Browsing Tag

Americana Alt Folk

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

Shane Cooley finds freedom in isolation in his alt-indie-folk single, Coyote

Posted on 8 April 2022
https://soundcloud.com/shanecooley/shane-cooley-coyote-radio-edit/s-3SBTPIaFsbn?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Inspired by tumultuous times and personal emotional upheavals, the acclaimed alt indie-folk singer-songwriter, Shane Cooley, stepped into the metaphysical wild to create his seminal upcoming album, Forest. The first single to be released, Coyote, is a hauntingly euphonic hit that blends tonal palettes of Jack White and Elliott Smith while experimenting with artful simplicity and the dust of desert rock. Vocally, Cooley parallels Grandaddy with his honeyed high timbres that still resonate as organic despite the raised velvety pitches.

With lyrics that run like wild poetry, “A coyote/In grown man’s clothing/Forever lonely/Forever free/Down in the valley/Out on the streets/If you push me/ I’ll show my teeth”, this modernised feat of indie-folk Americana won’t fail to reel you into the themes of isolation and freedom, which are proven to be two of the same.

We can’t wait to hear what the rest of his seminal LP delivers. The Richmond, VA artist may be flying under a lot of people’s radars. Yet, it is only a matter of time before he gets full recognition for his inexplicably honed-in talent and instantly magnetic charisma as a songwriter.

Coyote will officially drop on April 8th, 2022. You can check it out for yourselves by heading over to Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Escape the 21st century in the timeless tones of T.C. Tumbleweed’s Alt Folk single ‘Louise’

Posted on 18 January 2021

Folk-punk became an infinitely more enamouring genre with the release of Swedish-born singer-songwriter T.C. Tumbleweed’s latest EP, ‘Out of Tune’, with old school blues thrown in for good measure, plenty of timeless tones are revived, but through this humble exhibition of their amiable talent, it may as well be your first time cruising through upraising bluesy rhythms with shimmering organ wails bringing a touch of the celestial.

The standout track, ‘Louise (Love is Only a Day) is set to enamour fans of 70s era Stones, Bob Dylan, Frank Turner and Gogol Bordello alike. If you could imagine what Nick Cave would sound like if he had a soul, you’ll get an idea of what is in store when you hit play on the instantly enrapturing track which is impossible to pick apart. It becomes so much more than the sum of all parts with the swathes of emotion delivered in equal measure through the soulfully compelling vocals and the instrumentals which exhibit a level of prowess which affirms that T.C. Tumbleweed definitely deserves a spot on your radar. He’ll probably reserve a spot in your soul by the time you hit the first chorus.

You can check out T.C. Tumbleweed’s EP for yourselves by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

A breath of fresh air: Ellsworth drops her incredible debut single ‘Growing Pains’

Posted on 17 January 2021

Ellsworth returns with her stunningly elegant vocals and vivid storytelling on her first single called ‘Growing Pains‘.

Denver, Colorado indie-folk/Americana singer-songwriter Megan Ellsworth aka Ellsworth picked up the guitar when she was just eight years old thanks to her Dad, and hasn’t looked back since. The marvelous music melodies she makes are lodged deep in her brain and her wonderful creativity is a blessing to our lonely hearts, as she sings with such grace and class.

She is a supremely lyrical storyteller with a real tale about how growing up is challenging but that it all worked out in the end. Growing up is full of twists and turns throughout and with the support of those close, we can do anything we set our minds to.

“To actively grapple with the deeper aspects of humanity, with the complicated experience of being human that we all know and can relate to”.- Ellsworth

With a stunningly pure voice, boundless enthusiasm and a way with words that hugs deep into our hearts, she is a singer-songwriter that is finding her feet and it feels like she will only get better and better through time. Having talent is one thing but being sincere, putting in the hard work and going for your dreams through undoubted trial and error, is how you become truly great at what what you set your mind to.

‘Growing Pains‘ from the exciting talent Ellsworth from Denver is a spiritually awakening experience and you will get lost in her fine voice, as she weaves a pleasurable web around your mind, body and soul.

Hear these crisply gorgeous vocals on Spotify and follow her adventures on IG and FB.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Scott Albert Johnson offers an invitation to transcend the 2020 chaos with their Americana Alt Folk single ‘Float’

Posted on 17 December 2020

Mississippi-hailing artist Scott Albert Johnson lays down old school bluesy soul in their latest single ‘Float’ which unfolds as a timelessly cathartic feat of Alt Folk Americana. I’ll never quite get used to hearing Covid times references in a track which sounds like Cohen could have released in the 70s, but I’ll remain eternally grateful for the resolve all the same.

It’s hard not to believe Scott Albert Johnson when he tells you that the clouds are going to break someday. For your sanity’s sake, add the celestially-produced, chorally-upraising single to your playlists.

You can check out the official music video to Float which was released on November 30th via YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Garrett Clark Bell – Rolling On: Alt Folk for the Outliers

Posted on 30 August 2020

On the heels of a successful debut single, Alabama-born artist and ex-vet Garrett Clark Bell has released their mellifluously hypnotic sophomore single “Rolling On”.

Any fans of War on Drugs and American Football will no doubt appreciate his modernistic take on Country which comes with a blissfully winding infusion of Alt Folk. If you pull your attention away from the consciousness-consuming accordance of the inventively effect-laden instrumentals, anyone who finds resonance in Bob Dylan’s lyrics will find plenty of relatable sentiments in Rolling On. It speaks to the outliers of society, the ones that navigate through the alienation looking for direction. It’s a powerful affirmation of the fact that even if you feel alone, you’re not alone in that feeling.

You can check out Rolling On for yourselves by heading over to Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast