speakers in code feature 1

Pajammy Jam of the Day | Psalmships – Sparrowful Sorrow

Photo courtesy of the artist Wrapping up the week of melancholia here on Speakers in Code, today’s Pajammy Jam of the Day is “Sparrowful Sorrow” from Philadelphia’s Psalmships. Psalmships is the songwriting vehicle for Joshua Britton, where he’s backed by a rotating cast of stellar musicians, and “Sparrowful Sorrow” is a lush and weary song … Read more

speakers in code feature 1

Pajammy Jam of the Day | The Young Romans – Tiger Child

The Young Romans don’t play country music, but I do hear some pretty guitar picking on today’s PJOTD, and it resembles early solo Ryan Adams. And that’s basically a surefire way to keep me from switching to the next song. So, congrats to these Young Romans — they killed me with simplicity and a familiar … Read more

speakers in code feature 1

Pajammy Jam of the Day | Lemolo – On Again, Off Again

Photo by Genevieve Pierson Lemolo, named after Lemolo Shore Drive where the lovely ladies of this dream-pop duo used to teach kayaking lessons, is making waves in Seattle right now. Pun intended. In fact, I first heard about the buzzy Meagan Grandall and Kendra Cox via another Seattle band who rocked the boat hard enough … Read more

speakers in code feature 1

Pajammy Jam of the Day | kindlewood – Give & Take

Some songs are meant for certain moments, and “Give & Take” from kindlewood might just need your full attention. Not sure. I’ve tried it in the car, at home on the stereo, and at work with headphones. The car usually wins in my world; in this case, I’d recommend your best phones, sitting in a … Read more

speakers in code feature 1

Pajammy Jam of the Day | Rosie Thomas – Sometimes Love

Photo by April Brimer Rosie Thomas once wrote a song called “Bicycle Tricycle,” which could probably be used as a universal definition to describe the feeling of nostalgia. Other songs in her catalog, like “Farewell” and “Death Came and Got Me,” are for sure some of the saddest songs ever written.  (I should note, however, … Read more

speakers in code feature 1

Pajammy Jam of the Day | Banjo or Freakout – 105

Photo credit: Robert Bellamy Banjo or Freakout is Alessio Natalizia, an Italian multi-instrumentalist and producer living in London. You might know his previous work: remixes and reworks for such bands as Bloc Party, LCD Soundsystem, The Soft Pack, and Bombay Bicycle Club. Today’s JOTD, though, is synthy, folky, shoegaze-y pop all his own.  Named “105” … Read more

speakers in code feature 1

Pajammy Jam of the Day | The Milk Carton Kids – Michigan

Photo by Brendan Pattengale “When it hurts most/ it’s the right thing…” Such hard hitting lyrics usually knock us on our asses, and in the case of The Milk Carton Kids’ most poignant line of “Michigan,” our Jam of the Day, it’s no different. However, we gotta say, what hurts the most right now is … Read more

speakers in code feature 1

Pajammy Jam of the Day | Gillian Welch – Hard Times

Hard times ain’t gonna rule my mind, sugarHard times ain’t gonna rule my mind no more I’m posting this for no other reason than it’s simply one of the best songs written in the last few years, and today, I really needed to hear it. Thanks, Gillian.

speakers in code feature 1

Pajammy Jam of the Day | Active Child – Evening Ceremony

Our favorite angelic-voiced, harp-wielding musical genius, Active Child, is currently hard at work on his sophomore LP — but in the meantime we’ve been given this haunting new track entitled “Evening Ceremony.” It appears on the soundtrack for the new Stephanie Meyer inspired movie The Host, which also includes the likes of Ellie Goulding and … Read more

speakers in code feature 1

Pajammy Jam of the Day | Mimicking Birds – Burning Stars

Lately, it seems that everywhere I turn, someone is chirping praises for Mimicking Birds. After touring with Modest Mouse in 2009, lead singer, Isaac Brock, signed the Portland trio to his record label, Glacial Pace. With some influential heavyweights already in the band’s corner, Mimicking Birds recently released its Brock-produced, self-titled debut album. And I … Read more

speakers in code feature 1

Pajammy Jam of the Day | Joseph Arthur – In the Sun

Photo credit: Danny Clinch Although the song has been used in plethora of films and television shows, the first time I actually heard Joseph Arthur’s “In the Sun” was when Michael Stipe covered it for a Hurricane Katrina relief benefit EP in 2006. Stipe’s vocals accurately alternate between hope and despair, and while many artists … Read more

speakers in code feature 1

Pajammy Jam of the Day | GAYNGS – The Gaudy Side of Town

Do you enjoy musical groups with a bevy of multi-talented members? Yes! Do you indulge in your favorite musicians’ side-projects? Indeed! Do you dig Bon Iver? Naturally! Do you groove to jazzy, extended, eighties-style, spaced out jams? Why not! If you answered all of the above in similar fashion, then GAYNGS (yes, all caps) should … Read more

speakers in code feature 1

Pajammy Jam of the Day | Y La Bamba – Juniper

Portland’s Y La Bamba is fronted by Luzelena Mendoza, the only daughter of a Mexican immigrant. A complex character who draws inspiration from her strict Catholic upbringing and also the debilitating illness that led to her crisis of faith, Mendoza’s signature vocals weave magical threads of both the traditional and contemporary. It didn’t take long … Read more