It’s always exciting to feel like you’ve discovered something.
Two weeks ago, as Times Free Press podcaster Sean Phipps and I drove to lunch listening to one of the mix CDs he creates from music he finds on blogs, I felt that sweet thrill of hearing something new and exciting.
Her name is Basia Bulat, and if you’re near a computer, go immediately to her MySpace page (www.myspace.com/basiamy space) and listen to “In the Night.”
Don’t worry, we’ll wait for you.
Back? Amazing, isn’t she?
A resident of London, Ontario, Bulat combines great, nonoffensively poppy vocals accompanied by the, in my opinion, grossly underused autoharp to create supercatchy melodies (as you all know from listening to “In the Night”).
Granted, I’m a bit late on the Bulat train since her first release was a self-titled EP in 2005, but I hopped on early enough to feel like I’m still in on a secret.
In fact, chances are that you’d never heard of her before this column, unless you’re a huge Volkswagen fan and heard “Little Waltz” during an Australian commercial for the Eos last year.
Regardless of how you come to discover an artist, however, it’s almost always like putting the first bootprints in the dust on the floor of some ancient temple. For anyone who’s a fan of music (or just being right), it’s a thrill that’s hard to beat.
Despite my job — or maybe because of it — it’s rare for me to find an artist early enough to get my secret decoder ring before the whole world has joined the club.
When I’m constantly listening to artists coming to town, it’s hard sometimes to take the time to send out feelers into the great unknown hoping to hear something worthwhile.
As it is, I do happen upon some really great visiting artists such as De Novo Dahl or Justin Townes Earle, but because they come looking for me, it often feels like cheating. For me, it’s almost like going fishing and having them jump in the boat.
Still, even if these discoveries are an infrequent occurrence for me, I’ll never tire of them or of passing on the secrets to my readers. After all, you all have my decoder ring.
* For pickers and grinners, the next week is chock-full of can’t-miss shows.
The Biscuit Burners, the former home of the recently spotlighted banjoist Shannon Whitworth, will take the stage at Barking Legs Theater at 8 p.m. Saturday. There’s a $15 cover.
Thursday, the Acoustic Apocalypse tour is bringing two phenomenal acts, Mountain Heart and Cadillac Sky, to Rhythm & Brews. Both are extremely high-energy groups, and the club ought to just be able to contain their sound. The show starts at 7:30 p.m., with a $15 cover.
* Southern rock veterans Drivin N Cryin must have had a good time at Rhythm & Brews when they were here in September because they’re back for another round. Their show with Brad Passons starts tonight at 10, with a $15 cover.
* If you’re interested in more from Basia Bulat, check out her first full-length release, “Oh, My Love.” The album hit shelves here Feb. 5 after debuting in the United Kingdom and Canada last June.
Casey Phillips has worked as a features reporter in the Life department for three years. He writes about entertainment, young adults, animals and people of interest. Casey hails from Knoxville and earned a bachelor of science degree in journalism and a bachelor of arts in German. He previously worked as the features editor for Sidelines at Middle Tennessee State University. Casey received the East Tennessee Society of Professional Journalists Award of Excellence for Reviewing/Criticism in ...
