New Hard Folk, by New Hard Folk

New Hard Folk

by New Hard Folk

supported by

e.r.stevens find someone that'll spin forever and you'll both be swaying eternally to "Kitchen." chime emotional drive Favorite track: Kitchen.

	/

Streaming + Download

Includes high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more. Paying supporters also get unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app.

Purchasable with gift card

name your price
Limited Edition Cassette
Cassette + Digital Album
UF024: New Hard Folk - "New Hard Folk"

Includes unlimited streaming of New Hard Folk via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Sold Out
Batch #8
UF024: New Hard Folk - "New Hard Folk"
UF025: High Aura'd - "If I'm Walking in the Dark, I'm Whispering"
UF026: Shells - "Another Time"

Includes unlimited streaming of New Hard Folk via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Sold Out

1.	The Lope of the Camel 05:53	buy track
2.	Kitchen 04:39	buy track
3.	All of the Places I've Never Been 02:40	buy track
4.	Moon Bikes 01:32	buy track
5.	All of the Places I've Ever Been 03:22	buy track
6.	The Wagoneers Lad 07:44	buy track
7.	Harder Than You 01:43	buy track
8.	American Spirit 02:02	buy track

about

New Hard Folk is the collaboration of two journeymen improvisers who cover a wide swath of the Chicago underground music community: Rob Frye (Cave, Bitchin Bajas, Flux Bikes, Sueñolas) and Matt Schneider (better known as Moon Bros). While New Hard Folk is definitely "new" and definitely "folk" to some degree, the "hard" part proves to be more tongue-in-cheek, as the duo turn in a gorgeous self-titled debut tape filled with lush guitar interplay and yearning harmonic structures. With the exception of one synth-focused interlude, New Hard Folk plays out as a series of informal takes that highlight acoustic guitar performances in the finger-picked folk and American Primitive traditions. The album most closely resembles the format of Schneider's recordings as Moon Bros, as his open-tuned chord progressions and flowing melodies provide the bedrock of each piece. Meanwhile Frye, a multi-instrumentalist with deep understanding of all manner of woodwinds, brass, percussion, synths, and electronics, proves himself once again to be a striking string player. If Schneider tends to stretch out into cyclical mantras and rocket into bursts of double-time picking, Frye alternates between the roles of lead soloist and background accompanist, preferring a more percussive mandolin-esque string tone to contrast with Scheider's bright, chiming chords. One imagines that these recordings, with titles like "Kitchen" and "American Spirit," were captured in spur-of-the-moment fashion - yet the arrangements, rife with mood shifts and labyrinthine chordal patterns, seem almost too complex to be conjured up on the spot. This boils down to the duo's experience, not only in terms of raw dexterity and knowledge of their instruments but in the more subtle aspects of improv: listening to each other, racing narratives, and playing with full awareness of their own strengths.

-Maxwell Allison

Artwork by Nick Spolarich

credits

released October 31, 2018

Recorded October 2016

Matthew Schneider - 12 String
Rob Frye - 4 String

American Spirit featuring Martin Frye & Dan Quinlivan

license

about

unifactor Cleveland, Ohio

contact / help

Contact unifactor

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like New Hard Folk, you may also like:

Urban Driftwood
by Yasmin Williams

supported by 29 fans who also own “New Hard Folk”

I’m so grateful this crossed my path. This album is so beautiful. All the clear technique and mastery and vision are kinda secondary to the fact that this album brought me calm and joy during one of the most difficult times in my life. Yeah, grateful. David McCullough
go to album
Axacan
by Daniel Bachman

supported by 27 fans who also own “New Hard Folk”

Better than Church. Field recording meets Tony Conrad. De-luscious. suepie52
go to album
Good Days
by Chicago Underground Quartet

supported by 24 fans who also own “New Hard Folk”

So happy to see a new album from this band. I've long been a fan of Mazurek and Parker's work in Tortoise, on top of the CUQ... Anyhow, if you're curious about contemporary jazz, this is a terrific place to start. Hobie Anthony
go to album
Perseids
by somesurprises

The Seattle band work around the edges of shoegaze and dream pop with a rare sense of clarity and momentum. Bandcamp Album of the Day Apr 19, 2024
go to album
Love Heart Cheat Code
by Hiatus Kaiyote

featured on Bandcamp Radio Apr 19, 2024
go to album
Mind Blossom
by Fr1th

featured on Bandcamp Radio Apr 19, 2024
go to album
Exoplanet
by Rob Frye

supported by 23 fans who also own “New Hard Folk”

Yo Switched on Ra was cool but check out this one out for Ra worship. ..and then some. Quite accessible. Dope record. Spaze jazz😎 chamber pot blues
go to album