To celebrate the release of their new record Wendigo, indie folk duo Penny & Sparrow will perform a headlining show tonight, Sept. 8 at Marathon Music Works. If you’re looking for dreamy melodies and hypnotizing lyrics, you’re sure to fall in love with their sound (if you haven’t already). Get there early, because Virginia’s Lowland Hum will kick it all off with their own stripped-down, engaging brand of modern folk. Grab tickets while you still can here and keep reading for more information about the lineup.
PENNY & SPARROW
Indie folk duo Penny & Sparrow grew out of a friendship between members Andy Baxter and Kyle Jahnke that blossomed while living as roommates at the University of Texas in Austin. Inspired by artists like Bon Iver and Mumford and Sons, the two channeled their creative energies into writing and recording songs with just their instruments and a laptop. That eventually evolved into their first EP, Creature, which introduced them as soulful and talented storytellers. In 2013, they dropped their debut full-length record Tenbloom, which allowed them to expand and deepen their sound with more layers of instrumentation. Just a year later, their released another LP, Struggle Pretty, which featured an elegant and experimental take on acoustic singer-songwriting. After years of working independently, they inked a deal with John Paul White and Alabama Shakes’ Ben Tanner’s label Single Lock Records. 2016’s Let a Lover Drown You earned critical acclaim for its more stripped-down and raw feel. On Sept. 1, Penny & Sparrow will release their new album, Wendigo, which is sure to earn a lot of buzz in the coming weeks. Make sure your on hand to be among the first to hear their new material.
LOWLAND HUM
Charlottesville, Virginia’s own Lowland Hum have earned praise for their dreamy, melted harmonies and spirited lyrics. The husband and wife duo have spent much of their relationship on the road together, bringing their music to small stages across the country with little more than a guitar and their two voices to show off. After snagging a stop at NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Concert series, they kept on performing across the U.S. while constantly working on new material. That culminated into their latest record, Thin, which tells the ups and downs of working on a relationship while fighting exhaustion and frustration out on the road. Get there early to their masterful, stripped-down take on indie folk for yourself.
Penny & Sparrow and Lowland Hum will perform tonight, Sept. 8 at Marathon Music Works. The show is all ages, begins at 8:30 p.m. (doors at 7 p.m.), and tickets are available to purchase for $20-30.