The blog has been standing still for various of reasons, but I’m on vacation now and try to post a few songs I’ve loved the most during the recent times. First off to Montreal, Quebec for the new Le Ren song and EP announcement. Love Can’t Be The Only Reason To Stay was one of my favorite songs (and music videos) of 2019 and I’m thrilled that Secretly Canadian signed her and will release a new EP Morning & Melancholia on the 31st of July. Here’s the beautiful new song and video If I Had Wings.

Le Ren at Facebook

Moving over to Toronto, Canada for a double beauty from Luka Kuplowsky. Le Ren joining Secretly Canadian roster and Luka Kuplowsky becoming a part of the Mama Bird Family has been some of the best music news of this horrible year. We already got the cover EP Judee Justin Arthur Mary in April and it’s followed by an album full of own material on the 2nd of October. Here’s a Judee Sill cover There’s a Rugged Road from the EP and the first single Never Get Tired (of Loving You) from the forthcoming album Stardust.

Luka Kuplowsky at Facebook

Sticking in Toronto, Canada for a while, but briefly celebrating the finest music of 2014. The great Spanish label Son Canciones reissued and extended edition of Julie Arsenault wonderful album The Creature That I Call Myself. Here’s Island Girl from the original album along with a Southern Souls live video of Prochoice that can be found from the Mom Rock EP and from the extended edition of this album.

Julie Arsenault at Bandcamp

Last station on this roundabout is Galway, Ireland and my favorite song from the marvelous new Brigid Mae Power album Head Above the Water that was released by Fire Records on the 5th of June. This captivating and powerful song is called Wearing Red That Eve.

Brigid Mae Power at Facebook
Brigid Mae Power Website

My words aren’t strong enough, so these powerful songs and amazing people can do the talking. Black Lives Matter.

First up is the wonderful Sunny War from Los Angeles. I’m Human is an outtake from her 2018 album With the Sun. I also highly recommend the 2019 album Shell of a Girl or well everything that she has done.

Sunny War at Facebook

Moving on to Milwaukee to hear the single Another Man from Nickel & Rose. They are currently donating all the funds from the single to Milwaukee Freedom Fund, so why not grab a copy from Bandcamp.

NIckel & Rose at Facebook
Nickel & Rose Website

Next to Knoxville, Tennessee for LeAnna Eden’s Protest Song. I’ve shared a few of her songs over the years, but probably not this one. It first appeared in 2016 as single / music video and a revisited version can be found from her 2019 album Ease Your Soul, Chapman.

LeAnna Eden at Facebook

Let’s go back to where we started. Los Angeles and Sunny War. This time accompanied with Chris Pierce and together they are War & Pierce. Amen is their brand new single, but I also included the 2016 song On and On, because the song and the video is important.

War & Pierce Website
War & Pierce at Facebook

Just a quick double EP feature tonight, because I need some sleep. First some postmodern doo-wop from Portland, Oregon. Shoobeedoo High, Shoobeedoo Low pt. 1 is the debut EP from Terry’s Paradise and it was produced by Karl Blau. It’s a mighty good EP as a whole and then there’s the lead song Full Moon that is just utterly brilliant. There’s also zero need to be doo-wop or 50s rock enthusiast to love this. Just listen and it will all make perfect sense.

Terry’s Paradise Website
Terry’s Paradise at Facebook

Next something quite different, but equally wonderful. Michigan-based Via Mardot led by Olivia Mainville released their self-titled EP on the 25th of February. A bit of classic vibes here too, but instead of doo-wop this takes influence from 60s french pop and spaghetti westerns. Here’s the gorgeous opening track Stand. Listen to / buy the whole EP from their Bandcamp.

Via Mardot at Facebook