At the crux of Ocie Elliott are two kindred souls. Jon Middleton and Sierra Lundy continue to harvest their deep artistic connection, sewing it into beautiful, entrancing folk music. The near-spiritual ‘Coming Home’ is a testament to this bond, and…
It’s been another strange year for everyone, but in difficult times there’s always music to look after us. 2021 saw some wonderful releases across the spectrum, so here For Folk’s Sake writers round up some of their favourites. Thanks for…
Earlier this year, on 30 March, Riley Basford died by suicide. To Christian Parker, he was a family friends’ 15 year-old stepson. ‘Last Glance’ is the artist’s beautiful tribute to the young man and his family. Replete with gorgeous mandolin,…
Akin to her Appalachian contemporaries, folkie Heather Sarona sews her roots from the mountainside. The singer-songwriter grew up surrounded by folk and bluegrass music in the Uwharrie Mountains of North Carolina. Americana runs intrinsically through her veins, informing her warm, rootsy songwriting and multi-instrumentalist abilities—Sarona plays guitar in a way that recalls Saratoga greats, plus banjo and uke. Her debut LP, Head Above Water, invokes all of these elements into a cozy, inhabitable folk soundscape that recalls the likes of Gillian Welch and Watchhouse.
The Ghibertins carry the torch for clap-along, stomp-along folk-rock well on their latest. You wouldn’t be remiss for recalling the indie outfit’s commercial brothers and sisters with the soaring chorus and driving beat of ‘Ropes & Kites’.
Matt Dorrien peeks into the kaleidoscope that is life on his latest, ‘Baby, Will You Come Back Home?’ Its accompanying music video is wonderfully dry in its depiction of a man in need of a change. Dorien states that this…
Matthew Check is as much an everyman as he is a chameleon. Throughout his long-standing career, the singer-songwriter has slipped into bluegrass clothes and Americana duds; he’s written Jewish music, children’s music, and music for just about anyone. You might…
For Folk’s Sake fave Trae Sheehan is back again. The innovative singer-songwriter is offering us a moving taste of his forthcoming album, Hello from the End of the World. ‘Sleeveless Hearts’ is an exercise in becoming and maintaining vulnerability, its…
Seven LPs on with the 14 May release of When We Wander, Jesse Terry continues to find fresh avenues to traverse with his songwriting. Given, he has prime inspiration. Largely inspired by his role as a father to his daughter,…
A rising star of Appalachian string music, Anya Hinkle’s latest composition finds respite in the pensive. A contemplative, careful, and moving instrumental track, ‘Meditation: Beyond the Shores of Darkness’ showcases the shift from winter to spring. Its music video intersperses…