Tag: Old Crow Medicine Show

The Essential Old Crow Medicine Show Playlist

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Though Old Crow Medicine Show are generally associated with North Carolina, where they were discovered busking outside a drug store in Boone, the band also known as O.C.M.S. are actually the product of two different areas of the Appalachians. Two of the band's five founding members, Ketch Secor and Critter Fuqua, are from the east side the mountain (Harrisonburg, Virginia) while Kevin Hayes and former members Ben Gould and Willie Watson were from the fertile string music scene of Ithaca, New York. It was when Secor headed to Ithaca College — and brought Fuqua along for the ride — that the band got its start in earnest (and later found their big break in Boone).

Like many of their counterparts in modern string music, the members of O.C.M.S. are as influenced by the sounds of Guns ‘N’ Roses as by the songwriting of Doc Watson. It has been their ability to meld the classic melodies and storytelling style of the traditional string music with the energy and enthusiasm of classic rock 'n' roll that have made them so successful.

Now, with nine studio records to their credit, from 1998’s cassette recording, Trans:mission, to their award-winning 2014 set, Remedy, O.C.M.S. have been consistently at the leading and influential edge of modern string music. For newbies and fans alike, here’s an essential playlist that spans most of their career, ranges from covers of classics to their own songs, and includes the tune that not even Bob Dylan has our permission to cover.

Photo of OCMS by Crackerfarm.

3×3: Noah Wall on Staying Healthy, Feeling Heavenly, and Laundering Monthly

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Artist: Noah Wall (of the Barefoot Movement)
Hometown: Oxford, NC
Latest Album: Down Home Blues (solo), Live in L.A. (The Barefoot Movement)
Personal Nicknames: I don't have any nicknames, but I have four nieces and nephews, and hearing them call me "Aunt Noah" is pretty awesome.

 

Playing @the_ark_ann_arbor tonight at 7:30! Still reeling from a fabulous time at the #indianafiddlersgathering

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What song do you wish you had written?
Someone asked me this recently, and I had a hard time giving them an answer. There are so many songs that I love with all my heart, but I don't wish I had written them, necessarily. I just feel so happy that they were written for me to enjoy. But I do wish I could write a song as good as "I Hear Them All" by Dave Rawlings or Old Crow Medicine Show. I love the simplicity of the music and depth of the words.

If money were no object, where would you live and what would you do?
I'd pretty much do the same things I'm doing now; I'd just do them a little better! All I want to do is write music and play shows. If I had plenty of money, I might plan my tour schedule a little differently. Right now, it's a pretty constant thing and it can be hard to stay grounded (and healthy!) when you are always traveling. People say do it while you're young, but the harder you go, the faster you age, so I feel like it evens out. Also, I used to do a lot of theater and I absolutely loved it. One day, I'd like to have the freedom to do that again somehow.

If the After-Life exists, what song will be playing when you arrive?
Whenever I hear the harmonies at the end of Simon and Garfunkel's "The Only Living Boy in New York," it makes me feel pretty heavenly.

 

Not a bad place for preproduction. #studioherewecome #dayone

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How often do you do laundry?
Ha ha! Probably when I get home from every tour — so maybe once a month, for like two days straight.

What was the last movie that you really loved?
ROOM! With Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay. I have not been so enthralled with a movie in years. I watched it three times in a week. Also, I just watched Schindler's List again on an airplane, and I cried the whole time. I've been good and depressed ever since. But I think that can be a good thing.

What's your favorite TV show?
I'm definitely a movie and TV person (and music, of course) so as with any of those, it's hard to pick just one. A few of my all-time favorites are Mad Men, Downton Abbey, The Walking Dead, Felicity, That 70s Show, Friends, 30 Rock, thirtysomething, and, like everyone else, I'm completely obsessed with Game of Thrones.

 

#bandontherun Taking in the Utah air at 7 pm tonight @ogdennaturecenter

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Morning person or night owl?
I saw a sunrise once … so, yeah. Night owl, through and through.

Who is your favorite Sanders — Bernie or Colonel?
I'm not too politically opinionated, but I do love chicken.

Coffee or tea?
Herbal tea. I have Throat Coat before every show. When I need something sweet and delicious, Oprah's Herbal Chai blend with cream and sugar is the best.

Photo credit: Catherine Truman

The Felice Brothers, ‘Aerosol Ball’

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It's hard to find a downside to this most recent modern roots revival — after all, what could be bad about a trend toward acoustic instruments, old-time influences, and keen harmonies? Well, not much, and we're certainly not complaining. But as more and more bands have ditched the distortion pedals for the dobro, there is one thing that's sometimes lost along the way: edge. When a good string band is good, they often teeter on the brink of madness, creating an environment that's as much punk rock as it is Americana. Old Crow Medicine Show paved a roadmap to how this could be done on LPs like Tennessee Pusher and Big Iron World, where expert musicianship and classic craft didn't have to breed something that's just so darn earnest.

The Felice Brothers, who got their start busking in the New York City subway, ain't earnest. Not in the pejorative sense, at least — and that metaphor of playing acoustic music as the concrete jungle towered overhead and trains whirled by is a perfect expression of how their sound, while entrenched in past traditions, manages to never succumb to serious, precious practices. Their newest track, "Aerosol Ball," from their forthcoming album, Life in the Dark, is proof that even after 10 years as a band, they've never lost that gritty grasp on their breed of folk-country. Propelled by Ian Felice's off-kilter vocals and James Felice's accordion, there's a welcome dose of angst behind the melodies that demonstrate the song's visceral tension toward the modern age. "The lines on her palm are made by Viacom," sings Ian, full of vinegar, "and her dreams and her thoughts were made by Microsoft." Acoustic punk, not cutesy roots, at its best.

The Taxman Cometh: 9 Songs to Get You Through Tax Day

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April 15. Unless you're an accountant or you're owed a big ol' refund, this day probably strikes a unique fear in your heart, one fueled by nightmares of endless paperwork and a Kafka-esque string of TurboTax questions that have you — if you're like me — so flustered you forget your own address. Although this year's tax day is actually April 18, we decided to go ahead and share a handful of our favorite tax-related tunes with you. Whether you're already crying over your return or you're dreading Sunday night's cram session, these nine tracks should hopefully ease a little pain. 

Don't like videos? Listen to the whole thing (with the Beatles' take on "Taxman" instead) on Spotify.

Nickel Creek, "Taxman"

We're all for the Beatles' original version, but who doesn't love Nickel Creek's acoustic take — this live one in particular — on the Fab Four's classic? 

Johnny Cash, "After Taxes"

His last name may be Cash, but that doesn't mean Johnny has money to spare (even though, let's be real, his estate totally does). This song from Cash's 1978 album, I Would Like to See You Again, laments all one loses in the name of Uncle Sam, including a "brand new Pontiac" and "a bracelet for her arm."

Joni Mitchell, "Tax Free"

Off 1985's Dog Eat Dog, "Tax Free" is more political than it is about actual taxes, but that refrain ("tax free") is undoubtedly something we'd all like to be.

Johnny Paycheck, "Me and the IRS"

"Well the bite keeps a-getting bigger and the pay check’s a-getting small / You know the IRS ain’t gonna rest until they think they’ve got it all." We feel ya, Johnny. We feel ya.

Ry Cooder, "Taxes on the Farmer Feeds Us All" 

A 1972 Ry Cooder cut reminds us that, while the merchants may make all the cash, it's the farmers who get us good and fed at the end of the day.

Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, "What If We All Stopped Paying Taxes?"

But really … what if we did?!

Kaiser Clifton, "Cash Money Blues"

The title says it all: Who hasn't suffered from the "Cash Money Blues," especially this time of year?

The Gourds, "Gin and Juice"

Because, let's face it, right now your mind is on your money and your money is definitely on your mind.

Old Crow Medicine Show, "Poor Man"

Commiserate with Old Crow Medicine Show after you get up the nerve to mail off that big check.

Lede photo: 401(K) 2013 via Foter.com / CC BY-SA

8 Unsucky New Year’s Eve Events

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New Year's Eve is kind of the worst. You get all dressed up, spend a bunch of money, and end up in some horrible club with some horrible DJ while a bunch horrible people get hammered and dance around you. Sounds fun, right? Well, we have scoured the Interwebs for some truly un-horrible New Year's Eve events in a handful of our favorite cities so you aren't subjected to yet another $50 glass of André and you can get your 2016 off to a damn good start. Check 'em out.

Deer Tick with T. Hardy Morris and the Hard Knocks // Brooklyn Bowl // New York City

John McCauley and the rest of the Deer Tick are putting on a special night of fan-requested tunes at the Brooklyn Bowl. Add to that opener T. Hardy Morris (of Dead Confederate), and you're guaranteed both a great night of music and one hell of a hangover on January 1.

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NYE 2016 with Thee Oh Sees // Ace Hotel // Palm Springs

In addition to partying at the wonderful Ace Hotel, you'll enjoy the musical stylings of garage rockers Thee Oh Sees and folk band He's My Brother She's My Sister. Don't miss visual art from artist-in-residence Amit Greenberg.

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Old Crow Medicine Show with Madisen Ward & the Mama Bear // Ryman Auditorium // Nashville

There's no better place on earth to see live music than Nashville's Ryman Auditorium, and few bands can tear up the Ryman stage like Old Crow Medicine Show. And, hey, plan carefully and you can catch some of lower Broadway's New Year's shenanigans while you're at it (if you dare).

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Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings // House of Blues // Chicago

We can't imagine a funkier way to ring in the New Year than with Sharon Jones and her Dap-Kings. Put on your shiniest dress, your most comfortable dancing shoes, and get ready to ring in the new year with some soul.

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The Decemberists with Thao & the Get Down Stay Down // The Masonic // San Francisco

The Decemberists have, perhaps, the most holiday-appropriate name on this list … and they also put on a kick-ass show. Throw in openers Thao & the Get Down Stay Down and your last day of December will be one to remember.

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St. Paul and the Broken Bones with Trouble Funk // 9:30 Club // Washington, D.C.

There are few singers alive today who can wail like Paul Janeaway, so no matter your feelings on New Year's Eve, you're sure to end your night smiling (and sweaty) after this event at the 9:30 Club.

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Rapidgrass New Year's Eve Ball // 809 Taos St // Denver

For fans of no-frills, rapid-fire bluegrass, Denver's Rapidgrass New Year's Eve Ball is the event for you, complete with champagne toast and food galore.

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Jerry Douglas // Alberta Rose Theatre // Portland

It's Jerry Douglas. Do we really need to explain further?

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Lede photo credit: sarah sosiak via Foter.com / CC BY-NC