Jake Xerxes Fussell is an American folk singer, songwriter, and interpreter whose work bridges traditional vernacular music and contemporary songwriting with rare subtlety and care. Raised in Georgia and now based in North Carolina, Fussell has become widely respected for his deep listening, historical curiosity, and ability to reanimate old songs without stripping them of their mystery or meaning.
Rather than writing exclusively original material, Fussell often draws from nineteenth- and twentieth-century folk songs, field recordings, and oral traditions, reshaping them through his own melodic instincts and understated vocal delivery. His approach treats folk music as a living continuum—one shaped by memory, place, and human connection rather than strict authorship.
Fussell released his self-titled debut album in 2015 on Paradise of Bachelors, followed by a steady run of critically acclaimed records that established his singular voice in modern American folk music. His 2022 album When I’m Called, produced by James Elkington, featured contributions from musicians including Blake Mills, Ben Whiteley, Joe Westerlund, Joan Shelley, and Robin Holcomb, and was praised for its quiet authority and emotional depth.
In addition to his solo work, Fussell has composed music for film, including the score for Rebuilding (2025), directed by Max Walker-Silverman and starring Josh O’Connor. The accompanying soundtrack was released by Fat Possum Records, further expanding Fussell’s reach as a composer and storyteller.
Frequently described as a “folksinger in the truest sense,” Fussell has earned high praise from outlets including The New Yorker, The Guardian, Pitchfork, and NPR, which has featured him on Tiny Desk Concerts. Through live performance and recording alike, Jake Xerxes Fussell continues to explore how old songs can speak clearly to the present—carrying history forward while remaining deeply personal.
