Kevin Bronson on January 2nd, 2013

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The resurgence of folk music in the mainstream has produced a lot of artists who sound – thematically as well as sonically – as if they’re church-going people. Some we know have even been disparaged in the press as stealth Christians. Well, there’s nothing covert about the Eagle Rock Gospel Singers, an eight- to 13-strong ensemble showing that you don’t necessarily need to tote the Good Book to embrace the power of gospel blues. Begun two years ago as a cover band breathing new life into traditionals, ERGS has stretched creatively to finish its debut EP, which boasts five originals and was funded by a Kickstarter campaign. The group worked with producer Matt Wignall (Cold War Kids, Deep Sea Diver, the Fling), and their first single “MMLJ,” penned by Jeremy Horton and Will Wadsworth, seems to spring from the same rich loam as the spirituals of the bands they cover.

||| Download: “MMLJ”