Altered Freebies: Belle & Sebastian; Sufjan Stevens; Crocodiles

What's better than music? Free music. Producer Nick Jackson has scoured the internet to bring you the best free downloads featured on this week's Altered Fridays, 4-7 p.m.

Belle & Sebastian, “Write About Love”

Belle & Sebastian return with a great new track off their upcoming Belle & Sebastian Write About Love. The album is set to be released October 11, but you can grab their first single, “Write About Love” below. You do have to be one of the first 10,000 to sign up for their mailing list in order to get the mp3, so hurry!

Sufjan Stevens, “I Walked”/“Too Much”

The Age of Adz (pronounced odds) will be Mr. Steven's first full-length in five years. Here is a taste to hold you over until its release on October 21st. Stick around on the second track, the best stuff is later in the song. Grab them both below.

Crocodiles, Fires of Comparison EP

Before they release their full length album next week, Crocodiles have posted a free EP via their label. If you aren't familiar with Joe Arpaio, the opening track is dedicated to him.

Beach House on Morning Sessions

Tune in at 9:20 a.m. Friday as we get ready for this Beach House's homecoming show at Merriweather Post Pavilion with an encore edition of a lively conversation and in-studio performance by the Baltimore-based duo.

Their major-label debut, Teen Dream, is one of morning show host Erik's favorite records of the year. He's a sucker for dream pop music, and Alex Scalley’s echo-driven guitar and Victoria Legrand’s bouncy, narcotic keys and sensually husky voice put me in a blissful trance. It's destined to grace more than a few year-end, best-of lists.

Attend a Live Taping with Fools & Horses

Baltimore Unsigned welcomes back Fools & Horses as the band previews songs from their self-titled album at The Bunker Recording Studio in Cockeysville, MD, on Wednesday, September 22nd.

Space is limited, so we're holding a random drawing for a few listeners to join us. Register by 2 p.m. Tuesday, September 14th, to enter a drawing to win a pair of tickets to attend the performance and interview.

Fools & Horses perform at the Recher Theatre on Saturday, October 9.

Eric Lindell's Acoustic Stop at WTMD

Hours before New Orleans-based blues rocker Eric Lindell takes the stage at the Recher Theatre on Thursday, September 9th, he'll return to WTMD for a special acoustic set with afternoon host John Mathews. 

A longtime friend of the station, Lindell always delivers an incredible live set, as witnessed during his Morning Sessions performance earlier this year. Tune in at 5 p.m. Thursday as Lindell previews selections from his new album Between Motion and Rest. 

Mr. Moccasin Steps Into Baltimore Unsigned

Mr. Moccasin, a songwriting partnership between instrumentalist Jared T. Fischer and vocalist Hanna Badalova, started in 2003. "We came up with our mascot before we had a name for a band," says Badalova. "Jared and I are both very visual people, and we both have an affinity for animals . . . . so we came up with a character named Mr. Moccasin. It's a bunny with a bow and arrow and a pair of moccasins on."

The indie rock sound came later, evolving from a collective of area musicians with Fischer and Badalova at the core. In 2007 the band released its debut album, Deer Eyes Bunny Eyes, a collection of songs about animals, fruits, vegetables and foreign locales. 

Tune in at 8 p.m. Tuesday, with an encore at 9 a.m. Saturday, as Mr. Moccasin previews selections from their forthcoming second album You Will Take a Trip to the Sea.

CD of the Week: Catching a Tiger

Last year Lissie released the critically acclaimed E.P. Why You Runnin'. Recorded with Band of Horses' bassist Bill Reynolds, the Illinois-based country folk singer established herself as an artist to watch. Her full-length debut Catching a Tiger fulfills the promise. 

Tracks such as "In Sleep" showcase her guitar chops while "Stranger" could be a b-side from a 60's girl group. With admirers that include Katy Perry and David Lynch, Lissie is poised for a major breakthrough.

Lissie performs at the 9:30 Club on Wednesday, October 20.

The Nighthawks Take Over the Roadhouse

This week John Mathews opens the TMD Roadhouse from 7 to 10 p.m. for a special edition featuring a live performance and interview with the legendary blues and roots rock band The Nighthawks.

The Washington, D.C.-based group embodies the smoky blues, deep-fried rock and 2 x 4 twang that you've come to expect from the Roadhouse. The Nighthawks have been a staple of the area music scene since 1972, performing--and sharing the stage--with almost every major blues musician of the modern age. 

John welcomes The Nighthawks for an extended during the 8 o'clock hour. Their new album Last Train to Bluesville features blues standards, and the band is planning to record a new batch of originals in the near future.

The Nighthawks play the Labor Day Dance Party at the Creative Alliance at 8 p.m. Saturday, September 4th.

The Beatles 100 Greatest Songs Countdown

For more than four decades, The Beatles' songbook has influenced popular culture, inspiring generations, enduring transitions from LP to CD to mp3, and sparking countless debates among fans.

Last week Rolling Stone magazine published their take on the 100 Greatest Songs by The Beatles. The list has generated some controversy, including their #1 choice. One way to decide if the list is on target is to hear it in its entirety. 

Tune in all day Friday, September 3rd, as we count down the 100 Greatest Beatles Songs, as selected by Rolling Stone. And join the conversation about The Beatles countdown on our Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Please Note: Due to FCC regulations, we will not be able to stream this special programming online. From 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday, our web stream will feature HD-2: The Baltimore Channel.

Mike McFadden Goes It Alone on Baltimore Unsigned

When Mike McFadden returned to the studio after a three-year hiatus, he had a ton of new songs and a DIY work ethic. 

"I didn't have the time or resources to gather a bunch of people, so I took it upon myself," he says. "I played banjo, bass, guitar, and sang. Paul Rubio played drums, and we cranked out 15 songs. If this EP does well, I can come back in six months and put out more."

Tune in to Baltimore Unsigned at 8 p.m. Tuesday as Mike previews songs from his self-titled album during a special show recorded at the Bunker Recording Studio.

CD of the Week: Feed My Soul

During the past three decades, The Holmes Brothers have developed a distinctive sound that incorporates uplifting three-part harmonies with elements of funk, blues, gospel, rock and roll, and country. 

Longtime friend and collaborator Joan Osborne, produced the band's tenth studio album, Feed My Soul (Alligator Records). It showcases a rejuvenated group performing in the wake of guitarist Wendell Holmes'  successful battle with bladder cancer and making some of the best music of the band's storied career. Highlights include a joyful take on The Beatles' "I'll Be Back" and "Dark Cloud."

The Holmes Brothers perform at WTMD's First Thursday Concert at 5:30 p.m. September 2nd in West Mount Vernon Park.

Altered Freebies: Matt Costa; Glasser; Bad Books; Lupe Fiasco

What's better than music? Free music. Producer Nick Jackson has scoured the internet to bring you the best free downloads featured on this week's Altered Fridays, 4-7 p.m.


Matt Costa, “The Season”
Matt Costa has left his pop roots for a more psychedelic approach on his new album Mobile Chateau. "The Season" opens the album by the sound of it, if things fall apart with Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward, Zooey could trade this Matt for that Matt.

Glasser, “Home” {via NME}


You have gotten to know a few artists on True Panther Sounds on Altered Fridays; The Morning Benders, Girls and Magic Kids. Now, Glasser is set to release her debut full-length on September 28th. The album will be one fluid thought, while the songs are strong enough to stand on their own.

Bad Books, “You Wouldn’t Have To Ask” {via Bad Books}

Kevin Devine has teamed up with Manchester Orchestra to form Bad Books. Andy Hull and Kevin Devine carry harmonies throughout the song while punching out powerful guitar riffs and a catchy hook. You can hear their other track "Please Move", lead by Andy Hull, on their Facebook page.

Lupe Fiasco, “Go To Sleep”

Hip hop's superstar is returning with a new album Lasers, which is supposed to be coming out this year, but nothing is ever guaranteed with hip hop artists (is anyone actually still waiting for Detox?). We can assume this will be on there for now. The track feels like a combination of his first two albums with a laid back beat that Lupe nestles his vocals into nicely.

Fanfarlo on Morning Sessions

Tune in a 9 a.m. Friday for an encore edition of Morning Sessions with Fanfarlo. The London-based band visited WTMD earlier this year to perform selections from their debut, Reservoir. The album showcased a charming blend of orchestral-flavored art rock that extended to their live shows.  

"We take our own sort-of bunting with flags and lighting," said bassist Justin Finch. "And the first thing we do when we get to a venue is set up, decorate and make it our own. And yeah, we're into our own dust bowl carnival sort-of thing."

CD of the Week: Tin Can Trust

During its 30+ year career, Los Lobos has proven that it's more than just another band from East L.A. Tin Can Trust, the group's first album in four years, finds the group returning to its blues-inspired roots rock.

The band entered the studio without any firm compositions, but the collaborative spirit that has developed during the decades, yields a solid outing. From the leadoff track, "Burn It Down," featuring backup vocals from Susan Tedeschi to the invigorating instrumental "Do The Murray," the band adds another vital chapter to its storied history.

Altered Freebies: Delta Spirit; Buke & Gass; Robyn

What's better than music? Free music. Producer Nick Jackson has scoured the Interwebs to bring you the best free downloads featured on this week's Altered Fridays, 4-7 p.m.

Delta Spirit: Bushwick Blues & White Table (live)

WTMD favorites Delta Spirit check in with a pair of live tracks. "Bushwick Blues" has a slower tempo than the original, which amplifies the folk influences, "White Table" begins with a solitary slide guitar and builds to an explosion of twangy feedback. Be sure to enter their contest, you could win a signed maraca!

Buke and Gass: Your Face Left Before You

Buke and Gass is another boy-girl duo from Brooklyn, like a less abrasive Sleigh Bells. "Your Face Left Before You" is noteworthy for its shifting tempos, which divides the song into several mini-suites. The pounding drums are the glue that holds everything together.

Robyn: Hang With Me

Three things Sweden is known for: Blondes, beauty and immaculately made pop music. "Hang With Me" reaches an ABBA level of catchiness and sophistication. The web of happy synthesizers mask the meloncholy of the lyrics. Robyn wants to be just friends, but she sounds tentative, as if she knows it won't work out. In a perfect world, Robyn would be the biggest pop star of them all, but America wants Ke$ha.

Big Head Todd, sans Monsters, on Morning Sessions

With more than two decades on the music scene Big Head Todd and the Monsters have developed a loyal following based on building relationships with fans. "The more albums that we put out, the more songs people connect with, " says frontman Todd Park Mohr. "We do cruises, we sign autographs after shows. We do a lot of things that acknowledge that relationship and look people in the eye and say, 'howdy.'"

Tune in at 9:20 a.m. Friday for Morning Sessions as Mohr introduces you to a batch of new songs from the band's ninth album, Rocksteady. The solo performance strips down an album that exudes a Caribbean and R & B vibe. "We started out going into the studio with over thirty songs, and we decided somewhere in the middle decided we need to split these out into a couple of different records," Mohr says. "We've never really done a focused record--we've been kind of an eclectic group. So, it was really fun for us."

Big Head Todd and the Monsters perform at the 9:30 Club on Thursday, September 23rd.