Jonah Tolchin - Release of New Album "Clover Lane"

Jonah Tolchin’s Clover Lane opens with a hellacious harmonica and a furious footstomp. Right from the start it’s clear that this isn’t just a terrific local record; it’s a polished, propulsive record with enough quality and energy to take Tolchin places.

Based in Rhode Island and no stranger to the stage, Tolchin’s name has been buzzing for a few years now. His honest lyricism and wizened voice slid in almost too well with fellow Ocean Staters like Deer Tick and the Low Anthem. But as those bands took departures in different directions, Tolchin has chosen to simply take his act to another level and left town to do it.

The record was produced by Marvin Etzioni, whose production credits include Peter Case, and whose professional credits include founding Lone Justice. And Marvin “The Mandolin Man” appears to have a bit of Midas in him, as it is instantaneously obvious it is expertly produced. It seems to accurately capture the energy of the environment. Put simply, the record sounds terrific.

Recorded in Nashville, Tenn., the album’s second track is aided by sometimes-Tennessean John McCauley of Deer Tick. In addition to McCauley’s deft harmonies, there is some serious playing by seriously skilled musicians. Eamon McClaughlin lends some frenzied fiddle work, while Chris Scrugg’s steel guitar sets the thing on fire.

Not to say the album is without variety. “Diamond Mind” downshifts to showcase Tolchin’s tender voice and thoughtful lyrics. “I was looking up at the sky again / I fell into the sky. Looking for an answer, but I found me a question why,” he layers atop a lovely, Low Anthem-esque chorus.

“Hey Baby Blues” is a classically cool come-on with a sultry baritone sax. “Hybrid Automo” is a funky fusion that definitely lands on the pro-electric side of the energy debate. In lesser hands, these may be cause for concern, but the risky moves pay off well.

The album ends quietly with “I’ll Be Gone”, a plaintive rejoinder to the temporary nature of it all. “I’m leaving in the morning, and then I’ll be gone,” he sings. Fans who want to see Tolchin in person should do so soon, because he may be gone for bigger and brighter stages, and deservedly so. Might as well enjoy the trip. Thankfully Clover Lane is one hell of a ride.

 Words by Brian Hodge of Visible Voice

Jonah Tolchin - Seattle, WA

Jonah Tolchin performed while having walking pneumonia; yet he still took care of business! Jonah has something that many musicians do not have which is an ability to evoke emotion while playing great songs. I have had the pleasure of hearing his up and coming album "Clover Lane" before it has been released and I will be the first to go out and buy a copy! But in the mean time make sure to listen to his album "Criminal Mind" which will make you feel the same way that I do.

Photos/Videos/Words by: Adam Richert

Kitchen Sessions // Jonah Tolchin - "Cold, Dark, American Dreams"

Words // Scott Pingeton

Jonah Tolchin's stellar debut has been on repeat around my house for weeks -- a collection of gritty folk protest songs, from a young man who is wise and talented beyond his years.  In my review of the album I called these

...songs that feel as though they have always existed, but were only just pulled out of the ether.  You've heard much of this before - it's Guthrie, Seeger, Nebraska and Steve Earle - but it's fresh when there's true passion, and Tolchin certainly has that.

That passion was front and center for Tolchin's recent Kitchen Sessions performance.  This version of "Cold, Dark, American Dreams" smokes with spitfire vocals and Ethan Robbins' mandolin licks.  For those of us who couldn't make it to this house show, the incredible videography work of Steve and crew is a godsend.  Another beautiful video from Kitchen Sessions.  This is a must-watch.

Jonah Tolchin's Cold, Dark, American Dream

Words // Scott Pingeton

Jonah Tolchin sings in a world weary, grizzled drawl, spinning tales of injustic, inequity, loss and strife.  But at just 19 years old, these are not songs of a tired, beaten-down man.  Far from it.  Tolchin sings with the passion and wide-eyed optimism that a song can change the world.  Like protest singers that came before, he builds his songs around a core message, but makes the characters and the stories universal and timeless.  Like the best folk and blues, these are songs that feel as though they have always existed, but were only just pulled out of the ether.  You've heard much of this before - it's Guthrie, Seeger, Nebraska and Steve Earle - but it's fresh when there's true passion, and Tolchin certainly has that.

These songs cover greed, apathy, corruption and the derailment of American values - none more directly than "Cold, Dark, American Dream" on which Tolchin sings:

Four black vultures on the street-light sit just laughing bout the war and politics
they said, these funny creatures they got it all wrong well it won't be long before they all are gone, oh no.

The native chief said interconnectedness has been crushed under the bus of awarelessness,
the web has been cut and were all going down gonna take a revolution to bring us around.

But if we grab the strands up one by one tie them back together so they can't come undone,
And then we take our eyes from the blue-light screen and wake up from these Cold, Dark, American Dreams.

 
From folk and blues to country and bluegrass, the album covers quite a bit of stylistic ground, making for an easy listen.  It's the kind of record you get lost in and find yourself spinning it over and over again.  The other thing that Jonah Tolchin has going for him are his friends.  Providence has a folk music scene that is perhaps rivaled only by the PNW, and most of Providence's great folk artists contribute to these songs.  Ben Knox Miller and Jeff Prystowsky (The Low Anthem), David Lamb and MorganEve Swain (Brown Bird) and Joe Fletcher all appear on the album.  But surprisingly I found that the contributions of these more well-known artists was a complete afterthought - the songs stand on their own.  It's a bit of an anachronism for a 19 year old to write from a place of hardened wisdom and maturity, but Tolchin does it well - the mark of a great songwriter.

Stream/Download the full album here

Jonah Tolchin will be filming a Kitchen Sessions performance on April 25 - the session is open to the public and free to attend, details here.