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Cory Chisel: October 2009's Artist to Watch

Cory Chisel is one of those rare, contemporary folk artists whose authenticity is indubitable. No matter how you define authentic, you'd be hard pressed to put a finger on anything not-so when listening. From the emotion to the influences to the background, Chisel doesn't let one iota of insincerity into his work. For this reason (and because of his undeniable talent) XPN is choosing him as the Artist to Watch for October 2009.

Born in the American heartland, where he's lived for twenty years, Chisel was raised by classic blues, gospel melodies, and a family full of enthusiasts. In fact, he recalls that nine of his uncles played the guitar and harmonica, and his Uncle Roger in particular had an 'epic' collection of vinyls, including Howlin' Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson, Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Robert Johnson, Johnny Cash, Tom Waits, Bob Dylan - all of which would play a part in shaping Chisel's uniquely lacking-in-pop childhood.

He began self-releasing with his band The Wandering Sons, appropriately recording his debut EP in his family's Wisconsin cabin. Critics were immediately taken in by the pure emotion in the work - not brazen but bare all the same, wrapped in a bit of a old-timey country. Chisel began to build a name for himself in bigger and bigger circles, and his first studio album (out on September 29, 2009), is already garnering descriptions such as 'natural as breathing' and 'impassioned'. Death Won't Send A Letter was recorded in Nashville with Grammy-winning producer Joe Chiccarelli (The Shins, The White Stripes). With its natural feeling, gritty guitars and raw talent, Death Won't Send A Letter could be called pretty darn close to perfection.

Cory Chisel is one up-and-coming folk musician to keep your eye on. He'll be touring the UK and U.S. in support of his new album this fall.

Website: www.corychisel.com
MySpace: myspace.com/thewanderingsons
Recent Release: Death Won't Send A Letter
Release Date: September 29, 2009
Label: Black Seal/RCA/Sony Music
Origin: Appleton, Wisconsin