The New Folk celebrates the release of their debut album Sea Fever with an August 2012 "Practice Space Presents:" residency at Schubas, but the story behind The New Folk began in 2005 as Singer/Songwriter Todd Kessler went in to the studio to record his debut album. That album, entitled We Are The MusicMakers, was released in 2006 and with the backing of his original band helped Kessler to make his name and music known in the local Chicago music scene.
In 2007 and 2008, in the midst of touring the Midwest, Kessler teamed up with Producer Greg "G-Ball" Magers to record his next two albums, The Veronika EP and Boomerang, only garnering him more praise and recognition on the road and at home. It was while recording The Veronika EP that The New Folk began to take root with the addition of Bob Parlier on Drums, Sam Smiley on Guitar and Graham Burris on Bass. The quartet began playing out in 2008 in support of Boomerang, still under the name of Todd Kessler, but it was during the next two years and the addition of a String section (Elana Hiller and Chris Bauler), a Horn section (David Ben-Porat and Ben Bell Bern) and a second vocalist (Molly Parlier) that the band began to make waves with their signature Alternative Folk Pop sound. 2009's double-single release Golden Bird, along with headlining shows at Schubas, Lincoln Hall, Double Door and Millennium Park, solidified the bands place as a respected group in Chicago, and in 2010, the band began playing shows under the name Todd Kessler and the New Folk.
In 2010, The New Folk teamed up with producer Manny Sanchez to begin work on their debut album, Sea Fever. Two years later, Sea Fever will be released this year under Kessler's label Wyzguy Records.
"With music you know you've got something good within 20 seconds of hearing it. Todd Kessler's song, "Golden Bird" has a Led Zepplin like melody at the beginningprobably the best combination of voices I've heard in two months, Todd and Erika Brett come together in a collaboration of ages and present us with a gift in the form of music." - Chicago's Independent Music Review [jptros.wordpress.com/]
"Last night I went to go see Todd Kessler, and I must say it was a fantastic show. Every now and again you go out not knowing what to expect, and you get blown away. This was one of those times." - Visionati.com
"Todd Kessler is a modern Folk singersongwriter
who addresses timeless social and
spiritual issues. Fans will adore his music for
years to come."
- Greg Magers [3-time Grammy nominated
Engineer/Producer, Chicago, IL]
"If you are looking for some new and differet tunes, you should definitely give Chicago based singer/songwriter Todd Kessler a listen! His mix of pop-country-melodramatic melodies and melancholy, yet catchy lyrics gives faith to those that are lost in love or going through heartache. "
- www.musicbleep.com [Los Angeles, CA]
"Todd Kessler and the New Folk, boasts a roster of nine musicians, each of them bringing something different to the smorgasbord of sound." [RedEye Chicago (Chicago Tribune)]
"It's all gloomy again and some nice, warm alt-folk-pop is like comfort food for you and the perfect soundtrack for an overcast day. Did I mention Kessler is from Chicago? As always, support for your local scene is crucial." [loudlooppress.com]
"For a while now, Todd Kessler has been one of my go-to artists when I want a.song with meaningful subject matter. " [http://www.ourstage.com/blog/2010/8/21/folkin-around-todd-kessler]
