There are so many reasons why music is so enjoyable, from the lyrics you hear to the melodies and harmonies. And there are so many different styles and genres of music out there that, occasionally, the heart of what makes a song so great and enjoyable can be lost. You can get distracted by the heavy guitar chords, the synth riffs, the layers of vocals… When it comes down to it, all you need is a voice, an acoustic guitar, and a story to tell. These elements inspire Theo Kandel to release projects like Somewhere Along the Trail, Vol. 1, an EP released in 2023. Here, Theo takes things back to basics, reminding listeners that while he can play up the production of a song, there will always be something pure about singing it as is. As he upholds his goal of releasing these types of projects every two years, Theo gives us Somewhere Along the Trail, Vol. 2.
Fans of Theo have already been treated to two of the tracks on the EP, “Stupid Funny Limbo” and “1952 Vincent Black Lightning.” On the former, he gives us a warm but poignant love story that rests on timing and circumstance. The latter is a cover of a song that was first released by English guitarist and songwriter Richard Thompson in the 90s. For this, Theo retains the melodies and style of guitar playing, but he has a way of conveying the story as his own. The third track on the EP is “Leroy’s Song,” which is an ode to Theo’s grandfather. It is a stirring and reflective song that dives into Leroy’s life. While some can claim that Leroy has led an average type of life, Theo is able to demonstrate that even a simple story can be very poetic and beautiful.
Elaborating on the EP, Theo explains,
“Every two years, I aim to put out a triplet of songs—recorded live, just me and my guitar—that I wouldn’t want to produce any other way.
“With album #2 in the works already, I wanted to make sure nobody forgets about my sweet fingerpicking and the pureness of a simple song.”
You can listen to Somewhere Along the Trail, Vol. 2 here.
Keep up with Theo Kandel: Instagram // X // Facebook // TikTok // YouTube // Substack // Website
