Folk Rock trio JustFolk have crafted impassioned, raw, soulful songs with heady universal lyrical themes about human love, hope, existence and mortality since their inception in 2012. Their latest, and final, release is a compilation entitled “The Best of JustFolk 2012-2025”, which revisits their essential works in chronological order. The band’s signature sound is defined by a studious love for their classic musical lineage, from The Beatles and Neil Young to Jeff Lynne and Tom Petty. Coupled with a commitment to emotional vulnerability and expressions of hard-won wisdom, JustFolk conjure a creative energy that is nothing short of profound. Rather than aim for shiny studio perfection, JustFolk capture a genuinely untethered spirit you can feel in your bones.
Made up of main songwriter Todd Kolod (guitar, vocals), Manolo Diaz (electric guitar), and Steven Gores (keyboard), JustFolk have released 4 full-length albums. The songs featured on “The Best of JustFolk 2012-2025” were recorded in Ibiza, Spain and Helena, Montana.
“JustFolk is a studio band that I formed in 2012 in Saint Paul, Minnesota. I wrote the music and lyrics and sang unpolished lead vocals often with a John Lennon-esque double track boost. The songs are about love, life and death. I am the only amateur. The rest of the band is made up of professionals. Thank God! We published 4 albums and several singles for 13 years. Our previous album “Grounded” is a hopeful concept album about death and dying. Though the band has now officially retired, I was proud of what we had accomplished. In 2015 I moved to Ibiza, Spain. We continued to record with musicians in Minnesota and Montana. Sadly our music is known to only a few. The Best of JustFolk 2012-2025 is an opportunity to give the world a second chance. I cut my teeth on the Beatles and came of age with Neil Young. As an adult I was inspired by Jeff Lynne’s production. These were my guides. I always searched for vocal and instrumental hooks. The more the merrier.”
Listen or purchase the album via Bandcamp.
Musician names: Steven Gores, keyboard; Todd Kolod, acoustic guitar; Manolo Díaz, electric guitar
Producer: Steven Gores
Track list:
1. Look What You’ve Done 03:23
2. So Much 03:20
3. Can’t Stop Your Dreams 03:12
4.Midwestern Girl 03:05
5. Rivertown 03:05
6. All I Really Want 04:25
7. Coma Tonight 04:28
8. Say Goodbye 05:10
9. Never Too Late 03:33
10. Don’t Turn the Lights Out 03:43
11. Protest to Survive 04:49
12. Dirty Sky 04:47
13. What Was I Thinking? 03:24
Websites:
Bandcamp: https://justfolk.bandcamp.com/album/best-of-justfolk-2012-2025
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/45RB9VW6WeDQMZC1udGAyY
YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@toddkolod
Artist Biography:
Todd Kolod was born in Las Vegas in 1955. His father was killed in a boating accident when he was two years old. His mother battled drug addiction and acute narcissism making her unfit to be a mother. But with the support of his family, especially his father’s mother and his father’s brother and his wife, a better life prevailed.
Todd Kolod has written 70 songs in 70 years. First with the Daddy-Doo Band (2003-2009) and now with JustFolk (2012-2025). JustFolk has just released its compilation record “Best of JustFolk 2012-2025.” The band produced 4 albums and several singles over its lifetime. This final release marks the band’s official retirement. The songs were recorded in Ibiza, Spain and Helena, Montana.
