Crow Wing is: Thom Lord-bass, Ryan Heinsius-lead guitar, vocals, Andrew Lauher-drums
Influences
FAVORITE SOUNDS:
Greg Brown, Jeffrey Foucault,
Josh Ritter, Martin Sexton,
Peter Horne, Calexico,
Iron and Wine, JJ Cale,
Chris Whitley, Bob Marley,
Ani DiFranco, Dylan,
CSN&Y, Bobby Bare Jr.,
Grateful Dead, David Bromberg,
Michael Franti, Wilco,
Kelly Joe Phelps, Medeski-Martin-Wood,
Ray Lamontagne, Damien Rice,
Van Morrison, Miles Davis,
Tim O'Brien, Nathan Moore,
Redbird, Peter Mulvey...
It’s a fitting coincidence that Dave McGraw first met two-thirds of his band, Crow Wing, in a remote cabin in northern Arizona. McGraw’s songwriting has always been firmly rooted in his sense of place in the world, and few locales have influenced him as tangibly as this high desert perched above the Colorado River. As a solo artist, McGraw has been remarkably effective at conjuring the essences of places like this, as well as the lives of the people within them. With the recent addition of Crow Wing’s sonic palette to his songwriting, McGraw has been able to paint these stories in full, glorious color. The debut studio release from Dave McGraw and Crow Wing, 2009’s Coyotes Came Around, will extend an already impressive trajectory for the newly formed band. Whether performing solo or with members of Crow Wing, the last two years have seen McGraw sharing the stage with a wide variety of acclaimed musicians, including 2008 Oscar winners Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova of The Swell Season (and stars of the movie “Once”), Peter Mulvey, Paula Nelson, Tony Furtado, David Lindley, the Carolina Chocolate Drops, and bluegrass legend Del McCoury.
Coyotes Came Around is undoubtedly the most captivating statement of McGraw’s career to date. Backed by Crow Wing’s dynamic fusion of traditional and modern sounds, McGraw’s tales of the the well-lived life take on a shimmering vitality on this album. Even in its more raucous moments, however, Coyotes Came Around retains the wide-open sincerity for which McGraw’s songwriting has become known. As observed by the San Francisco music blog blackmagicplastic, "Dave's music is heartfelt, spiritually rich and endlessly wise...music of the sort that can enrapture anyone who takes the time to really listen." The new album maintains McGraw’s precedent for insightful lyricism and compelling melody, while Crow Wing’s eclectic foundation evokes influences ranging from Bill Monroe to The Clash.
Prior to the formation of Crow Wing, McGraw had taken stage with a succession of bands variously performing alternative country, folk, blues, jazz-influenced rock, and world music. Primarily a drummer and percussionist for fifteen years, McGraw brought all of these influences together as a singer/songwriter in the summer of 2005, with a move to the Colorado Plateau of northern Arizona. In a five-month maelstrom of creative energy, he and bassist Thom Lord built a studio in the corner of a tiny rural cabin and recorded his first solo album, Northwest/Southwest. This same cabin later served as the de facto origin of Crow Wing, when Flagstaff guitarist Ryan Heinsius met McGraw and Lord at an impromptu desert party. The party turned into a late-night jam session, and the three shortly began playing live acoustic shows together whenever possible. The fit was natural, with McGraw’s rich voice and percussive rhythm guitar complemented perfectly by Heinsius’ vocal harmonies and searing, elegant leads.
McGraw quickly settled into his new musical role as a frontman, playing a multitude of live shows to increasingly enthusiastic crowds and releasing a second full-length album, Where the Sea Settles Down, in 2007. Two well-received national tours followed in that year. Andrew Lauher, an already well-known Flagstaff drummer, entered the picture in 2008 after volunteering to sit in on a live show with McGraw, Lord, and Heinsius. The uncommon musical chemistry between the four at that show was intoxicating, and they wasted no time in booking the next. The official formation of Crow Wing wasn’t far behind.
Now based in Flagstaff, Dave McGraw and Crow Wing are rapidly becoming well-known throughout the southwestern U.S. for their impassioned live performances. The release of Coyotes Came Around, set for July 3rd, will be marked by a special live show at Flagstaff’s Green Room, and will be followed by a series of shows throughout the American West.
Purchase Coyotes Came Around
hey thanks for the friend request! How did you hear about the music? For the latest events, to listen to music and sign up on the mailing list (I’ll let you know when I come to your area) go to www.forestsun.com .
Thanks for listening, keep creating, cheers, forest
This month we mostly have Catie Curtis (with a Richard Thompson cover), Lindsay Fuller and The Cheap Dates (and who amongst us isn't?), Josh Fix with a track from the well-titled album This Town Is Starting To Make Me Angry and the rather lovely Red Rooster.
Hey Dave, hope everything is going well with you. Can't wait to check out the new album, although I'm a bit late on picking it up... It's cool that you put Cat Creek on there, as that was one of my favorites. Is there a direct way to buy from you, or should I just go through Amazon or something?
Anyways, keep making music and come back out to Northern California one of these days!
It was so nice to meet you last night! Thanks for sharing the stage with us... it was honor to share the stage with good folks like you. I had the CD playing at work today. Western Sky is my favorite tune so far but the whole CD is amazing! Best of luck to you all, hope our paths cross again! Cheers, Rachel Mae
Hey Dave, I just posted a new recording on my profile. It has some keys, drum programming and even a fake horn section. Check it out when you get a chance and let my know what you think. Thanks. Hope all is well with you!
This Saturday at the Orpheum in Flagstaff come see the return of Calexico. The show is $18 advance/$20 day of. ALL AGES WELCOME!
Music with an unparalleled sense of drama, calling upon the myths and iconography of the American West and its Spanish speaking neighbor Mexico, equal parts Sergio Leone, Larry McMurtry, Carlos Fuentes and Cormac McCarthy. Its like crazy indie rock meet Latin meets just plain cool.
Oh yeah AND they're bringing a 12-piece Latin Orchestra to open for them: Sergio Mendoza Y La Orchestra! Its gonna be huge!
4/18 The Last Hurrah with Delta Nove & Brothers Gow @ The Orpheum (21+) 4/23 New Riders of the Purple Sage @ The Green Room (21+) 4/25 Lez Zeppelin @ The Green Room (21+) 5/19 The Red Elvises @ The Green Room (21+) 5/22 Xtra Ticket: Grateful Dead Tribute @ The Green Room (21+) 6/6 Supervillains @ The Green Room (21+)
This show is coming up next week, and it one of those shows that is near and dear to my heart. Jason Isbell is a phenomenal musician, and you would be a fool to miss his first ever Flagstaff appearance. Check it:
Former Drive-By Trucker Jason Isbell will be at the Green Room in Flagstaff on Monday March 30th (show at 8pm) with his band the 400 Unit. Isbell was known as one of the best songwriters, singers, and guitarists in DBT, and has since branched out and just released his second solo album. His music is a beautiful blend of southern rock & soul, alt-county, and just great songwriting.
Justin Townes Earle played in his father Steve Earle's band before setting off on his own. With inspirations as diverse as Townes Van Zandt (he was named in honor of the elder Earle’s hero), Jimmy Reed, Kurt Cobain, The Replacements, Ray Charles and The Pogues, Justin forged his own brand of American roots music
Also check out these upcoming shows: 4/4 An Evening with Bruce Cockburn @ The Orpheum (21+) 4/11 Calexico with Sergio Mendoza Y La Orkestra @ The Orpehum (All Ages) 4/18 Delta Nove @ The Green Room (21+) 4/23 New Riders of the Purple Sage @ The Green Room (21+) 4/25 Lez Zeppelin @ The Green Room (21+) 5/19 The Red Elvises @ The Green Room (21+) 5/22 Xtra Ticket: Grateful Dead Tribute @ The Green Room (21+)
The Yard Dogs Road Show is a hobo cabaret, a living patchwork of vaudeville and rock and roll. In the enchanting land of stage show entertainment theirs is both pleasant and formidable terrain. They require a sensitivity to the subtle and the absurd. They lead the modern hobohemian on a visual and sonic journey through part of history that may or may not have existed – followed by an ambitious return to the emotional challenges of our punch-drunk contemporary world. It’s a true story on stage: sword swallowers, dancing dolls, fire eaters and sunset hobo poetry - all animated by the live sounds of the Yard Dogs cartoon heavy band. Yard Dogs Road Show is pure visual and sonic voodoo.
Also coming soon: 3/30 Jason Isbell with Justin Townes Earle @ The Green Room (21+) 4/4 An Evening with Bruce Cockburn @ The Orpheum (21+) 4/11 Calexico with Sergio Mendoza Y La Orkestra @ The Orpehum (All Ages) 4/18 Delta Nove @ The Green Room (21+) 4/23 New Riders of the Purple Sage @ The Green Room (21+) 4/25 Lez Zeppelin @ The Green Room (21+) 5/22 Xtra Ticket: Grateful Dead Tribute @ The Green Room (21+)
I'll be touring through your area on May 19 and 20... if you need an opener for ANY shows, I'd love the opportunity:) Let me know what you think-- looking forward to it!
Thank you, Dave. It was a pleasure to share a stage with the DMB, and you guys sounded great. Looking forward to more shows with you in the future. Keep rockin'!
you guys sounded killer. It was like you had someone from the allman brothers join your band. It worked well. I wish I could get a dance crowd like that!
We want to travel to Flagstaff to play before too long. If you happen across a gig where you think we could play with you, let me know. See ya. JB
