News

Critically Acclaimed “HUMMING HOUSE” to join GSB at Melting Point, August 30

Humming House PosterGSB is excited to announce that Humming House (Nashville) will be sharing the Melting Point stage on August 30, 2014 as part of GSB’s CD release celebration!

Humming House Bio

At once danceable and reflective, familiar and nostalgic, Humming House is a musical experiment gone right. Woven together from diverse backgrounds (Americana, classical composition, bluegrass, soul, and traditional Irish music), their playground of musical exploration has something for every generation. Unmistakable pop sensibilities mixed with a depth of lyrical narrative give their whimsical songs an irresistible quality that can only be described by the imagery of the name – Humming House.

Fresh from recording their second album with Grammy Award-winning producers Vance Powell (The White Stripes, Chris Thile, Buddy Guy) and Mitch Dane (Jars of Clay), Humming House is building a tour schedule to match their growing reputation. Their debut record brought a whirlwind of press including features on NPR’s Live in Studio C and All Things Considered, Nashville’s Lightning 100 local spotlight, reviews in American Songwriter Magazine, and a Daytrotter session. The band’s video for their second single, “Cold Chicago” was sponsored by Stetson and their newest video, “Fly On” is currently in rotation on CMT Pure and Zuus Country. Humming House has had placements on FX’s “Justified” and The CW’s “Hart of Dixie”.

Having played over 150 dates, they are currently touring nationwide with notable performances at Bristol Rhythm and Roots, the Americana Music Festival, the Cayamo Cruise, and SXSW. They have shared the festival stage with the Carolina Chocolate Drops, Dr. Dog, Justin Townes Earl, The Steep Canyon Rangers, Jason Isbell, Brandi Carlile, Lyle Lovett, Ricky Skaggs, and Bruce Hornsby.

“Their debut album is a mischievous, foot stomping collection of songs that evoke Old Crow Medicine Show, early Ryan Adams and BR549 without ever imitating them. Lead by singer/songwriter Justin Wade Tam the band throws everything, including a singing saw, into their music to excellent effect. Humming House’s debut is a ruckus, jubilant good time. From any band, this would be a good album, but from a new band it is darned close to perfect.” – Roughstock

“Humming House reminds us how to have a good time with…. Classic sounds and a timeless look…. a crossroads between folk, blues, gospel and bluegrass make this band one our favorite new sounds.” – STETSON

“A new Nashville band with a throwback sound” – Blake Farmer – All Things Considered – NPR

“Humming House, (is a) mix of folk, blues, and bluegrass with pop sensibilities.” – Will Griffin – WPLN – Nashville Public Radio

“Humming House is nothing short of Irish porch stomp.” – Mitch Dane – Sputnik Sound

 

News

CD Release Party on Saturday August 30, 2014

We are excited to announce we will be holding our CD release party at The Melting Point on August 30, 2014. All ages are welcome. The show is expected to start at about 9:30 p.m., or shortly following the conclusion of the Georgia-Clemson football game.  Critically acclaimed Humming House will start off the night, followed by GSB.  GSB will be joined by local outstanding musicians John Neff (pedal steel, slide guitar) and Clay Leverett (guitar).

GSB will be performing all of the songs featured on “Before the Feast” and a number of new songs.  Included in the mix will be a few cover tunes, such as Bruno Mars’ “Natalie” and Neil Young’s “Heart of Gold”.

News

6th Annual Classic City American Music Festival July 5, 2014

There’s almost nothing more American than fireworks on the Fourth of July. Other than that: 10+ bands, two stages, fried & grilled food, great drinks, BBQ, and American music all day comes in a close second! Join us on Saturday July 5th for our 6th annual CCAMF! An ALL AGES family friendly event – Music begins at 3pm.

Join us at the 6th annual Classic City American Music Festival with Packway Handle Band, Lera Lynn, Bloodkin, Bluebilly Grit, Dangfly! & more

Event Schedule

3:00 PM Brandon Reeves (OUTDOOR STAGE)
3:30 PM Betsy Franck (INDOOR STAGE)
4:15 PM Clay Leverett & Friends (OUTDOOR PATIO STAGE)
5:00 PM Isaac Bramblett Band (INDOOR STAGE)
6:00 PM 90 Acre Farm (OUTDOOR PATIO STAGE)
6:30 PM BlueBilly Grit (INDOOR STAGE)
7:30 PM The Grassland String Band
8:00 PM Bloodkin (INDOOR STAGE)
9:00 PM Norma Rae
9:30 PM Lera Lynn (INDOOR STAGE)
10:30 PM Dangfly! (OUTDOOR PATIO STAGE)
11:00 PM Packway Handle Band (INDOOR STAGE)

Saturday, July 5, 2014 at 3PM
Doors open 2:00 PM

News

GSB is excited to announce our FREE Georgia Theatre Rooftop Show

The Ceiling Can’t Hold Us!

GSB is excited to announce our FREE Georgia Theatre Rooftop Show with support from the Shoal Creek Stranglers

Doors open 9:00 PM

This show is on the rooftop for FREE!

Related show

  • Artist: Grassland String Band and Shoal Creek Stranglers
  • Date: 06/11/14
  • Time: 9:30pm
  • Venue: Georgia Theatre
  • City: Athens, GA
  • Address: http://www.georgiatheatre.com/
  • Country: United States
  • Age restrictions: No Minors
News

GSB announces that it will part of the Club Crawl

GSB announces that it will part of the Club Crawl for Athfest 2014, performing at New Earth Music Hall, Friday June 20, 2014 at midnight.

Related show

  • Artist: Grassland String Band
  • Date: 06/20/14
  • Time: 12:00am
  • Venue: New Earth Music Hall
  • City: Athens , GA
  • Country: United States
  • Age restrictions: No Minors
News

Grassland String Band’s “Before the Feast”: a review by Ansley Rushing

Grassland String Band is a fine example of the recent uprising of acoustic Americana music. They’re cleaner than Old Crow Medicine show, less polished than the Punch Brothers. They’re less traditional than the Steep Canyon Rangers, but moreso than the Avett Brothers. Basically, they fit nicely in the middle of the folk/bluegrass spectrum right around Tramples By Turtles and not far from The Infamous Stringdusters. There’s not much that you couldn’t hear at a good southern bluegrass festival most summer weekends, but at the same time, there’s not a single song that won’t have you stomping your feet or clapping your hands.

It’s quite obvious that each of these musicians is ridiculously talented. You have to be to play this kind of music because there is nothing to hide behind. It’s raw and pure. The recording definitely does justice to that. The banjo picking is fast, the vocals are tight, and the fiddle is enthusiastic.

The opening track “Clara” gets everything off to a toe-tapping start. I can imagine the audience at a show dancing along to this one and cheering for each of the solos in the interludes. The a cappella sections and the multi-part harmonies are so full and powerful. I don’t know who this girl Clara is, but she ought to be really impressed by this song, especially the dynamic violin melodies and the sweet lyrics.

Another one of my favorites is “Honey,” another simple love song complemented by the violin solos. It almost feels like the violin is having a conversation with the singer. Like an old Beatles song, it’s very short and sweet and it leaves you wanting more. Great production.

“If I Die” grabs your attention right away with the gritty vocals and the harsh instrumental stops right out of the gate. I love the lines “I’m so old/I’m so young/I wonder when my heart will let go of my tongue.” The shouts, the high notes at the end, and the exciting banjo line in the chorus make the song so much fun. But at under two minutes, I wish there were more!

“Driving This Car” features a female vocalist and a much slower tempo than the rest of the album. It’s a lovely song and is well performed, but it doesn’t feel like it fits in the context of the rest of the songs. Maybe if she sang some more high harmonies on the other songs it wouldn’t feel out of place. But it was a nice surprise to hear a different voice in the mix, and she brings a lot of interesting melodies to table.

Overall, “Before The Feast” is a really solid album that really reflects a lot of the folk music that’s so popular right now. They could play at a bluegrass festival, a country bar or a rock club and make everyone happy with their high level of talent and energy. Go see them live at their upcoming shows in Athens, Ga. and make sure to look out for this album. You won’t want to miss it.

(Ansley Rushing is a 2012 Magna Cum Laude graduate of the University of Georgia Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication with a degree in Public Relations. She also participated in the UGA Music Business Program in the Terry College of Business and served an internship with Paste Magazine, a nationally recognized leader in entertainment news. Ansley is a classically trained violinist and an Athens, GA based singer/songwriter. More about Ansley Rushing)