ROBERT LESTER FOLSOM
Robert Lester Folsom appears with Liz Cooper in a Songbyrd and U+N Booking presentation celebrating Folsom’s long-hidden recordings from the early 1970s. The performance is connected to *Sunshine Only Sometimes: Archives Vol. 2, 1972–1975*, Anthology Recordings’ collection of southern folk rock, psychedelic pop, country-blues, and rural-toned material recorded around Georgia in bedrooms, a barn, and a motel room using a reel-to-reel recorder and a rotating group of musicians.
Born and raised in Adel, Georgia, Folsom developed his musical approach through homemade overdubbing and small-scale recording projects, often working with guitarist Hans VanBrackle and local friends, classmates, and family members. His early compositions eventually contributed to *Ode to a Rainy Day* and *Sunshine Only Sometimes*, while his later work with the progressive southern rock group Abacus led toward the smoother West Coast and Laurel Canyon influences heard on his 1976 album *Music and Dreams*. The archival material highlights his melodic songwriting, introspective lyrics, mellow folk and downbeat atmosphere, country-rock movement, and adventurous psychedelic textures.
Liz Cooper joins the bill in support of her album *New Day*, a project shaped by major personal and artistic changes. After moving to New York, living through the pandemic, coming out, and experiencing a first queer relationship and breakup, Cooper redirected her sound toward psychedelic pop. She recorded demos alone in her apartment, took on production responsibilities for the first time, and worked with co-producer Dan Molad. Her process included experimenting with guitar, a Kaoss pad synthesizer, microphone movement, and feedback recorded at the War on Drugs’ studio.
When: October 8, 2026
Showtimes: The event is listed for 7:00 PM; doors are also listed at 7:00 PM.
Lineup: Robert Lester Folsom with supporting act Liz Cooper.
Tickets: $25 / $30
Ages: All ages.
Genre: Country, folk, and singer-songwriter.
Venue: Songbyrd Music House, 540 Penn Street NE, Washington, DC.
Presented by: Songbyrd and U+N Booking.
Run time: Not specified.