Help Cass Harris Release First Full-Length Album via Kickstarter

Back in the summer of 2008 I first shared with you about a friend of mine that had released an short little self-produced EP called Four for the Road.  Well 3 years later Cass Harris has not given up on the dream and is currently working towards a big-time record release.  He doesn’t want to just settle for another short little EP recorded with his buddies in some home studio in his cousin’s friend’s mom’s basement.  He is doing everything he can to do it right, which means not only a legit studio with great equipment but he’ll be recording with a great team of musicians and then heading down to Houston for mixing by Jay Snider. Snider has worked on albums for both Robbie Seay and Brandon Heath, and most notably is a part of the team that has brought us SerialBox Presents, which is almost like a video version of Daytrotter that has featured such great artists as Paper Route, Balmorhea, David Ramirez, and Trent Dabbs. You should definitely check it out.  But more importantly you should check out Cass Harris’ Kickstarter page and consider making a pledge to help these songs see the light of day.  The guy is a stellar songwriter and this would be well worth it.  Plus your donation doesn’t just go to getting the album made, it gives you a copy of the album or more. Again, worth it. If you can afford it, I recommend choosing the option that comes with Cass cooking a meal at your home.  Check out this video below.

Balmorhea, Simple but Gorgeous

This past weekend I was explaining to a friend of mine why I have a hard time with drum circles.  I get really frustrating with most participants unwillingness to play a simple beat.  In my opinion they are the most enjoyable and most tolerable to my ears when you phase people in, one at a time, with different but very simple beats.  But unfortunately everyone wants to solo and just let their hands go crazy.

To make great music it doesn’t have to be difficult or complex and I think that a lot of the great artists of our time, get this.  Chris Martin definitely does.  And so does M. Ward.  I’m not saying these guys aren’t talented.  Rather, I think they are brilliant, because they both have the ability of taking a bunch of really simple and sometimes even mundane and piece it together to create something truly marvelous. And I’ve just recently discovered another band that has figured out how to do this as well.  Watch this live performance by instrumental band, Balmorhea and you will know what I mean.

Balmorhea “Untitled 1″ from Retread Sessions on Vimeo.

This is a band that I have absolutely fallen for.  Their 2009 record, All is Wild, All is Silent, is just phenomenal. I absolutely love it, from start to finish.  Take a listen to this remix by Library Tapes, of the same song you just watched them perform live.