Some of you may or may not know that I enjoy roaming around the city always looking for a good hang. I ran into a bunch of friends last Sunday at a neighborhood bar, and we ended up heading out to a backyard grill/clam bake in South Philly. That’s where I met a recent transplant from Williamsport, PA named Josh Hines. He’s the guitarist and lead vocalist of a music duo that is new to Philly called Maitland, which also includes his long-time friend Jeff Mach on drums and backup vocals. Hines asked me to check out his band, and certainly wasn’t pushy about it ( which all artists should take note of that). I did, and was pleasantly surprised. Maitland’s EP (from a cabin in the woods) is aptly named, especially since it was recorded at Bear Run Hollow (a.k.a. The Cabin), but it also does have that isolated in the woods feel that is found on Bon Iver’s For Emma, Forever Ago and Family Band’s Grace & Lies. Actually, the album possesses a combination of the two resulting in some beautifully spacious atmospheric folk. You can take a listen to it below in its entirety. The duo is also opening up their home, a.k.a. 17Q9, in North Philly (near Temple’s campus) tonight for a show with Kwesi Kankam and Sauce. If you want to find out more details about it or the band, shoot an email over to joshhines@gmail.com. – Q.D. Tran
