Event

South Austin Jug Band

South Austin Jug Band w/ Good Gravy

From south of Austin's Colorado River, from hometowns littered across Texas and the United States, from a mesh of influences running through blues and country and newgrass comes the South Austin Jug Band, one the most fierce set of strings working together today. Both innovative in their combining of genres and true to the traditions of their musical roots, the South Austin Jug Band has solidified itself as a tour-de-force in the world of acoustic music.

Pop in the band's self-titled debut album or catch the boys rip-roaring on stage and the unmistakable cheer they bring to their music is clear. "Dark and Weary World," their follow-up release on Houston's prestigious roots music label Blue Corn Music, retains that same cheer but is bolstered with improved musicianship, focused songwriting, and a pristine recording that shows their determination to keep improving and reaching out to more audiences. "It may sound obvious," commented singer/guitarist James Hyland, "But it's just more fun to play well-written songs."

Lets just get it out of the way right now: Theres no jug-playing in the South Austin Jug Band. And the bluegrass connotation that name carries should be spilled down the drain along with any other moonshine-preconceived notions. Sure, theres fiddle, mandolin, an upright bass but theres also drumming, occasional electric guitar and even digital looping. And Beck. The bands latest album, Strange Invitation, gets its title from a lyric in Mr. Hansens 1997 charmer, Jackass, the only cover on this 11-song collection.