Americana singer/songwriter Beth Bombara‘s story began as many musician’s did, with punk. She was in a punk band with some high-school friends and was given time to explore music. After finding her place in music, playing soothing Americana for the masses, she now she readies for the release of her self-titled album, due out June 23. Bombara has been so kind as to make MAGNET a mix tape, so check it out below!
Smith And Weeden “Aim To Please”
I heard these guys for the first time at one of our shows in Nashville last fall, and I was immediately blown away. The chorus is such an anthem: “Don’t you try to speak to them of anything/They only aim to please.” Bonus points for putting on a raucous live show while also being super-friendly dudes. Audio
Bill Withers “Use Me”
I keep wanting to do a cover of this tune, but I’m going to wait until I figure out how to do it justice. What a sweet jam. Video
Big Star “Thirteen”
Remember when the world was still big and exciting, and falling in love was some new revelation? This song takes me back there. Video
Sturgil Simpson “Turtles All The Way Down”
My friend Jacob introduced me to this record during a tour last year. Jacob and I don’t always see eye to eye on music, but we can agree that Sturgill Simpson’s got some kinda magic that I hope to catch from him. Video
Karl Kling “Forward Thinker”
Karl Kling’s whole record is already a classic for me even though it just came out this month (a lot of people know him from his other project: RAC). This tune is comfortable leaving questions hanging in the air. So good. Audio
Mates Of State “Get Better”
I have such a soft spot for Mates Of State; they were an important part of my soundtrack as a young musician. I remember seeing them in a small dive bar where I grew up in Michigan, and having the best time. I felt inspired to be myself and do my own thing. Video
Spoon “Don’t You Evah”
I just found out recently that this is a cover song … Crazy cause this is one of my favorite Spoon jams. Both Spoon’s version and the original, by the Natural Selection, are cool in their own right. Spoon video / Natural Selection video
Dr. Dog “Lonesome”
“What does it take to be lonesome? Nothing at all” This tune is somehow whimsical and dark all at the same time. That’s a tough line to walk. Video
The Velvet Underground “Sunday Morning”
Can anyone other than Lou Reed make a song so beautiful and peaceful and sad? Video
Laura Veirs “The Sun Song”
Every time I hear this song, it feels like waking up out of a stupor and throwing the windows open on the first day of spring. Video
The Kinks “Mountain Woman”
Ahh, the Kinks. Don’t know if any other British band could make sense of a “rural America” concept album like Muswell Hillbillies, but it’s one of my favorite Kinks records. This tune has a great old Southern rock vibe, and the vocals are spot on. Video
