Ashley Morgan and John Flanagan, of the folk-pop duo Faultlines, are causing a political storm with the re-release of their anti-Trump song, “Rain,” the first single from their next full album, Bittersweet Revival. Many of the songs on the album speak out against the current political climate with messages of love, inclusion, and community. “Rain” focuses its spotlight on the threat to women’s, LGBTQ, and immigrant rights. “As we are approaching the 2020 election, it’s so important to remind everyone that we cannot endure four more years,” says John Flanagan. “Donald Trump is not a president for the majority minority of America. We want to encourage everyone to get out and vote.”
About John & Ashley
John Flanagan, a rock singer/songwriter best known for his Freddie Mercury/Robert Plant high notes and Ashley Morgan, a young artist who grew up singing in church, belting out Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston songs, make up Faultlines. Before coming together, John spent years in a publishing deal, writing for major label artists and Grammy winning producers while Ashley toured and sang back-up for major label artists and on TV for shows like The Voice, American Idol, and The Grammy’s.
They met performing as front singers in a Top 40 cover band and connected on their shared obsession of Brandi Carlile. When John later presented Ashley with some folk songs he had written that didn’t fit an individual solo project he was working on, they decided to record them together. They soon released their first self-recorded EP, and their band, Faultlines, was born.
Their unique brand of folk is a mashup of modern pop and roots country. Oddly, the duo has become known for their signature three-part harmonies. To achieve their sound, they rotate between two talented guitarists, Sean Beck and Todd McCool (who sings the third verse of “Rain”).
While their first two EPs are acoustic, Bittersweet Revival features a lot more instrumentation. There is a good amount of upbeat songs and ballads with the duo drawing inspiration from Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young, Joni Mitchell and, of course, Brandi Carlile.
They hope the album inspires activism and encourages fans to make small positive changes in their community.
“Folk music has a long history of protest songs,” Ashley points out. “As Nina Simone says, ‘An artist’s duty is to reflect the current times.’ We feel it is our duty to use music to shed light on injustices. We want to bring people together and encourage them to have an open mind and to be inclusive because love is all we own.
Connect With John & Ashley
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