Anyone heard of the band the Everybodyfields? Unless you are pretty tapped into the relatively niche world of independent alternative-country music, then the answer is probably no. I realize its tough to keep current on bands that tour the coffeehouse and small club circuit, especially since most are unsigned and enjoy little to no radio and/or print exposure, but trust me, even the slightest bit of attention paid will reap massive rewards.
Let me explain myself further....
Last night, I headed over to Iota in Arlington for my debut concert experience of the Everybodyfields, an alt-country quartet hailing from Johnson City, TN. Originally comprised of singer/songwriter duo Sam Quinn and Jill Andrews, the pair recently expanded the lineup to include a phenomenal peddle steel player and a keys/lead guitarist that bring added weight and beauty to what are actually pretty simple, but beautifully crafted, dense, introspective tunes of real-life love and loss.
I had only heard of this group because of their close association with the rapidly ascending Avett Brothers, but I'm here to tell you, after witnessing last night's performance, this band is a prime example of why we should take more chances with our musical consumption, rather than focusing on the readily accessible. These guys absolutely blew me away with their lyrical content, musicianship, on-stage relationship with themselves and their audience, not to mention Andrews' addictive voice, which despite her almost perfect tone, conjures feelings of anguish and heartbreak, leaving me utterly paralyzed by a range of nostalgic emotion.
My most obvious take away from last night's concert experience is that despite my already dedicated attempts to move away from music that is spoon fed to me by commercial radio/t.v/Billboard charts, etc., I need to do a better job of searching for more bands like the Everybodyfields. There is so much undiscovered talent hidden in these underground bands that is just aching to be unveiled, and oddly, I see it as my responsibility to give them their due. I feel like I owe it to them.
Keep an eye and an ear out for the Everybodyfields this year, you just may see them at The Barns before long. I've posted some video from a recent Tennessee performance for my video of week. Enjoy Jill and Sam singing, "Everything's Ok."
Friday, May 9, 2008
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6 comments:
These guys are one of my wife's and I's most favorite bands. We took over twenty people to there show in Nelsonville, Oh. We felt it was our part to introduce some people to there music who probabley would never see them. I think we did just that. We will continue to seek them out every time they are near. They are very kind individuals. Thanks again Sam for hanging out with us after the show. This is a night we will remember.
Tim
Great post, Graham. I stumbled onto this amazing duo when they opened for Chatham County Line at Cat's Cradle in Chapel Hill, NC, earlier this year. When I left the show, the new CD in my hand didn't belong to the headliner. Instead I bought The Everybodyfields' Nothing Is Okay. And then I promptly bought a pair of tickets for each of my friends in Northampton and Raleigh to see them in person, as I couldn't think of any better gift to give. I'm really looking forward to their next time around.
Thanks for blogging about the everybodyfields! These guys are amazing, Johnson City's secret treasure, and as a native of that town and a huge fan of the everybodyfields, I'm glad to see that the rest of the country receives them so well!
There are some live everybodyfields shows for download at http://www.lvearchive.org/ebf
I love this band!
coming soon to a Barn near you???
the everybodyfields are perfect for the Barns!!! that would be amazing!!!
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