Changes

Changes, formed in 1969 by cousins Robert N. Taylor and Nicholas Tesluk, occupies a unique position as a 'proto-neofolk' act that predates the genre's formalization by decades.

Originally emerging from the Chicago folk scene, their early work was lost or unreleased for years, leading to a legendary status when they resurfaced in the 1990s. Their sound is defined by Taylor's baritone vocals and Tesluk's sophisticated, often virtuoso acoustic guitar arrangements, which draw from both American folk and European classical traditions. Culturally, they are seen as a foundational influence on the apocalyptic folk scene, frequently cited alongside acts like Death in June and Sol Invictus, though their music remains more rooted in traditional folk structures. Critical consensus highlights their role in bringing a high-minded, metaphysical perspective to folk music, moving away from the protest songs of their era toward themes of perennial philosophy and mythology. Their career arc is one of long-delayed recognition, with their 1990s recordings finally cementing their legacy as architects of a specific, stoic aesthetic that balances intellectual rigor with melodic accessibility.