PRESS RELEASE:
If you weren’t able to get to Merlefest this year, a bit of Merlefest is coming to White Horse Black Mountain on Sunday, May 1 at 7:00 p.m. Hot on the heels of the big Wilkesboro bash three of the featured bands will make a stop in the mountains: Canadian bluegrass quartet the Slocan Ramblers, Michigan’s Lindsay Lou and the Flatbellys with their eclectic Americana, and Asheville’s own Tellico will carry on the festival buzz in a special triple bill show.
Hearing the Southern-drenched bluegrass of the Slocan Ramblers you’d never guess that they hail from Toronto’s hip West End. The Ramblers have made bluegrass traditions their own, but like many young bands in the fast-evolving bluegrass world have combined respect for roots with innovation. Their sound features intricate arrangements and crystal clear picking that always sounds fresh, whether on time-tested standards or original songs, but energy is never sacrificed to virtuosity. The Ramblers developed their approach in response to demanding Toronto audiences. “They dig a lot of energy in their music, a rowdy bar vibe. They’re hard to win over”, says mandolinist Adrian Gross. But win them over they did, along with many other listeners elsewhere. In addition to Gross, the band consists of banjoist Frank Evans, guitarist Darryl Poulsen and Alastair Whitehead on bass.
Lindsay Lou and the Flatbellys got their name at a Michigan bluegrass festival from a veteran player who remarked “It’s good to see you flatbellys out here pickin’ with us greybeards”. The members found each other while jamming at open mic and festivals and have progressed to playing major festivals in the U.S. and abroad, and were named by NPR as one of the twelve best live appearances of the 2015 Mountain Stage broadcast season. Singer/guitarist Lindsay Lou is a vocalist that can handle any style that comes her way, and the Flatbelly boys (Joshua Rilko, PJ George, Mark Lavengood ) all multi-instrumentalists, can match her song for song and tune for tune. They’ve been touring behind their acclaimed latest album, “Iona”.
The musicians aren’t all from well above the Mason-Dixon line. Asheville-based Tellico describes their sound as “Appalachiacana”. They write songs that have deep roots in the region but address modern themes. The lineup is built around the singing and songwriting of Anya Hinkle and Stig Stiglets (both formerly of Dehlia Low), with Aaron Ballance on dobro and lap steel and Jed Willis on mandolin, clawhammer banjo and Telecaster.
Show starts at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $12 advance/$15 door.
Advance tickets available online at:
http://www.whitehorseblackmountain.com
Photo attached. Additional performer information online at:
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