The Fortnightly Playlist, May 26th, 2019

Well, a fortnight and a half this time. Last week I had a bunch of music to form a playlist, but just didn’t go through with listening to it all and ordering it and writing about it. I needed a break, and I needed some time for silence. I love music, and I’ll basically listen to it all the time. Sometimes it comes to this point where I need to not listen to music because it’s healthy to have some quiet. Something is not right if I hear great music, and I’m not enjoying it. I’m back now, and loving the music again.

Listen Here!

After a long day working late on Wednesday, I was driving home and heard a live in-studio session on the radio by TK & The Holy Know-Nothings. Greg Vandy, host of KEXP’s The Roadhouse, had a great interview with them between songs, and this was the point I got excited to write about music again. Taylor Kingman’s desire to build a loose, groove-heavy jam-band without sacrificing quality lyrical songwriting led to this excellent debut album full of great veteran musicians. Full of brilliant, soulful rock’n’roll, Arguably OK is well-worth the listen.

Fontaines DC’s debut album, Dogrel, has been hotly anticipated. Each single they’ve released has built the anticipation, and they’ve developed a solid reputation in the Dublin area for their energetic live shows. Currently on tour with IDLES, they’ve got sold-out shows almost every date, and the show reviews have been stellar (sadly, no tickets left for Seattle this week). Had to put the two bands back-to-back in the list this time with IDLES new single out as well.

Haelos, Sinkane, Big Thief, Stef Chura, and iLe are among my other favorites currently.

Tracklist:
Cave Clove – Edge of Emergency
Haelos – Empty Skies
Of Monsters and Men – Alligator
The Head and the Heart – I Found Out
Bruce Springsteen – There Goes My Miracle
TK & The Holy Know-Nothings – Lord, Why’d Ya Make Me?
Mdou Moctar – Asshet Akal
Sinkane – Ya Sudan
SonReal – Parachute
iLe – Odio
Shitkid – DETENTION
Dude York – Falling
Versing – Renew
Big Thief – Cattails
Stef Chura – Sweet Sweet Midnight
Fontaine’s D.C. – Boys in the Better Land
IDLES – Mercedes Marxist
Craig Finn – A Bathtub in the Kitchen
Siobhan Wilson – All Dressed Up Tonight
Whenyoung – The Others
Christone “Kingfish” Ingram – Before I’m Old
The National – Oblivions

The Fortnightly Playlist, May 5th, 2019

Collaborations, new discoveries, longtime songwriting legends, solo records, farewells… there’s a little of everything in this edition. Karen O and Dangermouse have their new record out, and coming soon is the return of Bad Books (Manchester Orchestra and Kevin Devine). New albums also out from Craig Finn, Aldous Harding, Wintersleep, and Tacocat, as well as singles from Kyle Craft, Beck, Mavis Staples, and Richard Reed Parry.

Listen Here!

One release that I’ve been particularly excited for is the new EP from Cave Clove, Dollars to Tokens. Cave Clove grabbed my attention last year when I saw them play at Scuttlebutt Brewery with I Will Keep Your Ghost, The Tellers, and Smokey Brights. They were opening that night, and I got the chance to talk with them a little later on. I’ve been looking forward to featuring new music from them ever since then. This is their first release since 2016’s self-titled record which is well worth a listen, and I’d also recommend bassist Alisa’s project, Saalt.

Craig Finn is a storyteller. It’s always been an aspect of his songwriting that I loved. His voice is unique and unconventional, but it’s the storytelling aspect of his songs that hits you. Finn has actually addressed this in interviews, and talks of relating to his characters the way you might expect an author to speak of relating to a character written in their novel. His newest record, I Need a New War, is among my favorites this year. Song after song has struck me, and it’s clear that The Hold Steady frontman has continued to hone his craft to perfection. “Blankets”, “Her With the Blues”, and “Carmen Isn’t Coming In Today” are among my favorites on the new album.

Other favorites this edition include Mark Lanegan, Kyle Craft, Karen O & Dangermouse, and Aldous Harding. Enjoy!

Playlist:
Kyle Craft – 2 Ugly 4 NY
Jennie Lawless – My Good Friend Richard
Aldous Harding – Designer
Patrick Park – Five Alarm
Beck – Saw Lightning
Lizzo – Soulmate
Anderson.Paak, Smokey Robinson – Make It Better
BVA – Brothers
Little Simz – Boss
The Black Keys – Eagle Birds
Mavis Staples – Change
Craig Finn – Carmen Isn’t Coming In Today
Mark Lanegan – Stitch It Up
Karen O & Dangermouse – Redeemer
Richard Reed Parry – Long Way Back
Wintersleep – The Lighthouse
Tacocat – The Joke of Life
Bad Books – Lake House
The Cranberries – All Over Now
Cave Clove – I’m Still Tryin’