A-Sides With Jon Chattman: On an Austin Plaine... I Can't Complain; "Avalanche" Propels Kalle's Career Further

The two artists profiled today -- Austin Plaine and Kalle Mattson -- are the kinds of musicians months or a year from now your friends will tell you to "hey, you gotta check them out."
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As a guy with fits of dysthymia, it's sometimes difficult to get all Buddy the Elf about a lot of things. Music, however, is a constant that gets my grin going. Throw in a New York Yankees postseason loss, a trip to Thomasland with my kids, and I'm pretty much set. But, I digress. Let's get back to the infectiousness of music. Nothing makes me happier than hearing a great song for the first time, and/or discovering a talent before everyone and their mother do. The two artists profiled today -- Austin Plaine and Kalle Mattson -- are the kinds of musicians months or a year from now your friends will tell you to "hey, you gotta check them out." Well, here I am typing right here, right now telling you just that. Don't wait for the bandwagon.

Singer/songwriter Austin Plaine just released his self-titled debut album via Washington Square, and it's probably a findmuck to actually see all that hard work literally available to the masses forever. In my world, a blog today is forgotten tomorrow. Me aside, let's get to the A-Sides. Earlier this month, the Minneapolis native stopped by Primary Wave to film a session within its "A-Sides Studio," and performed a pair of tracks. He also fielded questions like Ron Gardenhire used to.

Watch the stripped down performances below, and you'll totally get why Plaine is getting some serious buzz. He's a true storyteller and while he's cut in that old "singer/songwriter/guitarist" mold, he's definitely got that something extra . It's no wonder he's had songs featured respectively in Mastercard commercial, the CW's Hart of Dixie and NBC's The Biggest Loser . His songs just click. Check it.

"Never Come Back"

For an exclusive performance of "Hard Days" and our interview, click here

To take a page from Spaceballs, Kalle Mattson's career is on ludicrous speed. The Canadian singer/songwriter (Dark Helmet was Canadian, too! OMG) has already toured with Hozier, The Rural Alberta Advantage and others, is already three albums and an EP into his young career. His last full-length work - 2014's Someday, The Moon Will Be Gold - hit his native land as hard as a CFL tackle - earning a nod from his homeland's prestigious Polaris Music Prize. Praise didn't stop there for the ultra-unique artist whose voice (and hair) could stick out in any genre. His cover of fellow Canadian Drake's "Hotline Bling" has resonated as has his spankin' new EP Avalanche.

At Primary Wave, Mattson performed two songs and sat down for a chat. Watch the videos (filmed by Yale Goodman) below, and fully realize just how original this dude is.

"Avalanche"

To watch an exclusive performance of "Baby Blue" and our interview with Kalle, click here.

About A-Sides with Jon Chattman: Jon Chattman's music series features celebrities and artists (established or not) from all genres performing a track, and discussing what it means to them. This informal series focuses on the artist making art in a low-threatening, extremely informal (sometime humorous) way. No bells, no whistles -- just the music performed in a random, low-key setting followed by an unrehearsed chat. In an industry where everything often gets overblown and over manufactured, Jon strives for a refreshing change. Artists featured on the series include Imagine Dragons, Melissa Etheridge, Air Supply, Joe Perry, Alice Cooper, fun, Bleachers, Charli XCX, Marina and the Diamonds and Bastille.

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