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Artist
John Calvin
12+ albums
acousticfolkfolk rockindieoklahoma
about
1) ”The tireless, 20-year-old singer/songwriter and spry chieftain of guitar, piano and percussion originally hails from Sierra Hills, Nevada. Now an OU student and self-proclaimed Normanite, Calvin creates a myriad style, from classic rock, motown grooves, and David Crosby-inspired tunes, to jazz and ambient soundscapes that mesh with folk themes reminiscent of the sixties. His lyrics hint at subtle political radicalism while reflecting on life’s insecurities, love’s ideologies, and insomnia. Having rocked in the cradle to Bob Dylan’s croons next to a folk guitarist father, it’s safe to say John Calvin’s heart literally pumps melody. Calvin owes his sound to many of life's experiences, but also to the solos of John Coltrane, the songs of CSNY, Elliot Smith, Radiohead’s Thom Yorke and Johnny Greenwood and the grooves of Jamie Lidell, along with local musicians from Norman to Denton including Early Beat and Midlake." His first EP is entitled, "Walls of the City EP". He has another album coming out in April 2010. His music also be found on Myspace at http://www.myspace.com/jcabney 2) English name version of theologian Jean Calvin User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.
why this is interesting
# Why This Album Merits Your Attention This debut presents a genuinely curious musical mind at work—one shaped by folk inheritance yet restless to explore genre boundaries. What distinguishes it is the synthesis: classic rock foundations meet Motown grooves and jazz ambition, all anchored by introspective songwriting that engages political thought without preaching. The production balances intimate folk sensibility with broader sonic textures, creating space for both vulnerability and experimentation. Rather than chasing trends, these songs suggest someone genuinely wrestling with ideas about love, alienation, and meaning. For listeners seeking artists with something genuine to say—and the musical craft to say it interestingly—this rewards close attention.
top songs
albums
Greener Fields & Fairer Seas
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Rest of My Roads
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The Oklahoma Room: Folk Alliance International 2014
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Cough Mixtape for CVLT Nation
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Saint Innocent
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The Walls Of The City EP
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Wish Alloy
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Austin Chalk
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Masquerade Monday
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Librivox: Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 1 by Calvin, John
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Institutes of the Christian Religion, Bk 1
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Still Waters Revival Books