Young folks focuses on the best, fresh folk, acoustic, singer-songwriter indie folk & alt-country jams. Turn it up Folks!
***guêmhuɣcâs aſaqɣ hubchìhicâ=90 (Muisca numerical system)***
Isaias Elpes
‘Winter’
[americana/instrumental]
An alluring instrumental, americana treat with excellent arrangement and warm vibes by the award-winning musician and composer Isaias Elpes…
Press Notes:
Isaias Elpes is an award-winning musician and composer from Brazil, having put down his roots in Los Angeles nearly a decade ago.
Widely celebrated as a touring and session bassist, he has been attached to such works as Gloria Estefan’s Brazil305, in which he holds both musician and arrangement credits, as well as Acústico MTV – Tiago Iorc (Ao Vivo) with special guests Jorge Drexler and DUDA BEAT. Elpes has worked with such legends as Grammy/Oscar Award-winning artists Lee Ritenour, Dave Grusin, Tiago Iorc, Gloria Estefan, Marcos Valle and more – including his mentor Abraham Laboriel.
As a composer, Elpes’s music has been featured on international albums and soundtracks including his recent original score for the book trailer “Os Continentes De Dentro.” His original songs have also appeared in episodes of CBS Primetime’s “Zoo” and USA’s “Rush.”
Mary Clements
‘Farmer Song’
[country/singer-songwriter]
A contemplative country treasure “written from the perspective of a son who is contemplating whether or not he is willing and even capable of taking over his family’s farm from his father”, by the based out of Hamilton, ON, singer-songwriter Mary Clements.
Press Notes:
Mary Clements welcomes you into her world of experimental, bilingual, folk-inspired art songs. Lyrically and musically, she explores the world around her personal growth, relationships, and stories that have touched her heart. Rooted in piano and voice, the songs are expanded with the collaboration of other creative musicians to evoke a sonic experience that is simultaneously curious, innovative, and approachable. Mary’s radiant vocals as well her nuanced and poetic lyrics combined with the textures of her arrangements equal an experience that is world-class, yet uniquely Canadian. She is based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Opeongo
‘Kamouraska’
[gothic americana]
A superb gothic americana track with a compelling vocal performance, about an abused woman in Canada in the 1800s who murders her spouse to finally put an end to her suffering, only to find that she will now have to suffer in a very different way as a fugitive of the law….
Press Notes:
Opeongo is the moniker of 26-year-old singer/songwriter Keegan Trumpour. Originally from Midland ON, Keegan now resides in the city of Toronto.
Keegan is currently in the midst of releasing Opeongo’s debut LP “Miasma” recorded with producer/multi-instrumentalist Aaron Goldstein at Baldwin Street Sound. It features appearances by such noteworthy musicians as Daniel Romano, Aaron Goldstein, Aaron Comeau, Carleigh Aikins, and Arif Mirabdolbaghi. The record was mixed by the talented Christopher Stringer, and was mastered by Grammy-nominated Philip Shaw Bova.
The songs from this record are largely characterized by their elaborate lyricism, the content of which deals with the struggles of mental health within the realms of these modern times, and the external and internal influences on such a thing. These songs were written through a period of immense change, change signified by moving from a small town to a large city, change signified by heartache, and change signified in the recognition of the times before us.
Ger Eaton
‘Phoenix (Reborn)’
[psych folk/chamber pop]
‘Phoenix (Reborn)’ is a transcendent amalgam of psych folk with 60s stylised chamber pop, by Irish “Mr. Multi-tasking” creative director, future planner, musical collaborator and style savant, Ger Eaton… Poetic!
Press Notes:
“Dad.. why are you always hiding in a band.. release your own music!” Stuck at home (er ..only a Home of the Year finalist 2015) during Covid 19, Ger Eaton, creative director, future planner, musical collaborator and style savant, heeded this advice from his recently self-appointed A&R daughter, 18 year old Jude, dusted off his old 4 Track Tape machine, and is finally releasing his first solo project single entitled “I Thought I’d a Friend”. Jude had noted that while her Dad had worked with Duke Special, Jack L, Mundy, Fionn Regan & The Pale (to name just a few), appeared on Later with Jools Holland, played Glastonbury, toured extensively at home and in the US with his own bands Las Vegas Basement, The Carnival Brothers and (her favourite) Les Marionettes, he had never released music as a solo artist. “Your like that old guy…” she said “Brian Eno.. you always stand out from the rest”. As creative director and fashion forecaster of 25 yrs for the chic Robert Chambers Hair Salon, Ger has indeed used his creative talents to turn everything he encounters (including himself) into a visual kaleidoscope of flair. Now Ger, while ruefully accepting that the modern A&R approach has changed, is taking Jude’s advice when releasing “I Thought I’d a Friend”. Jude maintains that due to her Dad’s unique look and interests he can appear in any number of media formats (such as fashion, hairdressing, styling, and interior design) as well as, of course… the usual music ones!
Lou Hazel
‘Claude the Armadillo’
[country/indie folk]
‘The newest introduction to Sleepy Cat Records, is Lou Hazel and ‘Claude the Armadillo’ is a great, laid-back, country-folk gem with a great accompanying video “starring” lovely enigmatic armadillo… Claude!
Press Notes:
Lou Hazel was born in the town of Olean, New York to a family of northeastern wiseacres.
Not one to commit, he skirted the compulsive hunting and fishing tradition held close to his father’s heart – instead cultivating a sensitivity more suited to artists and vagabonds. As a result, his travels brought him across the country and eventually through debilitating depression before coming to rest with a sense of personal peace and positivity in Durham, NC.
Yet, Lou’s brain is still a bat cave. Mostly, he wakes up with no idea what he’s going to do next, then finds himself there. In songwriting, he pulls from this cave rambling, heartfelt tales flowing through unselfconscious truth. In illustrations, he swirls and meanders towards an eventual finish only understood upon completion – as in his music. And in his photography and design work, he renders the essence of fellow musicians into expressive, personalized works of art.
Today, Louie continues crafting genuine folk tales of honest longing, disquieting loss, and nostalgia through a brilliant sheen of fresh insight with humble humor. Grabbing us by the ears in a new-age, Prine-like grip. Transforming the minutiae of everyday life into ever more evocative music. And surprising us all, including himself, with where we emerge.
In other words, Lou Hazel is coming out of this unbearable, unbelievably tragic, disconcerting year like a damn newborn moth with jet engine wings aimed toward a totally full super-moon. And it is good.
Joey Green
‘THIS HOUSE AIN’T BIG ENOUGH’
[americana/country/singer-songwriter]
One of the best samples from Joey Green’s just released 6-track EP, is this emotive country-americana treasure with an expressive vocal performance and honest lyrics, which expose the “you think you know somebody”…
Press Notes:
Texas area native and Nashville transplant, recently known for his success on NBC’s The Voice, Joey Green has become a household name in Texas for his rock ‘n’ roll to soul country rollercoaster ride of a live show. He considers his genre post-Americana – a mix of Americana, rock and country. During an interview with Media Hub, he described it as “Americana with a pop sensibility, story songs with banger hooks.”
Joey says he got his start singing “Duke of Earl” in a sixth-grade talent show. By the time he was a high school senior, he had his own band and they were playing gigs around their hometown. Green has seven albums to his credit, the latest being “The War,” an 11-song project released in 2015. He released his debut album, “Outside the Circle,” in 2004, and for a while performed in a band called Defining Briscoe. Other releases include “Vinyl Destination” (2008), “Whatever Lady” (2009), “EP Tone Home” (2011), “Lo 5” (2013), “Live at the Whiskey Girl Saloon” (2013).
Green has toured or performed with national acts, including the Eli Young Band, Stoney LaRue, Kevin Fowler, Sean McConnell, Sam Riggs, and Randy Rogers. For the past several years, he’s been part of an international tour in London, Australia and Mexico called the Texas Music Takeover with other well-known Texas artists, Pat Green, Cody Canada, Wade Bowen, Vaden Todd Lewis (The Toadies), Sara Jaffe, Josh Abbott, Koe Wetzel, Parker McCollum, Brandon Rhyder, Mike Ryan, Casey Donahew, Jason Boland, Luke Wade, Shane Smith, Austin Allsup, William Clark Green, Jonathan Terrell, Kylie Rae Harris, Roger Creager, Eric Middleton, and many more.
Joey celebrates twenty years in music this year with a penned #1 on the Texas Regional Radio Charts, “Old Timers” with George Ducas, and a new album slated to release in the spring of 2022.
Colyn Cameron
‘Stream’
[indie folk]
We could never imagine that a song inspired by algorithmic realities, such as near annual iPhone purchases and the screen time data Apple shares, could unleash such an immense amount of lyricism. Colyn Cameron paves the way!
Press Notes:
Vancouver-based songmaker Colyn Cameron (of JUNO Award nominated band Wake Owl) explores themes of technology, adventure, self-worth and love with mild nods to worldly trepidation on forthcoming solo album, Freehand. The new material emerged within the paradoxical spaces of experimenting with dispersed and concentrated rhythms, with additional instrumentation from close collaborators Aiden Ayers and Josh Contant.
OSKA
‘Hallucinating’ (It’s Normal To Shiver Version)
[indie folk/indie pop]
A shimmering indie folk/pop by Austrian OSKA, from her debut album, in the best possible version!
Press Notes:
Growing up in a small village in Lower Austria, OSKA moved to Vienna at 18 to study her first love; music. Born into a family of singers and musicians, she discovered her voice at a young age. In Vienna, she started busking in streets and squares of the capital while also studying pop and jazz singing. She has worked tirelessly drafting and crafting her imminent debut, honing her voice to say exactly what she wants it to. After years in the background supporting and featuring for different artists, OSKA released “Distant Universe” earlier this year, and soon after, signed to Nettwerk.
The RHS
‘Weight Of The World’
[americana/folk rock/psych]
An excellent, upbeat, folk rock/americana, with psych rock finishing touches, track from The RHS’ upcoming full-length country concept album ‘REVEREND’, is the best taster of what to expect! On our radar!
Press Notes:
ZB Savoy, Matt Lynott (The White Buffalo) Mike Butler (Billy Bob Thornton’s Boxmasters) and Patrick McClory (Sara Petite) are The RHS (Red Headed Strangers).
Individually, these four musicians have an impressive collection of major label credits and acumens as players, producers, engineers and songwriters.
What started as a “ridiculously fun” side project playing Willie Nelson songs, turned into a very busy band playing the Classic Country Song Book around Southern California. It was only a matter of time before an original project took shape. That project is their current release, the country concept album “REVEREND”.
Though the band has always paid homage to the American country songbook that Willie and friends have been pulling from for decades, The RHS have seemed to use those songs as more of a canvas on which to create their distinctive, high energy, country-inspired sound. Their live performances are filled with world class musicianship and a sincerity, energy and authenticity that is truly unique to this band.
The friendship of these four musicians stretches back more than 20 years. With Barnhorst and Lynott growing up in the same San Diego town. And Butler and Barnhorst having worked together in recording studios in Los Angeles in the ‘00s. McClory, Butler and Lynott have played on countless studio projects together.
Matt Lynott (Drums) is best known for his studio and live work with The White Buffalo. He has also toured with Rob Crow and Jason Falkner. He has performed on the Jimmy Kimmel and Carson Daly shows and can be heard on soundtracks for Sons of Anarchy, This Is Us, Big Little Lies, Longmire and Californication.
Mike Butler (Guitar) is a world class guitar player and Grammy winning recording engineer and mixer. He was the original lead guitarist for Billy Bob Thornton’s band, The Box Masters, touring with Willie Nelson in the early 2000s. He has recorded and/or mixed records for such artists as Ray La Montagne, Death Cab For Cutie, The Shins, Colbie Callat, Lean Rimes, Pheobe Bridgers and hundreds of others.
Patrick McClory (Bass) has played with such notable acts as The Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash, Alex Woodard, Sara Petite and countless others.
ZB Savoy (Vocals, Acoustic Guitar) has been fronting bands for over 20 years and was the primary songwriter and singer for Good Clean Dirt and ZB Savoy and The Chivalry. He also has songwriting and production credits with numerous major label acts.
Christopher Lockett
‘The Reckoning’
[country/blues rock]
‘The Reckoning’ is the opening track from Christopher Lockett’s latest album ‘At the Station’ (produced by Fernando Perdomo w/ Grammy-winning Engineer Zach Ziskinan) authoritative blend of country with blues rock, with competent vocals and impeccable guitar work… Turn this up loud!
Press Notes:
Christopher Lockett is a Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. New album out on May 13th, At The Station. Producer Fernando Perdomo w/ Grammy-winning Engineer Zach Ziskin & features Scarlett Rivera (Bob Dylan) & backing vocals of Kitten Kuroi (Elvis Costello).
Typical live sets and albums include guitar and vocal songs with harmonica, jaw harp, blues harp, and Kalimba.
A well-travelled cinematographer and photographer by day, Lockett’s work combines a grounded poetry rooted in his Virginia upbringing with pointed observations from the road.
[All Press Notes provided by the artists]
Compiled by: Christos Doukakis