At the intersection of Harry Smith’s Old Weird America – the songs of heartworn highways – and the tumult of today you can find the music of Luke Callen. The songs – equal parts tragic comedy and hopeless reverie – paint a picture of the places and people that make up his earthly home. A poet – a player – a folk singer – Luke has traversed his country unraveling tall tales – short tunes and all that’s hidden underneath.
Originally from the river town of La Crosse, Wisconsin – the heart of the Driftless Region on the Mississippi River – and currently lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota by way of Colorado. Luke brings his humble sense of humor and humanity wherever he may go. Luke’s second studio effort, Also Going Nowhere, is set to be released on February 1, 2024. Produced by Erik Koskinen and tracked at his studio – Real Phonic Records in Cleveland, MN – it features Lauren Anderson (Bass), Chris Gray (Drums) – Franky Moscow (Keys), and Erik Koskinen (additional guitars). This 11 song effort shows a maturity in Luke’s songwriting – a new sense of groove – and what all great records have…a little love, a little pain, a little laughter, and few tracks for to dance.
Luke has played hundreds of shows spanning both coasts, the American West, South, and Heartland. He has had the opportunity to provide support for Dom Flemons, Dead Horses, The Dustbowl Revival, Kacy & Clayton, James McMurtry, Whiskey Shivers, Charlie Parr, The Lowest Pair, The Last Revel, Lilly Hiatt, Chicago Farmer, and Robbie Fulks among others. He is a regular performer at the Historic Woody Guthrie Folk Festival in Okemah, OK – the progressive environmental festival Salmon Fest in Ninilchik, AK, as well as the regional indie Midwest Music Fest in La Crosse & Winona.
