Your Weekly Download Lowdown - Antlers

Hospice, the superb release from Brooklyn, NY trio The Antlers, will be hard to top when I set out to compile my favourite records from 2009. The album’s profoundly emotional themes make for a powerful listening experience. The album is built around a central narrative about a man losing a loved one to cancer and despite its evocative, even difficult subject matter I find I am drawn to listening to it time and time again. The set is both completely heartrending and very compelling. Be assured you won’t forget this one soon.

I was curious then to hear the band’s recently completed Daytrotter.com session. First off, if you are new to this band, I highly recommend you download the tracks that comprise this session. Peter Silberman’s incredible falsetto truly makes these tracks essential. All of the songs have a certain organic quality that colour them differently this time from the fragile melodies that comprise Hospice.

If you like that, go buy the record. You won’t be disappointed but maybe a little sad. Highly recommended.

Your Weekly Download Lowdown

For the record I do not receive royalties from Daytrotter nor have I ever done so. I just like them a whole heck of a lot. (So you may have noticed.) The little website that enthralls, challenges, thrills, occupies and entertains me on a diabolically consistent basis. Seems the venerable Daytrotter has done it again with two new sessions I would be remiss if I didn’t bring to your downloading attention.

The first is prolific musician Bob Mould. Yes, that Bob Mould- founding member of Husker Du and Sugar. (His real claim to fame though is writing the Daily Show theme song “Dog on Fire”.) Bob previews a number of songs from his forthcoming ANTI Records release entitled Life and Times and this one is on fire. I’m really looking forward to his new release due out on the 7th of this month. Download Here

Next up is another veteran of the music scene. Stephen Malkmus. This time Stephen isn’t promoting anything in particular but just doing what he does best- Quirky jams and wicked rock outs. The highlight might just be the unreleased "Funk 49"; Featuring the incendiary talents of Portland's Blitzen Trapper. Download Here

Speaking of which, NPR is currently hosting a show from the aforementioned Washington rockers. The quintet headlined NPR Music's day party from The Parish in Austin, Tex., on March 19th and it’s definitely a keeper. Listen and download here.

And lastly but certainly not leastly, Chicago’s favourite son’s Wilco have a performance up on Aquarium Drunkard. This time featuring their smoking hot performance on Austin City Limits from the summer of 2007. If you didn’t really like Sky Blue Sky listen to some of the songs in a live setting and you might just change your mind. Download Here

Happy downloading!

Your Download Lowdown

Now for something completely different- This week the download lowdown features a comedian, a Canadian hip-hopper and an upcoming show by what might be the most exciting band I have heard this year.

New York comedian, Eugene Mirman (Sub Pop Records) kicks things off with a terrific road story told by him. It’s a shame there is only one piece but it is worthy of your attention. Go to daytrotter.com to find this one.

Also on daytrotter.com is a terrific session by Edmonton, AB rapper Cadence Weapon. I have to admit after hearing his live Canada Day performance on CBC Radio's Q, I really regret not going to see him the last time he was through the city. A thoroughly engaging performer with energy to spare.






Lastly, mark your calendars for this one.

July 7: Fleet Foxes In Concert
Live On NPR.org From Washington, D.C.

The members of Fleet Foxes like to say they're not much of a rock band, but they are one of the year's breakout acts. The group's self-titled debut, released earlier this year on the Sub Pop label, has earned universal acclaim for its timeless mix of folk, choral and rock. It's a sound that's both a revival and a reinvention of roots music, with inspired attention given to melody and harmony. Hear Fleet Foxes give a full concert, webcast live on NPR.org, on July 7th. The performance, from the Black Cat in Washington, D.C., will begin online at approximately 10 p.m. ET.

If you would like to sample this terrific band, check out the archives on daytrotter.com for the Fleet Foxes session recorded last April.

That is all.

Islands In the Session

If you read this blog regularly you are more than aware of my great love for daytrotter.com. Without question my favourite place to discover and download music that is sometimes familiar and other times entirely new to me. The love in continues this week with a new session by Montreal’s own Islands. Four songs have been posted and I encourage all of you to visit and have a listen. Fresh on the heels of their superb new Anti release, Arm’s Way (out today) these songs are well worth addition to your favourite portable music device. One of the highlights, at least for me was the cover of Brian Eno’s ‘Big Ship’ from Another Green World. Imaginative pop with a blackened edge the three additional tracks are superb. The talented sextet is currently on the road and I suggest you check to see if they might be playing in your neighbourhood. Tour dates here.

Download and enjoy.

And speaking of free music, I would like to direct you to NPR’s site to listen to DeVotchKa live at the 9:30 Club in Washington DC. Fresh from the current tour with opener and my favourite girl Basia Bulat this concert is pure joy. The band is a wonder to hear live and even more divine to see.

Basia Bulat Sessions on Daytrotter

If you read my blog type thing you have no doubt seen I have a real fondness for the music of Basia Bulat. As her white hot streak towards superstardom continues some wonderful sessions to prove she is indeed no flash in the proverbial fame pan. Not to mention a Sam Cooke and Daniel Johnston cover thrown in the mix. I would swear the woman is after my own heart. Alas, I can dare to dream.

Basia's tour of North America continues. Her recent SXSW gig garnered rave reviews.

Link and enjoy.