Real Southern Music – The Avett Brothers

By: Bryan Hughes

So much of the music being produced today seems to be the same spoon fed garbage -  manufactured only to turn a profit.  They rope you in with a catchy hook, a video with enough special effects and transitions to give you a seizure, and a hypnotic beat that pumps through your head all day.   Yes, at this particular juncture in our society – music has become stale, non-creative, and all together boring.  So it’s refreshing to know that a band like the Avett Brothers even exists.

Now if you haven’t heard of the Avett Brothers by now, I ask that you please remove the rock from over your head and go to your nearest computer or record store and have a listen.  The Avett Brothers are an incredibly talented musical duo from the rolling hills of Concord North Carolina. They are comprised of Seth and Scott Avett, and accompanied by Bob Crawford on Upright Bass.
The boys started out touring in a pickup truck and were signed to Ramseur Records – a local Concord record label that also produces and manages Hayesville Folk Singer/Songwriter Sammy Walker.  They toured relentlessly, and gained alot of popularity in the North Carolina college scene. While on Ramseur Records they recorded a number of albums including “Four Theives Gone: The Robbinsville Sessions” and “Emotionalism.” The popularity of these two albums didn’t go unnoticed because in 2008 they were signed to Columbia Records and are currently awaiting the debut of their first Major Label Album – “I and Love and You” due out September 29th.
On the surface, The Avett Brothers appear to be a Bluegrass band – after all Banjo + Guitar + Upright Bass = Bluegrass. Right? Not exactly. While the Avett Brothers are definitely inspired by Bluegrass, citing Doc Watson as one of their biggest influences, they are much more than just a bluegrass band. No, they aren’t newgrass, rock, folk, indie, country, rap or hip hop either.  They simply make good music, and shouldn’t that be enough?  All too often, people turn their ears off to music solely because of the label it carries.
The duo has a nack for making great music because they focus on what is most essential – the songwriting.  They can take the most common subjects: love, sadness, heartbreak, family, etc. and turn them into an amazing story that can only be described as real. It’s just pure emotion, there aren’t any ridiculous metaphors, allegories, or unnecessary figurative language. That is why no matter who you are, you can find something to relate to in their stories.
Now what about the music itself? Even the most discerning music critics can appreciate the intellect and creativity that goes into their tracks. There are plenty of subtle intricacies coupled with beautiful breakdowns, bridges, and harmonies that keep fans coming back for more. They don’t write disposable tunes that you will play 10 or 15 times and then you’re tired of them. They write songs with staying power – songs that will be on your Ipod playlist indefinitely. The Avetts are true musical chameleons. Unlike most bands who seem to play the same songs over and over again, they have a dynamic range of song styles that will appease everyone from hardcore Bluegrass lovers, die hard Rock n Roll fans, Contemporary Jazz nuts, and everything in between.  Being able to adapt to the vast range of different music styles is something that only the best of musicians can do, and the Avett Brothers have perfected it.
True music lovers can’t help but be impressed by a trio of artists that are incredibly fluent with their instruments, and watching them play is a completely different experience from just listening to the albums.
To truly know what the Avett Brothers are all about you have to see them live. From the moment the curtain raises you are treated to an explosion of energy. They have a stage presence that I can only describe as controlled chaos.  It’s a nonstop whirlwind of head banging, broken banjo strings, floor stomping, and instrument switching. Something you truly have to see to understand.
The Avett Brothers are definitely one of the most unique and talented bands to come out of North Carolina and have completely shattered the perception of “Southern Music.” From impeccable songwriting and intense live shows, to raw and emotive story telling – The Avett Brothers appeal to everyone on some level or another, and isn’t that what good music is supposed to do?