Although it has been a few weekends since Winston-Salem's Phuzz Phest, I have yet to shake the incredible performance of folk artist Hiss Golden Messenger, or the project of Durhamite MC Taylor. On the covered porch of Krankie's coffee shop sat 20 or so festival attendees, ready and waiting with their ears, hearts open. In fact, it was Taylor who suggested that his set be moved to the porch, unplugged, as the sun set over the outskirts of downtown Winston. What unfolded next is one of those performances I feel privileged to have been present for, even when the rest of the show hasn't been my absolute favorite. His music draws on traditional folk stylings and he manages to work some intriguing Christian allusion in his work. It's accessible and tangible, and each time I put his latest album, Poor Moon, on the record player for a spin, I find myself finding something else excellent that I like love about it.As I continue to explore the music journalism world I find myself in, I realize that discovering gems like these are why I love what I do some of the time (most of the time?). Since my first semester here, local music has opened a door that I'm so glad I decided to walk through, not having looked backwards since.
Here's a listen similar to what my experience was like
