So grab your banjo, mandolin, electric guitar, and let's celebrate some awesome music. If you're not a fan, then go blast the overrated, overplayed "summer hit" "Call Me, Maybe." And if you are listening to the summer anthem, please do not call me.
In these nine months, I have discovered a whole new genre of music. I have fallen in love with the harmonica, learning how to play the mandolin this fall has made me appreciate country music just a little more, and the wonderful British band, Mumford & Sons, makes the twangy sounds of the banjo seem cool in almost every song. But, of course, I can't let go of my beloved acoustic guitar and piano.
Who would have though that there's a music genre that has all of the country/rock goodness?
This genre has been around for a while, but since I'm extremely slow on picking up on the latest fads (which probably explains why I'm writing this blog instead of making my own version of a "Call Me, Maybe" video), it is taking me just now to write a blog about Americana music, alternative country, country folk, roots rock, southern rock--whatever you want to call it. I like to blend all of the names and slightly different genres to form my own called "folky rock with a country twang."
Now, since I'm a brand new fan, I only have a small list of some of my favorite songs--still learning about this "new" concept of music. My iPod craves more of these songs, so if you have any recommendation, please let me know.
5. "Washed by the Water" by Needtobreathe
Needtobreathe comes from the great Deep South state of South Carolina, and you can hear it in their song "Washed by the Water." Electronic organ, gospel like rhythm, and a hint of the sounds of a joyous gospel choir, this makes the not-so-big church fan actually want to show up at a small white church on the corner in the heart of Charleston and sing. And for those church fans, the Christian charts love Needtobreathe too.
4. "I and Love and You" by The Avett Brothers
The "famous underground" band, The Avett Brothers, represent the sounds of North Carolina in their single "I and Love and You." What's so great about this band is that they combined elements of folk, bluegrass, and pop. The band has many more well known songs than this one, but again, I don't pick up on popular things quickly, so we have to settle for this one.
3. "99 Problems" by Hugo
Yes, same song as Jay-Z, except this is a million times better. Why? Well, for one, we can actually understand what Hugo is saying, unlike our dear friend Jay-Z. Two, it takes us out of the New York hood and into the quaint sounds of the countryside. And three, when Hugo sings it, the lyrics sound a lot less sexist. Not only is this Hugo's only hit, but the guy isn't even from the Deep South--or America. But he just proves that you can be half-Thai and half-British to make one tolerable version of a rap song.
2. "Barton Hollow" by The Civil Wars
My world has been so much better once I discovered The Civil Wars back in Spring 2011. Even better, they co-wrote with Taylor Swift for "The Hunger Games," which is like three awesome Christmas presents in one. From the eerie sounds of "Safe and Sound" to the melancholic sounds of "Poison and Wine" to the song that screams Deep South, deep Nashville, "Barton Hollow," The Civil Wars prove to all musicians all you need is great voices, great song writing, and you can have a hit song with just one simple instrument.
1. "Bartholomew" by The Silent Comedy
Surprisingly, this band is from San Diego, and a song I just discovered in the past 24 hours. But it's a song that screams "Deep South rockin'" that it serves as the trailer song to the most southern thing ever--more southern than the confederate flag. The song of the mini series "Hatfield's & McCoy's." Maybe The Silent Comedy aren't "true" Southerners, but they fool you in this foot-tappin' song.
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