Mike Behrends

If the recent boom of young singer-songwriters turning folk into a new, trendy form of soft-rock leaves a bad taste in some people's mouths, Madison's Mike Behrends offers a plainspoken, flannel-clad alternative. Behrends also offers the increasingly rare luxury of lyrics that patiently draw listeners into a song, especially the stories of "Married To The Mines" and "Woodsman And The Seafarer," from his 2009 self-titled EP. Accompanying himself on acoustic guitar, Telecaster, banjo, and harmonica (and sometimes recruiting a friend to play sparse drum parts), Behrends has an unassuming live presence to match the melodies he sneaks into his unrefined yet clear vocals. Behrends just released New Feet, a fine continuation of his soft-soled folk treading.

Updated 06/30/2010