The High Horse was pleased with all that was accomplished in just about six months as a new musical and literary institution. We were able to support the work of artists we have enjoyed and admired; we discovered a wealth of new artists; we made some friends and put out some top-notch work along the way. We set a tempo that we were most often able to keep and in the coming year(s), with the help of some new contributors and supporters, we will continue the High Horse’s mission to shed light on the writers, musicians, and artists who inspire us and give us a good reason to get out of bed in the morning. We promise to stay vigilant and to stay on the look out for what the kids today are calling “that new new”…
Some records that really got some play at the HQ this year:
Long Cool World – North Americans
These guys have found a sound that filled a void in the genre of Cosmic American Music. While many of us have really been searching for music that lets us turn everything down and just breathe, these guys have tapped into something special. I believe that they are doing it better than the rest. Whether I’m writing my morning pages or deep in the evening, this album was a loyal companion. It also helped me put my son to sleep on many occasions.
Long Rattle – Dream Sitch
Michael Nau (Cotton Jones, Page France) and Seth Kauffman (Floating Action, Lord King) have released another collaborative album. Both of these artists stand alone and together are matched next to none. Some of the most interesting and groovy ‘indie’ music from some OGs.
Lore – Steph Green
This album has been on in my headphones and playing in our kitchen a lot this year. I’ve been in a foreign country and have had this album playing as I explore the city’s endless sprawling streets and neighborhoods. It has been the soundtrack to my exploration. Green has been a favorite artist for a while now and she does not disappoint on this release. I did a proper review of Lore and more about Steph here…
Shadow People – Duff Thompson
I have been astounded at how this album has grown. I absolutely LOVE Thompson’s first full-length record so much and I was trying not to get my hopes up about the new material BUT this album has legs and it has stood up, worked its way into my subconscious, just like Haywire did. Thompson also had a hand in MANY of my favorite new discoveries over the past few years. I’ve written about his album and some of his other endeavors, including his help on the album below, here and here… And more to come!
Nothing For Me, Please – Dean Johnson
Dean Johnson has had a great year and he truly deserves it. His album is a magical document that, without some facilitation from his friends, almost didn’t get made. Read more about the album from a past piece on High Horse… Right here!
Dancing on the Edge – Ryan Davis and the Road House Band
I was quite excited and thankful to hear that Ryan Davis had an album coming out this year. Even moreso, I was excited that he was in good spirits. I’ll get to why that might be… Ryan Davis has been compared to the Silver Jews’ frontman David Berman so many times that it could have been stifling for the guy to find his own voice. This doesn’t seem to be the case. His old band, State Champion, put out a handful of albums, each one being a remarkable batch of compositions and Davis’ lyrics always stand out- he is frightfully clever and can be equal parts immature and devastating in his playfulness. He was given an excellent blurb by the late great Berman on the cover of the State Champion album as if it were a novel:
If Bob Dylan was funny, if Tom Waits was relevant, Ryan might not be peerless at what he does best, which is writing large gregarious circles around his pitiful colleagues in the field. He's the best lyricist whose not a rapper going.
This is about the most generous compliment one poet can hand to another. They had a tour planned to support State Champion’s most recent record, Send Flowers, with Berman’s new band, Purple Mountains. The tour never happened due to Berman’s early departure from this earth. (I had just seen State Champion and was making plans to drive all the way to my hometown in Saint Louis to see the show when I heard the news of Berman’s suicide.)
I can only imagine what it must feel like to be deemed Berman’s successor. That he is not Berman and has continued to follow his own path is what makes this album so triumphant. The songs are all Davis and they don’t seem forced. They are everything that I look forward to from a new State Champion record. And being a Ween-fan, I enjoy the addition of midi drum tones and synth. Not that he was feeling any pressure… but if he was, he certainly rose to the occasion! I think he is one of the best in the business and, like Duff Thompson, he is also facilitating and cultivating a community and a scene; he’s also running the eclectic label, Sophomore Lounge.
More on Davis to come… I’d like to do a deep dive into State Champion… some of his other projects and associations. Stay Tuned!
Honorable Mentions:
America/Motorcade – Tobacco City
Several Songs About Fire– A. Savage
For All The Dogs – Drake
Maria’s Hunt – Glyders
Suntub – ML Buch
Heaven is a Junkyard – Youth Lagoon
Take Me Anywhere – The Sons of Rainier
Old Friend – Hazel City
*All of the new Dean Blunt tracks that came out this year… More on his work over the years in more depth coming soon as well!
Pt. 2 COMING SOON
by Evan O’Neal
High Horse 