Jess Kerber kicks us off with her latest single release, “Carry My Home,” an intimate and introspective sonic journey packed full of emotion and authenticity. This one reminds us of classic folk singers like Joni Mitchell with a modern touch reminiscent of Phoebe Bridgers or even Susan Tedeschi. Jess speaks to us through a faint, delicate vocal melody and softly plucked guitar strings, delivering a performance that is nothing short of ethereal and euphoric.
This musical style is a difficult one to perfect. Having minimal instrumentation to support the vocal melody makes us feel vulnerable, having nowhere to hide from the deeply impactful emotions exerted through her lyricism. We love the harmonies in this one as well. They add a melancholic vibe to her vocal timbre, further highlighting these deeply impactful emotions.
Hear it now on our Emerging Folk Playlist.
Emerging indie folk artist Corey Quinn is back with “Stick Around,” his most recent single release. This one is a folk / singer-songwriter tune through and through. Classic folk instrumentation, shouting vocal harmonies, a fun, uplifting vibe, and a sharp pocket groove that anybody can dance to; these are just a few elements that make this piece of music one bound to hit the charts.
Fans of modern folk groups like The Lumineers and Mumford & Sons will instantly connect with Corey Quinn’s fresh take on the genre. We love the use of layering syncopated instruments overtop a simple, uncluttered percussion groove, leaving room for the vocal harmonies to shine through and retain that intimate emotional quality. We look forward to hearing more from this artist in the near future. Keep them on your radar.
Hear it now on our Emerging Folk Playlist.
“yet to ignite,” the most recent single release from Max Waxlax immediately caught our attention with its intriguing soundscapes and atmospheric instrumentation. We love the vocals in this one. It feels bittersweet; both feelings of melancholy and hope are exhibited through Max’s lyricism and timbre. There is little to no use of percussion in this one, only layered acoustic and electric guitar tracks keeping the uptempo beat along with an echoing bassline. It serves as an experimental exploration of sound that defies conventional folk music.
We hear similarities to the music of Gregory Alan Isakov and Shakey Graves in this tune, exemplified by their relaxed and soothing vocal styles, experimental instrumentation, and folk inspired artistry. Max Waxlax is worth looking into if you are looking for a fresh face in the indie folk scene.
Hear it now on our Emerging Folk Playlist.
Up next is emerging indie folk artist Sam Roller with her recent single release “crash,” an emotionally driven tune that tugs at our heartstrings. We love the vocal quality of this artist’s voice. She speaks to us in a deeply intimate fashion seemingly without much effort required. It’s as if the spoken word falls into key without even trying.
The instrumentals in this one are outstanding. The slow buildup of tension that releases in the latter half of this song, done by masterfully combining synth tones with acoustic and electric guitars drowned in reverberation, resonates heavily and satisfies our emotional side. This ethereal musical style is reminiscent of artists like Billie Eilish, while retaining more of that folk-oriented vibe, similar to Alison Russell. Keep this artist on your radar. We look forward to hearing more.
Hear it now on our Emerging Folk Playlist.
The Wild Is Calling 