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

Dan Ferguson

‘The Amusement Park’

[country]

Press Notes:

After the successful release of ‘Disguise’ for Camden’s Spiritual Records back in October 2020, Dan Ferguson is back with another stunning new single ‘The Amusement Park’.

This is Dan’s debut single for indie country label Rodeo Records. His ongoing collaboration with music producer Rodeo Jones has led to a unique sound which is set to become one of the label’s trademarks. The Amusement Park has a haunted sound which blends surreal lyrics and authentic country production techniques, creating a feeling of warped nostalgia.

Tobias Arbo

‘Within’

[indie folk]

Press Notes:

Tobias Arbo is the artist project of the Swedish musician and songwriter Tobias Ekelund. Tobias grew up on an island in the archipelago of Stockholm, something that undoubtedly has come to influence his sound. The openness of the archipelago’s solitary environment makes room for nature’s more subtle nuances, while also amplifying the presence of seasons – a visual tone that resonates in the intimate but at the same time lusciously ample productions that constitute Tobias’ debut EP.

Tobias recorded the EP with producers Linus and Hannes Hasselberg in a tiny 17th-century house-turned-studio in southern Stockholm. When production was finished, he recruited producer Zach Hanson to mix, who is well-known for working with acts such as Bon Iver, Waxahatchee, and Sylvan Esso. Tobias also has his friend Olof Grind involved in producing all the artwork and photography – known for his recent projects with Phoebe Bridgers and First Aid Kit.

Crowes Pasture

‘Agree On’

[folk/roots music]

Press Notes:

A roots-infused, Contemporary Folk duo, Crowes Pasture performs original music and eye-opening covers that reflect a mutual passion, sense of discovery and celebration of life. The romantic clawhammer banjo playing by Monique and expressive guitar picking by Andy are enlivened by their personal chemistry and emotionally eloquent vocals. Add to that, their tightly blended vocal harmonies and unique instrumental style that can only be described as a banjo-guitar romance.

Marcus Lowry

‘One Million Lights’

[folk/acoustic]

Press Notes:

Marcus Lowry is a Canadian singer-songwriter, guitarist and producer based in Montreal. Since earning his Bachelor’s degree in jazz performance from the University of Montreal in 2017, Marcus has worked with a wide array of Canadian and international jazz, folk and pop artists. His debut solo album, Time, Time, Time, produced by Juno-nominated musician Joe Grass, is set to be released this coming fall.

Richard Lynch

‘Better Off’

[alt country/honky tonk]

Press Notes:

You’d be hard-pressed to find a musician as authentic as Richard Lynch, whose traditional country music fully embodies his hay-raising, farm-dwelling lifestyle. An all-American, blue collar country man, Lynch has poured his heart and soul into the countless chart-topping hits he and his band have produced. His music is 100% real country, evoking some of the great classics who influenced him, like Keith Whitley. Conway Twitty, and George Strait. For three decades and counting, Lynch has written, sung, and performed his songs with passion and dedication, building himself up into an independent country music sensation. While his musical roots are grounded in pure country, his songs also showcase elements of western swing, honky tonk and outlaw country.

Logan Fox

‘Long Way To Go’

[country/americana/blues]

Press Notes:

Logan’s writing embodies self-reflection, the nuances of rural America, and the people who call it home. His sound is gritty, loud, and direct – shedding light on the familiar regrets we all carry with us.

Jake Whiskin

‘Joyride’ (home demo)

[indie folk/singer-songwriter/acoustic]

Press Notes:

After trading Sunday League football for sifting through his Dad’s record collection; Leeds singer-songwriter Jake Whiskin quickly taught himself to play guitar and formed an early obsession with Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins and later the staple Americana of Neil Young and Tom Petty.

Anchored in a melancholy that feels introspective but relatable there’s a bittersweet world view that echoes those formative alt-rock heroes. Jake’s music glistens with the production and mix of collaborator Lee Smith (Easy Life / Holly Humberstone), touching on stories of loss, love and escapism. Born in Leeds, but raised by proxy by America his songs hit a unique sweet spot of being despondent, picturesque and cathartic all at the same time.

Jake’s second EP leads with ‘Slow Motion’ and feels like an artist ‘finding his sound’ with a more contemporary and reflective approach to the songs and production. Spotify and Radio 1 agreed with the track hitting New Music Friday and 4 other editorial playlists plus a Radio 1 play from Jack Saunders in it’s first week of release.

Uncle Ben’s Remedy

‘Hard Times’

[americana/roots rock]

Press Notes:

Roots grow deep in fertile soil. The sound of Uncle Ben’s Remedy is rooted in the small towns of western New York, where community still matters and music is a part of every event. The boys learned to play and sing in this small town atmosphere, giving their music the honest, back porch feel of the country music they love. Uncle Ben’s Remedy is Ben Westlund, Harmony Griffin, Shawn Huestis, Brendan O’Connor and Jimmy Royce, playing all sorts of traditional and rock n’ roll instruments and stomping the floors; all while singing their hearts out in service to the song.

Rowlette

‘dreamer’

[indie folk/alt pop]

Press Notes:

Rowlette is a Folk-Pop artist. As a solo performer with an acoustic guitar, she is recognised for her powerful vocals, inspirational lyrics and captivating performances. Hailing from Co. Mayo, she has a distinctive, yet gripping, writing style. Somehow not falling into the typical romance genre, you’re more likely to catch Rowlette singing about topics such as breaking the mould, friendship, embracing ambition and living in the present.

Rowlette has been busy since the world of live music has returned. She hosted a packed out headliner in the British capital with fellow musician Faraway Martin, and supported acts such as CMAT, Junior Brother and Rofi James. As well, she’s back in Dublin frequently, performing at venues such as Workman’s and The Soundhouse.

Billy Keane

‘Tech Companies are Today’s Version of the Church’ – Live

[country]

Press Notes:

From college dropout to world traveler to commercial deep sea diver, from touring musician to socially minded entrepreneur, Billy Keane’s path has been a winding one, and one which he has experienced through the eyes of a singer songwriter of a unique kind. In early 2020, Billy found his sobriety from alcohol, ending a long lasting and destructive legacy. He has since begun a new life clarity, gratitude, and a deep and abiding appreciation for simple living.

Billy’s sound – a blending of new folk/Americana with indie rock and country – is inspired by his life, his listening, his belief that to be human means to experience the universe and our world and to reflect it all back upon itself through artistic expression. He can be found performing his resounding anthemic songs either as a solo act, or a full band setup reflective of his most recent album, Too Much to Let It Go (Summer 2022).

Billy’s musical legacy has taken him to festivals all over the country, and he has had the honor of sharing the stage with household names like: James Taylor, Yo Yo Ma, The Gin Blossoms, Blues Traveler and many others at venues wide-ranging.

In 2014, Billy co-founded the ever popular collaborative songwriter project called The Whiskey Treaty Roadshow, their 2020 release “Band Together” featuring Steve Gorman of The Black Crowes and Pat Sansone of Wilco.

Photo credits: Petros Mprousalis (Benaki Museum)

[All Press Notes provided by the artists]

Compiled by: Christos Doukakis