Young folks focuses on the best, fresh folk, acoustic, singer-songwriter indie folk & alt-country jams. Turn it up Folks!

***guêmicas aſaqɣ hubchìhicâ mhuɣcâ=74 (Muisca numerical system)***

Syd Carter West

‘The Ugly Truth’

[americana/southern rock]

The most recent single from Syd Carter West is an authoritative blend of soulful americana with southern rock. An anthem ‘about self-acceptance; no one is perfect, and the ugly truth is more freeing than a pretty lie’. 

Press Notes:

Syd Carter West has had an unusual route to become the Americana/Southern-rock artist that she is today. From award-winning opera singer to original singer-songwriter of her own dirt and dust, West has finally found her path.

This Canadian singer/songwriter grew up in British Columbia and, after hearing the gritty, soulful sound of Amanda Marshall when she was five years old, she knew she wanted to be a singer. By 12 she was training in opera and studying music theory at the Royal Conservatory of Music, competed nationally and was awarded the much lauded Gold Medal (formerly Silver). At 20, West moved beyond performing opera and began to write original lyrics and compositions.

The Old North

‘Drifter’

[americana/folk rock]

Excellent, hazy vocals in this “smokey americana” treat and great storytelling lyrics about a young man as he talks to a vagabond who describes his days from misadventure to misadventure.

Press Notes:

The Old North is a lively Americana trio playing an upbeat style of traditional folk music that blends the singer/songwriter genre with jazz, bluegrass, and blues. On October 1st, 2021 their newest release, “Drifter,” followed up their debut EP from 2020. “Drifter” is the first of 11 new songs to be released from fall 2021 through spring 2022 in the form of three singles and two EPs. The band traces their start back to spring 2016, when guitarist Hayes Cummings stopped in off the street to watch a performance by singer/songwriter Andrew O’Keeffe at the Lilypad in Cambridge, MA. After the show, Cummings, new to the area from North Carolina, introduced himself and suggested they stay in touch. Within a few months they were performing as a duo, beginning to work on original music, and breaking into the Boston scene. The following summer a mutual friend connected them with upright bassist Max Liebman, a New Jersey native. Once the trio’s lineup was complete, they adopted the name The Old North in autumn 2017 and got to work. On December 11, 2020, The Old North released their debut EP. The four songs featured on the release run the spectrum from catchy, to emotional, to a historical ballad about the 1812 naval battle where the USS Constitution earned her nickname “Old Ironsides.” The band takes great pride in this work and feel that it truly embodies the style of the trio, capturing the Boston/New England vibe their brand of Americana represents.

Zack Fletcher

‘Banks of Lethe’

[indie folk/singer-songwriter]

An emotional indie folk gem with intimate vocals, rich arrangement, heavenly melodies and lovely ambience by Ohio singer-songwriter Zack Fletcher. 

Press Notes:

Zack Fletcher is a prolific singer/songwriter/guitarist from Ohio. The ghosts of his life experience pervade his uniquely crafted songs through poetic lyricism, riveting guitar patterns, and ethereal melodic crescendos. His music has been described as profound, emotional, and haunting; a musical catharsis resulting in a powerful live performance and an intimate listening experience.

GoodFolk

‘Living Proof’

[folk/indie folk]

Alluring, laid-back indie folk vibes by singer/songwriter Mark Pietrovito’s GoodFolk!

Press Notes:

GoodFolk Is the brainchild of singer/songwriter Mark Pietrovito, former mandolin player of Part & Parcel. With GoodFolk, Mark pushes the boundaries of both folk music and indie rock, blending clever songwriting with tasteful studio production. Lyrically GoodFolk tows the line between depravity and humor, often making mischief out of everyday sorrow. With Mark being the only permanent member of GoodFolk, he boasts the support of an ever-changing lineup of astonishing talent from across the country.

Clayton Sturgeon

‘IWNDWYT’

[country/americana]

‘IWNDWYT’ ( stand for “I Will Not Drink With You Today”) is a heartwarming audiovisual experience with capable vocals by Florida-based singer-songwriter Clayton Sturgeon.

Press Notes:

Clayton Sturgeon is a singer-songwriter based in St. Augustine, Florida. Born in Allentown, PA, Clayton’s family moved onto a sailboat and headed south when he was just a toddler. Spending most of his early life travelling gave him plenty of time with his newfound obsession, the guitar; fast-forward to 2012 and he inked a deal with his band, W.E.R.M., with Universal Republic Records. W.E.R.M. disbanded in 2015 to pursue other ventures. He currently fronts the Number One world-touring band, NIRVANNA, a tribute to Nirvana, as well as focuses on his solo career.

Mountain Town

‘Last Time Around’

[americana/acoustic]

Just cannot get enough from the ear-melting, Corbin Pratt’s pedal steel guitar… The sweetest grumble!

Press Notes:

Mountain Town is an Old Time Country music group from Park City, Utah who brings to you what they call “Acoustic Music From The American West”. Combining traditional country with bluegrass and folk, yearning pedal steels with dobros and rhinestone emblazoned suits, bandleader and songwriter Dr. Jon has been a performing artist for over 20 years.

Classically trained on piano and Flamenco guitar since the age of 6, Dr. Jon started out in high-school and University bands and worked as a session musician to help pay for dental school. Opening a dental practice earned him his “nickname” as he compiled Mountain Town from the musicians breezing in and out of the vibrant live music scene in Park City.

Mountain Town has opened for Arlo Guthrie and played with The Kingston Trio at their Scottsdale Arizona Music Festival. They’ve jammed with Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young as well as Ramblin’ Jack Elliot at Sundance Festival and their tracks have enjoyed radio support from Park City’s KPCW’s “Fresh Tracks Friday”.

Mountain Town is the coming together of The Flying Burrito Brothers and Townes Van Zandt with the spirit of George Jones and the late, great Hank Williams. It’s music to cry to, music that gives you a little hope, music that lets you know you’re not alone out there. It’s Great Music For Dark Times.

Linus Fenton

‘Fountainhead’

[indie folk/alternative pop]

An abstract brew of indie folk & alternative pop with beautiful vocals, about ‘two young people trying to communicate with each other and failing’, and a great video, that tries to reflect that…

Press Notes:

More commonly found playing as a session bass player for various artists, Linus Fenton’s solo work begins to recalibrate the universe around him, etching new ciphers into the bark of the many tangential branches and roots of his musical upbringing. Although having trained as a jazz musician, his formative years were spent obsessively consuming Blur, Radiohead and Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Jon McLeod

‘Jesus Is My Vaccine’

[indie folk]

A caustic indie folk treasure written about Trump supporters, Evangelical preachers banishing COVID through TV screens and from a story about a church in South London busted by Trading Standards for selling COVID protection potion. Jon McLeod at his very best!

Press Notes:

Singer/songwriter; Jon McLeod blends a variation of indie, folk & blues, then adds a personal twist to the genres, creating his own alternative style with a calmly compelling vocal delivery and distinctive guitar playing.

He’s been writing, recording and performing in different projects sporadically over the last 10 years and in the past has received airplay on BBC radio stations from Steve Lamacq, Huw Stephens and Tom Robinson, while playing under the pseudonym: The Focussed Distraction. But for now has now settled on using his own name to develop his own acoustic trademark.

All The Queen’s Horses

‘Sleep For Days’

[indie folk/acoustic/dark indie]

A stunning dark folk song is about two exceptionally close people with similar views, outsets, mindsets and dark humour who outgrow each other and change with time and the relationship ends, we may all relate to…

Press Notes:

All The Queen’s Horses is new dark indie project by Dublin based Sean Murphy who recently was a winner and finalist at the International Songwriting Competition 2020 (Judges Coldplay; Tom Waits; Fleet Foxes; Dua Lipa; Keane). All The Queen’s Horses has had strong chart performance and has featured on national and international radio and publications. All The Queen’s Horses as an artist that delivers a blitz of sadness, darkness and poetry esque lyrics drawn with piano, cello and some electronic touches. All The Queen’s Horses recently signed a record deal with Echoism Records and a publishing deal with Edition Echoism Music @ Motor Songs for the debut 2021 album ‘The Dark Below & The Isle of Dogs’ released on October 1st. There are undoubted comparisons to the work of Conor Oberst, Damien Rice, Bright Eyes, Perfume Genius, Nick Cave & Mick Flannery. A very unique, out of box experience for those that enjoy different takes on the singer songwriter genre.

Streetlight Shakers

‘Chase the Blues Away’

[americana/classic rock]

A piano-driven americana opus with classic rock element that will fill you with optimism! Instant classic…

Press Notes:

Streetlight Shakers is a piano driven band dedicated to creating an exciting infusion of rock, soul, and blues. Switching effortlessly from rowdy dance grooves to contemplative ballads, Streetlight Shakers delivers sophisticated musicality and thought-provoking lyrics in a unique pop package. Using rich harmony, soaring melody, and a driving rhythm they create songs that tell powerful stories with messages that are universally relatable.

In 2019 the band released their debut EP “A Light In The Dark” and quickly garnered local acclaim, being awarded “Best New Band 2019” by CTNOW and taking home first prize in Infinity Hall’s Big Stage Open Mic Competition. They have brought their music to stages throughout the Northeast region and won critical acclaim from indie music blogs, music curators, and listeners.

Photo Credits: Antony Spencer

[All Press Notes provided by the artists]

Compiled by: Christos Doukakis