Black Horse Motel

Black Horse Motel… There are those occasions which a band name is suggestive of what you can expect a band to sound like, and there are those occasions where the precise opposite is true: With BHM, it’s somehow both. I saw their name on one of those digital images that we—inexplicably—somehow are calling ‘posters’ and/or ‘flyers.’ I was intrigued: I had an inkling of what to expect, but after some ‘research,’ I realized my expect ions were both met, and entirely exceeded.
In short, this band (folk) rocks. There is a superficial resemblance to bands like Mumford & Sons, but those appearances are barely skin deep. With BHM, there is a depth and breadth of both musicianship and lyrical sensibility that is utterly devoid in the aforementioned. Listen, think, and enjoy! - Kettle Pot Tracks

If you want your ears to smile and your music-lovin-heart to flutter then check out “The Apology” by Black Horse Motel. This is true Americana greatness from this Philly band. I first saw Black Horse Motel about a year ago at Kung Fu Necktie and my ears haven’t been the same. “The Apology” has it all—a rich musical tone, charming vocals, excellent songwriting, beautifully arranged instruments, and an outro melody that I wish could play on repeat in my head for days on end. MAN, every time I start talking about great music I just get so caught up in it—I only hope my fellow music enthusiasts feel the same. - One Fan at a Time

Can it be that Philly’s Black Horse Motel has only been around since 2011? Judging by the aged tones of their eponymous 2012 EP and 2013’s Red Summer Spirit full-length, this quartet could have been the soundtrack to Steinbeck’s Dust Bowl Depression with its quaintly stringed arrangements and handsome harmony vocals. Singers/instrumentalists David Richardson, Desirée Haney, Megan Manning and Galen Fitzpatrick have readied their first new batch of songs since Red Summer Spirit and will be joined on stage at the Boot by their equally rustic pals, Philly’s Song Dogs. - Philadelphia City Paper

Black Horse Motel released their new album today, entitled Red Summer Spirit. The Philly indie-folk ensemble will be performing this warm and colorful full-length at Kung Fu Necktie (for those of you in Philadelphia) this evening, with Hezekiah Jones. “Bristle and Pine” is such a wonderful song, the intro is a powerful build-up of strings and guitar leading to emotionally charged vocals that you only put on repeat after a romantic down-fall. Red Summer Spirit has many classic folk elements but it is not your average folk album. It blends Americana in a charming way and charmed we are. Hear for yourself by streaming the album at their bandcamp and support, support, support! - http://www.ladybangbeat.com

Take singer-songwriter narrative scene-driven songs; insert a blending of male and female vocals resulting in smooth strengthening harmonies. Then, enrich the entire musical experience with clean sets of strings that hover above the threshold that lies between classical and rustic Americana. The quintet of Black Horse Motel has tapped into an increasingly popular musical genre that in a rejuvenating manner breathes fresh-air into a sound that echoes the past. Tonight at Kung Fu Necktie, the group marks the release of their first full-length album Red Summer Spirit. The eerie, haunting metal-accented folk/blues of The Bailey Hounds open the evening, while the beautifully genuine folk tunes of Hezekiah Jones, a.k.a. Raph Cutrufello, serve as the fulcrum for the night. - The Deli National - http://national.thedelimagazine.com

Oh my, I got to see Black Horse Motel again and that band is still as breathtakingly-good as they were the first time I saw them a few months ago. Black Horse Motel’s music and performance simply lit up the venue and mesmerized the audience. I know I wasn’t the only one under Black Horse Motel’s beautiful musical trance that night. - http://onefanatatime.com

Everything about Black Horse Motel’s intro track to their debut album, Red Summer Spirit, is just right. From the warm and full string tones, the subtle banjo plucking and acoustic strumming, to the accompanying, light female vocals. It builds slowly, layering our ears from a minimal track to something bursting from the seams.

“The Apology” leads way into a very strong and powerful folk album from yet another Philadelphia local band. No frills, tight production and absolutely solid songwriting doesn’t take much to win me over upon first listen. The harmonies are natural from track to track, nothing ever sounding forced. With a huge debut full length behind them, finally, I’m excited to see what this spring/summer’s got in store for this five piece.

Stream the entire release, Red Summer Spirit, below and be sure to grab your free download of song, “Devil That You Know,” over at their bandcamp page. - http://whatsprotocol.com

FRIDAY, MARCH 16th
Local band Black Horse Motel has all the banjo and tambourine you could ever hope for from a folk group. Despite playing all over Philly this past year, however, the band has yet to release an album. Thankfully, the band is currently running a kickstarter campaign to help fund the recording its first full length album this summer. Until then, the live tracks and rehearsal tapes available on the band’s website will have to do. Black Horse Motel performs with James Suit Friday at 8 p.m. at Milkboy Ardmore; tickets to the all-ages show are $8-10. —Nicole Soll - The Key - WXPN 88.5

A newish local combo that’s gone through some membership changes of late, Black Horse Motel finally seems to have settled on a lineup. And an engaging sound that on the surface resembles any number of old-timey/Americana outfits employing banjos, harmonica, cello and a generally indie-folk vibe, but which occasionally nods to OK Computer-era Radiohead or Scotland’s Frightened Rabbit with its moody melodies and dramatic sonic arcs. Singer/multi-instrumentalist Andras Szeles’ baritone is rich and comforting, even when his lyrics are troubled, and it blends beautifully with the voices of the two ladies and one gent that round out the foursome. Definitely a Philly band to keep eyes and ears on in 2011. -Michael Alan Goldberg

8pm. $8. With Lion Versus, Fallen Troubadours + City Slides. North Star, 27th and Poplar sts. 215.787.0488. northstarbar.com

Read more: http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/arts-and-culture/Calendar-Jan-12-18-113272174.html#ixzz1pWPcF6a9 - Philadelphia Weekly

Everything you need to know about local folk-rock quartet Black Horse Motel can be found in the “About” section of the band’s website, which states, “bio needed.” OK, so that’s not much to work with, but in the photo section, you’ll find…uh, a line that says, “photos coming soon!” Well, at least they have a music section, which contains everything you could ask for—assuming that you’re only asking for a note that states, “we are writing new music…we need to write something else here,” and points you in the direction of a few “poor quality rehearsal tapes.” (To be fair, there are two for-real songs available as well.) So, basically, Black Horse Motel is still in the process of getting its act together. But, even if the information is a bit vague, the music features the kind of plucky banjos, harmonicas, and general front-porch indie-folk vibe you’ve likely grown comfortably familiar with by now. Black Horse Motel performs with The Sea Around Us and Lion Versus at 9 p.m. at North Star Bar; tickets to the 21+ show are $8. - The Key - WXPN 88.5