Bluegrassy

03/27/2020

Amazing news for our friends in all sectors of the live music economy.

Songwriters, along with other “gig economy” workers in the music industry ranging from producers to roadies, will be eligible for grants and loans under the $2 trillion stimulus bill passed by the …

11/18/2018

Bluegrass legends Hot Rize appeared in Raleigh’s Meymandi Concert Hall as part of their 40th anniversary tour.

Hometown favorite Andrew Marlin of Mandolin Orange and Seattle-based multi-instrumentalist Eli West opened the show with a one-mic acoustic set featuring originals from both artists, including several tracks off of Andrew’s latest solo project, Buried in a Cape.

After a brief intermission, Hot Rize took the stage for a 90-minute set filled with songs designed to delight long-time fans while introducing a new generation of bluegrass enthusiasts to their iconic repertoire. Some of my favorite tunes from the evening included Coleen Malone and Blue Night.

Full show review: https://bluegrassy.com/hot-rize-visits-raleigh-on-40th-anniversary-tour/

09/25/2018

Folk rock group Dawes opened Old Crow Medicine Show at Booth Amphitheatre, treating the audience to a crunchy, vintage rock sound that I could imagine playing on a 70’s radio broadcast. While it was the first time I had heard them play, there was a solid turnout of fans sporting Dawes tee shirts, and the crowd appeared excited to see them.

Dawes opened with Living in the Future, a track off of their latest record, Passwords. Not a group to shy away from dark themes, their lyrics are almost as crunchy as their sound. Living in the Future is an almost dystopian commentary on media and society.

📸 Rob Laughter

Full show review and photos: https://bluegrassy.com/old-crow-medicine-show-brings-hillbilly-music-back-home-to-n-c/

09/25/2018

As seasoned performers, Old Crow Medicine Show’s set at Booth Amphitheatre was energetic and polished. I particularly enjoy how the band interacts together throughout their performance, goofing off a bit during solos, playing with a bit of style and flair. They are a band that understands that the appeal of a live performance goes beyond the music and incorporates every aspect of the presentation.

📸 Rob Laughter

Full show review and photos: https://bluegrassy.com/old-crow-medicine-show-brings-hillbilly-music-back-home-to-n-c/

09/07/2018

When it comes to entertainment, Front Royal’s hometown band, Scythian, has it figured out. There are many great musicians out there, but far fewer groups who have figured out how to engage and entertain a crowd quite like Scythian.

Wherever he goes, co-founder Danylo Fedoryka has a smile on his face and a gleam in his eye, graciously engaging everyone he meets along the way with an openness and charisma for the individual that carries through to his audience when he’s on stage. Many performers can turn on the charm when they perform, but Dan is the same behind the scenes as he is on stage.

With the rest of the band on stage together, their combined energy makes them a delight to watch, whether it’s a fiddle/flute duel between co-founder Alexander Fedoryka and flutist Nolan Ladewski, an Animal-style drum solo from drummer Fritz McGirr, or the casual but engaged bob of bassist/cellist Larissa Fedoryka as she keeps up with the band’s antics.

📸 Rob Laughter
🎸 Appaloosa Festival

Read the full story at https://bluegrassy.com/scythian-closes-home-town-festival-with-crowd-pleasing-set/

09/07/2018

After a great first day of music, food, and revelry, it’s hard to imagine Front Royal, VA’s Appaloosa Festival getting any better, but day two brought some great bands to the stage to draw in the crowd and bring even more energy to the festival grounds.

Featuring a second set from Nashville’s Humming House, Asheville, NC-based Fireside Collective, one of my favorite groups Mandolin Orange, and NYC-based Karikatura, Sunday’s lineup brought listeners on a journey through bluegrass, folk, ska, reggae, and pop.

📸 Rob Laughter

Read the full review at https://bluegrassy.com/mandolin-orange-fireside-collective-karikatura-wrap-up-appaloosa-festival-day-two/

09/07/2018

Gaelic Storm headlined the first night of Appaloosa Festival. They describe themselves as the “true working-mans’ band” with a “blue-collar, hard-nose approach to touring,” playing over 2,000 shows in their twenty years on the road. During that time, they have developed an enthusiastic fan base. Their social media accounts are filled with comments from fans such as, “Everyone that has a chance to see a Gaelic Storm show, SHOULD GO!!” and “If you didn’t go you missed an amazing experience. I consider myself fortunate to have seen the show: a mix of music and comedy.”

Read the full review at https://bluegrassy.com/gaelic-storm-headlines-first-night-of-appaloosa-festival-2018/

09/06/2018

One of the striking details of Appaloosa Festival was its laid-back, open, and hospitable atmosphere. The volunteers and staff were genuinely happy to be there and interact with guests. As I was strolling around the festival, Scythian’s Dan Fedoryka went out of his way to introduce himself and thank me for being there as if we were old friends. It was refreshing to feel welcome and at home while I was there.

Scythian Fireside Collective The New Familiars

Read our Appaloosa day one coverage at https://bluegrassy.com/new-familiars-humming-house-scythian-rock-appaloosa-festival-day-one/

09/06/2018

Looking forward to some great acts coming up at International Bluegrass Music Association's Wide Open Bluegrass Festival this month!

Cane Mill Road Mile Twelve Fireside Collective Hank, Pattie & The Current Diamond Creek Bluegrass Band Amythyst Kiah

The Wide Open Bluegrass street festival features more than 100 acts playing on seven stages. The free event draws thousands to downtown Raleigh. Kruger Brothers, Jim Lauderdale and other notables are on this year’s schedule, Sept. 28-29 in downtown Raleigh.

08/20/2018

“If we show up to a bluegrass festival, they see the drums and think ‘rock and roll.’ If we show up to a rock festival, they look at our instrumentation and think ‘bluegrass.'”

With joy, passion, and enthusiasm, Sam Bush bridges the divide between bluegrass, blues, jazz, reggae, and rock. His message of positivity and encouragement pervades not only his lyrics, but his showmanship.

More photos and full show review: https://bluegrassy.com/sam-bush-rocks-cats-cradle-with-genre-bending-set/

08/11/2018

Last night’s show with International Bluegrass Music Association Momentum Band of the Year finalists Cane Mill Road was like watching a different band altogether – more refined, more engaging, and more comfortable on stage.

They’ve learned some new tricks on the festival tour, learning some new and unique twists on classic fiddle tunes – dropping in a funky E-minor groove in the middle of a Blackberry Blossom jam, for example – and adding a new flourish to the set that wowed the crowd.

Full review and more photos:

Live ShowsCane Mill Road Plays Lorraine Jordan’s Garner, NC Concert Venue August 11, 2018 No comments Rob Laughter Facebook Twitter Instagram Rob is an amateur photographer and bluegrass musician. He lives in Cary, NC with his lovely wife and two incredibly cute kids. Live Shows It’s fun when fr...

08/11/2018

Congratulations to Cane Mill Road’s Tray Wellington for being nominated as a finalist for International Bluegrass Music Association Momentum Instrumentalist of the Year! These young men packed the house tonight for a great set at Lorraine's Coffee House & Music in Garner, NC.