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Peasant :: The End (EP)


Sounds Like: It's going to be a cool, cloudy kind of day


RIYL: Bon Iver, Elliot Smith, Age Pryor, Nick Drake, Iron & Wine


A Few Words: Hands up, who like sad songs! That's right, we all do. Or maybe nobody does--I can't actually see your hands. I just assume people like sad music because musicians keep making it. And also because I like it. And since the sun isn't out today, I've been listening to the acoustic musings of young, East Coast singer-songwriter, Peasant.


I had to through "young" into the adjective list because Peasant (Damien DeRose) was 19 when he self-recorded his first album, fear not distant lover, in his 1 bedroom apartment. With another release in 09 (On the Ground, distributed through Team Love), he's now off on a European tour. Upon his return he plans to record a third album, Shady Retreat, on his own in a converted springhouse studio in the woods.


It's easy to lump Peasant in with other Americana, Folk, or the gamut of acoustic boo-hoo that flip-flops its way into our play lists. Yet if we are going to categorize and compare Peasant with other musicians, let us compare him to the good ones because although his "sound" is not groundbreaking, his songs are unique and his words climb past being lyrics and reach the metaphors reserved for poetry. And like Bon Iver and Elliot Smith, what ultimately wins us over is his voice.


Now, the official release of the EP is the title track, "The End", but I'm going to post the B-side because I think it's more interesting. While "The End" is a raw, emotional yearning for companionship, the other song, "Thinking", employs a couple more instruments and a few more layers.


You can pre-order the limited edition 7" vinyl of "The End" here, or you can find it at one of his upcoming shows.


Band :: Peasant

Album :: The End (EP)

Song :: Thinking


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