SANTA MONICA, CA- October 11, 2016. Mark that date in your calendar with a note to tune into KCRW, either online or on the radio, ESPECIALLY if you are a fan of The Avett Brothers.
Currently touring in support of their latest studio album, “True Sadness”, the band stopped by Apogee Studios for an interview and particularly intimate performance. Apogee Studios is located in an industrial patch on the outskirts of Santa Monica, and is a music aficionado’s dream venue. Outfitted with a top-line sound system, and state of the art recording equipment, I’m pretty sure that this room, which holds no more than 200 people, can make anybody with a modicum amount of talent sound good. When you’re as talented as the Avett Brothers? The room will make you sound glorious.
Playing a 15 song setlist which featured 7 cuts from “True Sadness”, it was almost surreal to see the seven players [Scott Avett (banjo, vocals), Seth Avett (guitar, vocals), Bob Crawford (bass), Joe Kwon (cello), Mike Marsh (drums), Paul Defiglia (B3, keyboard) and Tania Elizabeth (fiddle)] play on such a small stage. Having just watched them perform the past weekend at KAABOO utilizing the entirety of the main stage to showcase the joy they have playing together, I wondered whether they, and their energy, would, in some way, be limited by the lack of performance space. My “fears” were immediately quelled as the small performance venue only seemed to intensify and focus their musical dynamics. Watching them, or even just listening to them, perform in such an intimate setting was breathtaking, and would be enough of a reason to either watch the stream, or listen to the broadcast, when it airs on October 11th, 2016. If that isn’t enough, you’ll also get to hear “Murder In the City” played with a full band for the first time ever (as confirmed by the band).
But the amazing performance is only half of the reason for tuning in. Prior to their performance, KCRW host Jason Bentley took 30 minutes to interview the band to discuss the album and really get into Scott and Seth’s creative process. Jason delved into the sublime contractions of the album, getting the two brothers to explain how they were able to wrap their darkly sad lyrics with infectious grooves. Jason also spent several minutes asking about the album’s musical influences, referencing the open letter the brothers penned back in March (see right), correctly guessing which songs were influenced by which styles of music. Could YOU have guess that “Satan Pulls The Strings” was influenced by Nine Inch Nails? Jason also got the brothers to discuss the “journey” that each song on the album travelled.
The interview itself was a journey; a journey into the minds of The Avett Brother. If you are a fan of The Avett Brothers, you’ll want to take this journey on October 11, 2016. Mark it in your calendars. Tune in. You’ll thank me later.
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