The Story
The multiple Grammy Award winning fiddler, banjo player and singer's first studio album since 2020.
Wake marks the long-awaited return from Grammy Award-winning multi-instrumentalist Dirk Powell, his first studio album since 2020 and one of his most introspective and expansive works to date. Rooted in the traditions of American folk and Cajun music, the album explores the layered meanings of its title--from the trace one leaves behind in life, to communal rituals of remembrance, to the act of awakening itself. Across its eleven tracks, Powell crafts a deeply personal yet universally resonant journey, blending evocative storytelling with rich, organic instrumentation that moves fluidly between intimacy and grandeur.
Widely respected as a fiddler, banjo player, singer, and cultural preservationist, Powell has built a career dedicated to the roots of American music, drawing heavily from his Louisiana heritage and his work with traditional musicians across generations. He has collaborated with artists such as Joan Baez, Rhiannon Giddens, and Eric Clapton, and contributed to major film soundtracks including Cold Mountain. His approach balances historical authenticity with subtle innovation, using both traditional acoustic instruments and modern textures to create a sound that feels timeless rather than nostalgic.
On Wake, that vision expands further, incorporating everything from handmade banjos and fiddles to electric guitar, French horn, and field recordings of natural and environmental sounds--Louisiana swamps, trains, and street celebrations. The result is a richly layered sonic landscape that mirrors the album's thematic depth, shifting between moments of quiet reflection and vibrant, communal energy. Wake stands as a powerful statement from an artist deeply attuned to the past yet fully engaged with the present, offering a meditative and emotionally immersive listening experience.
Track Listing
- Étoiles Cachées
- Tomorrow We Sail
- Joyful Noise (for Courtney)
- Red Bird Road
- Rowing Across the Bay
- Headin’ on Down
- High Score King
- Down the Line
- Your Dark Hair
- Long Long Long
- Ally Ally In Come Free
Additional Details
Label: The Last Music Company
Genre: Folk
Language: English
Run Time: 44:05 mins
Region: 0
Release Date: 04/17/26
UPC: 5065023660353
Description
The multiple Grammy Award winning fiddler, banjo player and singer's first studio album since 2020.
Wake marks the long-awaited return from Grammy Award-winning multi-instrumentalist Dirk Powell, his first studio album since 2020 and one of his most introspective and expansive works to date. Rooted in the traditions of American folk and Cajun music, the album explores the layered meanings of its title--from the trace one leaves behind in life, to communal rituals of remembrance, to the act of awakening itself. Across its eleven tracks, Powell crafts a deeply personal yet universally resonant journey, blending evocative storytelling with rich, organic instrumentation that moves fluidly between intimacy and grandeur.
Widely respected as a fiddler, banjo player, singer, and cultural preservationist, Powell has built a career dedicated to the roots of American music, drawing heavily from his Louisiana heritage and his work with traditional musicians across generations. He has collaborated with artists such as Joan Baez, Rhiannon Giddens, and Eric Clapton, and contributed to major film soundtracks including Cold Mountain. His approach balances historical authenticity with subtle innovation, using both traditional acoustic instruments and modern textures to create a sound that feels timeless rather than nostalgic.
On Wake, that vision expands further, incorporating everything from handmade banjos and fiddles to electric guitar, French horn, and field recordings of natural and environmental sounds--Louisiana swamps, trains, and street celebrations. The result is a richly layered sonic landscape that mirrors the album's thematic depth, shifting between moments of quiet reflection and vibrant, communal energy. Wake stands as a powerful statement from an artist deeply attuned to the past yet fully engaged with the present, offering a meditative and emotionally immersive listening experience.
Track Listing
- Étoiles Cachées
- Tomorrow We Sail
- Joyful Noise (for Courtney)
- Red Bird Road
- Rowing Across the Bay
- Headin’ on Down
- High Score King
- Down the Line
- Your Dark Hair
- Long Long Long
- Ally Ally In Come Free
Additional Details
Label: The Last Music Company
Genre: Folk
Language: English
Run Time: 44:05 mins
Region: 0
Release Date: 04/17/26
UPC: 5065023660353
