we love: Sera Cahoone

"No clue as to what I'm doing here"

We love Sera Cahoone's new record. This should come as no surprise to anyone whose good at playing connect the dots. Shall we: Sera used to play drums in Carissa's Wierd, with Matt Brooke and Ben Bridwell. Carissa's Wierd broke up. Mat and Ben founded Band of Horses. We love Band of Horses. Sera played drums on their debut, Everything All The Time. Then, Mat left Band of Horses. Tyler Ramsey sorta took his place, but not really. Mat founded Grand Archives, whom we also love. Sera recently toured with Grand Archives and just released her second solo disc on Sub Pop, home to Carissa's Wierd, Band of Horses and Grand Archives. So yeah, six degrees and all that nonsense. Anyway, we've really been digging the "country noir" of Cahoone's Only As The Day Is Long, but there's just one problem; no vinyl release!

Seriously, Sub Pop, were you not listening when Sera dropped the final mix in your palms?! This record screams vinyl, from the front porch banjos to the jangle of tambourines and Sera's oh-so haunting voice. Only as the Day is Long feels like a record released 30 years ago and should be a prime target for vinyl release, just as Bon Iver's sylvan dream For Emma, Forever Ago is one of those records that only feels right on wax. Not gonna lie, we're a little disappointed in Sub Pop for not giving Sera the vinyl treatment, because honestly, Only As The Day Is Long really deserves it.

Sera Cahoone- Only As The Day Is Long

coming to town: Tyler Ramsey

"What were you swimming away from?"

Last fall a good friend of mine from Wyoming turned me on to acoustic wunder-pluck Tyler Ramsey after being mesmerized by Ramsey's preternatural fretwork at a Band of Horses show in Bozemen, Montana. He was right. Ramsey, a native of Asheville, NC, has an incredibly simple, yet elegant way with a guitar, as if he's not playing the instrument, but it's playing itself (see video below). His playing is so subtle that one of our cohort's didn't think much of him when we saw Band of Horses on Valentine's Day (Tyler plays lead for BoH). Regardless, Ramsey's blend of Leo Kottke-like finger picked folk gems and high mountain balladry is as soothing as a snifter Kentucky bourbon (or a spliff) after a long day of work. Ideal for Sunday mornings.

In January Ramsey released his first solo effort, A Long Dream About Swimming Across The Sea, a record as majestic as its name suggests. Tyler will be coming to New York for an intimate show at Joe's Pub on April 13th. We highly recommend attending as who knows how much time he'll have off from his gig with Band of Horses.

Tyler Ramsey- A Long Dream
Tyler Ramsey- No One Goes Out

"A Long Dream" Live at Echo Mountain Studios