12 Breakthrough Austin Bands at SXSW Music

“The banjo is such an interesting instrument because it’s like a musical id and ego”

"..."Do you want to see the banjo I made?" interjects Lindsey Verrill, jumping up from the..."

March 9, 2018 Music Feature by Doug Freeman

The Broken Circle Breakdown

A powerful romantic adventure drives the heart of this Belgian melodrama about family and bluegrass music.

"...but their involvement with American bluegrass music. Didier plays banjo in a band, which the heavily tattooed and working..."

Dec. 6, 2013 Movie Review by Louis Black

High Lonesome

"...at a pace as brisk as the most spine-tingling banjo and fiddle breakdown, the film more than just documents..."

March 25, 1994 Movie Review by Rob Patterson

Briscoe’s Youthful Americana-Pop Gains Traction

Could this guitar-banjo-sax duo be on a Black Pumas trajectory?

"...kept in touch, bonding over shared tastes from Simon & Garfunkel to modern country/bluegrass purveyors like the Avett Brothers...."

Jan. 19, 2024 Music Feature by Amber Williams

Dueling Banjos

Is old-time music Austin's next big thing?

"...near a corner of the dance floor and playing banjos, fiddles, and other instruments associated with Appalachian folk music...."

March 30, 2007 Music Feature by Mark Rubin

Hill Country Breakdown

"...Guitar, banjo, upright bass, fiddle, and mandolin moved in smooth synchronization..."

June 4, 1999 Music Feature by Christopher Hess

Complete Freedom

A profile of Bad Livers banjo player Danny Barnes

"...we know, the entire universe, gospel, blues, jazz, country, R&B, soul, and the mightiest of them all, rock &..."

Nov. 5, 1999 Music Feature by Raoul Hernandez

A Stand-Up Guy

Steve Martin didn't just incorporate a banjo into his early comedy routines for a laugh

"...he released The Crow: New Songs for the Five-String Banjo (Rounder), which features a wealth of talent, from country..."

April 23, 2010 Music Feature by Audra Schroeder

Danny Barnes Works Harder

Seminal ex-Austinite talks banjo, minimalism, and experimentation

"...The quirky folksinger, experimental composer, and banjo renegade – who launched his career in Austin with..."

May 5, 2016 Music Post by Kevin Curtin

Bob Log III Q&A

One-man guitar orgy crams into Mohawk on Thursday

"...all these crazy sounds, then I learned I'm doing banjo tricks on a guitar...."

July 21, 2014 Music Post by Kevin Curtin

Year of the Squirrel

Ralph White, 21st century naturalist, 18th century musicologist

"..."Long Gone," taken down from hallucinatory heights on the banjo to be baptized in the Delta. Later, he sings..."

Dec. 8, 2006 Music Feature by Audra Schroeder

Exit Interview: So Long, Jeff Pinkus

BH Surfers/Honky/Melvins bassist off to Asheville, banjo on his knee

"...West Coast sludge lords the Melvins and a solo freak-banjo project. Honky in particular, which he led, emphasized his..."

May 1, 2020 Music Post by Kevin Curtin

Tapping Into the New Old Settler’s Music Festival

Checking in with Donna the Buffalo, Billy Strings, Greensky Bluegrass, the women of I'm With Her, and more

"...because all you need is your fiddle, or your banjo, or whatever instrument you play," explained Puryear from "somewhere..."

April 20, 2018 Music Feature by Raoul Hernandez

Against the Grain

A profile of Bad Livers bassist Mark Rubin

"...why they took the equally confrontational route of playing banjo-based acoustic music in punk clubs instead of traditional acoustic..."

Nov. 5, 1999 Music Feature by Andy Langer

The Natural

"...Williams -- was as vital and rough-edged as rock & roll. Though it would play a larger part later..."

July 30, 1999 Music Feature by Christopher Hess

Bittersweet Life

Folksinging, an education

"...Jon Konrad Wert, known for his fiery fiddle, banjo, and guitar playing as well as his emotionally arresting..."

Nov. 1, 2013 Music Feature by Kevin Curtin

Old Settler's Music Festival Preview

Bluebonnets and bluegrass: the Old Settler's Music Festival, still picking, still grinning

"...Camp Ben McCulloch couldn't feel farther from the city. – Doug Freeman Fest Facts..."

April 18, 2008 Music Feature

Mountain Style

Chatting with Dr. Ralph Stanley, a pioneer of bluegrass music before there was such a thing

"...wide popularity, so it's no surprise that the 74-year-old banjo pioneer doesn't enjoy the name recognition that other American..."

Nov. 30, 2001 Music Feature by Kim Mellen

Danny Barnes Minor Dings (Cavity Search)

"...to the consistent lead of what sounds like a banjo being played with a slide. It's that sound, that..."

Nov. 24, 2000 Music Review by Christopher Hess

Bad Livers Blood and Mood (Sugar Hill)Danny Barnes...And His Oft Mended Raiment (Minner Bucket)

SXSW Records

"...with drum tracks, and a shocking scarcity of juiced-up banjo playing are the surprises that await Bad Livers fans..."

March 3, 2000 Music Review by Christopher Hess

Scanlines

Pennies From Heaven

"...days, Steve Martin used to wax rhapsodic about his banjo. You just can't be sad, he would intone, when..."

Feb. 27, 1998 Screens Feature

Two of a Kind

Jesse Dayton & Brennen Leigh, Austin's new George and Tammy coupling, more or less

"..."Brennen is like a female version of me – except for all the bad stuff," he counters. "We..."

Nov. 23, 2007 Music Feature by Doug Freeman

Jammin'

Jerry Garcia, bluegrass, and third generation jam -- thriving in Austin and beyond.

"...picking party near Wimberley, at the home of famed banjo player Alan Munde. Munde is best known as a..."

Sept. 5, 2003 Music Feature by Jim Caligiuri

Bad Livers The Ridgetop Sessions (Lumpydisc)

Texas Platters

"...which bubbles up from perfunctory free-form into a quickened banjo exercise, and winds down with a jaunt through Thelonious..."

June 30, 2000 Music Review by Christopher Hess

Phantom Power & Spiritual Benefits

The Return of the Bad Livers

"..."We'd wake up real early," intones his quieter partner, banjo daemon Danny Barnes, "make a pot of coffee and..."

Feb. 14, 1997 Music Feature

New Austin Music Worth Your Bandwidth This Week

What we’re listening to

"...affirms a theme: a directionless soul, now anchored by love. – Kevin CurtinIt's Been Here Changing For a Long Time..."

June 4, 2021 Music Feature by Kevin Curtin

Wood & Wire Hit a High Point in Uncertain Times

After garnering a Grammy nomination, the bluegrassers roll it forward

"...instrumentalists and songsters gathered Sunday afternoons like church. Wood & Wire mandolinist Billy Bright used to pick timeless tunes..."

Sept. 11, 2020 Music Feature by Kevin Curtin

100 Local SXSW Music Acts

A-Z list of 100 Austin acts showcasing at the Fest

"...the Hunt remains the gritty power trio's most recent recording. – Michael Toland ...And You Will Know Us by the..."

March 17, 2017 Music Feature by The Music Staff

Avett Brothers Stomp the Moody

Folk rockers stoke roots ecstasy for Father’s Day

"...The frontline (left to right) of bassist Bob Crawford, banjo picker Scott Avett, guitarist Seth Avett, cellist Joe Kwon,..."

June 20, 2016 Music Post by Raoul Hernandez

Possessed by Paul James at Chicago’s Moonrunners Fest

ATX folker proves a reaffirming antidote to shocking violence

"...joined by members of fellow Wichita residents Carrie Nation & the Speakeasy, a collaboration that speaks to the community..."

April 28, 2014 Music Post by Kevin Curtin

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