The Young Romans, Brad Hooks and Saria Mellafe started their joint music venture in the spring of 2010. Their first EP ”Yesterday Night” was recorded and released in the fall of 2010. The L.A. duo released their sophomore album”Tiger Child” in march this year, and the titletrack from the album can be heard right here.

The band have become known for their haunting melodies, seamless harmonies and their infectious songs. And for good reasons I might add, the songs stick to you like superglue. I was hooked at first listen.

One of the songs from ”Tiger Child”, “Where You Go” is the end credit track in the anticipated Ewan McGregor / Emily Blunt movie “Salmon Fishing In The Yemen”.

Magical stuff. Listen.

Jonas Schwartz got those big emotions we love. A guy from Gohenburg, Sweden who just released his debut album Six.

Check out the first single Ideas, a dark folkdisco kind of vibe that got our full attention. Breathe in, breathe  out. Go.

Photo: Catie Laffoon

A strong voice could make all the difference. And when the lyrics and music co-operates with it, it becomes a fairytale. Like in the case of Shevy Smith.

Shevy Smith sounds just like Emmylou Harris did on the albums from the early eighties. Smith grew up in Kansas and ended up in California after a career in Nashville. Her upcoming album ”Ad Astra” contains a wide variety of styles and feelings, but mostly a warm and great sensation of love for the music.

The single ”Shine” off the forthcoming album drips of country and that Californian sun. Take a listen.

Kevin Tihista´s Red Terror released their On This Dark Street-album a week ago. A great set of songs echoing Elliott Smith, John Grant, Morrissey.

Tihista was born i California, lives in Chicago and combines epic lyrics with a haunting beat. This is serious stuff. He can´t really keep the wolf at bay.

Youtube: Kevin Tihista – Jack K

Shooter Jennings always got a place in our Kentuckyheart. The man has been lost in the wilderness for a couple of records – but our friend is back on track.

This is countrymusic, easy as a Sunday morning, a barbeque in the garden among the ones you love. It’s a home away from home.

One of the truly greatest album from a Swedish artist in 2005 was Tiger Lou’s ”The Loyal”.

With the feel of being inside a German car driving at top speed down a wet autobahn in the dark, just sensing the colors on the side of the road rushing by. Barely.

The despair and the joy in Rasmus Kellerman’s voice like a narrator to the movie that is played on the windshield. Pure magic.

The first album ”Is my head still on?” (2004) with the enormous hit single ”Oh Horatio” felt new yet timeless at release, it still does.
Tiger Lou’s most recent album ”A Partial Print” (2008) carries a heavy load, with great dignity. The music is unique in a very Tiger Lou way. Dark with a drive. Drums and guitars that remind us that it is possible to create great music with small means. Those ten minutes that is ”The More You Have To Give” and ”The Less You Have To Carry” is short of perfection in my book.

After three full-lengths as Tiger Lou, Rasmus Kellerman released ”The 24th” as himself. The sound is very different, acoustic, more personal, a diary if you will.

We had to have a talk to Mr Kellerman, to see what’s in store for 2012… and more…

What are you listening to, right now?

”Arrow” by Jacques Greene & Koreless, ”Nova” by Four Tet & Burial, ”Grace” by Keith Kenniff, ”Where Are Your People” by We Have Band, ”Josie” by The Darcys, ”Hold On” by SBTRKT, ”Be There In Bells” by The Pines, ”No Respect” by Machinedrum, ”Just Smile For Me” by Bondax & Bobbie Gordon.”

A regular song salad.

Best book read, in a while?

”I look forward to the two new Chuck Palahniuk books I just ordered. And I’m about to start Blue Nights by Joan Didion. Been a while since I finished a book. I’m an easy starter, hard finisher.”

Your hopes for this year?

”Get my shit together and write more songs for my new project, which is gonna be great. Finish up some new Tiger Lou songs perhaps, do a gig or something. Do a few techno tracks. Go to Greece in the summer. Become a better designer. Be a good husband. Have fun. Live/work in California.”

Three artist who inspire you?

”Right now I think what Burial is doing, and how he does it is very inspiring. That would be my ideal situation, being able to write & record your tunes in peace, and email them to someone and have that be it. No tours, to promo, no fucking around. Just music straight from one heart to another. Jacques Greene does some amazing rule bending, which I love. And Radiohead have their own universe.”

Who deserves a breakthrough in 2012?

”I think SBTRKT should be a household name. Him and Jacques Greene. The sheer melancholy, beauty and groove of the music they keep producing amazes me. I wanna be in their sphere. Me and everyone else.”

Kentuckyseven suggest you check out the sweetness created up until now…

Spotify: Tiger Lou, Rasmus Kellerman

A while ago, I stumbled upon this duo, based in Portland Oregon, and I am still pleased that I did.

When I first heard their single from the upcoming album I felt like everything was more than all right. The voices of Andrew Stonestreet and Daniel Dixon together with their exquisit music is just what the doctor ordered. Think a cleaner Local Native’s with more folk, more roots, more of that warm fuzzy feeling.

What really hits me is the deep sensation of closeness to the heart. It sure sticks to you, and I eagerly await the album.

Greylag’s debut EP ”The Only Way To Kill You” arrives in May 2012 on Ninth Street Opus, I suggest you check out the single. And wait for the rest… Spring is near.

Alexander has played bass to the artist also known as Moto Boy and has played at the swedish ”Rookie Festival”. Listen to his latest EP – Devouring Me… Right here:

L.A based, Kentucky bred singer/songwriter Jesse Thomas delivers her new single ”Fire”.

Her first full-length album ”War Dancer” will be released on Valentine’s day. Thomas’ voice seems to be made for the purpose of singing this genre, americana-folk-country with a drop of soul.

Listen to the single, right here…

Jack White flies solo, this will be the first single from forthcoming album ‘Blunderbuss’ who enters the world in April. The song ‘Love Interruption’ sounds really good, catchy stuff from this dear man.