Get to know The Milk Carton Kids – a harmonizing minimalist duo who use two guitars and two voices to create a new combination of classic folk and sophisticated back-porch Americana. Since forming just over a year ago, friends Kenneth Pattengale and Joey Ryan have played over 200 live shows, including a 35-date stint as Joe Purdy’s opening act and backing band. Now they’re gearing up for a busy summer, including a supporting slot with KD Lang and festival appearances including Kerrville Folk Festival and Central Park Summerstage.

With the nostalgia of Simon & Garfunkel and along the same vein as current critical darlings The Civil Wars, The Milk Carton Kids are the perfect anecdote to the over-produced, hard thumping, in-your-face music dominating airwaves today. Sometimes it’s nice to get a quiet reprieve.

Check out this video of the duo performing live at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI last year. And head over to their website at themilkcartonkids.com, where the band makes both of their albums available for free download.