As a theme for Magnet Magazine no. 75 the magazine lists 75 lost classics chronologically from 1993-2003. Included in this selection is Beachwood Sparks second album Once We Were Trees from 2001. They discuss Gram Parsons as a source of inspiration for the group but feels that the “sophomore effort Once We Were Trees pushed the signature sound into psychedelic places where Parsons had never been. Many of the album’s tracks begin nice and steady with honky-tonk fingerpicking an woozy pedal steel but ended in a miasma of organ drone and haunting harmony vocals. A little too weird for the expecting more cookie-cutter cowboy songs. Trees was met with as much puzzlement as praise.”

Beachwood Sparks drummer Jimi Hey has recently been in the studio with Mark Olson (The Jayhawks) and Gary Louris (The Jayhawks, Golden Smog) to play drums on a yet to be titled album. The record was produced by Chris Robinson (The Black Crowes) and will be out on Hacktone Records later this year.

Also keep your eyes open for a new project from Jimi called Giggi Bix.

The Tyde is going to appear on a tribute album to Madonna, that will be released in the fall on Manimal Vinyl Records. Other artist to be featured on the album, titled Through the Wilderness, are Devendra Banhart, Ariel Pink and Vietnam.

The Mystic Chords just finished recording a song with DNTEL (a/k/a Jimmy Tamborello) for his next album. The song is called Dreams and the album (titled Dumb Luck) will be out on Sub Pop in the near future.

TheCalmingSeas.com wishes you all a happy new year!

Due to legal reasons the name of Aaron Sperske’s new project had to be changed from Blue Dolphin to Blue Circle Magic. Make sure to check out bluecirclemagic.com and myspace.com/bluecirclemagic for further info.

Mystic Chords of Memory & Farmer Dave has contributed with a song, That’s Not Me, to the recently released tribute album, honoring The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds. The album, called Do It Again: a Tribute to Pet Sounds, is released by Spain’s finest Houston Party Records. A snippet from the song can be heard here.

We have added added a page for Aaron Sperske’s new band Blue Circle Magic to the related bands section.

The Tyde kicks off their North American tonight with a show at the Troubadour in Los Angeles. All the dates can be found in the live section. The band also reports that a small Europe tour is planned to take place in December.

TheCalmingSeas.com would also like to congratulate Chris Gunst and Jen Cohen, of Mystic Chords of Memory, on their wedding that took place on Sept 30 in Mendocino, CA. Peace and Love!

The radio playlist has been updated.

Today we received the sad news that Pete “Sleigher” Kinne passed away last Friday. Kinne was a founding member of Beachwood Sparks and played on the Desert Skies/Make It Together and Midsummer Daydream/Windows ‘65 singles. Kinne was also the singer and songwriter in the band Gold Winter People.

Please follow this link to read Brent Rademaker’s words about the life and remembrance of Pete Kinne. We wish his family and friends all the best.