Zak Recommends 'Bonnie "Prince" Billy & the Cairo Gang' & Indie Artist of the Day 'Franka De Mille'

Bonnie "Prince Billy" & the Cairo Gang - The Wondershow of the World

Support your local independent record store. Record store day is April 17th. Check out http://www.recordstoreday.com/

Drag City Records

Emmett Kelly moves into the role of key collaborator with Will Oldham on this album. It works perfectly with Kelly's virtuosic playing wrapping around Oldham's vocals and lyrics beautifully especially on 'Teach Me To Bear You'. Oldham's writing is as we have come to know rustic and poignant. The production has a nice warm lo-fi feel which imbues the intimacy of the music. The songs are tender yet bittersweet and emotionally challenging. Two other key tracks for me are 'Someone Coming Through' & the closer 'Kids'. Shahzad Ismaily who is the other half of the Cairo Gang provides bass and vocals.



Emmett & Shahzad had previously contributed to Will's The Letting Go (2006) & Lie Down in the Light (2008). This is the first time they have shared equal billing.

Tracks:
1. Troublesome Houses
2. Teach Me to Bear You
3. With Cornstalks or Among Them
4. The Sounds Are Always Begging
5. Go Folks, Go
6. That's What Our Love Is
7. Merciless and Great
8. Where Wind Blows
9. Someone Coming Through
10. Kids

Upcoming Shows:
Sat May 08, 2010 Santa Monica, CA McCabe’s Guitar Shop
Sun May 09, 2010 Santa Monica, CA McCabe’s Guitar Shop
Sat Aug 07, 2010 Happy Valley, OR Pickathon
Sun Aug 08, 2010 Happy Valley, OR Pickathon

Official Website: http://www.bonnieprincebilly.com/

Franka De Mille - Indie Artist of the Day

Franka is based in London England. Her new album 'Bridge The Roads' will be out soon. Franka lists among her 'Mothers', 'Muses' & 'Influences' a diverse and wide range of artists including Kate Bush, Tom Waits, Johan Sebastian Bach, Joanna Newson and many others. I hear these many influences infused throughout her work. There is also much inspiration pulled from her many philosophical, literary and performing arts influences. The music is a wonderful tapestry of intricate string orchestrations, vocals and piano. It is expansive and inspiring. It moves with the ebb and flows like nature. Oceans, winds moving back and forth sometimes still. Her vocals remind me of early eighties Lene Lovitch but more refined and delicate. The interwoven vocals are mesmerizing.

Official website: http://www.frankademille.com/



Zak's Tidbits for April 15th/2010:

Lenny Kravitz - Pre-sale for his June 1st show in Albuquerque, NM now on

Frightened Rabbit - Just announced to play the 'Splendour In The Grass' festival, Brisbane Australia, Aug. 1st

Cyclamen - British Rock outfit & ne of Zak's fave Indies releasing new EP. Click here to find out more http://www.myspace.com/thiscyclamen