The Musicmen Cometh!
This is the marriage of two musical minds, Josh Bain and Nolan Ross. Friends since high school, they've seen the seven wonders of the world, jumped from helicopters, hang-glided, climbed Mt. Everest, and even offered jokes over dinner with Bono, Springsteen, Clapton, and others.
Okay, none of that is true except the friends since high school part. Nonetheless, these guys love music and love talking about it. We hope you enjoy it.
Band of the Week
On point with the recent surge of throwback 70s alt-country (think Van Morrison), comes Dawes, formerly, Simon Dawes. Also, think, the recent buzz surrounding Fleet Foxes, and the more developed buzz, My Morning Jacket. And we can’t leave out the big name, Wilco, who when it all comes down to it, started this whole damn thing. You know, great harmonies, soft verses/loud choruses, whispered vocals, Jackson Browne-influenced, two minute solos (at times, shoegaze), and the obvious addition, the harmonica. This is music for the future, if you haven’t caught on yet.
Back to Dawes. It was first, Simon Dawes, as I said earlier. The band’s from Malibu, and there is no one named Simon. Or Dawes. Just a name. Like, Franz Ferdinand. With me? Good. The thing about Dawes I like is richness in the songwriting, the harmonies and soft organs they emit. Let’s go over some songs.
Their self-titled record, “Dawes” has been out for a few months. ”Love Is All I Am” is perfect. You can’t write a finer song if you’re trying to reach the former hippies and the new hippies. Or hipsters masquerading as hippies with their Parliament cigs and PBR, beard-growing, and Johnny Cash-shirt wearing. I ain’t hating, I’m joining. Minus the cigs and PBR, of course. Look - I’m with ya, hipsters! I’m aboard this train!
“When You Call My Name” is again, perfect. You got the lazy, yet pertinent solos with beautiful BGV’s Emmylou Harris wished she’d been a part of. I’ll be honest, what else can I say? You either are on this train or off. And I’m on.
The other song, I recommend for your enjoyment is, “When My Time Comes.” Great close-enough balladry that Pete Seeger, if he had a computer, would be downloading. Hell, I’m sure he’s thinking to himself, “Didn’t I write that?” Or, “Maybe I didn’t but I wish I had.” ”These boys are good!” Thanks Pete. I am, of course, answering for Dawes. They’d appreciate it. And I’m sure Pete does too. We’re all happy in this alt-country family. Get it.
