Music from Vacation: Volume 1

Hey everybody. Long time, no see, eh? I've had some family stuff going on here over the past few weeks and haven't really had time to deliver new tunes to your e-doorsteps. Sorry about that.


Anyway, when last I blurbed about this blog on facebook (which, if you don't "like" this over there, you probably should, especially if you don't have a Blogger account), I mentioned a little something about blogging from the magical land of Phoenix, Arizona. You know, the state that cheated on New Mexico with California? Anyway, it turns out that week was more action-packed than I had anticipated, so didn't really get to do any actual blogging, BUT I did find time to slink off to a local record shop and pick up three CDs by bands native to the Phoenix area. Two of them were outstanding and one of them was bloody awful. Today, you get to learn about one of the great ones.


Owl & Penny - Summerflower

Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io

Owl & Penny is essentially a one-man outfit from what I can gather. The dude writes really great, plaintive acoustic folk tunes. Touchstones for listeners would probably be Iron & Wine or Bright Eyes, but less whiney than Conor Oberst and not as literary-minded as Sam Beam. I suppose it falls somewhere in the middle of both if you need that sort of reference point. Either way, these are well-written songs, and while he touches on subjects like homesickness, nostalgia and recreational drug/alcohol use, it never sounds stale or well-trod. Something about it manages to stay fresh.


Owl & Penny - Wooden Rings

Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io

The songs here are from the CD version of "Fever Dreams" and I can honestly say there's not a bad song on it. It was hard picking just two. It's online as two EPs, "Fever Dreams" and "Stolen Silver," both of which are on the old iTunes and thinkindie.com. He's also just released a new digital, two-song single called "Two Beasts" from his forthcoming next album, available through the same avenues. And hey, he's even taking pre-orders for T-shirts on his facebook page if you need something with which to cover your jubblies... ladies. And maybe if enough people like this post, I can convince him to come play in Oklahoma City and crash on my couch sometime. Buy it. For the children.


Music from Vacation: Volume 2 coming soon. I'll give you two hints as to who it is: 1) They share a label with Owl & Penny and 2) They're not the band that sucked. Vague, I know, but happy hunting. See you next time (which I promise won't take nearly as long as this time).