Frank Turner - I Still Believe

English folk-punker Frank Turner is THE MAN! It seems like I've been listening to him non-stop lately (of course it helps that I just picked up a couple of his albums that I didn't have). Today's video is from 2011's England Keep My Bones record. Watch this video and get saved by rock and roll!

The Lone Bellow - You Never Need Nobody

I just picked up the debut record by The Lone Bellow yesterday, and while I haven't listened to the whole thing yet, I have certainly liked what I've heard so far. It wouldn't surprise me at all if this Brooklyn band "becomes" the next Avett Brothers, Mumford & Sons, Lumineers or The Civil Wars.

Johnny Marr - Upstarts

Hell yeah! New music from former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr. I'm certainly diggin' this one. I sure hope the rest of The Messenger (released today) is just as awesome.

Hot Water Music - Drag My Body

I totally slept on the return of Gainesville's Hot Water Music last year. Dumb move on my part. Exister, their first record in eight years, certainly brings the post-hardcore goodness.

Father John Misty - Hollywood Forever Cemetary Sings

I just picked up Father John Misty's Fear Fun record last week. I had no idea what it was about but I dug the dark and haunting samples that I heard online (plus it was only $2.99 on Amazon...still is...I think). Turns out Father John, AKA Joshua Tillman has a pretty extensive catalog of solo material and at one point played drums for Fleet Foxes (a band that I'm just starting to warm up to). This video's kind of out there, but it fits the overall mood of the song. Check it out.

Bettie Seveert - Had2Byou

I just picked up the new Bettie Serveert record Oh, Mayhem! and plan on spending some serious time with it this afternoon. It's hard to believe that it's been 21 years since this Amsterdam band's amazing debut record Palomine came out (I still consider that record to be one of the 10 best of the 90s). Still sounding vital, here's the fantastic first single off Oh, Mayhem!

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - We No Who U R

There's a brand spanking new Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds record out this week. I'm almost "certain" that Push The Sky Away will be just as cheery and optimistic as his previous records. Yeah...all kidding aside, I've heard great things about it and plan on picking it up as soon as possible. Unfortunate song titles aside, We No Who U R is classic Cave. Here's the video.

Your New Favorite Song Artist Spotlight - Jen Lawson

Welcome to another Your New Favorite Song Artist Spotlight. This week, let's get to know Southern Michigan country singer and guitar slinger Jen Lawson.  

Lawson started her musical journey at an early age. Inspired by her guitar playing father (who was an Elvis impersonator with his band, The New Generation) she picked up the instrument at an early age and learned some basic guitar chords. After a year or so of practicing on her father's guitars she finally received one of her own at the age of 15. Now, years later, you can find her playing at local coffee houses, wineries, festivals, fairs, and pretty much any open mic around her hometown. She’s become an avid songwriter and jokes that “everything can be made into a song!”

THE INTERVIEW

Your New Favorite Song: It’s time to get the party started, what are you asking the bartender to make for you?

Jen Lawson: I'm not a big drinker.  I'll usually just have a glass of wine or maybe a Pucker and Sprite. 

YNFS: Describe your music in a single Haiku.

JL: Acoustic Guitar
And words that tell a story
That most relate to

YNFS: What are five bands/performers that you simply cannot stop listening to?
 
JL: 1.) Keith Urban has been a favorite of mine since he was with The Ranch in the 90s. I love his musical expression on the guitar and he seems so genuine. I love that guy.
2.) Brad Paisley is another guitar hero of mine. He's got great song hooks and he's an amazing acoustic guitar player and, in my opinion, doesn't show that off nearly enough.
3.) The Judds, in particular, Wynonna because she pretty much molded my musical style. I grew up listening to what is now referred to as Classic Country. But one day I heard a Judds' song on the radio and it just "clicked" with me. I had the musical bug, so to speak. I studied every little facet of Wy's singing style and her range was similar to mine so I identified with her more compared to other female singers of that time. A couple years later I had my first guitar and was learning all of The Judds' songs in addition to anything else I could get my ears to hear.
4.) Terri Clark is someone that I first saw on CMT when her video for "Better Things To Do" came out. She was driving a jeep and had this cowboy hat on and playing a Telecaster. I thought, "Who the heck is this chick? She's pretty cool!" I've been a fan ever since. I've had the pleasure of meeting her several times and she's just "cool." I love her sense of humor. The cool thing about Terri is that she, along with Wynonna, helped mold my vocal style and I get comparisons to Terri all the time! It's a great compliment that I'll gladly take anytime.
 5.) The last artist that I cannot stop listening to is Sonia Leigh. She is a newer artist that emerged last year and comes from Zac Brown's label, Southern Ground Artists. Her music doesn't fall under any one category and I love that about her. She can go from country, to folk, to chick/acoustic music and I love it all. She writes great songs and plays that guitar pretty well. How can you hate on that?

YNFS: OK. We’re all friends here. There’s no judging. We all have them. Why don’t you tell me your five “guilty pleasure” bands/artists that you cannot stop listening to?

JL: 1.) I love Stone Temple Pilots. I think they have great guitar riffs and great, what I like to call, "weird" chords in their songs that you don't always hear in Country Music.
2.) Guns N Roses is another favorite. I grew up listening to them and I stole my brother's copy of  "Appetite For Destruction" when I was in 6th grade and would play it in my Walkman.  
3.) I love me some "J.T." -- Justin Timberlake. He has some great beats that I love to "bump" in my Camaro in the summertime!
4.) I also love Britney Spears. I don't care if she's auto-tuned in the studio! When I hear a Britney song come on I secretly say, "Yes!" in my head!
5.) I love Lady Gaga. Weird as she may be, I think it's great that she's not afraid to be who she truly is.  She's also a great musician and an incredible singer and songwriter.
 
YNFS: Cats or Dogs?

JL: This is an easy one, dogs! Cats are jerks who think they can do whatever they want. Dogs are loyal and are always happy to see you, even if you leave to go outside for one minute and come back in. They act like they haven't seen you in five years.
 
YNFS: Who’s the most famous musician/artist/actor you’ve ever had the pleasure to meet? Paint the picture. What happened?
 
JL: I have met a few but the coolest story to tell is that I was at Lilith Fair in 2010 here in Detroit and I was there to see Miranda Lambert. I was rushing to get back to my seat from getting a couple drinks to make it in time for Miranda to take the stage. As I was walking past the mixing boards in the center of the pavilion seats, out walks this guy and literally runs into me and makes me spill one of my drinks. I look up, ready to cuss this person out, and I realize it's Blake Shelton. My demeanor quickly turned from sarcastic and cranky to star struck and surprised. I immediately said with enthusiasm, "Blake!" He looked at me just as surprised as I looked at him. I don't think he realized he'd be recognized at Lilith Fair. So, I asked him if I could go grab my camera and come back to the sound boards and get a picture with him. He was really cool and agreed and I got a nice picture with him and got to talk to him for a few minutes before Miranda hit the stage. 

YNFS: Every performer has had “those moments” on stage. So, you choose (but feel free to answer both): What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you on stage? AND/OR What’s the weirdest thing that’s ever happened to you on stage?

JL: The most embarrassing thing that happens to me, not happened, is forgetting words to songs. I even forget the words to my own songs. I think that's because I don't practice as much as I should. I work about 50 hrs per week and there are days that I don't even pick up my guitar. I need to get out of that habit. But music just sort of turned into a side occupation and something that I've been able to make money at so I really need to start practicing and taking music more seriously.
 
YNFS: Seeing that we’re just starting 2013 what are your musical goals for the year?

JL: My musical goals for 2013 are to write more songs, become a better guitar player, and broaden my musical tastes. I tend to stick to listening to just country because that's what I relate to and can generally learn to play pretty quickly. But there are so many other good songs out there in different genres (I hate that word, haha) of music. I need to get myself to start branching out.

YNFS: Finally, If you could say one more thing to potential and current fans about your music what would it be? Sell us on your awesomeness!

JL: I hope that my music continues to be relatable to my fans. I always try to write songs that will inspire someone the way that other songs have inspired me. I want to have cool guitar riffs and beats in my songs that will make someone hear it and say, "That song is cool! I wanna learn that!" I just want to be to my fans what Keith, Brad, Wynonna, Terri, Sonia Leigh, and countless other artists have been to me.

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Here's Jen playing one of her newer songs Make A Preacher Cuss.



Jen has a bunch of videos of originals and covers on her YouTube channel. She's also on Facebook so make sure to give her a like. 

Bad Religion - True North

Bad Religion has been around now for over 31 years...and they are still going strong with the January release of True North. To be honest, I haven't had a chance to pick it up YET, but if it's anything like their previous 15 albums (and when it comes to Bad Religion it's a pretty safe bet...if you know what I mean), it should be a high-octane rush of melodic punk rock goodness. Here's the video for the kickin' title track.

Blake Shelton - Sure Be Cool If You Did

So the nominees for the Academy of Country Music Awards were announced today and it should come as no surprise that Blake Shelton is up for two of the biggest awards -- Entertainer of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year. He also co-wrote the Single of the Year and Song of the Year with his wife Miranda Lambert, who is also up for Entertainer of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year as well (last year Miranda won the award for the top female and Blake won it for top male). Something tells me the Oklahoman who coached the last two champions on The Voice has a great shot at taking home some more hardware this year.

Blake's 8th studio album will be released on March 26th. The video for the first single off Based On A True Story was released on Monday...here it is.

Eels - New Alphabet

I just picked up the new Eels album Wonderful, Glorious yesterday. HOLY WOWSERS PEOPLE!!! This record smokes. A little bluesy. A little groovy. Simply put, it's a rocking good Eels record. Make sure to watch this one to the end.

Your New Favorite Song Artist Spotlight - The Paisley Fields

James and Jessica of The Paisley Fields

About two minutes after my Your New Favorite Song Artist Spotlight on Derek Bishop a few weeks ago, I was contacted by Brooklyn-based country/blues/jazz band The Paisley Fields. OK, I wasn't contacted by the band, it was actually lead vocalist and piano player James Wilson. He mentioned to me that The Paisley Fields were embarking on a small east coast tour with Derek (kicking off on February 16th) and wondered if would I be interested in featuring them. "Of course," I replied. "A friend of Derek's is a friend of mine." That's how we roll here at Your New Favorite Song. Plus, it was about time to finally do a band profile. But, that also meant ditching most of the asinine questions I normally ask (otherwise we'd get four separate answers for each question which would just be silly). Wilson agreed to do the talking for the band and assured me that he consulted a few of his bandmates including lead vocalist Jessica Kimple, drummer Rob Knopper and guitarist Joe Kimple on the answers.

Your New Favorite Song: It’s time to get the party started, what can we get y’all to drink?

The Paisley Fields (as told by James Wilson): Rob, Joe and James will have a beer. Jessica likes honey whiskey.

YNFS: Describe your band’s music in a single Haiku.

TPF: tulips and whiskey
in a honky tonk riot
piano on fire

YNFS: What are five bands/performers that the band HAS to listen to on roadtrips to shows or just artists/bands that the band collectively likes?

TPF: We are going on our first tour in February, but we will definitely have to bring along Dolly Parton, The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys, Johnny Cash and Janis Joplin. Our buddy Derek Bishop is coming along on the tour so I’m sure he will have some music to contribute too.

YNFS: Every band has one of those gigs where nothing seems to go right and it seems like a disaster at the moment, but given time everyone can look back and laugh. Do you have any good stories that you can share involving the band?

TPF: Fortunately all the gigs we have played as a band have been pretty successful so far. One time I was playing a show with another band and a beer that was sitting on the piano fell off. It spilled all over the piano keys and shattered on the floor. I didn’t stop playing or anything, but it was my one punk rock moment. I’m sure my bandmates have some interesting stage stories too.

YNFS: What are the band’s goals for 2013?

TPF: We are putting out a new EP titled “Dixie Queen” that will be accompanied by a six-city tour. Our goal is to get that music to as many ears as possible. The EP will be released halfway through our tour on February 19th. The tour starts in Philadelphia on February 16th and will take us through DC, Greensboro, Nashville, Memphis and back to Brooklyn. Our website has a full list of dates and once the album is up it will be available there too (thepaisleyfields.com) (Editor's Note: y'all better hook a brother up...LOL).

YNFS: While any gig for a band is always a good one, are there any in particular that you are looking forward to playing this year whether it be a festival, headlining or opening for well-known artist/band?

Dixie Queen EP will be released on 2/19/13

TPF: We are really looking forward to our whole tour, but we are especially excited about the shows in Nashville. Our friend Willie Thomas Huston will be joining us for a couple shows there.

YNFS: To go along with the last question, has the band had the opportunity to open for or play with any “established name acts” (for lack of a better term)? If so, how was it? If not, who would the band like to play with (within reason of course)?

TPF: We have all been playing music our whole lives, but as a band we are pretty new. We haven’t had the opportunity to perform any opening spots as a group yet, but we look forward to the day we can! It would be a dream come true to share the stage with anyone who has had an influence on our musical lives.

YNFS: Finally, if you could say one more thing to potential and current fans about your music what would it be? Sell us on your awesomeness!

TPF: Give us a listen! We have fresh sound that’s influenced by time-tested songs. We are sort of a combination of Mumford and Sons, meets The National, meets Arcade Fire.
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And now here's a sneak preview video of music from The Paisley Fields' Dixie Queen EP which will be released on February 19th.



The Paisley Fields can be reached online via their website, Twitter and Facebook.