Mid Tenn Listens – this week’s jedi picks

Brilliant Indie Music From Brilliant Folks

Ships Have Sailed – Earmilk said “”Ships Have Sailed is the rare case of a band name embodying its sound. Their melodies soar effortlessly and their inspired, rounded resonance reminds me of 90s alt-rock bands that have since gone out to sea…” We’ve had Ships Have Sailed on Mid Tenn Listens Live in the past and the gang all agreed these cats rock!

Madison, WI-based quartet The Begowatts just premiered their debut single “Lawmaker” on Speak Into My Good Eye who noted the band “turns up a classic honky tonk pace with a huge sound tailor made to burn up any bar room in the country.” – the Jedi agrees, this kicks butt! Love the guitars!

Dan Lipton –  In the wake of its release this past February, Breathing In was covered by Huffington Post, hailed as “beautifully powerful” by Groundsounds and called a “sun-dappled, grass between the toes, slice of comfort” by Bearded Magazine. Many outlets also took note of Dan’s journeyman approach to his songwriting and he was lauded as “A master in his own field” by Famous Last Words. More than anything, the album seemed to provide a healing balm for those experiencing the transitory nature of modern living. – the Jedi says “Dark Water” is a great track and I’m looking forward to hearing the rest of the record.

A good friend asked me for a Jedi suggestion this morning and I didn’t really expect to be adding a moody dark track to the list today, but this Highland Kites tune, “Humiliated” is deep and really really cool! — “By weaving hope, positivity and closure into her songs, Marissa was able to create compelling and often dark content that ultimately felt uplifting. She still maintains her “goal with music is to make people feel better even though most of my songs are themed around painful experiences.”’

Katie Burden premiered her debut track “I Can See It Clear” via Noisey, who likened it to “the disturbing love child of Nancy Sinatra and David Bowie.” — the Jedi can get down with that… and in a really groovy way. — “I Can See It Clear” is off Katie’s forthcoming, Strange Moon, which is being released via Cautionary Tail on September 16 (hey, that’s my birthday!) and is a strong artistic statement from a striking chanteuse.