“Crystal clear and highlights the beautiful vocal of Joselyn as she displays gentle restraint and powerful delivery…A love of nature and keeping life in balance runs through these songs…” — Paul McGee, Lonesome Highway Magazine
LOS ANGELES (June 22, 2022) – Joselyn & Don announce the release of their western gothic EP, Seeds & Bones, on October 7. On Seeds & Bones, Joselyn & Don excavate their collective past and deepest fears through blues, folk, and jazz to plant their hopes for the future. Joselyn Wilkinson says, “These songs grow out of our desire for something better, for our planet, our society, our spirits, and our desire to share who we are.” The album was mixed by Sven Martin, who has appeared with Shakira, the Black Eyed Peas, and Liz Phair as a musician and now writes and produces songs for TV and film.
Seeds & Bones is about what we choose to carry with us and what we choose to let go. Bones can carry ancestral knowledge or stories, but they can also weigh us down with expectations and history. Seeds are the future, but we must be careful about what we plant and give to the next generation. We can’t have one without the other – past and future, hope and regret, birth and death, dreams and darkness.
“Deep Down” is the first single and follow-up of their 2020 debut album Soar. Its swampy guitars, powerful blues-tinged vocals, and ethereal lyrics embody the spirit of nature come to reclaim her wild heart in no uncertain terms. Don Barrozo’s heavy guitar hooks and rhythmic work are juxtaposed with syncopated drums, creating a hypnotic feel. Whether this is a song or a spell is debatable, but this western gothic blues will compel its listeners to dig in. “Give Up the Ghost” is a call to give up the hate that still permeates our society and recognize the history that has allowed it to continue. In talking to the ancestors involved in slavery, we acknowledge the past and release its control of us, so we can heal and move forward together. A unified horn section announces this song as an anthem while funky guitar work and major chord progressions belie a strong message.
When creating this project, Joselyn & Don built each track like a sculpture, recording each instrument one at a time, including most drum tracks, in their Garden Studio. Barrozo’s collection of instruments and willingness to experiment opened up opportunities to incorporate special touches like his dad’s Hawaiian steel guitar from the 1950s for “Give Up the Ghost,” a cigar box slide guitar for “Seeds & Bones,” and an accordion he’d been gifted for “Stay.” These unique flavors help make each song shine.
Seeds & Bones Track Listing
- Deep Down
- Give Up the Ghost
- Seeds & Bones
- Stay
- Light a Spark
About Joselyn & Don
Montana natives turned Angelenos, Joselyn & Don’s intoxicating music feels like a walk through mountain wildflowers and Southern California Joshua trees. Enter their wild garden – where blues, folk, and jazz form a dark understory illuminated with lyrical truth. Joselyn Wilkinson and Don Barrozo forage musical ideas from many sources and plant those seeds in rich Americana soil. Their 2020 debut album Soar was warmly received by critics and independent radio across North America, earning several charting positions and recognition in song contests such as Music City SongStar. Wilkinson is the founder of the women’s global fusion band, ADAAWE, who has toured extensively and appeared with luminaries such as James Brown, Stevie Wonder, and Leanne Rimes. She previously released two independent albums and toured with her band Wild Roots in the 2000s. Barrozo, a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and producer with many album credits, also serves as film editor for the long-running animated series “The Simpsons.” Joselyn & Don have opened for notable Americana artists including Willie Watson, Chris Pierce, and Hubby Jenkins (of Carolina Chocolate Drops).
Tour Dates
Jun 25, 2022 – Armstrong Theatre, Torrance, CA
Jan 27 & 28, 2023 – George Nakano Theater, Torrance, CA
Praise for Joselyn & Don
“Their debut album, Soar, finds Joselyn & Don exploring country roots, folk, and American soul. Joselyn’s sultry vocals lock you in from the very first track.” — Americana Rhythm Music Magazine
“That sensitivity to the environment informs “Storm” and other songs on “Soar,” just as their rhythmic buoyancy tinges them with hope.” — Bliss Bowen, The Argonaut
“In a stunning mountainside setting, the video brings the song to life in all its splendor. “Wayfarer’s Son” is a tale of responsibility and commitment, made beautiful by the duo’s fluid style.”— Americana Highways
“Thank you for putting on such a beautiful performance at our summer concert! We felt so blessed to have you share your wonderful talent and creative sweetness with us. You helped to make the show a success!” — Roxanne Hill
“Montana natives, Joselyn & Don, have crafted a unique track that showcases the power of the Missouri River as a metaphor to the differences that divide us…The instrumentation is balanced and raw, and the delivery in the vocal is captivating.” — Independent Music Reviews
“Rooted in Americana, the album takes the listener on a roller coaster of emotions and imagery.” — Nicole Marchesi, The Women of Country
“In these divided times, we need the poignance and edge of folk music to unite us. That’s where LA-based duo Joselyn & Don come in. Sonically, the tune presents layers of folk, Americana, and blues…guiding us forward beneath Joselyn’s rich, soul-inspired vocal.” — Underground Music Collective
