SOMETHING OLD
Ian Matthews - Seven Bridges Road
1973
When looking at Ian (now spelled Iain) Matthews’ career throughout the late 60s-early 70s, it appears that he was eagerly looking to find his place musically. He began in Fairport Convention in 1967, then left to form Matthews Southern Comfort, abruptly quit that at the height of their fame to form Plainsong, and was off to release this solo record by 1973.
Ian Matthews - Seven Bridges Road
1973
When looking at Ian (now spelled Iain) Matthews’ career throughout the late 60s-early 70s, it appears that he was eagerly looking to find his place musically. He began in Fairport Convention in 1967, then left to form Matthews Southern Comfort, abruptly quit that at the height of their fame to form Plainsong, and was off to release this solo record by 1973.
It sounds a bit erratic, as if maybe he were hoping for something better each time...so you may think that these projects were subpar. But no, they’re literally all brilliant folk/country-rock/pop gold.
Seven Bridges Road off his Valley Hi album, originally written by Steve Young, is no exception. An a cappella intro immediately grabs you before it evolves into a gorgeously fully-fleshed out song. Cannot recommend this enough!
SOMETHING NEW
Haley Heynderickx + Max García Conover - Mr. Marketer
November 21st, 2025
Haley Heynderickx + Max García Conover - Mr. Marketer
November 21st, 2025
Last week, I said “indie rock is so back” in reference to Twen and Geese. This week, folk music is so back.
This brand new duo folk album by Haley Heynderickx and Max García Conover brings back the feeling of Joan Baez & Bob Dylan or Mimi & Richard Fariña. The record is actually inspired by the life and music of Woody Guthrie.
This brand new duo folk album by Haley Heynderickx and Max García Conover brings back the feeling of Joan Baez & Bob Dylan or Mimi & Richard Fariña. The record is actually inspired by the life and music of Woody Guthrie.
Mr. Marketer, sung by Heynderickx, was a stand-out for me. I love its buoyant energy and fingerstyle guitar in particular, paired with poignant lyrics about our society and its systems.
SOMETHING BORROWED
Pomplamoose ft. KT Tunstall - I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For (U2)
2021
Pomplamoose ft. KT Tunstall - I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For (U2)
2021
Thirty minutes ago, I’d never heard of husband-wife duo Pomplamoose.
Now, you’re seeing them featured here.
That’s how much I immediately enjoyed this cover I just came upon by chance.
Now, you’re seeing them featured here.
That’s how much I immediately enjoyed this cover I just came upon by chance.
I grew up hearing U2 songs on the radio, including I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For. I know everyone decided to act like they suck in 2014 when they gave us a free iTunes album (oh the joyous battle between getting stuff for free vs wanting the freewill to decide what you want for free), but I’m brave and happy to say those guys were always excellent songwriters.
I also grew up listening to KT Tunstall, who’s the featured lead singer here.
I am absolutely in love with Tunstall’s voice and the whole arrangement of this rendition. Every little piece brings an already great song to a new life, maybe one I like even better than the original...
They end it on a pretty goofy psuedo-bluesy note, and I love the levity it brings.
SOMETHING... WITH A RIDICULOUS BACKSTORY
R. Stevie Moore - Pink Litmus Paper Shirt
1986
R. Stevie Moore - Pink Litmus Paper Shirt
1986
In the early 70s, humorist and music journalist Martin Lewis made up and snuck in four fake titles of unreleased Beatles tracks into an article he was writing. He was just looking to pad out the article with more titles.
But Beatles fanatics are Beatles fanatics, and so the wild goose chase to find the recordings of Left Is Right (And Right Is Wrong), Deck Chair, Colliding Circles, and Pink Litmus Paper Shirt.
Much later, Lewis found a radio playlist that had reportedly played those last two songs. But how? They don’t exist!
But they did. Because R. Stevie Moore took those titles and wrote the songs.
I’m being brave for putting this song in. You’ll probably hate it. It’s weird. It’s dissonant. It makes no sense. It name-drops hot topics like Israel and terrorism, and abandons them in the very next lyric, probably to talk about chipmunks. But somehow I love it and always will.
I’m being brave for putting this song in. You’ll probably hate it. It’s weird. It’s dissonant. It makes no sense. It name-drops hot topics like Israel and terrorism, and abandons them in the very next lyric, probably to talk about chipmunks. But somehow I love it and always will.