casey holford

Casey Holford expresses his New York City life in catchy, complex guitar rhythms. He layers non-linear impressions over these architectural constructions with smooth, quicksilver vocals. Bred in the East Village “Anti-Folk� scene, where Erin Mckeown dubbed him “Feral Poet and Falsetto King,� Casey’s second release, Bad Spell, Good Spell, is establishing him as an East Coast force. It’s stirred tough New York press, as well as listeners in high schools and coffeehouses. Songs like the topographical “On The Map� energize with indie charm, while “The Lovers� shows Holford’s soulful, melancholy heart. Though Bad Spell, Good Spell falls under the “folk� category, Casey sits among rebels, like Ani DiFranco or Dave Matthews, who kick and push genres into fresh and nameless territory. - Abby White

Holford plays heartfelt folk songs that often possess an edgy and innovative quality that suggests a collaboration between Paul Simon and Mr. Craig Wedren, of the late, great Shudder to Think. - Village Voice

I’m willing to bet Casey Holford pops a string or two during performances. His second CD, Bad Spell Good Spell, is a collection of edgy, poetic, intense acoustic folk/rock with New York City as his backdrop. He plays with passion and sings lyrics that have the kind of analysis and insight not normally found in 24-year-old guys. It sounds like living in the city has matured him at warp speed.

It’s also sped up his pulse. In the opening track, he starts off by musing, “Maybe I need another city,� but I think it’s part of his bloodstream. Like the pace of the traffic and crowds, the lyrics bounce off the walls inside his brain, questioning, analyzing, solving, doubting. The thoughts tumble over each other. His stream of consciousness has been given a jolt of caffeine and serious attitude.

My favorite lyrics are the ones that jump out and connect with humor, like when he wryly observes that the NYC map he bought three months ago is already obsolete. I also love the sound of guest Jenn Lindsay’s voice. It melts beautifully into Holford’s when she provides harmony in tracks like the simple, spare, blues folk of “The Lovers� and the intimate slice of life on the pavement called “The Means.�

Like the city, this music quivers with life, pulses with energy. It’s moody and unpredictable. You’ll get hit with a verbal left hook a few times. Take pride in the battle scars. - Indie-music.com

http://www.caseyholford.com - my website!

Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Casey Holford is an embodiment of the DIY spirit in action. Apart from a few friends and guests who make vocal and musical contributions, Holford wrote, performed, and recorded this album on his own using after-hours time at the recording studio where he works. It sounds like Holford brought lo-fi home recording techniques into the studio, resulting in a raw, sometimes overdriven sound that suits the immediacy of the songs. Holford's songwriting is folk-based, and his self-taught guitar style is rhythmic and energetic. The electric-based songs, like disc highlights "Neon Shining Star" or "Summer Storm," are a blend of rhythmic punky energy and 80s pop-rock sounds, and sound as though Holford is influenced equally by Ted Leo and Rick Springfield. The 80s quality is reinforced by New Wave keyboard parts on certain songs, courtesy of Holford's brother Matt. Holford's folk roots show most strongly on the final two tracks, "That Song" and "New Year"; acoustic 12-string guitar figures prominently in both, and the former song even features what sounds like mandolin.

The album art includes a montage of cell-phone camera snapshots, a kind of visual preview of the lyrical style to be found in the songs. Holford writes the kind of earnest, autobiographical lyrics you might expect to hear at open-mic night at the coffeehouse, sometimes seeking greater meaning in slice-of-life subject matter, from the significant, like "Moving Song," to the trivial, like the unsolicited solicitations of "Junk." There's some welcome humor as well, though, such as "Beard Song." Holford's vocals are strong, and he harmonizes nicely on a couple of tracks with guests Yoko Kikuchi and Ann Zakaluk of Dream Bitches, for whom Holford also plays guitar. Stepping out into the spotlight on his own here, Holford really shines as a musician and songwriter, producing a strong and vibrant batch of songs. - Copacetic Zine