Jake Blount - "Roustabout"

Photo by Carl-Eric Tangen

Despite being from Rhode Island, Jake Blount's music is pure Appalachia. His new single, "Roustabout," is exactly what you think of when you think traditional folk. Blount is bringing the black experience back to bluegrass and Americana, which we always think of as separate despite how intertwined their history is. Growing up black and queer in America, he's found that folk music truly resonates with him. "Roustabout" is a perfectly done folk song. It's just a banjo, fiddle, and vocals, but I can't imagine this song needing anything more.

You can watch the video for "Roustabout" below. Spider Tales, the upcoming album from Jake Blount, will be out May 29 on Free Dirt Records. You can pre-order the album here. For more on Jake Blount, check out his website.