Record Reviews

Wood & Wire

Every once in a blue moon, an honest to goodness bluegrass band pops up in Central Texas. This time it's youthful quartet Wood & Wire. With a pedigree that includes the South Austin Jug Band, Rodney Hayden, Graham Wilkinson, and Green Mountain Grass, this debut has a Texas edge while hewing closer to traditional grass than any Austin act in years. Superior chops and golden harmonies by guitarist Tony Kamel, mandolin player Matt Slusher, bassist Dom Fisher, and banjo picker Trevor Smith allow them to tackle history on "Coal Mining One," crack wise with "Rollin' in the Washingtons," and burn hot on the instrumental "Nothin' Wrong." Guest fiddler Brittany Haas steps in for an authentic touch on the high and lonesome "Fool out of Me." Other Austin bands twist bluegrass to their own methods, so it's refreshing for Wood & Wire to not only play it straight, but to do it with unexpected vigor. (Thu., 7:30pm, Campground stage)