serpent, crucifix, coronet.

the snake the cross the crown were introduced into the indie world as the typical indie rock band with a touch of southern hospitality. they released their first lp with the label, equal vision - the album was called mander salis. but mid-tour they decided, "hey, we don't really like this music we're playing anymore." so they stopped touring and went back into the studio to record cotton teeth, their release from last year. this album changed up the pace and offered a more folk-tinged sound. and i like this sound a lot. plus, i'm proud to say that they were formed in huntsville, alabama. alright, enough gushing. i'm going to include a couple songs off cotton teeth.

the snake the cross the crown - the great american smokeout

the snake the cross the crown - gypsy melodies

for all the american hearts.

this fellow is one of my new favorite artists. i play him every week on the show (somewhat cheating the local artists spot - but for good reason.). a.a. bondy mixes blues, folk, rock, and gospel into a wonderful conglomeration of sound. he has his foot in the door to the past with the window to the future opened. bondy is from birmingham, alabama, but he relocated to new york, i believe. so i've got some right to play him on the thirty. nonetheless... i also feel inclined to tell you that he is playing in the area soon. in fact, here is a tour schedule:

mar 26 2008 @ ann arbor, michigan
mar 27 2008 @ madison, wisconsin
mar 28 2008 @ covington, kentucky
mar 29 2008 @ nashville, tennessee
mar 30 2008 @ birmingham, alabama
apr 1 2008 @ dallas, texas
apr 2 2008 @ austin, texas
apr 3 2008 @ baton rouge, louisiana
apr 4 2008 @ tallahasee, florida
apr 5 2008 @ orlando, florida
apr 6 2008 @ gainesville, florida
apr 8 2008 @ athens, georgia
apr 9 2008 @ carrborro, north carolina
apr 10 2008 @ towson, maryland
apr 11 2008 @ brooklyn, new york
apr 12 2008 @ northampton, massachusetts
apr 13 2008 @ buffalo, new york

he'll also be on the conan o'brien show on the night of april 11th. i'll leave you with the proof - two of my favorites off his album, american hearts.

a.a. bondy - rapture (sweet rapture)

a.a. bondy - killed myself when i was young

oh no! oh my!

oh no! oh my! i've found a new band. excuse me for getting around to it two years after their self-titled first release. nonetheless, check these guys from austin, texas out. daniel, joel, and greg are the heart of the band. their lyrics are whimsical and their melodies are sunny-day music. i'm giving you guys and gals two of my favorites off the album.

ah, it's a nice day for a drive-by shooting.

oh no! oh my! - walk in the park
oh no! oh my! - the backseat

cocoon: pandas everywhere.

i just came into contact with this duo (mark and mo'). they're from france and their style is folk/pop. and honestly, i'm thoroughly impressed. arpeggios everywhere, catchy melodies, toe-tapping percussion, and the occasional ukulele. plus, they have this crazy fascination with pandas, and who doesn't love pandas?

i don't think they come outside france very much, but when they do, i'll be there. i'm including some favorites off of their first lp, my friends all died in a plane crash, as well as an interesting cover that they play a lot live.

cocoon - on my way

cocoon - vultures

cocoon - hey ya

iron and wine's southern(ish) tour.

that's right. sam beam is taking his southern mythology to its rightful place. and with his respectable recluse ways, this one is all the more precious.

dates, cities, venues:

apr 9th: new orleans, la @ house of blues

apr 10th: tallahassee, fl @ the moon fsu

apr 11th: orlando, fl @ the plaza theatre

apr 12th: fort lauderdale, fl @ revolution live

apr 13th: jacksonville, fl @ freebird live

apr 14th: atlanta, ga @ variety playhouse

apr 19th: grand rapids, mi @ calvin college fine arts center

apr 20th: louisville, ky @ headliners music hall

you can see which one i'll be at.

say hello if you're there.

and here's a little something to tantalize.

iron and wine - flightless bird, american mouth