Keep an eye on Newton Faulkner
One of the standouts from this year's Non-Comm emerging artist festival was singer/songwriter Newton Faulkner.
Faulkner's got a No. 1 record in Britain but hasn't broken mainstream in the United States yet.
Live, he slaps the guitar and finger picks like a classical guitarist (similar to Andy McKee). But Faulkner also sings and has some pretty solid hooks.
I could see his song "Dream Catch Me" catching on here. You can hear it at his MySpace site.
Faulkner's also got a great sense of humor. At one point in his set, he picked up a small toy guitar, and before starting to play it, he said, "Oh, in case anyone went to the toilet and came back, I'm not massive. This guitar is just really small."
(Photo courtesy of the band)
Erik Maza is a features reporter at the Baltimore Sun. He writes for several sections of the Sun paper and contributes weekly columns on music and nightlife. He also writes and edits the Midnight Sun blog. He often covers entertainment, business, and the business of entertainment. Occasionally, he writes about Four Loko, The Block, the liquor board, and those who practice "
Comments
I trust this isn't a typical snap. He looks "Encino Man". He looks more the part than Brendan Fraser.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104187/
Posted by: GDA | June 4, 2008 6:46 PM
GDA,
Picking on an artist because of their outward appearance, for shame. I suppose we'll all be waiting for the inevitable, and crass "Geico Cavemen" jokes that you've prepared.
But for srzsly, this guy is pretty good. His music reminds me of something you might hear in a Wes Anderson flick.
Posted by: Allan | June 5, 2008 9:41 AM
Allan,
I made a remark on the photo, fully aware that it represents one tenth of a nano of a person's life and that moment may be fleeting atypical, which may, I suspect, be doing this subject a disservice.
The original comment was posted when I wasn't able to access his MySpace site.
Suspicion confirmed.
Posted by: GDA | June 5, 2008 8:31 PM
Use less commas.
Posted by: Allan | June 6, 2008 8:31 AM
Allan,
Sorry if the post is commatose.
Posted by: GDA | June 6, 2008 10:57 AM