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Free Music 2010 best of

Through the last few years, I have gone deeper into archivist mode, looking for more and more music to enjoy.  I look for new music in many places, and during my week day drives around Philadelphia, I listen, and rate, listen, and rate, and listen some more.  When I start to compile a solid best of playlist, it is very exciting.  I start the year with nothing, and by the end of the year there are so many gems, so many artists I had never heard before, and now love.  In many cases, I wouldn't have the funds or means to go beyond the single free track or download, but I have been trying to make a point to rewarding those artists that put their intellectual capital out on the line and look for more songs that I love of those artists.  As mentioned in the Sean Hayes post, I recently hit a bonus of iTunes cards for the holidays, and I've used that to dig deeper into my new found loves.   Especially now that I have found a voice for my music obsession, I've been trying to take it a step further and give each of you a taste of what these artists have to offer.  In a true Joe Pug fashion, I'd like to share my finds with some like minded friends!

I would like to admit, as much as I enjoy some of these artists, I don't have any of their discs yet but as I write this piece I am enjoying more and more of these bands and having a blast with the exploration.  And now back to your regularly scheduled free music post!


EDITOR NOTE: Artists #1 & #2 along with Jeremy Messersmith were available on a best of 2010 via NPR & iTunes.  This is no longer available, but other tracks are available for each artist via different sources


1. Buke and Gass - The duo of Arone Dyer and Aron Sanchez have some of the most compelling and unique music of 2010.  Every time I hear 'Revel In Contempt' I wonder why I don't have more of their music.  If I were lucky enough to get my hands on more of Riposte I'd be listening to 'Outt!'or 'Your Face Left Before You'.  You still can get your hands on 'Page Break' or 'Sleep Gets Your Ghost' for free, by downloading the dawnrecorder.org podcast and then switching the media type to music from podcast. 


A free video podcast is avail @ NPR Tiny Desk Concert and can be seen here- Buke and Gass @ NPR Tiny Desk Concert
00:00 Track 1 - 'Your Face Left Before You'
04:08 Track 2 - 'Sleep Gets Your Ghost'
08:55 Track 3 - 'Revel in Contempt'     THIS SONG IS FANTASTIC
14:18 'Medulla Oblongata'


For an excellent article on Buke and Gass try :nytimes.com and for more info try bukeandgass.com.



2. Sean Hayes - I've gone into detail before on Sean Hayes.  The more I listen to his music, the move I absolutely love it.  I have 3 songs already in my collection, and I'm hoping to add 'When We Fall' next.

Sean Hayes 'When We fall' via YouTube


If you head over to Daytrotter.com you can find Sean Hayes' session from April 10, 2010, including the above 'When We Fall' track shown above.  After you "fall" for his music, head over to his site seanhayesmusic.com to figure out getting more of his music, especially his 2010 release Run Wolves Run.

I am super excited for the Daytrotter.com site.  There is so much good live music there: IRON & WINE is a beautiful set, plus Blitzen Trapper, Pokey LaFarge, David Wax Museum, Bela Fleck, Local Natives, etc.



3. Sharon Van Etten - Sharon Van Etten's 2010 release 'Epic' has been featured everywhere.  As mentioned above, I first heard Sharon Van Etten via an NPR download.  I obtained 'One Day' on that compilation.  About 2 weeks later I downloaded 'Save Yourself' from the alt-country singer/songwriter.  I was pretty sure I had been a fan of 'One Day', but with 'Save Yourself' I knew I was a fan.   Right now, she's riding a buzz from her SXSW performance.  After some touring including dates with Iron & Wine, she'll be at Bonnaroo.

As above, a free podcast can be found for the NPR Tiny Desk Concert
00:00 Track 1 'Peace Signs'
03:00 Track 2 'Save Yourself'
08:00 Track 3 'One Day'   *** The strongest performance of this set ***
12:50 Track 4 'For You'



'A Crime' is available as a KEXP Song Of The Day
'Love More' is available from Spin Magazine for their magazine purchasers along with Peter Bjorn and John 'Breaker Breaker'

Now that you've heard four songs, and downloaded 2 of them., GO BUY the Sharon Van Etten 7 song album Epic

for more info try sharonvanetten.com/



4. First Aid Kit - ' Ghost Town' is excellent song by the sister duo! I originally obtained it via a sampler download. I get many of these via iTunes from following them on Facebook. I believe this is where the sampler was from. Like many free things, they don't last and the song is no longer available free.

'Ghost Town' by First Aid Kit via YouTube


Although 'Ghost Town' is not in the Daytrotter Session, you can get the 4 track session for free!

For more on the band, try the Daytrotter page, or wiki/First_Aid_Kit_(band)


5. Darker My Love - 'Backseat' was a KCRW Today's Top Tune these tracks are not available for download, outside of their original window.

'Backseat' by Darker My Love is available to view via YouTube


6. Saint Motel - 'Butch' was another KCRW TODAY'S TOP TUNE.  The song is also no longer a free download.  The video is shown on YouTube

Saint Motel 'Butch'


If you check out their web page Saintmotel.com you can get a free copy of their new track 'Puzzle Pieces'.

7. The Beauties - 'Hearts Are Down' was a KEXP SONG OF THE DAY on 7-1-10.

8. Tame Impala - 'Solitude is Bliss' was free via Spin Magazine's free download for March which unfortunately expired March 31s, 2011.

'Solitude is Bliss' by Tame Impala


You can check out their site Tameimpala.com/.  Be sure to check out their tour. I know if I get the chance I will see them at an excellent venue in Philadelphia - The First Unitarian Church!

Enjoy!!!

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