Free Music Downloads Blog

Albuquerque, NM's the Shins began in 1997 as the side project of singer/songwriter and guitarist James Mercer's primary band Flake. Soon after the release of When You Land Here, Mercer and Sandoval formed the Shins. Sub Pop's Jonathan Poneman caught the San Francisco date of the tour and asked the Shins to contribute a single to the label's Single of the Month Club, which eventually became an offer to release the Shins' 2001 single, New Slang, and their debut album, Oh, Inverted World.

Relocated from Albuquerque to Portland, the band began tracking new material and producer Phil Ek (Built to Spill, Modest Mouse....) was brought in to mix the album, in an effort to balance the home-recording method used on Oh Inverted World with a studio finish. Chutes Too Narrow was released by Sub Pop that Fall. Nonstop touring of everywhere from Australia to Norway, as well as the US countless times over, has contributed to the album exceeding everyone's, including the band's, expectations. Since their releases both albums have sold 300,000 copies.

Website: The Shins
Download MP3: "So Says I"
Buy CD: "Chutes Too Narrow"

Maia Sharp is hard to classify as strictly country, as her latest CD is undeniably a mix of pop and more. Luciana Souza injects a Brazilian flavor into her excellent jazz sound.

Website: Maia Sharp
Download MP3: "Reminder"
Buy CD: Fine Upstanding Citizen

If those Gregorian chant discs seem a little, well, limited lately, perhaps it's time to move on to something equally spiritual but a bit more harmonically interesting. This disc, well-performed by the Robert Shaw Festival Singers, and conducted by the legendary choral leader, features a ravishing score by Rachmaninoff and is sung a capella, as is all Orthodox church music. (For a heartrendingly beautiful number, listen to the second cut, "Blagoslovi, Dushe Moya," or "Bless the Lord, O My Soul.") Along with well-tuned choral singing, there is a fine solo contribution by tenor Karl Dent. --Sarah Bryan Miller

Website: Sergei Rachmaninoff
Download MP3: "Come, Let Us Worship"
Buy CD: "Sergei Rachmaninoff: Vespers (Mass For Unaccompanied Chorus)"

Fans of Judy Garland will be discussing the recent TV film based on her daughter Lorna Luft's memoir for some time to come. In the meantime, try out a download of Garland singing "For Me and My Gal" from the budget Cocktail Hour series. It's one of many free downloads available in our newly expanded digital download area.

Website: Judy Garland
Download MP3: "For Me and My Gal"
Buy CD: "Coctail Hour: Judy Garland"

Graced by ancient mantras, rich harmonies, and sensual rhythms, Deva Premal and Miten's music explores the essence of love, devotion, and consciousness. The couple, who have been living and playing together for over 11 years, have toured the world and released a string of acclaimed CDs, including The Essence, Love is Space, Embrace and their latest release Satsang, which was recorded live in Cologne, Copenhagen, Byron Bay, and San Francisco.

Website: Deva Premal
Download MP3: "Shree Ram Jai Ram"
Buy CD: Embrace

ACE THE TRUTH unveils a new STEPHEN MALKMUS. His exuberance has given way to bliss, and his performances are more disarming and electrifying than ever. The volatile SM who sang "Water and a Seat" as if he were Muhammad Ali extolling his punch and shuffle is missing. On FACE THE TRUTH we hear a beseeching, almost quizzical SM who has - to generalize - returned to his first influences. And he has downplayed his guitar virtuosity behind his singing and arranging.

Website: Steve Malkmus
Download MP3: "Baby C'mon"
Buy CD: CD

Similar Artists: Southwestern Blues, INXS, Simon and Garfunkel, Turkish Psych

Not so much a band as a sweet odyssey to the center of the heart, the often chaotic MERCURY REV formed in Buffalo in the late 1980's. Consistently solar-powered by Jonathan Donahue (vocalist/acoustic guitar), Grasshopper (moth-light guitars, etc.), Jeff Mercel (drums/piano) with Dave Fridmann (bass explore, telescope, knob twiddler), they have been hard at work recording a new album. On their latest recordings for the upcoming THE SECRET MIGRATION, they were also joined by fellow upstate New Yorker Carlos Anthony Molina (low frequency vibrations, ivory tickling).

Website: Mercury Rev
Download MP3: "It's a Funny Way"
Buy CD: "The Secret Migration"

Paul McKenna is an 18 year old singer from Glasgow. He is a regular at folk festivals throughout Scotland and northern England. Paul is highly regarded for his vocal talents by some key players on the folk music circuit. Artists that have recorded with Paul include Scottish piping star Finlay MacDonald and former member of the JSD Band, Chuck Fleming.

Hometown: Glasgow, Scotland
Similar Artists: Donal Lunny, Waterboys, Paul Brady, Christy Moore

Website: Paul McKenna
Download MP3: "Take My Hand"
Buy CD: "Take My Hand" by Paul McKenna

Blending genres from classical to metal, we are like no others. The band was the brain child of Shelly and Christine, both accomplished performers. Adam joined, bringing with him a bit of metal edge. Matt auditioned and blew these three away with his bass skills. He may be young but he can certainly play! In the quest to find just the right sound they ran across an add for dual vocalists. It seems Beth and Brett were what they'd been looking for all along. Hence, the empire was forged.

The song we have up is a very early recording from our second full-band practice ever. We just wanted something to give you a tiny hint at what's to come.

Website: Obsidian Empire
Download MP3: MP3
Buy CD: The 4th Reich

Former members of Green River and the Melvins got together to pursue a happening sound. Mudhoney was born. Mudhoney was an integral part of the Seattle Grunge movement of the early 90s.

Website: Mudhoney
Download MP3: "Sonic Infusion"
Buy CD: "Since We've Become Translucent

Similar Artists: Nirvana, Pearl Jam

Referred to as a mix of The Killers and U2, these five musicians create a sense of passion and depth in their music that is seldom found in today’s rock. With intelligent lyrics, smooth and catchy hooks, the sound is reminiscent of all that has brought Ride The Bull to what they are today - a refreshing revitalization of retro 80's, power rock and hard pop with a twist of Manchester.

Website: Ride the Bull
Download MP3: "The Killing Kind
Buy CD: CD

Similar Artists: The Killers, U2

After a few complications (car-wreck, eviction, girl-friend problems. You know - the usual), The Mentals are once again an Austin-based Band. They formed in 1998, played out all over Texas. Some highlights include: “Punk Fest 98” on Fat Cock Records & a Raw Records showcase with “Ultrasonic.” Then hit a fork in the road, took 2 years off (physical therapy after car-wreck), re-formed and started playing out again in 2001 kicking ass & taking names!

Website: The Mentals
Download MP3: "Alien Sex Fiend"
Buy CD: "Oh Well" by The Mentals

Similar Artists:Social Distortion, Nirvana, The Alkaline Trio, Face to Face, Radish, Weezer

BLAGGARDS were formed in July 2004 by Dublin-raised Patrick Devlin (guitar and lead vocals), Minnesotan Turi Hoiseth (violin and screaming), New Yorker Chad Smalley (bass and lead vocals) and Bostonian Brian Vogel (drums and backing vocals).

They carry with the legacy of On The Dole, an earlier Houston band founded by Patrick. Like On The Dole, BLAGGARDS are known for knocking around the traditional with fists full of heavy metal and rockabilly. And they have a laugh or two while they're at it.

Website: Blaggards
Download MP3: "Bog Songs"
Buy CD: Standards

Similar Artists: The Pogues, Patrick Devlin Band, Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash, The Devlins, Shane MacGowan, Ballybracker, Black 47, Flogging Molly

No electricity needed here. This band plays all old time fiddle tunes including hoedowns, hornpipes, waltzes, and polka's. Pure sweet music to tap your foot by, cry, laugh, dance or just sit and listen as the master fiddles out another beautiful song.

The band is led by Grand Master fiddler Roy Crawford along with Charlie Cushman on banjo and guitar, Terry Smith on bass. Charlie Cushman is on of the most demanded banjo players in Nashville today. His music can be heard on most any popular country music stars recordings. He played the background music for the tv series The dukes of hazard! There is a reference to his site listed on the bands home page where you can fine instructions on playing and tuneing a banjo and much more. Visit their site for free full length downloads of songs from the new Cd, Front Porch Fiddlin in Alabama with Roy Crawford. The new Cd can be purchased there using paypal.

Website: Roy Crawford
Download MP3: "Midnight Waltz" MP3
Buy CD: "Front Porch Fiddlin' in Alabama" by Roy Crawford

Similar Artists: Randy Howard, Charlie Cushman, Andy Griffith, Vince Gill, Terry Smith, The Dukes of Hazzard

Joe Campbell is a singer/songwriter from the college town of Newark, Delaware. Joe's musical influences have been David Bowie, The Beatles, Elvis Costello, The Clash, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty and Neil Young.

Joe is considered by many to be one of the best rock vocalists in the mid-atlantic area of the United States and he proves it on his just released self titled debut album. His musical genre is a mix of acoustic and adult alternative rock. The truth is, you won't want to stop playing this album. This is not a CD full of just love songs. JOE CAMPBELL, the album is made up of songs about Sex, Love and The Human Condition.....based on Experience!

Website: Joe Campbell
Download MP3: "You Know Better"
Buy CD: Joe Campbell

Similar Artists: David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, Neil Young, John Lennon, Elvis Costello

There once was a boy who only wanted one thing: to find the Isle of 1000 Cats. One day he grabbed an axe, chopped down a large tree, and carved out a boat. The next morn the boy set sail. He had adventures, met some wacky friends along the way, and learned a lot about the world and himself. Evenually he found the Isle of 1000 Cats. But sadly there were only 999 cats on the isle, not 1000. Everything he'd been told was a lie. The boy stayed there, but it wasn't the same.

That little boy was Roy Janik.

Website: Roy Janik
Download MP3: "When You're Dead"
Buy CD: n/a

Similar Artists: Shorty Long, Spike Jones, my cat, Andy Breckman

That guy is John Pointer and aside from his nationally televised commercials for Chili's Baby Back Ribs and Schlotzsky's Deli/ Austin City Limits, he has been active in the Austin, Texas Music Scene since moving there in 1991. A multi-instrumentalist with degrees in Music and Italian (UT Austin, Phi Beta Kappa 1997), he has produced, performed, and recorded with numerous bands and artists including Ozomatli, BoomBoxATX, Schrödinger's Cat, Woodwork, Trio Los Vigilantes, and Sixpence None the Richer.

His first language was music, and he speaks it fluently. His parents say he sang lullabies with them before he could talk, mimicking the melodies before he could form words. He started piano lessons at the age of five, cello at six, and percussion at nine. He taught himself guitar at eleven, and bass at fourteen. By the time he graduated from high school he had honed his studio skills, performed in Europe, played with numerous local bands, and was the musical director of a doo-wop quartet. He was accepted to the University of Texas at Austin, and moved there to continue his education.

He currently performs 4 to 6 nights per week, works actively with the Austin Music Foundation and in the community, and continues to develop his shows as a solo artist, with BoomBox, Schrödinger's Cat, and his future project Brainwreck (version 3).

Website: John Pointer
Download MP3: MP3
Buy CD: CD

Similar Artists: Ozomatli, BoomBoxATX, Schrödinger's Cat, Woodwork, Trio Los Vigilantes, and Sixpence None the Richer

The BorderCollies are a contemporary Celtic band, featuring a unique blend of traditional Celtic and folk influences in their music. Their signature sound incorporates tight instrumentation with three and four part vocal harmonies. Their recent CD, "The Road from Swannanoa", showcases the band's original compositions and their ability to interpret and arrange traditional material. Based out of Duluth, Georgia, the band performs regionally around the southeast at concerts, festivals, pubs and clubs.
Website: The BorderCollies
Download MP3: "Three Drunken Maidens"
Buy CD: "The Road From Swannanoa" by The Bordercollies

Similar Artists: Buddy O'Reilly Band, Moira Nelligan Trio, Dougie MacLean, Susan McKeown, Jimmy McCarthy, David Gray, Fairport Convention

The Dust Rhinos are a butt kickin' Celtic Rock band from Winnipeg, Manitoba, the heart of Canada. Their show is pure unrestrained pandemonium designed to make you kick up your feet and party. From the juiced up traditional favorites of Ireland, Scotland and Canada’s East Coast to Celtified rock tunes to the Rhino's own originals, an evening with the Dust Rhinos is something to remember.

A combination of skilled musicianship, a playful sense of humour and dynamic stage show set the Dust Rhinos apart from other entertainers. Their ability to bond with the audience makes them fan favorites where ever they go. For eleven years the Dust Rhinos have been entertaining crowds across the prairies and in the last four years they have expanded their reach from the prairies to the rest of Canada and the United States. Supporting acts such as Alabama, Moxy Fruvous, Leahy, Kenny Rogers, the Commitments and other top international recording acts, the Dust Rhinos have won over crowds and built a legion of loyal fans.

Website: Dust Rhinos
Download MP3: "New York Girls (live)"
Buy CD: "Sociable - live" by Dust Rhinos

Similar Artists: Great Big Sea, Oysterband, Spirit of the West, Dropkick Murphys, Pogues

Spoon make some of the catchiest, most confident rock 'n' roll of any group around. Their fifth full-length is nothing short of a dizzying, soulful masterpiece, easily the most expansive work in their career. "Gimme Fiction" is a sprawling, exhilarating, filler-free album of keenly focused artistic vision and ambition.

Website: Spoon
Download MP3: "I Turn My Camera On" MP3
Buy CD: Gimme Fiction