I have long been a fan of Zach Williams and the sleepy indie folk music he creates. I know that I first discovered his music while traipsing through the ether of myspace over three full years ago. For awhile I was obsessed with putting tracks by Zach (he was then playing with a backup band called The Ramparts) on every mix album I put together. No matter what mood I was in the music of Zach Williams seemed to be a soothing constant, a gentle way to ease myself into another day.
Well I started writing posts about Zach and eventually, somehow, he noticed. I’m not quite sure how it all began, but somewhere along the way we crossed over from a simple blogger musician relationship to something more akin to friends whom have yet to meet in person. I kept on bragging about him to all my friends, writing posts about him here on TWF, and buying his albums from cd baby for unsuspecting friends and siblings on their birthdays. Zach meanwhile moved to New York, started a family, and began playing intimate shows (which I’ve heard from some old friends, whom have had the pleasure of seeing Zach live, are quite brilliant).
Emails have been exchanged, facebook friendship was born, and through it all I’ve felt like in some way I’ve been let into his world. And to be honest I feel lucky to have been included along the way.
mp3 : Zach Williams - Fears
The album art you see today, here on The World Forgot, is for Zach’s upcoming proper debut entitled Story Time. According to Zach this is the first time the public has gotten a glimpse of the album cover. And as if that wasn’t brilliant enough he also thought to drop the track Fears as a preliminary exclusive mp3 available only from this blog. Fortunately for us all it’s a characteristic Zach Williams song filled with character and a dash of longing.
To everyone who hasn’t heard of Zach Williams before I urge you to explore his music or make it to his album launch show on June 9th at the Mercury Lounge. And to Zach I must say that I am glad you’re still making music and I feel honored to be able to spread your talent around.
+ Zach Williams @ twf hype elbows site myspace amazonmp3 itunes cdbaby
add this post to del.icio.us / digg / facebook
I opened my inbox the other day and I stumbled upon this little slice of heaven. In their own words “Mixtape Vol. 1, was compiled to celebrate Cross-Pollination, a weekly NYC concert series that brings together some of the most incredibly, and at times, undiscovered raw talent from across the country. Giving musicians the opportunity to stretch creatively with other like-minds, the premise of Cross-Pollination is simple. Every Tuesday evening at Pianos (158 Ludlow Street, NYC) two artists are invited to play together. Both of them play a solo 40-minute set followed by a 3 song pre-rehearsed collaborative set. Now in its third year, Cross-Pollination has brought together nearly 250 acts via 137 FREE shows. All artists included on the mixtape have played Cross-Pollination.”
If you live in the New York area and you haven’t made it to a Cross-Pollination show yet you need to jump on this bandwagon and see a show. The musical genius that comes from these collaborative efforts is breathtaking.
And breathtaking is a word I would use over and over again to describe their Mixtape vol 1. It’s brilliant. All of it is brilliant. To put it in perspective, the first track by My Brightest Diamond is arguably the weakest track on the list. That’s right, My Brightest Diamond just may be the low point on the mix. And if someone as talented and, lately, as prolific as Shara Worden is the proverbial bottom of the barrel then the bar has been set quite high. Quite high indeed.
official site
info on the concert series
Everything below is a download, enjoy the music, I know I have.
zip : full album (gigasize, open in new tab/window)
zip : full album (alternate site)
mp3 : My Brightest Diamond - Hi, Remember Me?
mp3 : Kevin Devine - You’ll Only End Joining Them (Acoustic)
mp3 : Wakey!Wakey! - Fallin‘ Apart (Live)
mp3 : The Undisputed Heavyweights - Roll Your Windows Down (Demo)
mp3 : The Bloodsugars - Purpose Was Again
mp3 : Matt Singer - Stacy J
mp3 : Derek James - Love Me, Love Me
mp3 : Cloud Cult - Pretty Eyes
mp3 : Casey Shea - Quinzy Housing
mp3 : Jeffrey Lewis - Tell It To Your Heart (Loud Reed Cover)
mp3 : The Lloyds - Halfway
mp3 : Jay Mankind - Western States (Demo)
mp3 : Ian Thomas - SBB (Demo)
mp3 : Dave Deporis - Be Strong
++++++++++++++
The World Forgot will now enter a two week hiatus period. Make sure to explore our archives while we’re off trekking around Mount Everest. We like to think of it as we’re taking a short little sabbatical. Mainly because that sounds better than to say we’re lazy and going on one amazing vacation.
