Category Archives: Recorded Music

Download Ollie Byrd’s Barrel O’ Fun for Free

It’s been a long time since we heard from former Seattleite Ollie Byrd (Orlando, I hope you know how lucky you are). That’s not true, actually; I get e-mails and Facebook updates from him all the time. But it’s been … Continue reading

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I’ve Been Had!

In hindsight, I should have known there was something fishy about this whole “Damien Fairchild” story. The songs – however sweet and innocent and charming – were just a bit too good, too sharp and well-produced, to be the product … Continue reading

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Johanna Kunin’s Prolific Boxing Day

So, what did you do on Boxing Day? I had the day off and, while it wasn’t entirely unproductive, I don’t think I’ll remember anything I did that day in a few months. Johanna Kunin (Bright Archer) decided to make … Continue reading

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2011 Releases You Should Hear from Ball of Wax Artists

Given the astounding length of our contributors list, I guess it shouldn’t be surprising that I can put together a list of 16 excellent albums and EPs that were released in the past year by artists who have appeared on … Continue reading

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2011 in Review: New Is New, Old Is New and Lulu Is the Future

A couple of weeks ago I asked a friend what she thought would end up being the consensus album of the year.  A potent combination of aging, new fatherhood, acute self-absorption, and YouTube-fueled distraction kept me from really having a … Continue reading

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Album Review: Western Ghost House – Kaleidoscope Tower

Western Ghost House – Kaleidoscope Tower (2011, self-released) Western Ghost House‘s second release,  Kaleidoscope Tower, is a tasteful, thoughtful collection of songs from a young Austin band that evokes the likes of Calexico, Shearwater, and Papercuts. Brooding, cowboy-esque opener “Varicose Veins” … Continue reading

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Album Review: Tito Ramsey – Hi Lo EP

Tito Ramsey – Hi Lo EP (2011, self-released) I always find it fascinating when an artist chooses to make a stark stylistic change, making a sharp left turn in genre, feel, or instrumentation all at once rather than the usual … Continue reading

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Ball of Wax 26 Available for Streaming and Pre-order!

In just a week and a half we’ll be celebrating the release of Ball of Wax Volume 26: A Tribute to the Anthology of American Folk Music with a wing-ding of a show at the Columbia City Theater. (And boy, … Continue reading

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Appetite

A new (to me) artist has crossed my radar, and I couldn’t be more pleased. Appetite is the Sacramento-based project of one Teddy Briggs, who appears to have been obsessively making music since picking up the drums at the age … Continue reading

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Just Because: The Way It Is – “Fell in Love with a Carbomber”

Just because I was listening to this song last night with some friends and was reminded – as I am every time I hear it – of just how goddamn good it is, and how great a songwriter Michael Sanchez … Continue reading

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