Next Elvis #13: Sky Sailing

Info: Sky Sailing is one of the many side projects of Adam Young, the man behind Owl City. I came across Sky Sailing when I was perusing the web for content for another post. Sky Sailing is merely acoustic guitar, piano, and voicebox, and I have seen it described as simply "Owl City unplugged," but I think that there is a lot more promise here. Building off Owl City's massive success in the past year, yet developing a different style of expression, Sky Sailing will likely be able to cut out its own niche and remain uniquely independent. Right now, there are two demos up on Sky Sailing's MySpace page, and the record is scheduled to drop on July 13. Let's hope the rest of it is as good as what's up there now.

Sounds Kind of Like: The Send, The Postal Service, and of course, Owl City.

Bio: Check out this introductory blog on Sky Sailing's MySpace.

Why it's going to be the next Elvis: Sky Sailing seems to have some pretty nice, refreshing tunes. Plus, interest is almost guaranteed on the heels of Young's recent successes.

Video:


Links:
Website
MySpace
Facebook

The Proliferation of Adam Young

Everyone knows about Owl City and the one-man band's first single "Fireflies," but did you know that Adam Young has seventeen (and a half) projects all told? Here they are:

1. Owl City
2. Port Blue
3. Swimming With Dolphins
4. Windsor Airlift
5. Insect Airport
6. Dolphin Park
7. Seagull Orchestra
8. Nuclear Suplex
9. The Grizzly
10. El Uno Clarence, The One Clarence
11. Basketball
12. Chester Mcwiggins and the Kowboy Kidz
13. Novel
14. Aquarium
15. Blue Dallas
16. Keehar
17. Sky Sailing
18. And, possibly in the future, Goodbye Dubai with Matthew Thiessen of Relient K.

And now, videos of the projects I couldn't find on MySpace.

Novel:


Aquarium:


The only project I could find absolutely nothing on was Blue Dallas. Thanks to this page for providing the list.

Favorite Song

With 79 iTunes plays since I found it in late April, Lymbyc Systym's Processed Spirits is my most-played and favorite song in recent memory. It's from Field Studies, Lymbyc Systym's split EP with This Will Destroy You, another fantastic band. I'm really getting into alternative instrumental rock, and it is definitely rocking my socks off. And so, without further ado, Lymbyc Systym's Processed Spirits:

And now, a word about me!

Hey not to push my own stuff unfairly or anything, but I thought you might be interested to know that, just tonight, I wrapped my third album, "Truths for the Jaded." I'm not calling it good or anything, but if you'd like, you can check it out and download it for free!

Truths for the Jaded by tdq11

It's Official!

Seriously, this is it. I have found my favorite album of all time:

Earlier, I gave a head's-up that the Scottish indie band Frightened Rabbit's latest, The Winter of Mixed Drinks, was rocking my world, and couple months later, I can honestly say that, simply put, this is the best album I have ever heard, and I love every last thing about it. I have probably listened to it 30-40 times all the way through, and it's just ridiculous how it doesn't get old. Sure, the instrumentation and vocals are fairly simple, and it doesn't have the production values of Coldplay, but that is a fair deal of the charm for me. While it is certainly well-done and thoroughly thought out, the album doesn't get in the way of the subject matter, instead driving it to full realization. This is indie music as it should be: Beautiful, heartfelt, and moving. Frightened Rabbit blends lyrics and instrumentation seamlessly to create music that is almost tangible in this near-perfect beast of a record. Applause.

Next Elvis #12: The Send

Info: The Send is a creative side project by Joseph Kisselburgh, who used to play guitar for Falling Up I came across The Send a few years ago when Tooth & Nail sent me an email update on Cosmos, the first and only album The Send has released to date. Now, in spite of some ridiculously well-made and inspiring music, The Send remains dormant. While there was a post on The Send's MySpace page confirming rumors of a new album in the works, with songs already being recorded, that was more than two years ago. I don't know if good ol' Joey is intending to draw this out as long as possible, or if there is no hope of anything new from The Send, but I am thankful that Cosmos exists, because it is some seriously good stuff. Just the same, I've been placidly frothing at the mouth for new material from The Send for a good long time, and I would love to see some results. I'll keep you posted if anything happens..

Sounds Like: Hope.

Bio: From the iTunes product page: "After spending three years as the guitarist in the Christian rock band Falling Up, Oregon native Joseph Kisselburgh decided to strike out on his own. Taking bits and pieces of songs he had written while touring with his old group, Kisselburgh set out writing the pieces for his first solo album Cosmos, seizing upon the talents of producer Aaron Sprinkle to give him the sound he was envisioning. Though he compiled a five-piece band for his tour, Kisselburgh played most of the instruments on the record, which was released by Tooth & Nail records in the summer of 2007 under the Send's moniker."

Why it's going to be the next Elvis: Kisselburg's music is honest, beautiful, and moving. It is musically and thematically legitimate, and it makes me smile.

Video:

"An Epiphany"- The Send

The Send | MySpace Music Videos

Links:
MySpace
PureVolume
iTunes
Facebook
Virb
Shoutlife

Head's Up: Frightened Rabbit

Frightened Rabbit is totally rocking my world right now. They're a Scottish indie band, and their tunes are just super legit and moving.