In a Folk Radio exclusive, listen in full to ‘Angels in the Wreckage’ the forthcoming new album from New England-based folk band LOW LILY.
With the worldwide release of their new record ‘Angels in the Wreckage’ on April 21st, 2023, the New England-based folk band LOW LILY veers more assuredly towards the roots of American music, though the original folk songs that are the hallmark of their sound remain at the fore. Produced by Old Time banjo legend Dirk Powell, ‘Angels in theWreckage’ tackles such complex topics as love, loss, hope, justice, family heritage, and environmental destruction.
Low Lily’s core founding members are married couple Liz Simmons and Flynn Cohen, both of Vermont, who welcomed Natalie Padilla from Montana as the newest member of the band last summer after third founding member Lissa Schneckenburger amicably parted ways with the band. New member Padilla’s world-class fiddle-playing is versatile- she has won fiddle championships in multiple styles, including bluegrass, Old Time, and Texas fiddle. Her sweet, clear voice blends beautifully with Cohen’s and Simmons’ in close three-part harmony– a major feature of their sound together.
Angels in the Wreckage
Pre-Save Angels in the Wreckage | Pre-Order Angels in the Wreckage via Bandcamp
Track-by-Track
Round of Blues – A reimagined acoustic cover of Shawn Colvin’s hit song. We love how this song brings a sense of adventure to the journey of relationships, and the search for the right person to love.
Where We Belong – An Old Time-inspired original song featuring shared lead vocals between songwriters Liz Simmons and Flynn Cohen, the couple behind Low Lily– a love song loosely written for each other.
Captivate Me – Written by newest band member Natalie Padilla, a beautiful, poetic story about connecting with her great grandfather, a medicine man from the Philippines.
Up On a Rock – An original take on a coal miners’ lament, done poetically and finishing with, if not quite an uplifting message, an open-ended one. Flynn Cohen and his friend Max Dupuy co-wrote it, inspired in part by the song “Springhill Mine Disaster” by Ewan MacColl.
Aren’t I Good Enough – Written by former band member Lissa Schneckenburger on the topic of adoption and attachment trauma.
One Wild World – An anthemic song of hope, and about believing in humankind’s ability to grow from love, and the desire to carry on and do better for our children.
What’ll You Do – Written by Lissa Schneckenburger to protest the disproportionate violence and attacks by police against Black people. An edgier sequel to “Hope Lingers On” (from Low Lily’s 2018 album).
Keep the Pachysandra Flying – This tune is named after “Keep the Aspidistra Flying”, a social commentary novel by George Orwell.
Long Distance Love – Written by our friend Rushad Eggleston as a birthday commission for Flynn, this is a humorously not-quite-tongue-in-cheek song about the trials of long distance relationships.
Lonely – A mournful love song written by Liz Simmons in the old American folksong style. Producer Dirk Powell added in a touch of his Louisiana bayou vibes with Cajun accordion and triangle.
Could We Ever Be Great – Written by Lissa Schneckenburger, this song is ever bleakly hopeful as it poses its question, while expounding on “what we could have been” as a nation.
Love and Loss – Co-written by Liz Simmons and Lissa Schneckenburger, this song is a dedication to a close friend of Lissa’s after she experienced the loss of her mother. It is about how we live on through our children, and the lasting impact we have even after we’re gone.
Bastard Plantagenet Blues – A nod to the English folk guitar style of the 1960s. Flynn Cohen wrote this tune in the style of two of his former teachers, John Renbourn and Davy Graham, and named it after his bastard Plantagenet bloodline.
Wond’ring Again – An acoustic rendering of the classic Ian Anderson song, Flynn Cohen has been singing this song for 35 years in his acoustic style. This post- apocalyptic musical poetry is continually inspiring, and feels like an apt way to conclude this album.
Pre-Save Angels in the Wreckage | Pre-Order Angels in the Wreckage via Bandcamp
More: https://www.lowlily.com/