Last week, we hosted Austin Stahl for our monthly microshow. He brought new and moving interpretations from his latest solo record, The Things You Carry, and pulled some songs from the vault, including covers of Private Eleanor, Hank Williams, Small Sur and Bruce Springsteen. It was a warm and intimate night and so still as we held our breath listening to each heart-rending verse.

Tech stuff: U87 on vox. Shure SM81 and SP C3 on the acoustic/banjo. The acoustic also was DI’d through a RedDI by A Designs (Thanks Frank!) on a few tracks. The electric mandolin was mic’d using a SM57 on a Fender Champ.

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I just finished mastering Austin Stahl’s (Private Eleanor, Small Sur) first solo record, The Things You Carry. It’s a great record. Wonderful lyrics and beautiful melodies. He recorded it on his cassette 8-track at his house. You can download the record for free here.

Prelude/The Things You Carry
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The Ballad Of Buena Vista
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There’s also a bonus record called 1982 which is his birth year and contains songs released that year. My favorite is definitely the Bruce Springsteen cover of “Used Cars”.

The Beechfields is a self-proclaimed “small artist-run label based in Baltimore, Maryland … devoted to helping spread the word about music that we love, and to building a supportive community around the people who make it.”

What a simple yet inspiring way to get new and creative music out there. If only every label were this conscientious. If only radio were this conscientious. But then again if these two things were true the Beechfields might never have come to fruition.

Back to the record… I was first impressed with the album artwork. At first glance I thought the image on the cover was of wood chips. Shortly after that, Emily pointed out that it was of a pole with the remains of hundreds of band fliers. What a great album cover for a label comp. Perfect.

But the record doesn’t end at the cover.

We start with a track by Infinite Honey called Honeybees. It’s a nice summery ditty. A nice relaxing mellow cut to keep me cool today in the 96° heat.

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Next is a basement 8-track recording by Private Eleanor called Scare Yourself To Death. It’s not my favorite track in terms of production as I like the detail of their full-length record. But I feel like this is a splendid demo. A good starting point. The highlight is definitely the organ and the vocals. I wonder what they used? Their other song on the comp is an outtake from their record, Sweethearting. This track’s harmony vocals remind me spot-on of Murfreesboro, TN’s own Glossary.
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Madeline by the Red Vines is an outtake from their Flaming Lips-ish titled record, Everyday Needles for Electromagnet Lovers. I did however hear this song as being titled “Maryland” until I looked at the back of the CD. I love the solo. It’s very Velvet Underground. A band I am getting back into these days. Anyways. I can’t wait to hear The Red Vines’ full-length. And drummer Jason Butcher is someone to keep an eye out for. The other track, El Nuevo Mundo, reminds me a bit of Calexico in the southwestern twang. There’s something about organs and bands on this label. It’s definitely a good thing.
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A Daily Reminder by A Cat Called Cricket is a rolling acoustic track. I totally dig the cello in the left channel and the rhodes in the right.
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Pupa’s Window appears to be a side-project from The Seldon Plan’s Mike Nestor. Perhaps a more mellow and subdued Mike Nestor. Warm Embrace has the brevity of a Guided by Voices song, clocking in at a perfect 1 minute and 50 seconds. You want more, but really only need what Mike gives.
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Sidekick by the Honest Mistakes is a fun pop song. Nothing more, nothing less. Just no-frills good songwriting pop! It didn’t speak to me on first listen, but it’s totally growing on me. And becoming one of my favorite tracks on the comp.
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Our Time In Rockland County by the Seldon Plan Is a warm and dreamy track. I love the cut-time section towards the middle. And Mike’s double-tracked vocals still go miles for me. Is anyone else reminded  of Swervedriver? The other track is a cut from their great record: The Collective Now.
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Letter by Among Wolves is a standout track for me. I really like the guitars. They sound like guitars. There’s nothing better than guitars that sound like guitars. I think this might be my favorite in terms of production from this compilation. Sadly there is nothing about where these tracks were recorded in the liner notes.
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You can pick this record up for FREE by going to the Beechfields site and purchasing any record. The comp will be included for free. I can’t stress this option more. Otherwise, you can also get for free individually by paying $1.75 for shipping OR for a limited time free copies are available at the Sound Garden in Fells Point. Do it. You’ll feel better after.