A tried and true strategy this week is as follows:
- Newish record from an artist related to someone I enjoy
- Something new to me, and to the world
- Older song from band I recently discovered
Mikey Erg “Just Like Judee Sill”
This is Mikey Erg, from the Ergs, with his new release Live At Leads. The album features Alex Clute, Lou Hanman and of course, Jeff Rosenstock. So hot right now.
It’s an easy listen, but far from easy listening. Thoughtful lyrics that are fun to sing along to, despite being about Canadian things I don’t understand.
Who is Judee Sill?: It is a fun rabbit hole about her there.
Vandoleirs “Every Saturday Night”
The most country song on the Friday and whatnot playlist. I checked the band out on the strength of Laura Jane Grace’s excitement for the new album. Although the lyrics don’t describe my experience in “the state of”, it is a fun one to sing with some aggressively Texas lyrics.
Used to sing along to Turnpike [troubadours]
Vandoliers
Headin’ down an FM road
I always took the long way
The sun rose before we got home
In the ultimate popular song writing move, the Vandoliers dive straight into the chorus. No waiting. The lyrics, melodies, and guitars on this track, and most of the rest of the album, feel like Lucero if they flipped their mix of Punk/Country.
Defiance, Ohio “I’m Against the Government”
This track shows up on some “Best Indie Rock of the 2010s” or “Best Folk Punk” lists out there. The band is comprised of a double bass, cello, and violin in addition to the traditional vocals and drums.
They were active from 2002 in Ohio until around 2016. Their last EP, The Calling, was released in 2013 and features the track below. A few of their other other songs from earlier albums are pretty rad as well. See “You Are Loved”, “Condition 11:11”, and “Oh, Susquehanna!” for some examples.
What’s a good folk punk song without an anti-establish, anti-government message?
So what do you do with a council full of charlatans
Defiance, Ohio (the band, not the city)
pounding on the table with their dirty hands?
