Mariachi El Bronx - 48 Roses

The Bronx is a hardcore punk band formed in 2002 in Los Angeles.  Having gained some success with their albums and style, in 2007 they decided to release two albums. The first would be the in their usual style and the second would be a mariachi (Mexican style) album.  The band continued to tour under both names at festivals in the US and UK and have released their second mariachi album (Mariachi El Bronx II) a couple of months ago.  

They performed the track here,  48 Roses, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRnAHX4bf0s on The Jay Leno show at the time of the album's release.  Tracks by The Bronx are available on YouTube should you wish to compare the style differences. 

I enjoy mariachi music but am no expert, however to my ears, it sounds pretty good.  Only two members of the band are of Hispanic descent (one is the son of a member of Los Lobos) so it's laudable that they appear to have managed to write and sing well in both styles without sounding contrived. 

http://www.mariachielbronx.com/

Husky - Dark Sea

Husky are an Australian band who don't particularly sound Australian.  I've been asked to justify this statement and, to be honest, I can't really.  After all take a listen to The Walkabouts who are American and have just released their latest brilliant album but who definitely sound Australian.  OK maybe it's just me. (I always think Arcade Fire sound Australian too - The Triffids have a lot to answer for, I guess!)

Anyway, Husky are a new band to me who are quite difficult to research, bearing in mind that they share a name with a popular breed of dog and also at least a couple of other bands across the decades.  They were brought to my attention last week and although I am trying to steer away from the sudden influx of beards and acoustic instruments heading this way at the moment, I keep returning to their fine album Forever So which contains the track Dark Sea http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gey_wfeaHYU&feature=player_embedded  and also the idyllic Tidal Wave amongst other things.  You can stream the whole album on Soundcloud.

The band started off in their hometown of Melbourne and are now performing sell out shows across Australia and have also supported Noah and the Whale and Devandra Banhart amongst others.  'Pensive', 'dreamy' 'thoughtful' are media descriptions of the album but don't let that put you off (as it almost did me).  Make yourself a cup of coffee, put your feet up in front of a roaring fire and enjoy.


http://www.huskysongs.com/




 

Buried Beds - Steady Hand

In 2003 in Philadelphia, Eliza Jones and Brandon Beaver, who were longtime friends, formed Buried Beds, who at the time were a duo.  But over several years they have grown into a fully fledged chamber group, containing banjos, string quartets, viola, electric guitars and piano, to name but a few of the instruments.   

Their latest album, Tremble the Sails, was recorded almost entirely in Eliza's living room and was mixed by Nick Krill.  Without wishing to pigeonhole them, it is possible to hear echos of The Beach Boys in there and even ELO, which makes for an interesting mix.  They are very popular on the Philly live circuit and like the previous Truffler featured band, they have also been known to cover a Kate Bush song - Hounds of Love this time .  This particular song is a live version of a track from the album, Steady Hand.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lM5jDvudLbM


If you are wondering about the name, the story goes that during the yellow fever epidemic back in the early days of Philadelphia, the city made everybody bury their bed to curb the spread of the disease. Meaning essentially, Philadelphia is built on buried beds.  So now you know.

http://www.buriedbeds.com/index.html

Treefight for Sunlight - Facing The Sun

Well it may be winter, but it's still relatively mild here in the UK and I am still dreaming of the summer days we didn't really get this year and those we hope will arrive in 2012.  So this track fits my mood nicely.  From the forthcoming US album release "A Collection of Vibrations for your Skull" this is Danish Band Treefight for Sunlight with Facing the Sun http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVxTDmDXcAM

The band cite their influences as The Beach Boys and the paisley underground scene.  Great harmonies and jingling jangling guitars abound here and although it seems to be over too quickly, it actually comes in at just under 4 minutes.

Looking their work up on YouTube, I discovered they cover Kate Bush's Wuthering Heights. I definitely can't recommend that one - there is something very wrong there - although their own stuff is well worth spending a bit of time on.

http://www.treefightforsunlight.com/

Juan Zelada - The Blues Remain

I have been hovering a bit over posting this song.  When I went to see Michael Kiwanuka last week (where I also saw and posted a song by Dan Croll), Juan Zelada was the guy I missed because I arrived too late.  The song The Blues Remain, which is being touted around the radio stations is slick and the stuff of Radio 2 dreams.  Of course he's talented but I wasn't sure if it was for me.  However this version of just Zelada and his piano is much more to my taste.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EjPqMQFWS4&feature=related

We have become a bit of a global music site here at Truffler - bands and musicians with backgrounds ranging across UK and Ireland, the US, Canada, Iran, Belgium, Italy, New Zealand and now, with Juan Zelada, we have reached Spain.  Spanish born Zelada arrived in London a few years ago and immediately set about making a name for himself by creating something of a buzz around the live circuit.  Being a prolific songwriter as well as an accomplished pianist and guitarist, it wasn't long before he could be found supporting the likes of Amy Winehouse and writing sessions with members of Duran Duran.  Like Dan Croll, he is a former LIPA student and whilst there, was presented with an award for songwriting from Paul McCartney.

So I decided that by not including him on here, I was maybe being a little unfair.  I do wish I'd managed to catch his live though set as I'd then have a much more realistic view of his songwriting and performing, unspoiled by over-polished production. There is a large back catalogue of work though so if Zelada appeals to you, take a look through YouTube and his website.  I'll be doing the same.

http://www.juanzelada.com

Passafire - Hard to Believe

Passafire are a new band to me even though they are on their fourth studio album.  Called Start From Scratch, it features the track Hard to Believe, the acoustic version of which can be seen and heard here  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btyoz503F1M
The recorded version is available as a free download at the moment.  

Hailing from Savannah, Georgia (they met at Savannah College of Art and Design) the the band claim to combine roots reggae, progressive rock and experimental dub to create a sound all of their own.  They tour relentlessly - often in excess of 300 shows a year - but appear to stick mainly to the States, which probably explains why I haven't come across them before.  

http://passafiretheband.com

King Mob - Selene Selene

King Mob are great fun.  This particular track, Selene Selene http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7F8wZ4uvh8s is available as a free download and I fell for it even before I knew who the individuals were.  They are, in fact, some of pop and rock's greatest names, some or all of whom will be familiar to all of us.  Try this for size - Chris Spedding (Roxy Music, Elton John, John Cale, Paul McCartney and  The Wombles - he was Wellington of course!), Glen Matlock – bass (Sex Pistols, Iggy Pop, Faces), Martin Chambers – drums (Pretenders), Stephen W Parsons aka Snips – vocals (film composer and vocalist of legendary Seventies band Sharks) and introducing new guitarist, Sixteen.

I was searching for some rockier music than I've been listening to of late and along with the obvious rock and role stance, this also reminds me some of the rockabilly stuff I was listening to in the 1980s. Great memories.  And as the band themselves say "we’re the scum of England’s treasure and we wear our sins with pride."

Their album, Force 9, was released on 31st October and they will be playing a one off gig in London at 229 The Venue on 17th November.  

Dan Croll - Home

I went to see Michael Kiwanuka at The Shipping Forecast in Liverpool last night.  As one of only two acts to feature more than once here on Music Truffler, I wasn't surprised to find his set highly enjoyable.  There were also two support acts but unfortunately I only managed to see one (due to circumstances too complicated to go into here).  The act I did see was Dan Croll and he played an impressive set.  You can hear one of the songs, Home, here  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2H1rZxUApq0

Dan, who grew up in Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme, is a LIPA student.   At the beginning of 2011 he was one of 6 most promising students from UK higher education institutions chosen by their peers to compete head to head for a reward of £5,000 to support and further their music career.  Previous winners include The Wombats.  Dan won, of course.

Dan also fronts Liverpool indie rockers Dire Wolfe.


http://www.dancroll.com/

Alabama Shakes - Hold On

Together since May 2009, Alabama Shakes started off as The Shakes, defining themselves as a soul revival/rock and roll band.   Consisting of Brittany Howard, Zac Cockrell, Steve Johnson and Heath Fogg, they have been together since high school and regularly sell out gigs in the US.   Strangely, at the time of writing this they remain unsigned, although an ep of songs is available to buy via their website and they hope to release an album in the not too distant future.

The track Hold On http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQXbf1i24C8 
showcases Brittany Howard's impressive vocals and this video and others reveal them to have a professionalism beyond their years.  Unfortunately there isn't much information about them on the web but it's probably best to let me music speak for itself. 

http://www.alabamashakes.com/

Mozart Parties - Black Cloud

This newly released track by Mozart Parties, Black Cloud, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97ES9ScO_6I certainly benefits from repeated playings.  I decided I liked it enough to feature it on here and then kept playing it while looking on YouTube and various music sites.  Before long I was hooked on the gentle vocals, subtle harmonies and, most of all, that wonderful bassline. 

Mozart Parties, aka James Bennet, began songwriting when he moved from London to the Lake District and became inspired by his surroundings. This track is self-released but listening to other tracks on MySpace and elsewhere I am certain he won't remain unsigned for long.  And although this song concerns depression, I find it strangely uplifting.  But maybe that's just me.