Tag: Folk rock

One of the finest acts of the Jesus Music era, The Crimson Bridge formed in 1970. While the origins of the band were in the Gospel vocal group The Spurrlows, The Crimson Bridge’s sounds and influences were much more diverse. Sure they dabbled in the typical folk music sounds of the Jesus Movement, but they also added jazz-funk, prog rock, and psychedelic rock on their debut (and only) album, eponymously titled and released in 1972 on then-fledgling Myrrh Records. “Comin'” is the third track on the album and focuses on the return of Jesus.… Continued →

Alternative/folk/pop duo Say-So comprised married couple Jim and Kim Thomas. They had actually been making music together for over a decade when their eponymous debut was released in 1997 for Organic Records. The album featured a fresh take on folksy, rootsy, alternative pop-rock that was ‘light’ enough to appeal to fans of CCM, yet unconventional enough to appeal to listeners with more alternative-leaning tastes. The band’s sound sat comfortably with artists like Sixpence None the Richer (especially their earlier material), Rich Young Ruler, and Five O’Clock People.… Continued →

One of the elders of the Christian indie scene, John J. Thompson, has written a new book. Ballad of the Lost Dogs of East Nashville will be the third title from the author, and his first as a novel. Thompson had this to say about the book: This story is about how music brings a diverse community of characters together – after some profound personal and community tragedies – to accomplish something miraculous when they least expect it. It’s based upon people I have known and pieces of stories I have heard, and is set right here in the community I have called home for over 17 years.… Continued →

This band has been around since the 90s, maybe even the late 80s, making brilliant folk/pop/rock/blues/adult alternative/whatever type music. They’re the sort of band that other musicians love to love. The core of the band is husband-wife duo Linford Detweiler on piano and Karin Bergquist on vocals. The rest of the band has been a revolving cast, and in the half-dozen times I’ve seen them live, roughly half of those have featured just the pair. They’ve always danced around the edge of whatever “Christian music” means, always dropping hints about their faith, but simultaneously distancing themselves from the industrial machinations of the Christian music industry.… Continued →

Alternative folk-pop trio Lies Damned Lies formed in Glasgow in the late 1980s. Alternately flirting with Scottish modern rock sounds (a la fellow Scots Simple Minds) or with literate folk stylings, the band had a lengthy career through the 1990s and into the 2000s, though they were fairly unknown this side of the pond. They were regulars at the UK’s Greenbelt Festival, and while their lyrics pointed to their Christian faith, several of their releases were on mainstream pop-rock record labels. “The Divine Image” comes to us from their 1993 full-length The Human Dress.… Continued →

This folk-punk band was formed as a sort of atypical worship band. Their purpose was to create “authentic church music devoid of hype.” Hailing from Pittsburgh, the band features members of Last Hope and Timbre, its roots firmly embedded in the punk scene. Their one and only album was self-released in 2010, but saw a digital re-release in 2019 via Zap Records (home of 2 Minute Minor, Voice of the Mysterons, October Bird of Death, and others). I reviewed the album in 2019, here, and really enjoyed it.… Continued →

This veteran, Canadian singer-songwriter has been active since at least the early 70s (probably earlier), since his debut eponymous album came out in 1970. I first became acquainted with his music in the 1990s, reading an album review in CCM Magazine, but also hearing equally about his accolades from the secular press. I took a chance on buying a live album, when I found a copy of his 1990 live album (he’s done at least 5 live albums), Bruce Cockburn Live on cassette. I’d heard he was a folk artist, and a songwriter, so I was prepared for the mostly acoustic sounds on the tape.… Continued →

The 90s comprised an amazing decade for alternative Christian music. We had metal, punk rock, emo, industrial, and out of left field we also had an amazing run of alternative-tinged folk rock. I was primarily a metalhead/hard alternative guy when I got hit by this amazing run of folk acts like Lost Dogs, Nicolas Giaconia, Acoustic Shack, and the UK’s own Eden Burning. While Eden Burning had been going in their native England for several years prior, their first US release was Vinegar and Brown Paper, for Storyville Records, a folk imprint of R.E.X.… Continued →

For our Song of the Day this time, let’s dig deep. While I often get stuck in the 90s (admittedly a great era for faith-based musical excursions), let’s not forget that Christian rock goes back *at least* to the 1960s (or arguably earlier if we include Sister Rosetta Tharpe). Not a lot is known about Gidians Bible (sic.), but what is known is fairly significant. Take a closer look at the band photo, particularly the vocalist on the far right. That’s then-future Petra vocalist Greg Volz.… Continued →

Contemporary Celtic band Iona have been making music since their eponymous debut released in 1990. Fusing traditional Celtic folk instruments (flutes, whistles, bodhran drums, etc.) with jazz and progressive elements caused them to stand out from their other contemporary Celtic peers. Albums from the band commonly featured worshipful tunes (“Treasure” for instance, from their third album Beyond These Shores or “Revelation” from the second one, Book of Kells), traditional Scots-Irish tunes, as well as lengthy instrumental songs, or instrumental sections within songs. One of the most stunning examples of the latter is “Bi-Se I Mo Shuil” (Irish Gaelic for “She is My Eye”), from their fourth album Journey into the Morn.… Continued →

The somber yet soothing sounds of Benjamin Daniel and his music, are woven into the fabric of Indie Vision Music and our community here that has been built back up post-2016 “rebirth”. If you don’t know who he is or what his music sounds like then do yourself a huge favor and pull up “Benjamin Daniel” on your favorite digital network (or here) and give it a listen. He just launched an IndieGoGo campaign to fund the new album, “Shelterheart”, which you can read all about right here.… Continued →

Check out this really cool music video from Orion Walsh for the song “Hurricane Hanna” from the upcoming full length release, “So Many Places to See” which is due out July 9th. Purchase the album on Bandcamp here and stream on your digital network of choice this Friday!… Continued →

Orion Walsh is back with a new full length album titled “So Many Places” which drops digitally and on CD, July 7th. Pre-Order Digitally and on CD from Orion’s bandcamp right here. If you enjoyed ANY of his prior material or the work he did in Slow Coming Day, you will certainly find yourself a fan of this album. Check out the music video below as well as a preview listen of the new album (via bandcamp).… Continued →

Indie Vision Music presents the debut 14 song full length from Brownstory titled “Replanting”. It’s an eclectic collection of songs ranging from folky, indie rock to acoustic, alternative, with a punk rock undercurrent. It has that 90’s vibe mixed with something current and Faith centered. Brownstory is the alter-ego of Mainframe, consisting of the same 4 members with a style all their own. Check out the 4 song album teaser below and pre-order on Bandcamp right here (featuring instant download of 5 songs). Full lyrics are posted on bandcamp.… Continued →

Orion Walsh will drop a new single titled “House Arrest” on September 25th through all digital markets and streaming sites. Check out the official music video below. The song is a somber take on addiction, recovery, and sobriety all told through the lens of Orion Walsh and his unique style. You can download via our bandcamp page right here.… Continued →

Roemer is a stripped-back acoustic/indie folk project. If you’re anything like me, folk has to be some really special to catch my attention—a quirky vocal style, effective use of harmonies, skilful playing, or best of all hard-hitting and/or poignant lyrics. If it has one or more of those, I’m more likely to pay attention. Straight Bars and Guns was written from an outsider looking in. Much like myself, Roemer is an American citizen living abroad. He in Berlin, me in the south of England. Being an American who doesn’t actually live in the United States gives one an interesting take—neither more nor less accurate, just different.… Continued →

Today’s Song of the Day post is all about Arthur Alligood and specifically the song, “Shouldn’t Be That Hard”. This was a criminally underrated song that flew mostly under the radar of most music fans out there. Arthur has been making great Americana/Folk Rock for more than a decade now. He has appeared on a few past free IVM Compilations and was featured here many times over the years. The song “Shouldn’t Be That Hard” appeared on his 2012 full length, “One Silver Needle”. The Americana influenced folk-rock track takes a turn toward artists like The Wallflowers, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, The Lumineers, The Avett Brothers, and Bob Dylan, while keeping his own style and approach.… Continued →

Listen: Amazon Music | Apple Music | Google Play Music | Spotify | YouTube Lyrics:… Continued →

I am sending this post out there into the webiverse to gather songs for a new spotify playlist I just created. It is (tentatively) being called “The Best Christian Cover Songs” and is a play off Christians who cover popular (and not so popular) songs. Please list artist name covering a song and song title below this post in the comments section so I can take your suggestions and add them. What you see now on Spotify is just me recalling stuff off the top of my head.… Continued →

Folk really has to have something special if it’s going to catch my attention. Sure, there are a lot of great artists out there, but there are so many that it’s hard to stand out. A unique vocal, guitar prowess, or lyrics that hit that spot right in your gut that makes you either want to cry out at top of your lungs, or just really and truly live. Harrod and Funck managed all of that (their Mark Heard-produced full-length Dreams of the Color Blind is worth checking out in full if you like this style).… Continued →

InVogue Records will release the new album from Hotel Books on November 1st. The album is titled “Equivalency II: Everything We Left Out” and will feature a fair mix of both spoken word and that Hotel Books sound. Read the press release below and pre-order now right here.… Continued →

Although this was released around Easter of 2019, I only recently stumbled across this gem while perusing the Zap Records page on bandcamp. As it turns out, its history is even deeper than, having been recorded and self-released in 2010. Hailing from Pittsburgh, the band has roots in the punk scene in that area, but UHWU is a completely different animal. The union was formed to create “authentic church music . . . devoid of hype.” So I guess you could call this a worship band, but it’s not what you think.… Continued →

One of my favorite underground indie bands – Little Hurricane, have just released their first new single from the upcoming 4th studio album due out August 9th. Check out “Love Luck” below and pick up (or stream) on all digital stores and networks now. Tour dates below.… Continued →

Mainframe will be releasing a surprise new song titled “Let The Trip Begin” in 2 weeks via Indie Vision Music. This will be a departure for the group of anonymous rockers as the music will take a slight turn from punk rock and venture a little into Americana Rock n’ Roll territory. If you enjoyed songs off the past 2 eps and were aching for a little more diversity, you’ve found it. We will do a song reveal on IVM very soon. Sef Idle of Simpul Studio is lending his studio talents into mastering this fine new track.… Continued →

The indie folk rock band Coopertheband have released a remix of their song “Invisible Man” from their latest album Kingdoms. The song was remixed by Reeska 007 and The Experience and you can check out the music video below. … Continued →

Please check out the new single from folk rock solo artist Brian Fannin. Brian is the frontman of indie rock band (and an IVM Fave) Stay The Shores but has now embarked on a new solo career with his music. Check out the excellent track, “Than We’ve Ever Been” below.… Continued →

If you’ve missed checking out the music of Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors, you’re doing yourself a huge disservice. Please head on over to NoiseTrade right here and listen through every Drew Holcomb release that has come out in the past decade. Some really good Americana Rock n’ Roll can be found here. I’ve been a fan since I first heard “Chasing Someday” through the NoiseTrade site years ago. Really inspirational, thought provoking, and beautiful music. Drew Holcomb last released “Souvenir” back in March of this year.… Continued →

Coopertheband has released their long awaited follow up the Kings EP, Kingdoms. If you’re a fan of indie folk rock like Judah & The Lion check out the song “Undignified” from the new album below. Check out the rest of the album on Apple Music and Spotify.… Continued →

An absolutely beautiful album, The Oh Hellos have made a name for themselves with Through the Deep, Dark Valley, here's the review.

Check out this review of Luke Dowler's album, "Polarized."