Bill MacKay & Nathan Bowles – “Joy Ride”

Yesterday was a bit nuts and so its only today that I’m getting a chance to absorb this lovely new single from two site favorites — Bill MacKay and Nathan Bowles. The song is, as the title makes plain, an absolute joy. The pair tumbles through the most verdant valleys of folk and bluegrass to find a mid point that rambles with a honeyed ease. Bowles’ banjo work is never without a soft touch and a bright countenance and it shines through here playing off of Bill’s guitar runs like two friends tumbling down a hill and working their best to keep momentum without running into one another. It’s no hyperbole to say that within one month of popping the tab on ’21, Drag City has already set themselves up as one’s to keep pace on this year. This song just sets up one more highly anticipated high watermark for them when Keys comes out April 9th.

Support the artist. Buy it HERE.