Over the last six years, Old School Freight Train has undergone just such an evolution. Starting as a "new grass" band drawing strongly from the tradition of bluegrass innovators like David Grisman and Bela Fleck, the band continues to explore other musical paths. Songwriters like Elliott Smith and Tom Waits. Instrumentalists like Joshua Redman and Brad Mehldau. Rock bands like Radiohead and Wilco. With so many diverse influences, it’s difficult to confine the band to one genre.
Tim Dickinson of Rolling Stone put it this way: “Old School Freight Train is off on a timeless new track, blending roots and rock to create a sound that's all their own." In their conception, the members of OSFT, Jesse Harper (vocals & guitar), Darrell Muller (bass), Nate Leath (fiddle), Nick Falk (drums) have recorded with mandolin master David Grisman,toured as Grisman’s backup band, played countless headlining shows across the country; and been asked to cover songs by the likes of John Mayer, Wilco, and Coldplay for the popular bluegrass “Pickin’ On” compilation series.
As much as virtuosic musicianship is important to each member (Harper a classically trained guitarist; Falk and Leath both students from Berklee School of Music), the band members have set their sights on writing memorable tunes. Harper, the band primary songwriter and singer, puts it this way:
“When you first start playing, you look up to the virtuosos and try to imitate that as much as possible. But once the novelty of virtuosity wears off, you start to think, ‘these guys are great but what I really like is songs.”
That brings us to the new album, “Six Years,” out March 17th on the band’s own 11:12 Records (distributed by Sony/RED). From the Radiohead-tinged funk of “Let Me Go,” to the plaintive soul of “Memphis,” the focus here is on songs, not solos. While the disc is peppered with instrumental flourishes and masterful runs, it’s Harper’s heartfelt vocals that shine more than anything.
As a bonus, a rendition of Blondie’s “Heart of Glass” turns the bouncy New Wave pop hit into an aching dirge about lost love that will likely and painfully repeat on your iPod all day.
To sum it up, Harper adds: “We want to make good records that last, that you want to listen to more than once.”
With “Six Years,” Old School Freight Train has done just that.
Hey - played with you guys a while back at the Purple Fiddle - can't wait to check out your new album.
- Jason Ring, the one man blues-country-bluegrass band
Hi, I really like your songs. Thanks for the add and Merry Christmas from England! Take a look at my new video of The Writing on the Wall from my 2008 acoustic album, Beyond the Blues. Quote from the wall: ‘The wearing of this garment does not enable you to fly’. Thanks, Steve
