A Sound Unheard: Colter Wall
November 21, 2017
The music industry is a difficult one to get into, and an even difficult one to find longevity in. There are thousands of artists out there that get very little exposure, even though they are just as talented as those who have achieved “mainstream” status. One of these artists is Canada’s own: Mr. Colter Wall. While we give Canada credit for artists like Drake and Justin Bieber, we don’t really see many country music artists coming from our neighbors to the north.
Wall’s music is classified as folk music, but has some strong influences outside of the folk genre. His first EP Imaginary Appalachia has a dark and folky/Americana feel. “Sleeping on the Blacktop” and “The Devil Wears a Suit and Tie” are two great examples of this folky/Americana feel and a good place to start when listening to Colter.
Wall’s voice is similar to that of some country music stars from days’ past. Wall released a self-titled full album in May and it is a little different from the EP, but still exceeds expectations. He again brings back the darker folk sound, but also more of a classic country aspect to the album. “Snake Mountain Blues” is midway through the album, and could be the song that epitomizes the album.
If this post has caused you to have some strong considerations to listen to Mr. Wall’s music, you need to keep a few things in mind. The reason why this incredibly talented 21-year-old won’t be featured on the radio is because his music is on the darker side and offers a lot of deep lyrics to match. While music on the radio leans more toward the shallow side, it doesn’t always favor the depth that you find in Mr. Wall’s music. His music stands out, and that’s what makes it unique.
All in all, Colter Wall’s music is relatively slept on, and that’s a shame considering his talent. If you’re looking to shuffle up from the same rainy-day music or just looking for something a little different, give Colter a shot.