Along with Athens, Georgia, and our dual hometowns of Charlottesville and Asheville, New York City ranks as one of my favorite Southern musical cities. That’s right, I just dubbed The Big Apple as a Southern musical haven, if not by geography then by sound. New York City has long had a folk movement that has been distinctly Southern in flavor, an acousticana complete with banjos, mandolins, and high lonesome vocals more attuned to the Appalachian mountains than the concrete jungle.
At the forefront of that movement right now is Yarn, a sextet that owes its sound as much to Bob Dylan and Neil Young as it does to Earl Scruggs and Ralph Stanley. Driven by the songwriting of lead singer/guitarist Blake Christiana and the frenetic mandolin work of Andrew Hendryx, Yarn has been a touring machine in recent years, reeling in fans across the South.
Yarn returns to Charlottesville on Thursday, April 4th, with a show at The Southern Music Hall.
Joining Yarn on the bill will be James Justin & Company, one of the best bands currently making music here in Virginia. JJ&Co. released Places last year and it quickly became one of my favorite records of 2012. Chronicling the band’s recent travels, the record is a sonic adventure, taking listeners on tour with the band as they ventured from South Carolina, through the Midwest, and back again.
Rounding out the night is Driftwood, an up and coming roots band out of Binghamton, New York.
This promises to be an excellent evening of music and I want to help you hear it all. Take a shot at the trivia question below and email your response to [email protected]. One winner will be chosen from all of the correct responses received by noon on Thursday, April 4th. I’ll shoot you an email to let you know you have won and a pair of tickets to the show will be waiting on you at the door.
Question . . . . . What noted singer/songwriter, New Bohemian – and wife of Paul Simon – sang harmony vocals on Empty Pockets, Yarn’s excellent 2008 release?
Charlottesville music peeps, make your way to The Southern Music Hall on the Downtown Mall for Yarn, James Justin & Company, and Driftwood on Thursday, April 4th. Doors open at 7:00 and music starts at 8:00. For more info on shows at The Southern Music Hall, point your browser to www.thesoutherncville.com.
