Glowing House is a Denver based folk band featuring husband and wife duo Steve Varney and Jess Parsons. They met at the University of Colorado in Denver in 2008 and bonded over their similar music tastes and ability to create meaningful lyrics. The band also features Michael John McKee (drums) and Phil Parker (cello, producer).
Jess, originally from Liberal, Kansas, began performing vocals at age 6. She also developed her skills on piano, guitar, and accordion. Steve has dabbled with many instruments ranging from saxophone to piano and his mainstay, guitar. He was not initially a "singer". His vocal talent became obvious once he realized that, as a stutterer, he was able to cease and control his impediment while singing. Although he has struggled with stuttering from time to time, even during recordings and performances, singing has for the most part kept it in check. This fact is quite impressive considering his powerfully passionate and crisp and clear sound as a singer. You would never know he had any problem communicating.
Take a look and listen to Glowing House singing "Nobody Follow Me":
Their latest EP release, The Down & Out, features five great songs each with varied depth and style. The harmonies and vocals are spot on. This band's well crafted folk rock sound falls right in the sweet spot of most of the music I like. The combination of harmonies, building of intensity, and lyric complexity has me in want of more. As a result, I plan to purchase their second release, Days Run Out, also. According to Michael John McKee, the band has many musical influences including Glenn Kotche, Glen Hansard, Iron and Wine, Black Keys, Bon Iver, Arcade Fire, Patty Griffin, Feist, and James Taylor to name a few. Interestingly The Civil Wars was not included on this list although a comparison can't help but be made, particularly when they sing harmonies. Of course a major difference is that this vocal pair is an actual married couple (they even had a baby recently!). I give anyone credit if they can work AND live with their spouse. A true measure of compatibility. Look for Glowing House in Chicago this spring (dates TBD). For more information check out glowinghousemusic.com
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