In House #1683: Amy Millan's Honey From the Tombs; New Joseph Arthur, M. Ward, Magnolia Electric Co.

Trend watch 2006: chanteuses heretofore specializing in one brand of what we'll call indie rock of one form or another branch out with albums flavored like classic Nashville and Memphis, more country than anything on "country" radio. Trendsetters: Chan Marshall, Jenny Lewis, and now Amy Millan. The Canadian musician, ordinarily the female vocal half of Stars as well as ertswhile Broken Social Scene-ster, recently released Honey From the Tombs, a solo debut responsible for one of the musical "who knew?" moments of the year (albeit slightly less so than Greg Graffin's Cold As the Clay). From the opening barstool country-folk of "Losing You," to the nearly straight-up bluegrass of "Blue in Yr Eye," (with chops supplied by members of Crazy Strings), the release is a surprisingly authentic and enjoyable set of alternative country-folk tunes, more Kathleen Edwards or Be Good Tanyas than Feist or Metric. Call it music pour les cowboys, if you like. Honey From the Tombs is out on the Arts & Crafts label.

Amy Millan

In House #1683.
Airdate: 8/14/06
Focus: Solo debut from Stars' Amy Millan, Honey From the Tombs, plus new music from Joseph Arthur, M. Ward, Magnolia Electric Co. and more.

BONUS MP3s from today's show-
Amy Millan, from Honey From the Tombs:
"Losin' You" (MP3) and "Baby I" (MP3)

Joseph Arthur, from the upcoming Nuclear Daydream:
"Last Train to Ithaca" (MP3)



PLAYLIST