Parsons

Don’t let the relative youth of Clayton & Joelle Parsons fool you—they are old souls with a sound that transcends time. Their genuine country-roots style is reminiscent of the ‘60s American folk revival scene that birthed Joan Baez, Emmylou Harris, Pete Seeger, and Bob Dylan.

Clayton Parsons grew up in Cranbrook, B.C., surrounded by a musical household and the beauty of a mountain town, which have woven their way into his musical taste. Early records like Neil Young's Harvest Moon, Fleetwood Mac's Rumours, and Nickel Creek's Lighthouse shaped his musical taste. He's played solo and with numerous bands before joining alt-folk band The Good Ol’ Goats, meeting vocalist Joelle, and falling in love with her voice and then the singer herself.

Growing up, Joelle was inundated with music at every turn. She soon found herself singing in school programs and church choirs, as well as in musical theatre productions and community events.Not only did classic rock and contemporary artists resonate with her, but so did the old hymns found in the gospel tradition, which helped further her love of harmony and hone her craft as a vocalist. 

When she and Parsons finally met, their chemistry—musical and personal—was undeniable. When their previous band went on hiatus, The Parsons emerged. Throughout their musical partnership, The Parsons have won fans wherever they’ve travelled. Their lyrics are an authentic representation of their often wide-eyed wonder at the world, finding joy in the simple things and profundity in what many of us take for granted. The duo would describe themselves as folk musicians having a long-term fling with bluegrass. The Parsons don't rely on heavy instrumentation to underscore the sweetness of their honey-warmed harmonies. Clayton's approach on guitar and clawhammer banjo provides the perfect thread for their exquisite voices to weave their way around each other, creating an uncomplicated yet gorgeous tapestry of music.

From the very beginning of their partnership, The Parsons immediately established themselves as one of the folk fan favourites in their region: the duo was recognized by the Kootenay Music Awards with the Album of the Year for their debut release in 2016. Live, their sweet and soulful music is punctuated with stories behind the songs, inside jokes that the whole audience becomes a part of, and true generosity of spirit.