Since the duo began writing and recording music, Louis York, named after a combination of their respective hometowns (Harmony from East St. Louis, Kelly from New York City), has released an EP trilogy entitled “Masterpiece Theater: Act I, Act 11, Act Ill.”
The projects earned praise from publications including Billboard and the Los Angeles Times for their genre-bending sensibilities and creative aesthetic. In 2019 the pair unleashed their full-length debut, American Griots, which gained much attention with their bold, dynamic, sultry sound heard on lead singles “Don’t You Forget” and “How Will I Feel,” which reached the top 15 on the US Urban Radio chart.
The well-received album produced appearances on 3rd Hour Today, PBS NewsHour, CNN, and several other major media outlets. In a relatively short amount of time, the pair has amassed millions of cumulative streams on Spotify; given a talk as part of the esteemed TEDx Nashville program; performed sold-out shows domestically and internationally, starred in award-winning feature films, and have performed at the Grand Ole Opry many times.
Now, after establishing their creative studio and label, Weirdo Workshop, and settling into their headquarters in Franklin, Tennessee, Louis York partnered with artist and music producer Sir The Baptist to executive produce the GRAMMY Award-winning album The Urban Hymnal by the Tennessee State University Aristocrat of Bands in the Best Roots Gospel Album category, which the pair wrote, produced, and performed as a featured artist on the track “Blessings on Blessings” alongside Donald Lawrence and ChurchPpl.
The pair is ready to release their sophomore effort titled Songs with Friends set to feature the likes of PJ Morton, Jessie J, Lalah Hathaway, Chris Daughtry, Anthony Hamilton, and more.
“Louis York was created when two friends became a band to make the best music of our lives. We understand the magic of collaboration and we have some of the most brilliant, eclectic friends in the world. It was time to put that collective talent on full display. Every song tells the story of who we are. When you put it all together the creative chemistry is explosive! Making songs alone is cool, but nothing is more powerful than making Songs With Friends.” ●
