#brooklyn bluegrass

[krispyweiss]

Quarter Notes: Blurbs & Briefs from Sound Bites

- In this edition: Chicago; Linda Ronstadt; Molly Tuttle and Ketch Secor; and Eli “Paperboy” Reed

HURRICANE HILLARY IMPACTS CHICAGO: Chicago moved to Sept. 5 its Aug. 20 concert in Costa Mesa, Calif., to avoid “likely inclement weather” caused by Hurricane Hillary.

“Look forward to seeing you all soon,” the band said.

RONSTADT REDUX: Linda Ronstadt’s Canciones de mi Padre will be reissued on vinyl - the first such pressing in 35 years - Sept. 8.

“This music is like an old friend to me, and I hope the new generation of vinyl fans will enjoy it,” Ronstadt said in a statement.

SECOR AND TUTTLE TO HOST BLUEGRASS AWARDS: Ketch Secor and Molly Tuttle will co-host the 34th-annual International Bluegrass Music Association awards Sept. 28 in North Carolina.

A “PAPERBOY” AT 40: Eli “Paperboy” Reed will celebrate his 40th birthday by performing Sam Cooke’s One Night Stand - Live at The Harlem Square Club, Oct. 14 at New York’s Union Pool.

“This album changed my life and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate 40 turns around the sun,” Reed said in a statement.

Proceeds benefit the Brooklyn Youth Music Project; ticketing info here.

8/18/23

[thebandcampdiaries]

Trespasser has recently released a new studio work titled “Wasted Time.”

Since their debut in 2022, the brooklyn-based indie rock band Trespasser has been on a relentless journey to reaching a broader audience. Their energetic live shows and powerful dynamics have earned them a stellar reputation within the local scene and beyond. Each show is a unique experience, thanks to the band's willingness to shake things up with improvisational segments. Their latest studio work, 'Wasted Time', is a testament to their ability to translate raw energy into a well-recorded and highly organic track. This release is a fusion of classic elements like country and bluegrass with the fierce impact of punk and indie rock.

The band features five musicians, each bringing something unique to the formula in terms of how their different backgrounds and influences collide. The band aptly combined all of the aforementioned styles and more, merging them into a unique approach they like to call "outlaw scrungle," a really fitting definition to their free, energetic, and raw sound, which still retains a very personal twist.

"Wasted Time" is a really good example of how the band is able to perform with raw energy but also maintain a very melodic dimension, with some personal and understated lyrics that are easy to relate to. The song begins with a simple yet catchy guitar riff, followed by some melodic arpeggios. The main riff is based on the lower strings, creating a throaty, vintage tone that still has plenty of twang to cut through the mix. On the other hand, the arpeggiated parts have a crisp, clearer, and glassier tone that rounds up the guitar sound beautifully. The way the band managed to blend a more aggressive and a softer guitar is truly remarkable, and the song benefits from the crunch/clean dichotomy that makes the chords sound more detailed and harmonically rich. Sometimes, excessive distortion can mask all the nuances of the beautiful interaction between guitars, but in this case, the extra sparkle enables the guitars to feel very detailed and impactful.

The first verse of the song is actually more laid back, with jangly clean guitars and a reprise of the arpeggio with the main riff. This is a perfect way to create varying dynamics, which bring more "peaks and valleys" into the mix. In other words, there is no loud without quiet!

The chorus enables even more variety, with a pleasant chord change and the drums focusing on a faster ride cymbal 8th note pattern to really cut through the guitars and bass. The second verse is more sparse, creating a great contrast with the fullness of the chorus. At first, drums and vocals are the most prominent elements, but the guitars kick in soon after, taking the verse back to its full range and then leading into the chorus. The hooks are memorable yet retain the song's earthy and intimate sound. The layered vocal harmonies are beautifully executed, with the female vocals adding more harmonic depth to the track. The lead vocals bring so much charisma and a natural swagger to the mix, really emphasizing the charming outlaw vibe that makes the band's music so distinctive and impressive. The guitar parts are tastefully executed throughout, maintaining a very natural sound, somewhere in between crunchy and clean. There is also room for a soaring guitar solo, which brings the song's energy to a whole new level and even bleeds into the next chorus, adding some incredibly cool and unexpected notes, as well as some bends that add a raw, jam-like sensibility to the mix. The lead guitar actually continues to meander past the chorus and up to the end of the song, making for a truly energizing and spontaneous vibe, almost as if the band decided to ramp up the energy toward the end of the song to maximize the impact of the closing. In conclusion, this track stands out for its honest spontaneity. It is highly recommended to people who enjoy early Kings Of Leon or Francis Moon, as well as artists such as Lucero and Wilco, but with a punkier, edgier vibe that brings so much depth. The production of "Wasted Time" first makes the song perfect with a more organic sound that seamlessly affirms the band's sense of authenticity. The group did a fantastic job at making sure this recording would feel like a true portrait of the band at its best. "Wasted Time" really feels like the real sound of a band, playing in a room and letting the energy flow with none of the typical artifice you'd encounter in a more polished production.

Find out more about Trespasser, and listen to "Wasted Time" on your favorite digital streaming service.

[littlescaryinternetguy]

Fans of Various Styles of Music: How Would They Treat Tinies?

If you're like me, and you are, you often wonder how various music fan stereotypes would treat tinies. Also, you are wondering if my cats are the best cats, better than yours. Well, like the Internet, I'm full of answers. As to the second question, my cats ARE the best cats, better than your cats, although your cats are like the number 1a to my cats' number 1. Somekitty has to be number 1, and it is my cats. We can now put that question to rest.

But, LSIG, what about the first question? Well, I have forgotten it. Let me glance up there and... ah. Yes. Here we go. Emo: they would be really passive aggressive about how small and vulnerable the tinies are. "I guess you can't flip this almond over," they would say, brushing their asymmetrical haircuts aside. "I guess I'll do it for you. I can. I guess." Some people are into that but I would eat the nearest roach motel. 3/10. Powerviolence: much like emos, but they would be at first fascinated by the power inequalities the tinies represent. Eventually they would be disgusted by them and sample the sound tinies make when you drop a VCR tape of Faces of Death on them. 2/10. Bluegrass: anyone is legally allowed to steal from bluegrass fans, so feel free to borrow car keys, spoons, interesting bits from their CPAP machines, fifty dollar bills, and muscle relaxers. That having been said they are generally non-offensive sorts, if you can get past the fact that they're from Brooklyn but talk about their spiritual home in the mountain hollers.. 5/10. Black metal: black metal people are the nicest people in the world. They are so nice. They are all vegetarian and they all volunteer at animal shelters. Feel free to show yourselves to them. They will call you 'little dude' no matter what your gender and gender expression. You may be asked to join their band. My advice: do it (see: Nobody's Fool by @ratcatcher0325 for a good read about a tiny in a band). 9/10. Norwegian black metal: exactly like black metal except one in a hundred is into the Astaru Folk Church and will kill you, either on purpose or boring you to death with impassioned but deeply stupid rants about the natural supremacy of "the Hyperborean Race", who all look like Taylor Swift and are all-powerful but for some reason they aren't in charge of anything except small press runs of Turner Diaries knock-offs. Still, you gotta like those odds. Will also do your makeup, provided your makeup is black or white and is applied with a paintbrush. 9/10 or 0/10. J-pop: will call you kawaii at frequencies beyond even your hearing. The amount of pastel colors will make you think you died and were reincarnated as a Peep. Maybe you were. They call that 'isekai' and you have no idea what that means. Neither do I. The music will either give you diabetes from how cloyingly sweet it is, chain migraines from the hypercaffeinated beats, or both. Some people can handle that. Some people are Alvin, Simon, and/or Theodore. Also they will NEVER put you down, which, admittedly: nice. 6/10, 7/10 if you have sunglasses, 8/10 if you have sunglasses and earplugs. More as I remember other forms of music. Feel free to suggest your favorite.

[bisamwilson]

15 questions, 15 friends

tagged by @roguecassians! thanks maggie :)

are you named after anyone?

i am not, but my middle name was inspired by brooklyn on general hospital (not brooklyn, but close-ish)

when was the last time you cried?

thursday night bc margaret and i rewatched two towers and sam's speech never fails to make me bawl like a baby

do you have kids?

i do not, nor do i plan to! i do have two very cute nephews tho

what sports do you play/have played?

lmao. i was a dancer as a kid/younger teen (stopped when i was 15 bc of the pre arthritis in my ankle) but other than that in high school i lettered in the great sports of academic team and orchestra lmao

do you use sarcasm?

probably too much

what is the first thing you notice about people?

this is probably gonna sound weird, but their teeth? i tend to zero in on people's smiles and their teeth bc i love the different ways that people smile! i think there's so much personality hidden in a person's smile so it's what i tend to latch onto first

what is your eye color?

blue!

scary movies or happy endings?

definitely happy endings! it's the life of a hopeless romantic who doesn't believe in love to fall for every cheesy rom com i can find

any talents?

i am very good at balancing things on my head! when i was a kid my mama made me walk up and down the stairs multiple times in heels with a bible on my head without it falling off before i was allowed to wear the little wedges i wanted to my fifth grade graduation ceremony and now i've just got a knack for balancing stuff on my head. someone once put a connect four board flat on top of it while i was sitting down and stacked all of the chips in a column on top of each other one by one on my head and i held it for like five minutes

i'm also a half decent writer when i actually write i guess

where were you born?

kentucky! bluegrass girlie

what are your hobbies?

i watch a lot of movies and go to the movie theater a ton! i haven't gone a bunch this month bc i was finishing up my oscars a thon but generally i go to the movies 3-6 times a month probably? if not more?

do you have any pets?

my beautiful rat who is not actually a rat but a 15.5 year old chihuahua who definitely served in the infantry in world war one and has zero thoughts in her head. i love her <3

how tall are you?

5'4! but i seem shorter bc my proportions are wacky

favorite subject in school?

high school? math (especially ap stats) for sure with latin as a close second. in college my favorite class was called star wars and religion and my second favorite class was and economic introduction to game theory

dream job?

a job that i enjoy and keeps me satisfied intellectually where there's a good work culture and work/life balance that allows me to like. take care of my needs and wants and be comfortable enough in life, which is what i have! i'm not want to want a specific generally unattainable career, i just like. want something to keep me fulfilled and financially stable yk?

i never actually tag the number of people i'm supposed to but no pressure tagging @firstelevens @logicheartsoul @writerkenna @apatheticjoy @livingincolorsagain and @thatmexisaurusrex

[banjoforpleasure]

Hello Mary Lou - The Brooklyn Bluegrass Collective

[whatsonmedia]

Music Monday Top 7: A Fusion of Gangstagrass This Weekend!

Experience the genre-bending magic of Gangstagrass as they blend bluegrass and hip-hop like never before! Catch their electrifying performances at the Brighton Psych Fest on August 30 and the Manchester Psych Fest on August 31. Don’t miss this chance to witness a musical revolution that’s captivating audiences everywhere! THIS WEEKEND: Billboard Chart Topping Bluegrass-Meets-Hip-Hop Phenomenon Gangstagrass To Play Two Rare UK Festival Shows! Listen 'The Blackest Thing on the Menu' Fearless, unapologetic and a brilliant lyricist, that's just a few words I can use to describe Blackest Thing on the Menu. The entire album is a work of art in the making as these guys are telling the story of their lives and not holding anything back. Compelling stuff https://open.spotify.com/album/0QSJf6HZhBk5AO5aaMIh62?si=Tc2BW9mhSh2KmFR4R4xUuA Watch 'Mother' To hear this you wouldn't think much to it but listen again, and much more closely, Gangstagrass is bringing a social issue street violence and death to the fore. Their fearlessness is something I admire  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaHQ7ormX78&pp=ygUTZ2FuZ3N0YWdyYXNzIG1vdGhlcg Watch 'Good at Being Bad' For someone who grew up listening to 90's music this definitely takes me back, and I actually enjoy it. For me, it's the pride and cheekiness that does it for me as he's saying 'this is me, here's what I like' and he keeps it decent  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Scju9Q6pz4 DEAD CHIC serve-up an epic romp through a vast, barren, wild landscape with new single "Paris"! And served up and epic romp he certainly has. Not only has Dead Chic reminiscence over a past romance which is dead and long gone but he has also gone full Wild West at the same time. I enjoy how he uses the elements of the lyrics, the music, the beats and tones, even his husky voice to set up the mood.  Listen  https://open.spotify.com/track/2wTlnBBIaESfTTjhW2ExUI?si=d7100a5de9404c55 Watch https://youtu.be/WFH36iNSeLU?si=Fn5R8cY45DMet_MS Geordie Greep (of black midi) Announces Debut Solo Album “The New Sound” Release Date: Oct 4th, 2024  I have never heard of this guy before yet am interested in him and his music, even his voice is strong and rich. Geordie is a Frank Sintara and Chris Cornell for the TikTok generation. The lyrics are compelling, even a little bit risqué but it's down to what rocks your boat.  Watch ‘Holy, Holy’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4EU_0vFzuU Worldwide Tour Dates Announced - Wed-Aug-21 – Map Studios, London – (Sold Out) - Fri-Aug-23 - Map Studios, London – (Sold Out) - Fri-Aug-30 - Brighton Psych Fest @ Concorde 2, Brighton - Sat-Aug-31 - Manchester Psych Fest @ Gorilla, Manchester - Tue-Sep-10 - Brooklyn,NY Union Pool (Sold Out) - Wed-Sep-11 - New York,NY Nublu - Thu-Sep-12 - Brooklyn,NY TV Eye - Fri-Sep-13 - Brooklyn,NY Sultan Room - Thu-Sept-19 - Reeperbahn Festival @ Knust, Hamburg - Thur-Oct-10 - Llais Festival @ WMC (w/ Squid), Cardiff - Sat-Oct-19 - Isolation Festival, Budapest - Tue-Oct-22 - Fleece, Bristol - Wed-Oct-23 - The Cornish Bank, Falmouth - Fri-Oct-25 - Storey's Field Centre, Cambridge - Sat-Oct-26 - Arts Club, Liverpool - Sun-Oct-27 - Classic Grand, Glasgow - Mon-Oct-28 - The Cluny, Newcastle - Tue-Oct-29 - Brudenell Social Club, Leeds - Wed-Oct-30 - Rescue Rooms, Nottingham - Fri-Nov-01 - Les Nuits Botanique Weekender @ Orangerie, Brussels - Sat-Nov-09 - Pitchfork Festival @ EartH, London - Tue-Dec-03 - Point Ephemere, Paris - Thu-Dec-05 - Lido, Berlin - Fri-Dec-06 - Bitterzoet, Amsterdam - Sat-Dec-07 - Doornroosje, Nijmegen - Mon-Dec-09 - Magnolia, Milan - Tue-Dec-10 - Bad Bonn, Düdingen - Fri-Jan-17 - Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda's - Sat-Jan-18 - Baltimore, MD Ottobar - Sun-Jan-19 - Raleigh, NC Kings - Tue-Jan-21 - Asheville, NC Eulogy - Wed-Jan-22 - Atlanta, GA The Earl - Fri-Jan-24 - Nashville, TN The Blue Room - Sat-Jan-25 - St Louis, MO Off Broadway - Mon-Jan-27 - Minneapolis, MN 7th St. Entry - Tue-Jan-28 - Madison, WI High Noon Saloon  - Fri-Jan-31 - Chicago, IL The Empty Bottle - Sat-Feb-01 - Kalamazoo, MI Bell's Eccentric Cafe - Mon-Feb-03 - Toronto, ON Velvet Underground - Wed-Feb-05 - Montreal, QC Bar Le Ritz - Thu-Feb-06 - Brattleboro, VT The Stone Church - Fri-Feb-07 - Boston, MA Brighton Music Hall  Instagram X (formerly Twitter) Django Django - Default  Originally released back in 2012 and did make its presence felt in the charts for, sadly it didn't stick around. Quite a shame as I view it as one of those which should've gotten more recognition than it deserved. Default is one of those upbeat break-up tracks about the inevitable relationship endings  https://youtu.be/DDjpOrlfh0Y?si=01ySneQm0KJnUlf_ AMYL & THE SNIFFERS NEW ALBUM “CARTOON DARKNESS” OUT 25.10.2024 -  WATCH VIDEO FOR LEAD TRACK “CHEWING GUM" Absolutely loving it, completely reeks of punk attitude and I love it. I have always had an enjoyment of rock music videos, especially in black and white as it alters the visual focus. Apart from the music you get the energy of everyone in the band. I expect big things from Amy and her band. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxOMGj8P2hY SINGLE LINK ALBUM LINK Instagram Twitter Facebook Official Website UK / EURO DATES BELOW 2024 / 2025 - NOV 5TH – DUBLIN – NATIONAL STADIUM - NOV 6TH – GLASGOW – 02 ACADEMY - NOV 7TH – NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE – NX SOLD OUT - NOV 9TH – MANCHESTER – MANCHESTER ACADEMY SOLD OUT - NOV 10TH – BIRMINGHAM 02 – ACADEMY - NOV 11TH – BRISTOL – 02 ACADEMY SOLD OUT - NOV 13TH – LONDON - ROUNDHOSE - NOV 14TH – LONDON - ROUNDHOUSE SOLD OUT - NOV 15TH – LONDON - ROUNDHOUSE SOLD OUT - NOV 17TH – BRUSSELS – ANCIENNE SOLD OUT - NOV 18TH – UTRECHT – TIVOLIVREDENBERG SOLD OUT - NOV 19TH – COLOGNE – CARLSWERK VICTORIA SOLD OUT - NOV 21ST – COPENHAGEN – VEGA SOLD OUT - NOV 22ND – HAMBURG – GROBE FREIHEIT 36 SOLD OUT - NOV 23rd – BERLIN – COLUMBIAHALLE SOLD OUT - NOV 25TH – MUNICH – TONHALIE - NOV 26TH – LAUSANNE – LES DOCKS - NOV 27TH – PARIS – OLYMPIA - NOV 29TH – ATHENS – FLOYD JULY 5TH – LONDON – FINSBURY PARK SUPPORTING FONTAINES DC Check out whatsOn for latest music updates THIS WEEKEND: Billboard Chart Topping Bluegrass-Meets-Hip-Hop Phenomenon Gangstagrass To Play Two Rare UK Festival Shows! Watch 'Mother' Watch 'Good at Being Bad' DEAD CHIC serve-up an epic romp through a vast, barren, wild landscape with new single "Paris"! Geordie Greep (of black midi) Announces Debut Solo Album “The New Sound” Release Date: Oct 4th, 2024  Django Django - Default  AMYL & THE SNIFFERS NEW ALBUM “CARTOON DARKNESS” OUT 25.10.2024 -  Read the full article

[thebowerypresents]

Knocked Loose – Brooklyn Steel – May 30, 2024

While Knocked Loose received a fair amount of praise for their first two albums, the band’s third long-player, You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To — which dropped three weeks ago — has been receiving absolute raves: “Hardcore punk’s dark stars go supermasive,” says the Guardian. “The Kentucky metalcore quintet cleverly channel pop — and even reggaeton grooves — to create an album of crushing intensity and vast scope.” And last night the Bluegrass State five-piece cut loose at a sold-out Brooklyn Steel.

(Knocked Loose play Terminal 5 tonight.)

(Knocked Loose play Roadrunner in Boston tomorrow.)

(Knocked Loose play Franklin Music Hall in Philly on Monday.)

Photos courtesy of Savannah Lauren | @savannahlaurenphoto

[travelinghobby]

The World’s Best Whiskey—According To The 2023 New York World Wine And Spirits Competition

The New York World Wine and Spirits Competition held its annual judging in Brooklyn last month and its organizers have been slowly pouring out the results ever since. A few weeks back, whiskey lovers were shocked to learn that 15 Stars—a relatively obscure craft producer out of Kentucky—had beaten out far bigger brands from the Bluegrass State, and beyond, to take home the prize for Best…

[concerthopperblog]

Review Roundup: Danny Burns 'Promised Land', Jon Check 'I Am a Well'

Sometimes there just aren't enough days in the week to get to all of the new releases you'd like to feature. That's where these review roundups come in. This week, I'm reaching back to the last few weeks to feature some recent releases from Irish Americana artist Danny Burns and New York-bases country rocker Jon Check.

Danny Burns- Promised Land

Covers albums are, to steal a line from Forrest Gump, like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get. Sometimes they're uninspired straightforward covers of songs covered by a hundred other artists that bring nothing new to the table. Sometimes they're Promised Land by Danny Burns. The Irish singer's willingness to take chances is evident from the album's first song, a fiddle and mandolin-filled cover of Adele's “Someone Like You.” Elsewhere on the album, Burns takes on Oasis (“Some Might Say”), Guy Clark (“Magnolia Wind”), Sting (an album highlight “Fields of Gold”) and even an Irish standard, “Danny Boy.” With guest instrumentals and vocals from frequent collaborators Sam Bush and Tim O'Brien, as well as Burns' wife Aine, there's plenty to recommend here.

Jon Check- I Am a Well It's been 17 years since Jon Check released his self-titled debut album to great acclaim. In that time, Check has seen a lot of changes in his life. He's relocated from Pittsburgh to Brooklyn. He's become a father. Like all of us, he's lived through a pandemic. And coming out of all of that is the EP I Am a Well. With a more traditional country-rock sound than his debut or than the works with his various bands, Check's sonorous voice swells above a mostly acoustic guitar-driven instrumental track powered by some of Check's best friends from both of his homes. Highlights on the album include the electrified “Tongue-tied” and “On With It,” a collaboration with his brother, folk and bluegrass musician Matthew Check.

Both albums are available now at most major download and streaming markets (and physical format in the case of Burns).

[eastfourthstreetgarden]

One June 4, 2023, there will be live music for Open Garden NYC weekend. Check out our flyer for special guests. Come say hi and stay for the music!

1pm: Mariachi Nuevo Sol

2pm: Brooklyn Bluegrass Collective

3pm: Solar Panel Ribbon Cutting w/ Special Guests:

    Carlos Martinez, Director of NYC Parks' GreenThumb

    Max Joel, NY Sun Initiative, NYSERDA

    Marty Maher, Brooklyn Borough Commissioner, NYC Parks Dept

    Shahana Hanif, NYC Councilperson

    Robert Carroll, NYS Assemblyperson

    TR Ludwig, CEO, Brooklyn Solarworks

    Justin Green, Executive Director, Big ReUse

3:30pm: Roberto Poveda, Music of the Cuban Troubadour

Find us online at https://eastfourthstreetgarden.tumblr.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/groups/246036418909475

[judyreppart]

GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING BLUEGRASS TRIO NICKEL CREEK MAKE BROOKLYN BOWL LAS VEGAS DEBUT, OCT. 15 GRAMMY Award-winning bluegrass trio Nickel Creek—mandolinist Christ Thile, violinist Sara Watkins and guitarist Sean Watkins–  will be making their debut appearance

[houseofloveconcerts]

Jeff Picker

Jeff Picker plays the bass.

As a youth, he gained national recognition as one of the most promising young jazz musicians of his generation. At age 18, he was named “Presidential Scholar for the Arts in Jazz” by the US Dept. of Education, and was awarded an artist grant by the National YoungArts Foundation, among other honors. He was also awarded a full tuition scholarship to the Manhattan School of Music, where he completed one year of coursework before matriculating at Columbia University. For the past decade, Jeff has been touring and recording with many of the biggest names in bluegrass and folk music, including a 5-year run with Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder. He performs and records frequently with Sarah Jarosz, East Nash Grass, and others. In 2023, he began touring with legendary progressive bluegrass band Nickel Creek. Jeff’s solo material, including his debut record, “With the Bass in Mind,” and his sophomore release, “Liquid Architecture,” reimagines the contemporary string band, drawing on the harmonic, metric, and improvisational intrigue of his jazz background, while never straying too far from the front porch. When he’s not on the road, Jeff is Nashville based, where he works on the Grand Ole Opry and as an in-demand session player. Eddie Barbash plays American roots music on alto saxophone. He is a founding member of Jon Batiste Stay Human, the house band for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. He has performed with stars in almost every genre: jazz with Wynton Marsalis, classical with Yo-Yo Ma, rock with Lenny Kravitz, country with Vince Gill, bluegrass with Sierra Hull, funk with Parliament. He brings his horn and sensibility to Texas and Appalachian fiddle tunes, bluegrass, old time, R&B, soul, and classic New Orleans. He was raised in Oaxaca, Mexico, Atlanta, Georgia and Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He is 34 and lives in Brooklyn, but will soon move to Nashville. Eli Bishop is an American violinist/mandolinist, composer, and arranger who is recognized for his virtuosity and versatility across multiple genres of music. Born in Nashville, Tennessee, Eli has performed with artists including Wynton Marsalis, Lee Ann Womack, Maddie & Tae, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, The Video Game Orchestra, and as a member of the Grand Ole Opry’s house band. Eli has also worked as an arranger for Grammy-nominated video game composer Austin Wintory (composer of Journey, Assassin's Creed: Syndicate), and has recorded with Dolly Parton for Dollywood. His musical work spans many mediums of the entertainment industry, including Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s movie, Don Jon, as well as the upcoming Billy Crystal movie, Here Today. Minecraft: Pirates of the Caribbean features Eli’s solo violin work with orchestra. The Chicago Tribune has praised Eli’s “silken legato phrases, impeccable pitch and seemingly effortless technique in fast-moving passages…” Frank Rische is a multi-talented musician and singer who grew up traveling and playing in a full-time family band since the age of 7. He frequently works alongside Jim Lauderdale and his sister Lillie Mae, and has been a choice touring and session musician/harmony singer to artists Tanya Tucker, Miranda Lambert, Lee Ann Womack, Aubrie Sellers, Jenny Lynn, Ahi, Milly Raccoon, Sierra Ferrell, Charles Butler, Logan Ledger, The Howling Brothers and many more. Frank proudly endorses D'Addario strings, L.R. Baggs electronics, and plays a Collings acoustic guitar. 

[lovejustforaday]

2022 Year End List - #9

Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You - Big Thief

Main Genres: Indie Folk, Folk Rock, Alternative Country

A decent sampling of: Bluegrass, Contemporary Country, Americana, Psychedelic Folk

2022 was the year that I finally got into Big Thief. I mean, it was pretty hard to ignore the band when this record completely skyrocketed their critical status.

For those not in-the-know, Big Thief are an indie folk rock band from Brooklyn, NY, fronted by Adrianne Lenker. The band signed to the legendary 4AD label in 2019, and released not one but two notably acclaimed albums that year.

Having only previously heard Big Thief’s 2016 debut Masterpiece (which I only checked out earlier this year), I may lack some of the context that brought the band to this exact moment.

But what I have noticed over the years, as any indie nerd who’s been paying attention, is that Big Thief have been steadily growing into of the biggest names in indie music over the last decade, culminating in 2022 with this exalted eighty minute double LP. Seriously, I don’t think I can overstate the reception that this record has received, especially for being a happy folk album in the year of 2022.

Indeed, Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You is an enchanting country folk rock record, filled to the brim with simple fond feelings, and marked by the same overjoyous Appalachian Pastoral aesthetics that can only otherwise be found in American children’s books that depict the lives of animal characters living in small rural hamlets. There is a warm beating heart at the center of every song on this record, and it’s the kind and innocent heart of a small child.

The first major highlight off the record is “Time Escaping”, a piece of very oddly plucked guitar work that is essentially as much of a Radiohead song as it is a folk song, with its flexible, winding riffs weaving the song into a sort of musical wicker basket.

“Spud Infinity” is a charming, bouncy bit of neo-traditional bluegrass with violin, banjo, and jaw harp. This song in particular emphasizes the delicate yodel-esque qualities of Lenker’s vocals, reminiscent of the voice of a very caring aunt who lives on a farm in the valley.

The aptly titled “Little Things” is a warm kiss on the cheek, the smell of fresh apple cinnamon pie in the oven, and everything tender about visiting your grandparents in the countryside as a child. This perpetually sunny, distorted folksy indie rock powerhouse is my favourite cut off the album. It encompasses the best feeling of a familiar love, extended over the course of five and a half minutes of gleaming guitars.

"Dried Roses” is a simple but eloquent folk tune about love and loss. I imagine gently laying down to bed in a creaky old country home on a cool summer night. An excellent example of the same kind of simple but masterful songwriting that makes classic singer/songwriter folk from the 60s and 70s so beloved.

“Simulation Swarm” is the ultimate tearjerker of the album, and ostensibly a lot of peoples’ favourite track on the record. The song tenderly addresses many of the traumas of Lenker’s life over the years, from childhood to adulthood. Yet despite its subject matter, the track plays as an upbeat, solacing folk rock ballad, as if serving to wash away the pains of the past, and dry the tears of the present.

The album closes on the easy-going country of “Blue Lightning”, a song broadly about friendship and living your life to the most. It’s a fitting end to an album that largely celebrates kindness, warmth, and childhood. I’m a particularly big fan of the lyric “I wanna be the vapor gets you high”.

Now I will start this section off by saying that I am genuinely happy to see such positive music top the year end lists of so many music publications and music nerds alike, especially when the cultural climate of western media over the last two years tends to outright reject this sort of thing.

But admittedly, I don’t think I loved this record precisely as much as a massive portion of the dedicated indie-music-listening-population did. I mean obviously I still like it quite a lot for it to have ended up at my #9 spot, but I feel like I’m a little more critical of some the moments that felt like filler to me. But most notably, “Wake Me Up To Drive” is a significant drop in quality from the rest of the music on this record. I just kinda wish it wasn’t there at all; it feels so bored and one-note compared to everything else.

That being said, I can still get behind a lot (if not all) of the hype for this record. Dragon New Warm Mountain is certainly one of the most ambitious and immersive folk records to have emerged over the last decade, and it will definitely go on to be seen as a landmark release for indie music in the 2020s. If you’ve had a rough year, then there’s a decent chance that this one will warm your heart, even if only just a little bit.

8/10

Highlights: “Little Things”, “Dried Roses”, “Spud Infinity”, “Simulation Swarm”, “Blue Lightning”, “Time Escaping”, “Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You”

[tj-crochets]

Okay everyone, I’ll be posting a picture of banana peel baby slippers later, but I have a bunch of yarn ends to weave in and need a show to watch or new music to listen to while I work. What do you suggest? 

[retrofret]

Just arrived for #gibsunday a Gibson TB-3 Mastertone Conversion with Steve Huber Tone Ring 5 String Resonator Banjo from 1926. #banjo #banjolove #ギター #banjosofinstagram #retrofret #brooklyn #vintageguitars #vintageguitar #retrofretvintageguitars #gowanus #banjio #バンジョー #班卓琴 #5stringbanjo #resonatorbanjo #gibsonbanjo #bluegrass (at Retrofret Vintage Guitars)

[thebluegrasssituation]

The BGS, once again, teamed up with the Brooklyn Country Cantina as it celebrated its 10th year at SXSW with the Eastside Doublewide showcase. In conjunction with Hank & Ed Management, the day featured more than 25 Americana, bluegrass, and rock 'n' roll bands on three alternating stages in two adjacent venues, including Licha's Cantina. The lineup rolled from Blank Range to Ruby Boots, and many more. 

Check out the playlist, curated by Vinyl Ranch, photos from the day, and grab a limited edition ringer tee in the store.