Jake Xerxes Fussell - "Love Farewell"

Photo by Tom Rankin

A lot of artists are doing the traditional folk thing right now, but no one is quite doing it like Jake Xerxes Fussell. I've been struggling to figure out just why his take on traditional folk is so different, but couldn't quite put my finger on it until I saw the press release for his latest single. It states that Fussell's music has an "... unfussy lack of nostalgia and preciousness" and that's exactly it. "Love Farewell" is a modern take on a traditional folk song. It has all the elements of traditional folk, but it doesn't have that nostalgic feel and isn't trying to intentionally be a throwback. Not that we're against that sort of thing here, but Fussell brings a welcome newness to a classic artform without reinventing it. He's just doing his own thing in the world of folk and Americana, and we're all welcome to join him.

You can listen to "Love Farewell" below. Good and Green Again is due out January 21 on Paradise of Bachelors. You can pre-order/pre-save a copy here. For more on Jake Xerxes Fussell, check out the artist's website. Upcoming tour dates are below the song.

Fri. Jan. 21 - Chapel Hill, NC @ The Nightlight
Sat. Jan. 22 - Richmond, VA @ The Camel
Sun. Jan. 23 - Washington, DC @ Pie Shop
Tue. Jan. 25 - Philadelphia, PA @ PhilaMOCA
Wed. Jan. 26 - Brooklyn, NY @ The Knitting Factory
Thu. Jan. 27 - Boston, MA @ Club Passim
Fri. Jan 28 - Keene, NH @ Nova Arts
Sat. Jan. 29 - Saratoga Springs, NY @ Caffe Lena
Thu. Feb. 17 - Los Angeles, CA @ Gold Diggers (w/ special guest Tom Brosseau)
Sun. May 1 - Kilkenny, IR @ Kilkenny Roots
Mon. May 2 - Kilkenny, IR @ Kilkenny Roots
Wed. May 4 - Belfast, UK @ Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival
Fri. May 6 - Manchester, UK @ Gulliver’s
Sat. May 7 - London, UK @ Oslo *
Sun. May 8 - Glasgow, UK @ Glad Cafe *
Mon. May 9 - York, UK @ Fulford Arms *
Wed. May 11 - Ultrecht, NL @ Tivoli (Club Nine)
Tue. May 17  - Amsterdam, NL @ Paradiso