Song of the Day: Bryan John Appleby – The Rider. The Horse. The Land

photo by Lori Paulson

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Each and every Friday we offer songs by local artists. Today’s selection, featured on the Afternoon Show with Kevin Cole, is “The Rider. The Horse. The Land” by Bryan John Appleby from his self-released album available Fire on the Vine.

Part Devendra Banhart, part Damien Jurado, today’s artist, Seattle’s Bryan John Appleby, writes lush folk songs that invoke a sweet vulnerability as they draw you into his world. He’s a natural storyteller that blends found sounds, natural rhythmic elements, and simple, heartfelt melodies that combine into a sonic landscape akin to a walk in the woods at the edge of an ocean. And if you caught one of his performances at the Doe Bay festival, you’d understand why. This shy songwriter recorded his debut full-length in a warehouse with friends and the resulting album begs a quiet and repeated listen. Today’s featured song, though, is one of the rowdier tunes on the album and is one of the only with full drums. In it, Appleby layers tinkling bells with horns and lyrics that speak to the joy of knowing you’re not alone.

You can catch Bryan John Appleby and his cohorts at the Neptune Theater on Saturday, November 12, opening up for Hey Marseilles. He’s also playing a few other shows around the region with them. More dates and info can be found on his MySpace page or Bandcamp site. For now, here he is performing “The Rider. The Horse. The Land.” at his album release party at the Columbia City Theater this past summer: