It’s an interesting sight. The audience sees an overweight, middle-age man walk onto the stage, often wearing a t-shirt proclaiming his love of a rock band (often in the heavy metal genre). But, he’s holding an acoustic guitar – and, from the first notes, they know they’re in for a different journey.

“I love the bands whose shirts I wear,” said Christopher Thelen, who performs under the nom-de-plume of ROCKfolk. “But, growing up, I was exposed to a healthy diet of Harry Chapin, Jim Croce, John Denver and Dan Fogelberg. As I grew up, I discovered Loudon Wainwright III and John Prine, and my love for acoustic music just grew.

“If you go to enough of my performances, though, you already know it’s not uncommon for me to throw in a cover of AC/DC, The Kinks or Pearl Jam.”

So, who exactly is ROCKfolk?

“The name was born from when I began to perform in college, and described the kind of songs I was writing, ” Thelen said. “Today, it’s less of a ‘who,’ and more of a ‘what’. It’s the emotional rollercoaster I take the listener – and sometimes myself – on. If any of my friends on the scene join me, they become extensions of the music – and, essentially, become ROCKfolk themselves.”

His debut album Ode pays tribute to folk-rock artists who have passed while keeping the genre relevant for the 21st Century. It evokes laughter (“Good Morning, Depression”, “Mr. Anti-Technology”) and tears (“Dien Bien Phu”,  “My Little Man”), all establishing his unique voice on the genre.

Since his return to performing in 2019 after what he called a “25 year vacation,” Thelen has performed across southeastern Wisconsin and northeastern Illinois – and has even graced stages in Nashville and its suburbs. “To walk across floors where some legendary artists have performed is humbling, but it’s also an honor to share stages with local musicians who have become my friends.”

What are you waiting for? ROCKfolk is waiting to take you on a powerful musical journey. All you have to do is sit back and listen.

ROCKfolk has performed at (among other places):

• Kenosha Creative Space (Kenosha, WI)
• Club 400 Bar & Grill (Waukesha, WI)
• The Runaway Micropub & Brewery (Burlington, WI)
• Public Craft Brewing Company (Kenosha, WI)
• Mickey Finn’s (Libertyville, IL)
• Copper Fiddle Distillery (Lake Zurich, IL)
• The Legendary Kimbro’s Pickin’ Parlor (Franklin, TN)
• The Commodore Grille (Nashville, TN)
• Lake Geneva House Of Music (Lake Geneva, WI)

Wanna see your establishment’s name here? Reach out to us and book ROCKfolk for a show!