It has been a while since my last post and even I was
starting to doubt if I’d ever get around to writing another post on Indie Dunes.
So many great artists out there who deserve the word to be
spread through places like this and the other great blogs I have been reading lately. I just exchanged tweets with Rudeina from RNRinmysoul.com in regard to the amount of
talent out there in Musicland and how it is a blog writer’s nightmare and dream come true in the same breath. So I thought I better jump
back on the horse and whip my butt into gear and help share the load.
Late last year we introduced the
Indie Dunes Music Cafe, we called for bands/artists to submit a track so we could play
it on our online stream. We were flooded with tracks, we played a lot of new tracks that night, ‘twas
a lot of fun. One band stood out to my ears so much I played two tracks.
So here they are, introducing BoonDock Hippy
Boondock Hippy started off as a project of
Steve Keenlyside, it quickly became an ensemble of 6 accomplished players, all
playing an integral part in creating a rich melody in the tracks. A definite
blues/rock feel, with a hint of bluegrass in some tracks.
Steve links the style of his influences
really well into his tunes, without being blatantly obvious about it. Dylan and Hendrix
are in there, I also hear a link to recent bands like the Happy Mondays in a
couple of tracks. Run is one in particular (I played this in the Music Café) It is the track that pricked my ears and made me search for more.
Boondock Hippy released two full
albums worth of quality tracks. The 1st Life in
the Slow Lane was released in April and has a distinctly different feel to
the November release Dylan’s Gold. The progression of the
Hippy in this short space of time is really great to hear.
The opening track on the debut release Life in the Slow Lane really
caught my attention and since its January and the Martin Luther King holiday is
nearly upon the US, it’s a topical subject. Dr
King starts off with an infectious quiet beat, I’m not sure when I became a
sucker for great soulful harmonica but this track sucked me in head first. Add
influential speech from a highly respected political figure and that’s a
perfect opening to an enjoyable experience. I asked Steve, why Dr King?
"There's no doubt that the 60's was an
unbelievable era for music, but it was also a time of considerable
civil unrest. Perhaps that is why so much seminal music was written at the
time, as there was a great desire for change
+ writing songs about such issues was a way of
getting your voice heard. Dr Martin Luther King, stood tall at all
times and never wavered from his goal of equality and peace. His speech on
the Vietnam War spread like wild fire into the consciousness of the
US, at the time. I felt this speech should be celebrated in a song".
Which led me to question in today’s current
climate, who Steve considers worthy of spreading a message in the same manner
as M.L.K. With the civil uprising happening throughout the world today, a leader of such standing is needed, or is the world bereft of
such a person.
So much was achieved through the efforts and words of such
civil rights activists as Dr King (US) and Mandela (SA) during
the movement that it requires us now, in 2013 to look at it with a
reframed and evolved vision. I think politicians in particular let us down
more often than not as they are too eager to maintain the Status quo
and "get votes". Therefore, these so called representatives
of the people, never come across as being 100% honest. Barack Obama is; in my opinion, the closest politician we
have as a compatriot to Dr King. His stance on equality, education, employment
for example, all lean into the civil rights agenda.
If im being honest though I think we have to an increasing look at
grassroots level to find people who are really making a difference to civil
rights. Volunteers, who are not necessarily in the public
eye, but work tirelessly to make a difference in, i.e. countries
torn apart by civil war. In particular Charity workers, the unsung heroes
who do not expect anything in return, & whom dedicate their
lives to making those unequal, equal.
So in the
words of Dr King (new version Dr King II) “A genuine leader is not
a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus”.
I agree with Steve on this point, this is actually highlighted in the gun reform issue in the US ATM. Even after a momentous win, President Obama is still concerned about upsetting the NRA. Anywayyy
More points to ponder and reflect
upon. I better get back to the music, after all it’s a music blog, isn't it
amazing how social reform and songs walk hand in hand throughout recent history.
Another track I really enjoy on
this first release is Toots Lamally. It’s got a really cool groove going
through it. Sounds like an interesting dude does old Toots. The bass in this track
gets me thinking of this self-assured character walking down the street, oblivious
to what is going on around him. There is a character from my childhood that
comes to mind when I listen to this track. I asked Steve about good old Toots. Was he fictional or a real
dude?
"Toots is a real guy, although that was his nickname. I met him
when I first moved down to London. He was the most eccentric person I've ever
met. He used to throw a bucket of ice cold water over himself in the mornings
to mentally prepare himself for the day - this was a great man!"
The 2nd release in a year of
productivity for the Boondock Hippy was Dylans Gold. This collection of tracks belongs to the soundtrack of a movie Steve has written but not has not made
yet. Apparently a really easy collection of tracks to compose I’ll pass you
over to Mr Keenlyside
I immediately started writing the
accompanying soundtrack after finishing the screenplay. It was actually the easiest bit of writing I've
done, as I could picture each scene. This helped setting a mood and feeling for
each track. The film is set in Ireland about a greyhound called Dylan's Gold. I
am hoping at some point in the near future to make the film, but it’s not top
priority at the minute
One question sprung to mind instantly after reading this answer from Steve and it involves the album cover art. A great picture of a man and his Great Dane sitting side by side looking across a vista of mountains. Why a Great Dane when Dylan's Gold is a Greyhound
"That is a very good question and one that I should have a better answer for. The truth is that, I liked the photo; plain and simple. It was more the unique relationship between man and man's best friend I wanted to try and convey".
Its a fantastic album cover and nothing like an honest answer for the right answer ;)
The album is a great listen with each song
obviously telling a story, it doesn’t sound like it was hastily put together. Run is one of the songs Steve sent me
originally and its possibly my favourite out of all the Hippy tracks. Very
Happy Mondays.
In fact the last 4 songs Run,
Mothership, Karma Calling and Rocker to Raver of Dylan’s
Gold are a brilliant way to finish this album. Makes me want go back to
the start and listen again. That is a great thing in my book!!
So that’s the music of the Boondock Hippy, a
very talented group of players, producing great tracks.
The first tracks I
received were not enough to whet my appetite for this band and I searched iTunes
to find more. I bought the first album “Life in the Slow Lane” I still
remember the conversation that followed the purchase and it’s the deciding
factor and inspiration of why Boondock Hippy is my first post for 2013.
Life is about passion and inspiration,
feeling happy to be breathing yet another day.
What comes through from talking to Steve about his music, he shows such passion but is a humble and appreciative of any exposure I have given through the @IndieDunes or @CrustyToon twitter accounts
That inspiration might lead to great moments
of success or creativity, or it might also just make the day easier to get
through if times are tough. A simple pleasure such as music can take your mind
to a happier place, hopefully problems can be forgotten for a brief moment.
That’s what music does for me. It helps me forget or recall in the space of a few notes or words. It doesn’t matter the
genre or the style. It is about connection and feeling.
This collection of songs
is a connection from the past and hopefully the future. When I am listening I feel myself
being slowly taken back to my own childhood and early adulthood. It’s a heart-warming
feeling and it gives you a point of reflection and I feel a smile hit my lips.
I admire the honesty in Boondock Hippy tunes. Add to this a really nice guy that is writing the tunes and what is not to like about them.
I hope you like Boondock Hippy as much as
have enjoyed sharing them with you.Steve aka CrustyToon (gets confusing when
you are blogging someone of the same name)
P.S. Steve recently wrote and released Chasing the Winter EP(released 4th of January 13) The EP comprises of only 3 songs. he wrote after seeing a film called theEndless Winter-A very British Surf movie last year. It documents the history of the UK surf scene quite beautifully. Steve was so inspired by it he wrote some songs about it. "pretty simple really" apparently!!!
Check it out
Stalk options
@boondockhippy
Soundcloud
http://www.theboondockhippy.co.uk
I encourage you to get onto iTunes and purchase the first album if you like these tunes and support the indie bands we get so much pleasure from.
Other blog posts on Boondock Hippy
http://lesaddictionsdemilie.
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