Folk Archives • Wax Vinyl Records

Mason Via – Melt in the Sun: Uplifting Bluegrass with Heartfelt Harmony

5Jun

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Acoustic Folk, Americana, Folk, New Music

Mason Via – Melt in the Sun: Uplifting Bluegrass with Heartfelt Harmony

“Melt in the Sun” by Mason Via blends strong melodic hooks with heartfelt lyrics, supported by a warm and energetic bluegrass arrangement. Opening with a bright and inviting instrumental section, the track sets an optimistic tone that runs throughout. The vocal delivery is rich and emotive, layered with harmonies that enhance the overall texture without overpowering it. The musicianship is tight, with each part clearly articulated—from the rhythmic guitar and mandolin interplay to the tasteful touches of banjo and bass. It’s a great example of contemporary bluegrass that nods to tradition while leaning into modern songwriting and arrangement. Via’s band, Hot Trail Mix, features a group of experienced and award-winning musicians from the Asheville/Boone area. Their chemistry is clear...

Sea of Fog Delve into Myth and Meaning on “In the Borderlands (The Wanderer & the Outcast, Pt. 3)”

5May

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Folk, New Music, Singer Songwriter

Sea of Fog Delve into Myth and Meaning on “In the Borderlands (The Wanderer & the Outcast, Pt. 3)”

Sea of Fog return with “In the Borderlands (The Wanderer & the Outcast, Pt. 3),” the first single from their forthcoming album Gone is Your Ghost, due out June 2025. This track continues the band's reinterpretation of the Orpheus and Eurydice myth, imagining an alternate path where Orpheus succeeds in retrieving Eurydice—only to grapple with their relationship decades later. The track opens with delicate guitar arpeggios, setting an intimate tone before a flowing vocal enters, carrying the narrative forward. Subtle textures build around the arrangement, including bowed vibraphone, a harpsichord constructed by the band themselves, and even the unconventional addition of a vintage rotary telephone as a percussive and ambient sound source. The result is a blend of baroque-influenced f...

Jack O’ the Clock – “Year of the Gypsy Moths”: A Dreamlike Folk-Prog Mosaic

5May

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Folk, New Music, Progressive Rock

Jack O’ the Clock – “Year of the Gypsy Moths”: A Dreamlike Folk-Prog Mosaic

Year of the Gypsy Moths by Jack O’ the Clock opens with an unexpected yet captivating stringed intro—most likely a ghuzeng—setting the tone for what unfolds as a rich and intricately layered piece of progressive folk. The delicate lead vocal, gently supported by woodwind and strings, evokes a distinct 60s folk sensibility, but the arrangement quickly reveals something more eclectic. The song moves with fluidity through dreamy textures and melodic phrasing, conjuring a sense of nostalgia and surrealism. It closes with a memorable dual flute and violin section over electric guitar and upright bass—an unusual combination that works remarkably well in this context. The arrangement is quirky and ambitious without sounding forced, and it manages to feel both meticulous and emotionally resona...

Mikel Rafael Opens New EP with Atmospheric Folk Track “Maples and Pines”

23Apr

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Acoustic Folk, Folk

Mikel Rafael Opens New EP with Atmospheric Folk Track “Maples and Pines”

Maples and Pines is the opening track from Mikel Rafael’s upcoming three-song EP The Eternal Hour, a project that explores different times of the day—morning, noon, and night—each accompanied by a music video. This first piece represents morning, setting the tone with gentle acoustic guitar, a warm vocal performance, and subtle string textures that enhance its reflective mood. Told from the perspective of a narrator who insists that a melody can be heard drifting through the silence of the woods, Maples and Pines draws the listener into a quiet, contemplative space. The song captures a sense of intimacy and wonder, inviting the audience to slow down and tune in. Rafael’s lyrical style is rooted in introspection, and his delivery—marked by a soulful vibrato—emphasizes the song’s emot...

The Common Reeds Share Reflective New Track “Firefly”

28Mar

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Acoustic, Folk, New Music, Nu Jazz / Jazztronica

The Common Reeds Share Reflective New Track “Firefly”

“Firefly” is the latest release from The Common Reeds, a jazz-infused folk track that pairs poetic lyrics with a mellow, textured arrangement. Opening with soft, jazz-tinged chords and delicate percussion, the song unfolds gradually, with Jessie Reed’s reverb-laden vocals guiding the listener through a reflective narrative. The track uses animal imagery to explore themes of emotional attachment, personal boundaries, and gratitude. The gentle delivery and laid-back instrumental feel give “Firefly” a meditative quality, allowing space for its lyrical subtlety to take centre stage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtSjBME2Wmg The Common Reeds—Jessie and Rob Reed—draw on a palette of Americana, blues, and indie folk, combining Jessie's evocative writing and vocals with Rob’s layered...

Oaken Lee Releases The Rooster and the Shepherd – A Folk Story with a Modern Edge

17Mar

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Folk, Folk Rock, New Music

Oaken Lee Releases The Rooster and the Shepherd – A Folk Story with a Modern Edge

Oaken Lee continues to bridge traditional folk storytelling with contemporary production on The Rooster and the Shepherd, the second release from the upcoming album Home (is a folk-rock mixtape), set for Summer 2025. Combining folk-inspired lyricism with unconventional sonic choices, the track offers a fresh take on classic themes. Built around a fuzzy bassline, picked guitar, and a multitracked folky vocal, The Rooster and the Shepherd blends organic and electronic elements. Drum machines drive the rhythm, adding an unexpected contrast to the song’s traditional roots. The result is a quirky yet immersive production, where classic folk-rock influences meet contemporary textures. Lyrically, the song brings together references from folk history, drawing inspiration from The Bonny Grey...

Ballaké Sissoko & Piers Faccini – One Half of a Dream

15Feb

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Acoustic Folk, Folk, Singer Songwriter

Ballaké Sissoko & Piers Faccini – One Half of a Dream

Malian kora master Ballaké Sissoko and British-Italian folk songwriter Piers Faccini unite on One Half of a Dream, the latest single from their upcoming collaborative album, Our Calling. The song weaves Malian musical traditions with English folk influences, creating an intricate and hypnotic arrangement. Delicate kora melodies intertwine with guitar and ngoni bass, providing a rich foundation for Faccini’s introspective lyrics and Nick Drake-like vocals. Lyrically, One Half of a Dream contemplates choice in the face of ecological and climate challenges. Set against a flowing instrumental backdrop, the song urges listeners to consider the consequences of inaction, both individually and collectively. The result is a track that feels timeless yet deeply relevant. Sissoko and Faccini’s...

KOWARI – Mori: A Delicate Blend of Classical and Indie Folk

15Feb

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Folk, New Music, Singer Songwriter

KOWARI – Mori: A Delicate Blend of Classical and Indie Folk

Mori unfolds with shifting piano chords and subtle bass accents, setting the foundation for Benni’s delicate vocal delivery. The track weaves in soft violin passages and layered backing vocals, creating a rich yet understated soundscape. Its restrained beauty carries a sense of longing, with lyrics reflecting on memories clouded by time and emotions that linger despite knowing they shouldn’t. KOWARI is the collaborative project of violinist Damien Chierici and pianist Louan Kempenaers, both established figures in the Belgian music scene. Originally working together on a film soundtrack, they developed their shared vision into a full project—one that merges classical instrumentation with electronic textures. With production support from Jean Vanesse of GreenHouse Studio, their upcoming ...

Julian Calv – Eastern Hemlock Brings a Hypnotic Folk Approach

14Feb

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Folk, New Music, Psychedelic Rock

Julian Calv – Eastern Hemlock Brings a Hypnotic Folk Approach

Julian Calv’s Eastern Hemlock blends intricate vocal harmonies with an evolving percussive groove, creating a folk sound that is both rhythmic and atmospheric. The song’s layered vocals and acoustic instrumentation build a cyclical, meditative quality, drawing from traditional rounds while incorporating modern folk influences. Part of the collection The Trees in You and Me, Eastern Hemlock is inspired by the arboreal emblem of Pennsylvania. The track highlights the common misconception between the hemlock tree and the toxic hemlock plant, reflecting Calv’s interest in both musical and natural storytelling. Julian Calv is a composer, singer, and trimbist whose work is heavily influenced by Moondog’s percussive innovations. A protégé of Moondog’s disciple Stefan Lakatos, Calv has dedi...

Focus Ring by Denison Witmer feat. Sufjan Stevens: A Harmonious Blend of Simplicity and Depth

15Jan

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Folk, New Music, Singer Songwriter

Focus Ring by Denison Witmer feat. Sufjan Stevens: A Harmonious Blend of Simplicity and Depth

Denison Witmer’s latest single, Focus Ring, featuring Sufjan Stevens, offers a delicate blend of folk-pop simplicity and reflective songwriting. The track opens with gentle vocals layered over an acoustic guitar and tasteful licks, creating a rich harmonic backdrop. The production, characterized by a driving chorus and a polished 70s-inspired groove, balances classic sounds with contemporary finesse. Focus Ring serves as a preview of Witmer's upcoming album, Anything At All, set to release on February 14th via Asthmatic Kitty Records. Produced and recorded by Stevens, who also contributes musically throughout, the album explores themes of domestic life and self-reflection. Witmer describes the project as a commitment to slowing down amidst the chaos of modern life, focusing on family a...