By: Tessa Barker

Hailing from Franklin, Tennessee, Dick Aven is growing something special. No, not black mold, unless you want to get very literal. Aven is cultivating a combination of feel good indie folk and angsty modern rock to create music for roadtrippers, back-yard partiers, those who like to dance while doing dishes, and everyone who falls in between. For more insight into his music, Aven shared that he likes “experimental music. Not too keen on experimental drugs though,” a great message for our younger readers.  

From his latest album It All Started In The Garden comes “Old Black Mold,” my personal favorite track. Something about the warm alto sax and the percussive pockets that all the instruments use gives the song a calming Sunday afternoon vibe. Funnily enough, the song satirically attacks “government” singing, “Let’s not forget how much our government loves us and would never ever let us starve...keep on drinking fluorite.” Unlike real black mold, this song is a refreshing listen, best for an after dinner reflection. 

It All Started In The Garden is currently available on all streaming platforms and has something for everyone. I applaud Aven’s ability to meld genres and different sounds to create an eclectic and diverse album. Check out “Old Black Mold” below and remember kids, don’t do drugs.