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Last Friday at the Domino Room in downtown Bend, Oregon, we were able to catch Leftover Salmon’s opener, World’s Finest. Featuring an electric banjo, saxophone, and vintage guitar, they had a rustic and organic vibe. Blending elements of ska, bluegrass and reggae, they were able to touch on several familiar sounds while adding their own character and a bit of a twist.
Juggling genres and different styles, it was obvious the group drew inspiration from assorted backgrounds. There were many moments of feel-good-bluegrass easily associated with Portland and The Pacific Northwest. Both upbeat and rock influenced it reminded me of groups like Fruition. Other times they would tone things down and switch over to reggae and ska. Some highlights included “Rub-a-dub” reggae and well timed breakdowns to group acapellas. With flexible musicianship, they were able to showcase a few covers as well. My favorite was their funky-bluegrass cover of “Pick Up the Pieces” by Average White Band. The nostalgia of the song, accompanied with their provocative saxophone, was a great way to close out the set.
Full of fun energy and a feel good vibe, World’s Finest had very personable crowd interaction and seemed to thoroughly enjoy their time on the stage.
Check out the links below for music and more on the World’s Finest!
It was the night of May 5th at Swallow Hill Music Hall in Denver, Colorado. The rain turned to sleet and the sleet turned to heavy snow. The arrival of the Californian Bluegrass band was greeted by nasty weather and a packed house filled with music lovers of all ages. The night began with Rail Splitters from Boulder, Colorado warming up the theater with their quick pick’n and melodic music. By the time Front Country took the stage the audience was ready for steady rhythmic bluesy bluegrass. Front Country is one of those bands who cannot be easily fit into a box or genre. They expand upon all of their individual strengths to blend, mold, and shape the sound until it’s profound.
Front Country’s songs are inspired by a range of topics including but not limited to the snowy state itself, Colorado, and an old time song about a gold mine prostitute. When Melody picks up the Kashishi she woos the crowd with her shakin’ while both Adam and Jacob trade instruments between songs to bring a new sound.
Front country’s album, Sake of the Sound, was created by a sextet (six members). Three of the six band members on the Album have jobs outside of the music industry. The momentum the band is riding keeps gaining speed, propelling that ‘Gospel Train’ around the country. With diverse musical backgrounds, they feed off each other musically to break through traditional boundaries. They have earned University degrees studying, jazz guitar, vocals, classical guitar, and jazz bass. They have worked hard to get to where they are today and it is clearly paying off.
Sake of the Sound
Album Credits: Released 16 September 2014. Mandolin by Adam Roszkiewicz, Guitar and Vocals by Jacob Groopman, Guitar and Vocals by Melody Walker, Banjo and Vocals by Jordan Klein, Violin by Leif Karlstrom, Stand-up Bass by Zach Sharpe. Produced by Kai Welch. Engineered by Scott Bergstrom. Engineered by Scott Bergstrom at 25th Street Recording – Oakland, CA. Mixed by Erick Jaskowiak at J Studio – Nashville, TN. Mastered by Eric Conn at Independent Mastering – Nashville, TN. All songs arranged by Front Country. Photography by Robert Perry. Album Art by Danielle Diessner
They dedicated 10 consecutive (16+ hour) days to the recording of their debut album, Sake of the Sound. While many bands struggle to find a collective sound due to their individualistic desires, Front Country is a band of stars, shining together. Their collaborative spirit is revealed as they dynamically alter their music for maximum impact.
If you enjoy acoustical harmonies with some fast pick’n solos, this band is not one to miss. If you missed the show, the good news is that Front Country will be back in Colorado and touring the country once again in a few weeks. With stops at festivals, such as Campout for the Cause and Meadow Grass, this band is only getting started. They won a place on the main stage at Telluride Bluegrass Festival, and they are on their way to a city near you.
To check the latest Front Country tour info: click here
To listen to the FreioMusic interview with Front Country: click here
Arise Festival 2014 in Loveland, Colorado. Freio Music’s talented team captures the cultural gathering with energy with style. Arise Festival features artists from across the musical spectrum. Share it. Enjoy it. See you next year!
Credits:
Produced by Freio Music
Directed by Joe Morahan & Daniel “Buddy” Thomas
DP by Daniel “Buddy” Thomas
Editing by Daniel “Buddy” Thomas
Time-Lapse Photography by
Melissa Harrison, Isaiah ‘Scott’ Brown, & Michael Morahan
Music by
Polish Ambassador
You heard Gipsy Moon first hear @FreioMusic
For more info please visit their website: http://www.gipsymoon.net/
~ Paul Bassis, Producer of ARISE ~
A new festival has emerged onto the Colorado scene this summer. Backdropped by the serene beauty of the Rocky Mountains, Arise Festival has set its sights on being the very essence of a festival – co-creation, music, art, yoga, and community. Sunrise Ranch, an hour north of Denver, will provide the magical space for festival goers to explore and re-connect with nature and one another. The atmosphere is looking to come together seamlessly, complete with Hemp Village, Kids Village, Organic Food and Beverage Village, and hey, my fellow beer lovers, a Craft Beer and Wine Village!
The festival will also feature a selection of independent films including – Bidder 70, Chasing Water, Arise, and The Bloom. If that doesn’t expand your mind enough – check out the healing space, Temple of the Heart, on site. It will encompass activities like yoga, kirtan, meditation, and a healers tent to completely rejuvinate you- mind, body, and soul.
WHAT TO BRING: face paint, headlamp, re-fillable water bottle, warm clothes for the CO nights
Aside from the perks… the music lineup is stacking up quite nicely to create an incredibly diverse world sound to fill up those Colorado mountains.
So who is playing you ask?
Freio Favorites:
We are very excited to be apart of this melding of art and community. Not convinced yet? Check out the music below…
But just you wait… the complete lineup so far includes:
Boulder based and CU buffed band, Rocktin Grove, is jamming its way through the Colorado music scene. With an original sound that seamlessly blends together a wide variety of genres, Rocktin Grove has a little get-down for everyone. From funked out bluegrass twang to hot latin soul, their sound is something uniquely robust and not to be missed. The seven member group, with two years of jam-tastic rocking under their belts, has incredible ‘get-yo-feet-movin” potential to break from their Front Range Colorado stage to a national one. Fans of the band describe the sound as “funky bluegrass awesomeness” and as an interpretation of music they have all always loved transformed into something new and original. The band says, “Calling Boulder, Colorado our home, the mountains, beautiful blue sky, and deep powder keep us loving life and loving music.” Amen.
Jon Kimbell- Mandolin/Vocals
Will Viitanen- Percussion
Wilson Harwood- Electric Guitar/Banjo/Vocals/Tres – with “get the cougars goin'” and “gangsta banjo” talent
Adrian Flynt- Bass/Vocals
Nate Luebbe- Mandolin/Violin/Vocals
Garrett Cropsey- Alto Saxophone/Vocals
Theo Farver- Acoustic Guitar/Harmonica/Percussion/Vocals/Trumpet
Looking for latin groovin’? Check out Ice Cream Cha Cha
My personal favorite: Crowfoot Funk…it will get you going! Hot damn!
Wanting more? Check out their site:
ROCKTIN GROVE .com
and their SOUNDCLOUD
AND their FACEBOOK !
“Our reason for doing the newer-type music wasn’t pretentious or irreverent or sarcastic or disrespectful,” explained Curtis Burch. “We just felt like people were ready to see that you could really expand the sound, using those same instruments.”
Ah, the sweet sounds of New Grass Revival. The group, formed in 1972 by four former members of the Bluegrass Alliance, brought bluegrass into an entirely different realm. Long hair, everyday clothing, and fresh sound put a new face on traditional country pickin’. Plus, they had the father of bluegrass, Mr. Sam Bush. The progressive group was graced by the presence of not only Sam Bush, but Courtney Johnson, Ebo Walker, Curtis Burch, Butch Robins, John Cowan, Bela Fleck, and Pat Flynn throughout the band’s life. The real reason I wanted to share this get down bluegrass band with you all, however, was for this kick ass video below. I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I do. Plus, they look damn good.
Tall Tale Excursion: USA-Eugene, Oregon
“We like to call our style of music Oregon Greengrass!”
This joyful quartet includes band members: Aslan Sheffler (age 21), Gage Hawke (age 23), Andy Gullickson (age 24), Meg Keefe (age 20). A young and dedicated band, who has been playing music from an young age. They have much more in store for them in the years to come. There music and style is evolving with each song expanding their musical terrain. It was great to meet these nice fellows on campus as they serenaded the passersby. There is nothing quite like meeting street musicians who’s sound blows you off course and you must stop to enjoy!
[box_dark]-From left to right Aslan Sheffler, Andy Gullickson, Gage Hawke (this picture is missing a a key ingredient, Meg, the talented fiddle player, who has been playing since age 5!)[/box_dark]
“We are Tall Tale Excursion, we play folk/bluegrass/blues. We are currently a 4 piece band (banjo, guitar, fiddle/stand up bass, and mandolin) based out of Eugene! We recently picked up a fiddle and mandolin phenoms, videos with them are coming soon!” It is clear that this band is on the rise as they are entertaining new audiences and while expanding and refining their sound. Stay tuned, as there is much more to come from this quartet.
With a wide array of instruments these musicians pick & play it all. They play: Guitar, Vocals, Bass, Drums, Keyboard, Banjo, Fiddle, Mandolin, Dobro, Harmonica, Washboard, Trumpet, and Kazoo. Their influences include: Blackberry Bushes Stringband, Greensky Bluegrass ,Old Crow Medicine Show, Buckey Walters, Devil Makes Three, Metallica, the Doors, Queen, Rush, Led Zeplin, Jimi Hendrix, Earl Scruggs, Paul Gilbert, Marty Freedman
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More info can be found through the links below:
http://Youtube.com/talltaleexcursion
http://Facebook.com/talltaleexcursion
http://Myspace.com/talltaleexcursion
http://Reverbnation.com/talltaleexcursion
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