Bill Callahan

The incomparable Bill Callahan just released his latest album "My Days of 58" a few days ago, and true to form, it's quite lovely.  "Stepping Out for Air" sounds like a man reevaluating his entire life, the ups, downs, twists, and turns of it all.  But with some horns thrown into the mix for good measure.  Check it out below and snag the LP here from Drag City.

Daily Jam - Four Hearts in a Can

Do you have that part of you that just wants to get lost? To get in your car, to go out for milk or cigarettes, and to never return? To pull off of the freeway and turn onto a lonely road that leads to…somewhere? Or nowhere. There’s this little piece of me that wants to drive into the desert, a beautiful, serene sunset to one side of me and an ominous, terrifying stormfront to the other. Nothing in front of me but road. And nothing behind me but dust and more road. I’m not running from anything, I just need some quiet. I just need to breathe. Alone in my thoughts. Alone in my head. Alone in my car.

Pinks and oranges and blues and yellows. The universe turns into an array of colors before me, the result of light and particles and different wavelengths. And I drive onward, windows open, wind and the remaining sun on my face, the hum of the engine and tire tread on pavement, until I’m reset. Until I’m restored. Until…

…I’m back.

Cue up “Four Hearts in a Can” from Smog’s 1996 album The Doctor Came at Dawn, and start the engine. Check the gauges, and the fluids, and the gas. Then go.

Daily Jam - Four Hearts in a Can

When i'm in the right mood, nothing soothes the soul quite like the music of Bill Callahan...or (Smog)...or Smog, if you will.  Here's a lo-fi folk cut from 1996's "The Doctor Came at Dawn."  Check out "Four Hearts in a Can" below, our Daily Jam.

Old Fire

Old Fire is the project of Abilene composer and producer John Mark Lapham.  "Voids" is the new album from the project that drops on Friday which the artist describes as "a sprawling mural illustrating the isolation and decay that defined growing up in West Texas, and the losses and frictions he has endured amid such a bleak backdrop."  Having grown up in West Texas myself, i can attest.  The record mixes elements of folk, country, jazz, ambience, and more and features some guest vocals from Julia Holter and Emily Cross among others.  Check out the practically devastating "Don't You Go" below featuring a vocal assist from Bill Callahan, and pre-order the album here from Western Vinyl.
 

Bill Callahan & Bonnie "Prince" Billy

Through pretty much the entirety of this global pandemic, fellow troubadours Bill Callahan and Bonnie "Prince" Billy have been releasing singles and covers together with a slew of guest artists like Ty Segall, Sir Richard Bishop, Cassie Berman of Silver Jews, and on and on.  They've all been great, and now you can get them all in the same place with the recently released "Blind Date Party."  All 19 tracks are wonderful, but check out this new version of Callahan's own "Our Anniversary" featuring Dead Rider.  Then get the record here from Drag City.

Bill Callahan & Bonnie "Prince" Billy & Ty Segall

Bill Callahan and Bonnie "Prince" Billy have been releasing collaborative singles with a whole slew of other artists over the last few months, and their latest is a cover of "Miracles," a gospel rarity from Johnnie Frierson.  And this time around, they're joined by Ty Segall.  Check it out below and get it here via Drag City.

Daily Jam - Cold Blooded Old Times

Cold blooded old times.  Cold blooded old times.  Cold blooded old times.  Here's Smog's "Cold Blooded Old Times," our Daily Jam.

Bill Callahan

September brings us a new record from the indispensable Bill Callahan.  The artist is set to release a new track of folky Americana every week until the "Gold Record" LP drops.  Listen to opening tune "Pigeons" below and pre-order the album here from Drag City.

Bill Callahan covers Leonard Cohen

Bill Callahan just released a couple of lovely covers for our listening pleasure, Lee Clayton's "If You Could Ever Touch Her," and Leonard Cohen's "So Long, Marianne."  I'm a total Stan for Cohen, so i always enjoy different artists' interpretations of his work.  Check out Callahan's alt-country leaning, Americana take on the classic song below, and then get both songs here via Drag City.

Bill Callahan

Bill Callahan has been making music forever, first with his old project Smog, and for the past several years under his given name.  A soothing, almost speak-sing baritone, laid over alt-country, folk, and Americana, Callahan sounds like taking a walk into the woods or the countryside and staring critically into the heart of a nation, campfire stories and laments.  New album "Shepherd in a Sheepskin Vest," his first in over 5 years, drops tomorrow on Drag City.  Check out "Son of the Sea" below and order the record here.

Bill Callahan - Have Fun with God

So, Bill Callahan's excellent 2013 album "Dream River" has been looped with mixing and effects to create a dub version of the album called "Have Fun with God."  And it's fantastic.  Hypnotizing.  Like taking acid and wandering into the jungle.

I'm as shocked as you are.

Listen to "Expanding Dub" below and get the record from Drag City.

Fun Fun Fun Fest 8: Day 1 pics

Oh Fun Fun Fun Fest, the fest that's so fun, they're literally giving a Twinkies away.  Day 1 was chilly and awesome with some notable highlights being the ridiculous covers medley performed by Mac DeMarco (snarky, snarky, snarky), Thee Oh Sees proving consistently that they are the best live band in the county, Johnny Marr performing some Smiths classics, Bill Callahan opening his set with a cover of "White Light, White Heat," and the aforementioned free Twinkies.  Check out some pics below.

Daily Twinkie consumption count: 3.

Active Child

Poolside

Beach Fossils

Ceremony

Mac DeMarco

Johnny Marr

Kurt Vile

Thee Oh Sees

Bill Callahan

Snoop Dogg

Bill Callahan

Somewhere between the psych-tinged country drawl of Lee Hazlewood and the spirited and vast mountain and valley folk music of America lies one Bill Callahan.  Having made music for decades (previously under the moniker of Smog), Callahan has perfected his songcraft into one of introspective lyrics, often taking an almost mournful tone due to his vocal cadences, but all the while retaining a sense of humor.  New album "Dream River" finds the man completely comfortable with himself and his surroundings, his warm vocals like an old friend you've missed for years.  Listen to "The Sing" below and grab the album from Drag City.

"Beer and thank you."