Jonah Tolchin is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and New Jersey native. He performed at the

Newport Folk Festival The Newport Folk Festival is an annual American folk-oriented music festival in Newport, Rhode Island, which began in 1959 as a counterpart to the Newport Jazz Festival. The festival was founded by music promoter and Jazz Festival founder Geor ...

in 2012. Tolchin released his first full-length album, ''Criminal Man'', independently in 2012. He is currently signed to

Yep Roc Records Yep Roc Records is an American independent record label based in Hillsborough, North Carolina, and owned by Redeye Distribution. Since 1997, the label has released albums from North Carolina and international artists, including Fountains of Wayne ...

through which he has released two albums.

Musical career

When Tolchin was fifteen, Ronnie Earl heard him play at a music store, took him out to lunch and asked Jonah to play with him onstage. Tolchin says, "It was a really beautiful gesture. It was amazing to have that sort of validation from such a legend. I thought, 'I guess I can do something with this.'" Tolchin continued to play music through high school with his band Uncle Fran's Breakfast. When high school ended, he struck out on his own, forsaking college for a chance in music. In 2012, Tolchin released his first album, ''Criminal Man'', so named after the first song he ever wrote at the age of 15. The album was released independently, and received radio airplay. Soon thereafter, Tolchin was asked to play the

. Tolchin followed ''Criminal Man'' with the ''5 Dollar EP'', his first collaboration with record producer Marvin Etzioni. Tolchin signed with

in 2014, and released his second full-length album, ''Clover Lane'', in 2014. In August 2016, he released the album, ''Thousand Mile Night''. On November 8, 2018, Tolchin released a new single and official music video titled "The Grateful Song (Thanksgiving)", via Yep Roc Records. The video premiered on The Bluegrass Situation. His most recent release is a track titled "Drift Away". The video for the single premiered on Twangville on January 24, 2019.

''Clover Lane''

''Clover Lane'' is the second studio album by Americana artist Jonah Tolchin. It was released July 1, 2014 through Yep Roc Records.

Backstory

The name for Tolchin’s second album is the result of a coincidence that was realized when Tolchin met a mutual friend of

Marvin Etzioni Marvin Elan Etzioni is an American singer, mandolinist, bassist, and record producer. Also known as the Mandolin Man, Etzioni is best known as a founder of, and bassist for, the band Lone Justice. He is a noted record producer and has released t ...

(producer of Clover Lane). Tolchin’s parents had bought a house in New Jersey (on a street named Clover Lane) from the family of Etzioni’s friend in 1996 and they remained there throughout Tolchin’s childhood. Tolchin is a self-proclaimed deep thinker and believes this record serves as a “passionate manifestation of the cosmos in perfect harmony.” He described his childhood home on Clover Lane as “the center of the spider’s web from which the interconnected strands have been woven into these songs and recordings.” Tolchin created ''Clover Lane'' in Nashville alongside Etzioni and engineer Anderson East. The album was mixed in California by

Sheldon Gomberg Sheldon Gomberg is an American record producer, audio engineer and bassist, who has worked with many artists including Ben Harper, Charlie Musselwhite, Warren Zevon, Rickie Lee Jones, Ryan Adams, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Five for Fighting, Mandy Moo ...

and mastered by

Bernie Grundman Bernie Grundman (born 16 December 1943, Minneapolis) is an American audio engineer. He is most known for his mastering work and his studio, Bernie Grundman Mastering, which he opened in 1984 in Hollywood. The studio, which includes engineers Chr ...

. After being introduced to the

Delta Blues Delta blues is one of the earliest-known styles of blues. It originated in the Mississippi Delta and is regarded as a regional variant of country blues. Guitar and harmonica are its dominant instruments; slide guitar is a hallmark of the s ...

by his father he became enamored with the

electric blues Electric blues is blues music distinguished by the use of electric amplification for musical instruments. The guitar was the first instrument to be popularly amplified and used by early pioneers T-Bone Walker in the late 1930s and John Lee Ho ...

which in turn led him to discover and embrace other traditional folk forms. Tolchin combines these influences in ''Clover Lane'' in order to create a piece of work that “bridges the gap between classic folk self-sufficiency and punk's DIY defiance with a uniquely poetic, openhearted sensibility at its core.”

Critical reception

Kim Ruehl from

NPR National Public Radio (NPR) is an American public broadcasting organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., with its NPR West headquarters in Culver City, California. It serves as a national Radio syndication, syndicator to a network of more ...

Heavy Rotation said that Tolchin was “... A promising new artist who artfully occupies the gulf between old-school tradition and contemporary appropriation.” An album review of ''Clover Lane'' from

Uncut Magazine ''Uncut'' is a monthly magazine based in London. It is available across the English-speaking world, and focuses on music, but also includes film and books sections. A DVD magazine under the ''Uncut'' brand was published quarterly from 2005 to 2006 ...

said that Tolchin’s “finesse and maturity”. was comparable to the likes of

Jason Isbell Michael Jason Isbell ( ; born February 1, 1979) is an American singer-songwriter and actor. One of the most celebrated contemporary songwriters in his genre, his lyrics are defined by their raw emotional honesty. Isbell began his career as a me ...

. The review also gave Clover Lane an 8 out of 10 score. Music review website

Popmatters ''PopMatters'' is an international online magazine of cultural criticism that covers aspects of popular culture. ''PopMatters'' publishes reviews, interviews, and essays on cultural products and expressions in areas such as music, television, ...

said that by the album taking “directions from Bourbon Street up to Beale Street and on to Maxwell Street, Jonah Tolchin’s Clover Lane deserves its rightful place on the map as a truly remarkable Americana/blues record.” The website also called Tolchin’s work “foot-stomping, ragged and raw, Mississippi Delta music.” Reviews touched upon Tolchin’s ability to seemingly write and play years beyond his age. British popular culture website The Upcoming called Tolchin “the epitome of a young man with an old soul…” Writer Emily Burnham of Culture Shock (a subsidiary of Bangor Daily News) described the “maturity to his voice, songs and his guitar playing that definitely belies his age.”

Americana Americana may refer to: *Americana music, a genre or style of American music * Americana (culture), artifacts of the culture of the United States Film, radio and television * ''Americana'' (1981 film), an American drama film * ''Americana'' (20 ...

, bluegrass and

folk Folk or Folks may refer to: Sociology *Nation *People * Folklore ** Folk art ** Folk dance ** Folk hero ** Folk horror ** Folk music *** Folk metal *** Folk punk *** Folk rock ** Folk religion * Folk taxonomy Arts, entertainment, and media * Fo ...

blog GrassClippings touched upon a similar topic by explaining how Tolchin sets himself apart from “other young festival and folk stars” with his “brilliant songwriting, strong instrumentation and a unique meshing of sounds from modern Americana to 60s folk to Mississippi blues” on ''Clover Lane''.

Track list

Personnel on the album included:

Musicians

* Acoustic Guitar, Harmonica – Jonah Tolchin (tracks: 1, 8) * Banjo – Lucas Hamren (tracks: 10) * Baritone Guitar – Marvin Etzioni (tracks: 7) * Baritone Saxophone – Steve Berlin (tracks: 3) * Bass Harmonica – Mickey Raphael (tracks: 9) * Dobro – Lucas Hamren (tracks: 1), Marvin Etzioni (tracks: 3) * Drums, Percussion – Evan Hutchings * Electric Guitar – Marvin Etzioni (tracks: 6) * Guitar – Lucas Hamren (tracks: 2, 4, 7, 9, 10) * Handclaps – Marvin Etzioni (tracks: 5) * Harmonica – Mickey Raphael (tracks: 5) * Harmony Vocals – Anderson East (tracks: 10), John McCaughey (2) (tracks: 2, 7, 10), Lucas Hamren (tracks: 8, 9), Marvin Etzioni (tracks: 8, 9) * Mandolin – Marvin Etzioni (tracks: 4, 7) * Piano – Lucas Hamren (tracks: 6) * Piano hodes– Lucas Hamren (tracks: 3,8) * Steel Guitar – Chris Scruggs (tracks: 2. 4, 10) * Upright Piano, Electric Bass, Baritone Guitar – Michael Rinne (tracks: 9,10) * Vocals, Electric Guitar – Jonah Tolchin (tracks: 1, 3, 5. 8)

Production

* Produced by Marvin Etzioni * Mixed by Sheldon Gomberg * Mastered by Bernie Grundman

''Thousand Mile Night''

''Thousand Mile Night'' is the third studio album released by Tolchin. It was released on August 4, 2016, through Yep Roc Records.

Backstory

Tolchin's ''Thousand Mile Night'' was recorded at the FAME Recording Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. The album gets its name from the 1,000 mile drive Tolchin made from Muscle Shoals to his home back in New Jersey following the recording of the album. This album was produced by Tolchin's friend, Marvin Etzioni, who also produced his debut album, ''Clover Lane''. This album is inspired by a period of growth that Tolchin underwent during his experiences of heavy touring across the country. When addressing the influences behind the album, Tolchin stated, “these songs come from the joy, pain, and everything in-between that emerge from this way of life.”

Critical reception

Tom Wilk, from the ''

Philadelphia Inquirer ''The Philadelphia Inquirer'', often referred to simply as ''The Inquirer'', is a daily newspaper headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded on June 1, 1829, ''The Philadelphia Inquirer'' is the third-longest continuously operating da ...

'', said that Tolchin was "the type of artist who embodies a soul and spirit to which many aspire.” Hal Horowitz, a writer for ''

American Songwriter ''American Songwriter'' is a bimonthly magazine covering songwriting. Established in 1984, it features interviews, songwriting tips, news, reviews and lyric contest. The magazine is based in Nashville, Tennessee. History The ''American Songwri ...

,'' said that the "mix of upbeat folk-rockers with moodier fare makes this such an impressive and convincing album." He also wrote that the young songwriter from New Jersey has "acquired a southern soul" as he's progressed. According to Brian Carroll from ''Red Line Roots'', “Jonah Tolchin is the type of artist who embodies a soul and spirit to which many aspire.” Writer York Wilson from ''

'' said that "on Thousand Mile Night, Tolchin builds on the great promise of his critically acclaimed debut Clover Lane."

Track list

Musicians

* Jonah Tolchin — Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Lap Steel, Lead Electric * Santa Davis — Drums, Percussion * Dylan Cooper — Upright Bass * Danny Roaman — Electric Guitar * Michael Joel Bosco — Drums, Congas * Jamie McFarlane — Bass * Lucas Hamren — Electric Guitar, Background Vocals, Wurlitzer *

— Wurlitzer, Electric Mandolin, Bass, Hammond B-3 *

Joachim Cooder Joachim Herbert Cooder (born August 23, 1978) is a drummer, percussionist, composer, and keyboardist best known for his collaborations with his father, Ry Cooder. Early life Cooder began to play drums at the age of 5, inspired by Jim Keltner. C ...

- Drums *

Sam Amidon Samuel Tear Amidon (born June 3, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. Early life Amidon's parents are folk artists Peter Amidon and Mary Alice Amidon. They were members of Bread and Puppet Theater in the 1970s ...

- Fiddle, Banjo, Background Vocals

Production

* Produced by

and Jonah Tolchin * Engineered by John Gifford III * Assistant Engineer - Spencer Coats * Mixed by John Gifford III, Jonah Tolchin and Marvin Etzioni * Mastered by

(Los Angeles, CA)

''Fires for the Cold''

''Fires for the Cold'' is the fourth studio album released by Tolchin. It was released through Yep Roc Records on September 13, 2019. The album debuted on several Billboard charts, including #49 Current Country Albums, #50 Americana/Folk Albums and #89 Top New Artists Albums (Heatseekers).

Background

The inspiration for the title of Tolchin's fourth album came from a line written by the late poet

Mary Oliver Mary Jane Oliver (September 10, 1935 – January 17, 2019) was an American poet who won the Pulitzer Prize in 1984 and the National Book Award in 1992. She found inspiration for her work in nature and had a lifelong habit of solitary walks in th ...

in which she said, "Poetry is a life-cherishing force. For poems are not words, after all, but ''fires for the cold'', ropes let down to the lost, something as necessary as bread in the pockets of the hungry.” Tolchin believed this sentiment reflected his musical journey and hoped that the songs on the album would provide those "fires for the cold" to those who needed them. The album serves as a reflection of the conflicts and tribulations Tolchin went through during the few years leading up to the album, and Tolchin said that this album became a "healing process" as he dealt with his emotions through that period of time. This album was recorded at Carriage House Studios (Silverlake, CA) and was also mixed there by Sheldon Gomberg. The album also features notable guests such as

Jackson Browne Clyde Jackson Browne (born October 9, 1948) is an American rock musician, singer, songwriter, and political activist who has sold over 30 million albums in the United States. Emerging as a teenage songwriter in mid-1960s Los Angeles, he had his ...

and

Rickie Lee Jones Rickie Lee Jones (born November 8, 1954) is an American singer, musician, and songwriter. Over the course of a career that spans five decades and 15 studio albums, she has recorded in various musical styles including rock, R&B, pop, soul, an ...

Critical reception

Americana focused magazine, ''

Elmore Magazine ''Elmore'' is an American music magazine founded in 2005 by Suzanne Cadgène and Arnie Goodman. The magazine covers genres including roots, rhythm and blues, jazz, rock'n'roll, country, folk and Americana. After ten years as a print publication, ...

'', said "Tolchin has delivered a uniquely sounding, deeply memorable recording." ''

Mojo Magazine ''Mojo'' (stylised in all caps) is a popular music magazine published monthly in the United Kingdom, initially by Emap, and since January 2008 by Bauer. Following the success of the magazine '' Q'', publishers Emap were looking for a title that ...

'' said that this album "screams of being written and played around a kitchen table in the dead of night as whiskey and wine bottles fall" and that " olchinoften described as old beyond his years, on Fires for the Cold, has truly grown up." H.R. Gertner, of ''Americana Highways,'' said that “Jonah Tolchin has that spark. The growl in his voice has an ability to shake your core. The words cut deep as he patters on with the lyrics of his songs. There is heart in his songs that can’t be faked.” ''Glide Magazine'' said, "Tolchin really does nail the emotional power of the original tune, reminding us that he is as much a songwriter of today as he is someone who can interpret the past."

Track list

Musicians

* Jonah Tolchin: Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar (3, 4), Bowed Acro Wah Wah Bass (9) *

Jay Bellerose Jay Bellerose is an American drummer and percussionist known primarily for his session and live performance work. He has contributed to the work of many well-known artists. Biography Bellerose was born in Maine. A jazz enthusiast, he attended ...

: Drums *

Fred Tackett Fredrick O. Tackett (born August 30, 1945) is an American songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Originally a session player on guitar, mandolin, and trumpet, he is best known as a member of the band Little Feat. In addition to his work with Li ...

: Electric Guitar, Mandotar (6), Mandolin (7) *

Sebastian Steinberg Sebastian Steinberg (born February 20, 1959) is an American double bass, bass player, best known for his work in the band Soul Coughing. Biography Steinberg played with Soul Coughing throughout the band's entire history, from 1992 to 2000. In 200 ...

: Upright Bass * Will Gramling: Keyboards *

Cindy Walker Cindy Walker (July 20, 1917 – March 23, 2006) was an American songwriter, country music singer, and dancer. She wrote many popular and enduring songs recorded by many artists. She adopted a craftsman-like approach to her songwriting, ofte ...

& Marie Lewey: Vocals (6) *

(with Bill Mims and Jonah Tolchin): Bowed Acro Wah Wah Bass (9) *

Greg Leisz Gregory Brian Leisz ( ; born September 18, 1949) is an American musician. He is a songwriter, recording artist, and producer. He plays guitar, dobro, mandolin, banjo, lap steel and pedal steel guitar. Biography Leisz grew up in the garage ba ...

: Steel Guitar (7) * Ben Peeler: Steel Guitar (3), Weissenborn (9) *

: Vocals (7) *

Sara Watkins Sara Ullrika Watkins (born June 8, 1981) is an American singer-songwriter and fiddler. Watkins debuted in 1989 as the fiddler of Nickel Creek, the progressive bluegrass group she formed with her brother Sean and mandolinist Chris Thile. In addi ...

: Violin & Vocals (1,5) *

Vanessa Freebairn-Smith Vanessa Freebairn-Smith is a cellist, based in Los Angeles, California. She is a founding member of the Sonus Quartet, formed in 2003, which presents art music in alternative and unusual ways, fusing classical with pop, rock, and hip-hop. Freeba ...

: Cello (8) * Billy Mims: Bowed Acro Wah Wah Bass (9)

Production

* Recorded & mixed by

at Carriage House Studios (Silverlake, CA) *Additional engineering by Billy Mims & Jason Gossman *

& Marie Lewey vocals recorded by John Gifford III at FAME Studios (Muscle Shoals, AL) *Mastered by

Joe Gastwirt Joe Gastwirt is an American audio engineer, known for digitally remastering hundreds of CDs and LPs for famous artists, including the Grateful Dead, Tom Petty, Helen Reddy, Electric Light Orchestra, Jimi Hendrix, Crosby, Stills, and Nash, The Blu ...

*Artwork/Layout by Kelsi Kosinski *Additional layout by Nathan Golub

Discography

Studio albums

*''Criminal Man'' (2012) *''Clover Lane'' (2014) *''Thousand Mile Night'' (2016) *''Fires For The Cold'' (2019)

Extended plays

*''Eldawise'' (2011) *''Beautiful World'' (2012) *''5 Dollar'' (2013)

Singles

*"21st Century Girl" (2014) *"The Grateful Song (Thanksgiving)" (2018) *"Drift Away" (2019)

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Tolchin, Jonah Year of birth missing (living people) Living people American blues singers American folk singers American alternative country singers American folk guitarists Songwriters from New Jersey Record producers from New Jersey