Josh Kimbrough

We interviewed Josh Kimbrough, the fingerstyle guitarist and composer from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Josh put out his fantastic solo debut record, Slither, Soar, and Disappear last year on Tompkins Square, as well as a Christmas EP entitled Yule Chime.

Josh grew up in the Chapel Hill-area and became an integral part of the music scene there at an early age. In the interview, he described how his interests and proclivities shifted from his math rock roots to where he is now as an established acoustic guitar instrumentalist, influenced as much by the classical Fernando Sor and Freddie King albums he played along with, as Wyndham Hill and Takoma Records artists.

Josh’s story about the inspiration behind these songs is incredibly sweet. Slither, Soar, and Disappear is rooted in nature and inspired by fatherhood. It ponders the depth and meaning in simple rituals, like how a daily walk through nature seen through your newborn’s eyes can become an intense, eye-opening, and extremely touching experience.

If you haven’t heard this acclaimed collection of songs – a cycle, if you will- please do. What a gift this record is to us, the listeners, and for Simon, to have this trove of sonic moments that his dad so lovingly created and preserved for him.

Buy Slither, Soar & Disappear on Bandcamp.

Photo by Peyton Sickles.