The Lonely Heartstring Band unites traditional bluegrass with contemporary songwriting, and has already earned accolades from respected members of the bluegrass community.
Banjo legend Tony Trischka says, "These Heartstring Boys have carved out a fresh niche in modern bluegrass.
They adhere to the traditional format but take everything two steps forward. Their roots are clear and so is their path to the future. They're in a class by themselves."
The band’s debut, Deep Waters, was co-produced by The Lonely Heartstring Band and David Travers-Smith, with co-production by GRAMMY–winner Gary Paczosa (Alison Krauss, Sarah Jarosz) on the tracks “Graceland” and “The Road’s Salvation.”
Despite their varied influences, from classical to folk to traditional bluegrass, and because of them, too, the Lonely Heartstring Band never sounds like a clash of competing musical elements, but rather has a rich and fully-formed sound that respects and incorporates the full range of what each individual musician brings to the group.The Lonely Heartstring Band, with their shared musical vocabulary, are forging a style that is simultaneously both stimulating and listenable, new and fresh.
Deep Waters offers listeners an array of musical stylings from which to choose, featuring modern bluegrass on the title track and in the song “The Road’s Salvation,” unique arrangements of songs by Paul Simon (“Graceland”), Bob Dylan (“Rambling, Gambling Willie”), and Pete Seeger (“If I Had A hammer”). A playful instrumental, “Big Bruce,” and “Songbird” which offers the sound of the Monroe Brothers for the 21st century.
Rounder Records Founder Ken Irwin says, "It's rare these days to hear a new bluegrass band that has a sound all their own, but the Lonely Heartstring Band's got that, and more, with intricate instrumentation, beautiful voices, and songs which are emotionally resonant and very relatable. We are extremely excited to be working with the LHB and to be able to share their music."
The songs on Deep Waters are all road-tested fan favorites from folk festivals, clubs, and concert halls, but include a couple of surprise tunes as well. Fortunately, there are many more miles to travel for the Lonely Heartstring Band: they plan to travel the east coast this spring, and have several stops in the mid-west. More dates to be announced soon.
Deep Waters is available June 3.
About Lonely Heartstring Band:
Four of the five band members of The Lonely Heartstring Band met while students at Boston’s Berklee College of Music. They are the winners of the 2015 International Bluegrass Music Association's Momentum Award, and feature Charles Clements (bass & vocals), George Clements (guitar & lead vocals), Gabe Hirshfeld (banjo), Patrick M'Gonigle (fiddle, vocals), and Matt Witler (mandolin).
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