popwreckoning

Despite just releasing his debut solo album, You And Me, Kevin Barker is far from a newcomer to the scene. For the last few years he’s been recording, touring and collaborating with Devendra Banhart, Joanna Newsom, and Antony and the Johnsons, to name just a few. Now he has assembled an unbelievable group of musicians for You And Me. Produced by Thom Monahan (Vetiver, Devendra Banhart), the album features Pat Sansone (Wilco), Joanna Newsom, Jonathan Wilson (Elvis Costello, Jenny Lewis), Eric Johnson (The Shins), and Otto Hauser (Vetiver, Espers).

In college, Baker became interested in the fingerstyle guitar playing of John Fahey and Bert Jansch. He began to write songs and recorded under the name Currituck County for Teenbeat Records, Troubleman Unlimited, and Track and Field Organisation in the UK. He then moved to Brooklyn where he attended film school at Columbia University and began playing with Devendra, Antony, and Vetiver.

Coming in at just under four minutes, the title track of his new album (listen & download below) is a soft and sweet cut showcasing Barker’s smooth vocals as he sweetly sings, “There’s a dream I see / Running down to the sea / It’s you and it’s me.” A great lulling track, perfect for a snowy Saturday night by the fire with a cup of tea.

Kevin Barker – “You & Me”

You & Me will be released by Gnomonsong in January.

Kevin Barker: myspace

Toronto-based folk singer Taylor Mitchell’s promising career came to a tragic end on this Wednesday due to mortal wounds from a surprising Coyote attack.

It was said she was on a solo hike in Cape Breton Highlands National Park in Nova Scotia. Coyotes, being naturally shy creatures, may have mistaken her for deer or other prey said Wildlife biologist Bob Bancroft. Other hiker’s in the area heard Mitchell’s screams and alerted emergency police dispatchers.

Mitchell had been traveling on her first tour promoting her debut LP For Your Consideration. She was also nominated for Young Performer of the Year honors by the Canadian Folk Music Awards, which will be awarded in November. She has performed in festivals that included Arlo Guthrie, Neko Case and Elvis Costello.

On Taylor’s last post on FaceBook, Mitchell described playing at someone’s home as “a welcome dose of normality after a whirlwind weekend” at the Ontario Council of Folk Music.

Michael Johnston, her Producer of For Your Consideration said he and his family would soon be organizing a celebration of her life.

Taylor Mitchell: website | myspace

Built to Spill, Brandi Carlile, Ingrid Michaelson, Thievery Corporation, Joshua Radin and Sondre Lerche are the latest artists to join the (RED)NIGHTS concert series. They join Fall Out Boy, Katy Perry, Santigold and others for (RED)’s series of 26 concerts in the U.S. to help fight AIDS in Africa. A portion of the proceeds from each show goes directly to the Global Fund.

For the first set of shows, Fall Out Boy, Katy Perry, Gomez, Santigold, O.A.R., Lisa Hannigan, The Veronicas, Matisyahu and K’Naan each turned one of their concerts (RED) to bring the (RED) experience to life in a new way. At each of these shows, (RED)NIGHTS and the community of acclaimed artists aimed to inspire fans to participate in (RED)’s mission to eliminate AIDS in Africa by pausing to highlight the many ways to get involved and encouraging those in the audience to share the message and experience with others.

“I believe no person deserves to suffer from a preventable, treatable disease simply because they can’t afford medicine,” said Marc Roberge of O.A.R. “If bringing awareness to what (RED) is doing helps one person receive antiretroviral treatment and live a healthy life, we have accomplished our goal.”

Ultimately, it is the goal of (RED)NIGHTS to build a community—of artists, concertgoers and music fans everywhere—that is passionate about helping to fight AIDS in Africa. A portion of the proceeds of each (RED)NIGHTS concert goes directly to the Global Fund.

“(RED) was looking to engage more people in its mission, to help eliminate AIDS in Africa. The (RED)NIGHTS series is an innovative concept that combines the power of Live Nation’s live music platform and venues to use people’s passion for music to raise awareness and, ultimately, generate more money to help eliminate AIDS in Africa.” said Russell Wallach, President of North American Alliances for Live Nation. “We’re building a great line up of artists for (RED)NIGHTS, and believe we can help (RED) successfully deliver its message by connecting them with music fans all over the country.”

(RED)NIGHTS arrives on the heels of (RED)WIRE ™, the innovative new digital music service from (RED). The (RED)NIGHTS artists join an impressive community of (RED) artists who are participating in (RED)WIRE, including U2, Coldplay, The Killers, Jay-Z, Elvis Costello, John Legend, Sheryl Crow, Neko Case, Noel Gallagher, Conor Oberst, TV On The Radio, Death Cab For Cutie, Michael Franti and many more. (RED)NIGHTS and (RED)WIRE mark the first time (RED) has moved into the music arena and are a mutual extension of (RED)’s mission, whereby the music community is coming together as a vehicle to raise awareness and funds to help fight AIDS in Africa.

Tour Dates:
Aug 19 – Fall Out Boy @ The Pageant / St. Louis, MO
Sep 12 – Ingrid Michaelson @ The Paradise / Boston
Sep 13 – Sondre Lerche @ The Paradise / Boston
Sep 24 – Joshua Radin @ House of Blues / Chicago
Sep 25 – Brandi Carlile @ House of Blues / Chicago
Oct 03 – Ingrid Michaelson @ House of Blues / San Diego
Oct 04 – Thievery Corporation @ House of Blues / Dallas
Oct 09 – Thievery Corporation @ The Fillmore / Miami
Oct 31 – Built to Spill @ The Fillmore / San Francisco
Nov 01 – Built to Spill @ The Fillmore / San Francisco

(RED) Nights: website