New York, NY (Top40 Charts) 2014 has been a landmark year for the rising Canadian Americana singer-songwriter Leif Vollebekk. He's released his US debut North Americana (via Missing Piece Records) to critical acclaim, he showcased at SXSW, he played the Newport Folk Festival and has toured with
William Fitzsimmons and Mandolin Orange.
Vollebekk is now gearing up to hit the road with The
Barr Brothers for a run throught the midwest and northeast this November.
This summer, Amazon
Music called Leif a "breakout act of the year" at Newport Folk Festival 2014 and included his set in their 10 Most Memorable Moments.
Ann Powers of NPR
Music included the album on her "Under-The-Radar Albums Preview of 2014" list and said "Vollebekk also openly borrows from
Jeff Buckley - always a daring move. With a grit-and-honey voice and a way of opening up his own confessions until they become universal, Vollebekk pulls it off."
The Onion's A.V. Club premiered the album on their website and said it features a "unique take on warbling Americana, a la
Ryan Adams or A.A. Bondy."
Paste Magazine premiered the music video for Vollebekk's "When The Subway Comes Above The Ground," which you can watch HERE.
The ten songs that comprise North Americana were performed by Vollebekk (vocals, guitar, piano, harmonica, a little rusty fiddle), jazz musicians Hans Bernhard (bass) and
Philippe Melanson (drums), Arcade Fire's
Sarah Neufeld (violin), Joe Grass(pedal steel) and Adam Kinner (tenor sax).
11/11: Buffalo, NY - The Ninth Ward at Babeville #
11/12: Pittsburgh, PA - Andy Warhol Museum #
11/13: Columbus, OH - Woodlands Tavern #
11/14: Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle #
11/15: Minneapolis, MN - Cedar Cultural Center #
11/18: Washington, DC - Sixth & I Historic Synagogue #
11/19: Philadelphia, PA - Boot and Saddle #
11/21: New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom #
11/22: Cambridge, MA - The Sinclar #
11/28: Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle *
# = with The Barr Brothers
* = with Mandolin Orange
