The Brown Mountain Lightning Bugs

Opening with ‘Alabaster’, a flurry of percussion, banjo, mandolin, and echoing harmonies, Brown Mountain Lightning Bugs’ new album Folk(ish) is an exciting, and funky slice of Americana and bluegrass.

Featuring Kendra Bragg Harding on vocals, guitar, mandolin, and melodica, whilst Zack Harding takes up guitar, mandolin, banjo and harmonica, the duo hail from Winston-Salem, NC. Formed in 2015, not long after the couple had tied the knot, Folk(ish) follows their 2018 self-titled debut, and marks a subtle change in the duo’s sound, still playing with their familiar mix of Americana roots, but now dipped in some trippy, groovy bass, and pop synth.

The album is split in two, with the first half, Folk, having been recorded at home. The second part, (ish), was recorded at Sedgewick Studios. How does this play out in the album? Well, the first half is certainly more homespun, with simpler accompaniment and a more intimate stripped back vibe. The second half makes greater use of some guest musicians, including Wayne Redden on drums and percussion, Trevor Walker on bass and lead guitar, Lisa Taylor on backing vocals, and Eddie McGee on keyboards, and has a naturally fuller sound.

Despite all the tracks being self-penned, Folk certainly has a more traditional feel than (ish). ‘Blood in the Appalachia’ is a dark, murderous ballad, singing of places “where secrets lie” whilst ‘Sister’s Lament’, a song about lost love and death co-written by Ryan Packett, opens with some fine, haunting mandolin, before segueing into some beautiful vocals from Kendra.

‘Moment With You’ is a sweet, poppy inspired tune, simply accompanied by banjo and harmonica. Think early 2000s Vanessa Carlton but on banjo. It would be interesting to have seen this track repeated, with more accompaniment, on the (ish) part of the album.

The final track of part one, ‘Red Moon in Brooklyn’ is a sweet love song, “stars in your eyes, I’m hypnotised” sings Kendra with a light, sweet voice.

The first half of the album, heavy in banjo and mandolin, is certainly more intimate, for part two this gives way to a larger and more session-based atmosphere. This is certainly felt in (ish) opening track ‘Shoestring Budget’, a funkier, drum laden track, with some nifty guitar.

‘Same New Woman’ plays with some horn inspired synth, whilst ‘Best That You Can’ has an almost The Magic Numbers ambience. ‘Dorothy Gale’, on the other hand, is a 70s inspired piece of hippish prog rock: “There’s no place like home” sing Kendra and Lisa over some trippy guitar. It works too, the track feels as though it belongs to another time. It’s quickly followed by the fun, sparky ‘Sunshine In The Rain’, a simple but thoroughly uplifting little track.

Folk(ish) closes with ‘One Hundred Miles Gone’. It’s a reflective, mature song on times gone and a longing for a place in the world: “may years bring me wisdom, may the miles bring me home” sings Zack. It starts quietly before heading to a rousing middle section and concluding with some nice harmonies between Zack, Kendra, and Lisa.

With 16 tracks on offer, Folk(ish) a fun, sweet, and playful album, and the Brown Mountain Lightning Bugs certainly bless us with an abundance of sounds. Splitting the album in two also allows the duo to play with identity and themes, whilst keeping listeners on their toes. It also helps to demonstrate the band’s fine song writing and musicianship.

If there is a criticism, it is that there are actually two albums here and perhaps the successes in one are eclipsed somewhat by the other. Regardless, there is much to enjoy here, and it will certainly be interesting to follow Brown Mountain Lightning Bugs on their musical journey. - Folk Radio UK