(Photo Credit: Kaveh Saberi)
We had the opportunity to get advance access to Grizfolk's newest album Rarest of the Birds, which drops on July 19! Grizfolk also agreed to do an Artist Spotlight interview with us! Check out our review of Rarest of the Birds and our interview with Grizfolk below!
Bright, folky, fun. These are words that immediately come to mind when thinking about the overall feel of Grizfolk's newest album Rarest of the Birds. Each some is filled to the brim with bright melodies, easy-going vocals, and messages of hope. About Rarest of Birds, Adam Roth (lead vocals, guitar) said "The record is about acceptance and letting go. We're happy to connect with people about it now." The bright melodies and great vocals of this folk-alt fusion album evoke memories of good times with friends and relaxing. It was obviously intentional that in a time where so much bad is abound, that Grizfolk chose to write something that's so uplifting. However, it must be noted that this is their authentic voice, Bill Delia stated "“We took our time and got it right. This album is genuinely us.”
This album is a burst of light in an otherwise grey atmosphere and there's something to be said just for that. It's also highly listenable, as you'll find yourself playing these songs over and over as I have in the past month or so. For those unfamiliar with Grizfolk, their sound infuses traditional alt/indie tropes with folk and pop stylings. The result is energetic and captivating.
First, I would say you should simply listen to this one all the way through in order, as it has an ebb and flow to it that just works. However, if we were to point out specific tracks that piqued our interest in particular, we'd say "Heavy Crown", "Believing", "Hurricane", and "Shaky in the Knees".
Closing Thoughts - If you're looking for an album that's going to instantly brighten your day, you've come to the right place. Grizfolk hit this one out of the park with their use of bright melodies, great harmonies, and fusion of folk and indie stylings. Again, it's highly listenable, so you'll find yourself coming back to it again and again. Also, it's a deeply personal album that shows a band bearing it all a bit. If you're into alt, indie, or folk, you won't want to miss this one.
Rating - 4.5/5
Artist Spotlight
1. How did you come to pursue music and how long have you been at it?
"I started writing lyrics when I was about 10 years old after falling in love with Nirvana and grunge. My mom got me a 4-track cassette recorder, and I use to lock myself in my bedroom with my headphones on for hours on end experimenting with writing and recording music."
2. Could you walk us through your process of writing music?
"Sometimes it starts with a melody, but lately it’s been a groove that turns us on. The good stuff usually comes without trying too hard. On our new album ‘Rarest of Birds,’ we made a lot of the music in Nashville with some really talented people. We’d take what we wrote there to our friend and producer Allen Blickle. He really helped us glue this record together."
3. What artists have inspired you in your career?
"Justin Vernon, Queen, The Beatles, Jason Isbell. To name a few…"
4. Do you have any favorite music gear (guitars, amps, effects pedals, keyboards, etc.) that you love to use? If so, what’s the story on them?
"Love Gibson acoustics. They sound timeless to me. I got lucky, someone gave me a Gibson L-00 and it’s become like an extension to my body."
5. Can you describe the vibe at your live shows? Also, what do you enjoy most about a venue when you do a show?
"We like to have fun which usually means we’re gonna sweat quite a bit. We’ve been really fortunate to play some great venues. All we require from a venue is a good attitude. It’s nice to show up from a long day of driving to be greeted by someone with a smile. Also, we’ll need a good PA system."
6. What is one thing that you want the public to know about your music?
"We write music from the heart in hopes that the person listening will find something they can relate with. We’ve been through a lot individually and collectively as a band, and you’ll find a lot of it in the lyrics and emotions throughout the record."
7. Do you have any upcoming projects you would like fans to know about?
"Our new album ‘Rarest of Bird’s is coming out July 19! Thanks so much for the support and we hope to see ya at the show."