Humbird is effective within a familiar construct on their fantastic new single Child of Violence. It’s all in the delivery on this new folk rock Americana classic. Her voice embraces an aura of Stevie Nicks with a cadence reminiscent of Traci Chapman. The music reflects a classic rock influence that stays fresh.
The Minnesota based artist has enjoyed notable local critical praise with her 2019 album Pharmakon winning a radio award for Local Album Of the Year. Child of Violence reiterates her buzz appeal. She has a magnificent voice and offers lyrical context that honors folks cultural legacy. Hear for yourself.
Humbird is featured on our Emerging Folk Playlist.
Ashley Elle pulled at our heart strings with her inspired new single Spring Street. There’s an authenticity, a sincerity that lands convincingly. She admits that the song reflects on her parents divorce. She adds context and stark imagery that lands heavy. It’s the kind of song that offers healing through its attentive grieving.
It’s hard to avoid the lyrical substance but you might just get lost in her voices pretty presence. It’s a facet she can’t shake, one that will connect with fans of recent breakthrough Lizzy McAlpine. Like her she offers truth and the promise of real. So many songs about death but few about the divorce of one’s parents. We could have saw this coming.
Spring Street is featured on our Emerging Folk Playlist.
Paris. That iconic treasured city. Rich in its storied legacy as an oasis for Romance, fine art, and culinary excellence. Native songwriter Indolore digs deeper into what this place means to its inhabitants. In Orwellian fashion Indolore has seen the other side of the story.
“Rocky roads and strong beliefs have lead us here. If only you could see what I see you’d be dancing without fear. It’s okay to cross the line, now is the time.” The opener Now Is The Time honors his cultures existential essence.
The subsequent How much longer add some dance pomp, drawing similarities to the upbeat works of Kings of Convenience or even classic Alphabetical era Phoenix. It’s bears an infiltration of French pop within this indie folk framework.
His inspired tendencies take over on If you don’t mind. Like a lover giving all of himself in the chance to rescue another, Indolore shines present in this selfless moment. “You’re the sun, you’re my dazzling sun.” For us it most reflects the artists statement about what inspired these works. “In these times of tensions, threats and wars, I focused on what I could no longer see. On what made up my life: my street, my friends, from the smallest thing to true love. I relearned to appreciate and cherish both blue and grey, I relearned to love my life, to love ‘Paris’.”
That appreciate erupts in the EP’s closing moments. Breaking the language barrier, Nos belles années is as much a vibe as it is pure poetry. The exotic mystique of his native tongue blends elegantly into the eclectic framework of indie folk and contemporary jazz. It bears an essence of Jacob Collier in a way that will open rare doors for the artist. We adore it immensely.
Indolore is featured on our Emerging Folk Playlist.
We were drawn to the eclectic musings of modern musical poet Paul Claxton. Between the realms of blues rock and vintage folk, Claxton has an affinity for roots music. Not just any roots music, a sound known to commoners and troubadours. It’s the kind of omnipresence Kings and Queens were drawn to when they grew tired of operas and orchestral epics, they looked to troubadours like Claxton so that they could sit at the altar of truth.
That truth is heard on their new EP A Fall From Grace. The opening title track is a big statement, an appropriate show starter to snap you out of your routine doldrums.
Classic rock vibes collide with a folk player credo on the expressive Wayfaring Stranger. For us this track represents the complicated troubadour in his solemn moment.
The aura opens up with a Tom Petty sensibility courtesy of the catchy rhythmic swing heard on Last Night Was A Dream. The EP caps off with the introspective Till The Bitter End. Stylistically it blends an aura of Neil Young with the 90s acoustic alternative influences he inspired. Claxton’s cut from that same cloth, having emerged out of the 90s himself. Collectively the new EP is a great introduction for the under the radar songwriter to connect with a new audience. We love it. Get into all of A Fall From Grace.
Paul Claxton is featured on our Emerging Folk Playlist.
The Wild Is Calling 