Showing posts with label FTM Sells Out. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FTM Sells Out. Show all posts

Mar 29, 2014

So, Trailer Got Interviewed...

Reposted with permission from Jessica Blankenship.


There are many blogs that feature country music, but none are quite as unique as Farce the Music. The website features witty jokes, as well as focus on showcasing musicians you may have never heard of. The teams of writers behind the blog have kept it going for several years. I was able to speak with the main owner, Trailerparkman, recently on the success of the blog. Be sure to check it out at www.farcethemusic.com and his online store.
Jessica Blankenship: What possessed you to start the blog, Farce the Music?
Farce the Music (FTM): It started out as a place to display parodied album covers (an idea I blatantly stole). After a couple months I realized I'd run out of material eventually if that's all I did, so it slowly evolved into a source for satire of Music Row's shortcomings. I once had dreams of being a country lyricist and I was pretty good at it (even had a few co-writes published). I'm too introverted to be a schmoozer and couldn't afford to move to Nashville, so that career never came to fruition, but it did help me see the trends, fads and absurdities of the mainstream country that comes out of Nashville.
Jessica: How did you come up with the name Farce the Music?
FTM: It started out as Photocrap. That was a stupid name. I taxed my feeble mind and came up with a dopey pun (playing off "face the music") which stuck.
Jessica: You are not afraid to make fun of the music industry and some of the major players. Is there anyone that you later met and went "oops, I shouldn't have done that?"
FTM: No. I may have changed my personal assumptions about a few (Casey Donahew & Shooter Jennings for two), but I'm still going to pick on them for shallow and childish reasons, regardless of whether I'm a fan or not. I'm an equal opportunity offender.
Jessica: Have you met anyone famous that has said they love what you do?
FTM: Is Shooter famous? Cody Canada, Rob Baird, Casey Donahew…they all understand where I'm coming from. Online, I've "met" Charlie Worsham, Ray Wylie Hubbard…Jake Owen may or may not be a fan. There's a long list of Texas artists and alt-country folks who've stated their glowing approval. A few Nashville songwriters and publicists have said they appreciate what I do. Florida-Georgia Line follows me on Twitter, but I think that's more a case of "keep your enemies closer…"
Jessica: Who has the worst fans to over react to a post?
FTM: It used to be Brantley Gilbert fans till they figured out what a troll I am. Recently, Blackjack Billy fans are pretty testy (when their moms let them have internet time).
Jessica: Besides yourself, who else do you use to guest blog?
FTM: Matthew Martin, Kelcy Salisbury and Jeremy Harris are the most frequent contributors. Matthew's great for live show reviews. Kelcy's good at promoting artists and albums that aren't as much in my wheelhouse, but are awesome for the genre(s) nonetheless. Jeremy, when he's not in jail, is as funny or funnier than I am with the memes and lists and whatnot.
Jessica: How do you keep your content so fresh and so clean clean? (sorry, started singing the song)
FTM: If something makes me laugh, I figure it will work for the blog. So basically, I'm just entertaining myself and the fact that lots of other people get a kick out of it is icing on the cake.
Jessica: Why do you think your blog is successful?
FTM: I say what a lot of people think about the state of popular music. Also, people get a kick out of the trash talking. I think most know that, in general, very little of my picking is out of pure mean-spiritedness.
Jessica: Speed Round - Which do you like better?
Truck Songs vs Chew Tobacco Chew Tobacco Chew Tobacco Spit
FTM: Well, since you gave me a little rope, I'd go with the truck songs. There are a couple of decent ones out of the thousands released, but "Boys Round Here" is a foul abomination.
Jessica: Wagon Wheel vs Folsom Prison as the most overdone cover song
FTM: Wagon Wheel, unquestionably. I actually didn't hate Darius' version, but I never want to hear it again.
Jessica: Scott Borchetta vs Scott Borchetta
FTM: The fact that he blocked me on Twitter for a little trolling proves he has very thin skin. Besides ego, he also has a little "Peter Pan" syndrome going on, with his constant use of slang and being buddy-buddy with Swifties.
Jessica: Introduce me to a few of your favorite "unknown" musicians that you think others should know about?
FTM: If by "unknown," you mean unknown nationally, here are a few: Sturgill Simpson is an awesome throwback of a country singer and writer. The Bigsbys are a cool roots-rock outfit out of Texas with broad appeal. Lydia Loveless is great. John Moreland, Jimbo Mathus, Brandy Clark, Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires… all excellent.
Jessica: Is there anyone on your bucket list to meet...or create a meme?
FTM: Who wouldn't want to meet George Strait? Willie Nelson too. I create memes about anybody and everybody though.
Jessica: Any random factoid we should know?
FTM: I've never been in a Starbucks. How's that? I was born in the same town as Mickey Gilley and former bull-riding champion Chris Shivers, but I wasn't born in Texas. I've been in a Twitter fight with Blake Shelton.
Jessica: Can you guess the height of Justin Wells of Fifth on the Floor? You might get a prize.
FTM: I'm guessing around 6'2". He's not absurdly tall, just huge. Like WWE huge.
Jessica: Say something nice about Rita Ballou of www.rawhideandvelvet.com.
FTM: I have actually met Rita in person and she is a sweetheart. She's nowhere near the monster some have assumed her to be. She just likes gossip. Who doesn't? I think we are kindred souls, even though I'm not sure how Ike (her hubby) puts up with all the trashy reality TV she loves.

Sep 1, 2009

Farce the Music Sells Out #4: Scott Warren

Scott Warren - Quick Fix Bandage

Scott Warren is a singer-songwriter with a charming folksy pop-rock sound that probably could have garnered him a hit or two back in the 90's when folks like Del Amitri, Duncan Sheik and Toad the Wet Sprocket still graced the airwaves. On Quick Fix Bandage, that sound is pulled towards the Americana genre with some subtle sweeps of steel guitar, mournful lyrics and Scott's warm Westerbergian rasp.

There's also an obvious AAA contemporary bent that makes it easy to imagine nearly any of the songs on the album playing in the background of an overly emotional scene on One Tree Hill or Melrose. Mind you, they would be among the best tunes to ever set that schmaltzy mood. Never fear guys, only the slightly annoying "Laugh Through the Pain," with it's repetitive "I love you's," sounds overly chick-oriented. There are enough touches of harmonica and rustic atmospherics to maintain a degree of alt-country cred.

The opening "Before You Say Goodbye" is a moody but catchy pop rocker that should be a hit, but likely won't ever get enough attention to pull it into the mainstream. "Along for the Ride" is a standout track, reminiscent of Buffalo Tom's most commercial output. Another of the album's highlights is the down-tempo cover of America's "Sister Golden Hair" which bestows a completely different emotional personality on the classic tune.

QFB, to me, feels like the soundtrack to a wistful fall afternoon. It's a solid, memorable album that pop-rock lovers along with fans of the likes of Ryan Adams, Rhett Miller and Pete Yorn should definitely enjoy.


Free, legal song download here: Before You Say Goodbye

Buy the album on iTunes or at Amazon

Aug 31, 2009

Farce the Music Sells Out #3

Here's another rambling, so-called review at FTM. Though straight reviews shall remain relatively rare here, there will be two more tomorrow - Zac Brown Band and Scott Warren - before we return to the funny with the next edition of "31 Country Themes" and a "Bigger in Texas 2" honest album covers day. For now, please check out this fine album.


Old Californio - Westering Again

Westering Again is a killer country rock album with something for nearly everyone who reads this blog. There is an obvious Beatles influence in many of the melodies and harmonies. There's also sweet jangle pop reminiscent of the Jayhawks going on with some Calexico-esque mariachi spicing things up. In the mellower moments, some of the same dusty landscapes of Richmond Fontaine's story songs are visited here, but the mood rarely gets that somber. Can't help but hear a little Gram Parsons every now and then as well.

The opening track, "Mother Road," is a great, uh, road song (too obvious?) that taps the toe and fills the soul with sunshine. Cheesy description - great song. "From the Mouth of Babes" sounds like Oasis by way of Dylan and features an earworm of a chorus. The only real misstep is "Warmth of the Sun," an over-thought rocker whose mid-tempo groove finally resolves itself into an unfulfilling coda. Fortunately, Westering Again brings it home with three great songs including the epic (in scope not scale) "Lazy Old San Gabriels" and the thoughtful but lilting "California Goodness."

Despite the fact that I played "spot the influences" and "name the similar sounding artists" with this review, Old Californio has its own vibrant personality and fills out this record as a fully realized artist, not just a mockingbird of a "genericana" band. Well worth the purchase. Even fans of more mainstream music would find a lot to love here - this is a very accessible listen.


Free, legal song download: "Mother Road"

Buy the album on iTunes or here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/oldcalifornio

Jul 17, 2009

Farce the Music Sells Out #2

I don't really know how to properly describe Amber Dust's sound or tell you what genre they're in. They're kinda folk-pop with some Americana and country-ish undertones and their songs have a nice warm glow about them. Most of them are fairly laid back in tempo and smooth as waxed butter. Something like that.... all I know is I really like 'em and they're extremely talented. I even know one of the dudes in the band and he's alright when he's off the Jack Daniels and mini-thins. Did I mention they're also generous? You can get both their debut album and their follow up EP for free at their website 24/7. Maybe if enough people jet over and grab their tunes, the boys will get off their posteriors and release the already-recorded next full Amber Dust album. Give 'em a try!

Check out their sound here (cool Danzig cover along with my two favorite Amber Dust songs, "Tear it Down" and "An Unfamiliar House" are all on their player!): http://www.myspace.com/amberdustmusic

Free full-length album and EP available here:

Apr 30, 2009

FTM Sells Out: The Devil Makes Three

I don't have a lot of bands contacting me for promotional purposes. The reason for that is obvious - I'm mean. Despite the fact that this blog's place in the world is to make fun of anything and everything music related (particularly country related), no matter how inane or sophomoric, I have received my share of emails from groups and artists wanting me to check out their material, and if interested, post a feature about them along with an mp3. To this point, I haven't been impressed enough with anything I've heard to mention it here. The Devil Makes Three's album Do Wrong Right has impressed me enough to be featured as my first FTM Sells Out (the first of what won't be a frequent feature, so that shows you how much I enjoy this album).
Falling right in the pocket of the kind of music that's moving me these days, The Devil Make Three is a string band that blends bluegrass, folk and country into an engaging mix of traditional sounds with an absolutely electric vibe. The playing is top notch, the vocals are strong and the writing is stellar. In fact, I can't find a weak facet to this group. Being a lyricist on the side, I'm drawn to smart, interesting, humorous or soulful lyrics that don't feel contrived and The DM3 deliver on all points. They dip into politics without pandering or pissing. They write about religion thoughtfully and cleverly. They tackle love, drugs and other blue collar interests in fresh and interesting ways. This is an exciting band with a bright future. For reference, you'll probably dig The Devil Makes Three if you like Justin Townes Earle, Old Crow Medicine Show, Bob Dylan or The Avett Brothers, among others. Their new album is called Do Wrong Right and it's one of the best I've heard this year. Definitely check out their Myspace page and I'm also providing a link for a free mp3 download of "All Hail" from Do Wrong Right.

Free Download:


LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails