezekiah Jones is a collective of philly based folk musicians that sounds to me like Campfire Ok mixed with Mason Jennings. I discovered this band through Shaking Through, where you can download the song for free. This song, “Borrowed Heart,” has an amazing depth of sound and was written to the film of The Bride of Frankenstein. I haven’t had a chance to listen to a lot of their music yet, but after this song, I’m excited to hear more.

Hezekiah Jones – “Borrowed Heart”

Hezekiah Jones -Borrowed Heart by The Wounded Jukebox

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–Glenn

Chad VanGaalen: “Sara”

Rather humbly, this man would refuse the title of our modern Orpheus.  But in actuality, Chad VanGaalen can charm the pants off any gender, and soothe any beast to stupor.  It’s ridiculous how dynamic his voice makes the music surrounding it.  You could bring him to a rap-battle, and he would change the rules just by being there.  VanGaalen began with just simple tinkering in a bedroom studio, but with the sharing of what would be his debut Infiniheart in 2004, came an immediate record deal with Canadian Flemish Eye and the subsequent ascendance to the U.S. Sub Pop.  It’s been rainbows ever since, with Skelliconnection in 2006 and the excellent, excellent Soft Airplane in 2008.  That record changed my life, in ways that still surprise me to this day.

chad vangaalen – willow tree by pickepocket

Soon though, I’ll have to deal with more upheavals, because on May 17th, his brand new album Diaper Island is released in the U.S.  And, if your thoughts are quenched at the thought of waiting- fear not!  There is a early preview available to you.

“Sara” sits a version of Chad down in a chair, right in front of you, and offers a tender strum-a-dum about a girl who occupies the safest part of a mind.  It’s a much simpler song than we’re used to hearing from him, with a double layer of acoustic guitar and a backing vocal that will sound familiar to any fan.  And if you’ve never heard the Canadian whistle, now’s your chance.  Grab “Sara” below and count the days to May 17th along with me.

Chad VanGaalen – Sara by subpop

If you like his work, you should also dive into Black Mold, VanGaalen’s instrumental project.

(Diaper Island is available 5/17/11 from Sub Pop Records)

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-Matt

Bravestation: “White Wolves”

Guitar sounds in vacuous spaces do the trick.   Add a little surrounding synth, and you get the new single from Toronto’s Bravestation.  “White Wolves” is a bit of love lorn in a empty warehouse, aching for more, but wanting to remain secluded to prevent further damage.  With some Narnia references stirred in, it’s just fun enough to be worth your time.  Grab it, and two remixes done by Young and the great Teen Daze below.

(The White Wolves single is available now)

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-Matt