Biography

California-reared singer-songwriter Jack Van Cleaf writes determined and delicate songs with poetic slant and confessional warmth. In his songs folk imagination dresses in cinematic production, evoking the spacious and sparse verses of Nathaniel Rateliff and Gregory Alan Isakov. His music also echoes his heroes: a directness borrowed from Kris Kristofferson and lucid spirituality reminiscent of Cohen. At twenty-six, Van Cleaf has taken stage at notable venues including The Basement, Neumos, and Wire Chicago. He has supported artists such as Noah Kahan, Briston Maroney, Taylor Ashton, Gatlin, Annika Bennett and Ethansroom and is gearing up to hit the road with Field Guide in 2023. 
 'Fruit From the Trees,' Van Cleaf's premiere full-length record, opens like a lost suitcase. Written across the last seven years, the ten tracks are stashed with fables and fictions, letters to high school lovers, loose change in foreign currency, and a white bandana chalked in red Texas dust. Co-produced by Jamie Mefford (Nathaniel Rateliff, Gregory Alan Isakov) and Alberto Sewald (Katy Kirby), the record soars with sonic width that melds the folk-song precision of Dawes with a rumbled raucousness suggestive of The Killers. Premiered on Atwood Magazine, 'Fruit From the Trees' marks an ambitious and colorful arrival for the emerging singer-songwriter. New releases include a Live to Tape version of 'Fruit from the Trees', a 'Music City Murder Ballad' EP and latest single "Terrestrial Man."