Appalachia

Appalachia has been referred to as ‘bluegrass with a twist’ and this suits the guys just fine. Whilst they are all united by a passion for bluegrass music, they actually come from very different musical backgrounds so it's not surprising that when they play together those influences make themselves felt in the overall band sound. James Slater (guitar, harmonica) has a love and encyclopedic knowledge of Americana, particularly the California singer songwriters like Jackson Browne. Richard Burley (guitar and mandolin) has a deep love of jazz and related music (he is also a Steely Dan fanatic). Danny Ward (guitar and banjo) is a bluesman to his fingertips. Doug Hamilton (upright bass, electric bass and guitar) has so many influences we’ve never been able to count them all; trained as a music teacher back home in the USA, he cut his teeth writing arrangements for college marching bands and is desperate to add a sousaphone to his instrument collection!When they mix it all together on stage, something magical happens and a new musical hybrid is created, one which audiences immediately relate to and love. The Appalachia philosophy is, we're here 'to make you good folks smile'.

As far as material is concerned, the band likes to work with traditional songs or lesser-known ones (with the exception of Steve Miller's The Jokerof course, which they turn into a high-octane bluegrass romp) and add their own style. Arrangements are very important and great care is taken over getting these just right, instrumentally and with intricate four-part harmonies. One thing is certain, by the time Appalachia have finished with a song they have truly made it their own.

Their debut CD, Appalachia Live! reflects several aspects of American music as filtered through the collective Appalachia lens: bluegrass standards (Dark Hollow, Nine Pound Hammer, Rollin' In My Sweet Baby’s Arms); murder ballads (Rain and Snow, Willow Garden); blues (Make Me a Pallet on Your Floor, Freeborn Man); ragtime (Ragtime Millionaire, Don’t Let Your Deal Go Down); folk (Five Hundred Miles); and songs that they just felt compelled to do (Norman Blake’s Church Street Blues, Peter Rowan’s Jailer, Jailer). If you want to understand what's going on in the heart of the entity known as Appalachia, just listen to the band’s version of Mickey Newbury's Baby Why You Been Gone So Long- Danny starts off with some beautiful Robert Johnson -inspired guitar, suddenly everything stops and four voices sing the chorus acapella followed gently by James’ lone guitar and then suddenly... bam!, the whole band kicks in to deliver a piece of bluegrass heaven! These are guys who love their music…

Appalachia packed the Club stage at Priddy 2010 (biggest crowd of the weekend!) and played a cracker of a set - stomping good-time Americana with stirring 4-part harmonies and fine musicianship. Guaranteed to put a smile on your face and a rhythm in your feet - do NOT miss these guys! ”

Priddy Festival

For more information and latest tour dates, please visit: www.appalachiamusic.co.uk

Media enquiries and interview requests, please contact James Soars.

Website: (Booking enquiries)

www.appalachiamusic.co.uk

E-Mail:

lorraine@differentstrings.co.uk

Tel:

0117 904 1870
07929 135744

Website: (Media enquiries)

Jameshsoars.com

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