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The Golden Sounds “Introspective” doesn’t begin to describe the deeply personal nature of Lo-Fi Sounds for a Hi-Fi Heart, the latest release from The Golden Sounds. The creation of frontman Todd Evans, Lo-Fi must be the byproduct of a painful breakup—there’s no ambiguity in lines such as “Am I the one that’s fucking up / You said my action’s not enough.” But despite the frequently bitter or crestfallen lyrics, the music is more dreamy than sad. A few tracks feature phone messages to the dejected protagonist from concerned friends—a hopeful, if eerie, shout-out to the power of moral support. The Golden Sounds Some two and-a-half years ago, I stumbled into rocketown about 20 minutes after the openerhad gone on,intending to see the now defunct Aireline, and Sleeping at Last. As I was walking in though, a sound caught my ear, it was a melody, a melody I have still not forgotten and that I wouldn't be able to shake from my head for many weeks. The melody was a song called Whistles and Windchimes and the band playing it was The Golden Sounds. THE GOLDEN SOUNDS THE GOLDEN SOUNDS On my way back to Nashville from Jackson, I discovered that most of the records I listen to are my friends – young, talented, Nashville-based artists who are trying to produce sounds they love and doing a mighty fine job. The first record I put in was my friend Betsy Roo from Mississippi that sang on my first record, ‘Quite Often.’ Her record, “…and then it’s gone” was produced by another good friend and very talented musician, Neilson Hubbard. Betsy’s voice is refreshing and young, the perfect combination of southern sweetness and unbreakable independence. Admiring Neilson’s production, I then put in another record he produced Kate York, Sadlylove. Kate’s songs are as pleasing to the ear as Sheryl Crow and as transcendent as Fleetwood Mac. It only takes a few words sung for anyone to give her voice a strong nod. Her songs are as pleasing to the ears as a kiss on the loneliest day. Her voice appears on another song we are including in this compilation, Paper Route’s Second Chances. My good friend Chad Howat began this project by creating beats under his bunk in his apartment. The he brought JT Daly and Andy Smith in to build melodies and lend their vocals. The harmonies float and the beats pulsate against your speakers like a back massage. What started from sleepless nights turned into music that peers over the unknown realms of our radios future. One night while hanging out at Chad’s apartment, listening to some songs he was working on, Tyler James’ song ‘Stay Humble’ came on while songs shuffled through his Ipod. “Who is this?” I asked, only to find out it is yet another very talented, young singer-songwriter coming out of Belmont that makes effortless, melodic music that’s soars and sways with the likes of Keane and Travis. Recently Tyler opened for my fellow bandmates, Gabe Ruschival and Jeremy Lutito, who have their own project, Disappointed By Candy. These two guys have more talent then any wannabe you’ll see on American Idol. Both graduating from college in percussion, they bring their technical skills into their songwriting and breed it with catchy hooks that won’t leave your head for days. Shortwave Radio’s Avenues EP is a record that was given to me when I first moved to Nashville a year and a half ago. I remember hearing this record and wondering who this guy is and how is it that I have never heard of him. Come to find out Andy Spilburg is just a guy who likes music and went into a studio to record a demo some simple new songs and ended up releasing the EP on his own, doing his own radio promotion for it, which has landed him on regular rotation in a number of college stations. Andy’s dedication gave me more motivation to follow through with my ideas for Ten out of Tenn. With those six artists in place, I just needed to find four more, which I knew wouldn’t be too much of a challenge if I just opened my eyes. Griffin House is a dear friend that I have shared the stage with many times. Not only does he have more soul than the deepest corner of the delta but his song crafting is classic enough to always have the industries heads turning. With Nettwerk on his team, he’s had success touring and getting his music into the ears of loving listeners who adore him. His songs paint pictures of brokenness and confidence in beauty. The song chosen is from some new recordings he just finished up with Ian Fitchuck. The last two bands I discovered only in past couple of months. The Lonely Hearts are decidedly Americana-pop, more Neil & Crazy Horse than Nashville Skyline-Dylan, but mixes comfortably with both. The song I chose to put on this compilation is a hook from the heavens and you will see why they are around. The Golden Sounds are the exhale to this project, music you want to fall asleep and wake up to. These guys have the beauty and integrity that most local bands lack today. You’ll also notice my own song on this compilation, Trent Dabbs. You have to believe in yourself before you expect anyone else to believe in you. It is a song off a new record I am finishing up and hope to release later this year. This is a group of artists that I love and admire and am very excited to share the stage with in June. With the help of my agent, Hunter Williams, my wife, and our sponsors, Paste Magazine and MySpace.com, Ten Out of Tenn. will be touring the U.S. This may be the first time you have heard some of these names, but will doubtfully be the last.
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