photo by Farouk Mechedal
I love "Warmest Winter" by Linnea Ellis. It makes me all goosebumpy. I'm really surprised this isn't on everyone's playlist already. I've got the darn thing on constant repeat.
Linnea Ellis was born in Borlänge, Sweden. She was playing the violin at the age of three, started playing guitar and writing songs around age 12. She experimented with various styles before settling on a Folky Nordic Pop sound. In 2003, Linnea moved to Stockholm where she worked in bars and sang in clubs. They were "blurry years" for the artist--working, partying, playing, partying, and just trying to find a place to live--all contributed to an exhausting and confusing time. Eventually, she moved to Oslo, believing she'd had her fill of Stockholm. In 2008, Linnea wrote and recorded an EP on her laptop in her bedroom, including "Warmest Winter". But on the laptop it stayed.
Linnea began DJing, became a booking agent for other female DJs, and campaigned for parity for women in the music industry. After nearly a decade of this, she reconsidered some of her choices. "I thought I was done with Stockholm," she says, "but after a while I realized that I wasn’t running away from the city so much as from my emotions. So I gathered myself, moved back to Stockholm, and brought with me this song.”
Linnea Ellis was born in Borlänge, Sweden. She was playing the violin at the age of three, started playing guitar and writing songs around age 12. She experimented with various styles before settling on a Folky Nordic Pop sound. In 2003, Linnea moved to Stockholm where she worked in bars and sang in clubs. They were "blurry years" for the artist--working, partying, playing, partying, and just trying to find a place to live--all contributed to an exhausting and confusing time. Eventually, she moved to Oslo, believing she'd had her fill of Stockholm. In 2008, Linnea wrote and recorded an EP on her laptop in her bedroom, including "Warmest Winter". But on the laptop it stayed.
Linnea began DJing, became a booking agent for other female DJs, and campaigned for parity for women in the music industry. After nearly a decade of this, she reconsidered some of her choices. "I thought I was done with Stockholm," she says, "but after a while I realized that I wasn’t running away from the city so much as from my emotions. So I gathered myself, moved back to Stockholm, and brought with me this song.”
When the women who would become Linnea's producers--Caroline Lanté (Judy K) and Hanna Ekström (Stockholm Strings)--heard "Warmest Winter", they were convinced they'd found a gem of an artist who was ready to shine. Linnea, too, was ready to move her EP from the laptop to the studio and on to the world.
"Warmest Winter" is very atmospheric and just packed with emotion. And there is so much emotion, and with nothing in the surrounding music wasted, I find myself reflecting on my own stack of emotions. It's like I'm on a long bus trip, looking out the window at a snowy white world, and contemplating my own life--the good and the bad, the fears and the hopes. Songs that can do that--make you reach inside yourself and lay all the secrets bare (even if they're only secrets you were keeping from yourself)--songs like that are rare. They are gold. But even if you don't want to do an inventory of your life or think about the emotions in "Warmest Winter", the music is absolutely stunning. It's a dreamy melody and the production is perfection (to repeat myself, not a single note or sound is wasted). Dare to dance with her; you won't regret it.
"Warmest Winter" by Linnea Ellis is available from CD Baby and Amazon. A full EP should follow. We'll have our ears out for that one. And Linnea is writing new music, as well, for which we should all be thankful.
"Warmest Winter" is very atmospheric and just packed with emotion. And there is so much emotion, and with nothing in the surrounding music wasted, I find myself reflecting on my own stack of emotions. It's like I'm on a long bus trip, looking out the window at a snowy white world, and contemplating my own life--the good and the bad, the fears and the hopes. Songs that can do that--make you reach inside yourself and lay all the secrets bare (even if they're only secrets you were keeping from yourself)--songs like that are rare. They are gold. But even if you don't want to do an inventory of your life or think about the emotions in "Warmest Winter", the music is absolutely stunning. It's a dreamy melody and the production is perfection (to repeat myself, not a single note or sound is wasted). Dare to dance with her; you won't regret it.
"Warmest Winter" by Linnea Ellis is available from CD Baby and Amazon. A full EP should follow. We'll have our ears out for that one. And Linnea is writing new music, as well, for which we should all be thankful.
After looking at my life and crashing back into the hard, hard world, "Peace" is exactly what I need.
Ruth Acuff is generally referred to as an Indie Folk artist. But how many Indie Folk artists do you know who have the harp as their axe? I think of Folk musicians, I picture a guy walking along the railroad tracks with a guitar slung on his back. I don't think you can do that with a harp. But it sure does sound sweet.
I know you're asking and, yes, Country star Roy Acuff is part of the family tree, but Ruth's blazing her own musical trail. I'd have thought the harp would have been the dead giveaway. Ruth Acuff resides in Missouri and, after fronting a Psych Rock band and an Alt Folk band, embarked upon a solo career, releasing the EP "Paisley" in 2011. She has one full length to her credit, "This Is The Dream" (which features the song "Winter", btw...just sayin'). Although she actually plays several instruments (including the Uke), the harp really serves to bring out the beauty of her angelic ethereal (almost childlike) voice. The addition of a small string set on "Peace" further help to frame both Acuff's harp and voice.
Ruth Acuff is generally referred to as an Indie Folk artist. But how many Indie Folk artists do you know who have the harp as their axe? I think of Folk musicians, I picture a guy walking along the railroad tracks with a guitar slung on his back. I don't think you can do that with a harp. But it sure does sound sweet.
I know you're asking and, yes, Country star Roy Acuff is part of the family tree, but Ruth's blazing her own musical trail. I'd have thought the harp would have been the dead giveaway. Ruth Acuff resides in Missouri and, after fronting a Psych Rock band and an Alt Folk band, embarked upon a solo career, releasing the EP "Paisley" in 2011. She has one full length to her credit, "This Is The Dream" (which features the song "Winter", btw...just sayin'). Although she actually plays several instruments (including the Uke), the harp really serves to bring out the beauty of her angelic ethereal (almost childlike) voice. The addition of a small string set on "Peace" further help to frame both Acuff's harp and voice.
When the cold has ahold on you,
it takes everything you have to keep on pushing through.
Peace is what I wish for you.
When there’s no one else but you, alone in a crowded room.
Peace, a calm you can trust.
You’re breathing in that stardust.
it takes everything you have to keep on pushing through.
Peace is what I wish for you.
When there’s no one else but you, alone in a crowded room.
Peace, a calm you can trust.
You’re breathing in that stardust.
Those are some really nice and well written lyrics. The harp notes at the beginning of "Peace" feel like the sun sparkling off the waters of a peaceful lake lapping the shore at sunset. And the "choir break" (cuz I don't know what else to call it) near the end feels very much like being gently touched by an angel, and all of your woes being drained from whatever swamp of darkness has accumulated within. Ruth Acuff may, indeed, be an Indie Folk singer, but "Peace" lies somewhere between New Age and Chamber Pop, I think. Grab some "Peace" from Bandcamp or Amazon. And do it soon; you look like you could use some.
Two straight holiday singles without a single mention of Christmas? Well, we'll fix that right now.
We touched upon "This Life (This Christmas)" by Milton & Jones briefly in our review of "A Very Cherry Christmas 13", but this brand new song is also a stand-alone single coming out on Friday and well worthy of being featured by itself, although I'm not sure what I could add to the fine job done by Christmas Underground. Well, "encyclopedic Stubby" (inside joke; Jim gets it) has to at least give it a try.
Even if you've only dabbled in Indie, you should know Neil Milton. He's a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer and has been (and, technically, may still be) a member of several bands plus a solo artist, but probably is best known for his work with The Frozen North, a Post-Rock instrumental band (well...that's where I know him from). Neil is also the founder and CEO of Too Many Fireworks, a small independent record label that started in Glasgow, Scotland, and relocated (with Neil) to Warsaw in Poland. Neil had been writing songs and looking for a musical partner. Among the ideas he was working on was a Christmas song--a song he admits he wrote just to see if he "could do it, do it festive, and do it well".
Jules Jones called Seattle home, where she was one fourth of the Dream Pop band Ephrata. Jules was also a filmmaker and, in 2017, relocated to Warsaw to write and make the sequels to the film "Planeta Singli". She very much missed her band and was hoping to find someone in Warsaw to collaborate with. While researching music for the soundtrack, Jules noticed that she couldn't find any songs about Christmas break-ups where the break up was acknowledged as final and a good thing. All the songs were all "pining for the fjords" (i.e. "I want you back") and what not..."we'll meet again, don't know how don't know when"...that sort of thing.
As it just so happened, Neil had spent some time on radio in Poland promoting film music. Jules and Neil crossed paths online, Neil mentioned his Christmas song, which was just the sort of thing Jules had been looking for and...folks, we got us a Hallmark movie, here. They had tremendous fun writing and recording with each other and you know what I always say...if the performers are having a good time, the listeners will as well.
Now, musically, I used the term "shoegazey" in the Cherryade write-up (distorted guitars will do that to me). And I'll retract that. But I'm not going to jump on the Spector bandwagon, either. I think people leap too quick to the Spector analogies. But you know what I do hear? I hear a bit of Beatles in there. Listen to that riff in the chorus and tell me that isn't something the boys from Liverpool would do? Anyway you look at it, though, it's some mighty fine Indie Pop that can stand on its own without comparisons to anyone. And I do love the lyrics. “We’ll never meet again / not gonna be friends / this is a happy end / This life’s gonna start / this Christmas.”
The virtual flip is "Love Actually", a sweet understated tune about a couple sharing movies on Christmas (which gives us another one of those Indie song titles with a double meaning). How long before that couple is watching the Hallmark movie based on Neil and Jules and their Christmas single? Because "Love Actually" is a little less rambunctious than "This Life (This Christmas)", you actually get a better sense of how well the voices of Milton & Jones sound together. They sound fantastic and I certainly hope the collaboration doesn't stop with one single. Come Friday, you can get "This Life (This Christmas)"/"Love Actually" by Milton & Jones from Bandcamp or Amazon. You done did it, Neil and Jules, did it festive and did it well.
We touched upon "This Life (This Christmas)" by Milton & Jones briefly in our review of "A Very Cherry Christmas 13", but this brand new song is also a stand-alone single coming out on Friday and well worthy of being featured by itself, although I'm not sure what I could add to the fine job done by Christmas Underground. Well, "encyclopedic Stubby" (inside joke; Jim gets it) has to at least give it a try.
Even if you've only dabbled in Indie, you should know Neil Milton. He's a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer and has been (and, technically, may still be) a member of several bands plus a solo artist, but probably is best known for his work with The Frozen North, a Post-Rock instrumental band (well...that's where I know him from). Neil is also the founder and CEO of Too Many Fireworks, a small independent record label that started in Glasgow, Scotland, and relocated (with Neil) to Warsaw in Poland. Neil had been writing songs and looking for a musical partner. Among the ideas he was working on was a Christmas song--a song he admits he wrote just to see if he "could do it, do it festive, and do it well".
Jules Jones called Seattle home, where she was one fourth of the Dream Pop band Ephrata. Jules was also a filmmaker and, in 2017, relocated to Warsaw to write and make the sequels to the film "Planeta Singli". She very much missed her band and was hoping to find someone in Warsaw to collaborate with. While researching music for the soundtrack, Jules noticed that she couldn't find any songs about Christmas break-ups where the break up was acknowledged as final and a good thing. All the songs were all "pining for the fjords" (i.e. "I want you back") and what not..."we'll meet again, don't know how don't know when"...that sort of thing.
As it just so happened, Neil had spent some time on radio in Poland promoting film music. Jules and Neil crossed paths online, Neil mentioned his Christmas song, which was just the sort of thing Jules had been looking for and...folks, we got us a Hallmark movie, here. They had tremendous fun writing and recording with each other and you know what I always say...if the performers are having a good time, the listeners will as well.
Now, musically, I used the term "shoegazey" in the Cherryade write-up (distorted guitars will do that to me). And I'll retract that. But I'm not going to jump on the Spector bandwagon, either. I think people leap too quick to the Spector analogies. But you know what I do hear? I hear a bit of Beatles in there. Listen to that riff in the chorus and tell me that isn't something the boys from Liverpool would do? Anyway you look at it, though, it's some mighty fine Indie Pop that can stand on its own without comparisons to anyone. And I do love the lyrics. “We’ll never meet again / not gonna be friends / this is a happy end / This life’s gonna start / this Christmas.”
The virtual flip is "Love Actually", a sweet understated tune about a couple sharing movies on Christmas (which gives us another one of those Indie song titles with a double meaning). How long before that couple is watching the Hallmark movie based on Neil and Jules and their Christmas single? Because "Love Actually" is a little less rambunctious than "This Life (This Christmas)", you actually get a better sense of how well the voices of Milton & Jones sound together. They sound fantastic and I certainly hope the collaboration doesn't stop with one single. Come Friday, you can get "This Life (This Christmas)"/"Love Actually" by Milton & Jones from Bandcamp or Amazon. You done did it, Neil and Jules, did it festive and did it well.
Since we're on the subject of Indie Pop and since I don't have the time I wish I did to feature everything the way I'd like, I'm going to close with an EP (i.e. not a single). But it's so damn good and I just want to--at least--bring it to your attention. Actually, I could play the loophole card and tell you it's TWO singles and a couple of additional tracks, but we'll get to that.
I don't know much about The Hannah Barberas, other than the fact that their names are Damien, Lucy, Doug and Matthew. They appear to have just popped up this year and they've become quite popular among Internet bloggers who specialize in Indie Pop. One listen and you'll understand why. The word "effervescent" was probably created in anticipation of their arrival. But the word "sparkly" is probably more their style. Jangly guitars, a bass that's fun to follow, harmonies that take me back to Spanky & Our Gang, and lyrics that make you smile from ear to ear. The Hannah Barberas are a force...not to be reckoned with...but to be enjoyed every moment of every day. (Psst. If you "follow" the group on Bandcamp, you may be in line for some free and limited downloads.)
There are 4 songs on "Christmas Bandwagon", 3 originals and a cover of "Christmas Time Is Here". I thought I'd heard about every possible thing you could do with that one...until I heard The Hannah Barberas give it the upbeat Now Sound treatment. Suddenly it's cool again. All proceeds from "Christmas Bandwagon" are going to Shelter, a very worthy UK charity.
There are two songs from "Christmas Bandwagon" available as singles on Amazon, "Oh Santa Claus!" and "A Dream For Christmas". They're great songs. But, really, do you want to leave those other two songs just laying there? Not to mention that Amazon takes a bigger bite than Bandcamp, so that means less going to the cause. So do everybody a favor and buy the full "Christmas Bandwagon" EP on Bandcamp.
We're going to close with "A Dream For Christmas" which would seem to reflect the charitable intentions of The Hannah Barberas. Besides, it's really a wonderful tune and the harmonies sleigh me.
I don't know much about The Hannah Barberas, other than the fact that their names are Damien, Lucy, Doug and Matthew. They appear to have just popped up this year and they've become quite popular among Internet bloggers who specialize in Indie Pop. One listen and you'll understand why. The word "effervescent" was probably created in anticipation of their arrival. But the word "sparkly" is probably more their style. Jangly guitars, a bass that's fun to follow, harmonies that take me back to Spanky & Our Gang, and lyrics that make you smile from ear to ear. The Hannah Barberas are a force...not to be reckoned with...but to be enjoyed every moment of every day. (Psst. If you "follow" the group on Bandcamp, you may be in line for some free and limited downloads.)
There are 4 songs on "Christmas Bandwagon", 3 originals and a cover of "Christmas Time Is Here". I thought I'd heard about every possible thing you could do with that one...until I heard The Hannah Barberas give it the upbeat Now Sound treatment. Suddenly it's cool again. All proceeds from "Christmas Bandwagon" are going to Shelter, a very worthy UK charity.
There are two songs from "Christmas Bandwagon" available as singles on Amazon, "Oh Santa Claus!" and "A Dream For Christmas". They're great songs. But, really, do you want to leave those other two songs just laying there? Not to mention that Amazon takes a bigger bite than Bandcamp, so that means less going to the cause. So do everybody a favor and buy the full "Christmas Bandwagon" EP on Bandcamp.
We're going to close with "A Dream For Christmas" which would seem to reflect the charitable intentions of The Hannah Barberas. Besides, it's really a wonderful tune and the harmonies sleigh me.
It's not now or never, it's every year
But no one can tell if the next one will be that last one we cheer
So promise me something before you go
That you'll tell your loved ones how you need them so
You say 'see you later'
Well see that you do
So dream that this Christmas
The loneliness will end
And everyone out in the cold
Is welcomed home again
But no one can tell if the next one will be that last one we cheer
So promise me something before you go
That you'll tell your loved ones how you need them so
You say 'see you later'
Well see that you do
So dream that this Christmas
The loneliness will end
And everyone out in the cold
Is welcomed home again
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