Album Review: Kingslyn - "Drunken Country Curse"

If you are in any way familiar with the South Carolina music scene, Erich Skelton is a name that should sound very familiar. I came upon Skelton's music during the Marry A Thief days, and immediately fell in love with his unique voice, pop sound, and heartfelt lyrics of heartache. The Marry A Thief sound featured layers of synth, drum loops, and other electronic magnificence, but with Kingslyn, Skelton returns to his pre-Marry A Thief sound,  featuring only a few different instruments on each track. Skelton told the Free Times “Things in Marry a Thief got way too electronic and messy, not like the stuff I actually listen to, I felt like I lost control of the music I was making. I like what we did with that band, but it’s not ultimately what I want to do. I took some time to think about it, and it just made more sense to do something with real instruments.” While broken down, Skelton still grabs a hold on you and keeps you captivated from start to finish

The 7 track cd was produced with ex Marry A Thief member Justin Register and is available on iTunes and almost anywhere else. You can also find them on myspace and facebook to keep up to date with the band and future shows and records.

Album Review: Tyler Boone: "Stuck Between"

Charleston's Tyler Boone has been gaining increasing exposure throughout SC over the past months, both through his participation in SceneSC's Next Big Thing competition, and through the release of his newest cd "Stuck Between". I took a few passes over this record over the past few days, and every time I dig deeper into Boone's heart and mind. Boone's album combines both feelings of calmness and calamity, all while under the same blues vibe; a very John Mayer blues feel (more along the lines of the JM Trio). Boone also has another album called "Connections" which features two of the four songs on "Stuck Between". "Connections" showcases Boone's more acoustic side. Both albums can be purchased/listened to on tylerboone.bandcamp.com and keep up with shows and other news on his myspace page.

Upcoming Shows
October 23 - The Oasis- James Island, SC
November 13- The House - Columbia, SC
December 21 - New Brookland Tavern - Columbia SC

2010 FREE TIMES MUSIC CRAWL

...and so it returns

The Free Times Music Crawl is one of the biggest musical events in Columbia that features many of the best acts in and around Columbia. This year there are 35 band on six stages for a mere $5. This is the 11th year the Music Crawl has been a part of the event calendars of many music fanatics. With many differing styles of music, the 2010 Free Times Music Crawl has something for everyone to enjoy, and dont forget to stage hop and visit every stage!

The Free Times Music Crawl is this Saturday, October 2

ART BAR (OUTDOOR STAGE)

Venice is Sinking 11 p.m.-12 a.m.
American Gun 10-10:30 p.m.
Today the Moon, Tomorrow the Sun 9-9:30 p.m.
Death of Paris 8-8:30 p.m.
Sweet Vans & The Ruckus 7-7:30 p.m.

ART BAR (INDOOR STAGE)

Preach & the Secret B-Sides 1 a.m.-until
Calculator 12-12:30 a.m.
Tunguska 10:30-11 p.m.
Death Becomes Even the Maiden 9:30-10 p.m.
Coma Cinema 8:30-9 p.m.
The Mercy Shot 7:30-8 p.m.

FLYING SAUCER

Josh Roberts & the Hinges 12:50 a.m.-until
Magnetic Flowers 11:50 p.m.-12:20 a.m.
The Daylight Hours 10:50-11:20 p.m.
Kenley Young & the Open Fires 9:50-10:20 p.m.
Whiskey Tango Revue 8:50-9:20 p.m.
Say Brother 7:50-8:20 p.m.

THE SLY FOX

The Papa String Band 12:40 a.m.-until
Dylan Sneed 11:40 p.m.-12:10 a.m.
DayClean 10:40-11:10 p.m.
Shallow Palace 9:40-10:10 p.m.
Haley Dreis 8:40-9:10 p.m.
CherryCase 7:40-8:10 p.m.

TIN ROOF

John Wesley Satterfield & His Damn Fine Band 12:20 a.m.-until
The Restoration 11:20-11:50 p.m.
Mac Leaphart & My Ragged Company 10:20-10:50 p.m.
The Unawares 9:20-9:50 p.m.
Kingslyn 8:20-8:50 p.m.
kemp ridley 7:20-7:50 p.m.

WET WILLIE’S

Fat Rat da Czar 12:10 a.m.-until
The Private Life of David Reed 11:10-11:40 p.m.
Postcard Fiction 10:10-10:40 p.m.
The Dirty White  9:10-9:40 p.m.
Pinna  8:10-8:40 p.m.
The Casual Kings   7:10-7:40 p.m.

Album Review: Emily McCollum - "Stranger"

While still very young on the music scene in Columbia, Emily McCollum doesn't disappoint with the release of her new cd entitled "Stranger". With a more "simplified" acoustic sounding record, McCollum molds anger filled lyrics into beautiful, soulful melodies that are sure to lodge themselves deep into your head and your heart. The EP was recorded and produced at Archer Avenue Studios by Kenny McWilliams, who also produced the Austin Crane record "Place At The Table". McCollum has made her single "Leaving Is A Lie" available for streaming on her myspace. She is set to release "Stranger" Friday, October 1, 2010 at New Brookland Tavern with kemp ridley, Ned Durrett, and Paul Brazell, and will also have the cd available online on her bandcamp page.