Exclusive video premiere of ‘Mad Thing’ by Nashville-based indie folk duo Paper Wings, taken from the upcoming album, ‘Listen to the World Spin,’ out March 15th via Free Dirt Records.

‘Mad Thing’ features whimsical lyrics, close harmonies, and a hooky guitar line reminiscent of Gillian Welch & Dave Rawlings. Known for their traditional folk influences, Paper Wings unlock a new side of their sound on this charming duet about the curiosity-filled chase of a mysterious character.

“This song has big raccoon energy,” co-writer Emily Mann says about the single, “You know, raccoons are creeping around in the night doing strange little things. I’m not sure if the raccoon is someone else or if the raccoon is me. Maybe it’s both.”

Long-time friends and collaborators Emily Mann and Wila Frank, known together as Paper Wings, dream up warm, pastoral folk songs suited to wandering through a forest or field, quiet contemplation, and long winding journeys. Furnished with delicate banjo and spellbinding harmonies so close you often can’t tell their voices apart, Frank & Mann deliver dynamic performances emboldened by the strength of their sincere songwriting. The duo have an uncommon ability to tastefully reference nostalgic sounds of American folk music while maintaining their own compelling style of artful and unpretentious lyricism. The strength and solitude one finds in the wilderness is a theme throughout their writing, and they lovingly transport listeners to open landscapes in which to find comfort and ask the questions which we all have in common.

<a href="https://paperwingsduo.bandcamp.com/album/listen-to-the-world-spin">Listen to the World Spin by Paper Wings</a>

With roots in California and Oregon respectively, Mann & Frank met as fellow fiddle players attending music camps and festivals growing up. As teenagers, they developed their instrumental prowess by studying and performing with folk legends such as Alice Gerrard, Laurie Lewis, Tim O’Brien, Steve Earle, Aoife O’Donovan and Sarah Jarosz among others. It was during this time that they began writing and touring together, eventually making their way to Nashville where they recorded their debut album ‘Paper Wings’ in 2017 and sophomore album ‘Clementine’ in 2019. After garnering streaming success with their heartfelt track ‘Troubled Soul,’ the duo hit the road opening for Avi Kaplan’s “I’ll Get By” tour.

During the lockdowns of 2020, Frank & Mann began working on a third album. Partway through, they placed the project on hold to focus on other projects. The last song they had released before parting ways was single ‘Marigold,’ a potent balm for the heart, telling of new beginnings and second chances. Perhaps this song was a prophecy of sorts, for in 2023 Frank & Mann reunited to finish the album, much to the delight of their fans. Over the course of four days, the duo captured their collection of songs in an intimate private studio outside of Nashville. This upcoming work of 12 tracks is titled ‘Listen to the World Spin’ and is set to release March 15th, 2024.

Paper Wings Official Website / Facebook / Instagram / Bandcamp / YouTube
Free Dirt Records Official Website / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Bandcamp / YouTube