"At a time when it's cool to label everything as "folk," Boston-based Zoubek & Bryant (formerly Threefold Cord) are the real deal. They are a classic folk duo--two talented singer/songwriters (one female, one male) who switch off lead vocals, accompanied by their tasteful acoustic guitars and light percussion. What separates Hinge from the slew of "folk duo" albums is the sheer quality of the work. The instruments are laid-back but not boring, the songs are beautiful but not melodramatic, and the lyrics are poetic but not flowery. Hinge will renew your love for true folk music." -- Aaron Tate


It was a 1997 move to Boston and the creative pairing with Scott Bryant, former lead guitarist of In the Attic, that brought the rave reviews for original songs such as "Carry Me," "Shifting Sand" and "Whisper Peace" which were included in an international lineup of independent artists on The Awakening Compilation, Vol. 2, and Grassroots Music's Dialects. "Zoubek and Bryant's form of folk transcends your commonplace coffee house variety," wrote Steven Stuart Baldwin of the Phantom Tollbooth. "Their songwriting skills and talented delivery will cause you to perk right up and take notice. Caffeinated beverages not required."

Produced by Wade Baynham of The Basics, Zoubek and Bryant's first recording, Hinge, was released to a sold-out crowd at Boston's legendary folk venue Club Passim in '99. The phantom Tollbooth review of the album stated: "Rollyn Zoubek's female lead vocals are that rare form of world-class artistry that must be heard. She sings both deftly and emotionally, without resorting to either emotionalism or blatant showmanship." Even Art Garfunkle weighed in: "This is my kind of music." Following the release of their first record, Zoubek and Bryant took to the road with Awakening Records on the Spring Forward 2000 tour, performing in colleges, coffee houses, clubs and churches across the United States.