Young folks focuses on the best, fresh folk, acoustic, singer-songwriter indie folk & alt-country jams. Turn it up Folks!
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Lento Scarlets
‘The Comfort of Habits’
[americana/retro soul]
Swedish duo Lento Scarlets’ latest offering ‘The Comfort of Habits’, is an admirable blend of retro soul & feel-good americana! Fans of Alabama Shakes & The Staple Singers should definitely invest on Lento Scarlets…
Press Notes:
Lento Scarlets consists of Andreas Stellan and Sarianna Cortes, but equally of all the contributions from band members, friends and colleagues. We were born and raised in two different suburbs of Stockholm and met up at Rytmus, Music conservatory of Stockholm in high school. After that we have been in and out of eachothers lives and musical projects and both have a long line of individual sidetracks. Sarianna had a band with the art performer Makode Linde and has done backing vocals for different Swedish bands and artists like Samling, Dungen, Stefan Björk (bassplayer in Wilmer X) and Ludwig Bell. But lately she has focused more on her personal projects and during 2021 she released two Americana inspired singles as Sarianna Sif. Andreas has played in a lot of bands over the years, Dungen, The Works, Avantgardet, The Amazing and Anna Järvinen to name a few. Andreas has also released several original albums as Parasite Child.
Christian Parker
‘Every Passing Mile’
[country/singer-songwriter/soft rock]
The self-titled track from Christian Parker’s recently released ‘Every Passing Mile’ album, is a melodious country treasure with soft rock finishing touches, and a n emotive, and well-balanced vocal performance… Ideal for late night drives!
Press Notes:
In Canton, a small upstate NY town that hugs the Canadian border, resides a seasoned songwriter, American recording artist, and guitarist by the name of Christian Parker.
In equal measurements of melodic color and rhythmic flair, Christian’s dazzling collection of songs have been warming the hearts of listeners over the past 3 and a half decades. By pivoting his lyricism around emotion, tension, and hope, Parker has carved out a sound that constantly keeps the listener craving more, with songs that elegantly weave through a tapestry of pensive acoustic and chiming electric guitars with unforgettable hooks.
Acting as a musically minded watchman on the wall, Christian Parker centers the themes and stories of his productions around the events and stories of others, while also honing in his wordplay around the human condition. He speaks to the trials, tribulations, and victories we encounter in everyday life, and to the complexities of relationships, whether in the form of loss or appreciation.
Although Parker’s lyricism could be interpreted as melancholic, having written music that focuses on suicide, faith, and the regret of loss, Parker is a true believer that songs need to be uncovered, so that once they are revealed, the piece of music can serve as a blessing to those that hear them. As a listener, his ability to start with verses in moody minor keys before finally reaching gloriously uplifting choruses takes you on an unforgettable pop-landscape, sonic-fueled journey.
Having been playing the guitar since the age of 12, it was the day after the tragic death of John Lennon in 1980 that Parker took his very first lesson. As America wept, Christian Parker learned to play Rocky Raccoon that very night. Fast forward five years and by 17 Christian had released his first album, ‘Reflections of Tomorrow’. He has since added five additional studio albums to his discography through the years. He went on to collaborate and co-write songs with Peter Pendras for Bug Music in Nashville, TN who was a staff writer.
In recent years he has worked with producer Louie Hurwitz; Woodstock Records who most notably performed in The Band with Levon Helm. Christian’s efforts as lead guitarist in the Waydown Wailers helped take their 2018 release of Backland Blues to number 42 on The Roots Music Report. The band has been a supporting act for Lady A, Charlie Daniels, Jarrod Niemann, and The New Riders of the Purple Sage – to name a few.
Now an artist on SubCat Records, Christian is co-producing with engineer Ron Keck on his newest project Every Passing Mile and Best Kept Secret, a collection of previously unreleased material spanning the last two decades.
The Night Owls
‘The Night Owls’
[folk]
Nest up we have the stunning debut single by up-and-coming Canadian duo The Night Owls, a slow-burning folk ballad with beautiful vocal harmonies and rich arrangement!
Press Notes:
Created by Simon Arsenault and Marianne Bourgeois, The Night Owls is an indie/folk/rock/country band from Montreal, QC. Arsenault, a professional musician who performs as a session player for a variety of artists, studied classical music, jazz and electro acoustic at the Cegep Saint-Laurent, Université de Montreal and at UQAM. Simon was part of the progressive rock band, Innerspace, who released two albums and sold thousands of copies, especially in Europe. Bourgeois is a self-taught singer-songwriter who has started taking music more seriously over the past few years. She studied cinema and psychology, but has always written songs and poetry. For the past two years she’s been honing in on her own sound and taking singing lessons. As a couple stuck at home during the pandemic, they started writing songs, putting together music that fit with lyrics Marianne had written. Those songs multiplied and in no time they had a collection worthy of an album. Co-written by both Simon and Marianne, and produced by Simon, The Night Owls is enthusiastic about releasing their debut, self-titled album this spring.
In Your House
‘You Rose’
[indie folk/chamber pop]
Gentle melancholic indie folk soundscapes with chamber pop finishing touches, low-down vocals and a healthy dose of experimentation are In Your House’s ‘You Rose’ basic elements that guarantee repeated listens on headphones….with eyes closed!
Press Notes:
In Your House in an experimental indie folk artist who ventures to create something unique from release to release. From the vision to the songwriting and production stages, in Your House is always trying something new to push the creative to the next stage.
Svavar Knútur
‘November’
[indie folk/singer-songwriter/chamber folk]
Up to almost the 3rd minute mark, the track’s sweet, melancholic vibe, and the slow progression doesn’t reveal what is about to follow soon…. Anthemic, indie folk “geysir” from where else? Iceland!
Press Notes:
Icelandic singer/songwriter Svavar Knútur is the son of a school teacher and a fisherman from the rural areas of Iceland. He has in the recent years developed a closer relationship with his native language and culture, the stories of his family and ancestors and the emotional landscape of northern folk. He’s also a passionate storyteller.
Svavar Knútur’s performances have been widely praised, in both the Icelandic and the international press. The German edition of Rolling Stone noted his exceptional storytelling, charismatic stage presence and his “soft cotton, Nordic folk reverie”. Brisbane’s Rave magazine also described him as having “swoon-worthy vocals” complimenting the “beautiful simplicity and raw emotion of his songs”. Influenced by such songwriters as Nick Drake, Kris Kristofferson and Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Svavar has developed his own style, a meeting of folk and indie rock.
Svavar’s live performances are a mixture of songs and stories. He invites the audience along with him on a journey of discovery through misery and redemption, with humour and hope as his constant companions. All the while, he maintains his creative goal of emotional healing and catharsis. “There is always a subtle sense of humor and hope in my lyrics.” His audiences are often laughing and crying – simultaneously. In recent years, he has extensively toured Australia, the US, Canada, UK and Europe, playing over one-hundred live concerts per year.
Mary Moore
‘Catch Me’
[indie folk/indie pop]
A sugar-coated indie folk/indie pop amalgam with the sweetest vocal performance by Mary Moore… Super catchy indie folk vulnerability!
Press Notes:
Mary Moore is a folk-pop/indie-pop artist living in Nashville, TN. With powerhouse vocals and storytelling lyrics, she has been captivating stages and connecting to people from all walks of life. Mary’s vocals are comparable to the power of Brandi Carlile and Florence + The Machine, but also with the sweet, quirkiness of Regina Spektor.
Mary grew up in Richmond, VA where she filled her life with music and performance. Mary played piano, french horn, and mellophone, and participated in dance (pointe, ballet, modern, and hip-hop), show choir, choir, musicals, marching band, and wind ensemble. Mary also was the lead singer for a classic rock cover band that toured in Virginia from age 13-18. Mary went the University of Virginia for college where she became the Music Director of the award winning acapella group the Virginia Belles.
Sunflower Thieves
‘I Don’t Know Why’
[indie folk/acoustic]
The 2nd single from Sunflower Thieves’ forthcoming 5 track EP, is an alluring, acoustic indie folk bijou, with gorgeous vocals and ethereal melodies that help you dream… while awake!
Press Notes:
Sunflower Thieves are a strong soulful sisterhood, nurturing a sound through ethereal vocal harmonies and honest lyrics to soothe the mind. Rooted in authenticity, the duo, who are childhood friends, have grown organically with a DIY work ethic; starting with performances at open-mic nights and BBC Introducing Sessions, to having been included in Glastonbury’s Emerging Talent longlist for 2020.
With two stunning releases from their upcoming 2022 EP in previous single ‘Sirens’ and with ‘I Don’t Know Why’ out now, the Leeds-based duo are exciting ones to watch in 2022 and beyond.
The band recently featured on BBC Introducing with ‘Sirens’ being selected as song of the week and the band returned last week to play ‘Sirens’ and ‘I Don’t Know Why’ live.
One Hundred Paces
‘Clarity’
[indie folk/indie rock]
The opening track from Californian quartet One Hundred Paces’ just released ‘Out of the Light’ EP, is a flawless indie folk-rock banger with a great sound reminiscent of acts like White Buffalo and band Of Horses…
Press Notes:
Hailing from New York’s Hudson Valley, singer songwriter James Lombardo took his dark modern folk sound and headed west where he settled in Ventura, CA. It was there that his musical project One Hundred Paces was formed in 2010. One Hundred Paces’ debut EP was released by Wednesday Records in 2012 and garnered significant success with the single “The Rise and Fall,” being prominently featured on MTV and MTV’s Teen Mom 2 season soundtrack.
The band released their first full length album “Between the Echoes” on September 13, 2019 and was produced by Angus Cooke (the Ataris, Bad Astronaut). The current lineup features guitarist Edward Kasper, Bassist Colin Kateley and drummer Steven Ming.
Kristian Montgomery and the Winterkill band
‘Secret Watering Hole’
[country/americana/Southern rock]
‘Secret Watering Hole’ comes from Kristian Montgomery’s and the Winterkill band’s just released album ‘A Heaven of Heretics’, and it’s an honest blend of country, americana and Southern rock with a lovely climax after 2.30 mark!
Press Notes:
Kristian is a poor, church raised man who has lived every second of the songs he writes. You will hear his appreciation of the blue collar life. The songs come from a darker place as his life hasn’t been easy. You can feel him through his music.
David Jameson
‘Sherman’s March’
[indie folk/americana]
‘Sherman’s March’ is the oldest song on David Jameson’s just released album ‘Tall Dark Pines’, and is dealing with the artist’s life experiences to weave a fictional story of heartbreak and revenge, while its title and story allude to the historical events of General Sherman’s 1864 March to the Sea. Exquisite indie folk/americana with an impeccable narrative character!
Press Notes:
Since David Jameson left his childhood home of South Bend, Indiana, he has hung his hat just about everywhere from the high alpine mines of South America to the prairies of North Dakota.
While rambling around the world, David sang his way from the dark, smoke filled bars of Beijing to the bright lights of Chinese National Television. From talk shows to singing competitions, David performed for millions of viewers entirely in Mandarin.
Although he is often inspired by the music he discovers during his travels, David’s sound and soul remain firmly rooted in the American country and folk tradition.
[All Press Notes provided by the artists]
Compiled by: Christos Doukakis