With roots in Ireland and Australia, New York City-based rustic folk singer and songwriter Vincent Cross has been described as "impeccably gifted" by Big City Rhythm and Blues, and “powerful and unique" by Red Line Roots. His new album, Old Songs for Modern Folk, is a record in the truest sense, in that there is no editing, overdubbing or enhancement with each song recorded completely straight to tape in one take: no effects, no autotune. “I created the album I wanted to hear, raw and honest,” says Cross. Old Songs for Modern Folk presents eleven songs that address modern life, from police brutality in ‘Michael Brown’ (an adaptation of the classic ‘Louis Collins’ by Mississippi John Hurt), to the modern immigrant experience in ‘The Ballad of Roosevelt Avenue’ to the exploitative labor practices of ‘Garments of Shame.’ Why is the new album so political? "I didn't set out to write political songs," says Cross. "It just happened that way. It's in the air. As artists, we pick up on that." The new album release follows two full-band albums, Home Away from Home (2008) and A Town Called Normal (2013), whereas Old Songs for Modern Folk reveals Cross, the troubadour, with a talent for inspired live solo performances. Playing banjo, or guitar, with a few spare riffs of harmonica, he sings original songs that borrow melodies and lyrics from the American folk tradition, while telling stories, old and new.


Vincent Cross has performed for and shared the stage with a diverse range of artists including Oscar- winning songwriter Glen Hansard, Damien Rice, Michael Daves, Chris Thile, master blues-picker Roy Book Binder, alt-country songwriter Richard Buckner, and the late great folk legend Odetta. Cross has toured in Europe and Australia, performing at Telemark Festivalen (Norway), The Hebridean Celtic Festival (Scotland), and The Maverick Americana Festival (UK). Stateside, Cross has performed at The Long Island Bluegrass Festival, The Dripping Springs Songwriter Festival, and The South Florida Folk Festival, with upcoming shows in New York City at the American Folk Art Museum and the Irish Arts Center Song Lives series.

To top all of this off, Hotel Blue has invited local folk legends Christine Wheeler and Leigh Birkett to open the show. 5:30 - 8:30pm, bar & kitchen open, $15 per person.