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

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The Quill

‘Luna di Luna’

[folk/acoustic]

Press Notes:

The Quill is a collective astral-folk orchestra based in London, headed by Nicky Francis. Nicky’s music is of a psych-folk sensibility, paired with grand pieces of explosive orchestral crescendo. Each track of the debut album ‘The Tower at Hunter’s Moon’ (release due Autumn 2018), is characterized by large-scale rhythmic arrangements, silky strings and choir elements.

Close to a decade ago Nicky (drummer of Mono Club and the now-disbanded Goldheart Assembly), began seeking musicians to flesh out his catalog of songs; this endeavor evolved into the formation of The Quill. With his in-house producer/guitarist Dan Bell, The Quill have recruited a tribe of devoted and talented players, all of which have an invaluable and unique sonic contribution.

The group includes the likes of Lyla Foy, John Herbert and James Dale (of Goldheart Assembly), æmma, fiddle legend Ben Gunnery, classically trained violinist Louisa Wood, Alex Mattinson, Rylan Holey, harmonica player Lee Vernon, and a core rhythm section of Ash Hall, Drew Wynen, Ben Davis and Riccardo Castellani.

The Quill have recently been signed to LGM Records and are excited to release their album after staying relatively dormant while waiting for a suitable record label. This means once again the band will bring forth their music sequentially over this coming year, culminating in a concert in conjunction with 2018’s Hunter’s Moon on the 24th of October at Bush Hall, London.

Jailbox

‘Sewer Cap (Dead Sea)’

[folk/singer-songwriter]

Press Notes:

Sewer Cap is the 3rd single released by Jailbox in 2018. The track is devastatingly disarming from the base of the group’s recognizable folk-acoustic guitar style and constant harmonies, aided by a cinematic symphony and unique songwriting production format. Lyrically centered are cryptic personal reflections of gruesome aftereffects via a relationship mauled & drowned by fraud/deceit.

 

Blue Painted Flag

‘Butterfly Ground Sunday’

[folk/singer-songwriter]

Press Notes:

Blue Painted Flag is an underground indie artist from Stockholm city, Sweden. The idea of Blue Painted Flag was born at the stands during the local Stockholm football team, the Blue Stripes’, home games, as well as on the trains across Sweden while following the Blue Stripes during away days. BPF relates strongly to the football terrace lifestyle, the clothing of casual culture, travelling to away games, burning pyro, supporting the local team from Stockholm. The artist plays indie rock, as well as acoustic music.

Nick Ralg

‘The Dark’

[folk/singer-songwriter]

Press Notes:

Nick Raig interview

Ryn Weaver

‘Reasons Not To Die’

[acoustic/indie]

Press Notes:

Neon Gold release Ryn Weaver’s intimate but stunning demo “Reasons Not To Die” her first new release since her debut album The Fool in 2015.

Angela Harris

‘Should Have Known’

[alt-country/americana]

Press Notes:

Born in to a musical family, Harris was raised with a down-home sensibility in the rural Chilcotin region of British Columbia by her bootstrapping parents. She began singing harmonies for her mother at the age of nine and was playing guitar and writing songs four years later. Upon graduation from high school she was fronting her first band and playing regularly.

In 1992, Harris committed to pursuing a music career and headed to Nashville, TN to begin honing her songwriting craft. She traveled there regularly throughout the ‘90s and in 1999 she began recording her debut album with Vancouver producer John MacArthur Ellis. The record was released in 2000 and, by that summer, Harris packed up and moved from her hometown to Vancouver, BC with her three daughters to start a new life.

Over the past 15 years, Harris co-produced and released two more full-length albums (Roots and Is Your Life as It Should Be) and two singles (“Family Matters” and “Lets Go For a Ride”) garnering her national reviews and several accolades including a WCMA Outstanding Roots Album nomination and a BCCMA Roots/Canadiana award.

She has toured in Canada, the US and the UK and played at major festivals and venues such as the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, Vancouver Folk Music Festival, Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival, Hugh’s Room, and Dingwalls in London, England where she opened for GRAMMY Award winning songwriter Jackie DeShannon. Harris has shared the stage with several noteworthy artists such as Eliza Gilkyson, David Francey, Gary Fjellgard, Ruthie Foster, Chad Brownlee, Leeroy Stagger, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Dallas Smith, Ridley Bent and Neil Osborne.

Aside from her solo career, she has participated in various musical collaborations over the years including singing in the Canadian Bluegrass band the High Bar Gang from 2010-2015, which was nominated for a JUNO award and a CFMA Vocal Group of the Year award in 2014. Harris also had the great pleasure of touring as a cast member in the Barney Bentall & The Grand Cariboo Opry (now called the Cariboo Express) for five seasons and appears on various recording projects such as Barney Bentall’s Flesh and Bone, Matt Masters’ All Western Winners and Chris Ronald’s Fragments.

When Harris is not on the road, in the studio, songwriting, or supporting her fellow artists through her business Fair Wend Entertainment Services, you can find her enjoying the west coast and north shore mountains where she loves to hike, kayak, ski, swim, do yoga, walk along the seawall and be with her family and friends.

“I could not have completed this album without the encouragement and support of so many people,” she reflects on the new album. “I will be eternally grateful to my family, close friends, fans, Creative BC and the BC Music Fund, as well as and 100+ contributors who helped me make A Woman Like Me possible.”

“I Should Have Known” is available now.

Foreign Sons

‘Head(ing) Home’

[acoustic/indie]

Press Notes:

Dreams of a raw and honest dialogue through rock inspired the conception of Las Vegas quartet Foreign Sons. Formed in 2012, the band spent a year developing their break through sound before releasing their first EP and subsequently playing their first set of shows.

After spending a year of DIY touring, Foreign Sons was invited to tour with As Cities Burn, Emery, and Listener. Now fresh out of the studio with an unfiltered sound all their own, the group is preparing to release their first full length record.

Baird & Beluga

‘Where Are You Now’

[folk]

Press Notes:

Where are you now is the debut single from Bay Area music Duo “Baird & Beluga” The single was produced by Scott McDowell, whose recent work includes collaborations with The Head and The Heart, Feist, and Con Brio! The Single is set to release September 21st and we’re hoping to find some awesome blogs/websites to share the song.

Like many of the best bands, Baird & Beluga began in a bar – San Francisco’s legendary Hotel Utah Saloon, to be exact. Future bandmates Juliana Lustenader and Michael Downing met at the Utah’s infamous weekly open mic and the two folky singer/songwriters soon started to back each other up and collaborate on original material. Their respective vocal, instrumental and songwriting talents dovetailed perfectly and Baird & Beluga was born.

Schooled in opera and musical theatre, and with a style reminiscent of Laura Marling, Neko Case and Joni Mitchell, Juliana’s expressive soprano melds with Carolina-raised Michael’s ingrained southern rock sensibility and Americana vocal and guitar stylings. Together, they bring a uniquely rich and haunting sound to their original songs and their folk, pop, country and alt. music covers. The duo’s love of story-telling, fueled by Juliana’s background in theatre and Michael’s southern heritage, is evident in all their songwriting.

Recently, Baird & Beluga went into San Francisco’s landmark Hyde Street Studios and recorded two singles, both co-written by Juliana and Michael: Where Are You Now? and The Pull. Hyde Street Studios has recorded hits by the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, CSNY, Santana, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Joan Baez, Chris Isaak, and many other greats. The recording of further original Baird & Beluga sides is currently in the works.

You can catch Baird & Beluga around the San Francisco Bay Area at popular folk-rock and indie music venues including Neck of the Woods, Cornerstone, Hotel Utah, Bazaar Café, PianoFight and The Lost Church, as well as at public and private house concerts. When not performing as Baird & Beluga, Michael fronts the San Francisco indie band, Redwood Skyline, while Juliana sings and acts regularly in professional Bay Area theatre productions.

St. Pete Holland

‘Mexico’

[acoustic/folk rock]

Press Notes:

A band from Nashville.

The Forever Agos

‘Sunday’

[indie folk]

Press Notes:

Sunday is a touching ballad off of The Forever Agos’ new album, Foolin Around. Drenched in harmonies and moody piano, the song takes the listener on a journey and paints life-like portrait of modern love.

The Forever Agos are a 7-piece ensemble from Portland, Oregon. Their music is a time capsule that evokes the doowop love ballads of the 50s, the Americana and Motown vibes of the 60s and 70s, a bit of flannel, and a modern yet rustic sensibility. Combining their depth of inspiration with the band’s talent, Foolin Around showcases a spectrum ranging from jazzy folk rock on one side to tender piano ballads on the other. While they traverse both sides with ease, they overall seem to find a cozy spot nestled somewhere in the middle.

The Forever Agos is a 7-piece ensemble from Portland, Oregon. Their music is a time capsule that evokes the doowop love ballads of the 50s, the Americana and Motown vibes of the 60s and 70s, a bit of flannel, and a modern yet rustic sensibility.

The Forever Agos got off to a serendipitous start. Each wandering from Alaska over the past decade, Wes, Derrin and Tobin reunited in Portland over a few drinks at Renner’s. “Derrin was tending bar and Tobin had an internship at a studio down the street. That night, at that studio, is when we first jammed out Foolin Around and I knew we had to be a band.” Wes recalls. That song would later become the title track of their first album.

The three moved in together in 2015 and had a practice space to call home. It was clear they needed some serious vocal backup to manifest their sound. One karaoke session and a roller skating outing later, they expanded the band — Stef, Lara, and Stacey joined taking them to the next level and giving The Forever Agos their true sound.

Each band member adores their individuality and they come together to create a sound all their own, which is exhibited in both their first album and new music. “We were lone wolves in need of a pack. But we found each other and now we’re a family, a tribe,” remarks Lara. There is a clear bond between each member and the music they’re making, which makes for an incredibly personal and touching performance.

Compiled by: Christos Doukakis