With naught but a clawhammer banjo and a svelte mountaineering outfit, Tim O’Brien walks down a dusty road just outside of Telluride, CO singing an original, modern classic in this archived Sitch Session. The longing, heartfelt number, “You Were On My Mind,” was also recorded on Hot Rize’s 2014 release, When I’m Free.
Born in 1950s Wheeling, WV, O’Brien grew up singing in church and school, and devoted himself completely to bluegrass and old-time music upon seeing Doc Watson for the first time on TV. After starting the Boulder-based, IBMA Award-winning Hot Rize in the ’80s, O’Brien has become an important figure and role model in today’s acoustic music world. His songs have been recorded by Kathy Mattea, Nickel Creek, and Garth Brooks, not to mention all of the success he’s had with his solo and collaborative recordings over his 40+ year career.
Enjoy one of our most popular Sitch Sessions of all time, featuring O’Brien’s pure, unfiltered magic in a solo performance.
Greensky Bluegrass has done about as much to welcome new fans to bluegrass as anyone out there. After 18 years on the road together, seven studio albums, and even more live releases, the band has gone on to headline Red Rocks on numerous occasions, now hosting their own Camp Greensky festival in their home state of Michigan.
We caught up with the Greensky boys just outside of Telluride, CO for this video of “Burn Them” from their 2014 release, If Sorrows Swim.
GSBG is certainly no stranger to BGS however — check out our conversation with mandolinist Paul Hoffman, as well as parts one and two of our SOUNDCHECK interview with the whole band.
When ANAIS MITCHELL and JEFFERSON HAMER sat down with us on a chilly March afternoon in Santa Monica, we had no idea we were in for one of the most in-depth and fascinating interviews and private performances we’ve ever captured.
Hope you enjoy these two incredible performers as much as we did…
PERFORMANCE OF ‘CLYDE WATERS’:
To learn more about Anais and Jefferson’s album Child Songs, visit anaismitchell.com
Here at The Sitch, we aim to bring you not only the best in bluegrass talent appearing and touring in the Southland, but to also highlight the best in local music. Which is why we started THE PACIFIC ELECTRIC SESSIONS.
It’s a stripped down live performance featuring LA-based bands playing the city’s best venues. And to kick things off, we’ve got our friends THE DUSTBOWL REVIVAL performing their tune ‘Be My Baby‘ at Venice’s Del Monte Speakeasy. The video was directed and edited by the enormously talented Natalie Fava and produced by Amy Reitnouer.
To learn more about The Dustbowl Revival and hear more of their tunes, be sure to check out their site http://dustbowlrevival.com/
Let’s start the week on a high note with this two-part SOUNDCHECK from Portland, Oregon-based band BLACK PRAIRIE. Recorded live at McCabes Guitar Shop in Santa Monica in March, the group shows us their very unique instrumentation (they’re also part of our BONNAROO stage lineup this June!).
Last month we had Nashville fiddle duo 10 STRING SYMPHONY at The Mint for our first official Bluegrass Situation Presents show. Check out these two incredible talents and see what happened behind the scenes in our latest SOUNDCHECK video…
Find out more about the band and download their self-titled debut album at 10stringsymphony.com
When the guys from GREENSKY BLUEGRASS rolled through town a few weeks ago to play LA’s THE MINT, you can be sure The Sitch was there to hang out with this fun, quirky, and riotously talented group.
Get introduced to Anders, Paul and the rest of the gang in Part One of our latest SOUNDCHECK segment, and check back tomorrow for Part Two!
If there’s a living king and crown prince of bluegrass, it’s Del McCoury and Sam Bush. And we here at The Sitch are simply over the moon to have spent time in their royal presence at The Birchmere Theatre in Alexandria, Virginia this November, just as they were warming up for the first night of their unprecedented duo tour.
And speaking of unprecedented, just wait ’til you get to 2:25. We won’t spoil what happens, suffice it to say….. well. Just watch.
As if one video with GREENSKY BLUEGRASS wasn’t enough… WE’VE GOT ANOTHER. Because these guys were just too much fun to fit into one segment…
If you missed their last show and want to experience Greensky in person (which you totally should), the band returns to LA this March at The Troubadour. You can learn more about them and all other upcoming tour dates via their website greenskybluegrass.com.
Our recent SOUNDCHECK session with Joy Kills Sorrow was so great, we couldn’t just leave you with one video. So instead we’re bringing you THREE extra glimpses of the band as they readied for their show at the Bootleg Bar in Los Angeles. Enjoy.
Reservations:
James:
