Category Archives: Folk

Exclusive Artist Review: Craig Ball – “Content In Bed” EP

Posted in Acoustic, Alternative, Blues, Careers, Country, EP, Folk, Indie, Music Review, Press Release by

Emerging from the Minneapolis music scene in Minnesota, Alt-Folk recording artist Craig Ball began hitting the ground running in the music world over 20 years ago when he began writing songs and playing local shows. Known for his distinctively catchy signature sound, Craig garnered an insatiable buzz and critical acclaim with his debut single “Kind Things” last year. This year in 2021, he has followed up that single with his debut EP ‘Content In Bed’, a 6-track record of anthemic folk tunes with the wittiness, charm and catchiness that makes Craig Ball the uniquely versatile artist that he is today.

This is an excellent debut EP that really shines a light on several crucial musicianship factors. Craig Ball displays a passionate craft on each song and really plays his heart out in a way where the listener can resonate with the messages he conveys through the power of his music. Opening title track “Content In Bed” and follow up track “I Can’t Quit” brilliantly open this record with anthemic goodness that showcases Craig’s gifted songwriting structures and story-telling lyrics. Both songs have smooth acoustic guitar progressions that parallel beautifully with Craig’s mid-range vocal melodies, delivering a uniquely crisp Alt-Folk flavor in his very own multifaceted style. He has a signature sound that is completely in his own realm, but also diligently balances originality and familiarity in a way that is fresh yet still identifiable. He performs with that classic Folk aura but still manages to implement a modern sensibility that can captivate a younger crowd as well.

Another highlight on this EP is the song “Good On You”. A more upbeat anthem that has a Bad Moon Rising vibe with additional flavors and textures reminiscent of other industry heavyweights like Ireland’s Flogging Molly. This upbeat number is one of the most catchy of the EP and will easily become a favorite from this record. “Everything looks good on you” will definitely stick in your head! One more crucial highlight on this EP is the atmospheric and ambient “All The Way To Mars”. A more innovative track on the record with beautiful piano flutters and a spacey keyboard lead that really sets a modern tone on this song. It’s another additional angle to Craig’s signature sound that showcases his talent in an effective way, just like the other songs on this record. Overall, ‘Content In Bed’ is an EP of classic folk songs that will inspire the ear, soothe the soul and entice you to dive deeper into Craig Ball’s career and subsequent releases. His brilliantly crafted sound has staying power that will satisfy any fan of the folk genre and will easily become one of your favorites in 2021. The EP is available now on Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes and several other digital music streaming platforms. You’ll be more than glad you gave this record a spin.

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Exclusive Artist Review: Temperance Lancecouncil – “Globally We Sing; Erase 19” Single

Posted in Alternative, Blues, Careers, Country, Folk, Indie, Music Review, Pop, Press Release, R&B, Single, Soul by

Country starlet Temperance Lancecouncil debuted just a few years ago but has made a significant impact on the music world and has also successfully amassed an insatiable following since then. Now, with the recent release of her newest single “Globally We Sing; Erase 19”, she continues to hit the ground running by proving to her audience that she has what it takes to reach new heights; and that she’s not going anywhere, anytime soon.

This pandemic-themed single is anthemic and even has a national anthem feel to it. Temperance‘s melodically visceral vocals are charismatic, natural and strongly showcase her artistic merit and versatility in all the right places. The song structure itself is very atmospheric and ambient, lending a dynamically crafty approach to its signature style. And with the production and performance value paralleling each other perfectly, this song hits it out of the park in its entirety and really reaches new heights for the rising starlet.

This single also has that undeniable staying power where it’s not only a brilliantly written song, but an unforgettable one as well. One that will stay with you even long after it’s over. And if you are just discovering Temperance, this song will undoubtedly turn you into an instant fan. It’ll also entice you to dive deeper into her career and discography altogether as well. We can’t recommend this single highly enough. “Globally We Sing” is available now on Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes and several other digital music streaming platforms. You’ll thank us later for recommending it.

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Exclusive Artist Review: Eric Sommer – “Red Dress” & “Red Neck Parking Lot” Singles

Posted in Alternative, Blues, Careers, Folk, Indie, Music Review, Press Release, Rock, Single by

Boston-based veteran musician Eric Sommer has been an active artist in the music realm since the 80s and has built an insatiable fan base since his inception into the market. Known for his dynamically bluesy and rhythmically catchy signature sound, Sommer has proven over many years through several releases that he is a standout of his calibre, and continues to remain relevant in today’s industry standard.

His single “Red Dress” from his 2016 album ‘Brooklyn Bolero’ is an anthemic and rhythmic tune with a solid twangy guitar lead that carries the torch throughout most of the song. This track in particular really showcases Sommer‘s versatility and touches on several angles of his artistic merit. His multi-layered vocals are effective, fun and truly brings his multifaceted edge to the forefront. The rhythm section in this track cruises from start to finish and really rumbles throughout the song’s duration. This is the perfect song to deliver a strong first impression for any listener just discovering Eric Sommer and is clearly a fan favorite for those that have been following him over the years.

Another standout single is “Red Neck Parking Lot” from his more recent 2019 record ‘Turning Point’. This track encompasses more bluesy components with traditional chord progressions. It delivers that feeling of nostalgia but still brings a more modern edge to the song’s entirety. It’s a great balance between originality and familiarity, and gives the listener a taste of something fresh yet still identifiable.

Eric Sommer is an artist that has been in the market for decades and these tracks are direct evidence of his skill sets and passion as a veteran musician. If you haven’t discovered him yet, then these tracks are a perfect way to get to know his distinctive style. You can find his music on Apple Music, iTunes, Spotify and several other digital music streaming platforms. You’ll be more than glad you gave him a listen.

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Exclusive Artist Review: Roots Asylum – “Take Her Back, Louisiana” Single

Posted in Acoustic, Alternative, Blues, Careers, Country, Folk, Indie, Music Review, Pop, Press Release, Reggae, Rock, Single by

Back on the scene with a catchy anthemic single, Michigan-based quintet Roots Asylum continue to hit the ground running with their newest single “Take Her Back, Louisiana”.

Diligently comprised of atmospheric guitar melodies, silky smooth bass lines and radio-worthy vocal choices, the five-piece group has put together a solid tune that resonates with just about any fan of folk-infused Roots Rock sensibilities. Utilizing a classic mid-western style with authentic production and performance value, Roots Asylum engages in a signature sound that touches on equal parts originality and familiarity; giving their audience a taste of something fresh yet still identifiable. Guitar/Vocalist Jimmy Macaroni really captivates the musical mind with this song by bringing authentically gifted vocal melodies to the forefront and carrying the torch with his carefully crafted leads. The band brings this sound together with great precision and really encapsulates an aura that makes this track an effective and impressionable gem.

The song definitely sustains staying power, where it has the power to stay with you even after it’s over. It also gets better with each listen and will definitely entice you to dive deeper into the band’s discography and career. You will discover a great unity of talent when listening to “Take Her Back, Louisiana” and Roots Asylum‘s breed of Roots Rock is definitely a standout of their calibre in all the right ways. The single is available now on Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes and several other digital music streaming platforms.

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Exclusive Artist Review: LAPP – “Selvacava” Album/LP

Posted in Acoustic, Album, Alternative, Careers, Experimental, Folk, Indie, Jazz, Music Review, Press Release by

LAPP is one of those gems just waiting to be discovered for several crucial reasons. From musicianship factors to creativity complexes in his production value, LAPP is much more than just a musician; he is a visionary. He’s been part of the music realm for the past ten years and is completely multifaceted with his music ability. His upcoming album ‘Selvacava’ is a 16-track juggernaut that reaches new heights in the Indie spectrum and is comprised of story-telling songs that showcase his versatility in the most impactful way. It’s a record you need to hear to believe.

‘Selvacava‘ is an Alternative/Folk album about a little village in Central Italy called Selvacava. Full of big ballads and intimate tales, it touches on themes like adulthood, childhood, loss, dreams and nostalgia, and questions how memories may evolve into something different over time. LAPP plays a DIY style that is infused with Folk, Soul, Rock, Jazz and whatever sound that seems appropriate at the time to tell tales of the human condition. Once a purist of seventies singer-songwriter soul searching, he is now a stranger in a dark room writing, producing and making weird noises on a laptop, mixing it all together and seeing what happens. And that is what ultimately manifested into ‘Selvacava’.

This album has dreamlike sequences and several acting interludes that really add distinct elements to the Indie factor of this record. “Goodbye, Josephine” is a piano anthem that is nostalgic and atmospheric. LAPP‘s vocal ability throughout this record is captivatingly visceral and melodic with his high range and clever lyricism. This track in particular showcases his voice most effectively and really sets the tone for the rest of the record. “Correano” has a witty skit in the intro and coasts into another dreamlike sequence that gives off a soothing aura that really delves into the Indie component. Title track “Selvacava” has haunting and ominous string arrangements that lead into explosive melodies that blend several multi layers, including guitar swells and touches that hit an intricate climax – leaving the listener with a feeling of wholesomeness. Meanwhile, “La Giostra” has a deep Folk feel with glistening vocals that stand in the forefront reminiscent of a spotlight; which perfectly parallels LAPP‘s vocals on this song diligently, casting a spotlight on this track’s most visceral component.

This is an album you listen to uninterrupted from start to finish in its entirety. It’s more than just a listening experience, it’s an eclectic journey. LAPP grabs hold of the listener on every track of this record and arranged each song like chapters in a book. Like said before, it’s a record that you need to hear to believe, and you’ll be beyond glad that you did after listening to it in full. The album is slated to release this May and will be available on Spotify, SoundCloud, Apple Music, iTunes and several other digital music streaming platforms. We cant recommend LAPP highly enough.

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