I've had a bad run of getting to shows too late. Which is cool, if you like hearing the two best tunes a band can end a set with. Last night, it happened again. I slipped into Langdon St. Cafe in Montpelier and caught the tail end of a show by Kent, Ohio quartet The Speedbumps. The 'Bumps play smart, acoustic pop arranged around the cut-to-the-soul vocals of guitarist Erick Urycki and the sweet, spare textures of cellist Sam Kristoff. You could call it folk, but it's not the lightweight, puffy-cloud stuff. If you're looking for comparables, think the Frames-or Wilco in its quieter moments.
The band is playing a show tonight at Burlington's Skinny Pancake. Then they're off to Brooklyn and points south. If you're in town, they're worth the effort-even for two tunes. I've been listening to Apple Tree, their new CD, all morning. You can check them out here
new to state of mind
Shows: moe.
Shows: Yonder Mountain String Band
Shows: Grand Point North 2014
Shows: Catskill Chill 2014
Shows: moe.down 15
Shows: Gov't Mule
Shows: Umphrey's McGee
Shows: Newport Folk Festival 2014
Shows: Widespread Panic
Albums: Phish - Fuego
Shows: moe.
Shows: Yonder Mountain String Band
Shows: Grand Point North 2014
Shows: Catskill Chill 2014
Shows: moe.down 15
Shows: Gov't Mule
Shows: Umphrey's McGee
Shows: Newport Folk Festival 2014
Shows: Widespread Panic
Albums: Phish - Fuego
random awesomeness
Features: Conversation with "Brother John" Derhak
Shows: Cotton Jones
Shows: Hot Tuna
Albums: Woods - With Light and With Love
Shows: David Byrne
Shows: Wakarusa 2012
Shows: moe.
Shows: The Big Up 2013
Blog: Listen: Younger Brother - "Night Lead Me Astray"
Features: From Honky Tonk Tuesday to Ramble Dove: Heaven is a Honky Tonk
Features: Conversation with "Brother John" Derhak
Shows: Cotton Jones
Shows: Hot Tuna
Albums: Woods - With Light and With Love
Shows: David Byrne
Shows: Wakarusa 2012
Shows: moe.
Shows: The Big Up 2013
Blog: Listen: Younger Brother - "Night Lead Me Astray"
Features: From Honky Tonk Tuesday to Ramble Dove: Heaven is a Honky Tonk