Elkyn

Behind the moniker elkyn stands Leeds scintillating singer-songwriter Joseph Donnelly. Intricately plucked guitar riffs meet introspective lyricism as this “lonely folk” artist invites you inside his deepest thoughts and fears through beautiful storytelling. Although only recently emerging out of the pandemic as a solo artist, elkyn’s personal works have consistently championed the hearts of press, radio and editorial playlists alike since the release of his debut EP Beech in 2020.

The Yorkshire songwriter’s stirring sophomore release ‘if only it was alright now’ acted as an impressive bookend for the Beech era landing him a feature on Atwood Magazine’s ‘Artists to Watch for 2021’ citing him as “uniquely visceral and vulnerable”. The track also received appraisal from the likes of BBC Introducing, landed a spot on Spotify’s ‘Fresh Finds’ editorial playlist as well as being highlighted on an array of curated playlists.

With elkyn’s ability to continue building such a strong presence in such a short amount of time, it comes as no surprise that the wordsmith’s latest single ‘something’, released Feb 2021, has quickly become his greatest success yet with Radio X’s John Kennedy declaring the track “absolutely fantastic”. Months later, ‘something’ continues to score placements in editorial playlists to the likes of Spotify’s ‘The Indie List’, ‘The Other List’ ‘My Life Is A Movie’ and ‘Lo-Fi Indie’ as well as Amazon Music’s and Tidal’s ‘Dolby Atmos Music’ playlists, all the while remaining entirely independent.

In the shadows of the UK’s numerous lockdowns, elkyn resigned to the confinement of his bedroom walls to write, zoom and reflect before finally returning to Leeds Nave Studios to embark on his next chapter with producer Mark Gustafson, but this time instilled with a newly found confidence.

Glimmers of hope are scattered amongst elkyn’s familiar pulses of dark rumination as we’re enveloped in heartrending tales of youth, love and regret. elkyn’s debut album, set to be released in early 2022, undoubtedly unravels into the prolific songwriter’s most glowing work yet.
 
"I think it's absolutely fantastic, really really like this - absolutely lovely" 
- John Kennedy, Radio X

“elkyn’s uniquely visceral and vulnerable performances have a special way of packing emotion into small and vast spaces. We can’t wait to hear more from this promising artist….for fans of Phoebe Bridgers, Sufjan Stevens, Nick Drake, Novo Amor”
- Atwood Magazine
 
“Recalling acts like Angelo De Augustine or early-Villagers, elkyn seems to be pushing far beyond the clichés of what a singer-songwriter and an acoustic guitar are capable of, where he takes his music next could be thrilling” 
- For the Rabbits

“Soothing you, his voice floats from lyric to hum from start to finish as it’s landscaped across instruments that resonate together. ‘Something’ is a calm river, and you’re the driftwood.” 
- The Rodeo Magazine

The Folklore Rooms,
Brighton

7.30PM
18+

£6 / £8