Call It Folk - The Dutchess and The Duke, Gwyneth & Monko

Thanks to the upcoming national release (July 20) of Good Old Horse from our favorite folk duo Gwyneth & Monko, we stumbled upon the blog Call It Folk - A Home for Good Songs and Ballads. And golly, do they follow through with indie and brand-spanking new bands that dip their toes into traditional mixed with contemporary folk pop. Featuring groups like Band of Horses, The Dutchess and The Duke to complete unknowns, a great feature of this site is that at the end of each "review" or feature of said band, they offer you a list of other artists you may be interested in after reading about said band.

An early review of Good Old Horse by Call it Folk had only great things to say about the beautiful duo.



"Their songs are all good, but they are varied, from lone and sparse ballads like "Pine Box Sailor," to more upbeat songs with full arrangements. Being a sucker for traditional-style storytelling, and vocal harmonies, I found myself weak at the knees listening for the first time to the lovely song "Pine Box Sailor." It's awash with imagery and longing, driven by it's waltz-like tempo and folksy, universal melody. Gwyneth's vocals and lyrics combine wonderfully in this sad lament. This song is from her solo album, but the killer harmony vocals are from Michael Monko. "Lexington Ballad" in the standout from the new EP. Great vocals from Moreland, with stellar mandolin lines from Monko. This is very good songwriting from a duo with lots of talent, and, we hope, at least a few more albums to come." Click Here to Read More..

Because I love June and Johnny (Cash that is)

I tend to have a soft spot, dare I say attraction to anything that resembles June Carter Cash and Johnny Cash, which is why Gwyneth & Monko was a no-brainer. Gwyneth carries the vocals on this one, swinging the pendulum to the vocal stylings of Jenny Lewis or Gillian Welch.

On July 20th Gwyneth & Monko will release their Good Old Horse EP which evokes a feeling of nostalgia rooted deep in classic country fundamentals. Their first release as a duo, it breathes gently with down-home roots and indie folk sensibilities. Lead singer Gwyneth Moreland and multi-instrumentalist Michael Monko create intimate, pure and heartfelt songs infused with sentimental lyrics.



The songs tell stories of rejected lovers and youthful abandon. In “Lexington Ballad” an ill and aging prostitute poses the question, “What if it had been different/what if I’d been your jewel/If I’d been your one true love dear and not some handy tool.” A Grateful Dead cover, “Jack-a-Row” attests to the bravery it takes to pursue love as a young woman dresses up like a man to go to war and save her lover in combat. Gwyneth says, “They are fictional stories about what I imagine it might be like to walk in these women's shoes.” “Good Old Horse” departs from the fictional characters as Gwyneth pays tribute to her childhood horse, “Brandy” who is now 30 years old.

Gwyneth’s lyrics and musical style reflects her small town life in Mendocino, CA (population 1,006), a city rich of nature and history. As a child, Gwyneth grew up in a ‘back-to-the-land’ way of life in a household with no TV, CD player or junk food. That lifestyle resulted in a young woman who values the simple things in life. Growing up listening to her parents’ Bob Dylan and Joan Baez albums, her childhood has clearly translated into her adult musical life.

Monko grew up in the San Francisco suburbs, incongruously playing hard rock while listening to bluegrass in high school. As he got older, alongside the bass and guitar, Monko was drawn to classic folk and country instruments like the fiddle, banjo, and mandolin.

Good Old Horse EP Track Listing
1. Good Old Horse
2. Union Station
3. Lexington Ballad
4. Jack-a-Row
5. The Cuckoo Click Here to Read More..