Who doesn’t like to be happy? I think we all would rather wear a smile than a frown. This week’s band means something special to me. I was introduced to this band by one of my very best friends who knows me better than anyone else and always knows how to make me smile. Coincidentally, this band also makes me very happy. Let me introduce you to The Avett Brothers.
The Avett Brothers is a big-time small time band. The Avett Brothers have had lots of success in a broad range of areas, yet most people still have never heard of them.
The group has a complicated history. Brothers Scott and Seth Avett played music together as kids but never played together seriously, despite both being in bands. However, in the late 1990’s, Seth’s band, Margo, and Scott’s band, Nemo, combined. For the next several years, members came and went, various EP’s and albums were released, and little remained constant. The only thing that stayed the same was that Scott and Seth continued to make music together. They began “The Backdoor Project” in 2000. The brothers would get together once a week with musically inclined friends and exchange songs. Eventually, they began to document these get-togethers and released a self-titled album under their new name, “The Avett Brothers.” Finally in 2002, the brothers went on a self-booked tour to promote their first full album “Country Wars.”
Soon, The Avett Brothers was on its way up. With Seth on vocals and the banjo and Scott on vocals and the guitar, the brothers began to make a name for themselves. They added upright bassist Bob Crawford to the group. Later, cellist Joe Kwon and drummer Jacob Edwards joined the band as well and became The Avett Brothers as they are known today. Over the next five years, the band released an album every year, culminating with “Emotionalism” in 2007. In 2009, “I and Love and You” got major attention. The Avett Brothers were deemed “Top Artist to Watch in 2009” by Rolling Stone. The band appeared on the late night shows of Jimmy Fallon, David Letterman and Craig Ferguson. They also performed at the Grammy’s.
The Avett Brothers have a great sound, unlike any other I know. Whenever I listen to one of their songs, I feel like they are in the room singing right to me. They sing about real life in a distinctive way. The roots of the music derive from folk and bluegrass, yet are intertwined with rock and roll to create a unique blend of genres. Even some of the sadder sounds still have wonderful melodies and instrumentals, like Head Full of Doubt.
I haven’t listened to many of the earlier albums, but the recent records are a solid choice for just about anyone. The lyrics are meaningful and the music is ear pleasing. I would recommend The Avett Brothers to anyone. They will make you smile.
The Avett Brothers YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/theavettbrothersVEVO?feature=watch
“Pretty Girl from San Diego”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxmjNF-9yeE
“Head Full of Doubt”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEr9gMYdkHI
“Live and Die”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvGk506ucEk