John Cloyd Miller-mandolin, Garth Henry Schwellenbach-banjo, Ian 'Bean' McNeil-guitar, Natalya Weinstein-fiddle, Bradford Hutchison-bass
Influences
Stanley Brothers, Bill Monroe, John Hartford, Jim Shumate, Doc Watson, Jerry Garcia, Phish, Louvin Brothers, Pig Iron, Flatt & Scruggs, Bob Dylan, Radiohead, Jimmy Martin, Roscoe Holcomb and countless other old-time, bluegrass, roots and rock musicians past and present
Sounds Like
sometimes old-time, sometimes new grass, mostly original, often bluegrass
Lo-Fi Breakdown is a high energy, old-school bluegrass quintet based in Asheville, North Carolina that is steeped in tradition while forging new sounds and stories within the genre. With a healthy mix of traditional and original material, the band is constantly breaking new ground within bluegrass music. The band had its start, strangely enough, in Utah, where Garth, Ian, and John originally met. Everyone in the band at that time had moved there at some point from other places to ski, climb, bike, and work. Everyone was working full time and playing music on the side, but the band still made time to play throughout the intermountain West and even had a highly successful West Coast tour that was documented on DVD. There was a year hiatus when Garth took a long trip around the world and John moved back to his home state of North Carolina. Soon after, the other guys decided to take a chance and move to the artistic enclave of Asheville to keep the band alive. After three years and some readjustment, the band is doing better than ever and is establishing itself in the Southeast as a true exponent of the old raucous bluegrass style that is becoming increasingly rare these days. The band loves to experiment and often gets into spontaneous jams on stage, but their sound is definitely rooted in early bluegrass. Lo-Fi has developed a strong following with their soulful vocals, fast picking, innovative original material and passionate live performances. Working around one microphone, dressed in vintage suits, the band’s look and sound sets them apart from so many of the contemporary acts today. During the past five years together, Lo-Fi Breakdown has played all across the country from San Francisco to New York City and everywhere in between. They have shared the stage with such acts as the great Del McCoury Band, mandolin master Sam Bush, songster Robert Earl Keen, and fiddle legend Jim Shumate among others.
Hope all of you are doing well -- Looks like you might have a cameo in my little radio doc. Haven't made the final cut yet (it's taking forever), but I'll let you know when it airs! (you might be able to web-listen)
sounds great! lemme know if ya need a harmonica player anytime....lets do a show together sometime ..
garry segal ~ new release ~ taking notes Update! track from new CD selected for Relix Magazine CD sampler 08 spring issue!
“Taking Notes bleeds Americana, with an intoxicating blend of uptempo blues and soulful bluegrass “ Trevor D. music critic Jambands. com guests : Jeff Pevar (Phil Lesh, CS&N) Collin Tilton (Van Morrison)
Your ensemble sound is awesome. Your fiddler is talented, and your vocalists delivery is itself fiddle-like, so the two make for a wonderfully smooth tonal glide between the picking and plucking.
Hey Lo-Fi, I'm really looking forward to yer CD Release party this Fri at The Grey Eagle. I just posted an article about the show at the Asheville Music Scene website: Check it out at: http://www.ashevillemusicscene.com/
See ya fri, Don Talley Editor The Asheville Music Scene
Hey Lo Fi.....looks like we're gonna cover some of yer tunes. Clevis (Brian) says we need to get you boys out here for some pickin. Sounds good to me....
Do you have any idea how awesome the skiing is right now?! I heard it's like 80 where you are. I've had more powder days this year than all of last year combined. YEEEHAAA!
Hey Lo-Fi Breakdown, Love the music! Thanks for the add. Feel free to come by and check out my music and chat! --Millie P.S. Come by and download “Silent Night” on my myspace page for FREE for your holiday listening enjoyment.
