FARMINGTON — The Old South Church, 235 Main St., will kick off the 2018 Concert Series at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 22, with the homegrown brother-sister duo of GoldenOak. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

GoldenOak is an emerging sound in New England folk music. A Portland-based, Indie-Soul-Folk, sibling duo, Zak and Lena Kendall were born and raised in the Sandy River Valley of Western Maine. The two started making music together as kids and the bond of brother and sister is evident in their carefully crafted songs, poetic lyrics and flowing harmonies.

As Mt. Blue High School graduates, Zak and Lena Kendall are no strangers to the Western Maine music scene in this talent-rich area. They were influenced early by legends like Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, Simon and Garfunkel, and The Band, and by the like of Mason Jennings, Ray LaMontagne, and Fleet Foxes.

GoldenOak began writing music and performing in 2014. Their early songs led to their first official release, “Pleasant St.,” in 2016, an album they co-wrote with cellist Seth Wegner. The full-length album painted the landscape of the duo’s childhood and their experiences growing up and leaving home. Appropriately, they recorded with accompaniments on electric guitar, cello and trumpet from hometown friends.

Following Pleasant St., Zak and Lena produced the Acadia Sessions, a series of live video sessions to highlight the album as they toured in the Northeast, gaining in audience and recognition. The homegrown and honest approach of the band shows integrity and style, earning them praise across the board. The success of “Pleasant St.” and the following tour gained GoldenOak a nomination as “one of Portland’s most important upcoming bands” by Dispatch Magazine.

In October 2017, GoldenOak released “Foxgloves,” a six-track EP that builds on Zak and Lena’s folk roots with a remarkable orchestral approach. On the EP, the siblings expand their earthy sound and songwriting with percussion, piano, trumpet, cello and violin.

The band kicked off their “Foxgloves” release tour with a sold-out show at Portland’s One Longfellow Square, and in December “Foxgloves” was voted “EP of the Year” by the Portland Music Awards. As GoldenOak evolves and pushes boundaries, they continue to sow seeds in a rich folk tradition.

Zak and Lena record and often tour with fellow musicians and band mates, Seth Wegner, cello, Max Eddington, piano, and Jackson Cromwell, percussion. Over the last two years, they shared the stage with many notable artists such as Lady Lamb, the Ghost of Paul Revere and the Mallett Brothers Band.

Adult tickets are $15, student tickets $10/$5. Refreshments are available by donation at intermission. Reservations can be made by calling 207-491-5919. The building is handicapped accessible. Old South Church will send out Concert Series Newsletters featuring upcoming concert details. Subscription to the newsletter can be emailed to oldsouthchurchconcerts@gmail.com.

FMI: www.farmingtonucc.org/get-connected.html.

GoldenOak

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