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Who will be playing horns at the Showcase, then?
Nick Howell will be playing with us at the Showcase, but Josh Williams is the new horn guy. They'll both be there, actually. Nick's busy with a lot of other bands, so Josh is stepping in.
How else is the new material different?
It's written more with the listener in mind than, I guess, my own self-image. [Laughs.] I tend to write more autobiographical lyrics, but I've been working the last year or two to get away from that, have it be more stories and in-general topics that don't have anything to do with me. I think if you get too personal with your lyrics, fewer people can relate to it. So the goal is to write music you can dance to while enjoying the story. Tell tales, dance, have fun.
Still with a rootsiness to the sound, though.
Yeah. Guitar, bass, drums are still the core of the band. We do the songwriting and arranging, and then we bring in the horn guys whenever we can. Usually, I'll have a horn line written, and then they come in and make it better.
When's Crossroads Music Fest this year?
September 10. We were talking about doing a two-day fest this year, but we're sticking with one day for now.
What acts are you excited about locally these days?
Well, I love the Grisly Hand. Always. And then I've been hearing a lot of good things about this band Quiet Corral. Haven't seen 'em yet, but I'm excited to.
Also nominated: Oriole Post, Sons of Great Dane
BLUEGRASS/COUNTRY
Adam Lee & the Dead Horse Sound Company
What's good? "Our most recent album, When the Spirits Move Me, came out last fall. We've also recently been playing with Marty Smeller and Ryan Land of the Blue Boot Heelers on steel guitar and drums. That's been a blast!"
What do you think you sound like? "Real-live county music. We play authentic, whiskey-soaked, two-steppin' honky-tonk. If you think you don't like country music, it's probably because you've never heard real country music. Come out to a show, and if we can't get you out on the dance floor, I'll buy you a drink."
Deadman Flats
What's good? "We're releasing our Live at Liberty Hall DVD next month with Mudstomp Records. Also been doing some Mudstomp showcases all over the Midwest this summer."
What do you think you sound like? "High-energy bluegrass. Or punk meets bluegrass. Psychobilly, trash grass, cowpunk."
Anything else? "We're trying to put an end to the stigma that bluegrass is only for old people or hippy bastards. It's for everyone who can drink and drug and party like a bitch!"
The Wilders
What's good? "Just released a new album, The Wilders (our 10th), on Free Dirt Records in June. We've done two U.K. tours already this year. Did the Shetland Folk Festival (five days of all-night shows and after-hours jamming) and the Bath International Music Festival. Went throughout Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Wales and England. Leaving for a Northwest tour in early August, including appearances at Pickathon and Grand Targhee Bluegrass Festival."
What do you think you sound like? "The Wilders sound like they've been playing together a long time, but still edgy and more than just country or Americana or bluegrass."
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