Alien Folklife: Home
"WBCR Live, Volume 1," featuring Alien Folklife's song, "What If?" has won a Davey Award . Presented annually by the International Academy of Visual Artists, Davey Awards recognize outstanding work by smaller organizations. The CD, produced by WBCR in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, features live-in-the-studio cuts by such folk luminaries as Eliza Gilkyson, Guy Davis, Laura Love and Christine Lavin. "WBCR Live, Volume 1" was one of 13 CDs to receive a "Radio Gold" Davey, the top award.
Thanks to our friends Barbara and Graham Dean for inviting us on their show!
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And here's a little bit about who we are and what we do:
ALIEN FOLKLIFE presents a quirky blend of offbeat humorous pieces and heart-rending story songs, or "wrist-slitters and side-splitters." On the funny side, this duo of Joan Kosby and Paul Mercer writes songs about cats, dogs, soap operas, termites and telephones. On the flip side, their repertoire includes moving stories of loss, love, hope and healing. A few "normal" songs help keep things in balance. Wherever Alien Folklife is on the emotional spectrum, you'll find intelligent but accessible lyrics, creative arrangements, stellar vocal harmonies and heartfelt emotion.
A shared passion for contemporary and traditional folk music brought Canadian Paul Mercer and New Yorker Joan Kosby together. Joan's warm contralto and Paul's clear baritone combine to produce a vocal blend reminiscent of sibling duos. Their fingerstyle guitar work is crafted to support the lyrics without overshadowing them. Joan adds textural variety to Alien Folklife's sound with English concertina and percussion.
"The way Joan Kosby and Paul Mercer harmonize, given the specialness of their vocal blend, you just know they are two individuals who are very much in tune with one another. And this unique chemistry is utilized to the nth degree on some stunning original folk material." (Ellen Geisel, Dirty Linen)
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