For Freak Owls, the city is a magical place filled with color and light… and nagging doubts hiding in the shadows at the end of long nights out with friends. As far as the band’s concerned, this is exactly where you should be, and what you should be doing right now. At least, that’s what singer/songwriter Josh Riccio thinks in the uneasy optimism expressed in his intimate songs. A new generation’s Iron & Wine, Riccio has curated his record’s look, feel and release himself (‘Orca City is out on his own label, Sing Engine Records), and I have no doubt this is just a start for even bigger and more optimistic things to come. Listen to EP opener ‘Push You’ below, check out the very pretty video of an old song here. – Mike Levine
This song was added to our SoundCloud playlist of emerging NYC mellow artists here.