Philadelphia-based sibling duo Sam and Louise Sullivan have announced their upcoming album, Love & Devotion, set for release next month via Historic New Jersey. To mark the announcement, the pair has shared the lead single, “Down On Love,” a track that captures their signature ragged, homespun folk-rock aesthetic.
The siblings, who grew up playing folk music together, have become fixtures in the Philadelphia music scene. Both are integral members of the Historic New Jersey collective, a home studio and label that has been instrumental in the output of artists like Star Moles and Rubber Band Gun. The new record, Love & Devotion, continues their collaborative streak, featuring contributions from Kevin Basko, Emily Moales, and drummer Jem Seidel.
Regarding the new single, Sam Sullivan notes, “The riff is a misremembered beat from a rap song that was popular circa 2012,” though the specific inspiration remains elusive. Louise Sullivan offers further insight into the track’s creation: “’Down On Love’ is one of our wonky attempts at pop music. We were trying to write a down-the-middle love song, but, of course, we ended up with a manic, chromatic, folk-rock thing. Sam was in a period of insisting that Kevin record two drum takes on top of a drum machine for every song. Emily Moales sings backups.”
“Down On Love” is one of our wonky attempts at pop music. We were trying to write a down-the-middle love song, but, of course, we ended up with a manic, chromatic, folk-rock thing. Sam was in a period of insisting that Kevin record two drum takes on top of a drum machine for every song. Emily Moales sings backups.
The release of Love & Devotion follows their previous effort, Sweet Enough. Fans can catch the duo live at the Solid Sound Festival in North Adams, MA, on June 28, and at Boarding House Park in Lowell, MA, on August 7, where they will perform alongside Iron & Wine.
Love & Devotion Tracklist:
01 “Down On Love”
02 “Love & Devotion”
03 “There You Go Again”
04 “Miss Mercedes”
05 “Since I Left”
06 “Doing Time”
07 “My Guy”
08 “After All These Years”
09 “Irish Goodbye”
10 “Treehugger”
