Milk Carton Kids bring their Folk music values to Louisiana

By: Alex Templar - MSTv

Their sound opens the time-machine doors to journey listeners back to the revolutionary 1960's. Strong counter-culture music influences, with melodic sounds comparable to Simon and Garfunkel, Bob Dylan and Pete Seeger comprise the California born duo called the Milk Carton Kids.

The two-man band and Los Angeles natives, Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale first teamed up in 2010. But besides both being from the city of angels, before teaming-up, Ryan and Pattengale were both unsuccessful solo singer-songwriters.

But, that was to change due to a simple suggestion made to Joey Ryan.

“Somebody recommended that I go see Kenneth’s show,” said Ryan.

And based upon the power of a song Ken Pattengale sang about a dying dog writing memoirs, Ryan was compelled to introduce himself to the singer after the show.

“After we met, Kenneth insisted that we try singing together,” Ryan said. “Our two guitars seemed like they were meant for each other. Our voices brought out sides of our singing that we hadn’t known before.”

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That synchronicity, joined with a mutual love for folk music developed their musical creations into forming the Milk Carton Kids in 2011.

Even if folk music and its natural simplicity and unpretentiousness aren’t something the world at large associates with Ryan and Pattengale’s hometown of Los Angeles, a place thought to be glitzy and glamorous, the duo finds the general atmosphere in the show business capital encouraging.

“It’s a city where people are chasing dreams,” Ryan said. “It can be inspiring to be around so many people with big ambitions, some of whom are very talented.”

Because of these inspiring type people, that the band loves, the duo has hit the touring road. Now seeking highway and byway stories, so that they might gain more to share musically, The Milk Carton Kids are making a few stops in SE Louisiana.

We're hoping our different type of "LA"environments and unique people feeds their inspiration to create more classic, but powerful music in the future.  

Get a look at Josh Ritter/The Milk Carton Kids: 7 p.m. Sunday, June 30 @ Manship Theatre 100 Lafayette St. BRLA
and 9 p.m. Monday, July 1. Tipitina’s, 501 Napoleon Ave., New Orleans.

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