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Friday music blogging… The Townsmen

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Most of us have had the experience of immediately “connecting” with a song at one time or another. It’s an inexplicable feeling, totally unexpected, a sudden knowing that somehow this song fits with our lives, or at least with our mood at that very moment.

And so it was for me several weeks ago, kicking back in the “great room” at my house, relaxing on a weekend afternoon, listening to the radio and the wind on the lake, thinking about how summer was just around the corner and contemplating the inherent goodness of life.

Then a song came on the local community radio station that just stopped me in my tracks. It was an indy tune, with loud, slow slide guitar, sweet harmony and mellow lyrics about… summertime. It seemed to me at that moment the perfect summer song and I knew it would be a song that I had to have and play over and over again. The DJ eventually announced the name of the band, The Townsmen, and the album name, Dim as a Glimmer.

I dragged out the laptop and a few Google clicks later I had found the band’s website. They did have a couple of songs to download, but the song I had heard on the radio wasn’t there. After searching in vain for a way to buy and download the CD online, I sent the band an e-mail and they shipped me their two latest CDs, Dim as a Glimmer and Townsmen: II. I discovered during my search that the two albums were recorded at the same time, but were issued separately.

As one reviewer wrote, you may have heard these chords before, but their music is delivered with “honest sentiment that doesn’t re-invent the wheel, but improves upon it.”

After a few e-mail exchanges, I was able to persuade the band to post the song I fell in love with so that you could listen to it today. So, kick back in your chair, pour yourself a lemonade or other beverage and crank up the sound all the way. Ready? Allright, here’s Spend Another Night.

While you’re listening to Spend Another Night, you might want to read through one of the very few reviews of the CD that I’ve been able to find.

This is a record that could only be made by a group rooted firmly in the history of rock and pop. Sure, a lot of bands live and breathe rock and pop, but it’s the rare band indeed that can revel in their understanding of the musical past and draw upon it at will without pointing fingers to an obvious source.

And the Townsmen, made up of four longtime friends who have played together in different area bands for years, make that past, both musical and personal, work for them in ways that can escape many a band. Guitarists and lead singers David Holm and Jeff Clowdus, bassist Ed Mann and drummer Brad Swiniarski have a musical understanding, - the near mythical “swing” sought after by all musicians, if you will - that propels Dim as a Glimmer along and adds to its near perfection as a pop record.

I couldn’t agree more. They definitely got that swing.

I also found a video of one of their tunes, Oakland Park, recorded live at Workbook Studios. Workbook is putting together a regular TV show, featuring three bands at a time and The Townsmen were on the first show. You can find the video and a short interview here. (If that page doesn’t load, the file’s direct link is posted in the comments section). The Townsmen are the last of the three featured artists, so it’s around 10 minutes or so into the program.

The Townsmen posted another song on their site at my request. “Hello Waitress” is a rollicking punkish tune that I’m sure gets the heads banging and the beers spilling every time they play it. I gotta see these guys.

And that brings us to the bad news. The Townsmen are based in Columbus, Ohio. I was convinced when I heard them the first time that they must be from Chicago, but apparently Columbus has a thriving indy music scene. I wish I had known that when my parents were stationed there several years ago.

Anyone up for a road trip? I’m serious about this. The band’s schedule will supposedly be updated on their site this weekend, so check it here. Let’s do it. I’ll buy the first two rounds, at least.

In the meantime, you can now purchase both Dim as a Glimmer and Townsmen: II online right here. At ten bucks each you can’t go wrong. Send ‘em some love.

If we go we’ll never know what secrets might reside inside tonight

Â· Spend Another Night
Â· Hello Waitress
Â· Oakland Park video
Â· Purchase CDs here.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jun 9, 06 @ 4:13 pm

Comments

I couldn’t get that video page to load on my Firefox browser, but it did load in Safari. If you’re having trouble, just click here (asx file).

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jun 9, 06 @ 6:19 am
hello waitress, eh, not so much. kind of an unusual approach to slide in spend another night (slide as a rhythm instrument?). my head picks up when you say slide guitar (growing up in florida and all, having had the opportunity to learn a few licks, and get advice from duane allman), but more like derek trucks (currently tearing it up and pushing eric clapton as a sideman) or sonny landreth — or GOV’T MULE. the allman brothers is just obvious (derek trucks and warren haynes both play a mean slide, and i’m in heaven when they play slide together, especially with a third lead, like jimmy herring or jack pearson!).

interesting tunes though. yes, columbus does have a good music scene, certainly different from chicago. but shouldn’t we be encouraging artists that we like to travel here? building an audience, as it were…

Comment by bored now Friday, Jun 9, 06 @ 8:22 am
Bored, I think we need to send a scouting party out there first.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jun 9, 06 @ 8:25 am
road trip!

Comment by bored now Friday, Jun 9, 06 @ 8:36 am
Miller, I already didn’t want to work today and you’re not helping. That tune beings up an image of a hammock or louge chair by the water and a cold beverage near by. Suntans and swimsuits too…..

Comment by DC Friday, Jun 9, 06 @ 11:46 am
Yep

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jun 9, 06 @ 11:51 am
Rich,

Thanks for exposing us to the band, I like their stuff and after listening to the tunes I was struck by the idea that they sound a bit like Material Issue who originated from Lincolnwood (I believe - they were a Chicago band nonetheless). They certainly have that Chicago sound and I agree, I would have thought they were from Chi-town if you hadn’t stated otherwise. Thanks for the new music, much appreciated.

Comment by live music rocks Friday, Jun 9, 06 @ 12:42 pm
“Spend Another Night” sounds a bit like another twang-pop band from the same general corner of the world: The Volebeats, from Detroit. Sample ‘em at http://www.rainbowquartz.com/mp3/tqmt002_1.mp3.

Comment by Reality Check Friday, Jun 9, 06 @ 3:54 pm
How funny to see a Townsmen mention on this blog! You might also like Ed Mann’s old band. The Sovines (named for Red Sovine) started out doing Dave Dudley-style trucking songs and turned into a great roots-rock band before breaking up a couple of years ago. They have a few CDs out, with The Sad Last Days of the Sovines being a good place to start.

I bet you could get The Townsmen out to Illinois for a weekend. The Sovines just played a special reunion show in St. Louis last weekend.

Comment by Anon Monday, Jun 12, 06 @ 8:10 pm
Hey Rich,

I’m the DJ who played the Townsmen. Ed Mann is a friend of mine and I’ve been trying to get them to come to Spfld. Anytime you’re up for a roadtrip though, there’s other musical riches to be found in Columbus along with the Townsmen…

Tom

Comment by Tom Tuesday, Jun 13, 06 @ 1:00 pm