North Carolina musician Matt Townsend has added more eclectic sounds to his acoustic style, which you can hear for yourself on The Drifter and the Dream Part 1. The EP is the first part of a two-part series, and features musicians throughout the Western North Carolina music scene.
The five featured songs on The Drifter and the Dream Part 1 reflect Townsend’s personal exploration of social, political and spiritual issues. As he likes to put it, they are a reflection of “humanness within a de-humanizing society.” Each song tackles a different issue, all with sounds influenced by 60s rock and contemporary folk music. Townsend sings lyrics like poems to express his point of view.
I can hear the influence of Bob Dylan in the songs “Freedom is Calling Again” and “Katie” through the use of harmonica and hints of country twang. While “Freedom” is fueled with political overtones expressed through the energetic chorus, “Katie” reflects a more solemn sound, as Townsend keeps it acoustic to express his goodbye to a love lost.
The overall sound of the first EP is minimal, with a few build-ups that add a punch to each song and reflect the much stronger lyrics. For me, that is the most important part. I like that Townsend has found a way to share his point of view through his music, instead of hiding it among competing harmonies. Townsend continues to run a Kickstarter campaign to help with the continued release of Part 1 and future release of Part 2 of his EP. You can also catch him performing on the East Coast with his band to support his album.
To listen to The Drifter and the Dream Part 1, visit Matt Townsend’s bandcamp page.
