The full-length album from local acoustic duo Joselyn & Don is planted in American roots and branches out into folk rock, sophisticated ballads and soul. “Soar” will be released September 4th on all digital streaming platforms, and available on Joselyn and Don’s website to purchase as a CD or download. The couple recorded the record over the past two years in their home studio in Westchester, aptly named Garden Studio for their bountiful fruit trees and vegetable garden. The project was finished during the pandemic. Despite juggling remote learning for their son and work at home schedules, they weren’t commuting, and fewer hours on the road translated into more time in the studio, where they layered creative instrumentation over acoustic arrangements, and created something entirely unique. “Soar” is somehow timely and timeless, recalling the singer songwriters of the 1970’s with a fresh, modern perspective. Joselyn & Don hope that their uplifting music can be a force for healing during challenging times. They will celebrate the release with a livestream concert September 4th at 5pm PST.
Joselyn & Don have been making music as long as they can remember – just not necessarily together. The couple stayed busy - Joselyn performing with women’s world fusion band, ADAAWE, and her work in arts education, and Don as film editor for “The Simpsons” and freelance trumpet player. Raising their young son, Joselyn found it tricky to balance motherhood and work, and put aside her own music for several years. But she always kept a pen and notebook handy to catch ideas as they came. Luckily, she found her best collaborator across the dinner table. It didn’t take much convincing for Don to pick up his Taylor guitar to interpret Joselyn’s piano arrangements and co-write several new tunes. “It was clear that these songs needed to be out in the world,” he said.
The pair converted their garage in Los Angeles into a recording studio, filled with their collection of instruments and vintage gear. The upcoming album was recorded there, with Don on guitars, drums, horns and bass. Besides her vocals and songwriting, Joselyn adds ukulele, keys and various hand drums. “This new project is rooted in my early upbringing in Montana listening to bluegrass and folk, and my connection to nature.” That connection features prominently in several songs on “Soar,” told from a deeply personal point of view. “I’m writing better songs now than I did in my 20’s,” Joselyn shares, “Motherhood and the challenges I’ve faced in life have enriched my work. Being a musician and sharing your art should be something you can do at any age, because our experience of being human is constantly changing.”
Joselyn & Don are a refreshing new voice in modern folk, delivered straight from the heart.