In 2008, Matt Bauer released The Island Moved In The Storm, one of our favorite records of that year that has continued to hold its weight in rotation since.

Earlier this year Bauer released The Jessamine County Book Of The Living, a continuation of greatness which demonstrates Bauer’s a firm grasp on the songwriting craft.

If you live in Austin be sure to catch Matt Bauer at Waterloo Records at 5pm this Wednesday and later that night at the Mohawk. Both shows feature the equally talented Dana Falconberry.

We couldn’t think of a more fitting subject to draw favorite sad song selections from and are thrilled to feature Matt Bauer’s selections below.

Jolie Holland – “The Future” (Listen)

There are a million love songs and a ton of break up songs, but I can’t think of another song that touches on love and break ups in this way. The speaker in the song recounts to her partner all of the things they’ve had, recounts their love in detail as a kind of tribute as she asks him gently to wake up from their “beautiful dream” because it’s ending. Such a strange, generous, unique and heartbreaking song.

Dolly Parton – “Lonely Coming Down” (Listen)

If someone other than Dolly delivered this, it could swing way too far into melodrama, but she captures the over the top longing and sadness of having your heart broken just perfectly. The little detail in the lyrics that describes the impression left on her pillow from her lover’s head is so specific and sad!

Tom Brosseau – “How To Grow A Woman From The Ground” (Listen)

The over all feel of this recording is just wonderfully late night and lonesome. It was recorded live with no audience in a bar. This song in particular has a lonely and surreal feeling of jumbled memories, longing, and regret that knocked me over when I first heard it years ago and still kills me.

Hazel Dickens – “West Virginia, My Home” (Listen)

Hazel had one of the saddest most beautiful voices I can think of. Listening back to this song recently I realized it’s more complicated than just a song about longing for home, its also about what happens when you leave home to follow a dream and things don’t work out the way you hoped.

Mariee Sioux – “Old Magic” (Listen)

I’ve heard Mariee sing this a million times and I still well up a little every time I hear it again. I’m not really prone to crying at shows except when something is so bad I weep for the minutes of my life being wasted! The part about “a snake who knows he’ll never stand” is usually my breaking point. So, so good.

Buy: Matt Bauer – The Jessamine County Book Of The Living
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MP3: Matt Bauer – “Blacklight Horses”
MP3: Matt Bauer -”Hammer Down”

Stereogum premieres “Love Me More” from Roadside Graves. Their new album, We Can Take Care Of Ourselves arrives July 19th in digital and vinyl formats via Autumn Tone.

Pitchfork reports Stephen Malkmus returns with the Beck-Produced LP, Mirror Traffic.

My Old Kentucky Blog has a new song and video from Matt Bauer.

Watch Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy’s new video for “There Is No God.”

I’m spoiled because I work with them, but if you haven’t heard J. Roddy Walston & The Business head over to their new website and download new song, “Jesus Gonna Do His Best.”

I saw John Vanderslice last night and absolutely loved it. Going to be on a heavy kick for the remainder of this week. I was also extremely impressed by opener Daniel Hart.

Gillian Welch Is Back With New LP ‘The Harrow & The Harvest’ (via)

James Blake played a new song at Hollywood Forever Cemetery last night in LA (via)

NPR: Eddie Vedder On Giving The Ukulele A Turn In The Spotlight

I stayed up last night to catch Justin Townes Earle on Letterman last night and it paid off in spades. Performing the title track from his fantastic 2010 release, Harlem River Blues, and with Jason Isbell on guitar, it was a performance that brought a smile to my face. Justin is out on the road for several dates next month, including stops in Chicago and Madison. Don’t miss him.

MP3: Justin Townes Earle – “Harlem River Blues”
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Buy: Justin Towes Earle – Harlem River Blues

Elsewhere:

One of the things keeping me up last night was the opportunity to hear Iron And Wine perform Kiss Each Other Clean live courtesy of NPR. Everything I’ve heard from this record has me so excited for this release. You can really hear Sam Beam stretching out and putting all his cards on the table. I love it. Listen to the entire record via this live recording.

Twin Shadow’s Daytrotter session that went up yesterday is one of the best I’ve heard in a long time, specifically the track, “Slow.” You can find that track and bunch more great stuff on his record, Forget. Even more great news is that Twin Shadow is supporting The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, including a stop here in Milwaukee at Turner Hall Ballroom on Tuesday, April 26th.

Akron/Family have released an official video of “So It Goes,” which appears on their forthcoming Dead Oceans release, S/T II: The Cosmic Birth and Journey of Shinju TNT. Pre-order your copy here.
MP3: Akron/Family – “So It Goes”

Remember Matt Baur? His album, The Island Moved In The Storm, was one of my favorite records of 2008. We’ve been introduced to the video for “Don’t Let Me Out” for the first time. It’s worth the watch.

The Strand of Oaks Kickstarter campaign has only one week left to go. Make your pledge today and help get Pope Killdragon pressed on vinyl.

If you’re in Madison on Friday night allow us to recommend the Conrad Plymouth, Snowbirds and Derek Pritzl show at the Frequency. Tickets are only $6 and you’ll be able to purchase the Conrad Plymouth self-titled vinyl we put out on our Ten Atoms label last year.

We’re super excited for our two 6th Anniversary showcases going down next weekend in Milwaukee. On Friday night, join us at Cactus Club for Sat. Nite Duets, Golden Coins and Blessed Feathers. Three of our favorite new bands in the city right now. Tickets are only $8, you can RSVP here. On Saturday night we’re supremely excited to welcome S. Carey and Conrad Plymouth to Club Garibaldi. Tickets for that show are $10 and moving fast, so please get yours today. On top of all that excitement, we’ll have free nachos. Bam!

In conjunction with his upcoming tour with Jolie Holland (including a previously announced Madison show), Matt Bauer has released the staggering video for “As She Came Out of the Water” above. If we haven’t already convinced you of Bauer’s songwriting brilliance, I can’t think of a better introduction than this video and of course, seeing him live.

Buy: Matt Bauer – The Island Moved in the Storm
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Myspace: Matt Bauer
MP3: Matt Bauer – “Don’t Let Me Out”

Muzzle of Bees favorite Matt Bauer comes to Madison supporting Jolie Holland on Tuesday, October 13th at the High Noon Saloon. If you are not familiar with Bauer’s work, do pick up a copy of The Island Moved In The Storm – it is one of the most staggeringly beautiful and under-appreciated records out there. Seriously, you’ll love it.

“Music saved my life, and so now I go where it takes me.” – Matt Bauer

Tickets: $13 | Buy Online

Buy: Matt Bauer – The Island Moved in the Storm
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Myspace: Matt Bauer
MP3: Matt Bauer – “Don’t Let Me Out”

“Recorded in closets, living rooms, kitchens, attics, bathrooms and studios from San Francisco’s Mission District to Greenpoint, Brooklyn to Fayette County, Kentucky, The Island Moved in the Storm is none of those places and all of them at once: It is a moment of beauty, stolen from a fleeting world.”

Read carefully. I’m about to reveal one of this year’s finest records. Songs filled with banjo, bells, and organ – painting a landscape for Matt Bauer to sing his beautiful stories. The Island Moved In The Storm, released this week on La Société Expéditionnaire (home of MoB favorites Lewis & Clarke), reminds me of more delicate version of William Elliot Whitmore.

Grab a taste of the record with a free and legal download of “Don’t Let Me Out” and by all means, take my recommendation straight to the purchase point.

Chicago fans catch Matt Bauer at the AV-Aerie on Saturday, October 11th.

Photo: Mikael Kennedy
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Myspace: Matt Baur
MP3: Matt Bauer – “Don’t Let Me Out”

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