It's not a new year's song, per se, though traditionally sung at midnight here and abroad. Rather, its message of friendship everlasting after a life well- and long-lived finds voice in, and brings hope and closure to, a multitude of celebrations throughout the English-speaking world, predominantly funerals and other ceremonies of remembrance. I posted a set of covers of Auld Lang Syne back in the waning days of 2009, too. But the Robert Burns poem and its various melodies seem particularly apt this year. For we heard its [...]
In this week's Pitch : Hudnall talks with Sam Billen about Christmastime. Reviews of recent releases from Wrath and Ruin , Victor and Penny , and Man Bear .… [ Read more ] [ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]
Tambourine Club isn't the only act with a holiday recording available for free this year. Sam Billen has created and curated an amazingly ambitious 14-track endeavor called A Light Goes On .… [ Read more ] [ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]
Our tendency towards revisiting posts gone by through the lens of new releases and projects is especially apropos this weekend, given the continued recovery efforts in our little torndao-ravaged town. While the rest of us sift through the rubble, let's sift through the archives, taking account of some new and noteworthy works from artists featured previously here on Cover Lay Down. We first featured young started-out-bluegrass band the Farewell Drifters on the release of the hook-heavy Yellow Tag Mondays , their 2010 release; back then, they [...]
As a defining event at the heart of the Western world's most dominant religion, the Christmas story is perhaps the most sung-about narrative in history. But it's not just its religious importance which makes Christ's birth so present in the air and the airwaves. The prophecy foretold; the kings, the star, the road; Bethlehem and the manger; Mary and Joseph - as a text, the multifaceted story breaks down into a dozen moments, stretching far enough for a myriad of narrative approaches, from a multiplicity of perspectives. And whether we grow [...]
Every year, I find my struggle to stave off Christmas Creep stymied by the drive to provide the meaningful and new before early-season eagerness can be replaced by weary resignation. Oh, sure, I wish it were otherwise - after all, December has so much more to offer, from Hanukkah to the very real possibility of an early snow day. But being the last blogger on the block to cover Christmas risks hitting folks when their patience for the songs of the season has already been exhausted. And dropping the best of [...]
Sam Billen is a busy man. Between raising his baby daughter, working full time at the University of Kansas, and running his new business, BillenSounds, LLC, he somehow finds plenty of time to dedicate to his passion - making music that moves. Since joining The Record Machine last year, he's released a good amount of music: a digital EP entitled Tokyo Sessions, a full-length album called Headphones and Cellphones, a Christmas compilation (including songs by friends Half-Handed Cloud, The Paper Route, and Andrew Conner from Ghosty), a solo piano album called Death of a Saint, and his most recent project, [...]
You know what's tasty this time of year? Smooth, sweet and cool ice cream. I just had some - well a variation on the theme since I can't eat dairy- and it brought to mind another tasty item, cover songs. Since I'm still in too much of a food coma to finish off the post I had started earlier today I am instead sharing with you the musical equivalent of the huge serving of ice cream I just inhaled. These are the top picks from my recent covers acquisitions. So, eat up! I Love You Always [...]
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Yo! Here is a bunch of stuff you might be interested in hearing/downloading/jamming to/raising an eyebrow at! Your options are basically limitless! For more jams or by any of these artists use the 'tags' links at the bottom of the post! ♫ Klaxons - Flashover / Klaxons' massively acclaimed 2007 debut never struck a chord with me but now that I have been revisiting it I am realizing I missed out on an awesome album. This new track of theirs isn't getting me as hyped as I am [...]
This afternoon we have some covers for you from Sam Billen. Both tracks keep a fairly similar sound to the originals, each done in a bit more laid-back manner. You can get a few other from his covers album Removers at the link. It's a work in progress - a cover a [...]
Sam Billen - To Kingdom Come (Passion Pit Cover)
This week was one of those weeks that's puts things into context. Covering music is a bitch. Between Sasquatch! , Arcade Fire , Belle & Sebastian , The National , Smashing Pumpkins , and all the festival lineup announcements , I think I speak for everyone here at CoS when I say we're a bit tired. And that's even after a four-day work week. So, while we catch our breath, use this time to check out the following mix of music's best new singles, covers, and remixes, along with mp3s from some up-and-comers you [...]
Remember our friend Sam Billen , who brilliantly covered The Postal Service's "This Place is a Prison" (among others)? He's now providing the latest from his covers and remix album, Removers , this time taking on Passion Pit's "To Kingdom Come". But what about the "fragile, melancholic ting", you ask? Still there, don't worry. Get Removers for free here . Sam Billen - "To Kingdom Come" (Passion Pit cover) [MP3] Bonus: Sam Billen - "Different Lives" [MP3] (Original material! From his 2009 album [...]
The newest twigs and branches of the folk movement are still growing strong, if this month's inbox is any indication - and that's a very good thing, indeed. So today, for our regular midweek feature, we present news about a set of relatively new, relatively young artists that we've posted about before, making them ineligible for inclusion in our regular New Artists, Old Songs feature series...but perfect for a particularly focused edition of (Re)Covered . A majestic set came in last week from Arborea , [...]
With so much new music coming at us from all directions all the time, there are going to be those... Check out Indie Rock Cafe for more songs, artist and band profiles, playlists and videos.
Late night email for the ages. We were just sent a few tunes from Sam Billen off his Removers album, with remixes and covers that range from Sufjan Stevens to Deastro to The Postal Service. His voice has a fragile melancholic ting, and he adds a bit of dreaminess to the songs with airy crescendos in unexpected places. He released the first four songs you see in the widget below last month, and this month he delivered Sufjan and The Yellow Magic Orchestra. Pick up the album for free here . [...]
Quick but heartfelt kudos to indie label Grinding Tapes for posting this timely in-house take on this classic year's end carol from The Points North . The flutes, guitar, and ragged vocal harmonies combine exquisitely, revealing a delicious old-school minimalist pubfolk perfect for a snowed-in New Year's Eve. The Points North: Auld Lang Syne Just as potent, in it's own way, is Sam Billen 's achingly fragile banjo-tinged [...]
I hate doing this. Rounding up the year's best local releases only makes me think of failure. Not failure on the part of any artist, mind you -- well, not usually -- but rather failure on my part... Continue reading "Harper's Neurotic Local Top 20 and Whatever, Don't Get Excited" >
Its that time of year again, when musicians either try their hand at covering the winter classics or go even further and attempt to pen the next holiday standard. In the spirit of sharing a little cheer I thought I'd amass some of my new favs for you. Silver Bells - Anni Rossi Let It Snow - Julian Koster [...]
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