About

Utah Carol, comprised of JinJa Davis and Grant Birkenbeuel, create an eclectic mix of pop, folk and indie rock seasoned with happy/sad, boy/girl vocal harmonies. There’s an enchanting quality to their music with lullaby-like, harmonizing vocals floating effortlessly through their songs. The band’s name comes from a traditional song about a cowboy who dies trying to save his friend from a stampede.

Utah Carol have been writing original songs together since 1995. JinJa and Grant write the music and lyrics as well as produce, arrange, perform and publish their songs in Chicago, Illinois. The band has three albums: Wonderwheel (1999), and Comfort For The Traveler (2002) and Rodeo Queen (2007). They are currently working on new songs for their next album.

JinJa and Grant also design, art direct and produce the band’s albums, press materials and band merchandise at their graphic design company Birkdesign Inc.

From AllMusic.com The indie rock group Utah Carol, taking their name from a traditional cowboy song, are a duo consisting of husband and wife Grant Birkenbeuel and JinJa Davis. They began writing songs together in 1995 and launched the band in Chicago in 1997. The first Utah Carol album, Wonderwheel, was released by Orchard Records in June 1999. “My Fear,” a song from it, was chosen for inclusion in The Rough Guide to Americana, while another track, “Mabel Custer,” was featured in the film All the Real Girls. Comfort for the Traveler, Utah Carol’s second album, was released April 22, 2002, on the group’s own Stomping Ground label. Rodeo Queen, their third album, appeared on May 15, 2007, anticipating the release of two more films using the band’s music, Kabluey and Love and Mary.

6 comments
  1. Rediscovered Wonderwheel on Spotify. Have been playing it constantlky the past few days. It’s truly a timeless classic. Keep up the good work!

  2. Thank you! So sorry we just noticed this note! We are so happy to hear you are enjoying our music.

  3. I remember my dad making compilation cd’s to listen to in the car. Airplanes was on one of them. Recently I was driving with my dad, with his iPod on shuffle and suddenly: Airplanes! I immediately recognized it and now I’m checking out the rest of your music. So far so good! Peaceful and dreamy 🙂

  4. I heard “Kimberly Smiles” on WLUW a few minutes ago (5/25/22). Make more music soon please.

  5. Hi Jeff! Thank you for this! We have new songs! Sugar Cane and Pretty Black Dress. Will you text me? I’ll send you the links. 312-380-9693

  6. Thank you !!!!! We have new songs, and we’d love to share them with you. Will you text me? I’ll send you the links. 312-380-9693

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