Rock Minutes

One of my favorite things about music is discovering new bands. I enjoy finding out about them on my own and I love when someone else turns me onto a band I have never heard of. This week I have done the work for you and found 7 bands or artists that I like. If I like them that means you should like them as well.

Court Yard Hounds

Court Yard Hounds consist of sisters Martie Maguire and Emily Robison. They are also members of The Dixie Chicks. Lead singer Natalie Maines did not feel like making a new album so Martie and Emily decided to branch out on their own. Their self titled debut arrives on May 4th. You can listen to 4 tracks right now on their website to get a feel of what they are all about. Their songs have a real Sheryl Crow feel to them and of course being sisters the songs feature great harmonies. They seem to have created a sound all their own that is completely different than a Dixie Chicks record and I think it works. Check out their website and see what you think.

http://www.courtyardhounds.com/us/home

Ryan Bingham

I have been talking this guy up for months and hopefully after winning an Oscar for his song “The Weary Kind” that was featured in the movie “Crazy Heart” you are finally ready to listen to me. Bingham has released two fine albums over the past couple of years and he is even better live. If you think someone that combines elements of Steve Earle, Bob Dylan, The Band, and Uncle Tupelo sounds like a good thing then I think you should give this guy a shot.

http://www.binghammusic.com/

Otis Gibbs

Hopefully you watched Otis in my Video of the Week last week. Otis is a Troubadour in the truest since of the word. In the tradition of artists such as Woody Guthrie and John Mellencamp Gibbs is the master of observing the world around him and singing about it. He is a champion of the small town and the common man and his lyrics reflect it. When you combine that with his gravelly voice it is an incredible combination. Gibbs is releasing his 3rd album “Joe Hill’s Ashes” officially in May but you can listen to his entire album and even purchase it right now from his website. I encourage you to give it a listen.

http://otisgibbs.com/

Lucero

This band has been around for over a decade but I just stumbled upon them a few weeks ago. The first time I heard them I immediately thought of The Drive by Truckers. The band hails from Memphis, Tennessee and their music has a southern feel to it but it is also laced with rock and punk influences. Lead singer Ben Nichols has a very distinctive voice that sounds like he has smoked a lot of cigarettes and drank a lot of whiskey. It is a voice that blends very well with the subject matter of their songs. The band has released 6 studio albums to date. The album that hooked me is “Tennessee”. I have been wearing it out over the past month. The band typically plays between 150-200 shows a year so there is a good chance they will be coming to a town near you. Check out “Sweet Little Thing” from the album “Tennessee”

Justin Townes Earle

He is named after Townes Van Zandt and he is the son of Steve Earle. That alone might give you an idea of the type of artist Justin Townes Earle is. His music definitely has a roots feel to it but in a completely different way than his father. His voice is a lot less weathered than his dad’s and in a lot of ways might be better. While his dad is more along the lines of “Outlaw Country” Justin’s music is closely aligned with traditional country music. The gift of quality songwriting was passed down to him as well. Earle has released two full length albums as well as an EP. I have been wearing out the EP “Yuma” lately and plan on diving into both of his full length albums as well. Check out the title track from the EP “Yuma”.

The Ravenna Colt

Johnny Quaid was a founding member of My Morning Jacket. After making 3 albums Quaid left the band and basically quit the music business moved to California and became a carpenter. Quaid is back with a new band called The Ravenna Colt. They just released their 1st album and it sounds really good. The band seems to draw from the likes of Gram Parsons, “Sweetheart of the Rodeo” era Byrds and The Flying Burrito Brothers. You can also still hear a strong MMJ influence as well. You can go to their website and get a free download of the song “South of Ohio”. You might want to get that song right now.

http://www.theravennacolt.com/music/

Joe Pug

Pug was in his senior year at the University of North Carolina when he decided to pack his bags, move to Chicago and write and play songs. Early on it seems like a good decision. I have mentioned Pug in some articles I have written before but I think he needs to be mentioned again. He just released his 1st full length album “Messenger” a few weeks ago and it is fantastic. It really seems to pick up where he left off on his EP “Nation of Heat”. The EP was an acoustic affair while on his album he uses a full band for several songs. If you are fan of the pedal steel guitar Pug inserts it just enough to make you want more on the songs “Sharpest Crown” and “Messenger”. Another highlight is the full band arrangement of the song “Speak Plainly Diana” which was also on his EP. Check out Pug doing “Speak Plainly Diana” at a house concert.

I know you love to drive around town and listen to your local classic rock station but when you get tired of hearing Boston, ZZ Top, and Bachman Turner Overdrive give some of these artists a shot you might actually like a couple of them.

Later,

Nick