NEW GRIMES!: grimes - delete forever

NEW LUMINEERS: the lumineers - left for denver (part 6 of 10)

dir: kevin phillips

NEW VIDEO!: dermot kennedy - lost

dermot kennedy - lost
easily one of ireland's most popular exports in the past year, the singer songwriter with the growl in his voice showcases it live in the beginning of this video for 'lost'. love this guy!!!

NEW LUCY ROSE: lucy rose - all that fear

lucy rose - all that fear
singer / songwriter lucy rose finally offers up her popular album track as a proper release for the fans. taken from the album 'something's changing' which seems to have an endless amount of gems to choose from, lucy is finishing up a successful world tour by finishing up in the US the next few weeks. the woman is great live so check her out if you get the chance!

VIDEO PREMIERE: vance joy - lay it on me

vance joy - lay it on me
can't believe it's been 4 years since we were first introduced to vance joy via his now classic "riptide"! after a bit of a break, the singer songwriter has returned with this epic track (horns and all!) that kicks off an as yet untitled new album. with a video featuring the lovely angela sarafyan (hbo's westworld), press play to enjoy his wonderful return!

WONGIE SONG OF THE WEEK: birdtalker - one

birdtalker - one
sometimes a song just finds you and you are just the better person because of it. birdtalker are a collective of musicians rooted with the coupling of zack & dani green, who've spent the past year honing their sound culminating with the release of their upcoming debut album. "one" does that perfect thing where it draws you in with a kickoff hum then opens your heart with it's sage lyrics. when dani comes in with her counter melody all feels break loose and well... life is just grand afterwards. sigh.  

AUDIO PREMIERE: fleet foxes - third of may / Ōdaigahara

fleet foxes - third of may / Ōdaigahara
clocking in at almost 9 minutes, the return of fleet foxes (it's been 6 years people!!!) also kicks off their upcoming album 'crack-up', which if this 1st track is any indication, will be a beautiful swirl of musicality that is just lush! welcome back boys!!

WONGIE COLLABORATION OF THE WEEK: mumford & sons, baaba maal, the very best, beatenberg - wona

mumford & sons, baaba maal, the very best, beatenberg - wona
recorded over a two day period while on tour in south africa, mumford & sons gathered together the amazingly talented baaba maal, the very best and beatenberg to write the just released EP johannesburg. treating it like a creative summit, the tracks from this session are at once celebratory of everyone's differences and the power of how music really has no language barrier. to be honest, i haven't been excited about mumford & sons in awhile, but this collection gives me much hope of their musical direction and openness.

wanna hear more? check out this live version of there will be time from the wonderful johannesburg EP:

mumford & sons, baaba maal and the very best - there will be time (live in south africa)

WONGIE INDIE FOLK SONG OF THE WEEK: billie marten - milk & honey

billie marten - milk & honey
the gentle assured sound of newbie singer/songwriter folk gal billie marten has been on my radar for a few months, but it's her latest single 'milk & honey' that cements my appreciation of this definite one to watch for 2016. at just 18 years old, i'd say the prospects are pretty darn good so far!

WONGIE INDIE FOLK SONG OF THE WEEK: ry x - only

ry x - only
it's hard to believe that aussie singer/songwriter ry cuming (aka ry x) has taken his time to release his debut album 'dawn' since his indie hit "berlin" two years back. according to ry, much was about finding the right sound for him and giving him the space to do so. well the wait is finally over and ry x returns with this gorgeously delicate new song that kickstarts the release of his upcoming album. file this under yaaaaay!!!

WONGIE INDIE FOLK SONG OF THE WEEK: the lumineers - ophelia

the lumineers - ophelia
taken from their upcoming 2nd album 'cleopatra', the lumineers took a good 6 months to craft the sound of their new album since the worldwide success of their 2012 debut. it's a lovely new start don't you think?

WONGIE VIDEO(s) OF THE WEEK: bear's den - elysium / agape

bear's den - elysium
this beautiful video by james marcus haney was initially a celebration of the lyrics of UK act bear's den by spending some time documenting james' brother turner, over a university weekend. what was initially a video about youth and innocence turned into a real life tragedy as a gunman shot and killed one of turner's friends leading to the raw documentation that we see here. it's moving and brilliant added with the gorgeous soundtrack by the lovely indie folk band.


bear's den - elysium (live @ vevo dscvr)
and just to prove how lovely these lads are, check out a live performance of this touching song just for you!

oh and check out their other gem 'agape' directed by ed sayers which is lovely too!

bear's den - agape

VIDEO PREMIERE: sufjan stevens - no shade in the shadow of the cross

sufjan stevens - no shade in the shadow of the cross
looks like it's a return to sufjan's folk roots with the premiere of the 1st song from his upcoming album 'carrie & lowell'! there's very little else that is out there on this release, so for now, press play and enjoy the kooky lyrics.

MELLOW FRIDAYS: the barr brothers - even the darkness has arms

the barr brothers - even the darkness has arms
hailing from montreal, this americana quartet have released this beautifully calm gem that just hints at some of the quiet genius of their upcoming album 'sleeping operator'. i'm new to these guys, but they sure have made an impression from the strength of this song!

WONGIE SONG OF THE MONTH: family of the year - hero

family of the year - hero
this gentle folk anthem was actually one of my fave songs of last year. but since i didn't put out a list, it really just stayed a gem on my car mix for 2013. but with the appearance on the trailer for the upcoming 'boyhood' by richard linklater and the fact that it's charting throughout europe, now is a great time to remind myself and those of you who haven't heard this song yet, the simple pleasures of a great beautiful song.

here's the trailer that reminded me of how much i love this song!

boyhood - trailer

WONGIE INDIE FOLK SONG OF THE WEEK: birdy - words as weapons

birdy - words as weapons
yeah... this ryan tedder produced number is pretty darn good! throw in the haunting video where birdy gets all angry ghost and you've got a strong new single that deserves multiple listens!

WONGIE SONG OF THE MONTH: hozier - take me to church

hozier - take me to church
with an anti-homophobia video that's gone viral, irish singer songwriter andrew hozier byrne is definitely making his mark with this haunting spiritual single that bears repeating. just listening to him sing 'amen' over and over again is enough to bring instant goosebumps. amazing.

INDIE MIX: john grant & conor o'brien - glacier / gmf

john grant & conor o'brien - glacier
i love the baritone voice of queer folkster john grant (and i'm not the only one since he got nominated for best international male artist this year at the brit awards), throw in his brilliant lyrics and you quickly understand why he's caused quite a swoon from fans this past year with his wonderful album 'pale green ghosts'. it's taken me awhile to appreciate his genius, but better late than never right?

wanna hear more, check out one of my fave songs from last year in the form of GMF. just brilliant!

john grant - gmf

WONGIE FOLK POP SONG OF THE WEEK: serena ryder - what i wouldn't do

serena ryder - what i wouldn't do
nominated for 5 juno awards this year, this canadian singer/songwriter is definitely someone you should keep an eye out for (if you haven't already). full of joyous stomp, this is the perfect single to acquaint yourself to this powerhouse of an artist.

WONGIE SONG OF THE MONTH: matt corby - resolution

matt corby - resolution
with only 4 ep's under his belt, australian singer songwriter matt corby has slowly amassed a rabid following through enthusiastic word of mouth. the road to his debut album release seems to have been a bumpy one as it's taken matt almost two years to put out new material. but it's been worth the wait, cause this intense slow burn ballad is just pure genius! with a selling out australian and uk tour, i cannot wait to check out matt and his amazing vocals when he comes to the US.

and check out the song that won the hearts of his fans last year. a gorgeous song called 'brother' that is just killing me! here matt is doing a stripped down version that is goosebumpingly insane:

matt corby - brother