From the front porches, alleys, and rivers of Richmond, Virginia comes Andy Jenkins carrying a crisp, newly cut album, Sweet Bunch. Hatched in the tradition of Southern culture—unhurried in his art, yet weirdly ahead of the curve by the time he arrives— Andy is a joyously idiosyncratic songwriting talent, ripened over years of relative obscurity. Sweet Bunch springs into the world fully-formed, sitting at the crossroads of modernism and timelessness, sensitivity and decision, with the expansiveness and musical drawl of Big Star, the bounce of John Prine, and the curly, perfectly-carved melodies of George Harrison. Each song paints a wild landscape, the mood of a sun setting on a damn good day among friends and favored creatures.

Andy is a kind of unheard counterpoint, originating from the same small scene of independent Virginia youth culture that produced artists like Justin Frye (PC Worship) Natalie Prass, and Matthew E. White, all friends from his teenage years. He found the perfect seedbed for his particular sensibility in Spacebomb Records, a label known for offering high musicianship outside of the predictabilities of New York, Nashville, and Los Angeles. Produced by longtime collaborator White, with the Spacebomb crew and another old friend, Phil Cook, running hard into midnight, Sweet Bunch was essentially recorded in three days of flow-state, with the drums, bass, keys, and guitars all live and nothing to regret. The source of this musical surety lies with Jenkins’ songwriting— natural and effortless as the glide of a swan or sailboat— matched in spirit and strength by the sweet bunch in the studio. Backed by some ringers and a very full chorus, Andy’s warm words come buoyed on cool streams of melody, telling the greater world that Virginia has become, once again, a musical frontier.

Press

“Jenkins emerges as a distinctive artist on Sweet Bunch, an affably charismatic vocalist and supremely resourceful songwriter…like Harry Nilsson if he’d been born a Southerner. 8/10″ – Uncut
“Matching Americana to underground indie rock, his style is personal but always open, a charming personality who engages at every turn.” – Clash
“…its intermittent sing-talking and indie twang somewhat resemble a stripped-down Beck” — Stereogum
“buoyant and summery” — Harper’s Bazaar
“a strong debut… Jenkins’ songwriting is breezy and his lush vocals set the bar high for his soulful debut.” — Exclaim
“the perfect soundtrack for time spent down by the James this summer” — RVA Magazine
“wonderfully warm and breezy June debut” — XPN The Key
“Funky, ornate pop dominates, with arch nods to Randy Newman, and an outstanding title track duet with [Matthew E.] White.” — MOJO
★★★★★ “a truly special collection of nine songs, which keep listeners intrigued from start to finish.” — Thank Folk For That
“while the album feels appropriate for relaxed, sun-kissed porch listening, it is by no means lazy” — Flood Magazine
★★★★ “Now getting to showcase his own talents, this enjoyable set…has Southern soul, funk and vintage pop aplenty, with the jaunty Get Together and Curve Of Love the best.” — Scottish Daily Express

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