Frou Frou once sang, "there's beauty in the breakdown." It often rings true when it comes to music, but in life - especially given the impending or perceived doom of a Trump presidency - it couldn't be further. Let's focus on the former since this is a music series. The lyric somewhat fits with Mandolin Orange's music. It especially rings true on the North Carolina duo's latest album Blindfaller. Once again, there's a wonderful juxtaposition between the deep and often complicated lyrics with the quietly beautiful pairing of of Andrew Marlin and Emily Frantz. (Take a listen to "Wildfire" and you'll get it.)
The music and words pull you right in, and don't really let you go until minutes after you've finished the final song on the LP. Anyway, the pair have been gradually gaining fame with their bluegrass, folk and country feel since their last album Such Jubilee charted on Billboard and landed a boatload of praise including Rolling Stone. The latter publication named the album one of the 30 "Great Country Albums" of 2015. The new album is already a hit. It's charted high on Billboard's Bluegrass Album Chart, and shows sell out faster than Ichiro on rollerskates.
At the Music Conservatory of Westchester earlier this month, Marlin and Frantz performed a pair of tracks and sat down for a chat. Watch both (filmed by Alye Carlevaro) unfold below, then spread the word about Mandolin Orange like cream cheese on a bagel.
A-Sides' "Delve Into Twelve" Countdown
Each week A-Sides unleashes its top 12 tracks of the week AKA the "Delve Into Twelve" based on the following contributing factors: songs I'm playing out that particular week (no matter when they were released -- think overlooked songs, unreleased tracks and old favorites), songs various publicists are trying to get me to listen to that I did and dug a bunch, song posts and trends I've noticed on my friends' Facebook walls and, most importantly: what my preschooler is currently enjoying thoroughly with an assist from my toddler.
About A-Sides with Jon Chattman - thisisasides.com :
Jon Chattman's music/entertainment series typically 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. (Theme song by Blondfire.) Artists featured on the series include Imagine Dragons, Melissa Etheridge, Yoko Ono, Elle King, Joe Perry, Alice Cooper, James Bay, Jimmy Eat World, Charli XCX, Marina and the Diamonds, and Bastille.