Any suggestions for good obscure music?

if you like folkie stuff, check out the third party, by jules shear. probably the worst selling record in major label history, it features extremely good songwriting (shear is a renowned songwriter who has written hits for cyndi lauper, the bangles, etc. and the subject of many of ex-wife aimee mann's bitter daitribes) w/ just one guitar and one voice; also has the chordsand lyrics transcribed in the liner notes, which is kind of a nice bonus. very engaging stuff.

i've also been listening to the epynonymous cd of a guy named john davis, who's the majordomo of the successful power poppers, superdrag. apparently, he was driving drunk one night when he found god and decided to make a "christian" record. now, no disrespect intended, but normally i'd rather swap spit with satan than listen to this genre, but the damn thing is beautiful--sorta like a lost brain wilson masterpiece--really really tuneful stuff. and obscure.

my final rec in the quietcore dept. is the live album by mark kozolek, called (unsurprisingly) mark kozolek live. he's the czar of a couple of critically-revered bands, red house painters and sun kil moon (well worth checking out); this disc is just him and a bunch of great songs. he's an estimable guitarist and a great, idiosyncratic singer sort of in the vein of a less depressive nick drake/elliott smith. like the above picks, this has the loomis seal of approval.

i've also been listening to the epynonymous cd of a guy named john davis, who's the majordomo of the successful power poppers, superdrag. apparently, he was driving drunk one night when he found god and decided to make a "christian" record. now, no disrespect intended, but normally i'd rather swap spit with satan than listen to this genre, but the damn thing is beautiful--sorta like a lost brain wilson masterpiece--really really tuneful stuff. and obscure.

LMAO...I will definitely check this one out as I actually can name quite a few Christian artists at the top of my list of favorites (16 Horsepower, Over the Rhine, The Innocence Mission, to name a few). I otherwise completely get where you are coming from with the sentiment - but could say that about any number of secular artists too.

Also, love Kozolek's stuff, especially sun kil moon. Another favorite of mine that your reference brings to mind is Alexi Murdoch, who, though sounds as if he's channeling Nick Drake at times, but will not bring on the overwhelming desire to slit your wrists. Beautiful songs and great songwriting and guitar playing - I wish he'd put out more work...I think he is his own label and is a perfectionist about what he does put out. No doubt it will be worth the wait. For now, the available CD is "Time Without Consequence"- Highly recommended! Pending the loomis seal of approval.

jax2--i'll definitely check out your alexi murdoch. i'll also throw out two more, than shut up:
1. richard buckner--devotion and doubt. a real twisted puppy, once described as sounding like uncle tupelo on a bad day; really pretty, tuneful, strange folkish/vaguely countryish stuff.
2. david kilgour--revered in new zealand, but largely unknown here; plays a sort of jangly, melodic, velvet underground electric pop not too far removed from early rem or yo la tengo. his earlier bands, the clean and the great unwashed are also great.

cheers from the jungle.

Dude, LOVE Richard Buckner - though last time I saw him live he was in a particularly dark state of mind...yeah, a bad day. The earlier albums are better...last one was getting into the Nick Cave meets Damien Jurado territory.

I've never heard of Kilgour. Thanks for spending my money!

One back at you, and for anyone into the alt-folk genre, for lack of a better title: Jeffrey Foucault...I've liked everything he's put out, but "Miles from the Lightening" is a good place to start. Great voice, great lyrics, great guitar playing. His wife, Kris Delhorst is very good too, as is their joint venture, Redbird,but his solo stuff is really great, and he's great to see live if you ever get the chance. Buckner is truly a dark horse.

I sifted out a couple of vids that actually have OK sound to get some idea of these two recommendatons:

Alexi Murdoch, "All my Days"

Alexi Murdoch, "Orange Sky"

Jeffrey Foucault, "Northbound 35" Sings with his wife Kris Delmhorst in this vid. Wonderful lyrics!