The Milk Carton Kids are an American indie folk duo from Eagle Rock, California, United States, consisting of singer-guitarists Kenneth Pattengale and Joey Ryan.

After performing at SXSW in March 2011, the newly-named Milk Carton Kids joined Joe Purdy's North American tour as his opening act and backing band.

[11] Promotion for the album included a tour with Austin-based artist Sarah Jarosz, and a November taping of Austin City Limits.

[15] Rolling Stone praised the album, and writer Luke Levenson noted that the bandmates' life changes had been significant influences on its sound, commenting that "both halves of the troubadour twosome have undergone serious life changes, with Joey Ryan fathering his second child, and Kenneth Pattengale overcoming cancer and the breakup of a seven-year relationship.

The Milk Carton Kids have performed on National Public Radio's Mountain Stage,[17] Daytrotter,[8] and were guest DJ hosts on Sirius/XM's folk channel The Village.

[20] In December 2012, three unreleased tracks, "Snake Eyes", "The Ash & Clay" and "Jewel of June", were featured in Gus Van Sant's film Promised Land.

[21] After the release of The Ash & Clay in 2013, they appeared in TV and radio shows which included Garrison Keillor's A Prairie Home Companion,[22] CBS This Morning,[23] and Conan.

[24] On April 29, 2014 National Public Radio released a full concert DVD of the duo, Live at Lincoln Theatre.

[25] On April 11 &12, 2014, they collaborated with Joe Henry and Over the Rhine for a two-night live performance and recording of new songs inspired by the Great American Songbook.