A soundtrack for a journey home – folk and acoustic joys

Southern Pine – “Way Back Home”
-The song that inspired the title of the piece, Southern Pine’s track about journeying home is delightful. It teases some genre differences, all while capturing an honest sense of a journey home. I find the more melodic elements satisfying, but the unsettling dissonance makes the resolve that much sweeter. This is great.

Joe Kaplow – “Allison”
-There’s a delightful sincerity to the way that Kaplow writes. This is not the first time we’ve covered him. He reminds me of the guy that shows up for open mic night or opening for a touring act and just blows you away. He sounds like you’ve heard him before, but there’s a precision to his performance that is really fantastic. I love the lyricism here; he’s fed up with her but cares so very much. It’s sweet, genuinely.

Ian Taylor – “Searching for Margot”
-The opening section has some bumps – please hear it out. As the song warms up, it tightens up too. I love the honest acoustic phrasing and the almost-whispered lead vocal style. It’s really a powerful delivery tool. The vocal harmonies aren’t always locked in through the track, but it makes up for it in this kind of Beatnik communalism. Never stop searching, ya’ll.

Max Jury – “Modern World (Notes from California)”
-This song sizzles. I mean I’m sitting here as a married dad of two who considers a wild night “staying up too late listening to music,” BUT there’s something about the wildness of this track that feels raw and real. The bluesy piano licks work perfectly with the pop sensibility in the lead vocal. I am actually kind of stunned at the John Mayer quality here and that Jury is not yet a household name. I think if the mainstream outlets catch wind of this track, it should really take off.

Arts Fishing Club – “Tupelo Honey”
-Get your toes a tappin to this folk song. It’s the kind of thing that will make you think of the prettiest girl you ever saw. I’ve been reading a Wendell Berry novel and I think this kind of music goes perfectly with that. It’s quaint, sweet, and will make you smile with a sparkle in your eye. This is the kind of optimistic, love-centered folk music that does my soul so good.