In bear terms, it’s been a while since we’ve heard from Podington the musical bear (who often goes simply by the letter P) .  While the latest update no musical windfall to those who know him, it may just be a feast for the uninitiated.

P Bear has taken yet another step toward that buzz word  of “free culture” by offering his complete catalog online for free download (again, that is–it was originally debuted for free download in a stream of podcasting, and gradually rescinded throughout ‘07-’09) and streaming via bandcamp.com**:

http://podingtonbear.bandcamp.com/

The latest offering  has been coined Growly Tum.  Could it portend P Bear’s appetite for music construction has awoken again?  We shall see. It features two hitherto unreleased tracks book-ending the uncollected ‘Season Two’ first fruits:

Growly Tum is also available in the HUSHshop for a modest $2.49 (320 kbps mp3)

Other P Bear Favorites:

**As with many things in modern music merchandising there is a catch: The free downloads on Bandcamp.com are limited to 128K mp3, accessed via a fairly inconspicuous link when prompted to pay via the “Download Album”  link.  For a pay-what-you-feel sum (of $2 or more) you can pick your favorite format in up-to CD quality.

An appetizer for their western dates with Blitzen Trapper:

Thursday, July 9, 2009
Harlow’s, Sacramento CA [buy tix]

Friday, July 10, 2009
Cellar Door, Visalia CA [buy tix]

Saturday, July 11, 2009
Velvet Jones, Santa Barbara CA

Monday, July 13, 2009
Belly Up, Solana Beach CA [buy tix]

Thursday, July 16, 2009
Bluebird Theater, Denver CO [buy tix]

Saturday, July 18, 2009
Picador, Iowa City IA [buy tix]

Sunday, July 19, 2009
Empty Bottle, Chicago IL [buy tix]

Monday, July 20, 2009
Pabst Theater, Milwaukee WI [buy tix]

A stop motion video created by Shelley Short (probably with a little help from video whiz Alexis Gideon) for her song “Time Machine / Submarine” from A Cave, A Canoo out Oct 13 on HUSH.  Trés mignon!

A Cave, A Canoe

tracklist

Canoo
Familiar
Time Machine / Submarine
Mockingbird
Hard To Tell
A Cave
Racehorse
Tap The Old Bell
Interlude
How Was The Water?

Additionally, Shelley will be touring the west coast backing Tom Brosseau with electro-acoustic-ambient composer Ethan Rose (who is incidentally releasing a gorgeous album with Laura Gibson, also this Fall.) One can only guess the mellifluous songs of Brosseau will be transported to an intriguing sonic place.

Wed June 17 Tucson AZ: Plush
Thur  June 18 Phoenix AZ: Trunk Space
Fri June 19 Long Beach CA: Fingerprints instore (7:00pm)
Sat  June 20 Santa Monica CA: McCabe’s w/Mike Stinson
Sun June 21 San Diego CA: North Park Vaudeville & Candy Shoppe
Tues June 23 Seattle WA: KEXP on air, 12 noon Pacific time
Wed June 24 Seattle WA: Tractor Tavern w/ Zera Marvel
Thur June 25 Portland OR: Mississippi Studios w/ Mbilly
Fri June 26 Redding CA: The Downtown Eatery
Sat June 27 Davis CA: Sophia’s Thai Lounge w/ Il Gato - presented by Cool As Folk
Sun June 28 San Francisco CA: Cafe du Nord
Mon June 29 Santa Cruz CA: The Crepe Place

Laura shares and plays on World Cafe, a widely syndicated NPR program.

Have a listen.

While you’re there at NPR, take in the splendor of “Shadows On Parade”  The Mar 19th “Song Of The Day” from Beasts of Seasons.

“Opening amid feedback squalls, the song quickly offsets the dissonance with harp-like strums on an acoustic guitar, setting the tone for a somber, dreamlike journey that drifts along gently while retaining its muted beauty.”

Speaking of “Shadows on Parade”, I made what I would call an official fan video for the track, which can be seen right here:

Laura Gibson - “Shadows On Parade” from HUSH Records on Vimeo.

Total bargain alert!  We’re continuing the rotation of our special sale: 3 albums (aged 3+ years) on sale for $3 each, for 3 weeks only! This will be a limited-time offer with rotating specials from our back catalog.  Available in the HUSHshop.

Have a listen and consider for your collection.

Amy Annelle - “A School Of Secret Dangers” Sampler Mix

Fancie - “A Negative Capability” Sampler Mix

Kind Of Like Spitting - “Learn: The Songs Of Phil Ochs” Sampler Mix

	Amy Annelle - “A School Of Secret Dangers” A School of Secret Dangers is a campfire album with indie swagger; replete with songs that thrive on understated instrumentation and charming…
	Fancie - “A Negative Capability” Fancie - “A Negative Capability” Sampler Mix A breathtaking debut charged with sexual politics and elegant beauty. Wood sings with the …
	Kind Of Like Spitting - “Learn: The Songs Of Phil Ochs” Kind Of Like Spitting - “Learn: The Songs Of Phil Ochs” Sampler Mix Phil Ochs is to Bob Dylan as Kind of Like Spitting is to Bright Eyes. You will no…

Some clips from a recent performance at Mississippi Studios, Portland, OR: