Bonny Light Horseman (band)

Bonny Light Horseman
GenresFolk
Years active2019–present
Labels
  • 37d03d
Jagjaguwar
Members
Websitewww.bonnylighthorseman.com

Bonny Light Horseman is an American folk band consisting of Anaïs Mitchell, Eric D. Johnson (Fruit Bats, The Shins), and Josh Kaufman (The National, Hiss Golden Messenger, Josh Ritter).[1][2] They released their debut eponymous album in January 2020.[3] Their sophomore album, Rolling Golden Holy, came out in October 2022.[4] Their latest release, Keep Me On Your Mind/See You Free, was released in June 2024.

Background

The band first came together at the Eaux Claires festival in 2018 when invited by the festival's co-founders Justin Vernon (of Bon Iver) and Aaron Dessner (of The National). From the early sessions for this performance, the trio decided to form the band in a more official capacity.[5] Their self-titled debut album was released on January 25, 2020. The album contains a mixture of traditional British folk songs and original material.[3] It was subsequently nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Folk Album.

In 2021 the band was inter alia part of the Newport Folk Festival in July.[6] They also received the Libera Awards Best Americana Record 2021 for their self-named album by A2IM (the American Association of Independent Music).[7]

In December 2021, the band announced in Uncut magazine that their second album would be coming in 2022.[8] Mitchell described it as having "a little more of an American feeling on this album". The album was met with similar reviews as to their debut, but American Songwriter noted that this album had a bit more pop in its orientation.[9]

Discography

Studio albums

List of albums, with selected information
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
Sales
[10] 		SCO
[11] 		UK
Amer.
[12] 		UK
DL
[13] 		UK
Indie
[14]
Bonny Light Horseman 92 59 1 70 18
Rolling Golden Holy
  • Released: October 7, 2022[15]
  • Label: 37d03d
  • Formats: LP, CD, digital download, streaming
 83 27 3 34 12
Keep Me on Your Mind/See You Free[16]
  • Released: June 7, 2024
  • Label: Jagjaguwar
  • Formats: LP, CD, digital download, streaming
 101 36 10 45 9

Singles

Title Year Album
"Bonny Light Horseman"[1] 2019 Bonny Light Horseman
"Deep in Love"[17]
"Jane Jane"
"The Roving" 2020
"Bright Morning Stars"
"Green Rocky Road / Greenland Fishery" Non-album singles
"Buzzin' Fly"
"Clementine"
"California"[18] 2022 Rolling Golden Holy
"Summer Dream"
"Exile"
"Sweetbread"
"Someone to Weep for Me"
"Once on Another Day" 2023 Non-album single
"When I Was Younger" 2024 Keep Me On Your Mind/See You Free
"I Know You Know"[16]

Music videos

Year Title Director Album
2024 "I Know You Know" Kimberly Stuckwisch Keep Me On Your Mind / See You Free

Awards and nominations

Year Association Category Nominated Work Result Ref
2021 Libera Awards Libera Award for Best Americana Record Bonny Light Horseman Won [19]
Best Breakthrough Artist Bonny Light Horseman Nominated
Grammy Awards Best Folk Album Bonny Light Horseman Nominated [20]
Best American Roots Performance "Deep In Love" Nominated

References

  1. ^ a b Bernstein, Jonathan (July 31, 2019). "New Folk Supergroup Bonny Light Horseman Unveil Debut Single". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 31, 2019. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  2. ^ "Bonny Light Horseman Makes New Folk Music, Inspired By The Spirit Of Old Folk : World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN". NPR.org. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  3. ^ a b Haver Currin, Grayson (January 29, 2020). "Bonny Light Horseman: Bonny Light Horseman". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  4. ^ Horowitz, Hal (October 6, 2022). "Review: Bonny Light Horseman Returns with a Second Dose of 'Rolling Golden Holy' Folk". American Songwriter. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  5. ^ Greenberg, Rudi (January 29, 2020). "Bonny Light Horseman makes modern folk music that feels timeless". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  6. ^ "Newport Folk Festival stage schedule 2021". newportfolk.org. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  7. ^ "American Association of Independent Music: Libera Award 2021". liberaawards.com. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  8. ^ "2022 Albums Preview". Uncut Magazine. December 9, 2021.
  9. ^ "Bonny Light Horseman Returns with a Second Dose of 'Rolling Golden Holy' Folk". americansongwriter.com. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  10. ^ Peak positions:
  11. ^ Peak positions:
  12. ^ Peak positions:
  13. ^ Peak positions:
  14. ^ Peak positions:
  15. ^ Minsker, Evan (June 8, 2022). "Bonny Light Horseman Announce New Album and Tour, Share New Song "California": Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  16. ^ a b Gregory, Allie (April 9, 2024). "Bonny Light Horseman Detail Double Album 'Keep Me on Your Mind/See You Free'". Exclaim!. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  17. ^ DeVille, Chris (October 16, 2019). "Bonny Light Horseman – "Deep In Love"". Stereogum. Archived from the original on October 17, 2019. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  18. ^ "Future Releases on Triple A". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on May 6, 2019. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  19. ^ "A2IM names 2021 Libera indie music awards nominees [the full list]". Hypebot. March 23, 2021. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  20. ^ "Bonny Light Horseman". www.grammy.com. Retrieved January 11, 2023.