The dizzying close-harmony vocals of Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale better known as The Milk Carton Kids has been getting lapped up in the US since the release of their album The Ash & Clay earlier in 2013. Prairie Home Companion host Garrison Keillor called The Milk Carton Kids “absolute geniuses in close-harmony” and the praise has been equally forthcoming over their musicianship which led to some noteworthy comments including one from the legendary Stephen Stills who told Kenneth he “flatbpicks like a motherfucker”…I’ve no idea what his response to that description was, he was probably lost for words.
Their music has a distinct absence of the all too familiar modern-day saccharine pop sensibilities something which is driven home by their strong acoustic approach which sees them frequently performing unamplified around one microphone. This along with their understated delivery places them poles apart from the in-crowd of commercial hopefuls. So it comes as no surprise that they have won the hearts of many pleasing both traditionalists and newcomers to folk genres which has also led to a Grammy nomination for Best Folk Album.
The Milk Carton Kids are heading to Europe next month which will see a one-show stop off in Glasgow before playing five dates around Europe. Whilst not extensive lets hope this is just a dip in the water of what may come further down the line.
European Tour Dates
Feb 2, 2014 Glasgow, UK – St. Andrews in the Square
Feb 4, 2014 Copenhagen, DK – Lille Vega
Feb 5, 2014 Stockholm, SE – Sodra Teatern
Feb 6, 2014 Oslo, NO – Kulturkirken Jakob
Feb 7, 2014 Ludenscheid, DE – Kulturhaus
Feb 8, 2014 Berlin, DE – Heimathafen
Order The Ash & Clay via Amazon