TUESDAY FEB 14, 2017
Blood On The Harp
For a group that started making inroads into the Atlanta music scene just a few short years ago, “Build Momma a Coffin” marks the beginning of a transitional era for Blood on the Harp. Led by songwriter Miguel Olascuaga, the band has grown from its original incarnation as a trio, morphing into dynamic collective featuring the talents of Keena Graham, Russell Blair, Chris Johnson, Christopher Salmon, and Troy King. This change has allowed the group to adopt a richer and more adventurous songwriting palette, resulting in well-layered songs that require some patience to unravel.
The new single is the first track Blood on the Harp has shared since expanding into a sextet and it provides a striking example of the dark country and Southern Gothic sound the group is quickly becoming known for. Opening with an eerie atmospheric swell of strings, the mood feels initially bleak before settling into the aura of deep resignation that guides the bulk of the song. Along the way a forlorn acoustic guitar and banjo are set adrift by a shuffling backbeat, while a melancholic accordion sweeps in as if to offer its condolences. Music this rustic and stylized often seems tethered to a distant time and place, but the song’s tale of anticipated loss, coupled with some stirring vocal harmonization, gives it a grim immediacy that’s hard to shake.
“Build Momma a Coffin” is the first installment in a series of new recordings to be released by the group, so expect to hear more from Blood on the Harp in the coming weeks. They’re definitely a band you’ll want to keep an eye on, especially if they can maintain a similar level of drama and intensity moving forward. - Immersive Atlanta
For a group that started making inroads into the Atlanta music scene just a few short years ago, “Build Momma a Coffin” marks the beginning of a transitional era for Blood on the Harp. Led by songwriter Miguel Olascuaga, the band has grown from its original incarnation as a trio, morphing into dynamic collective featuring the talents of Keena Graham, Russell Blair, Chris Johnson, Christopher Salmon, and Troy King. This change has allowed the group to adopt a richer and more adventurous songwriting palette, resulting in well-layered songs that require some patience to unravel.
The new single is the first track Blood on the Harp has shared since expanding into a sextet and it provides a striking example of the dark country and Southern Gothic sound the group is quickly becoming known for. Opening with an eerie atmospheric swell of strings, the mood feels initially bleak before settling into the aura of deep resignation that guides the bulk of the song. Along the way a forlorn acoustic guitar and banjo are set adrift by a shuffling backbeat, while a melancholic accordion sweeps in as if to offer its condolences. Music this rustic and stylized often seems tethered to a distant time and place, but the song’s tale of anticipated loss, coupled with some stirring vocal harmonization, gives it a grim immediacy that’s hard to shake.
“Build Momma a Coffin” is the first installment in a series of new recordings to be released by the group, so expect to hear more from Blood on the Harp in the coming weeks. They’re definitely a band you’ll want to keep an eye on, especially if they can maintain a similar level of drama and intensity moving forward. - Immersive Atlanta
Cold Heart Canyon
If Americana outlaws hijacked a nightmare rendition of Alice in Wonderland, you might get something that sounds vaguely like Cold Heart Canyon’s “Go Crazy, Insane.” The track pushes forward with rugged momentum, thanks in large part to the gravelly inflections of Rachael Petit, whose voice flirts easily between whiskey-drowned, sun-beaten growls and fluttering falsettos. Lyrically, this is less the stuff of sunlit, grassy fields and more the warnings of a mental break. Referencing monsters, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and plenty of insanity, this is not a cut from your parents’ Alison Kraus collection.
Instrumentally, the band keeps things simple, and it works in their favor. A straight, propulsive beat courtesy of Colin Agnew keeps the affair grounded at a brisk pace, offering plenty of opportunity for bar seat foot-tapping — maybe even some twisted form of square dancing in the appropriate venue. Likewise, the guitars remain grounded throughout, relying on the group’s sheer melodicism to carry it through. And that’s not a bad thing, especially when Cold Heart Canyon has a penchant for earworm musical phrases. In short, it’s not hard to imagine these guys playing to bigger and bigger crowds down the road.
-Alex Kugaczewski / Immersive Atlanta
If Americana outlaws hijacked a nightmare rendition of Alice in Wonderland, you might get something that sounds vaguely like Cold Heart Canyon’s “Go Crazy, Insane.” The track pushes forward with rugged momentum, thanks in large part to the gravelly inflections of Rachael Petit, whose voice flirts easily between whiskey-drowned, sun-beaten growls and fluttering falsettos. Lyrically, this is less the stuff of sunlit, grassy fields and more the warnings of a mental break. Referencing monsters, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and plenty of insanity, this is not a cut from your parents’ Alison Kraus collection.
Instrumentally, the band keeps things simple, and it works in their favor. A straight, propulsive beat courtesy of Colin Agnew keeps the affair grounded at a brisk pace, offering plenty of opportunity for bar seat foot-tapping — maybe even some twisted form of square dancing in the appropriate venue. Likewise, the guitars remain grounded throughout, relying on the group’s sheer melodicism to carry it through. And that’s not a bad thing, especially when Cold Heart Canyon has a penchant for earworm musical phrases. In short, it’s not hard to imagine these guys playing to bigger and bigger crowds down the road.
-Alex Kugaczewski / Immersive Atlanta
Caleb and The Gents
Caleb Warren and the Perfect Gentlemen are indeed the “New wine in an old bottle” that fits the prescription for a new generation of revivalists. They bridge the gap between the music of the old-timey speakeasies and juke joints with the voice of a new generation by blending the timeless traditions of Americana and Western Swing with a uniquely hot and fresh flavor that transcends genre. Their acoustic brass ‘n’ brew-grass tunes include raucous barnburners and heart-breaking ballads that continue to intoxicate audiences with performances of the highest spirits. Whether on the river or on the rug, Caleb & the Gents are here to serve and sweep you off your feet, so drink ‘em down and get ready to dance!
They’re setting up their strings and glasses to toast what promises to be a year worth celebrating. Caleb and the Gents are excited to continue their travels on tours packed with performances at countless locations with equally energetic atmospheres. Caleb Warren and the Perfect Gentlemen is led by the compelling crooner Caleb Warren, whose engaging lyrics and rhythm guitar keeps the audience swingin’ and swayin’. He’s accompanied by Colt Bowen (percussion), Dave Aitken (lead guitar and banjo), Jenna Mobley (fiddle), Robert Green (trumpet), and their newest member Ian Blanton (upright bass).
Caleb Warren and the Perfect Gentlemen are indeed the “New wine in an old bottle” that fits the prescription for a new generation of revivalists. They bridge the gap between the music of the old-timey speakeasies and juke joints with the voice of a new generation by blending the timeless traditions of Americana and Western Swing with a uniquely hot and fresh flavor that transcends genre. Their acoustic brass ‘n’ brew-grass tunes include raucous barnburners and heart-breaking ballads that continue to intoxicate audiences with performances of the highest spirits. Whether on the river or on the rug, Caleb & the Gents are here to serve and sweep you off your feet, so drink ‘em down and get ready to dance!
They’re setting up their strings and glasses to toast what promises to be a year worth celebrating. Caleb and the Gents are excited to continue their travels on tours packed with performances at countless locations with equally energetic atmospheres. Caleb Warren and the Perfect Gentlemen is led by the compelling crooner Caleb Warren, whose engaging lyrics and rhythm guitar keeps the audience swingin’ and swayin’. He’s accompanied by Colt Bowen (percussion), Dave Aitken (lead guitar and banjo), Jenna Mobley (fiddle), Robert Green (trumpet), and their newest member Ian Blanton (upright bass).