Oakes and Smith

With close harmonies, soulful songs, Robert's engaging storytelling, and Katherine’s soaring voice, husband-and-wife folk duo Oakes and Smith creates an ethereal sound not often heard in today’s popular music.

Following a songwriting retreat in France in summer 2023 with songwriter Joy Askew, the duo was inspired to begin work on a new EP, their first since 2016. The four self-produced songs were mixed by Grammy-winning engineer Oz Fritz. The EP's title track, Hide and Seek, came to Kate during the retreat, and the group of gathered songwriters helped her sing it for the very first time in a beautiful medieval church nearby.

Their 2016 EP, Between the Earth and the Sky, was mixed by Grammy-winning engineer Oz Fritz, produced by Jemal Wade Hines of HuDost, and featured a performance by Yes vocalist Jon Anderson on the song "Closer to Home." One of the EP's singles, "Never Let the Light Die," was on high rotation on Soul Traveler Radio, and critics gave the collection warm praise. The duo recorded much of the EP in the historic barn of Ashintully Gardens in Tyringham, MA, once the studio of composer John McClennan, whose spirit and beautifully cultivated grounds and gardens lent inspiration to the music.

At the heart of this project are the bond of love between Robert and Kate and their shared passion to make meaningful music. Oakes and Smith hope to inspire their listeners and remind them that sincerity and soul are still alive in our world. Visit oakesandsmith.net.