Buried Treasure, November 6

By Adeem Bingham, Buried Treasure Editor

Friends, it’s been a heavy couple of weeks where time stretched and disappeared beneath us. I don’t know about you but I’ve been obsessing over this election and the implications of our culture at large as the votes come in. Fortunately, I’ve had some good background music for these ruminations. 

Every week I am blown away by how much incredible music I get to discover. I get lost in the songs and reading the stories of the artists behind them. This week, I found myself in heavy contemplation over Delila Black’s new single, imagined a future of peace while listening to Ashleigh Flynn, had a dance party for one with Waltzer, picked my banjo along to Bug Martin, and laughed at the absurd genius of The Belle Curves.

I hope you’ll give these folks some of your attention and when one really hits you, dig into their catalogues. When I heard Delaney Hafener refer to Conversion Therapy as, “Psychic Rape,” I was sold on her whimsical and scathing way of writing protest music. Y’all take care of yourselves, drink more water than you think you should, and if you find you need a little medicine for the hard days…

— Ol’ Deemie

DeLila Black

DeLila is an unforgivingly interesting performance artist based out of London. An artist in the truest sense, she is unapologetically unfettered by genre or utensil; no medium is out of bounds, no sound forbidden. She’s released a few singles lately and I relate the most with her lamentation, “I was born depressed.” Sonically, though, her song “Routine” is the one I want to signal boost with it’s quaint, folksy production and simple series of snapshots on racial inequality. 

Ashleigh Flynn

Portland songwriter Ashleigh Flynn has released a Digital 45 with her folksy band of riveters. The pair of singles are well-produced and driven by her seasoned vocal performance. Running with common themes of 2020, she pines for a day when we can find a little relief on “The Lion & The Lamb” and in “Six Feet Apart,” she explores the monotony of quarantine living. 

The Belle Curves

Delaney Hafener is a singer-songwriter who writes and performs songs as The Belle Curves. Her songwriting is structurally reminiscent of a classic Country sound though the presentation feels more akin to the New York anti-folk scene. Lyrically, though, every song is just absolutely brutal. If Dar Williams and Stephin Merritt started a Woody Guthrie inspired band, it would be something like The Belle Curves. 

Bug Martin

Philly Hillbilly Bug Martin has the whole gang on this porch-stompin’ romp through his existentialism with a collection of twang-tinged Country ballads. “All That Is And What Ain’t” is an album that smells of pipe tobacco and sawdust. It is lo-fi and intimate, harmonious, and lyrically quick. I’ve had it on heavy rotation. 

Waltzer

Sophie Sputnik is a delightful multi-dimensional Chicago artist whose new single has spooky, rockabilly vibes. Reminiscent at times of Lily Hiatt, full of grit and theatrics, “I Don’t Want To Die” is an apt soundtrack for the times we’re living in. Hers is a unique take on a vintage sound and aesthetic that is top notch.