The rootsy five-piece Grand Rapids indie-folk/country band releases its debut album at Founders on Saturday. Read the story for a chance to win a copy of the new CD.
This band’s bond is in the beer.
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Oh sure, there’s the common musical thread shared by members of The Carboys who grew up with country, bluegrass and American roots music, but just as important: The group is named after jugs used to ferment beer and bandmates share a love of home brewing.
So, it’s no surprise that The Carboys’ CD-release show for its debut album will be held Saturday night at Founders Brewing Co.
“Beer brought us together,” jokes guitarist and singer R.J. Nordlund, who started playing with banjo player and guitarist Anthony Emery at Aquinas College, where the pair also met and later formed the band with mandolinist Charlie Merkel, singer Alayna Plews and bassist Matt Kuczynski.
“We just kind of play some good time music. A lot of our practices start with just having a good time in the basement and then eventually we start playing some music and seeing what happens.”
In essence, a process of musical fermentation.
Seeded by artists such as Noah Gundersen, Jason Isbell, Tom Waits, Wilco, David Rawlings and Blind Willie McTell, members of the Grand Rapids indie-folk/Americana band like to say they emerged from humble beginnings as “busking buddies” two years ago after being raised in fertile musical environments.
“We’re just trying to make our own sound,” insists Nordlund, who grew up in the Montague area.
The band put that distinctive approach on display during this week’s Local Spins Live on News Talk 1340 AM (WJRW), performing the song “Love” from The Carboys’ self-titled debut album, which is being released this weekend. Listen to the show podcast here and watch a video of their performance below.
(If you like what you hear, the first three people to email jsinkevics@gmail.com with THE CARBOYS in the message field will win a free copy of the new album.)
Recorded by Tommy Eiler in Montague, the album resonates with rootsy charm. Most of the CD’s nine tracks were penned by Nordlund, with Plews and Emery each contributing a song.
INSPIRATION FROM FAMILIES, COUNTRY MUSIC AND ‘OLD BLUES MUSICIANS’
“This album really has sort of been a summary of our past year and a lot of the stuff we went through with our families,” says Plews, of Rockford, whose father is a music therapist who also has served as a church music director. “My dad was always having us sing together as a family. I use a lot of inspiration from my family (in songwriting).”
Originally a guitarist inspired by “old blues musicians” who taught himself how to play banjo, Emery, meanwhile, grew up in Adrian with parents who “listened to a lot of country radio,” a vibe that not surprisingly weaves its way into The Carboys’ sound.
And with roots in cities spread across Lower Michigan (Kuczynski is a native of Bay City, Merkel grew up in Chelsea), band members consider themselves lucky to find each other musically after stints at Aquinas College.
“It just all came together and it’s been great,” says Nordlund.
The Carboys’ CD-release show begins at 9:30 p.m. Saturday at Founders Brewing Co., with Big Dudee Roo and The Ben Daniels Band also on the bill. Admission is $5.
Get more information about the band on its Facebook page.
Email John Sinkevics at jsinkevics@gmail.com.
Copyright 2014, Spins on Music
Can’t wait until Saturday!