Forks of Ivy is Lindsay Parsons and Greg Hatem. Between the two of them, they play guitars and vocals. They are joined on this record with Sam Rosenberg on drums for a few cuts and Jared Fischer (Mr. Moccasin) on mandolin. The record was produced by Greg Hatem (Heart of Hearts/Mr. Moccasin) at the Copy Cat Annex in 2010 and mastered here at Mobtown last week.

This record struck me as nothing short of amazing. Lindsay’s and Greg’s vocals are like those of Vaseline’s Eugene Kelly and Frances McKee. You can also hear the likes of Sonic Youth and the Cranberries in the music. Two completely disparate bands but obvious influences, though possibly unintentional. There is a sense of yearning on this record. A wanting to emote. And it’s clear this is a band to watch out for. I can’t wait to hear more from them. In the meantime I can obsess over these 11 gems that make Foxfeel. You can purchase Foxfeel here.

Iowa
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Nome
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Mr. Moccasin came in last week for a microshow. They stripped down to a four-piece. Hanna on vocals, Jared on guitar/vocals, Chris on guitar/stylophone and Christiana on drums/vocals.

The band totally brought it. And brought something a little different than their typical live show including a stylophone and a few new tracks fresh off their killer music making machine. An awesome time was had by all. Highlights include Black On Black, Himalayan Marmalade and Ari Schenck’s Ah Well.

Technical info: Hanna vocal: Sennheiser 441, Jared guitar: Cascade Fathead Ribbon, Jared vocals: AT 3060 Tube, Chris guitar/stylophone: Cascade Fathead Ribbon, Christiana vocals: Sennheiser 421, Snare: SM57, Overheads, SM81s.

Download MP3s - 48.8 MB

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.