Dala Records to Release Michael Harlen's Debut EP, 'The Big Country,' December 16th

The Big Country EP, the upcoming release from independent label Dala Records on December 16th, is the first solo project from Brooklyn-based modern music man, Michael Harlen. Originally from Silver Springs, Maryland, Harlen grew up on the post-punk and hardcore DC scene. Picking up the guitar at age 13, he continued to play around the DC and Baltimore area until he moved to NYC to attend New York University to study music. While at NYU, he began playing with several NYC bands, such as EMEFE, The Rad Trads, and Christopher Paul Sterling. Listen to any number of records from these bands, or even the Dala Records catalog, and you will hear the tasteful contributions from Michael Harlen aka “Big Country.”

​Recorded and mixed on analog tape in a matter of days, Big Country showcases Harlen’s ability in the studio as he performs nearly every instrument on the record himself. Special guests include fellow Rad Trads members Patrick Sargent and Michael Fatum on horns, vocalist Melody Rabe, and trombonist Raymond James Mason (who has played with acts such as Mark Ronson and Taylor Swift.) The use of classic country and bluegrass instrumentation allows Harlen to introduce himself as a much needed voice in the Folk and Americana music scene.

---