'American Folk' Soundtrack ft. Joe Purdy & Amber Rubarth out 1/26; Rolling Stone Premieres First Track

The soundtrack for the acclaimed independent film American Folk-starring real life folk musicians Joe Purdy and Amber Rubarth-will be released January 26 via Thirty Tigersand is now available for pre-order. In advance of the release, the song "Someone Singing With Me," premiered yesterday at Rolling Stone (listen/share HERE).

Of the music, Rolling Stone praises, "Underscoring one of the film's main themes-that sharing an experience with another person is preferable to enduring it alone-is the deeply affecting 'Someone Singing With Me.' Penned and sung by Purdy, and featuring Rubarth's plaintive mountain harmony, the sweet tune features simple guitar accompaniment and beautifully recalls several of the duets that John Prine has sung so effectively with frequent partner Iris DeMent, yet it offers the added bonus of discovering two wondrous new voices steeped in the folk tradition." In addition to both classic folk song renditions by Purdy and Rubarth and original compositions, the soundtrack includes John Prine's "Some Humans Ain't Human" and Jerry Garcia & David Grisman's "Freight Train." See below for complete track listing.

The album release coincides with the theatrical opening of the film, which has already drawn widespread critical attention (watch the official trailer HERE). Variety asserts, "Understatedly moving, with lots of good music, David Heinz's pleasing indie, starring two real-life singer-songwriters, merits the critical leg-up it will need to gain a commercial foothold beyond the festival circuit," while the Hollywood Reporter declares, "quietly affecting...the film merits attention."

Additionally, the movie won "Best American Independent Film Feature" at the Cleveland International Film Festival, a Special Jury Commendation for "Best Music" at the Port Townsend Film Festival, a Youth Jury Award for "Best Feature" at the Rhode Island International Film Festival and received nominations at the Seattle International Film Festival, the Heartland Film Festival, the Jackson Crossroads Film Festival, the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, the Napa Valley Film Festival and the Southside Film Festival among others.

In celebration of the album release and film opening, Purdy and Rubarth will embark on a select series of performances next year including shows in L.A., San Francisco, Seattle, D.C., Boston, New York and Derry, NH. See below for details. Additional dates to be announced.

Written and directed by David Heinz, the film stars Purdy and Rubarth along with guest stars Krisha Fairchild (Krisha) and David Fine (The Pursuit of Happyness). Filmed over 3500 miles in 14 states, the movie follows Elliott (Purdy) and Joni (Rubarth) -two strangers, both folk musicians-whose fates become intertwined after their plane is grounded in Los Angeles following the September 11th attacks. Both desperately needing to get back to New York, they embark on a cross-country journey in a 1972 Chevy Van. Along the way, the duo finds solace in their mutual love of classic folk songs, and raising their voices with everyday people they meet on the road. They re-discover the healing nature of music and bear witness to a nation of people who lift each other up in the wake of tragedy.

AMERICAN FOLK TRACK LIST

1. This Old Guitar (performed/written by Joe Purdy)
2. Some Humans Ain't Human (performed/written by John Prine)
3. Joni, Elliot (Dialogue)
4. Red River Valley (performed by Joe Purdy & Amber Rubarth, traditional)
5. Black Jack J*Davey (performed by Joe Purdy & Amber Rubarth, written by A.P. Carter)
6. Pretty Saro (Instrumental) (performed by Joe Purdy, traditional)
7. Someone Singing With Me (performed by Joe Purdy & Amber Rubarth, written by Joe Purdy)
8. Oh! Susanna (Instrumental) (performed by Joe Purdy, written by Stephen Collins Foster)
9. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot (performed by Amber Rubarth, written by Wallace Willis)
10. Freight Train (performed by Jerry Garcia & David Grisman, written by Elizabeth Cotten)
11. Play (Dialogue)
12. New York (performed/written by Amber Rubarth)
13. Hello Stranger (performed by Amber Rubarth & Joe Purdy, written by A.P. Carter)
14. Moonlight (performed by Joe Purdy & Amber Rubarth, written by Blaze Foley)
15. Oh Shenandoah (performed by Joe Purdy & Amber Rubarth, traditional)
16. Lonesome Valley (Joe Purdy & Amber Rubarth)

17. Of Course (Dialogue)

18. This Old Guitar (full version) (performed by Joe Purdy & Amber Rubarth, written by Joe Purdy)

19. Townes (performed by Amber Rubarth & Joe Purdy, written by Amber Rubarth)

AMERICAN FOLK CONFIRMED TOUR DATES

January 26-Los Angeles, CA-Hotel Café
January 27-San Francisco, CA-The Independent
January 28-Seattle, WA-Triple Door
January 30-Washington D.C.-The Hamilton
February 1-Boston, MA-Brighton Music Hall
February 2-New York, NY-City Winery
February 3-Derry, NH-Tupelo Music Hall

www.americanfolkmovie.com
Instagram: @AmericanFolkMovie
Twitter: @American__Folk
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