Browsing Category

Best Folk Music Blog & Promotion

Born Down The Road: Via Skies left this burning desert behind on Home

Posted on 13 August 2022
Home by Via Skies

With a debut album on the way soon, Via Skies shows us that even if you are stuck down a lonely hole, it is actually possible to still reach your destination on the nostalgic single Home.

Via Skies is a long distance Arizona/Indiana-based indie folk band that was formed by the experienced East Valley singer-songwriter Jeff Gonzales.

”Now collaborating with Indiana-based guitarist and producer Chad Cussen under the name Via Skies.” ~ Jeff Gonzales

Taking us into a world that so many have felt in their veins before, Via Skies rises up and shows so much strength with a terrific performance here that will inspire many to reach their chosen path. Sending us into a reflective moment you won’t be able to forget, this might be an underground gem we cherish forever.

Home from Arizona/Indiana-based indie folk band Via Skies is a joyous single that will surely get your feet tapping and is loaded with a genuinely joyous vibe and shall make you think deeper. Sung with a thoughtful energy and backed with a fantastic production, this is a track that might get you closing your eyes and recalling when you felt rather lost.

Home will always be home.

Hear this fine new song on Bandcamp and see more via Twitter.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

You Know I like It: Suzanne VanRandwyk wants to feel that tingle again on her spine with Kiss Me Again

Posted on 11 August 2022

Reminiscing about that time when her heart fell in love instantly, Suzanne VanRandwyk sends us one of the most romantic singles of 2022 so far with the joyful smooch-filled gem that is Kiss Me Again.

Suzanne VanRandwyk is a wonderful indie Austin, Texas-based singer-songwriter who blends in Americana, folk-rock and country.

”Creates heartfelt songs that tell stories of everyday people in vivid detail.” ~ Suzanne VanRandwyk

Soothing our worries away while she brings a ray of sweet sunshine inside our intrigued ears, Suzanne VanRandwyk shows us we are better off when we are in the zone of love. Her genuine vibes are there for all to see and hear, as there is a warm glow of fondness from a truly classy soul.

Kiss Me Again from Austin, Texas-based singer-songwriter Americana/country artist Suzanne VanRandwyk is that hugely memorable song when you just want your whole body to feel so fine again, like it deserves. Sung with so much love and beautiful energy, this is a lovely effort to put on loud when you need to feel like innocent romance still exists.

Listen up to this fine new single on Spotify and see more via the IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Set yourself free with The Paul Clark Project’s sophomore Americana Folk LP, Sown from the Same Seed

Posted on 10 August 2022

Some say time is the greatest healer, but that empty idiom falls short of the mindful catharsis extended by artists, such as The Paul Clark Project.

The singer-songwriter’s sophomore album, Sown from the Same Seed, uses a timelessly transformative blend of folk, rock and Americana to remind us that even though there are billions of us spread across the globe, we all have the same unifying origin and intrinsic needs.

In a time where irrational tribalism splinters our society, artists and thinkers need to step up to the plate and act as the glue to bind us into peace, love and acceptance. No one could accuse Paul Clark of not pulling his mindfully resolving weight. The opening single, Consciousness, opens a can of candour, forcing into recollection our twisted reality where we shackle ourselves with anger and limitation.

Beyond the humbling textures and tones is an unreckonable intelligence; spurred by Clark’s experience as a clinical social worker and mental health advocate. For your sanity’s sake, take notes.

Sown from the Same Seed is now available to stream and purchase on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Anders Jörnesten just wants to touch those great green pines on Wild Wild Country (Astrology Version)

Posted on 10 August 2022

After working from home during this horrific pandemic that is almost over, Anders Jörnesten takes that open road and knows that this is the place to be in order to find true peace in Wild Wild Country (Astrology Version).

Anders Jörnesten is a 43-year-old Stockholm, Sweden-based indie folk singer-songwriter who leads us into his new 10 track album called Astrology.

”I’m inspired by folk, country and Americana music and artists as Colter Wall, Riddy Arman, John Prine, Vincent Neil Emerson, Willie Nelson and Blaze Foley. ~ Anders Jörnesten

With a completely genuine feel to proceedings that has you thinking you have just listened to someone who has that natural self-awareness many struggle to grasp, Anders Jörnesten is rather magnificent here. Showing us much grace and determination this is a welcome addition to our tired ears.

Searching for that actual truth throughout his road trip, it feels like we are listening to someone who is showing us what is needed to find that inner calm again.

Wild Wild Country (Astrology Version) from Swedish indie folk singer-songwriter Anders Jörnesten is a quite splendid single from an artist who has only just started releasing music. His vocals are raw and totally honest, setting the tone to what the world is feeling right now. Wishing to get away from the stress, the fights and the pain is the mission, by just venturing out for a while to see that old friend. A friend who got away from it all as now he gets left alone. Just the way he likes it.

Listen up to this lovely new song on Spotify and see more from his IG page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Ruby Sue told her coming of age story in her bitter-sweet triumph of a debut LP, the Need

Posted on 9 August 2022

With the sweetness of Taylor Swift, the soul of Brandi Carlile, and the bite of Courtney Love, the 19-year-old Minneapolis singer-songwriter Ruby Sue released her coming-of-age debut album, The Need.

Although pitch-perfection and instrumental distinction are a constant through the 12 singles, special attention should be paid to I Remember September, which mellifluously exhibits just how fleeting youth is, and how inclined we are to cling to it through fear of the future. I can only imagine how terrifying the transition into adulthood is in this era, but everyone going through it now has a confidant in this soul-stirring debut LP.

With lyrics such as, “who will I be when I’m not young and free?” Ruby Sue proves that despite her age, she’s got more self-awareness than most lyricists. Get her on your radar.

I Remember September is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Greek folk band Grey River & the Smoky Mountain broke borders to break hearts with their latest single, Unlovable

Posted on 9 August 2022

Blending folk styles from America, Ireland and Europe, the Athens-Greece hailing folk artist Grey River & the Smoky Mountain is set to break hearts as they broke borders with their latest single, Unlovable.

The sheer dedication to candour is striking; the way the lyrics run through in the same way as a depressive episode does is quite another. Admirably, there’s no twist to the melancholy after the hauntingly pitch-perfect admission that they’re not good enough to love. It is left to the banjo and the steel guitar to bring the upbeat energy while the vocalist and mandolinist, Rena Papageorgiou, ironically becomes infinitely loveable.

The official music video for Unlovable is now available to stream via YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Horatio James – they will have us: lo-fi indie just got infinitely sweeter

Posted on 5 August 2022

If you poured some sugar on Pavement or Dinosaur Jr, the result would be just as sweet as the latest single, they will have us, released by Horatio James.

With reflecting the human condition through lo-fi indie folk soundscapes as the motivation behind the singer-songwriter’s creativity, each new release is an opportunity to boost your mood and brighten your perspective. The dopamine streams are aided by the sweeping overdriven guitars, meltingly warm analog tones and his honeyed harmonies, which will teach you the meaning of expressive vulnerability.

The London-based artist is an all too refreshing taste breaker away from the superficiality that is prolific on the airwaves. For the same reason indie fans developed an affinity for the Violent Femmes and the Dandy Warhols, they will have us will leave an all too welcome synaptic imprint.

they will have us will officially release on August 5th. Check it out on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Katie Wellenberg raised the stakes in her alt-country protest to superficial charm, ‘Gambler’

Posted on 4 August 2022

Katie Wellenberg did more than show her hand in her latest alt-country single, Gambler, which will be an instant hit with fans of the April March and Hillbilly Moon Explosion-Esque femme fatale allure.

Lyrically, Wellenberg shows us the epitome of humanity through visually striking poetry. Instrumentally, her roots-deep melodic hooks draw you further into the single, which shows how above the charade of superficial charm she is. Needless to say, we should all be at the same level as the stunningly unf*ckwithable Munich-based singer-songwriter. She well and truly came into her swampy roots rock own with Gambler; we can’t wait to hear what follows.

Gambler is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Bryan James Duffy wonders why the world couldn’t make this sweet human happy with ‘The Most Beautiful Suicide’

Posted on 28 July 2022

Going forward to the Neverland that is waiting for this kind heart who has decided that the time is now to end it all, Bryan James Duffy sings with tremendous love and care on this heart-stopping new single named ‘The Most Beautiful Suicide‘.

Bryan James Duffy is a Las Vegas, Nevada-based, Ontario, Canada-born indie singer-songwriter who meshes in tasty snacks filled with Americana, blues and folk packed inside to nibble on.

”I love all facets of musicality. I don’t vocally sound like anybody other than myself. I’ve been a huge fan of guitarists like Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Frank Zappa, Dereck Trucks and Johnny Winter.” ~ Bryan James Duffy

Gliding up in the clouds like an authentic hero amongst us, Bryan James Duffy performs with that classy style you can’t help but appreciate. The lyrics are deep and the tone totally honest, showing us deeply inside this all-too-common story that has, sadly, broken the hearts of way too many innocent humans.

”I try my best to learn from that pool of incredible musicians in all attempts at perfecting my own sound. I’m still a student and always will be.” ~ Bryan James Duffy

‘The Most Beautiful Suicide‘ from Las Vegas, Nevada-based, Ontario Canada-born indie singer-songwriter Bryan James Duffy is a vocally excellent single that is packed with an important subject that many choose to brush under the carpet. Showing us inside this sad picture that unfortunately ended so tragically, this is a splendid single to make you think quickly about those who you should reach out to. Right now.

Listen up to this new single on YouTube and see more on his Facebook page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

The Viennese School spins a histrionic tale in his roots revivalist triumph, Dr. Irving

Posted on 24 July 2022

There is your average indie rock nostalgic peddler, and then there’s the Boston-based originator, The Viennese School, with their hauntingly archaic reinventions of American roots, folk, and gospel.

Their self-titled debut LP, featuring the standout single, Dr. Irving, tells the parallel stories of an army doctor, their brother soldier and the demise of a student found beneath a frozen river. You’re pulled into the narrative as much as the Avant Garde soundscape, featuring spacey psychedelic synthetics, old-school crooned vocals, blues rock solos and almost pornographically warm saturated analog tones.

Something is evidently in the Bostonian water if it bred The Viennese School as well as Amanda Palmer, who runs in the same histrionic direction as the artful innovator. What Ryan Murphy is to the small screen, The Viennese School evidently is to the airwaves. We’re officially obsessed.

Dr. Irving is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast