Jubal
Spinster
Michael Gray
The River City Sessions will be held Thursday, Oct. 12, at The Granfalloon, and will feature Jubal, Spinster and Michael Gray. Admission is $5. The doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 7:30 p.m.
Review for Jubal:
Jubal is the Americana-folk coalescence of Taylor Kress and Bonnie Simmons based in Knoxville. With two voices and a guitar, Jubal works with simplicity to create an intricate and emotional sound.
Taylor and Bonnie both grew up in the Knoxville area and experimented with musical flavors throughout their youth. Bonnie, with a deep-seeded exposure to old-time, gospel, blues, and traditional folk of the region, and Taylor with an innate love for history, lyricism, and alternative sounds. Jubal showcases their contrasting influences and backgrounds with strong harmonies and varying writing styles. Their voices joined for the first time on 89.9 WDVX's Blue Plate Special in Knoxville, and their musical chemistry was obvious right from the start.
Their debut album, Bloodroot, was released in August 2015. The self-recorded album was tracked in a late 18th century cabin. It showcases their stripped-down, simplistic side and highlights their rich harmonies and songwriting style.
Jubal’s sophomore album was released May 25, 2017 and was recorded in Austin, Tx. While Jubal’s second album will display higher quality recording and production, it will still embody the intimacy they were able to achieve with Bloodroot.
In addition to the Blue Plate Special, Jubal has performed on WDVX’s Tennessee Shines and Six O’Clock Swerve weekly radio series and was honored to be one of the first acts to perform at the new Knoxville venue Modern Studio. Jubal has had a full last year playing venues, breweries, and festivals in the region including Louie Bluie Festival, Mountain Makins Festival, Emory Place Block Party, Secret City Festival, and Vestival. Jubal plans to tour extensively in support of their second album and are excited to share their new music with the rest of the southeast region.
Review for Spinster:
After unearthing their Amish grandfather’s accordion four years ago, sisters Rosalie, Rachel, and Amelia formed the acoustic art pop trio, Spinster. Spinster weaves familial harmony with a hodgepodge of instruments from the mandolin and washboard to the upright bass and glockenspiel. Drawing upon the likes of the The Bangles, The Ronettes, and The Andrews Sisters, Spinster revives and mashes up old and new classics and throwback originals. The sisters have recently converged in Chattanooga to write and record their first album.
Storyteller Michael Gray will return with a new piece suitable for a month with Friday the 13th and Halloween.