Trespass Music is pleased to share this rave review for Folkapotamus' new album "Middle of Nowhere" from Planet Country in Italy!
"Since the early sixties Boston, Massachusetts has contended with Greenwich Village in New York, where the best of the American music tradition is rooted in everything from folk to old-timey, from blues to country. In the multitude of music clubs on the East Coast of the USA, generations of great musicians have been born that have carried forward those traditions. Genuine sounds are alive and well and hold a purposeful legacy on which Massachusetts based duo Folkapotamus formed by Penni Hart and Tony Trites, represents one of the best new up and coming groups on the scene.
Their second record "Middle Of Nowhere," comes during a career that began in 2011, and offers quality acoustic emotions, crystalline melodies, intense and personal choice of material, and provides original tunes and covers. Acoustic guitars, fiddle, mandolin, light percussion and great care with vocal harmonies, these are the characteristics of a delicate sound, bucolic, and relaxed while also reserving some pleasant surprises in the selection of material, as in the choice to interpret the Foo Fighters "Times Like These." Originally a rock song, Folkapotamus has softened and made the track intimate in mood. They also add the often little considered "Jesse" by famed singer-songwriter Janis Ian and pull it off with excellence. The traditional cover "Wayfaring Stranger," well-known by a myriad of musicians, is presented with a classy arrangement.
Folkapotamus' original songs include "Road To Nowheresville" the first cut on this disc and it is a superb folk song. "Calmer Waters," is syncopated and pleasant, while "River Slope Mine" follows the best folk tradition, and tells of a tragic mining accident which occurred in 1959 in Pennsylvania."Red Line Train" pays homage to the many 'buskers' who play in the Boston subway stations and the clear melody of "Cherish The Day "celebrates the summers of New England.
A beautiful record arises in the most classic American folk nobility and tradition furnished by the skill of a couple of artists of great quality."
Remo Ricaldone - Planet Country - Italy
"Middle of Nowhere" debuted on the Folk DJ-L radio charts for September #29 Top Album and #19 Top Song, October #43 Album #22 Top Song, Radio Nowhere 2017 Top 10 Albums, The Top 20 Favorites in Nowheresville 2017 and continues in 2018 to receive airplay.
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MORE ABOUT FOLKAPOTAMUS
Penni Hart was born and reared in Springfield, Illinois. She was first given piano lessons at the age of 5 and continued to study music throughout her life. She is an avid reader, which shows in her songwriting - as most of her songs tell poignant stories, some of them about family and growing up in the Midwest. In her 20s she moved to her adopted home of California and worked at the famous "Freight & Salvage" where she was introduced to all different styles of songwriting. After moving to the Boston area in 2008, she teamed up with Tony to become Folkapotamus.
Tony Trites grew up in the Boston suburbs. His love for music started at age 10 when he was introduced to the saxophone. After taking piano lessons in high school, Tony played keyboards and sax in a number of bands throughout his college years. A reunion with high school band mates led Tony to purchase a bass guitar, which he taught himself to play. Tony’s influences range from jazz to classical, to modern rock and most recently, folk.
Penni and Tony currently reside in Massachusetts with their two interesting rescue cats Fernando and Oliver and two budgies Tyngo and Coconut.
"Folkapotamus pulls it all together on their new project! There's excellent songwriting by Penni Lynn Hart, along with fine musicianship and harmonies. Songs of relationships and life with a cool cover song for good measure." Joltin' Joe, the Mad Scientist Radio Nowhere
“Folkapotamus ~ A large sounding name that is the perfect example of the acoustic duo folk thing. Warm, enveloping, unpretentious, exciting in a quiet way, two voices that seem to effortlessly blend to tell great poignant original story songs. Folkapotamus is a big hug that yet whispers great music in your ear while you're in its embrace.” -Vance Gilbert
"...beautifully sung, heartfelt songs" -Rich Warren, The Midnight Special, WFMT, Illinois
"Folkapotamus has put an excellent project together" -Jim Fisher, WGSC 91.1, Indiana
Folkapotamus's first studio release, "Whispered Words," was released in August of 2014. It made the Folk DJ Chart in August, and was also included in the Top 600 CDs of 2014. Their debut album was also named as one of the "Top 25 CDs of 2014" by Joltin' Joe from Radio Nowhere on WMSC in Montclair, NJ, and also The Back Porch's Top 30 CDs of 2015, 88.1 WVPE, South Bend/Elkhart, IN. Chicago Folk DJ Rich Warren also named “Whispered Words” as one of his Picks of the Week in January of 2015.
For more about Folkapotamus visit https://www.folkapotamus.com/