Folky NYC Artists on the rise: The Wailing Wall

Some folks say you can’t be both a Bob Dylan and a Leonard Cohen fan, but I suspect Jesse Rifkin of The Wailing Wall would prove them wrong. His songs are flavored with Cohen’s biblical reference while his voice and folk influence borrowed from Bobby-D. His childlike singing voice softens the religion in his songs and offers access to the wisdom in his lyrics. The Wailing Wall’s new album, “Low Hanging Fruit” is filled with waltzing country tunes and songs for the people, but where exactly these people live changes from song-to-song. Tracks like “Fear No Apple, Fear No Flood” mimic a slow, Irish bagpipe ballad, while “Bones Become Rainbows” invokes Animal Collective’s quick-footed beat and clap tracks. Playing with a full band, The Wailing Wall is a rumpus on stage. Check them out at The Mercury Lounge on September 4. – Jenny Luczak