Category Archives: Recorded Music

Ball of Wax 35 Songs: Peter Colclasure – “Cynic”

Posted on February 12, 2014 by Jon Rooney

Peter Colclasure is a former member of the Foghorns whose contribution to Ball of Wax 35 is a surreal kiss-off in waltz time. “Cynic” contrasts Colclasure’s derisive lyrics (“you got yourself seen at all the right places / all the hip … Continue reading →

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Ball of Wax 35 Songs: Werebearcat! – “My Heart”

Posted on February 12, 2014 by Levi Fuller

I can’t believe it’s been over a year since Werebearcat! graced us with one of their minimalist drum-and-voice jams, but indeed it has. They made their first Ball of Wax appearance on our “No Guitars” volume, and unlike some of … Continue reading →

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Ball of Wax 35 Songs: Bandolier – “Steady Love”

Posted on February 11, 2014 by Jon Rooney

Bandolier gets things off on the right foot with the iconic pum—pum-pum-thwack! of the indestructible “Be My Baby” drum beat. Almost immediately gritty synth organ and a tinny melodic figure (a guitar with tremolo?) emerge below reedy vocals singing “[I] … Continue reading →

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Ball of Wax 35 Songs: James Smith – “Every Time I Fall in Love It Turns Out Bad”

Posted on February 11, 2014 by Levi Fuller

Webelos front man James Smith brings us a lo-fi, poppy little sad sack of a tune with a fairly self-explanatory title. It might not be the kind of song that first comes to mind when one thinks of love songs, … Continue reading →

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Ball of Wax 35 Songs: Levi Fuller – “5 Year Plan”

Posted on February 10, 2014 by Jon Rooney

Levi‘s contribution to volume 35, “5 Year Plan,” veers away from the rumble and fuzz of his recent work with the Library and returns to the organic folk simplicity of his earlier recordings. Acoustic guitar and voice sit way up in … Continue reading →

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Ball of Wax 35 Songs: Kate Noson – “Fly”

Posted on February 10, 2014 by Levi Fuller

Kate Noson‘s voice was first heard by Ball of Wax listeners harmonizing with Sam Russell on Volume 30’s “All These Passing Fields.” Sam, plotting his own love song for Volume 35, recommended Kate’s country ballad”Fly” for this volume, and I’m … Continue reading →

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Ball of Wax 35 Songs: Harbor Island – “If I Needed Someone”

Posted on February 9, 2014 by Levi Fuller

Joshua Schramm is a busy fellow. Outside of his country band Modern Relics, he has at least two other more or less solo projects, both of which submitted lovely love songs for Ball of Wax 35. Jon has already delved … Continue reading →

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Ball of Wax 35 Songs: The Lonely Coast – “Koj će Ti Kupi al Kanariče”

Posted on February 8, 2014 by Levi Fuller

Seattle-based folk vocal duo The Lonely Coast (Valerie Holt and Anne Mathews) bring us this beautiful Balkan wedding song, recorded at Smoke Farm and ably backed by a small stringed instrument (I might assume ukulele, but it could easily be … Continue reading →

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Ball of Wax 35 Songs: Olie Eshleman – “Baby, I’m Only 4 Area Codes Away”

Posted on February 7, 2014 by Levi Fuller

Corespondents’ Olie Eshleman made his solo guitar-based debut – I think – on Ball of Wax 33 (though you should really check out his sample-based submission to the naughty-language-ridden Vol. 13), and he returns a couple volumes later with a … Continue reading →

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Ball of Wax 35 Songs: Aram Bajakian – “Medicaid Lullaby”

Posted on February 6, 2014 by Jon Rooney

Aram Bajakian is quite the get for Ball of Wax. Not only has the New York-based guitarist played with the likes of Lou Reed, Rufus and Martha Wainwright, Yusef Lateef, John Zorn, Nels Cline, and Diana Krall, but he’s also … Continue reading →

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