Tag: Caleb Klauder

This Faux Paws Playlist Includes ‘No Bad Ideas’

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Growing up with access to all of recorded music, it’s hard to imagine not enjoying a wide range of styles. When we all met around fifteen years ago, it was fun to see where our backgrounds overlapped and where they didn’t. Eventually, after lots of road testing, we ended up with some kind of sound to our band that is pretty unique. Our new album, No Bad Ideas, is an expression of that. It’s all over the place, but somehow not.

For this Mixtape, we set out to include music that’s influenced us as a band, inspired our playing and songwriting, or otherwise shaped us as people. Some of these are tunes that have been with us a long time, some of them we just listened to in the van while we’ve been on tour. It’s all over the place, but there’s a through line as well. No Bad Ideas in a playlist! – The Faux Paws

“TSA” – Danny Barnes

Just banjo, drums, and voice. It’s weird, sparse, beautiful, and one of those songs I’ve been coming back to for years. – Andrew VanNorstrand

“Rockingham” – The Faux Paws

This song is all about the excitement and uncertainty of moving to a new place and finding community, even if you aren’t necessarily ready for it. – AV

“Backstep Cindy” – The Freight Hoppers

July 1998. I am ten years old. I wander into the dance tent at the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival and my tiny little mind is blown into a thousand pieces as I experience the absolutely insane energy of The Freight Hoppers. I’ve been chasing that feeling ever since. This. Tune. F-ing. Rocks. – AV

“Odds of Getting Even” – Maya de Vitry

I can’t get enough of this album. Maya sounds great. Her band sounds great. The material is great. This song has a subtle message of patience and perspective that really speaks to me. Play it again. – AV

“He’s Gone” – Caleb Klauder & Reeb Willms

Caleb and Reeb played for my wedding! They are true cornerstones of the amazing Pacific Northwest Americana scene and are launching a new festival this week, Orcasfest. Caleb wrote this song about his childhood dentist, who was also his best friend’s dad/second dad. – Chris Miller

“Jesus Was a Cross Maker” – Judee Sill

I am always telling people about this singular artist and I feel like her music is still pretty underground in my circles! She had a wild childhood and was caught up in the Laurel Canyon California music scene, experimenting with psychedelics and reflecting on her Christianity. The result is music that doesn’t sound like anything else I’ve ever heard. – CM

“For Me It’s You” – Jobi Riccio

I heard Jobi play this song in a hotel room in Kansas City during Folk Alliance and it broke me. Like, truly deeply broke me the way only a great song can. Everyone has a dream they know probably won’t come true. I needed this song. Maybe you do, too. – AV

“15 Below” – The Faux Paws

Every time we play this, Noah makes my jaw drop – and we captured some of that on the record. This tune came to life when we were quarantined in Newport, Rhode Island, January 2022. We went to try and find a bird on the beach and it was insanely cold. – CM

“Artificial Intelligence” – Jim Lauderdale

Most of the time we spend in the van is actually listening to terrifying podcasts about the seemingly inevitable AI future. I grew up seeing Jim Lauderdale play and I appreciate how he can remain frozen in a time of “real country” while still plundering the depths of current philosophical issues. – CM

“the 1” – Taylor Swift

Noah really, really, really likes Taylor Swift. And he picked this song. And that’s all. Hope you like it. Noah really likes it. A lot. Contact Noah directly for more details on how much he likes Taylor Swift. – AV

“Straight Back” – Taylor Ashton

I love the way this song slips and slides. Smooth groove, clever lyrics, ooo-eee-ooo-eeyoo hook in the chorus.  It’s impossible to pin down. And why would you want to pin it down anyway? Just let it do its thing. Don’t worry about it. – AV

“You Are Also Them” – Jenny Ritter

I came across Jenny Ritter randomly around fifteen years ago and have been obsessed with her music ever since. We actually recorded our Backburner EP with the same engineer (Adam Iredale) on tiny Mayne Island, British Columbia. This track coincidentally has Zoe Guigueno on bass! – CM

“Unknowing” – Busman’s Holiday

I don’t have a long history with this song, but we were recently on tour in Nashville and Zoe played it for us. I just can’t shake it. You ever get the sense that a song is perceiving you just as much or more so than you are able to perceive it? I hope this song likes me. – AV

“I Didn’t Realize” – Buddy Spicher & Vassar Clements

The first music I learned to play was a mix of classic country, western swing, and contest-style fiddling from Ontario. I fell in love with twin fiddle harmonies and a tight rhythm section. Listening to these two fiddle legends riffing off of each other is such a joy. – AV

“I Just Wanna Listen to the Band Play” – Freddy & Francine

These guys (Bianca and Lee) are some of my idols, both in the way they make music and live with intention. As it seems we can’t beat the robots in the great war coming, I think the only hope for music and art is if we decide to be a little more intentional about … everything. This song is from 2020, but more relevant than ever! – CM

Photo Credit: Dylan Ladds

You Gotta Hear This: New Music From Caleb Klauder & Reeb Willms, Wilson Banjo Co., and More

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

It’s a wall-to-wall picture show this week in our premiere round-up! Pop some popcorn, grab some Mike & Ikes, sit back, and enjoy our quintuple feature of new music videos and live sessions from bluegrass, country, and string band artists and groups.

First, the Burnett Sisters Band showcase a lonesome and heart-wrenching number, “Sorrow, Grief and Pain,” with familial harmonies and songwriting by guitarist Geary Allen. Then, we have Caleb Klauder & Reeb Willms performing “Most Lonely Day,” a track from their brand new album, Gold in Your Pocket, that keeps our lonesome, introspective, and emotive video trend going. That vibe is artfully maintained next by bluegrass outfit Wilson Banjo Co., who bring their music video for “Black Wedding Dress” featuring a brand new singer for the group, Brandi Colt.

To cap this week’s collection, we have two final installments for two video series we’ve been running for the last few weeks here on BGS. Our partner series of AEA Sessions with our friends at AEA Ribbon Mics concludes with a handful of songs by singer-songwriter Zach Meadows, and Rachel Sumner wraps up her Traveling Light Sessions with a performance of “Radium Girls (Curie Eleison),” the standout track from her recent album, Heartless Things. 

Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show right here on BGS! You gotta see this – and of course, You Gotta Hear this!

The Burnett Sisters Band, “Sorrow, Grief and Pain”

Artist: The Burnett Sisters Band
Hometown: Johnson City, Tennessee
Song: “Sorrow, Grief and Pain”
Release Date: October 10, 2024
Label: Pinecastle Records

In Their Words: “You get ‘Sorrow, Grief and Pain’ when you combine hard-driving traditional bluegrass with Marty Robbins-style country music. When folks would ask us what we were working on, we simply called it a ‘Bluegrass Western.’ Written by our very own guitar player Geary Allen and born at lightning speed, the song tells a story of lost love with a perilous end. The triple fiddles carry the protagonist through a whirlwind of emotions as Anneli Burnett’s piercing lead vocal strikes at the heart of anybody with ears to listen. We loved working with Rebecca Jones on the making of this music video and she did a fantastic job at bringing the song’s emotion alive in her work. We hope our listeners enjoy hearing and watching ‘Sorrow, Grief and Pain’ as much as we enjoyed making it.” – Geary Allen, songwriter, guitar

Track Credits:
Geary Allen – Guitar, banjo, harmony vocals
Anissa Burnett – Fiddle, harmony vocals
Anneli Burnett – Fiddle, mandolin, lead vocals
Sophia Burnett – Bass
Dan Boner – Fiddle

Video Credit: Rebecca Jones

Caleb Klauder & Reeb Willms, “Most Lonely Day”

Artist: Caleb Klauder & Reeb Willms
Hometown: Orcas Island, Washington
Song: “Most Lonely Day”
Album: Gold in Your Pocket
Release Date: November 15, 2024
Label: Free Dirt Records

In Their Words: “Have you ever had one? This song is written as a cautionary tale and is reflective on how things could be bad. Some of these experiences I’ve had, some of them I don’t want to have, as I have already watched my friends go through them. Be thankful for the good things that you have in your life and for the things that are working well.” – Caleb Klauder

Track Credits:
Caleb Klauder – Vocals, mandolin, acoustic guitar
Reeb Willms – Vocals, acoustic guitar
Joel Savoy – Fiddle
Chris Scruggs – Tic tac bass
Walter Hartman – Drums
Dirk Powell – Piano

Video Credits: Filmed by Beehive Productions at the Floyd Country Store in Floyd, Virginia. Recorded live by Joe Dejarnette.

Wilson Banjo Co.,  “Black Wedding Dress”

Artist: Wilson Banjo Co.
Hometown: Westminster, South Carolina
Song: “Black Wedding Dress”
Release Date: October 22, 2024
Label: Pinecastle Records

In Their Words: “‘Black Wedding Dress’ was a great lead single for the new lineup of Wilson Banjo Co. and for the EP releasing in January. The storyline maintains the dark, edgy undertone that our unique brand of bluegrass has had for the last ten years, while also providing a wide open platform for our fresh new vocalist to the band, Brandi Colt, to show off her range.

“Avrim Topel wrote such a compelling story song and the band had a blast recording and performing it for the video. I couldn’t be happier with the way the band members have dialed in to each other, the music and show just feel next level. We really hope y’all will enjoy it as much as we do!” – Steve Wilson

Track Credits:
Steve Wilson – Banjo
Jaime Carter – Bass, harmony
Brandi Colt – Vocal
Andrew Crawford – Guitar
Adam Bachman – Resonator guitar
Darren Nicholson – Mandolin

Video Credits: Bonfire Recording Studio

AEA Sessions: Zach Meadows, Live at Americanafest 2024

Artist: Zach Meadows
Hometown: From Orlando, Florida; currently residing in Nashville, Tennessee
Songs: “Three White Crosses,” “Cardinal Song,” “Marianne,” “Texas Two Step”

In Their Words: “Since moving to Nashville, I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with some incredibly talented folks. Having just put out my debut record, Road to Nowhere, getting the chance to share some of my journey through music with AEA and play a bit of the album live with Brandon Bell in the room, who was absolutely so instrumental in helping to bring this record to life, was truly a one-of-a-kind experience.” – Zach Meadows

More here.

Rachel Sumner, “Radium Girls (Curie Eleison)” (Traveling Light Sessions)

Artist: Rachel Sumner & Traveling Light
Hometown: Boston, Massachusetts
Song: “Radium Girls (Curie Eleison)” (Traveling Light Sessions)
Album: Heartless Things 
Release Date: November 21, 2024 (video); May 10, 2024 (album)

In Their Words: “‘Radium Girls (Curie Eleison)’ is based on a true, terrible piece of United States history – one that I didn’t learn about in any history book. It tells the story of the Radium Girls, young factory workers poisoned by the very material they were told was safe, and their courageous fight for justice. The title juxtaposes scientific progress with a plea for mercy, tying the legacy of Marie Curie to the tragic consequences of her discoveries.

“Performing this song with Traveling Light keeps the arrangement stark and intimate to let the haunting resonance of the story come through. This video is particularly special to me, because I had the chance to play a guitar that one of my songwriting heroes, Josh Ritter, has used to record many of his own epic story songs. It felt like a beautiful connection to the power of storytelling.” – Rachel Sumner

More here.

Photo Credit: Caleb Klauder & Reeb Willms by Tristan Paiige; Wilson Banjo Co. by Ethan Burkhardt.

Kauai Folk Festival Will Celebrate Music of Hawaii and Beyond

Posted on by Editor

Even for knowledgeable fans of folk music, the lineup of the Kauai Folk Festival offers plenty of artists to discover from Hawaii and beyond. Along with headliners like Taj Mahal’s Hula Blues Band and Peter Rowan’s My Aloha Bluegrass Band, the two-day roster also features Hawaiian music from Puka Asing, Wally Rita y Los Kauaianos, and more representing the diversity of Hawaiian traditional music.

With five stages running continuously, the lineup also includes Jonny Fritz, Blaine Sprouse, Ed Poullard, Reeb Williams & Caleb Klauder, Mike Bub, and many others. Meanwhile, Kauai Folk Workshops will offer instruction on guitar, fiddle, banjo, ukulele and mandolin, in addition to dance instructors teaching hula, square dance, swing, and two-step, and voice instructors teaching harmony singing, ballads, and Hawaiian song.

Festival director Matt Morelock fielded a few questions by email about the festival, slated for September 28-29 at the historic Grove Farm Museum in Lihue, on the southeast coast of Kauai.

BGS: What inspired the idea to create a folk festival in Kauai?

Morelock: For decades, Hawaiian music has stood on the periphery of the ‘folk’ genre. Its undeniable and indelible influence on all forms of American music deserves to be celebrated. We created the Kauai Folk Festival for such a celebration and invited all of our favorite performers, both local and continental, to sing, pick, dance, and meet one another in this tropical paradise.

When you are selecting artists, do you have a certain audience in mind? In other words, is there a common thread that runs through your lineup and/or your ticket holders?

We’ve attempted to represent the broadest swath of ‘folk’ music and musicians that we could find. From bluegrass to blues – from Cajun to country – we chose the best performers in as many genres as possible to illustrate the diversity of American folk music. The common thread is diversity. Artists were chosen for their enthusiasm and skill.

What have you learned about the process of booking festivals that has really surprised you?

We’ve learned that a worthwhile festival is one with a purpose. Hawaiian music and musicians are fighting against the expense and logistical complication of geographical separation as well as the mass perception of their music and culture as ‘foreign,’ when in truth Hawaiian music and culture is both a product of and strong influence on what we consider ‘American’ culture and music. We’ve learned that a higher purpose can confound the typical challenges that festivals face in finding an identity and audience.

For someone who has never been to Kauai, how would you describe it to them?

In addition to being GORGEOUS BEYOND BELIEF, Kauai is rural and cosmopolitan at the same time. There are more wild pigs than human beings living on this island. The natural beauty and local hospitality are legendary. You can book a hotel and rent a car here just like you can anywhere else in the U.S. Flights aren’t as expensive as you think. Beer is cheap. Fresh food and clean air are abundant. There’s really no reason NOT to visit!

In addition to interest from the locals, you will be hoping to attract people from the mainland as well. What are some of the amenities or unique qualities that will make this festival a destination event?

We’ve opted to keep festival admission affordable rather than spending time and resources on lodging and flight packages. We trust that Kauai Folk Festival attendees from the mainland won’t have trouble booking a flight, renting a car, and finding a hotel room. Kauai itself is a uniquity. The festival and the astounding Grove Farm Museum are an amenity. There’ll be a broad selection of spectacular local cuisine (plenty of accommodations for vegan/vegetarian/gluten-free diets), and extremely creative beverage and local juice options. We’re also ‘on call’ via www.kauaifolk.com to assist with any travel questions or complications!

What do you hope that attendees will take away from the Kauai Folk Festival experience?

We hope that Kauai Folk Festival fans will leave the event with a deeper understanding of the historical interconnectedness between Hawaiian culture and ‘mainland’ culture. In the production process, we are finding similarities and cross-influences on a daily basis!

WATCH: Foghorn Stringband, ‘Reuben’s Train’

Posted on by Editor

Artist: Foghorn Stringband
Hometown: Portland, Oregon; Pointe-à-la-Croix, Quebec
Album: Rock Island Grange
Song: “Reuben’s Train”

In Their Words: “‘Reuben’s Train’ is the first track on Foghorn Stringband’s newly-released album, Rock Island Grange. A classic in the bluegrass and old-time worlds, our version has influences from every version we’ve ever come across. It contains all the elements of the typical bad man ballad, from adultery to a train wreck to explosive dismemberment! The video was recorded last September in Santa Paula at the Deep End Sessions in front of a lovely and very lively audience. It has always been a favorite of ours to play live and we are excited to finally have captured a version of it on record!” — Foghorn Stringband

Photo credit: Emma Jervis

MIXTAPE: Bobby Britt’s Songs of Hard-Won Joy

Posted on by Editor

The songs and artists on this playlist evoke a sense of hard-fought, hard-won, deep and rich joy. It is not a simple, one-dimensional joy. It has the sound of being churned about, tried and tested again. And now, just maybe, the joy being properly vetted, can be enjoyed. I look up to these artists, as they convey a message of calm and confident optimism.

We are all faced with the dualities of a temporal world…birth and death, gain and loss, pleasure and pain.

These songs speak to the strength of the human spirit amidst that world, and give me courage to carry on regardless of what’s happening, good or bad. They also provide a glimpse at an eternal reality of peace and balance (that has nothing to do with time, space or duality) that is hard to see or believe in when I am churning in the opposites…fear of loss, a craving for more and more solidity, and the dread that I will never have or be enough.

We need artists for this very reason; to go beyond our normal, conditioned ways of thinking about life, and to give us a new perspective with which to test our old and sometimes outdated paradigms.

My area of expertise is bluegrass and old-time fiddle. Though I am not a vocalist or pop artist, I gain inspiration from all styles. The feeling and sound of the above mentioned “hard-won joy” is what transcends specific genres for me. A goal of mine is to take this base emotional element, and with it, transfuse my fiddle playing and songwriting.

My hope is that you can find some joy and something to relate to in these songs as I did. Thank you for listening.

Photo Credit Louise Bichan

STREAM: Caleb Klauder + Reeb Willms, ‘Innocent Road’

Posted on by Editor

Artist: Caleb Klauder + Reeb Willms
Hometown: Orcas Island, WA
Album: Innocent Road
Release Date: September 30
Label: West Sound Music

Exclusive Quote from Artist: "After three-plus years in the studio, a vocal polyp surgery, and only finding short moments between full-time international tours, Innocent Road is a perfect snapshot of what my band has been up to for the past five years. Reeb Willms and I have been sharing the lead singing role in the band, and this album showcases some of our favorite songs.

We recorded Innocent Road at Blue Rooms Studio in Portland, Oregon, on one-inch analogue tape and thoroughly enjoyed navigating this process. There is nothing quite like the sound of recorded music on tape just before it gets altered to digital form. This album is a perfect follow up to my first two country band albums, Dangerous Mes and Poisonous Yous, and Western Country, and complements our first duo album, Oh Do You Remember. It showcases the full band backing our duet vocal approach." — Caleb Klauder