On the whole, the harmonica dominates the song, as if it were a character howling, wailing, and breathing life into the sonic river being rowed across. A one-man band of sorts, Luke is revered for his multi-instrumentalist chops, which blend Alternative R&B textures with the grit of Classic Rock and the dusty soul of Americana. The whiff of smoky stages and time spent driving for hours on the interstate rises off every note. One of the least expected is that of the second vocalist, initially present to provide moral support during the Nashville recording sessions, who found themselves unceremoniously booted into the vocal booth. The result is an anthemic lift in the choruses that heightens the stakes and emotional heft without sacrificing the song's bare-knuckled quality.
Woltanski is from Traverse City, MI, and plays more than 250 shows per year, making friends and fans throughout the Midwest. With "River Styx," he makes a bold leap into new musical terrain, boasting both polish and passion. It's a track that is alive, unpredictable, and gloriously unafraid to break the rules. If you're interested in a song as imaginative as it is roaring, as dark as it is jubilant, with your usual dose of folklore, freedom, and fence-burning harmonica all thrown in, this ride down "River Styx" may just have your name on it.
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