AcoustiMix: Discoveries — The Jellyman's Daughter

Today we'd like to tell you about The Jellyman’s Daughter

Scottish duo The Jellyman's Daughter lands squarely in the middle of an intriguing crossroads between bluegrass, post-rock, folk and soul, managing at the same time to sound not a whole lot like any of those genres. Emily Kelly and Graham Coe write their songs together with a focus on doing something new, mixing their intimate vocal harmonies with wild and visceral cello, driving guitar and sweet mandolin, often complimented by banjo nd double bass.

The duo’s debut album, released in late 2014, established The Jellyman’s Daughter as something fresh and exciting. Reviewers unanimously remarked upon the originality in Emily and Graham’s songwriting and arrangements, while they enjoyed the sweet closeness of their vocal harmonies, as well as Graham’s unconventional cello playing. The Sunday Herald (Scotland) made it one of their Top Albums of The Year, noting that “Graham can make his instrument as percussive as a drum, as grounded as a bass or as sweet as a fiddle... when Kelly and Coe sing together, their harmonies squeeze the heart."

Most recent release: The duo’s second full-length album Dead Reckoning (2018) marked step forward in maturity, depth and scope while retaining the affinity that is the foundation of their sound. Dead Reckoning takes its title from a navigational term that, when applied to the human spirit, is analogous to navigating our way through life, and how we progress (or otherwise). This theme permeates the album’s 10 songs in different ways, ranging from the overwhelming sense of bleakness imbued by many world events in recent years to more personal experiences of steering a course through relationships and journeys both physical and emotional. 

Also check out: A new song called I Won’t Be Going Anywhere, written by the duo during the COVID-19 lockdown. They have made it available as a free download here, but you can also make a donation if you’re able.

You can also find The Jellyman’s Daughter on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. (If you go to YouTube, be sure to subscribe to their channel!)