Fall Folk: Natalie Spears and David Brown

Introducing Fall Folk — a new, free music series at the Center for the Arts celebrating the rich sounds of folk music. Cozy up for intimate performances from talented artists, all set against the backdrop of crisp autumn evenings. No tickets needed. Simply show up, enjoy the sounds, and grab a complimentary drink on us!

Natalie Spears & David Brown are a duo rooted in old songs and new ideas. With double clawhammer banjos, close harmonies, and a deep reverence for traditional music, they reimagine roots and old-time tunes with fresh arrangements and thoughtful interpretation. Their sound is both grounded and exploratory, where tradition meets experimentation, and where ancient songs are sung anew.

Together, they blend Natalie’s evocative voice and multi-instrumentalism with David’s groove-driven sensibility and global folk influences. Their music inhabits a space where clawhammer banjo meets subtle rhythmic layering, and where the old becomes new again through inventive yet respectful reimagining.

David’s versatility shines not only through his banjo playing but also in his dynamic guitar work, which ranges from percussive rhythm to lyrical melodic lines. With decades of experience, including time with the genre-defying folk collective Rising Appalachia and his solo project Castanea, he brings a wide musical vocabulary and deep pocket to every collaboration.

Natalie brings a lyrical, expressive voice to the duo’s sound, interpreting traditional and contemporary folk material with intimacy and depth. In addition to her work with the duo, she is a seasoned songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose solo album The Hymn of Wild Things explores themes of wonder, loss, and transformation. Drawing on her background in ecology and storytelling, her music invites listeners into a deeper connection with the natural world and the human heart.

Whether reviving an old ballad or exploring a new folk composition, Natalie Spears & David Brown offer a musical experience that is both timeless and alive, an honoring of tradition through artful interpretation and inspired musicianship.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRllnrGnSQI

Socials: David Brown Insta, Natalie Spears Insta

Website: Nataliespears.com

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