Following up his first 1960‘s folk-inspired single, Headback Home, Ian Penn has spread his wings to release a six-song EP. With “Wild Abandon,” Penn has further developed his brand of classic folk music. Raw, spare melodies stripped down to bare-bones basics bring a message of unpretentious simplicity. Everyday life inspires his songs: the Pampanga countryside surroundings of trees, sky, mountains and rivers. “The songs that I write, they are my reflections and observations. It’s all poetry in motion, you see,” he says.
Sing-along choruses and soothing melodies remind listeners of simpler days and youthful innocence. Created with only guitar, voice and harmonica, with an occasional mandolin, the tracks call to mind wide open spaces and quiet nature. Spellbinding harmonies stand out all the more because of their rarity, sending chills down the spine when they appear. Penn channels a young Bob Dylan in playful strumming and touches of harmonica solos. Lyrics wise beyond Penn’s mere 20 years give practical advice to take it slow and enjoy life while it lasts. Penn - as always - writes what he knows, inspired by his earliest influences that include Dylan, Neil Young, John Denver, Sam Cooke, Johnny Cash and Buddy Holly.
credits
released June 29, 2015
Words and Music by Ian Penn
Executive Producer: Dr. Robert Peña
Produced by Ian Penn and Clementine
Recorded by Brian Lotho
Mixed and Mastered by Chrisanthony Vinzons
Recorded, Mixed and Mastered at Sonic State Audio, Mandaluyong City PH
Musicians:
All guitars and vocals by Ian Penn
8 string ukelele on tracks 1 & 6 by Clementine
Additional post production on track 4 by Brian Lotho and Chrisanthony Vinzons
Backing vocals on track 2 by Clementine
Cover Art Photography by Gibsam Salak
Copyright 2015 Ian Penn
Published 2015 Lilystars Records
Celtic-inspired instrumentation, delicate harmonies, and reflective lyrics abound on the sisterly indie-folk duo's debut album. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 26, 2023
Introspective pop songs with transcendent melodies offer a joyful meditation on staying present in a world that often moves too fast. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 16, 2023
The experimental spirit permeating this collection of Japanese acid folk foreshadowed the arrivals of city pop, the psych revival, and folktronica. Bandcamp Album of the Day Jan 25, 2024
Beautifully played and full of moving vocal performances, the Bay Area singer/songwriter's latest is a stellar work of art. Bandcamp Album of the Day Feb 3, 2023
Old-fashioned fiddles harmonize with rippling synths on the Scottish singer-songwriter's latest collection of original folk songs. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 30, 2022
A collection of twinkling bedroom folk-pop demos from Fahim Rahman that arcs from hushed intimacy to sweeping cinematic emotionality. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 6, 2021