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I'm down here in the mystical mountains of Harrisonburg covering MACRoCk, and it's such a daggum beautiful day here that I figured I'd give y'all a little treat, a nice little ditty that feels totally at home and at peace here amongst the spectacular natural scenery of the Shenandoah.
The generosity of Thieving Irons has led them to decide to start offering free songs hither and thither, and the first such freebie is a gorgeous, stripped-down version of the fantastic "Tow The Line." It's amazing how different a song can sound given a rejigging, and this here version sounds like a completely new song. It's a languid daydream of a song, and I think you're agree it's rather lovely. Make sure you sign up to get more info on the forthcoming free tracks. And don't forget to pick up a copy of the record while you're at it.
Why I Decree it to Be So:
Say you're in a really, really great band. But that really, really great band breaks up. What do you do? Well, friends, if you're Nate Martinez, you keep making really, really great music. And that's precisely what Martinez did post-Pela under the guise of Thieving Irons. This Midnight Hum, the first Thieving Irons LP, is one of the most honest records I've heard in quite a while, crackling with heartfelt emotion like you wouldn't believe. To me, it's a record in the vein of vintage Americana, as interpreted by Bruce Springsteen and John Mellencamp (when he rocked the Cougar in there, just so we're clear). The song composition is ace, intricate and lovely, and Martinez proves a more than able frontman, exhibiting a voice lacking in pretense, stripped of everything but tons of stories. Along with partner in crime Mike Brown and other friends, This Midnight Hum is an impressive collection of stories and beautiful moments in time. Ever so highly recommended.
mp3: Tow The Line (Thieving Irons from This Midnight Hum) (big ups to
Rollo & Grady)
As music bloggers, Chris and I both have quite a few folks that come to us seeking musical guidance. Now, I can't speak for Chris, but whenever I get asked for recommendations, I tend to draw a blank. Naturally, I remember a whole host of bands I just know people would love hours after they've asked me. It's a gift to have such a horrible memory, I know. So then, it seemed somehow necessary to begin to offer up mixes for my friends, mixes for those who have both asked for my wisdom and those who need my help, whether they know it or not.
First up: my super awesome friend James, who actually inspired this whole concept. James is no stranger to good music, being in a band down there in Richmond himself (which you should probably check out). Over the years that we've known each other, James has often boosted my ego by coming to me for bands to listen to. Naturally, I'm always more than happy to oblige. However, now, instead of having to get back to him with erratic texts at random hours, I present him with a mix. So James, darlin', this one's for you.
mp3: Daydream (Beach Fossils from Beach Fossils)
mp3: Don't Know Why (You Stay) (The Essex Green from Cannibal Sea)
mp3: The Great River (These United States from What Lasts)
mp3: Knots (Pete & The Pirates from Little Death)
mp3: If You Don't Want Me To Destroy You (Super Furry Animals from Fuzzy Logic)
mp3: Night Might (The Strange Boys from Be Brave)
mp3: Tow The Line (Thieving Irons from This Midnight Hum)
mp3: Big Black Sky (Sunking! from Dreamy Of The Sunchildren)
mp3: Us Vs Them (Common Prayer from There Is A Mountain)
mp3: Young And Dumb (Neverever from Angelic Swells)
mp3: Doors (Ice Black Birds from As Birds We'd Be Fine)
mp3: All Y'all (Gringo Star from All Y'all)
It’s rather amusing that of all the t-shirts in my closet, the Pela shirt is the one I ended up wearing today. You see, friends, this here #55 show involves ¼ of Pela, pets emeritus of LET. After the band’s demise, guitarist Nate Martinez (otherwise known as one of my most favorite people around) couldn’t shake the itch, and continued work on stuff he’d had floating around in his head. The result was an album’s worth of awesome, also known as This Midnight Hum (which you should definitely buy). And to properly welcome the record into the world, Nate and his conglomeration of rad cohorts got themselves down to DC for their first ever live show. And what a show it was. Thieving Irons has definitely adapted the Pela tradition of great music, great live performances, and just being plain ole great.
MINI RECAP: Thieving Irons = First-time Charmers! Overall score: A.
Lee Hazelwood was soundtracking the soundcheck, so I knew that obviously good things were to come. It didn’t take long to prove me right. Starting with “Ashes On The Riverbank”, which reminded me how much I’d missed Nate’s deft guitar playing and ever-so likeable stage presence. I didn’t expect the comparison that began to form in my mind during this first song, but Nate’s voice kinda sorta reminded me of The Boss, minus the Jersey and a lot of the gravel. But the earnestness, the emotion, that’s the crux. So Boss Junior he shall be. The songs, with their scope and composition, dove into E Street Band territory here and there. It all felt rather special, I must say.
“I Can Hear a Pin Drop” was next, another fine musical display that really showed off Nate’s songwriting chops (a particular favorite: “I am a coward in my own skin”). The goodness lasted for the entire set, the songs given added weight and depth by the multi-awesome Mike Brown, who took turns on banjo, guitar, lap steel, and the occasional note on the keys. The ethereal shimmer of the steel, for instance, added even more of a dream-like quality to the sensational “Wave’s Gonna Break”. Nate’s voice proved endearingly vulnerable during several songs, but this one in particular. “On The Horizon” featured one of my favorite lines by just about anyone in “It’s too cold to shiver,” and it was during this song that I noted that this could very well be on of those shows I gloat about having been present at years from now.
“Pale Blue Dots” for some reason conjured up Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game”, though less obviously hormonal. To me, it was the sound of sultry nights, fire escapes, and hazy rings surrounding a muggy moon. It was during “Babylon Is Burning” that I realized my foot hadn’t stopped tapping all night, and that was the set’s tenth song. And it should be noted that while a shout-out from the stage doesn’t automatically guarantee a good review, it sure doesn’t hurt. “These Shaking Walls” and “Tow The Line” finished up the show, and both were splendid.
It’s a good thing I didn’t envision doing anything other than totally loving the Thieving Irons live experience. I hereby decree that Thieving Irons should be recommended listening as a part of your musical diet, and that seeing this band live will do wonders for your soul. Come on in, y’all, the bandwagon’s fine. Pull up a seat right here next to me.
mp3: Ashes On The Riverbank (Thieving Irons from This Midnight Hum)
I'm down here in the mystical mountains of Harrisonburg covering MACRoCk, and it's such a daggum beautiful day here that I figured I'd give y'all a little treat, a nice little ditty that feels totally at home and at peace here amongst the spectacular natural scenery of the Shenandoah.
