Ashley Morgan and John Flanagan of the folk-pop duo Faultlines are out now with their third album, Bittersweet Revival. Featuring ten original tracks including their recently released political anthem “Rain” and their new love song, “Cry,” the album is equal parts optimism and outcry. They call out bigotry and close-mindedness in “A Long Way”; speak on the current health crisis in the USA in “Save Us;” and echo the spirit of twenty-first century activism in “Love is All We Own.” “I hope people feel a sense of love, inclusion, and community in the lyrics and music on Bittersweet Revival,” says Ashley. “And who knows? It might even spark some to raise their voices against injustice.” Faultline’s Bittersweet Revival is available now on Apple Music, Spotify and all major digital platforms.
“Folk music has a long history of inspiring activism and encouraging fans to make small positive changes in their community,” Ashley continues. “We feel it is our duty to use music to open minds.”
“But in an entertaining, not-too-preachy way,” John adds. “We shared a lot of laughs while making this album. Each session of the recording process was one half creative and the other half party.”
Ashley Morgan is a young artist who grew up singing in church, belting out Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston songs. John Flanagan is a rock singer/songwriter best known for his Freddie Mercury/Robert Plant high notes.
Before coming together, John spent years in a publishing deal, writing for major label artists and Grammy winning producers while Ashley toured and sang back-up for major label artists and on TV for shows like The Voice, American Idol, and The Grammy’s.
They met performing as front singers in a Top 40 cover band and connected on their shared obsession of Brandi Carlile. When John later presented Ashley with some folk songs he had written that didn’t fit an individual solo project he was working on, they decided to record them together. They soon released their first self-recorded EP, and their band, Faultlines, was born.
Their unique brand of folk is a mashup of modern pop and roots country. Oddly, the duo has become known for their signature three-part harmonies. To achieve their sound, they rotate between two talented guitarists, Sean Beck and Todd McCool.
While their first two EPs are acoustic, Bittersweet Revival features a lot more instrumentation. There is a good amount of upbeat songs and ballads with the duo drawing inspiration from Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young, Joni Mitchell and, of course, Brandi Carlile.
The music video for “Cry”was directed by John Medina and filmed before the world went into quarantine at John’s Flanagan’s home in Joshua Tree, California.
Visit http://Faultlinesofficial.com.