Tamar Berk – June Lake
Genre: Indie Folk, Indie Pop, Alternative Rock
Similar artists: Soccer Mommy, Liz Phair, Sharon Van Etten, Lucy Dacus
Most artists do what they do because they have a hard time appreciating the world for what it is. Getting by, or, simply. getting ahead in all areas of life generally involves some form of dishonesty. Look at your favorite rock stars. You don’t get to play Wembley stadium by being earnest and kind to everyone.
For many true artists, their whole life’s work is an attempt to build a connection with their audience. What for? Just in order to have somebody to talk to, really. Simply as a means to have one’s most private thoughts be appreciated by others. For these people, there is no other way of understanding the world other than confronting it directly through art.
Tamar Berk’s June Lake is a song of tremendous tenderness, a broken-hearted lovelorn sort of song, that dares dream of better days. If there is a reason why this kind of music doesn’t always fill out the giant arenas and stadiums, it is because most people would rather not have to face the feelings that Tamar Berk approaches head-on. It’s a song written with a real songwriter’s pen.
The Hermit – Sarah wears her painted hair
Genre: Psychedelic / Freak Folk, Folk rock, Folk
Similar artists: Sandro Perri, John Francis Flynn, Sam Amidon, Julian Lage, Richard Dawson, John Renbourn
Pop music is like a runner desperate to reach the finish line. And, because the audience knows where the runner is heading, it’s always relatively easy to follow along. Face it, no matter how innovative your favorite rock groups may seem, most of them make three-minute singles, with a four-on-the-floor beat and melodies that are highly familiar.
This website was made with particular love in mind for the three-minute single. But, there is something wholly freeing and satisfying about music that seems to go on forever. There is something potentially life-changing about music that does not aim to please in the way that chart-toppers usually do.
The Hermit’s Sarah wears her painted hair in music distinctively in the spirit that pop culture fights against. This is music that seems to be never-ending. It’s folk music that seems to come straight from the heart of a community with mysterious intentions. This is a song that works best once you make yourself belong to it. The Hermit’s music lives up to its name.
