The Milk Carton Kids

The Milk Carton Kids

The Milk Carton Kids are an American folk and indie folk duo from Eagle Rock, United States, made up of singers and guitarists Kenneth Pattengale and Joey Ryan. The group forms in 2011 and remains active.

Style and performance

Their performances are quiet and closely arranged, built around two guitars, two voices and minimalist instrumentation. They often perform acoustically, standing close together and facing each other, with microphones rather than amplified guitars. Their songs are written collaboratively, with arrangements worked over carefully and recorded live. The duo’s sound combines harmonies with an old-fashioned aesthetic, using older guitars and clothing as part of their stage presence.

Releases and label

Before the duo’s first official release, they issue Retrospect, a live album that brings together songs from each member’s solo work and presents them in reworked duo versions. Their first release as The Milk Carton Kids is Prologue, which consists of original material written for the project and appears on their own Milk Carton Records label. They also release music for free through that label.

Background and collaborations

Both Pattengale and Ryan have solo careers with 10 releases between them, and both are multi-instrumentalists. In addition to their own guitar-led shows, they also serve as part of Joe Purdy’s backing band, playing bass, pedal steel guitar, piano and harmonies. The duo tour in support of Purdy across the United States and Canada. They also open for Vienna Teng and Sara Bareilles.

Context

The Milk Carton Kids present themselves as a duo whose music draws on simplicity, close vocal harmony and a stripped-back approach, while still looking forward rather than purely recreating older styles. Their songwriting and live presentation place them within contemporary American acoustic and indie folk traditions.