We Are the Keepers

Maybe it’s the feeling of hopelessness that’s enveloped the US right now, or the sense of impending dread as a new regime positions itself; whatever the reason, it feels nice to listen to an album of positivity like We Are the Keepers. The forested mountain folk and conscious songwriting of Colorado-by-way-of-East-Tennessee artist Crispy Watkins was just what I needed. It’s a fine line to walk, writing folk songs that touch on new age concepts, and far too many artists do it poorly. Watkins has got just the right combination of nice vocals, well built songs, and uplifting harmonies to make it work. He’s got roots in the Appalachian old-time and blues traditions of East Tennessee around Knoxville, which he describes accurately as ‘scruffy Americana.’ Those roots give his new music just the right grounding, positioning him between the higher consciousness acoustic music of Colorado and the down home vibe of Tennessee.