There’s a tendency when it comes to music journalists to describe independent artists with country/gospel/folk influences as alt-country, or alt-Americana. If there was ever any sense to that "alt" qualification, it’s getting harder & harder to see in the present day. The Flint, MI band Small Houses capitalizes on all of the influences above without particularly trying to be "alt," and it’s just as well, because it’s their grasp of the tradition of American folk music that lends their music its homey warmth.
Small Houses has just released their new album North. We’ve got two tracks streaming below. "Tired and Twenty Cities" is a beautifully-crafted paean to love & loss in the hinterland. "I and My Maker" is a straightahead gospel number, served up with minimal orchestration & irony free.
Find out more about Small Houses (including their Daytrotter Session) at their site & stream the rest of the album on Bandcamp & say hi at Fbook & Twatter & have a lovely holidays!
"Tired and Twenty Cities"
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"I and My Maker"
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