The North Country is a melodic indie-folk sextet from D.C. that will release latest album There Is Nothing To Fear on April 20. The band has a special way with melodic hooks, and its music clearly comes from the heart. These guys show strength in songwriting but are most notable for their fantastic musicianship. Now, they have been so kind as to make MAGNET a mix tape. Check it out below.
Luke Temple “Hard Working Hand”
Luke Temple is one of the most underrated artists today. He fronted Here We Go Magic and is now doing mostly solo stuff. I’ve seen him a bunch of times and it’s always different and always incredible. This song is the first cut off his album Good Mood Fool, which a dear friend introduced to me as, “the album the ’80s wished it had made.” Video
Kraftwerk “Vitamin”
One of the things I love about Kraftwerk is how minimal its lyrics are. This song is off the 2003 soundtrack for the Tour de France, and the lyrics are literally just a list of vitamins and bodily chemicals associated with strenuous cardiovascular activity. Seriously, though, what else do you need? Video
Panda Bear “Mr Noah”
This whole album is so amazing. It pushes the envelope so much in terms of sonic textures while still staying rooted in good songwriting. Video
R.E.M. “Welcome To The Occupation”
I recently discovered early R.E.M. and fell in love with Document. This is one of my favorite songs off that album. Video
Stronger Sex “Temptation”
D.C. is a hotbed of some really fantastic music right now, and Stronger Sex is a testament to that. Music today is rarely this fearless or seemingly devoid of any sort of self-awareness, and the result is deeply compelling and thoroughly inventive music. I’m lucky enough to be able to call these lunatics my friends and can easily say they are a regular source of inspiration for me as a writer and performer. Audio
Philip Selway “Coming Up For Air”
Radiohead’s drummer comes from behind and makes a really great solo record. Video
Leonard Cohen “Everybody Knows”
The ’80s production doesn’t age well, but the lyrics are timeless. Video
Brian Eno “Deep Blue Day”
This song was a gateway for me into a whole new world of sonic possibilities. I don’t know anyone who can pull off space-country as well as Brian Eno. Video
Steve Reich (Performed By Jonny Greenwood) “Electric Counterpoint III: Fast”
When most take time off from a band as big as Radiohead, they relax and don’t work so hard. What I love about Jonny Greenwood is during his brief hiatus with the band, he’s busy with many projects, one of them being recording looped guitar versions of classic pieces by minimalist composer Steve Reich. Video
Velvet Underground “Pale Blue Eyes”
I first heard this song on the soundtrack for The Diving Bell And The Butterfly. I’ve been in love with it ever since. Video
