One of the universal commonalities between people is that it is hard to ask for help. If money is involved, the task is all the greater. That’s why crowdfunding an album is such a brave and beautiful thing for artists to do. And it’s why we’ve decided to lend our support each month to roots music campaigns that could use a boost.
Danni kicked off celebrations at AmericanaFest UK 2018 and, as a BGS favorite, she kicked off showcases in our Folk Alliance International suite, so how about helping her kick off her new project? There’s a reason she was nominated for UK Artist of the Year. Could be her breath-taking voice. Might be her heart-melting songs. Hard to say, really. Pony up to find out.
Not at all sure who Oliver is, but this project by Kaitlyn Raitz and Ben Plotnick is a musical amalgam of folk, chamber, old-time, gypsy jazz, and something else entirely. And it’s just plain cool. On top of that, they pull it off with nothing* but cello, fiddle, and voice. WHAT?!
(*Rumor has it, whiskey played a sizable part, as well.)
As their album title, Modernus, implies, Circus No. 9 is an innovative bluegrass band tinkering with and innovating classic new acoustic methods and tropes, without falling into the self-infatuation that too often bogs down cerebral string bands. Banjo players and five-string fans should also take note: Banjoist Matthew Davis, a National Banjo Champion, is one of the most exciting young pickers out there today, artfully expanding on Noam and Béla-esque playing styles.
