Tuesday, January 12th, 2010

Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore – Something, Somewhere, Sometime

“Something, Somewhere, Sometime” is from the forthcoming Dear Companion, to be released on February 16, 2010 on Sub Pop, a collaboration between three Kentucky musicians: the songs are written and performed by Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore, and produced by and featuring Yim Yames of My Morning Jacket and Monsters of Folk. Recorded in the first half of 2009 in their home state, Dear Companion explores their ties to the place they love and aims to draw attention to the problem of mountaintop removal coal mining and its impact on the people and heritage of central Appalachia.

Classically-trained cellist Ben Sollee infused his much-lauded 2008 debut album, Learning to Bend, with his unique synthesis of folk, soul, and bluegrass. No Depression put the album on their top five of 2008, Paste listed him on The Best of What’s Next, NPR raved, and music blogs continue to provide Sollee a steady torrent of praise. His impressive debut also landed him prominent spots on the festival circuit, including Austin City Limits and Bonnaroo, as well as a riveting set on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

After serving in the Peace Corps, Daniel Martin Moore won over Sub Pop Records in 2007 with an unsolicited demo of deceptively simple, soft songs, and found himself working with producer Joe Chiccarelli on his first album, the 2008 release Stray Age. With Stray Age, Daniel became a critical darling, eliciting comparisons from Nick Drake to M. Ward. And the album’s producer, Yim Yames, renowned guitarist/singer/songwriter from Monsters of Folk and My Morning Jacket, needs little in the way of further introduction.

A portion of the proceeds from Dear Companion will benefit Appalachian Voices, an organization devoted to ending mountaintop removal and finding a better way forward. Learn more at www.ilovemountains.org.