Rootstone is rising. When New Roanoke Jug Band founder Jay Griffin announced his retirement on the second day of the 2008 his longtime partner, guitarist and songster Scott Baldwin, found himself suddenly at the head of the band. Upright bass ace Jeff Hofmann and brilliant young multi-instrumentalist Sam Lunsford were still excited about being in a jug band, so they recruited two of Sam’s contemporaries. John Thompson(guitar, strings & vocals) and Sean Poff (washboard, jug & vocals) joined, and these five are the Rootstone Jug Band.
The group’s inaugural performance at an opening of New Harmonies Roots Music exhibit in Hopewell, Virginia was met with enthusiastic response from a diverse audience. Three weeks later the band thrilled a crowd of thousands at Roanoke’s annual Strawberry Festival, keeping the audience as entertained as the preceding act, who faithfully recreated modern radio hits.
The band’s informal style draws the audience into the experiment. Around a single microphone they congregate and summon rich strains of american roots music. The synergy at work in the outfit is evident as they bring a rich repertoire of music to life. The band plays for the songs. A growing catalog of originals sit comfortably beside unique arrangements and little known gems from obscure recordings. The selections cover a wide stylistic range, all of them played in a way that respects the music’s influences yet treats them as living tradition.
Rootstone Jug Band will be accepting limited bookings in 2008. Work is underway for a limited pressing CD in early 2009. Stay tuned for what happens next.
For booking contact:
Scott Baldwin
rootstonemusic [at ]gmail.com
The second release in the Archaic Fetishism series is a four way split cassingle featuring bizzaro carnival pop songs by Eskimeaux, Raindrops Falling From Heaven, The New Heaven And The New Earth, and Snow Caps.
Eskimeaux is Gabrielle Smith, also known for her work as a member of Br'er. Eskimeaux starts the set with the aptly named "Dreamy Pop Song II," an icy, distant song that embodies the bittersweet loneliness and overwhelming temptation of unobtainable love.
Raindrops Falling From Heaven is the solo work of Ugh God percussionist Dan Angel. Side A closes with Angel's debut track "Old Lady Love," an infectious piece of electronic pop.
The New Heaven and the New Earth is the latest from Roger Martinez, also known as a member of Br'er and a founding member of The Private Sea. Side B opens with "I Live in The Trees," an ode to alienation in the form of an acid-soaked carousel waltz.
Snow Caps is the brainchild of Andrew Keller, who also plays in Hermit Thrushes. Snow Caps closes the set with "Winter Pop Song", a summation of the diverse range of sounds heard on Archaic Fetishism 2 that simulatenously bears Keller's unmistakable songwriting fingerprint.
Archaic Fetishism 2 is a limited release of 100 cassingles packaged in handmade felt pouches, assmembled by hand with hot
Thank you very much. I've been really enjoying your stuff, its my favorite kind of music and you guys really bring it. Yeah I'd be interested in doing something, just gimme a holler sometime and I'll do likewise in that endeavor. Thanks again!
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