Mike Jeffery, John Contino and Chris Buckingham grew up in Palmyra, NY – an upstate friendship that saw them start making music together at just 13 years old. There’s plenty to be said about this depth of connection, as it really lets the music feel both honest and freely performative – a kind of fearless creativity that only true confidence in your surroundings and the support of your peers can really achieve.
Folk Rock
Songwriter Jon Casto fronts the acoustic and atmospheric World Music tones and conceptualisations of Universal Appeal – an act devoted to intertwining the deeply personal and the broadly relatable.
The Price Of Liberty showcases precisely these qualities, presenting a sense of individual journey and political poignancy throughout its exploration of liberty and this callout for freedom and possibility.
Long-time favourite and easily one of indie’s most engaging songwriters from recent years, Kyle Jaymes leans into the anthemic uplift of Folk Rock, with the brilliantly captivating new single Haunting.
Presenting an increasingly enchanting, uplifting and memorable arrangement, You gathers momentum consistently and impressively, finding its groove amidst the brightness and embrace of Country and Americana, with an impassioned vocal delivery and chorus that naturally lingers in the mind.
Chris establishes the artistic journey really well, the final section acting as a brief second verse; a momentary return to quiet poetry, before we explode back into the peak of the arrangement, for the mighty and resounding, familiar ache of ‘I’m reminded that you’re not here anymore – As I pull myself from off this floor’.
Country, Folk and Americana all soulfully united with stories that relate and reflect – Banner Johnson returns, with a full length album of heartfelt gems and outright anthems alike.
The big-band sound of folk rock and pop shines brightly, alongside a welcomed touch of intimacy in the breathy vocal-lead and traditional acoustic folk verses. Swedish songwriter SATRE delivers an uplifting to euphoric anthem in poetic celebration of love, with homebound.
Big vibes from world music creative act KOMASI. Masupian is an infectious organic track with a funky set-up and pace. The vocals inject a passionate call and response hook, following gritty, expressive verses from an all-encompassing performance that’s as captivating as it is addictive to listen to.
An established indie creative, supporting the release of this latest album with a biographical e-book entitled Metaphysical Sherpa: Misunderstood Mystic, Meditative Animal brings a sound that’s somewhere between the likes of Bob Dylan, Rusted Root, and The Rolling Stones. But ultimately, it’s a style that’s quick to become a thing of its own.
Singer and songwriter Michael Marquart returns under the creative moniker A Bad Think. The project’s 12th studio album Cottonwood intrigues in both title and artwork, and the storytelling plus the engaging fusion of Folk, Americana and Rock consistently maintains that appeal.
The project ultimately reflects upon the role of the self, the weight of a life learning things through turmoil and blessing combined. There’s plenty to unpack lyrically, and fortunately the beauty and character of these four tracks allows for an easy re-entry to listen to time and again.
Instantly likable, catchy and engaging, and beautifully dedicated to a young rockstar named Elton, People Like You is not only a soulful anthem to celebrate the wonder of life, but an evocatively personal look at the happiness one specific person has brought to our protagonist.