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Concert in your area for Indie & Alt, Country, Rock, and Folk & Blues.
If Duluth, Minnesota’s going to be famous for two things, then they might as well be really, really cool things. The first is that the critically acclaimed Netflix adaptation of the Coen Brothers film “Fargo” is set there. The second thing the small, snow covered town is famous for is being the birthplace of one of the folk scene’s most exciting new bands, Trampled By Turtles.
The band represents a different breed of country music altogether quite different from Mumford and Sons and The Lumineers, arguably the instigators and definitely the biggest names of the recent folk revival.
Both of those bands are essentially singer-songwriters backed by full bands. While Trampled By Turtles are for one, very much a single unit, for another they bring a much harder edged, speedier form of indie rock inflected bluegrass.
Their sound is all hectic banjos, groaning violins and furiously strummed mandolins. It’s quite ridiculously exciting to listen to and is even better live. The instrumentalism is uniformly impeccable, and the atmosphere of joyous abandon and cameraderie tops it all off.
This makes sense considering the how the band was formed. Each member began their music career in different rock bands, and once they got to know each other, they formed a folk side project together to cut loose and take a break from their day jobs.
This is a world where most forms of art seem to be forced to be grey and dour in order to be taken seriously. However, the sense of joy and passion that permeates everything this band does, not to mention the sheer quality of the songwriting and performance, makes them truly unmissable.
To see Trampled by Turtles live is to experience the best that American rock has to offer. They don’t use elaborate costumes, sets or crazy props. This is because they do not need to. An acoustic feast for the ears, they play fast and furious.
You could call Trampled by Turtles bluegrass but that would be a disservice to how hard they rock. Whether performing their original songs or a Pixies cover (Where Is My Mind) they absolutely fail to disappoint.
A standout part of the show is seeing Dave Carroll play the banjo so hard, you will wonder how it doesn’t catch on fire. But don’t take that as a slight on the rest of the band. They are all quite talented and don’t mind showing it.From the moment that they step on stage, you can see why Trampled by Turtles has such a devoted following. This is a crowd that gets into the music in a major way! While remaining respectful and kind, the folks that come out to see Trampled by Turtles have such a high level of energy that it is hard not to let it infect you. You will literally not be able to not move your body.
If you enjoy the Yonder Mountain String Band, Leftover Salmon or Men From Earth, you can’t go wrong with Trampled by Turtles.
Leftover Salmon have created a solitary rare and completley indepedent sound that gathers influences from bluegrass and country, as well as ideas of thier own, creating this awesome genre they call 'Pollyethnic Cajun Slamgrass.' Now take this band and put them infront of a crowd and the crowd are left always smiling.
7 albums down and surely another to go, Leftover Salmon creation of this incrediblly unique genre makes their live performances memorable and extraordinary. Tremelo picking, 12 bar blues, from slow to fast, acoustic guitars and banjos- its a guessing game what the band are going to do live. It keeps you on your toes and tapping your toes.
Bluegrass is a powerful genre in itself, it allows people to really connect with a song but makes sure your always dancing or reaching out for the band. Leftover Salmon have taken the bluegrass and smacked its butt till its gone red-they've turned it into a naughty creature which they let loose live and its fantastic.
LouisAntoniou
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