Twangbox Productions

05/31/2019

Ask Sonny Anything... with Sonny Osborne - Bluegrass Today

From the debut of 'Ask Sonny Anything...'
Q: "What is the most memorable thing Bill Monroe ever said to you?
A: “I loaned you that hat, now you go find it.” Paintsville, Kentucky. I left the hat he loaned me in a restaurant. Luckily I found it the next day – July 1952. I loved that old man, and he knew it."

Ask Sonny Anything will be a recurring feature where our readers pose questions to the great Sonny Osborne, one half of the iconic Osborne Brothers.

05/30/2019

From Leon Redbone's site.

05/29/2019

Wilderland / Young Man in America - Anaïs Mitchell | Live from Here with Chris Thile

An astonishing performance that demands careful listening - when you have time. Anaïs's presence here reminds me of seeing Patti Smith (in the '70s!). It's been a joy to watch many of these musicians develop and thrive over the past decade or so.
https://youtu.be/mEf6Oas5Htg

Anaïs Mitchell sings "Wilderland" and the title track from her album Young Man in America on our May 25, 2019 show. The band: Chris Thile, Rachael Price, Jos...

05/22/2019

Chris Thile and Michael Daves Interview - Part II

8 years ago today, the 'Cafe' published Part II of my feature on the duo of Thile and Daves! Photos by Justin Camerer and a fun track-by-track breakdown of their then-new CD, 'Sleep With One Eye Open'. It's time for those boys to head back into the studio! (there's a link to Part One at the top of the page) https://www.mandolincafe.com/news/publish/mandolins_001355.shtml

05/17/2019

Breaking News: Ethan Hawke to Star in Louvin Brothers Biopic ‘Satan Is Real’ Hawke and Alessandro Nivola will portray the fire-and-brimstone country singers Charlie and Ira Louvin
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/louvin-brothers-movie-satan-is-real-ethan-hawke-836410/

05/11/2019

Interview: Andy Statman on 'Monroe Bus' | Fretboard Journal

Happy to have my portrait of the great Andy Statman leading off this new feature in the Fretboard Journal. This is the special community that keeps us writing, producing videos, and documenting the scene. Inspiring folks who follow their dreams (like Andy, and the fine folks at FBJ too!)

Above photo: ©2009 Twangbox®/Bradley Klein Andy Statman is a legend amongst bluegrass aficionados, but that barely scratches the surface of his depth. While fretted instrumentalists follow Statman for his mandolin playing – he famously used a 1923 Gibson A-2Z for years and is currently utilizing...

05/09/2019

These folks are the best.

We love our new posters! Thanks to Camp Nevernice for the always beautiful work. We will have these at all Hawktail shows this summer. If you can't make it out to see us, you can order one online! Just send an email over to [email protected] with your address ($25 for poster + $7 shipping to anywhere in the US). We'll be sending them out during Padiddle Records office hours. Soon we head into the studio to record some new music!

04/26/2019

The Bluegrass Situation

The Bluegrass Situation

Andy Statman's music -- and his brand new album, Monroe Bus -- is archetypically and idiosyncratically his own. He, as much or more so than any other mandolinist on the scene today, is truly original.

Read our interview with Statman right now on BGS. (The Andy Statman Trio)

04/18/2019

Review: The Metamorphosis of ‘Hadestown,’ From Cool to Gorgeous

I've followed the changes of Hadestown for many years (but not from its beginning). All the iterations have been wonderful and worthwhile, and I'm happy to have a ticket in the back row of an upcoming matinee. If you like the musicians supported by Twangbox, including Anaïs Mitchell, this is sure to be wonderful. -BK Hadestown #hadestown
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/17/theater/hadestown-review-broadway-anais-mitchell.html

After a downtown stop, a concept album based on Greek myths has become a full-scale Broadway entertainment.

04/04/2019

Arkansas Traveler - Michael Daves & Andy Statman

The first of a bunch of new videos for MichaelDavesMusic, from Michael’s 2018 residency at Jalopy! Andy takes it to Arkansas ... and beyond! (thanks Ed Haber for audio recording) https://youtu.be/DcfREbdIves

From Michaels 2018 residency at Jalopy - Brooklyn, NY Recording by Ed Haber. New Statman CD, ‘Monroe Bus’ available on Amazon or Qobuz.com Latest News: http:...

04/03/2019

Michael Daves, Bruce Molsky, and Tony Trischka at Paste Studio NYC live from The Manhattan Center

Three great pickers! (and friends of Twangbox!) Live streaming tomorrow.

Watch Michael Daves, Bruce Molsky, and Tony Trischka live at Paste Studio NYC! More sessions and interviews here: https://www.pastemagazine.com/studio

04/03/2019

Michael Daves, Bruce Molsky, and Tony Trischka at Paste Studio NYC live from The Manhattan Center

Three great pickers! (and friends of Twangbox!)

Watch Michael Daves, Bruce Molsky, and Tony Trischka live at Paste Studio NYC! More sessions and interviews here: https://www.pastemagazine.com/studio

03/26/2019

Forked Deer

A second new HD video for the Bruce Molsky, Tony Trischka, & Michael Daves Trio. They're playing the 2019 Brooklyn Folk Festival, Sunday 4/7 - http://brooklynfolkfest.com

03/26/2019

I Get My Whiskey From Rockingham

The first of two new HD videos from these three! Catch Bruce Molsky, Tony Trischka, & Michael Daves at the 2019 Brooklyn Folk Festival, Sunday, April 7 - http://brooklynfolkfest.com

03/19/2019

Pretty excited about Hadestown opening on Broadway. Created by Anaïs Mitchell and helped along by so many musicians over the years. Here's an interview with Anaïs that I helped produce for The Takeaway. It's just before the 2016 elections, so brace yourself for some time travel. https://www.wnycstudios.org/story/hadestown-predicts-bigger-themes-2016

03/14/2019

www.mandolincafe.com

Two years ago today! Still proud of this story I wrote for the Mandolin Cafe! Thanks go to Michael Daves, Mike Compton, and of course, DeFord Bailey.
https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/content/339-A-Brief-History-of-Evening-Prayer-Blues#comments

03/10/2019

Flamekeeper - The Michael Cleveland Story

Well worth watching this new doc about the great fiddler Mike Cleveland who appears on the upcoming Andy Statman record, Monroe Bus!

NOW available on Amazon! Don't miss this inspiring documentary film! http://a.co/d/4fNaVsI

02/25/2019

One of the countless benefits to an ArtistWorks membership. One of the final interviews w Mac, by Michael Daves, himself a great bluegrass singer!

02/06/2019

Pleased to say that some of the photos from this session with The Andy Statman Trio and Mike Cleveland, will be part Andy's new CD Monroe Bus! Release concert March 14, 2019 at Carnegie Hall!

12/14/2018

Michael Daves

Happy to help Jason Zucker with this production. Choose HD from the settings gear!

Here's "Sophronie" from the 12th anniversary celebration of my Tuesday residency at Rockwood Music Hall on 12/11/18. It features Tony Trischka on banjo, Alex Hargreaves on fiddle, Jacob Jolliff on mandolin, and Erik Alvar on bass. Thanks to Jason Zucker for video production with help from Bradley Klein / Twangbox Productions. Enjoy!
#nycbluegrass #jimmymartin #bluegrass

12/14/2018

If you haven't read my story for Mandolin Cafe DeFord's birthday is fine time... featuring Mike Compton and Michael Daves.

Happy birthday blues harmonica legend DeFord Bailey, Opry star, friend of Bill Monroe. Good chance to review our feature on his popular, best known composition: A Brief History of Evening Prayer Blues https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/content/339-A-Brief-History-of-Evening-Prayer-Blues Bradley Klein Monroe Mandolin Camp International Bluegrass Music Association

12/12/2018

Michael Daves celebrating the 12th anniversary of his 10pm Tuesday night residency at Rockwood Music Hall, with special guests: Tony Trischka, Alex Hargreaves, Jacob Jolliff, Dominick Leslie and Erik Alvar.

11/16/2018

Mandolin Cafe - Looking Forward with Sarah Jarosz

Take a journey back to this day three years ago. Obama was president, Thile was just taking over the former Prairie Home Companion, the trio I'm With Her was in its exciting 'first-steps' period, and I was doing my best to fit All Things Sarah Jarosz into this story that I wrote for the Mandolin Cafe!

11/06/2018

Hadestown: how Anaïs Mitchell's lo-fi hit became a sensational musical

Happy and proud of the success of Hadestown. Now in London, and headed back to NYC w luck. ;-)

It started as a show that toured Vermont in a school bus. Now it’s hitting the National Theatre and is bound for Broadway. We track the long, winding road of Hadestown

10/23/2018

Aoife O'Donovan & Noam Pikelny - Don't That Road Look Rough and Rocky

Four years ago, we made this video with Noam and Aoife in her backyard. Every now and then, I stop by to listen, and read the new and heartfelt comments for a simple music video, elegantly performed. And it was the debut of Noam's tri-cone plectrum instrument.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BR99iJsYF5c

Aoife O'Donovan and Noam Pikelny cover "Don't That Road Look Rough and Rocky." See Aoife and Noam on tour this November (with Shad Cobb and Barry Bales round...

10/11/2018

Tim O'Brien

...you best get down to the polling place!

Tim O’Brien and Jan Fabricius sing

Polling Place ©2018 Tim O’Brien

There is a mountain of trouble you say you’re just one man
But we can move that mountain if we all join hands

If you wanna run in the human race
You’d best get down to the polling place

You can vote early but you can’t vote late
Your rules will vary from state to state

You can vote on the red side, you can vote on the blue
Vote green or purple, you can write in too

Do you have an ID that shows who you are
‘Cause without an ID you won’t get too far

Now the last election was a crying shame
Four in ten voters didn’t check one name

It’s use it or lose it that’s what they say
One person one vote let’s keep it that way

If you want to run in the human race
You’d best get down to the polling place

Get down, get down, get down, get down
Get down to the pollin place
Get down, get down, get down, get down
You better get down to the pollin place


Videography by Karen Dugmore

PS: Any comments about voting one side or the other will be deleted. This is strictly about voting ... period.

08/26/2018

Mandolin Cafe

Retrofret Vintage Guitars moves to their new location Sept. 1 - here is a feature article that I wrote for Mandolin Cafe that tells the story! Bradley Klein

Retrofret Vintage Guitars has announced a Sept. 1 date for the move to their new location. Check out our feature article with them about the new space: https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/content.php?465-After-35-Years-in-Business-Retrofret-Moving-to-New-Location Bradley Klein

08/12/2018

Michael Daves

Mike and Tony warming up!

Playing Jalopy Theatre and School of Music in Brooklyn tonight with the great Tony Trischka! We've got two real mandolin players coming down to make cameos - Dominick Leslie and Jacob Jolliff so thought I'd get in the spirit here. There are a few advance tickets available here: http://bit.ly/2t5Etuo and likely to be some standing room tickets released at the door. Hope to see you tonight!

07/18/2018

Michael Daves

My summer residency at Jalopy Theatre starts in less than two weeks, featuring a different special guest each Sunday. For week 1 of 5 it’s my good friend, and amazing guitarist/singer, Chris Eldridge. (BTW also check him out in NYC the night before with Punch Brothers at the Beacon Theater). I love getting to play with Critter any time we have the chance. Will definitely be mining our repertoire of Stanley Brothers songs plus a few surprises. Tickets available for individual shows or a series pass at www.jalopytheater.org. Great lineup of guests - catch them all! Series artwork by Jessi Carter

#chriseldridge #crittereldridge #stanleybrothers #bluegrassguitar #nycbluegrass

07/13/2018

Michael Daves

Friends of Twangbox, from the Station Inn!

Here's SET 2 from the Station Inn show last week. MD & Friends featuring Tony Trischka with Brittany Haas, Jenni Lyn, Mike Bub, and guest cameos from Chris Eldridge, John Mailander, Jen Larson, and Barbara Panter. Enjoy! http://bit.ly/2L5M0EG

06/26/2018

Attention, Nashville!

This Sunday in Nashville: Michael Daves & Friends feat. Tony Trischka at the world-famous Station Inn. Got an incredible band on board, with Brittany Haas on fiddle, Jenni Lyn on mandolin and Mike Bub on bass, plus special guests. Come join us!
#bluegrass #musiccityusa #thiledaves #orchidsandviolence

06/09/2018

Mandolin Cafe - After 30 Years in Business Retrofret Moving to New Location

NYC Legendary Vintage Instrument Shop Moving! Here's my story about Retrofret for the Mandolin Cafe with a sneak peak at the new location with owner, Steve Uhrik!

https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/content.php?465-After-35-Years-in-Business-Retrofret-Moving-to-New-Location

We profiled Retrofret Vintage Guitars about five years ago, when I was able to get to New York City for a visit. Thirty-five years in the business has established the shop and its owner, Steve Uhrik, as among the nation's elite dealers of vintage instruments, both electric and acoustic. And now come...

05/23/2018

The Prisoner's Song - Mike Compton & Michael Daves

The Prisoner’s Song - Mike & Michael will be back at the Rockwood, Friday June 22, 2018 - 8PM.

05/23/2018

I Only Exist - Mike Compton & Michael Daves

I Only Exist - That’s some Bluegrass Philosophy right there! Mike & Michael will be back at the Rockwood, Friday June 22, 2018 - 8PM. Getcher tickets!

05/23/2018

East Tennessee Blues - Mike Compton & Michael Daves

E. TN Blues - Ever have trouble keeping Tennessee Blues, and East Tennesee Blues straight? We can help! Mike Compton and Michael Daves will be back at the Rockwood, Friday June 22, 2018 - 8PM.

05/23/2018

Tennessee Blues - Mike Compton & Michael Daves

TN Blues - Mike & Michael will be back at the Rockwood, Friday June 22, 2018 - 8PM. Getcher tickets.

05/22/2018

Caitlin Canty & Noam Pikelny - "Tennessee Waltz"

Here's a new one that Twangbox did not produce, but is just so tasty.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bGG2EkT12M

Singer-songwriter Caitlin Canty and Noam Pikelny (Punch Brothers) perform this gorgeous rendition of “Tennessee Waltz” at the Fretboard Journal. On this reco...

05/18/2018

So sorry to learn of the passing of Jon Sholle. I fell in love with his album, 'Catfish For Supper' working for Rounder Records. And I was grateful to meet him many years later, doing photography for Andy Statman's 'Old Brooklyn' recording. Here's a nice one from that 2008 session.

05/12/2018

Chris Eldridge

Friends of Twangbox killing it on this new release!

I was lucky enough to produce a record for the incredible band, Hawktail, last year. If that name isn't familiar, you still probably know some or all of the musicians involved: Brittany Haas, Jordan Tice, Paul Kowert, and Dominick Leslie - it's a band of all-stars. The record, Unless, just came out yesterday and I'm really proud of it and them. I recommend you listen to it, cuz it's really good!

http://smarturl.it/7uedy2

04/30/2018

Here is a chance to support a thoughtful and dedicated luthier working in a long neglected field. These were instruments that I overlooked in my youth, and have come to admire for their eccentricity and utility in the right hands.

So, this one’s a LONG time in the making! In addition to my usual artworks on paper & wood, my latest project is Vinegar Works Guitars - restoring and repairing budget & department store instruments of the mid-20th century. These guitars are usually in need of neck work and structural rehabilitation, so I’m essentially retrofitting them to a high standard of stability & playability, as well as adding original artwork including woodburned pickguards and inlay where that’s beneficial (most of these instruments look way too cool on their own, and I respect that). Follow us Vinegar Works Guitars (also @vinegarworksguitars on Instagram), @vinegar_works on Twitter, or visit www.vinegarworksguitars.com!

04/15/2018

Arts at Old First

As a long-time supporter of Old First, delighted to share this video, produced by Jason Zucker and Michael Daves. Wonderful production and performance of Jen Larson's original.

Performed by Jen Larson, Michael Daves, Hans Bilger, Burkhard Bilger, Jennifer Nelson and Kenny Kosek. Thanks at Old First Reformed Church, April 1, 2018. Video by @Jason Zucker.

03/28/2018

I'm With Her: Tiny Desk Concert

Dear friends of Twangbox - I'm With Her - at NPR Music's Tiny Desk. Released today.

Aoife O'Donovan, Sarah Jarosz and Sara Watkins are bound by a love for bluegrass, chamber music, jazz, storytelling and singing.

03/18/2018

Michael Daves Brings A Touch of Bluegrass To Our Good Friday Service

Twangbox has helped with social media content for Michael and Jen, and supported the efforts to restore Old First for many years.
http://oldfirstbrooklyn.org/2018/03/09/michael-daves-brings-a-touch-of-bluegrass-to-our-good-friday-service/

The idea of incorporating bluegrass music into our Good Friday service is not as original as it sounds. “There is a tremendous amount of gospel music within the bluegrass tradition,” says Old First member and musician Michael Daves. “A lot of it draws from old Scots-Irish ballads, shape note s...