naturalismo

To say the word “Festival” is to summon myriad imagery: revelers hoarsely singing songs over jugs of wine, dancing, sharing, smiling, laughing, and enjoying that rare sense of community that has, as we move further and further into the 21st century, been replaced by insularity. But is the imagery of the festival lost? Antiquated? Romanticized? Yes, of course. There are, however, threads of that quilt left behind - captured periodically on record as a dusty reminder of the human animal’s potential for interconnectivity. In the realm of family, in the voices of siblings, you can not only sense the connection between performers in the studio, but you can hear the sympathetic vibration of vocal cords united by the glue of genetics.

Such is the case on Language of Stone’s recent release by Festival, Come Arrow Come! The songs are stitched together lovingly and admirably by the band’s core duo, sisters Lindsay and Alexis. Despite a lack of overt musical complexity, the sisters’ charming blend of chamber pop, folk, and psychadelia finds its strength in blood.

[download] “Boxcar” + “Blown Light“

[Festival on myspace]

[photo © rebecca gillespie]

Ex Reverie, a project conjured forth from the fertile musical community of North Philadelphia, is a showcase for the talents of Gillian Chadwick. The project’s debut album The Door Into Summer was co-produced by Chadwick and Greg Weeks at Weeks’ Hexham Head Studio in North Philadelphia, and features contributions by members of Espers, Fern Knight, Woodwose, and Golden Ball among others. The music was performed primarily by Chadwick on lead vocals, guitars, dulcimer, percussion and keyboards, David Chadwick (Golden Ball) on bass, Margie Wienk (Fern Knight) playing cello, and Greg Weeks (Espers) providing acidic lead guitar, background singing, recorders and organs, along with drummer Julius Masri and additional touches by violinists Katt Hernandez and Gretchen Lohse and flautist Jessica Weeks.

[download] “The Crowning” + “The Years” from The Door into Summer (Lanaguage of Stone / Drag City)

Upcoming Shows:

Founded in the summer of 2007 by Greg and Jessica Weeks, Language of Stone is quickly becoming a label to keep an eye on. With his affinity for analog recording and supportive approach to the artists he helps record, Weeks presence is felt throughout Stones repertoire. In November Language of Stone saw the release of Mountain Homes beautiful self titled debut and the wonderful Orion Rigel Dommisse album”What I Want From You Is Sweet.’ With two exciting new releases by Ilya Monosov and Ex Reverie slated for release January 22nd now is as good a time as ever to get yourself acquainted.

Mountain Home

Mountain Home (Band Members include Marissa Nadler, Joshua Blatchley, Greg Weeks Kristin Sherer, and Ilya Monosov) started by accident one evening when Ilya Monosov called future band member Joshua Blactchley to sit in for him at a show. Read More

Mountain Home - Sparrow

Listen: [stream]

Ilya Monosov

Ilya’s Winter Lullaby sounds like a Spanish waltz with Cohenesque vocals. I have really been enjoying this song from his upcoming album.

Ilya Monosov - Winter Lullaby

[stream]

Download: Ilya Monosov - Winter Lullaby

Orion Rigel Dommisse

I just got this album and am quite entranced by her quirky vocal flourishes and dark acoustic sound scapes.

Stream songs off of her new album“What I Want From You Is Sweet” here.

Ex Reverie

Ex Reverie’s debut record, The Door into Summer, will be released on January 22, 2008 by Language of Stone. Said to be in a period reminiscent of Bolan’s transition from acoustic to the electric. Download Orange Flame.

Ex Rerverie - Orange Flame