4 posts tagged “acoustic”

If you have not yet discovered the treat that is Conan Brophy's voice, this is going to be a delight for you.  Of himself, Conan claims: " I make beats and noises in a secret overground bunker in the West of Ireland. I like to sing and paint (I painted my profile pic[over on AmieStreet]) and generally make music and art. I used to play in bands and spent a few years hanging around the edge of the music business before deciding I wasn't enjoying myself so I moved to the country instead. I still love to make music and sometimes play live and release records."
I can understand the music scene in bars and bands and crazy ego competitions getting to be too much-- thank god he only gave up on the scene and not the music itself.  With a smooth voice that oozes down through your skin and into your soul, Conan makes music that soothes, cheers and lifts you into another -and much better- world.
His philosophical lyrics are intelligent, thought provoking and show a mind at work on the puzzles of the universe - or sometimes just that guy sleeping on a bench.

From the pop styled, danceable Dogwalker to the moody, aching love song Come See Me, all of the songs available on AmieStreet or his Website are very listenable. Be sure to check out the website, because he is doing some nice art out there as well.. I think my favorite is this fish.

Conan had an appearance on BalconyTV and played his song Frog Prince, which you can see here:

Sometimes giving up the "9-5 sure to succeed" track and following your dreams leads to bigger and better things-- and Rob Drabkin is the perfect example of this. Although he studied music for years and years, he got all the way to post college graduation before it occurred to him to follow his love and be a musician for a living, rather than an avocation. We are all blessed and lucky that he made the decision to follow this dream. With lyrics that are well written and stream from the heart, uncanny and beautiful skill with a guitar and a collection of talented instrumentals playing along, both his first album and the subsequently released EP are additions to my musical library I will replay and treasure for long to come.
Without taking himself too seriously, he puts heart and soul into every song he creates. A Small Time, from the Don't Worry About Me EP has deep echoes of Dave Matthews, but his unique style shines through in a tale of hope and longing.

Contrast this with Lullaby, from the same EP, that is a soulful guitar and sax instrumental that may make you cry yourself to sleep from the sheer beauty of it.

Showing off the incredible breadth of his talent, his style stretches all the way to from acoustical guitar cover of Frank's The Way You Look Tonight on his first self titled CD, Rob Drabkin  that would give any girl chills to the faster paced finger twisting She Comes and Goes.

There is not a bad track on either of these releases- we can only wait with baited breathe to see what comes out of Colorado and Rob's heart and mind next.

See excerpts from a live show:

I was thinking about listing an upbeat new Funk find today, but then my AC broke and ATT has my phone lines messed up, so my mood was more along the lines of a Tom Waits Style vocal.

thus today I bring you Drive Texas. This sample from their new EP, Dawn Lane, is a very good representation of classic accoustic guitar with vocal and lyrics that are raw and real. Enjoy!

If you are not familiar with Dan Tharp, here is a great introduction to his gorgeous classical and acoustical guitar stylings.  Check it out, and if you like it the download of the whole album was still under 2 bucks when this was published.