Caroline Polachek’s Stunning Cover of Nick Drake’s ‘River Man’ at Colorado Art Gallery

Experience Caroline Polachek’s heartfelt ‘River Man’ cover performed live in a Colorado art gallery, blending folk classics with contemporary artistry.

A Unique Performance at Aspen Art Museum

Caroline Polachek recently delivered an intimate one-off show at the Aspen Art Museum in Colorado, enchanting the audience with her ethereal voice and artistic flair. This special event took place on Thursday night, July 31, as part of the museum’s AIR program, which celebrates live performances and creative collaborations.

Caroline Polachek performing live

During this memorable night, Polachek surprised fans with a delicate and heartfelt rendition of ‘River Man’, a classic from the legendary English folk musician Nick Drake. The song originally appeared on Drake’s 1969 debut album Five Leaves Left and has since become a beloved folk staple.

Watch Caroline’s ‘River Man’ Cover

Captured beautifully on video, the performance showcases Polachek’s ability to breathe new life into vintage songs, making them resonate with modern audiences. Here’s the footage of her soulful interpretation:

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♬ original sound – i-D

Polachek’s Ongoing Love for Vintage Covers

This isn’t Polachek’s first time transforming classic tunes into stunning live experiences. She’s known for weaving vintage songs into her sets, often choosing unexpected venues like art galleries to enhance the atmosphere.

• Last October, she performed Radiohead’s True Love Waits inside Paris’ Musée de L’Orangerie, creating a magical fusion of music and art.
• Back in 2023 in Melbourne, Polachek blended verses from Grimes’ Delete Forever and Dido’s Thank You into her collaborative track Fly To You.
• She also released a recorded cover of The Corrs’ 2000 hit Breathless as a bonus track on her remix collection Standing At The Gate.

Each of these moments highlights her unique ability to remix and reimagine beloved songs for new generations.

Recent Collaborations and Releases

Polachek has been busy with exciting musical ventures beyond covers:

• She contributed vocals to Blood Orange’s single Mind Loaded, leading up to his album Essex Honey, set for release on August 29.
• In June, she unveiled the official title track for the video game Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, collaborating with producer Danny L Harle and the game’s creator Hideo Kojima.

“‘On The Beach’ was actually one of the first songs I ever made with Danny L Harle, but it was too alien and industrial—almost too evil—to work on my 2019 album ‘Pang’. I set it aside until the right project came along. When Kojima approached me about Death Stranding 2, I knew it was a perfect fit. Eight years later, the song was finally finished for this unique setting.” — Caroline Polachek

Her last single release was Starburned And Unkissed in 2024, plus recent features on tracks with Caroline (Tell Me I Never Knew That) and Charli XCX (Everything Is Romantic).

Connecting Art, Music, and Emotion

Caroline Polachek’s intimate ‘River Man’ cover at the Aspen Art Museum perfectly encapsulates her artistic vision—fusing timeless music with immersive spaces and heartfelt delivery. Whether reviving classic folk or crafting futuristic sounds, Polachek’s performances always strike a chord.

Are you inspired to explore more vintage covers or dive into her original tracks? How do art galleries change the way we experience live music? Let us know your thoughts!

FAQs

• What is the significance of ‘River Man’ in Nick Drake’s career? ‘River Man’ is one of Nick Drake’s most iconic songs, featured on his debut album Five Leaves Left (1969), showcasing his melancholic folk style.
• Where was Caroline Polachek’s ‘River Man’ cover performed? The cover took place at the Aspen Art Museum in Colorado during their AIR live performance series.
• Has Caroline Polachek covered other classic songs? Yes! She has covered Radiohead’s True Love Waits, The Corrs’ Breathless, and incorporated verses from Grimes and Dido in her live performances.
• What recent collaborations has Caroline Polachek been involved in? Recent works include collaborations with Blood Orange, Charli XCX, and the official title track for Death Stranding 2.
• How does Caroline Polachek describe her song ‘On The Beach’? She describes it as a long-gestating track originally too “alien and industrial” for her 2019 album, later reshaped for the video game Death Stranding 2.

Explore the magic of music and art with Caroline Polachek’s unforgettable covers. Don’t forget to shop your favorite album cover posters and music-inspired art at our store for a touch of aesthetic brilliance in your space: Architeg Prints.