Tag Archives: The Middle East

Review: Mumford & Sons with the Middle East; June 6, 2010; Belly Up Tavern, San Diego

All photos by Eleanore Park

Three folk acts descended upon the Belly Up Tavern on Sunday night, drawing a sold-out crowd that greeted them as if they were leather-clad rock stars. The enthusiastic, unlikely reception served as proof that you never can predict what kind of music people will fall in love with. Continue reading…

Mumford & Sons Sell Out

English folk band Mumford & Sons seemed to come out of nowhere last year, capturing people’s attention and hearts with their sweeping debut, Sigh No More.

Blending the homespun sincerity of The Avett Brothers with the Celtic stomp of Flogging Molly, the London four-piece are an unlikely phenomenon. But thanks to the cathartic, pint-waving choruses of songs like “The Cave,” “Winter Winds” and “Little Lion Man,” the band are now the subject of adoration from both sides of the pond. Continue reading…

Poetic Memory: Oh Mercy (List)

Is Australia the new Canada? When its comes to up-and-coming young indie bands who pride themselves on intelligent lyrics and a multi-layered sound, it sure seems that way. First, I was stopped in my tracks by The Middle East, and now the next Aussie wave is Melbourne’s Oh Mercy.

They’ve gained a lot of attention lately with their album, Privileged Woes. It’s a quirky pop album with expressive vocals that draws inspiration from bands like The Velvet Underground and Dionne Warwick. That’s a large spectrum to cover, but singer Alex Gow explains it all below. Oh Mercy’s Poetic Memory is below. Continue reading…

Watchlist vol. 3: The Middle East (MP3)

Is America ready for a Middle East invasion?

Ready or not, don’t fret. The deceptively-named band actually comes from the land down under — Townsville, Queensland, Australia to be exact.

They create music as beautiful and diverse as the Great Barrier Reef itself. Their strings, harmonies, and layers have delighted audiences worldwide, yet they remain one of Australia’s best kept secrets.

But now, they have their sights set on America. Continue reading