Death isn’t the opposite of life, it’s a part of it. And like everything else in life, having a sense of humor about it makes its inevitability an easier pill to swallow. That’s why we love “Double Grave,” the new video from Nashville-based string duo Zach & Maggie. The scene begins at a rainy graveside,... Continue Reading →
Album Review: The Infamous Stringdusters – Undercover Vol. 2
The Infamous Stringdusters, with their marathon touring schedule, have somehow found time to drop their 3rd release this year. Undercover Vol. 2 offers an incredible follow-up to their highly-touted Undercover EP from 2015. The album offers a way for the band to break genre boundaries with covers by an eclectic track listing of artists, young... Continue Reading →
Interview: The Gage Brothers
“We grew up playing music, but it wasn't until a couple of years ago that Ben and I started playing together,” recalls Zach Gage of appropriately-named, Ohio-based, rootsy string band The Gage Brothers. “There is five years’ difference between us, and most of our lives, we were more interested in picking on each other than... Continue Reading →
Review: Moonsville Collective – Moonsville II EP
At the crossroads of country folk and string band music, you’ll find the jammy picking sound of Moonsville Collective. Setting an ambitious goal for 2017, the band is releasing 20 new songs over the course of four albums; Moonsville II is the second offering in the series from the California quintet. In 2013, Moonsville Collective... Continue Reading →
Review: Horseshoes & Hand Grenades at The High Watt
As Music City haunt The High Watt began to fill with attendees eager to experience Wisconsin-based bluegrass band Horseshoes & Hand Grenades, the lights above shone down onto the empty stage and illuminated a lone microphone in the center. The five-piece took their positions around the center, tuned up, and jumped right in with a quick-pacing bluegrass... Continue Reading →
Interview: Moonsville Collective
Southern California string band Moonsville Collective has decided to do something different in 2017—while most bands release a record every other year, our favorite crafters of “California Goodtime” have decided to release four. This year. That’s right, four. “We’ve had a bunch of songs stored up, so we decided to stay home and put 20... Continue Reading →
Interview with: The Infamous Stringdusters
“I discovered string band music when I was living in Colorado, getting really into Phish, and learning about The Grateful Dead, and seeing String Cheese Incident and Leftover Salmon,” recalls Travis Book, upright bassist for legendary string band The Infamous Stringdusters. “The way those guys built their harmonies was really based on bluegrass, and a... Continue Reading →
Don’t Miss The 2017 Blue Ox Music Festival!
From June 8-10, 2017, thousands of roots music fans from across the glove will gather amongst the dense, sun-speckled pine forests of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, the heart of Paul Bunyan country, to enjoy the world-class lineup that is this year's Blue Ox Music Festival. Hosted each year by progressive Americana band Pert Near Sandstone, Blue Ox showcases the complex... Continue Reading →
Pew Playlist: 3 Albums That Should Be On Your Radar, 1/20/17
Brushwood Songs & Stories - Norman Blake Brushwood Songs & Stories, out today via Plectrafone Records, highlights the celebrated and six decade-long career of prolific songwriter and master of all things stringed, Norman Blake, who has indicated that this may be his last recording. Blake was old-time before old-time was cool, and you need this album in... Continue Reading →
Pew Playlist: 3 Albums That Should Be On Your Radar, 1/13/17
The Infamous Stringdusters--The Laws Of Gravity The Grammy-nominated bluegrass powerhouse is back with The Laws Of Gravity, and this one is an absolute jaw-dropper. Over the course of 13 mesmerizing tunes that put their kickstands down firmly on the bluegrass-y landscape, the band manages to push the limits of what string band music can be;... Continue Reading →