They’ve only been a duo for five years, but Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale of The Milk Carton Kids have already established themselves as an important voice in the contemporary folk music scene. With their signature close harmonies and flat-picking style of guitar playing, the Grammy nominated Ryan and Pattengale have garnered impressive fans that range from Gillian Welch to Garrison Keillor to Billy Bragg to Sara Bareilles. In anticipation of their Santa Barbara performance, I spoke over the phone with Ryan about their new record Monterey, bucking musical niches, and the luck of finding a partner with whom you click.
I’ve been listening to your album, Monterey, quite a lot… I’m sorry. You must be going through a hard time.
Well, I am now! I’m just kidding. Monterey is deceptively beautiful it took me a few listens to realize how melancholy it is lyrically. Yeah. I’m glad it snuck up on you.