By Anwaya Mane
They say art is born out of intense hurt, gnawing discomfort, and raging anger, but I have always believed that some of the best art emerges from a place of absolute happiness, peace of mind, and unbridled passion—and it seems Shaking Paper shares that view.
In a brief interview with Apple Music, Shaking Paper, who made their debut with the EP Velvet Haze, revealed that they spent months working in the loft of their apartment. Finally releasing it to the world meant a great deal to them. Seeking refuge in comfort and familiarity can serve as the bedrock for great art, because it is rooted in one’s values and sense of belonging – both literal and artistic.
Shaking Paper, comprised of the indie duo Kevin and Carlee, describes themselves in their Instagram bio as a “Mountain West Folk Duo.” They released their EP Velvet Haze on February 14 of last year.
Velvet Haze is a mini-album that blends alternative folk, indie folk, folk rock, and what they refer to as “folk haze.” It features four tracks: “Speak to Me (I Was Born to Love You),” “I Don’t Want to Lose You,” “Technicolor Dreamer,” and “Patterns and Light.”
The music made me feel as if I were at a Shaking Paper concert, and despite the audience, the singers’ voices reached only me. Kevin and Carlee’s vocals bleed into each other in a beautifully coordinated harmony, bringing the sound of their album vividly to life.
Velvet Haze features the kind of songs you’d belt out loudly and coarsely at karaoke or a house party – strumming an imaginary guitar in the air, singing to an audience that might be half-asleep and half-drunk, but really performing more for yourself. Like the band’s name, Shaking Paper, Velvet Haze ruffles steadily, riding its beats for momentum while staying firmly rooted in its genre, its voice solid and assured.
It’s hard to pick favorites when you only have four (excellent) songs, but I especially enjoyed “Speak to Me (I Was Born to Love You)” and “Patterns and Light.” Regarding “Speak to Me (I Was Born to Love You),” Kevin revealed that it was a song that came as naturally as breathing: “This was one of those songs where, when writing it, it just seemed to fall out of the guitar as fast as I could play it.”
They explained that while the message of the song is crystal clear, its appeal is also global – something they felt needed to be shared and celebrated. This underscores the point I made in my opening paragraph: that great art doesn’t always emerge from heartbreak or torment but from the rootedness and universality of emotions and experiences.
Velvet Haze explores the ideas of love and acceptance, woven into the tapestry of alternative folk, accentuated by soothing harmonies and mesmerizing vocals. It celebrates love not just in the romantic sense, but also as a toast to the beauty found in music, memory, and human connection.
The fourth song on the EP, “Patterns and Light,” reminded me of physics – specifically prisms and refraction. The track evokes the image of a dreamy, technicolor rainbow after heavy rains, like a delectable dessert following a dreadful meal. As the album’s closing piece, “Patterns and Light” boasts enchanting vocals. It is the quiet after a storm – the sense that the worst has passed and is now firmly behind you.
Shaking Paper’s Velvet Haze combines emotional intimacy with the communal feeling of singing along with a crowd of strangers. It also echoes the timeless warmth of The Beatles’ classics such as “Here Comes the Sun” and “Blackbird,” with its folk elements and unmistakable sense of comfort.
While Shaking Paper’s Velvet Haze is an excellent debut, it is not bereft of criticism. The album touches on universal themes of love, music, and human connection, but I wish it had expanded on that foundation and built upon it further. Since Shaking Paper is a duo composed of a man and a woman, incorporating songs with both his and her perspectives would have added an extra layer of richness and contrast.
In August, the duo released a new single, “Puff Out Your Chest,” which takes an experimental detour from their debut EP, showcasing solid vocals and instrumentation while expanding upon their distinct folk sound.
Overall, it will be exciting to see them continue building on this genre with even more dynamic music and engaging live performances. Make sure to follow Shaking Paper on Instagram. You can hear their song “Patterns and Light” below.