Inspired by a breakup, the Grand Rapids artist’s compelling ‘Leaving on the Light’ is a full-band project to be showcased Friday at The DAAC. Listen to the new album in a Local Spins exclusive “first listen.”
THE ARTIST: Jonny Carroll
THE MUSIC: Indie-folk
WHERE YOU CAN SEE HIM: 8:30 p.m. Friday at The DAAC, 333 Rumsey St. SW, Grand Rapids, with Nikolas Warren and Chris DuPont (Carroll also performs at noon Thursday for “GR Live” at H.O.M.E. in The B.O.B., aired on WYCE 88.1 FM)
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After once busking his way through West Michigan for a living, singer-songwriter Jonny Carroll will embark on a more conventional way of promoting his music and “folk-heart” sound this summer with an extensive national tour.
On the Air: Jonny Carroll performing during Local Spins Live. (Photo/Hunter Gamble)
The Grand Rapids musician releases his new album, “Leaving On The Light,” this Friday with a special album-release event at The DAAC. (Local Spins gives you an exclusive sneak preview of the new album: Stream it online here.)
“We wanted to produce it in a way that really emphasizes the lyrical content, while at the same time making a high-fidelity production with the strings,” Carroll says of the project recorded at Social Recording in Adrian, Mich., with Jake Rye.
The new album, which features a full band, was heavily inspired by a breakup in Carroll’s life, and what he calls “going through that emotional journey during the cycle of grief.”
EXCLUSIVE ALBUM STREAM: Jonny Carroll’s “Leaving on the Light”
During his eight-week busking tour in the United Kingdom last year, where much of the album’s material was written, Carroll was lucky enough to befriend musician Ollie Robertson-Glenn in London, who accepted Carroll’s invitation to join him on violin this summer promoting his new album.
Ollie Robertson-Glenn (Photo/Hunter Gamble)
“He’s got an intrinsically delicate and beautiful way of making music and expressing himself that’s really hard to find,” says Robertson-Glenn. “He’s one of the few people I know who can do it – he’s a really good musician.”
The London violinist is yet another addition to Carroll’s growing full band featured on the album, and he’ll accompany the singer-songwriter on a whopping 44-show national trek this summer that will start in the Midwest.
On Wednesday, Carroll and Robertson-Glenn stopped by Local Spins Live on News Talk 1340 AM (WJRW) to discuss the new album and perform one of his new tracks, “February.” Listen to the podcast here and watch a video of the duo’s live performance below.
PODCAST: Local Spins Live with Jonny Caroll
Carroll has drawn inspiration “in terms of work ethic and songwriting style” from the likes of artists such as Ed Sheeran, folk-rock’s Passenger and indie-folk Noah Gundersen, which explains his distinctive folky vocals.
Carroll’s ambitious album-release show – featuring nine different musicians at various times during his set – will take place at The DAAC’s new location on Rumsey Street SW Friday night in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Nikolas Warren (formerly of Bennett) and Ann Arbor’s Chris DuPont also are on the docket for the all-ages concert.
Carroll’s performance will include an orchestral-like ensemble that includes the normal bass-drums-keys setup as well as a small string section featuring the violin, cello and acoustic guitar.
Doors open at 8 p.m. and the show starts at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $6. Get more information about Friday night’s concert online here.
VIDEO: Jonny Carroll, “February” (Local Spins Live)
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