Mountain Goats

Regular emo music doesn't make me sad, unlike a lot of my friends. But for some reason, the down-to-earth honest folk music of The Mountain Goats does a thing on me. His real lyrics always touch me deep emotionally.

That song made me cry for most of 2005. The addition of sock puppets makes it even more depressing.

Despite being mildly obsessed with the Mountain Goats for a year or two in my early 20s, I never actually got around to seeing them. But (come on, you knew there'd be a but and a seque into announcing a tour) they'll be playing the Zoo May 4. Come cry with me.

The Tallest Man On Earth

He's really not that tall. And he's Swedish.

But as you listen to his folk music in the above video, you can't help but come to the conclusion that pretty much everyone else has: he sounds like old school Bob Dylan. I've yet to read a review that doesn't make this link. It's not a bad thing at all though. His song-writing and his singing is very similar in both style and absolute awesomeness.

Come October, he'll be down under playing a show at the Powerhouse. When it comes to venues to sit down and listen to a man play his guitar and serenade me, I can't think of many other perfect venues. Maybe the Troubadour or the Globe.

This is not a show you want to miss. October 21, Powerhouse.

The Beards

I am a man. A man with a beard. Since I was about 17, my face has always been adorned with some sort of hair, except for those unfortunate times when I accidentally trimmed too close and looked 14 for the few days it took me to man back up.


I'm not the only person that enjoys a good Beard. The band known as The Beards have formed their entire musical premise around beards. Well, beards, comedy and folk music. It's bloody hilarious. Click the link above to get some free MP3s from them. I'd especially recommend "If Your Dad Doesn't Have A Beard You've Got Two Mums".

They're playing a show at the Zoo on August 12th. You should see them. 18+

The Waifs

When you think of Australian folk music, it's hard to go past the Waifs.


They've been putting together some of the most beautiful folk rock to come out of this country for the better part of a decade now. In the next few weeks they'll be releasing a new album called Tempatation. If you're keen, you can download the track Angela for free. After you've done that, put it on, lie in the grass in the sun, close your eyes and truly enjoy the beauty of it all.

And then open your eyes, and head on out to catch them touring the new album.

March 2, Nambour Civic Centre
March 3, The Tivloi

Donavon Frankenreiter

Sure, he's not as good as the original Donovan (and his name is spelt differently), but he's got that same laid back folk rock with a dash of beach and surfing thrown in.

The beach part is no surprise, he did start his life as a professional surfer that just happened to hang around Jack Johnson. And his sound is a lot like Jack's at time. He's taking a very extended tour of Australia over most of March, probably so he can do a bit surfing while it's still cold in America.

As such, you can catch his mellow sounds on the following shows:
March 14, the Zoo
March 15, the Coolangatta Hotel
March 16, Beach Hotel in Byron

Free new tracks (Flooging Molly and Peter Bjorn and John)

Today brings you not one, but two new free tracks from great artists. The first one is from Flogging Molly, one of my favourite folk-punk bands. Featuring a huge Irish influence and 7 excellent musicians playing all sorts of folky instruments, they are always one to get me up and dancing a jig.

You can get their free new track, Don't Shut 'Em Down, by signing up to their newsletter here. It's less folky than a lot of their other songs and I think they are going for a little more of a mainstream rock sound, but it's still good. Especially the accordian. There needs to be more accordian in rock.

The other track is from Swedes Peter Bjorn and John, probably best known for that damn song with the whistling that always gets stuck in my goddamn head. Their new song, Breaker Breaker, can be streamed and downloaded from this website. If all you know is the song Young Folks (with the whistling) this will be different for you. It's short, it's distorted, it's faster and it's a lot noiser indie. There's no folk here. With my leanings towards noisy music, I like it of course.

New Bright Eyes track

This is Conor Oberst

Hailing from the sleepy midwest town of Omaha, he hit it big in the late 90's/early 00's with his band Bright Eyes and their folk music. People now worship the ground he walks on.

Bright Eyes went their separate ways a while ago and Conor did a tonne of solo stuff, including last year's folk supergroup Monsters of Folk. But now he's back with Bright Eyes again and in the process of putting out new music. The new album comes out in February, but right now you can get the first single for free. Right here.

Free Music Friday 6!

Yes, I know it's not quite Friday yet. But it's got to be in New Zealand, right? Plus I'm off to see Girls tonight and work golf day tomorrow, so this may be the only chance I get. Today's album I gave a 1 sentence review to earlier in the week.

The State Lottery - When The Night Comes (2010): Very folky punk, with lots of random instruments; just what I like. 3.5/5

You may think, "Allan, 3.5?! That's not very good!" To me 3.5 is good. It's nothing new and earth shattering, but it's damn enjoyable.


The State Lottery does folky sounding punk. It's kind of like a gypsy version of the Lawrence Arms crossed with old Against Me! Punk with lots of gravelly vocals, but with a bit more of a folk sound. Includes lots of trumpets and stuff. If you like punk, get this. It's amazing that they are putting this out for free.

Free download of the album When the Night Comes
MySpace