Book On A Shelf & Something In The Air - Jury Folk (Single Reviews)
Jury Folk is a Grand Rapids-based rock outfit that incorporates elements of funk and folk into their sound. I have enjoyed viewing guitarist/singer Mike Terpstra and guitarist Scott Breakiron at their Founders Open Mic performances, and the full band on their last, self-titled EP really brought the songs I heard to life. In spite of the hurdles of 2020, this group found their way to the Social Recording Company in southeast Michigan near Detroit to focus on some new material that reflects their perception of the world around them. Working with engineer Jake Rye and including drummer Peter Terpstra, they took two songs into the space to flesh out and track: “Book On A Shelf” and “Something in The Air.”
“Book On A Shelf” starts off as an upbeat rock tune, coloring the guitars with a little bit of grit and a cooling reverb to balance out the texture. Michael waxes poetic about society, and how folks try to fit in and out of the places they grew up in. “‘Book on a Shelf’ can be about an array of things. The song was written about my connection with growing up in a big family and going to a big church. It’s about appealing to the society that is or how we see society through our eyes (i.e. our perception of who we are supposed to ‘follow’ or what is the ‘norm.’ Looking back on all of it, I see it as ‘wasted time,’ which was the original title of the song.” Each time the phrase repeats, the perception of a new chapter gives way to the same old story, one that is shelved among the many narratives we try to change in our own stories. The EP shifts into “Something in the Air,” a song that feels like an anthem to counteract the feelings of 2020. It speaks to the unifying, unspoken forces that bring folks together to tackle any sort of challenge. Michael explains that “‘Something in the Air’ is about the change in tides and moving forward or moving on, letting go and pushing through, knowing that what you have is all you need and that you can find hope in the darkness.”
These are two strong singles from Jury Folk, and it speaks to their work behind-the-scenes over the past few months. Each tune has its own character adding to the band’s overall sound, one that straddles the line between indie darling and budding touring band. Each one lifts your spirits higher and compels you to join in the celebration of life and song.
Album Credits:
Mixing/sound engineer: Jake Rye at Social Recording Company
Mastering: Mike Cervantes at The Foxboro
Drums: Peter Terpstra
Guitar: Scott Breakiron
Vocals/Guitar/Piano: Mike Terpstra
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juryfolk/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4eLuFGaVl7hAYMba1CFCX0
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/jury-folk/1472911762
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/juryfolk
