Category Local
Andriana Chobot – Return to Sincere (Voltage Controlled Life) [LOCAL]
The long-awaited debut album from Andriana Chobot proves that she’s one of Burlington’s best singers and songwriters. Keyboards (her main instrument) are at the heart of the instrumentals, but around them, compositions take elements from jazz, blues, pop, and even dancehall. Themes of romance, politics, and everyday life crop up throughout her lyrics. Track Picks: […]
Roost.World – New York (P.O.R.C.H.) [LOCAL]
The latest single from BTV electronic rockers Roost.World bears an 80s synth-pop aesthetic. Though it’s a thoroughly danceable tune, the lyrics about missing friends who’ve moved in to the big city give it a melancholy undertone. FCC: Clean RIYL: LCD Soundsystem, New Order, Guerilla Toss, nodrums
Maya Lucia – Sleepy Baby Club (haus of lucia)
NYC’s Maya Lucia pursues a passionate rock sound on her latest single, rising from ethereal, echoey voices to an edgy, scream-along chorus. FCC: Clean RIYL: Slothrust, Mannequin Pussy, Lucy Dacus, Clay Aching
Willverine & Blackmer – Who Can Wave Me to the Way Out (Self-released) [LOCAL]
Local producer and trumpeter Will Andrews teams up with singer-songwriter Sam Dupont for an album of moody modern synth-pop. DuPont’s passionate vocals and lyrics – largely dealing with a painful breakup – give these songs the good kind of bad vibes, even if Andrews’s production might sometimes make you want to get up and dance. […]
Cosmic the Cowboy – Cruise Control [Photo] (LOCAL)
On their latest single, BTV’s Cosmic the Cowboy sound like their name would have you believe, blending twang, jangle and psychedelia with simple, subtly apocalyptic lyrics. FCC: Clean RIYL: Wilco, Cory Hanson, Particle Kid, Danny and the Parts
All Night Boogie Band – Taste These Blues [Self-released] (LOCAL)
All Night Boogie Band have become one of Burlington’s most popular live acts, and it’s easy to see why on their first studio outing. Jess Leone’s powerful voice, Brendan Casey’s gutsy guitar chops, Van Garrison’s glittering piano, and the locked-in rhythm section of Bruno John and Zach Santos add up to a powerful modern rendition […]
Cosmic the Cowboy – On Brand (Dirty Eagle) [LOCAL]
BTV’s premier “krautlaw” group Cosmic the Cowboy display a unique blend of Americana and psychedelic elements on their 2020 debut album. Lead singer-songwriter Trevor Sohnen is a tremendous crafter of hooks, and the fuzzed-out production suits the music brilliantly. Track Picks: 3, 4, 8 FCC: 2 RIYL: My Morning Jacket, MJ Lenderman, Kurt Vile, Danny […]
Fern Maddie – Ghost Story (Self-released) [LOCAL]
Vermont folk singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Fern Maddie’s debut album is a mix of arrangements of traditional ballads, original songs that fit in so well you can hardly tell the difference, and instrumentals that showcase unique instruments. Track Picks: 3, 5, 7, 9 FCC: Clean RIYL: Sandy Denny, Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Rosalie Sorrels, Nate Gusakov
Ryan Sweezey – Out Searching (Self-released) [LOCAL]
Burlington singer-songwriter Ryan Sweezey ‘s latest album is truly lovely. His vocals, lyrics and compositions are warm and sincere, drawing on sounds from power-pop and folk, and he really knows how to write a hook. Track Picks: 1, 3, 4, 6 FCC: Clean RIYL: Semisonic, Death Cab for Cutie, Ben Folds, Brett Dennen
Clover Koval – Me and the Animals (Self-released) [LOCAL]
The latest album from BTV-via-MA singer-songwriter Clover Koval is a brilliant showcase for her evocative and clever lyricism. Songs bounce around from low-key ballads to uptempo punky numbers, traversing unexpectedly jazzy territories in between. Clover’s vocal and songwriting skill bring it all together. Track Picks: 2, 4, 9, 10 FCC: 3 RIYL: Sidney Gish, Frances […]
Noah Kesey – Songs 2019: Pangea (Julia’s War) [LOCAL]
Former Full Walrus bandleader Noah Kesey is back and better than ever with his debut solo album. Driving dance-rock beats, fuzzed-out twangy guitars and synths, and ethereal vocals make this record a fantastic listen. Track Picks: 3, 4, 9 FCC: Clean RIYL: Real Estate, Deerhunter, El Ten Eleven, Remi Russin
The Wormdogs – Robin May (Astrology Days) [LOCAL]
The latest single from VT “bluegrass rock ‘n roll” group The Wormdogs’ upcoming album “Sunny Side Up” is impossible to listen to without wanting to get up and dance, clap, maybe hoot and holler, with its rapid-fire, humorous lyrics and passionate pickin’. FCC: Clean RIYL: Bad Livers, Jeffrey Frederick, Nate Gusakov
Danny and the Parts – Making Believe [Voltage Controlled Life] (LOCAL)
Local Americana stalwarts Danny and the Parts’ latest EP is a more psychedelic take on their signature sound, courtesy of producer Noah Kesey, but the heart of their beautiful songwriting remains the same. Track Picks: 2, 3 FCC: Clean RIYL: Wilco, Kurt Vile, My Morning Jacket
Saints and Liars ft. Bow Thayer – Picket Fences Blue (Self-released) [LOCAL]
VT Americana group Saints and Liars team up with New England music veteran Bow Thayer for their latest single, a twangy and triumphant number describing what it’s like “to take the high road” when others are trying to bring you down. FCC: Clean RIYL: Chris Stapleton, Mallett Brothers, Nathaniel Rateliff
Low Echo – Midnight (Self-released) [LOCAL]
The latest single from Burlington folk duo Low Echo takes things in a bit of a different direction for the group, with a heavy, dramatic Southern blues-rock sound featuring some fearsome slide guitar. FCC: Clean RIYL: Chris Cornell, Brandi Carlile, Steve Earle
Hope DeLuca – The Other Side / I’m Sorry (Self-released) [LOCAL]
The latest single from UVM-based singer-songwriter Hope DeLuca is an acoustic lament in two movements written from the perspective of both sides of a breakup. FCC: Clean RIYL: Phoebe Bridgers, Frances Forever, Beabadoobee
Ryan Sweezey – My Turn [Self-released] (LOCAL)
The latest and final single from Ryan Sweezey’s upcoming album Out Searching is a gorgeous bit of piano pop about feeling like the world is passing you by and leaving you behind. FCC: Clean RIYL: Semisonic, Ben Folds, Death Cab for Cutie
Sarah King – Poison [Stripped] (Self-released) [LOCAL]
VT singer-songwriter Sarah King muses on ways to deal with “a man who won’t listen” on her latest single, an alternate solo piano version of the opening track from her EP The Hour. FCC: Clean RIYL: Kat Wright, Susan Tedeschi, Nick Cave, Giovanina Bucci
Lavendula – Lavendula (Self-released) [LOCAL]
The debut release from Montpelier folk trio Lavendula sounds like it was performed and recorded by a group of friends sitting around a campfire – warm, welcoming and familiar. Now available on all streaming services! Track Picks: 1, 2 FCC: Clean RIYL: Gillian Welch, Low Lily, Adrianne Lenker, Rhiannon Giddens
Julia Randall – Slow Dance (Self-released) [LOCAL]
UVM-based singer-songwriter Julia Randall says her debut single, a gorgeously melancholy piano-based lament about the end of a relationship, “sounds like creaky floorboards and attachment issues.” A wash of strings and slide guitar courtesy of producer David Francisco brings the bedroom-recorded track into high definition. FCC: Clean RIYL: Mitski, Phoebe Bridgers, Francesca Blanchard
Nate Gusakov – Running Clear (Self-released) [LOCAL]
A collection of gorgeous vocal and instrumental numbers by deep-voiced singer-songwriter and banjo wizard Nate Gusakov. Originally released 11 years ago, but it’s never too late to get some airplay! Also consider Nate’s excellent, harder-rocking EP “Many Mountains” released in 2021, reviewed here! Track Picks: 2, 5, 6, 7 FCC: Clean RIYL: Bruce Cockburn, Mark […]
Fern Maddie – Hares On the Mountain (Self-released) [LOCAL]
Self-described “old-time balladeer and multi-instrumentalist” Fern Maddie returns with a modern update of an old British folk song, recorded in collaboration with producer and fiddler Colin McCaffrey. FCC: Clean RIYL: Rosalie Sorrels, Rhiannon Giddens, Sandy Denny
Andriana Chobot & Prolific – Like It’s the Last Time (Radiostar Remix) [Self-released] (LOCAL)
Producer Prolific has turned out a driving drum-and-bass rework of Andriana Chobot’s last single, topped off with a goofy faux radio voiceover in the intro and outro. FCC: Clean RIYL: Goldie, Pendulum, Everything But the Girl, M-Beat
Hope DeLuca – I’ll Wait / Roses and Regrets (Self-released) [LOCAL]
UVM singer-songwriter Hope DeLuca’s latest single shows beauty in simplicity. Her gorgeous guitar picking and vocals are the only things present on either side of the record, and those are the only things songs this strong need. FCC: Clean RIYL: Phoebe Bridgers, Frances Forever, Beabadoobee, Clairo
Dylan Fitzsimmons – Firefly (Self-released) [LOCAL]
The debut single from local musician and teacher Dylan Fitzsimmons is a warm, gentle love song with a homespun flavor, the kind of thing that should be sung by a campfire with a group of friends or family. FCC: Clean RIYL: Dispatch, Brett Dennen, Jack Johnson
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