Catchin'-Uppie: Mnozil Brass

So some of you may not know this, but I was a total "band nerd" back in the day.  I actually had plans to become a band director someday and majored in Music Education for a semester at Texas Tech University.  But, those plans didn't last long, but my love for good brass music (and orchestral) lives on.  Yesterday, I had a moment of nostalgia and stumbled again upon what was one of my favorite Christmas songs to play...Bugler's Holiday by Leroy Anderson.  I came across a performance of it that ended up leading me to a brass ensemble that I cannot believe I had never heard of...Mnozil Brass.  Since they have been around since 1992, I had some "catchin' up" to do.

Mnozil Brass consists of seven members (3 trumpets, 3 trombones, and one tuba).  They are from Austria (with one Hungarian in their midst).  They can all sing and harmonize very well.  But, what sets them apart are their personalities.  Each member shines with their own unique personality that comes out in some great humor.  Therefore, even if you don't like predominantly instrumental music, you would have to be pretty dull to not enjoy what these guys offer.  See for yourself...

Newbie: Leagues

Well, I'm really excited about a new band that has yet to release their debut full-length album.  They are known as Leagues.  I just read an article from Noisetrade.com describing them as a "certifiable dance rock super group" (check it out here...Leagues Article).  They are fronted by Thad Cockrell, whose roots are grassy singer-songwriter type stuff.  His lyrics are profound, his voice clean and raw, and his melodies dreamy.  But, now he joined up with Tyler Burkum (former lead-guitarist of Audio Adrenaline and has been playing for Mat Kearney) and Jeremy Lutito (sit-in drummer for Jars of Clay).  This makes for a wonderful project that I am very excited about.  Check it out for yourself...

Newbie: AgesandAges

Found a new group today that I have thoroughly enjoyed listening to.  We have this new family tradition of picking out a new Christmas album every year.  So, I stumbled upon a mixed album called "Holidays Rule."  There is a cover of "We Need a Little Christmas" by a group named AgesandAges.  First off, I hardly even recognized the very recognizable Christmas song (even if you don't recognize the title).  I really liked their sound, so I had to go and look them up.

Fortunately, Youtube had a lot of live performances and videos from the group.  Before I knew it, RA (my daughter...Reba Anabell), was drawn to the sound.  She is 9 months old now, and she doesn't sit very long for anything.  But, AgesandAges had her attention for at least half an hour.  She just sat in my lap and we enjoyed them together.  I love that RA is already showing the beginnings of good taste for music.

This group of Portlandians (West Coast, not East), offer a sound that has been described as "raw choral pop."  There are 8 people in the band, and I am pretty sure all of them sing and play an instrument (in not numerous instruments).  This gives you an extremely full, layered sound, yet given in such a raw way.  It is a very stripped down sound, but backed up by a lot of passion.  Plus, the hand claps add so much joy to it.  Eight voices together also gives you layered harmonies with melodies and counter-melodies that can give the hardest of souls goosebumps (maybe that statement is a bit much, but I thought it sounded good...plus, it is true for me).  To top it all off, you would possibly think you could find one of their songs as a track on the Classic Folk Rock playlist on SongPop (thought some of you might enjoy that reference).

I hope you enjoy as much as I have...

Catchin'-Uppie: Richard Swift

Sometimes I wonder how I miss certain musicians.  I feel like I am often ahead of the game finding new music thanks to my passion for music and friends who share that passion.  However, there are just times that someone just slips through the cracks and I find out I have some "catchin' up" to do.  So begins a new category for Listen to the Streusic...the Catchin'-Uppies.

Tonight I stumbled upon a musician named Richard Swift.  Maybe you have heard of him, but I had not.  Let me show you how I stumbled upon him (which might give you some other musicians to check out as well...some of which I also had not heard of).  So, try to keep up...

I was reading a review on Benjamin Gibbards (lead of Death Cab for Cutie) new album and decided to look up more about him.  I discovered that he once toured with David Bazan (lead of old "Christian"-band Pedro the Lion) as his bassist.  Well, after looking up more about David Bazan, I discovered that he used to play for another "Christian"-band called Starflyer 59.  So, in less than six degrees, I find that a man named Richard Swift used to also be in Starflyer 59, but don't think much of it.  I later stumble upon a record company called Secretly Canadian and see Richard Swift's name again and decide to check him out more.  Turns out he is now the keyboardist for The Shins (maybe you have heard of them) and makes amazing music on his own.

Why do I tell you all this?  First, I find it very interesting and thought some of you might to.  Also, every once in a while there are musicians that I have to tell others about almost immediately.  I think Richard Swift is worthy of this category.  Here are a few songs I have really enjoyed so far...