FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<\/b><\/p>\n
May 22, 2017<\/b><\/p>\n
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Swearingen and Kelli to release album in July<\/b><\/p>\n
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Music offers an intimate look at many of life’s layers via<\/b><\/p>\n
folk-story lyrics filtered through a sonic veil of<\/b><\/p>\n
stunning harmonies and alt-country instrumentation<\/b><\/p>\n
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Americana husband-and-wife duo Swearingen and Kelli are set to release their sophomore album,\u00a0The Marrying Kind<\/i>, on July 21, 2017.\u00a0 Unafraid of spilling their guts in their music, the Florida-based twosome of AJ Swearingen and Jayne Kelli presents 12 songs that challenge the listener to explore life\u2019s hard questions while embracing what you have in the moment.<\/p>\n
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The Marrying Kind<\/i>\u00a0is an album steeped in the sounds of Americana and country-folk with rich harmonies and character voices that are a modern echo of the singer-songwriters of the \u201960s and \u201970s. Organic, honest, and real, their music springs from a connected, closely shared life. \u201cThe creative process is very vulnerable and we trust each other completely,\u201d says Swearingen.<\/p>\n
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Drawing from influences and inspiration unique and shared, they trade off lead vocals, showcasing the strengths of both members. \u00a0Says Swearingen: \u201cWe really dialed in our Americana country sound on this album. I used lap-steel on many of the songs. I was very inspired by the sounds of David Lindley (Jackson Browne) and Jerry Douglas (Alison Krauss). I even used a 1936 Rickenbacker to replicate some of those early sounds from the \u201970s.\u201d Kelli gave up a pull towards perfection for the sake of genuine, emotional performances.<\/p>\n
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The lead-off, title track highlights the power of Kelli\u2019s vocal, while telling the story of someone accustomed to her freedom and life on her own terms who second-guesses her aversion to settling down. \u00a0\u201cAnnalise\u201d uses a haunting, Appalachian feel to bring to life a tale of a man holding onto a memory of his true love that will never die. \u00a0Tracks such as \u201cTrying to Try,\u201d \u201cSurvival,\u201d and \u201cWhy Wait\u201d are both contemplative and encouraging and promote taking risks, while not discounting the uncertainties that face us all. \u00a0Kelli\u2019s vocals perhaps do not shine brighter than on \u201cLeaving Yourself,\u201d a song that is part Norah Jones, part Paul Simon and offers an interesting perspective on the story of love. \u00a0All the way to the final notes of the closing track, \u201cSatellite Friends,\u201d a song that confronts the struggle of truly connecting with others, the artistic benchmark has been set high with\u00a0The Marrying Kind<\/i>.<\/p>\n
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AJ Swearingen, born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, grew up in a house where the classic country records of Kris Kristofferson, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, and Willie Nelson were always spinning. \u201cI love that music, but the folk records of the early \u201970s like Gordon Lightfoot and Simon & Garfunkel are what really fueled my desire to pursue a life in music.\u201d He began playing at 13 and started performing professionally in his late teens. His acoustic guitar finger style echoes his influences – James Taylor, Paul Simon and Lindsey Buckingham – but his silky, soulful baritone voice is definitely his own.<\/p>\n
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Jayne Kelli\u2019s voice is both husky and sweet, tender and bluesy. Kelli was born in the small country town of Lapeer, Michigan. She grew up listening to her parents perform songs by John Denver, Jim Croce, and Glen Campbell around the campfire. Jayne began writing and recording her own songs at the age of 15. Her first release garnered praise from critics, calling her \u201ca formidable talent with elegantly poetic and emotionally charged songs.\u201d Jayne\u2019s song \u201cSweetness\u201d was chosen as an anthem song for the domestic violence foundations Victim Services International and Angel Wings International in 2015.<\/p>\n
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This partnership has led to some extraordinary things over the past few years; including writing and producing their own symphonic pop shows of music from the writers that inspired them from the \u201970s – Cat Stevens, Gordon Lightfoot, Carole King, James Taylor, the Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, and more – with performances alongside orchestras in Edmonton, Dayton, and Cleveland. \u00a0Their song \u201cYou\u2019re Not Here With Me\u201d (from their debut album) was recorded by folk icon, Tom Rush and is available on his album\u00a0What I Know<\/em>. \u201cGive Everything Up,\u201d also on their debut album, was licensed by DMX for restaurant airplay.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Swearingen and Kelli, together and separately, have shared the stage supporting Kenny Rogers, Crystal Gayle, Livingston Taylor, John McCutcheon, and Dave Mason, among others. They plan to continue a heavy touring schedule in support of the new album. The pair plans to celebrate the release of\u00a0The Marrying Kind<\/em>\u00a0with a special orchestral show with the Cleveland Orchestra on July 23rd. Confirmed tour dates are listed below. More tour dates will be announced soon.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Swearingen and Kelli Tour Schedule:<\/strong><\/p>\n 7\/23 \u2013 Cuyahoga Falls, OH \u2013 Blossom Music Center with the Cleveland Orchestra<\/p>\n 7\/28 \u2013 St. Petersburg, FL \u2013 The Hideaway Caf\u00e9<\/p>\n 8\/5 \u2013 Bethlehem, PA – Musikfest<\/p>\n 8\/6 \u2013 Jim Thorpe, PA \u2013 40 Story Radio Tower Live at the Mauch Chunk Opera House<\/p>\n 8\/10 \u2013 Bethlehem, PA \u2013 Musikfest, Liederplatz Stage<\/p>\n 8\/14 \u2013 Morro Bay, CA \u2013 Morro Bay Winery, Songwriters at Play<\/p>\n 8\/15 \u2013 San Luis Obispo, CA \u2013 Bang the Drum Brewery, Songwriters at Play<\/p>\n 8\/26 \u2013 Sarasota, FL \u2013 Common Grounds Hall<\/p>\n 9\/3 \u2013 Lynn Haven, FL \u2013 Roberts Hall, Americana Caf\u00e9 Sundays<\/p>\n 9\/15 \u2013 St. Petersburg, FL \u2013 Sacred Lands<\/p>\n 9\/23 \u2013 LaGrange, GA \u2013 Pure Life Studios<\/p>\n 10\/19 \u2013 Jim Thorpe, PA \u2013 The Mauch Chunk Opera House<\/p>\n 11\/18 \u2013 Las Cruces, NM \u2013 Toad Hall House Concerts<\/p>\n <\/p>\n