Though The Artful Escape begins in Calypso, most of Francis’ journey takes place in the Cosmic Extraordinary, a fantastical realm where timid, insecure teens are able to express themselves without fear via the medium of wailing guitar solos and celestial-spanning riffs. Does he even want to be a folk singer? Maybe he just wants to… shred? Everyone’s always comparing him to his uncle, like some towering shadow he cannot escape. Tomorrow night, Francis is expected to close the festival with a live tribute to his uncle’s work, but he’s riven with doubt. His uncle, Johnson Vendetti, was a famous folk singer and Calypso is currently overflowing with tourists eager to mark the anniversary of Johnson’s most celebrated album.

Mostly, though, it’s about how folk music is trash.įrancis Vendetti grew up in the idyllic bohemian town of Calypso, the kind of twee artist village where Main St hosts a record store called Vinyl Countdown and indulgences like the shop promising Maps of Imaginary Countries somehow thrive. It’s the story of someone coming to terms with who they are and realising it’s okay to dream about being someone else. A triumphant journey of transformation, The Artful Escape is a joyous musical odyssey of self-discovery that sweeps you along with a breathless enthusiasm and leaves you wide-eyed and grinning from ear to ear.

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