Hogjim's Official Blog

Music Spotlight: Slow Club

Slow Club is a folk rock band that has slowly developed a unique indie/soul/pop sound. Originally from Sheffield, England, Slow Club features members Charles Watson and Rebecca Taylor. NPR's description of the band is on point: 

"From the youthful, acoustic-and-harmony-based pop of their early material to the more elaborate arrangements of 2011's Paradise, Slow Club's music has always had an upful sheen that's sometimes belied by melancholy lyrics and melodies."

The transformation of this band is certainly a unique one, as their early music trended more towards something similar to The Head & The Heart, whereas music from their 2014 release trends in the direction of their soulful roots in England. As NPR so eloquently stated in regards to the 2014 album Complete Surrender:

"Northern soul has been a strong tradition in the north of England since the 1960s, and here the duo has brought a crate-digger's expertise to their soulful sounds."

I first discovered this band while indulging in NBC's hit show, Chuck, which featured a few of Slow Club's earlier songs- Christmas TV and When I Go. The folk influences are free flowing, providing a romantic swing of harmonies from beginning to end. It's easy to fall in love with the melodic genius of this duo, something clearly evident in their tune When I Go. 

As wonderful as their early music was, the Complete Surrender album is wonderfully incredible in its own right. My favorite song from the new album is Wanderer Wandering. The way the duo's voices mesh continues to amaze me. 

You can follow Slow Club on Twitter @SlowClubHQ. Their new album, released in July 2014, is available here.

Hogjim is known for its invention of the 'Pik Tik'. The Pik Tik helps build a guitarist’s skill
set, offering a quick and easy way for the user to transition from finger-style to flat-picking. For more on Hogjim's guitar accessories, check out their products page.

Music Spotlight: Josh Thompson

Josh Thompson is a country artist who started working in construction at the age of twelve. In 2005, he moved to Nashville to begin his music career. Thompson's debut album Way Out Here was released in 2010, followed up by his second album Turn It up released in April of this year. 

Josh Thompson's music can best be described as a melodic flow of lyrics derived from a foundation of traditional country. CMT describes his music similarly, saying of his new album Turn It Up: 

"[It] grinds out its hard-won spirit while still paying homage to the solid-country tradition from which Thompson’s music has grown."

Two of my favorites on Josh Thompson's new album are "Turn It Up" and "Wanted Me Gone." Thompson really knows how to tell a story with his eclectic style, and you don't have to look further than "Wanted Me Gone" to notice that.

You can follow Josh Thompson on twitter @TheJoshThompson. His album is available here.

Hogjim is known for its invention of the 'Pik Tik'. The Pik Tik helps build a guitarist’s skill
set, offering a quick and easy way for the user to transition from finger-style to flat-picking. For more on Hogjim's guitar accessories, check out their products page.