NYE 2017: Absynth Quartet, Scuber Mountain, King Foot
A bionic string band? Fire breathing-gypsy-circus-indie-grass? The Absynth Quartet purvey a truly unique brand of high energy acoustic music. The band’s sound, born and cultured in the fertile hills of Humboldt County, Ca. melds a reverent treatment of time honored American music with a reckless, virtuosic and often zany approach to innovation. Their music takes the concise, humorous and poignant findings of David Bromberg melded with the catchiness of the Squirrel Nut Zippers and parlays them into what would happen if Nickle Creek meets Zappa on a field trip in Eastern Europe.
Their debut album, ‘Indigo Shoes’, melds the familiar and the avant-garde with a unique and provocative palette of tone and texture. This is street corner swing and bluegrass with foot-stomping danceability entwined with playful forays of sophisticated experimentation.
Michael Dronkers, program director for KHUM and KSLG radio, said about ‘IOTA’ (20t11), “Their semi-nerdy songwriting and brilliant virtuosity doesn’t overpower the melodies that overrun IOTA.” Matt Eakle of the David Grisman Quintet said of ‘IOTA’, “The AQ hit a home run! Great original material. Some of the tunes sound like they were written at the height of the bluegrass era 60 years ago, but about modern subject matter. VERY COOL!”
Their latest release, ‘Telepathy With Glowbugs’ weaves pop culture and humor into much of their material. Songs like Pray For Rain depict a love scene with UFOs and colliding satellites. Special guest sit-ins with Matt Eakle on Flute and Sony recording artist Jenny Scheinman on Violin.
Absynth Quartet finds a space between street corner busking, sit down concerts at The Freight And Salvage and all night laser light shows. They tap into their diverse musical roots and tease out something fresh, original and relevant to today’s music scene. They’ve shared the stage with such greats as Hot Buttered Rum, Emmitt-Nershi Band, Railroad Earth, Devil Makes Three, Rushad Eggleston, Fareed Haque, Leftover Salmon, Matt Eakle and The Shook Twins.
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