By Cassandra Hardman, Staff Writer

Published in print Apr. 22, 2015

Folk musicians Daniel and Lauren Goans, the popular Greensboro natives and husband-wife duo that makes up Lowland Hum, released their sophomore album last Tuesday. The duo decided to return to their roots this past Saturday, as Greensboro Glenwood Coffee and Books hosted a performance featuring their new work.

The duo also brought some friends along with them to open the show. Sam Burchfield and Zack Wells took the stage first, exciting the crowd with their soft-spoken voices, a cappella love songs and some new, but unfinished music. Burchfield performed a solo, citing his inspiration for some of their music from his recent breakup. “Songs are stories, which is really cool since we’re in a book store,” Burchfield said to the crowd. Another opening act, soloist Ben Singer, followed behind Burchfield with a few more love songs of his own while playing the guitar.

Finally, it was time for Lowland Hum to take the stage. Bassist Joseph Dickey and drummer Dan Faust joined the duo as supporting rhythm behind the Goans’ vocals. Before the duo actually started singing, small books of lyrics were handed out to the audience. Daniel encouraged audience members to read along. In an interview they did last year with The Carolinian, the couple shared that they like to include their audience in the musical experience to create a family-like atmosphere.

The couple began their show with “Odell,” effortlessly encompassing the sound of two people in love on stage. Lauren’s voice was refreshing as they went on to sing “War is Over,” “Jack Of Hearts” and “Older, Wiser.” Dickey and Faust energized Daniel’s vocals, which shined in “Charleston” and “Fold.” In both songs, Daniel employed a guitar, as well as a homemade instrument, which is a wooden platform studded with metal jingles on stage that he stomps on and off of.

Daniel shared with the audience that he used to live only a few blocks from the bookstore. He was excited to be back in Greensboro because the couple spends so much time in unfamiliar places. In between songs, the couple drew the audience in through sharing personal memories and conversations.

As the show began to come to an end, Daniel’s mom yelled out for the couple to do their “cellphone song,” so the couple did as she requested and then ended the show with another song from their recently released album.

Lowland Hum will be on tour for the next few weeks. You can connect with Daniel and Lauren via Instagram, Twitter or Facebook at @Lowlandhum.You can also subscribe to their email listing on their website, http://www.lowlandhum.com to keep up with their lives, news and travels. Their album can also be accessed on iTunes and SoundCloud.