New Damnwells documentary: Golden Days

"They've toured the country, opened for rock legends, and you can't find their album anywhere."

And thus begins the journey in the new movie about Brooklyn band The Damnwells, their rise to Epic fame and fall from major label grace, and current creative successes as independent artists. Golden Days just got its first screening lined up -- it's one of 10 films picked for the Feature Film Competition at the 2007 Phoenix Film Festival (April 12-19 at the Harkins Theatre in Scottsdale).

Now I just recently found out about The Damnwells and have been listening to their Air Stereo record from 2006 (Zoe/Rounder Records) on heavy rotation. It is a damn fine record, one that you definitely should pick up if you liked the warm pop-alternative harmony and chiming guitars of Gin Blossoms or (my beloved) Toad The Wet Sprocket. There's also a distinct alt-country vibe, perhaping emanating from the sticks of drummer Steven Terry, who was in Whiskeytown.

Here's the trailer for the film:


Here are a few more Damnwells songs for your enjoyment and sampling. Get all their stuff -- seriously. Plus, doesn't lead singer Alex Dezen look (and sound nothing) like Jeff Buckley?

Golden Days
You'll hear this in the trailer (for obvious reasons) -- a warm tune off Air Stereo, full of "oooooh" backing vocals and wonderful lyrics of musical allusions: "I can't hear much but the melody coming from you / Baby please don't rush, keep the tempo slow and blue, let me hear the words you say / Let's go and get tangled in chains of golden days." This is a great song.

You Don't Have To Like Me (To Love Me Tonight)
This one rolls right out of your speakers like that cocky guy walking into a bar and kicking the jukebox. And this comes out. "Nobody at school can tease me like you. Should we never be ours, leave it all to skies and the scars. Please don't love me alone tonight." [Air Stereo]

Untitled Demo (from Dec 2005)
Thanks to the Damnwells' MySpace page over a year ago, and the Songs:Illinois blog way back then for snagging it.

I Will Keep The Bad Things From You
A sentimental song rife with little inside communications between guy and girl, promises like "You can keep your last name if you want to," and "You keep the band names coming, I'll make the jokes real funny." From their 2004 album Bastards of the Beat.