Alessi's Ark

So its Sunday once more and the perfect soundtrack to what should always be a calm and chilled out day is London folk songstress Alessi's Ark. The incredibly talented 20 year old from Hammersmith had a new single out this week on the unstoppably brilliant Bella Union label, also home to likes of Beach House & The Low Anthem.

Her single 'Wire' is nothing short of a sweet, nostalgic folk tune which sounds like its from a different era. Alessi has perfect vocals and the addition of trumpets in any song always makes me smile.

Alessi's Ark - Wire by Bella Union

If this is the early sound of spring in the city then I am excited. Alessi also has really cool blog which began in the form of a fanzine - check out Brain Bulletin here.

Her debut album 'Notes From The Treehouse' came out in 2009 and introduced the world to a quirky, talented songwriter who has universal appeal. Check out her single from that album 'Over The Hill'.





Alessi is playing shows at SXSW as well as touring all over Germany and Holland in April.
for more:
http://www.myspace.com/alessisark/


-Andy in London

Wye Oak

Every now and then a song leaves me in shivers. Wye Oak from are a dream pop/folk duo from Baltimore and their song Civilian does just this:

Wye Oak - Civilian by cityslang

The band produce a huge sound considering there is only 2 of them - Andy Stack (drums, keyboards, backup vocals) and Jenn Wasner (vocals, guitars). I dont know a great deal about them but I have listened to this song on repeat on my way to get a coffee this morning.

There is something stark and beautiful about their music in the same way that Beach Houses' Teen Dream album from last year really sat with me, so does Wye Oaks sound. On a grey and dark tuesday in London this song has lifted me.

Wye Oak are on tour supporting the excellent Cold War Kids across Germany and the UK and play their first headline London date on the 22nd at The Water Rats before embarking on
an extensive tour of the US and playing The Echo in LA on 24th March. Find out more here

-Andy in London