The Fresh Five: Dehd, Westerman, Mountain Man, Katie Von Schleicher, Locate S,1

For the Fresh Five we pick out five great new(ish) jams that we’re currently obsessing over. Check out the accompanying playlist below for your listening pleasure.

Dehd – Loner

I was a big fan of Chicago Trio Dehd’s 2019 album Water so I was pretty disappointed that they ended up cancelling their tour date here. Who knows when we’ll get a chance to hear them live but I hope it’s soon.  Their new record Flower of Devotion will be out on July 17th and based on this first single alone, I am beyond excited. 

Westerman – Waiting On Design

I am a big Arthur Russel fan and what immediately drew me to Westerman’s music was that in many ways it sounds like something Russell could have made. Westerman is anything but a clone though – closer listens of his intelligent and beautifully arranged pop reveals an artist that has found his own path. 

Mountain Man – Slow Burn (Kacey Musgraves Cover)

It’s been too long since I last caught Mountain Man (last time was a free gig at the Cedar back in 2011) and I have missed their sound.  It fits perfectly on a cover of Kacey Musgraves’ “Slow Burn” from her 2018 record Golden Hour.  It reminds me a great deal of Sufjan Stevens’ tune “Casimir Pulaski Day” which I also love. 

Katie Von Schleicher – Wheel

I absolutely loved Von Schleicher’s 2017 record Shitty Hits (and caught her at an engaging performance at Moon Palace last year) so I was very enthused to hear that she would be returning with her next album Consummation in late May (5/22 Ba da Bing). Feeling very optimistic considering the albums first singles including this bouncy pop gem with darker undertones. 

Locate S,1 – Personalia

Locate S,1 is Athens, GA based musician Christina Schneider. She has a funky sound that seems to find common ground between 80’s rock/punk and disco while adding her own modern touch. You can definitely hear similarities to Of Montreal as well (Kevin Barnes produced the record).