FARMINGTON — The Old South Church Concert Series kicks off the 2018 season on Thursday, March 22,  at 7 p.m. with the homegrown brother-sister duo of GoldenOak. Doors open at 6 p.m. with pre-concert jam session at 6:15 and concert begins at 7 .

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. The pair were influenced early by legends like Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, Simon and Garfunkel and The Band, and more recently by the likes of Mason Jennings, Ray LaMontagne and Fleet Foxes.

GoldenOak began writing music and performing in 2014. The duo’s early songs led to the 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 accompaniment 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 widely 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 6-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. Evolvement Radio said of the EP, “the vocals are little more than another pair of instruments adding another exquisite layer of atmosphere to the songs. It’s not until ‘side two’ of the EP that Zak and Lena’s vocals take center stage in the mix. When they do step out vocally, they bring a stunning release of energy to the songs.” The band kicked off  “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.  

Zak and Lena record and often tour with fellow musicians and bandmates 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, The Mallett Brothers Band and Parsonsfield. Find out more at http://www.goldenoakband.com As Mt. Blue High School graduates, Zak and Lena Kendall are no strangers to the Western Maine music scene in this talent-rich area.

Old South Congregational Church, UCC, is at 235 Main St. Adult tickets $15. Student tickets are $10/$5. Refreshments are available by donation at the intermission. Reservations can be made by calling 207-491-5919. Handicapped accessible. 

Zak and Lena Kendall are the brother-sister duo GoldenOak.