An anchor for the soul

It warms the heart. After their celebrated rockier and funkier journey of recent years, the indie folk duo return to their acoustic roots. Recorded in their living room on San Juan Island in Washington State on the West Coast of the United States, Mandy Fer and Dave McGraw have created a musical gem. In a world of turmoil, their twelve intimate songs invite you to dream, relax, and recharge your batteries. Their soulful melodies and wonderful harmonious vocals take the listener on a journey into the impressive nature of the Pacific coast and to themselves. “Like the island we live on, these songs are meant to be a calm anchor in a sometimes raging ocean,” says McGraw, describing the mood of Archipelago. Indeed, their poetic lyrics with powerful imagery are balm for the soul. They bring tears to the eyes and at the same time radiate a feeling of freedom and security. It is above all their gentle, touching voices that carry the new songs. Fer uses her excellent electric guitar playing very carefully. With her accomplished solos, she has long since become one of the most sought-after female electric guitarists in a field that is still mostly dominated by men. She regularly tours as lead guitarist for Amos Lee and Allison Russell and performed with Brandi Carlile. On Archipelago, she also demonstrates her versatility on acoustic guitar, banjo, and fiddle. McGraw takes on percussion as usual, in addition to acoustic guitars. The duo’s deep connection is evident in every song, with voices and instruments flowing together naturally and intuitively. While their eponymous previous album was characterized by powerful electric guitar sounds and brass instruments, Fer and McGraw return to their early impressive albums Seed Of A Pine and Maritime. Musically and emotionally mature, their music on Archipelago develops a depth that enchants and reflects back on oneself. The album is like an island you never want to leave.

Erik Prochnow

Foto: Laura Anders