I suppose it’s only fitting for a man who admittedly likes to send mail to be in a band called Letters. And if said man from said band likes to send mail my way, well then, who am I to complain?

Hailing from Olympia, Washington, Letters have their own brand of low-fi folk music dubbed “indie-chamber-folk”. Their debut In Case We Lose What We Have (Yoyo Recordings, 2008) is as simple as it is complex, consisting of a stripped down sound performed with a range of instruments, thoughtful lyrics, songs without names and a string of local talent. My absolute favorite track is no doubt the heart twisting ”You Make Me Feel (Like The Island I’m Not)” with its weeping violin, but I can honestly say that the whole album is a keeper. It has a very genuine and intimate feel to it and there is always something new to discover with each listen.

Letters also appear in various constellations on Well, I Don’t See Why Not, a compilation showcasing a range of wonderful Northwestern bands in different genres. A truly great collection, I intend to write more about the bands and artists featured on it in the near future.

~ “You Make Me Feel (Like The Island I’m Not)”, “Debts” (ft. Eleanor Murray) ~