The Well Pennies
THE WELL PENNIES are a Folk/Pop duo consisting of husband and wife team, Bryan & Sarah Vanderpool. The pair met in Boston while supporting each other’s solo sets at folk venues around the New England area. They fell in love, ran away to California and released their debut self-titled EP that was met with critical acclaim from the Los Angeles music scene. Taking influence from 60’s & 70’s folk and pop icons like THE CARPENTERS, JAMES TAYLOR, & CAROLE KING, the pair combine their signature pop melodies and tight harmonies with beautifully produced lush arrangements. The band explains, “Our goal is to write songs that inspire something – however simple – to smile, to love, to get out and experience life.”
In 2014, their cover of “All My Loving” was chosen as the single for the “BEATLES REIMAGINED” album featuring EDWARD SHARPE & THE MAGNETIC ZEROS and 9 other up-and-coming indie bands. Their cover was met with critical acclaim from USA Today, LA Times, and Huffington Post and countless others, praising the track for its uniqueness and creativity.
Their first full-length LP, “ENDLINGS", was released in 2015 and made it on several “Best of 2015” lists including BILLBOARD MAGAZINE. The record explored the topic of extinction and how it relates to all aspects of life such as hope, human connection and artistry. The album, and their passion for music education, inspired the band to organize a unique tour called THE YOUTH ORCHESTRA PROJECT, where hundreds of students around the country joined them on stage playing along to their music. The tour started in Anchorage, Alaska with 10 students from The Anchorage Youth Symphony and ended in West Bend, Wisconsin where over 80 orchestra students from the West Bend High School Orchestra participated.
A MOVE TO THE MIDWEST: After 8 years in California, Bryan and Sarah relocated to DES MOINES, IA in order to “…escape the chaos and desperation of Los Angeles and move somewhere where artists can afford to be artists.” The change allowed more time for writing, recording and touring and soon after, they joined DIANA KRALL’s Turn Up the Quiet world tour as the opening act in 2017. Their move to Des Moines also included the creation of Golden Bear Records and their home recording studio where the duo now records and produces their own music along with other projects. It was this transition and their travels around America’s heartland that inspired many of the songs in their new album, “Murmurations”, which was released on January 25th, 2019.
"...a prime example of folk-pop perfection...filled with harmonies, hooks, and lyrics that evoke bright sunshine and a wide-open horizon.” -No Depression
“...trademark harmonies and gift for melody, as well as lyrics, often drawn from the natural world, that, even when cautious, inspire." - Billboard Magazine
"an exquisitely crafted album, replete with deceptively thoughtful arrangements that surround their soaring harmonies with shimmering guitars and lush strings while leaving plenty of room for the songs to breathe" – Diffuser
“Music that is edible enough to replace your comfort food” - Daily Unsigned
“…jampacked with imaginative, sunny lyrics and melodies to help melt the snow, or at least hold you over until Spring.” - Coat Check
“The lush folk harmonies and crystalline vocals are enticing.” – Interview Magazine