Very few bands in the last 20 years have managed to do what the Avett Brothers have done as far as touring, global cult-like following and nearly ubiquitous critical acclaim, and never have a top 40 hit. The Avett Brother's are a folk-rock-punk-bluegrass-roots-avant garde-hard to pin down band hailing from the hills of Concord, North Carolina. The Avett Brother's are brothers Seth and Scott Avett, Bassist Bob Crawford and Cellist Joe Kwon. The brothers have been making music together since they were kids and have been recording as The Avett Brothers since 2000. And as they say, the rest is history. In the past 11 years, the brothers have 11 studio albums/EPs to their name, as well as three live records and literally thousands of shows everywhere from friends basements and dive bars to sold-out areas and headliners at major music festivals.
The Avett Brothers have "it". I am not exactly sure what "it" is, but when you find "it", you know. They are authentic, honest, talented and humble. Listening to them talk, despite major label releases, an appearance on the Grammys and a cult-like following, they come off humble and sweet, reluctant and somewhat unwilling to embrace any sort of superstar lifestyle. I think that this has to do with why their fan base is SO diverse. I have met everyone from Soccer moms, fellow musicians, music-savvy college kids, and even a semi-pro athlete on 'Team-Avett'. It's because their music is relatable and authentic. It is such a refreshing sound that is in a sense rebelling against the "Ke$ha culture" of so much music today. It's wholesome, but not forcefully so. Almost as if to say "I don't want what the culture tells me I should want, because I have found something better". You can hear their "purity", if you will, in lyrics such as "keep your clothes on, I've got all that I can take" and "make sure my sister knows I loved her, make sure my mother knows the same". All of this is balanced with a sense of humor that reminds me of something between Johnny Rotten and Groucho Marx.
Their music is as unique as the men making it, with songs seamlessly incorporating a pounding banjo (not usually picked like a bluegrass banjo, but played like a loud abrasive acoustic guitar), the calming cello of Joe Kwon, old-timey mountain harmonies sung by two brothers who know how to weave their voices together, creating one unique voice, if you will, at times. Not to mention Scott Avett's occasional hardcore style screaming, which is much less abrasive than it sounds. Sometimes it takes some time to get into a band's style or to figure them out and get used to what they are doing. That isn't the Avett Brothers. For me, the first time I heard the Avett Brothers (courtesy of Steve McCoy's blog) I just got it, and I couldn't get enough. It's been a musical relationship that started in the summer of 2009 and has yet to relent.
The Avett Brothers have "it". I am not exactly sure what "it" is, but when you find "it", you know. They are authentic, honest, talented and humble. Listening to them talk, despite major label releases, an appearance on the Grammys and a cult-like following, they come off humble and sweet, reluctant and somewhat unwilling to embrace any sort of superstar lifestyle. I think that this has to do with why their fan base is SO diverse. I have met everyone from Soccer moms, fellow musicians, music-savvy college kids, and even a semi-pro athlete on 'Team-Avett'. It's because their music is relatable and authentic. It is such a refreshing sound that is in a sense rebelling against the "Ke$ha culture" of so much music today. It's wholesome, but not forcefully so. Almost as if to say "I don't want what the culture tells me I should want, because I have found something better". You can hear their "purity", if you will, in lyrics such as "keep your clothes on, I've got all that I can take" and "make sure my sister knows I loved her, make sure my mother knows the same". All of this is balanced with a sense of humor that reminds me of something between Johnny Rotten and Groucho Marx.
Their music is as unique as the men making it, with songs seamlessly incorporating a pounding banjo (not usually picked like a bluegrass banjo, but played like a loud abrasive acoustic guitar), the calming cello of Joe Kwon, old-timey mountain harmonies sung by two brothers who know how to weave their voices together, creating one unique voice, if you will, at times. Not to mention Scott Avett's occasional hardcore style screaming, which is much less abrasive than it sounds. Sometimes it takes some time to get into a band's style or to figure them out and get used to what they are doing. That isn't the Avett Brothers. For me, the first time I heard the Avett Brothers (courtesy of Steve McCoy's blog) I just got it, and I couldn't get enough. It's been a musical relationship that started in the summer of 2009 and has yet to relent.
No comments:
Post a Comment