I recently mastered a Baltimore compilation for SpliceToday.com. When Zach came to me asking if this is something I’d be in to, I didn’t even hesitate. We love Baltimore bands and the community they enrich, but Baltimore bands covering Baltimore bands! That’s just too good to be true.

Crossing genre lines, this mix tape reflects the beautiful diversity and vitality of the Baltimore scene. Caleb Stine covers Small Sur. Small Sur covers Wheatie Mattiasich. Mickey Free covers Wye Oak. And Wye oak covers Rod Lee. It’s like one big musical do-si-do. We love it! And you can download it for free. Look out for a Volume 2 coming soon!

Here are a few of my favorites:

Little Dreamer f/ Victoria Legrand by Jones (Future Islands)

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Dance My Pain Away by Wye Oak (Rod Lee)

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Two Mantras by Caleb Stine (Small Sur)

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Love those pretty Beach Boys harmonies at the end of Two Mantras! You can just drink it.

Cameron Blake came in last night for his microshow. Dave Hadley (Caleb Stine/Wye Oak) joined him on pedal steel; Gabe Finck (BSO) was on french horn; and Chris Pierorazio on percussion and drums. It was a perfect night of rain, friends and a religious musical experience. Cameron never fails to bring on the fight and last night was no exception. Hearing Cameron rework his songs’ arrangements brought new life to them. He also covered a song by Baltimore’s own Caleb Stine. And you know we love when Baltimore artists give love to their own. Thanks Cameron!

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This past spring Cameron Blake put together a live show that benefited The Maryland Food Bank at the Village Church in Hampden. Cameron Blake, E.Joseph & the Phantom Heart, and Caleb Stine & The Brakemen played. Eric and I had the opportunity to record that amazing night and had a great time in the process.

We had such a fun time mixing Caleb’s set we decided to put a few songs from the night up here.

Be on the lookout. The live record will be released July 23rd.

Lonesome Kid

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I’ll Fly Away/Will The Circle Be Unbroken

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Baltimore singer-songwriter Caleb Stine understands that his is not a city that evokes the rustic Americana celebrated so lovingly in his songs. So his second album, I’ll Head West Again, is full of references to other parts of the country, with song titles like “On A Porch In Nashville” and “West Virginia,” and the detailed travelogue that comprises the lyrics of “Daniel Boone.” And Stine’s wistful words find a perfect foil in his backing band The Brakemen, who furnish his songs with pedal steel, bass, and drums, without ever drowning out the deep, plainspoken voice at the center of it all.

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