If you’re anything like us at Speakers in Code, the music tips you take most seriously are the ones that come from musicians themselves. That’s why we started this here new feature, 10 to Spin, which includes a carefully crafted mix of songs by our (and your) favorite artists. We’re giving bands free reign to … Read more
Boston-born, LA-based trio the Crash Kings rock hard without guitars, basing their keyed up sound on the clavinet. Brothers Mike and Tony Beliveau craft crushers like “Mountain Man,” a #1 hit on alternative radio, as well as beautiful ballads like “My Love” that should appeal to listeners across the wide musical spectrum. It wasn’t until I … Read more
Our LouFest 2013 preview coverage continues with a spotlight on Ra Ra Riot, a band who will playing the Forest Park Stage from 3:30 to 4:30 on Saturday (purchase tickets to the festival here). It’s true: folks (and freaks) wanna dance at outdoor music festivals, so a Ra Ra Riot set makes sense in the afternoon. … Read more
Song Preservation Society is comprised of three friends: Trevor Bahnson, Ethan Glazer, and Daniel Wright. Their brand of folk is streaked with Golden State sunlight and has been compared to the likes of Simon & Garfunkel, The Band, Fleet Foxes and Father John Misty. Together with just acoustic guitars and a charming stage presence, the … Read more
For our first 10 to Spin playlist of 2013, we turn to 17-year-old guitarist Jack Skuller, who, judging from the songs he selected, has fine taste indeed. America’s youth, baby! Represented right here on SiC. Find Jack Skuller on Facebook here. Chuck Berry – Maybelline With his guitar, Chuck took the attitude of the blues … Read more
Happy Monday to all our music friends from across the land! Today, we have a special 10 to Spin feature straight from Seth Porter of St. Louis’ The Blind Eyes, who will be performing at the annual New Year’s Eve Bash at Off Broadway with Middle Class Fashion. The show also features a wonderful “supergroup” … Read more
An Under Cover Weekend needs no introduction in certain St. Louis circles. The wildly successful Friday-Saturday showcase has a very simple formula: local bands, who otherwise would be playing their original material, dedicate an evening to covering one of their favorite bands. This year, the eighth version of AUCW, features a stacked lineup including St. … Read more
Photo by Paul Janovitz “There is no DIY, there is only Do It Together.” Will Dailey believes that, and why shouldn’t he? His upcoming album, due on 8/26, is titled National Throat, and it’s being released independently, despite interest from the “largest record label in the world.” Doing it together means doing it with you, … Read more
One thing the most gluttonous of gormandizing holidays is not lacking is…girth. Given Thanksgiving is now overflowing with deep fried turkeys, blow-up yard pilgrims, ethnic cleansing debates, wine, family tension, pickled beets (you know who you are), and football, it seems as though there’s barely enough room to pack in one extra pinto bean. … Read more
Every year it happens. And every year, I’m still surprised when it happens. Music is a lot like love — the best songs come into your life when you’re not looking or seemingly don’t care. Or, they arrive at exactly the moment when you think you’ve heard it all. The Lumineers is a trio from … Read more
Last August, we interviewed singer-songwriter Alyssa Graham, where she talked about her newly-released EP and her love for Neil Young (who, of course, is a favorite here at SIC). Well, today is a big day for Graham, as the full-length album of that aforementioned EP, Lock, Stock & Soul, has been released to the world … Read more
When Elizabeth Ziman of Elizabeth & the Catapult responded back with her 10 to Spin playlist, our first one of 2012, her theme of “Awesome Broken Voices” intrigued me. I started listening to Ziman’s voice back in 2010 when we featured “Go Away My Lover,” taken from her 2010 album, The Other Side of Zero, … Read more
I never laughed so loud I never laughed so loud I never laughed so loud Think I’m coming down Anaïs Mitchell’s “Coming Down” got us pretty good a couple months ago (like, flood of tears good). Such a simple song, but does it get more emotional? You tell us. You can find “Coming Down” on … Read more
[Editor’s Note – The below text is written by Joshua Cockerill, a.k.a Animal Parts, who will be playing a show for SIC on October 20th at Local 506 in Chapel Hill, NC. Now shhhh…read cautiously…I hear footsteps…] Be quiet and listen. There is a gorilla in the mangroves. I’ve laid out a trail of pogo … Read more
Photo by Todd Roeth No, we’re never gonna have much Myself I’d take such as a compliment We can blame it on the circumstances Oh, at least we took the chances we had to Why we’re attracted to a certain song, a certain album, or a certain band is a mystery. I really do believe … Read more
I knew very little about Jenny Owen Youngs until I heard this song a few weeks ago. And that was when I woke up. Let’s have a listen. (And yes, the ending is brilliant.) That piece of goodness is off Youngs’ latest album, An Unwavering Band of Light, which is a must-listen for those of … Read more
Photo by Simon Birk Of course, it’s a familiar formula for a song: summer comes, and a relationship ends. And Fallulah’s latest, “He’ll Break Up With You When Summer Comes,” is just that on the surface — an old routine. But there is something about her voice when she sings, “You motherfucking asshole, you make … Read more
As a music blogger, it’s a bit tough to admit this – the reason I picked up Gross Ghost’s new LP, Brer Rabbit, is it has a really pretty cover. There. My soul is now free. Luckily, my post-purchase experience with it was even more pleasurable, even beyond the clear vinyl that the awesomely-designed sleeve … Read more
St. Louis native Bhi Bhiman has a big voice, and it’s best experienced on “Guttersnipe” from his 2011 album, Bhiman. You’ll have a chance to see him tomorrow evening at Plush in Saint Louis, where Bhiman will be opening for Josh Ritter & the Royal City Band, a show that will almost surely sell out, … Read more
Tonight, singer-songwriter Grace Weber will be performing at Off Broadway in Saint Louis (8 PM), singing songs off her latest release, Hope & Heart. The 23-year-old has already appeared on the likes of Oprah and The Today Show, and Billboard called her an “artist to watch.” Let’s take a few minutes to watch the video … Read more