The River Runs North

“A folk singer’s voice, a country singer’s heartaches and a songwriter’s talent.” Bernard Zuel, SMH

“It’s all about classic songwriting – and a voice filled with heartache, sorrow and joy.” Jeff Jenkins, The Music, ABC radio

“Sounds like a wonderful lush mix of folk and country with soulful touches.” Chris Familton, Post To Wire

Caitlin Harnett hails from Sydney but her songs evoke Laurel Canyon of the early 1970’s. Her music has drawn comparisons to Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne and Judee Sill, while also operating in the same field as modern-day artists inspired by the old folk traditions, such as The Decemberists and Bright Eyes (Conor Oberst).

“The River Runs North” is Caitlin’s debut album. It was co-produced by Caitlin and Dave Draves (Kathleen Edwards, Howe Gelb) and recorded live to tape in Ottawa, Canada with multi-instrumentalist Jim Bryson. Kathleen Edwards guests with vocal, fiddle and guitar on the banjo-led track “Bad Man”.

The tracks on the record stretch from the soulful colours of Joni Mitchell’s “Court and Spark” on “Benny” and “Big Old Love”, to the Ryan Adams–inspired “For A While Now”, with its rumbling beat and Jackson Browne-style outro. The chiming guitars and Beatlesque fadeout of “My Baby” is followed by the haunting tale of “The Raven”, told with simple acoustic guitar, piano and strings to close the album.