AOTW 3/25/13 John Moreland

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Beebs
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AOTW 3/25/13 John Moreland

Post by Beebs »

John Moreland

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Like so much music that has found its way into my life, John Moreland arrived via 3dd. Smitty had posted a link to A Truer Sound's 2010 Various Artist Sampler. (http://atruersound.com/?s=john+moreland&searchbtn=Go) The last of 21 tracks showcased in the sampler describing itself as heavy on "Stoner Country" and in the company of 3dd favorites like Justin Townes Earl and Two Cow Garage was John Moreland's single Stoned off of his EP Hope Springs Ephemeral. I had one of those moments. His voice is unique and incredible and his guitar sang with a simple sparseness matched only by the sad economy of his song. Somewhere between an Okie Springsteen and an electric Chris Knight lies John Moreland. Sometimes his words decorate crushing guitar tones - all raised fists and Lone Star tall boys - sometimes he's singing you to sleep while the porch swing creaks or the bed spins underneath you.

I'm approaching this AOTW as a work in progress, rather than a comprehensive piece. So dig into what's here and I'll add content as I find it. I've included BandCamp links to most of his albums. Listen for free and if something moves you throw the guys a few bucks for the download. Spread the word. If you're lucky enough to be where his limited touring takes him get out there and let him know that we are paying attention.

Enjoy, Beebs

Thanks to Smitty for my initial run in with JM and a hand with this AOTW


From Paper & Plastic Records artist description

http://paperandplastick.com/artistdetail.php?id=51

At the early age of 10, John Moreland picked up the guitar and, with the help of his father, learned his first chords. Only a couple years later he was writing songs and playing in local hardcore bands in his home state of Oklahoma. John Moreland’s songwriting influences come from many different places, but when he began writing, it was mainly the music he had been hearing through his father's stereo his whole life that influenced him the most. Artists like Steve Earle, John Fogerty, Tom Petty, Willie Nile, Joe Ely and John Mellencamp monopolized most of his listening time and helped his songwriting come to life.
Moreland put together the Black Gold Band in 2005, and released "Endless Oklahoma Sky" on Oklahoma City label Little Mafia Records in 2008. It was his accidental fusion of roots rock and punk rock that earned the band a solid following and brought him back into the studio in 2009 to record the follow-up “Things I Can't Control” in Tulsa, OK’s own Armstrong Recording with producer and legendary musician Stephen Egerton (Descendents, ALL).
John comments on his sound by explaining: “I was writing these songs on my dad's acoustic guitar which I thought were like country rock or roots rock songs, but I learned how to play music from playing in punk bands, and all the dudes I’ve played with were in punk bands. So when we got together to play the songs as a band, it turned out a lot louder and meaner than I expected it to.”
Finding a partner not only as a producer and engineer Stephen Egerton has taken up drum duties and this further adds to the "louder and meaner" sides to Moreland's song writing, Paper and Plastick label owner Vinnie Fiorello describes seeing John live for the first time ".. I couldn't believe how big his voice is live, it dominates the room, a smooth and controlled growl that fills the entire area in front of him."


http://johnmoreland.bandcamp.com/album/ ... e-hard-way

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Everything The Hard Way
November 21 2011 · Okie Tone · OTR001

http://johnmoreland.bandcamp.com/album/ ... lues-kudzu

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Tear Me Back Apart / Blues & Kudzu
October 2011 · Little Mafia · LM083

http://johnmoreland.bandcamp.com/album/earthbound-blues

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Earthbound Blues
April 12 2011

http://johnmoreland.bandcamp.com/album/ ... -ephemeral

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Hope Springs Ephemeral
November 10 2010

http://johnmoreland.bandcamp.com/album/ ... nt-control
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Things I Can't Control
July 31 2010 · Paper + Plastick

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Rob's House Demos
July 2009

http://johnmoreland.bandcamp.com/album/ ... homa-sky-2

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Endless Oklahoma Sky
June 14 2008 / April 16 2011 · Little Mafia

John Moreland is from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. The Black Gold Band calls Tulsa, Oklahoma home. So it isn’t that surprising that the Endless Oklahoma Sky sounds like a piece of heartland Americana rock. What is surprising is that it peels the paint off the wall and makes John Mellencamp sound like Olivia Newton John. These guys take their cues from the likes of Springsteen, Lucero, and Steve Earle. Like Lucero, the Black Gold Band got their start in hardcore bands and also like Lucero gravitated towards a more roots rock sound. Harmonica accentuates several songs including the stand out rocker “All I Know”. Keyboards are also used sporadically in a very Springsteen like manner, which works well distinguishing several songs, and helping with continuity. But, most of the songs begin and end with jangly electric guitars and Moreland’s plaintive voice that evokes the best of Jay Farrar or Steve Earle. The lyrics seem directly personal, yet universal. Moreland sings of life, love, whiskey, and living in Oklahoma. Like Ben Nichols or Patterson Hood, Moreland manages to write lyrics that seem intertwined with a specific geography, yet appeal to a wider audience of punks, cow punks, and Americana fans. If life is fair (and I ain’t saying it is), these guys should see a wider audience outside Oklahoma soon.

Eli Petersen - Twangville
http://twangville.com/1304/john-morelan ... ahoma-sky/











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Iowan
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Re: AOTW 3/25/13 John Moreland

Post by Iowan »

Great write up Beebs. It's sold me to dive in. The description sounds right up my alley, and I got pretty familiar with the eastern half of Oklahoma when my cousin lived in Tulsa for 4 years. The last time I was in Broken Arrow, it was 2PM on a Saturday, and we were shitfaced, stumbling into a titty bar.

Here goes "Endless Oklahoma Sky".

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Re: AOTW 3/25/13 John Moreland

Post by beantownbubba »

Never heard of him. Listening now. His voice is immediately compelling...
What used to be is gone and what ought to be ought not to be so hard

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dime in the gutter
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Re: AOTW 3/25/13 John Moreland

Post by dime in the gutter »

great job, beebs. brand new to me. listening to the water tower lp now.

looking forward to digging in deeper.

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Re: AOTW 3/25/13 John Moreland

Post by Iowan »

Really appreciating this one Beebs. I'll be snagging a few of these albums. Perfectly timed AOTW with spring coming around here. This just makes me want to roll the windows down and hit the road.

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Re: AOTW 3/25/13 John Moreland

Post by jimmyjack »

Something in the songwriting reminds me of pre-fame Isbell. In other words, v good.

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Re: AOTW 3/25/13 John Moreland

Post by Beebs »

jimmyjack wrote:Something in the songwriting reminds me of pre-fame Isbell. In other words, v good.


Huh. Hadn't made that connection myself, but now that you mention it...
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Re: AOTW 3/25/13 John Moreland

Post by Tequila Cowboy »

I had never even heard his name before Beebs, but damn I'm now a fan. The vocals are world weary, plaintive and beautiful and he can really play on top of that. Nice one.
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Re: AOTW 3/25/13 John Moreland

Post by beantownbubba »

Alright, alright already. Can we please close this thread before beebs can't even get his ego through the door?
What used to be is gone and what ought to be ought not to be so hard

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Re: AOTW 3/25/13 John Moreland

Post by Tequila Cowboy »

beantownbubba wrote:Alright, alright already. Can we please close this thread before beebs can't even get his ego through the door?


It'll be ok. If he gets out of hand you can just get him drunk again,
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Re: AOTW 3/25/13 John Moreland

Post by Beebs »

beantownbubba wrote:Alright, alright already. Can we please close this thread before beebs can't even get his ego through the door?


With 7 replies? I think we're safe.
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Re: AOTW 3/25/13 John Moreland

Post by Iowan »

I can definitely see the Trucker-era Isbell comparison, as a songwriter. Like Isbell, this guy has a knack for insanely catchy pop hooks, but he plays such a raw, ragged guitar sound that reminds me a little of The Hood, in as much as the chords just sound like they're hanging out in the sky. "Ruin My Night" just keeps getting repeated on my Ipod, as well as Spotify.

I'll keep stroking Beebs' ego on this one. However, that is all I'm stroking of his.

EDIT: Don't forget the Smitty shout out on this one. Of course that could be said for damn near everything.

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Clams
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Re: AOTW 3/25/13 John Moreland

Post by Clams »

Beebs wrote:
beantownbubba wrote:Alright, alright already. Can we please close this thread before beebs can't even get his ego through the door?


With 7 replies? I think we're safe.

Only a few replies but you've got quality over quantity, beebs. Cream of the 3dd crop.

Guy's voice reminds me of both Otis Gibbs and Chris Knight.

btw- you had me at this...
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rail yards + middle fingers = perfection

good thread. thanks for turning us on to this guy.
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Re: AOTW 3/25/13 John Moreland

Post by bovine knievel »

Thanks, Beebs.
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3milelake
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Re: AOTW 3/25/13 John Moreland

Post by 3milelake »

Checking him out on bandcamp. Solid. Nice AOTW entry.

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Re: AOTW 3/25/13 John Moreland

Post by cortez the killer »

Nice write-up, Beebs. I first came across Moreland via a mixtape from another message board a few years ago. I had Things I Can't Control in a semi-regular rotation for a while but it never really stuck to the bottom of my shoe. Thanks to this thread, I'm going to have to revisit some Johnny Moreland.
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Re: AOTW 3/25/13 John Moreland

Post by 3milelake »

Beebs wrote:
jimmyjack wrote:Something in the songwriting reminds me of pre-fame Isbell. In other words, v good.


Huh. Hadn't made that connection myself, but now that you mention it...


Based on Everything The Hard Way which is all I've been listening to thus far, the jangly guitar hooks that form the bedrock of many of the songs have a steady Gin Blossoms vibe about them & I mean that in the best possible way.

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Re: AOTW 3/25/13 John Moreland

Post by Cole Younger »

This is a prime example of why this board is such a blessing. I had never heard of this guy until tonight. I went to youtube and just punched in his name. "Nobody Gives A Damn About Songs Anymore" came up. I'm a fan.

I love this board. I turn frineds on to stuff like this and they always ask, "How do you find all this good music?"
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Re: AOTW 3/25/13 John Moreland

Post by Jonicont »

Well this certainly rocks. Spotified everything the hard way every day this week on the commute. Just bought the vinyl and 2 other cd's. Thanks Beebs
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Re: AOTW 3/25/13 John Moreland

Post by Smitty »

I was a fan before, but this made me like him even more. Thanks, Beebs.
E quindi uscimmo a riveder le stelle.

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Re: AOTW 3/25/13 John Moreland

Post by Smitty »

E quindi uscimmo a riveder le stelle.

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Re: AOTW 3/25/13 John Moreland

Post by Iowan »

http://johnmoreland.bandcamp.com/track/ ... gs-anymore

New shit coming out Tuesday. I really like this song. Hope the rest of the album is as strong.

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Re: AOTW 3/25/13 John Moreland

Post by one belt loop »

Iowan wrote:http://johnmoreland.bandcamp.com/track/nobody-gives-a-damn-about-songs-anymore

New shit coming out Tuesday. I really like this song. Hope the rest of the album is as strong.


I'm hearing that it is. (Though I haven't heard it myself.)
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Re: AOTW 3/25/13 John Moreland

Post by Beebs »

Loving this album. Strong all the way around. Hope to hell JM can continue to make a go of it.

Image


Dates with Jason Isbell and other local favorites

Austin Lucas seems pretty awesome too. Check it http://vimeo.com/26123432


Aug 10 Little Rock, AR @ Lucero Family Picnic - w/ Lucero, Wanda Jackson
Aug 15 Ft Worth, TX @ Magnolia Motor Lounge - w/ Brent Best
Aug 17 Houston, TX @ Ashford Pub - w/ Cory Branan, Matt Woods, etc
Aug 23 Nashville, TN @ High Watt - w/ Amanda Shires
Aug 24 Springfield, MO @ Outland Ballroom - w/ Adam Faucett

Aug 30 Bloomington, IN @ The Bishop - w/ Austin Lucas
Sep 2 Tupelo, MS @ The Blue Canoe - w/ Austin Lucas
Sep 3 Little Rock, AR @ White Water Tavern - w/ Austin Lucas
Sep 4 Oxford, MS @ Proud Larry's - w/ Austin Lucas
Sep 5 Waverly, AL @ Little House at Standard Deluxe
Sep 6 Birmingham, AL @ The Bottletree - w/ Austin Lucas
Sep 7 Baton Rouge, LA @ Mud and Water - w/ Austin Lucas
Sep 8 New Orleans, LA @ Circle Bar - w/ Austin Lucas
Sep 10 Pensacola, FL @ Handlebar - w/ Austin Lucas
Sep 11 Gainesville, FL @ The High Dive - w/ Austin Lucas
Sep 12 St Petersburg, FL @ The Shelter - w/ Austin Lucas

Sep 14 Tahlequah, OK @ Medicine Stone (Full Band) - w/ Turnpike Troubadours, John Fullbright, Todd Snider, etc
Sep 15 Tulsa, OK @ Mercury Lounge - w/ Drag The River
Sep 19 Cushing, OK @ Cushing Country Club - w/ John Cooper

Oct 10 Normal, IL @ Firehouse - w/ Arliss Nancy, PJ Bond
Oct 11 Lexington, KY @ Willie's Locally Grown

Oct 15 Norman, OK @ The Opolis - w/ Jason Isbell
Oct 16 Lubbock, TX @ The Blue Light - w/ Jason Isbell
Oct 18 Austin, TX @ The Belmont - w/ Jason Isbell
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Re: AOTW 3/25/13 John Moreland

Post by grapico »

We got John booked a few days ago for that Waverly show. I AM SO STOKED to see him play.

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Re: AOTW 3/25/13 John Moreland

Post by RolanK »

Beebs wrote:
Austin Lucas seems pretty awesome too. Check it http://vimeo.com/26123432



I saw Austin Lucas some months ago - First part of the set he was backed by Glossary, second part acoustic, only him and his guitar. Awesome is the word.
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Re: AOTW 3/25/13 John Moreland

Post by 4sooner »

10/15 w/ Jason in Norman
Gotta go ahead and say I'm in

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Re: AOTW 3/25/13 John Moreland

Post by StormandStatic »

RolanK wrote:
Beebs wrote:
Austin Lucas seems pretty awesome too. Check it http://vimeo.com/26123432



I saw Austin Lucas some months ago - First part of the set he was backed by Glossary, second part acoustic, only him and his guitar. Awesome is the word.

Yeah, he's a really interesting guy.

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Re: AOTW 3/25/13 John Moreland

Post by Cole Younger »

Can not stop listening to John Moreland. And I don't want to.
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Re: AOTW 3/25/13 John Moreland

Post by Smitty »

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E quindi uscimmo a riveder le stelle.

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