Bluegrass group making second appearance at Brewing Company
One of the better compliments bass player Travis Book heard recently came from a barista inside a hotel lobby.
Book, his band mates from The Infamous Stringdusters and other musicians were jamming inside a Tacoma, Wash., hotel’s hallways in preparation for a bluegrass festival there when their music caught the ear of a 27-year-old working behind a coffee bar.
He told the band that he dug the sounds that filled the lobby that day — quite a compliment from a young man who up until that point only had ears for hip-hop.
“He said that’s all he listened to,” said Book during a recent phone interview from the hotel. “He said ‘You guys are the only bluegrass band I’ve ever liked and I’m going to go to your shows.’
“It was amazing, really,” Book said of his reaction to his newly won-over fan. “But I think most people have the capacity to enjoy any music that comes from a genuine place.”
The Infamous Stringdusters will take their “genuine” and vast bluegrass repertoire with them to the Santa Fe Brewing Company on Tuesday in an effort to win over even more fans with their acoustic roots music and energetic stage presence.
Book is quite a fan of the Southwest, in particular Santa Fe.
“Santa Fe is sort of the hub of Southwest culture,” Book said. “When you take someone here for the first time it’s like taking them to New York or Boston for the first time. Each place has its own very distinct culture. Here it’s a very relaxed and artistic vibe.”
Book met some of his future Stringdusters band mates at a bluegrass convention in Louisville, Ky., a few years ago. Ultimately, Book would leave his Colorado home to move to Nashville, Tenn. — the epicenter of everything bluegrass and a place he never would have moved to if he hadn’t already established music contacts.
“It’s such an uphill battle there,” he said. “The networking, doing things to gain respect. It’s sort of like moving to L.A. without knowing anyone and wanting to be an actor.”
But Book said he “hit the jackpot” when he joined up with his future band mates in Nashville. They included Stringdusters resonator guitar player Andy Hall; Chris Pandolfi on banjo; mandolin player Jesse Cobb; Jeremy Garrett on fiddle; and Andy Falco on guitar.
Since 2005, the Stringdusters have received a wealth of attention from bluegrass fans and peers alike. The group has captured the hearts of music lovers at festivals including the International Bluegrass Music Association Showcase, Austin’s South by Southwest Music Festival and RockyGrass in Lyons, Colo.
With further exposure and collaborations with big names in the music industry, it’s no wonder the Stringdusters continue to perform to growing numbers of fans around the country. The band’s collective resume of artists they’ve performed with includes Dolly Parton, Earl Scruggs, Levon Helm, Lee Ann Womack and Leftover Salmon.
But it’s the band’s ability to cross-pollinate traditional bluegrass vocals and sounds with the improvisational and energetic aspect of so-called “newgrass” that makes the Stringdusters stand out. Their 2007 debut album, “Fork in the Road,” contains everything from sweet, harmonious vocals to freewheeling instrumentals that are sure to get the heart racing and the feet moving.
“Bluegrass really is an upbeat, fun type of music,” Book said. “Once it gets in your blood you can’t every stop playing it. It’s so infectious and such a community thing.”
Though they are a relatively youthful unit, the Stringdusters have a great appreciation for the deep roots of bluegrass.
“It goes so far back and is rooted on old Celtic, southern gospel, the blues, so many forms of music,” Book said. “It just gets in your system.”
Tuesday’s show will be the band’s second performance at the Santa Fe Brewing Company, something Book and his fellow band mates are looking forward to.
“It’s a great room and good beer,” Book said. “What more can you want?”
If you go
WHAT: The Infamous Stringdusters
WHERE: Santa Fe Brewing Company, 35 Fire Place
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday
COST: $10 advance/ $12 door
CONTACT: 424-3333 or www.santafebrewing.com
