A Record of Love: New release from WNC singer-songwriter Melanie Ida Chopko
A Record of Love: New release from WNC singer-songwriter Melanie Ida Chopko: Never Had A Love Like This is a folk record that reflects on modern dating and human connection after the pandemic
On October 14, Hendersonville musician Melanie Ida Chopko released her sophomore album Never Had A Love Like This, a folk record that reflects on modern dating and human connection after the pandemic. The album’s toe-tapping folk sound draws inspiration from a collection of genres including big band, jazz, and even salsa melodies; Chopko’s lyricism reflects the vulnerability and humor that go hand-in-hand when exploring feelings of loneliness, love, and curiosity.
Single “Chant (Come with Me to Higher Ground)” offers a glimpse into the artist’s confrontation with feelings of depression; reminiscent of an old church hymn, the song features Gregorian chants and medley of harmonious voices. Youthful nostalgia manifests in “West River Road”, a tribute to the quaint landscape of Chopko’s childhood.
“My work is as interested in the world around me as the one within myself, intimately exploring how my questions intersect with place and the “deep story” of our time,” she explains. “I’m shaped by legends like Nina Simone, Tom Jobim and Joni Mitchell, and newer artists Anais Mitchell, Sufjan Stevens, and Jean Rohe.” Never Had A Love Like This is available to stream on Spotify. www.melanieidachopko.com