Gabe Parsons, the folk rock singer-songwriter out of Hopewell Valley, New Jersey, just put out his first full-length album, Long Road Traveler, on October 17. Drawing from years of gigging and sharpening his chops, Parsons has built a solid foothold in the Northeast indie circuit with his straightforward, introspective tunes and command of a stage. He cut his teeth in New Orleans’ club and festival lineup while at Loyola University‘s School of Music Industry, then brought that edge back home for slots at spots like World Cafe Live in Philadelphia and French Quarter Festival. Lately, he’s warmed up crowds for acts like Crowe Boys and made the cut as a semifinalist in WXPN‘s 24-Hour Song Challenge, all while fronting his band The Heartland to connect with listeners craving that unpolished emotional pull.
Across its 12 tracks, Long Road Traveler digs into the push-pull of roots and restless miles, kicking off with the sparse ‘Coyote Intro‘ before easing into fuller builds like ‘The Heartland Pt. 1‘ and the windswept drive of ‘Hurricane’s Back‘. Parsons layers acoustic strums with subtle percussion to frame stories of separation in cuts such as ‘Letters to Your Mother‘, keeping the arrangements tight and the hooks memorable without being over the top. It’s the kind of record where every chord shift lands like a mile marker, underscoring his talent for turning personal detours into shared anthems – a sonic depiction of a long road traveled.
If you’re spinning Jason Isbell‘s road-tested confessions or Brandi Carlile‘s raw nerve, Long Road Traveler slots right in—Parsons is delivering folk rock that feels lived-in, not staged. Keep an eye on him as he hits more regional stages; this one’s a marker for where he’s headed next.
Stream Long Road Traveler:
