The soundtrack to American Folk is released today (January 26th) via Thirty Tigers. American Folk features Joe Purdy and Amanda Rubarth as two strangers, and folk singers, whose lives take an unexpected turn after the events of 9/11. The film, which has been picking up awards at various film festivals, is now on release at selected cinemas in the USA while Purdy and Rubarth are touring to promote the soundtrack. More about American Folk including the trailer for the film and 'Someone Singing With Me' a track from the soundtrack follows:

Of the music, Rolling Stone praises, “Underscoring one of the film’s main themes—that sharing an experience with another person is preferable to enduring it alone—is the deeply affecting ‘Someone Singing With Me.’ Penned and sung by Purdy, and featuring Rubarth’s plaintive mountain harmony, the sweet tune features simple guitar accompaniment and beautifully recalls several of the duets that John Prine has sung so effectively with frequent partner Iris DeMent, yet it offers the added bonus of discovering two wondrous new voices steeped in the folk tradition.” In addition to both classic folk song renditions by Purdy and Rubarth and original compositions, the soundtrack includes John Prine’s “Some Humans Ain’t Human” and Jerry Garcia & David Grisman’s “Freight Train.” See below for complete track listing.

The album release coincides with the theatrical opening of the film, which has already drawn widespread critical attention. Variety asserts, “Understatedly moving, with lots of good music, David Heinz’s pleasing indie, starring two real-life singer-songwriters, merits the critical leg-up it will need to gain a commercial foothold beyond the festival circuit,” while the Hollywood Reporter declares, “quietly affecting…the film merits attention.”

Additionally, the movie won “Best American Independent Film Feature” at the Cleveland International Film Festival, a Special Jury Commendation for “Best Music” at the Port Townsend Film Festival, a Youth Jury Award for “Best Feature” at the Rhode Island International Film Festival and received nominations at the Seattle International Film Festival, the Heartland Film Festival, the Jackson Crossroads Film Festival, the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, the Napa Valley Film Festival and the Southside Film Festival among others.

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TRACKLISITNG

01. This Old Guitar
02. Some Humans Ain’t Human
03. Joni, Elliot
04. Red River Valley
05. Black Jack Davey
06. Pretty Saro
07. Someone Singing With Me
08. Oh! Susanna
09. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
10. Freight Train
11. Play
12. New York
13. Hello Stranger
14. Moonlight
15. Oh Shenandoah
16. Lonesome Valley
17. Of Course
18. This Old Guitar (full version)
19. Townes

In celebration of the album release and film opening, Purdy and Rubarth will embark on a select series of performances next year including shows in L.A., San Francisco, Seattle, D.C., Boston, New York and Derry, NH. Additional dates in Europe to be announced.

Written and directed by David Heinz, the film stars Purdy and Rubarth along with guest stars Krisha Fairchild (Krisha) and David Fine (The Pursuit of Happyness). Filmed over 3500 miles in 14 states, the movie follows Elliott (Purdy) and Joni (Rubarth) —two strangers, both folk musicians—whose fates become intertwined after their plane is grounded in Los Angeles following the September 11th attacks. Both desperately needing to get back to New York, they embark on a cross-country journey in a 1972 Chevy Van. Along the way, the duo finds solace in their mutual love of classic folk songs, and raising their voices with everyday people they meet on the road. They re-discover the healing nature of music and bear witness to a nation of people who lift each other up in the wake of tragedy.