Another week kind of flew by without enough time to even listen to music, let alone write about it. When you add that the fact that hockey playoffs will begin next week, things aren’t looking very good for the progress of this blog. I still try to make a few quick posts every now and then, so I don’t lose the last few people that still might care. I still buy music even if I don’t seem to find enough time to listen to it. Today I picked up the new J.E. Sunde vinyl from the local record store and last week I downloaded Jon Mckiel’s latest album Memorial Ten Count. Jon Mckiel is a Canadian songwriter that I probably should have been listening to for several years by now, but this is actually my first proper introduction to his music. I really dig the new album though and therefore I’m happy that I finally filled this hole in my music education. I’m especially fond of these songs Brothers and Unknown Source that you’ll find below. Memorial Ten Count was co-released by my favourite Canadian labels You’ve Changed Records and Headless Owl Records on 10th of March 2017.

Jon Mckiel Website

An early shout out of great things to come. There’s a new John Moreland album Big Bad Luv coming out on May 5th on 4AD. I think it’s pretty damn cool to see such a classic label expanding their catalog into new territories by signing one of the finest current country songwriters, poets and storytellers. May can’t come soon enough, because I’m extremely excited to hear a new John Moreland album. An album of the year contender even before hearing a single word or note. Oh wait, actually I have heard a little bit. This first outtake It Don’t Suit Me (Like Before) surfaced a few weeks ago and sounds mighty good to me.

John Moreland Website

Today I’ve been mostly listening to the new Digger Barnes album Near Exit 27 and I’m loving it. Digger Barnes is a Hamburg-based country songwriter. I first heard his name some years ago when he played in Finland with another great troubadour Austin Lucas. I didn’t see the show, but I listened to the music enough to know that Digger Barnes is pretty damn good and someone that I need to keep an ear on. The new album came out on 10th of March on Barnes & Quincy and it’s rather brilliant based on a first couple of spins. Here’s the new music video for a wonderful album outtake called Travelin’ Man. The video was directed by Pencil Quincy.

Digger Barnes “TRAVELING MAN” Music Video from Pencil Quincy on Vimeo.

Digger Barnes Website

It’s only March and I’m already so far behind and have a dozen or so releases that I would like to feature on the blog. Sometimes I’m too lazy, sometimes I’m too busy and sometimes I’m just making art out of excuses. That doesn’t stop me from buying more and more music though and drag myself deeper into the hole. The always great UK-labels Fika Recordings & Wiaiwya Records co-released Bill Botting and The Two Drink Minimums album Better Friends on the 10th of March. I had been waiting for this one for a couple of months, because I really enjoyed the first outtakes from the album. Therefore I downloaded it on the release day and the album turned out to be just as wonderful as I had hoped.

I can’t say that I’m very familiar with Bill’s musical adventures before Better Friends. He was the bass player in an awesome pop group called Allo Darlin’ and he is also one half Moustache Of Insanity that is criminally unknown to me. Actually I probably would have completely missed this gorgeous album, if it hadn’t been released on Fika / Wiaiwya. I fully trust their taste and check out everything they put out. Anyway, this Australian songwriter has put together a really lovely and instantly enjoyable debut album. Somehow it keeps me smiling even during the sadder moments of it. It’s a folk-tinged pop companion that will keep you warm during these last winter days. My early favorite is probably Burning Bridges. A great song and Bill Botting and Hannah Botting sing it together so beautifully. Better Friends is a gorgeous album.

Bill Botting & The Two Drink Minimums at Facebook