Biography

A singer and songwriter whose music evokes late nights and endless highways, Jonah Tolchin's work is steeped in the blues but also shows the influences of contemporary folk, vintage pop, and classic R&B in his balance of weathered soul and polished style. His blues influences were at their strongest on 2014's Clover Lane, while 2019's Fires for the Cold was rootsy while showing off a more eclectic sonic palette. 2022's Lava Lamp was a creative left turn, with Tolchin embracing a rowdy sound full of distorted guitars and soulful grooves. Raised in central New Jersey, Jonah Tolchin was introduced to blues music in his early teens. After a rebellious few years in which he dropped out of high school and ran afoul of the law, he found himself searching for an outlet for all his pent-up energy. Years earlier, his father had spent some time living in Mississippi, where he ran a record store, so music was always in the Tolchin household, though it wasn't until Jonah was 14 that his father turned him on to the blues. He immediately connected with the style and its passion, and spent the next several years immersing himself first in the blues, then in the many different branches of roots music from bluegrass to old-timey jug band. He and some like-minded friends formed a blues band in high school and, shortly after graduating in 2011, Tolchin launched a solo career with the release of his self-recorded debut EP, Eldawise. Seeking to open his senses and expand his artistic vocabulary, Tolchin spent much of the following year traveling around the U.S., gaining new experience, gigging, and writing the material that would form his 2012 LP, Criminal Man. His rustic Americana and sharp songwriting began to make waves in the folk and indie communities, and he was invited to play at the legendary Newport Folk Festival. As his career continued to gather momentum, he toured frequently and eventually landed a deal with Yep Roc Records. Pairing the young artist with producer Marvin Etzioni, a veteran session band was assembled (including members of Los Lobos and Deer Tick) to make his Yep Roc debut, Clover Lane, which appeared in summer 2014. For his follow-up, Tolchin reunited with Etzioni, booking sessions at Muscle Shoals' legendary FAME Studios, where they worked with engineer John Gifford III to record 2016's Thousand Mile Night. Producer Sheldon Gomberg was at the controls for Tolchin's next offering. 2019's Fires for the Cold was a moody and contemplative set that included guest vocals from Jackson Browne and Rickie Lee Jones; the album included a cover of Little Feat's "Roll Um Easy," with LF veteran Fred Tackett on guitar. After seeing a Pixies concert with his wife, Tolchin found himself looking back to the grunge and alternative rock albums he loved in his teens, and wanted to capture some of their energy and intensity for his next project. Tolchin recruited Nic Coolidge to produce the sessions and play bass, and Kevin Clifford took his usual place behind the drums. With Tolchin on guitar, 2022's Lava Lamp was an energetic change of pace, full of grooves inspired by vintage funk and soul, and with electric guitar playing a bigger part in the arrangements than ever before. ~ Timothy Monger & Mark Deming, Rovi