Pickathon 2017

[Ojai Sam]

M.A.K.U. SoundSystem - Mezcla (2016)

This band based in New York City consists mostly of Colombian immigrants. Their horn-powered sound is a bit reminiscent of War with less funk on the bottom and more rhythm on the top. There are some elements of chicha here, especially in the sinuous "Happy Hour", but their approach is more cosmopolitan than strictly Colombian. Bet they're a killer live act.

This one is linked above and appears on our Pickathon playlist.

 

[Ojai Sam]

J Mascis - Tied To A Star (2014)

This one came as a complete surprise to me. I haven't followed Dinosaur Jr. or Mascis and wasn't expecting such a fully realized effort. The insightful songs and mostly acoustic playing show a totally different side from the group's guitarslinging leader. Like Jerry Garcia, Mascis succeeds in maintaining a totally different separate identity as a solo artist.

Highly recommended. And it's on Spotify.

 

[Ojai Sam]

William Tyler - Modern Country (2016)

Ambient country? o_O

Slow instrumentals that ramble on for up to 9 minutes don't do much for me. Adding a whiff of twang doesn't make them country. I'd say Tyler's better suited for Burning Man than Pickathon.

 

[Ojai Sam]

The Desert Kind - Bad Wolf (2017)

Pickathon started today, and here's the Day 1 opening act. The festival website sez:

The Desert Kind is the brainchild of Portland-based songwriter Chris Bigley. Beginning as a mostly unplugged Americana outfit, Bigley shifted gears in 2015, stripping the live presentation to a duo–himself and bassist J Elwood Johncox, and emboldening their material with pulsing kick drums and crackling electric guitars. Anchored by Bigley’s writing, the band marches onward, creating a rollicking, poetry-fueled roots-minimalism ala Shovels and Rope, Possessed by Paul James and Shakey Graves.

I like this EP, sort of countryish folk with sensitive songs, rolling rhythms and a soupcon of twang.

 

[Ojai Sam]

I have now added all of the remaining Day 1 acts to the Spotify playlist. Lots of fine music here; Y La Bamba is a sure winner. More commentary later...

 

[Ojai Sam]

To celebrate Pickathon, all of the more than 60 acts appearing this weekend appear on our Spotify playlist. The diverse range of bands makes for a great weekend shuffle play.

Feel free to comment if any of these albums strike your fancy.