lylas, 'Warm Harm'
"Lo, the phoenix which is known to rise from the ashes. But what of those birds who glide above, that pace and flank the rise and fall of the sun blotting smoke? More to the point, what of the artists that come from such creatively fertile soot, who remain obscured within the clouds of their own migrations, undetected by radar nesting beyond their immediate horizons? Artists who remain so consistently original and a part of the motley sails of their community- fervent creators, regular contributors, vetted innovators, loyal listeners.
lylas have been threads in and of Music City's independent community for fifteen years now. Influences from local contemporaries are eloquently strewn together in the sounds they have developed over the years. 'Warm Harm' is the fruit of that labor featuring an impressive new lineup.
"Judy Guitar" shimmers with the pedal steel of long-time member and Nashvillian, Luke Schneider (Margot Price, Natural Child, William Tyler). Its self-aware lyrics glow like a dusty bulb, evoking a confessional tone ala Lambchop, “Stutter ‘til I make it rhyme, Judy.”
Ryan “Coupler” Norris, and Scott Martin (both Lambchop/ HeCTA vets) give performances on "Dial X" reminiscent of Courtney Tidwell’s challenging flavor of pop/rock as Fever Queen. And with the addition of the en vogue Rodrigo Avendano (HeCTA, Coupler, Stone Jack Jones), all is set in place for a new incarnation to load on the looping layers in what is the most ambitious lylas release to-date.
In a svelte haze of tones, "Booze Moon" swirls not unlike a sedated Dave Cloud and the Gospel of Power song with the driving bass of long time collaborator, Adam Badnarik (KORT, Hands Off Cuba). Bednarik shares more rhythm section duties on "Right Hand Hand,” showcasing the ever sharp drumming of Rollum Haas (The Features). Primary songwriter, Kyle Hamlett, sings a truth every member of the group can attest to: “I'm not your right hand hand. You're getting thrills, I'm getting thin. So I'm going and I'm growing something greater than skin. Now who you know it is not me.”
Suffice it to say, 'Warm Harm’ finds lylas molting their feathers in favor of decidedly new territory. The culmination of styles in the current outfit manifest in something considerably more visceral and rock-leaning than any of their previous recordings. This is due in large part to the heavy ears of long time Nashville engineer/producer, Jeremy Ferguson, who has worked with countless groups through his Battletapes studio, such as PUJOL, Turbo Fruits, and Promised Land Sound."
-Austin Alexander, host of 'Sound, Mind, & Proxy', Fridays, 7pm on WXNA 101.5FM Nashville, wxnafm.org
Jacob Morris, 'MOTHS'
Cleft has co-released Jacob Morris's 'MOTHS' debut LP with Athens GA label, Cloud Recordings! These are mixed colored vinyl with full color dust jacket. Orders will ship much earlier in advance of this album's December street date. Download card is included.
Jacob Morris is from Athens, Georgia. He started playing cello in Austin, TX at the age of four, along with his musical family until he left home. The unique music community that is Athens attracted him years back. and since then he has supported some of its finest musicians and songwriters playing cello, guitar, bass, and keys with artists such as Ham 1, Vic Chesnutt, Liz Durrett, Madeline, and currently Patterson Hood of the Drive-By Truckers.
Taking cues from the psychedelic pop and folk of this robust scene, Jacob has crafted a stellar debut with his Moths album. A beautiful voice--reminiscent of Elliot Smith, Love is Overtaking Me-era Arthur Russell, and John Cale--paired with a timeless songwriting sense that evokes reflection and meditation akin to a late 60's Nick Drake track, Morris seams it all together with a roster of eclectic musicians that have played with everyone from The Olivia Tremor Control, Silver Jews, Clem Snide, and many others. Madeline added some chilling harmonies that give some songs a Tusk-era Fleetwood Mac feel.
Ranging from a perfect afternoon drive soundtrack at its most upbeat to a good post-breakup listen at its deepest, Moths was recorded over three sessions throughout the past two years in Nashville with Cleft house producer, Loney John Hutchins. The result of all this patience is a lush sonic landscape that is breathtaking at its most beautiful moments and unassumingly charming at its most humble.
The Altered Statesman, Kurt Wagner, 'Something Missing'
The Mattoid, 'Hello'
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Debut album from Helsinki transplant, THE MATTOID. This is the release that started it all. As a live performer, Mattoid has remained a polarizing figure. Recorded, he offers refined musings and tasteful lounge rock production. 'Hello' is a must own for those already a fan and those newly curious about The Mattoid's own brand of music he calls SANGO. Recommended tracks: "Slacker's Pain," "Happiness," "Party Time."
International Orders
Eaglebreeze, 'Eaglebreeze'
Cleft Music has discovered 500 virgin vinyl copies of Eaglebreeze's debut, Eaglebreeze. Included with each translucent gold LP is an original punch out card, 3-dimensional, Eagle teepee rocket turn table spinner model. Clip on feathers and blacklight stickers not included, but we have specially made download cards for the album, even though that would have blown these dudes' minds back in 1983. Careless, stoner, cock rock from an era that hadn't yet been altered by the crack cocaine epidemic of the late 80's.
Chelsea Crowell, Self Titled, Debut Album
Chelsea Crowell's beautiful debut album is available on digipak CD and luscious, 150gram vinyl (with digital download card).
'Crystal City'
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Chelsea Crowell's 2nd LP, Crystal City, builds on her eponymous release with intimate, dark folk, epic western tales, and some tongue in cheek honky tonk. Available in both cd digipak and 150 gram vinyl with download card. If ordering outside of the US, please select one of the international shipping options. We thank your ears.
Carey Kotsionis "The Magic Cowboy Boots ep"
Nashville's best kept secret is Carey Kotsionis. See why in this sugary sweet ep of country lounge. Having started The Sways in the early 00's with accomplished guitarist and producer, Adam Landry, Kotsionis also gained fans as part of Bobby Bare Jr's Young Criminals Starvation League. Recommended tracks: "Long Long Time," "Makes Me So," "Magic Cowboy Boots."
International Orders Click Here
The Mattoid, 'Eternifinity'
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This is a companion piece to The Mattoid's wildly successful debut, "Hello." It includes outtakes such as, "Joy," and "Tinkli Vinkli" while also offering new sounds like the net-dating "Little Surfer" and, a fiercely grooving revamp of "Happiness."
International Orders
The Mattoid, 'Glory Holy the EP'
The Mattoid returns with this teaser EP for his 2nd LP "The Glory Holy." This EP contains outtakes from the album that we couldn't legally put on there. Containing his opus of crassness, this is the EP for the serious Mattoid fan. Recommended tracks: "The C*#k Suckers," "Could You Please?"
International Orders
Monsters On Television, 'Life Is So Bizarre' LP or CD
The kickass debut from unsung dive bar champion, Mr. Sunflower. Known by most as the man from Reno who arrived in Nashville to join the Poppy Fields band, Sunny went on to serve as drummer for Finnish troubadour, the Mattoid through his Hello and Eternifinity period. Hailing originally from Las Vegas by way of Southern California, Sunflower's first offering, Life Is So Bizarre, is filled with straight forward 70's punk pop, metal shredding, angsty So-Cal fist pumpers, and even humorous missives like 'Whatever Happened to the Spaced Out 90's?" This album is a document of Nashville's extra- subterranean music scene. If you've ever spent a late night on the back porch of the Springwater Supper Club you might be familiar with what sort of talent can lie hidden there. The records are a limited run of only 300 and are pressed on 150 gram vinyl. The jackets are hand screened by our friends at Grand Palace silk screening and a download card is included like all Cleft vinyl. Also available on CD digipak and various download sites.
