Cold Specks is 23-year-old Al Spx from Etobicoke, Canada, who now lives in London.
Describing her sound as 'Doom Soul', Cold Specks' music is steeped in the musical traditions of the Deep South. No wonder then that Al cites the Lomax Field Recordings and James Carr as influences along with Bill Callahan and Tom Waits. With a voice that evokes the 'spirit feel' of Mahalia Jackson and the visceral tones of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Cold Specks' sparse arrangements and chaingang rhythms stop you dead in your tracks.
Big thanks to Women Out Front for the intro.Another in the long line of "where did they come up with that name?" Well worry no more.
The book was Ulysses and the author was James Joyce and in Episode 10 - Wandering Rocks you will find:
Born all in the dark wormy earth, cold specks of fire, evil lights shining in the darkness. Where fallen archangels flung the stars of their brows. Muddy swinesnouts, hands, root and root, gripe and wrest them.Great book, great place to look for inspiration.
This is some earthy dark bluesy sounds, I love it.
I know this new album, I Predict A Graceful Expulsion, is going to be a regular in my Winamp player.
HollandHolland' taken from the forthcoming album 'I Predict A Graceful Expulsion' release 21 May (22 May US/Canada)
Directed by Olivier Groulx
Produced by Kokomo Workshop
Footage donated by Corbis Motion
Pre-order UK
Pre-order USA
Is it just me or does Jools Holland consistently bring out the best in musicians? Why is there no network or cable channel in the USA regularly featuring "Later With Jools Holland" on their channel?
If you want consistent good live music in a TV format, Jools is your man.
Lay Me DownCold Specks performing Lay Me Down live on Later with Jools Holland 4th November 2011
One more from that same broadcast.
Old StepstoneCold Specks performing Old Stepstone the b-side from her debut single 'Holland' live on Later with Jools Holland 1st November 2011.
I don't have a location for this track, but as always it is perfection.
Heavy Hands
Just to show how around the world she be going. Check out this appearance at Antone's in Austin Texas, for SXSW This was from a few weeks back.
Check out this interview with Cold Specks and hear some more of her beautiful voice.
Check out her current tour while she's in the States before she goes back to England.
I noticed she is at The Independent, San Francisco - Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 7:00pm.
