Complex, melodramatic bluegrass/Americana?

March 29, 2016 7:59 AM

I recently came across the Bad Apple String Band, an awesome Sonoma-based bluegrass band. What I like about their particular flavour of bluegrass (if this is in fact bluegrass, I'm far from knowledgeable about this) is how complicated and frantic it is, while still being minor key and kind of melancholy. In particular, I like the song "Countin' Cards". Can you help me find similar music?
posted by superquail to Media & Arts (13 answers total)

James Reams
posted by captainscared at 8:05 AM on March 29, 2016

Best answer: Split Lip Rayfield and the Meat Purveyors might be up your alley.
posted by goggie at 8:08 AM on March 29, 2016

Best answer: 16 Horsepower, specifically Low Estate.
posted by RogueTech at 8:21 AM on March 29, 2016 [3 favorites]

Trampled By Turtles - Wait So Long
posted by littlewater at 8:25 AM on March 29, 2016

Best answer: you might try searching for "newgrass", which may lead you to other acts you like in this vein
posted by thelonius at 8:25 AM on March 29, 2016 [2 favorites]

The Be Good Tanyas - For The Turnstiles
posted by bobdow at 8:38 AM on March 29, 2016

Old Crow Medicine Show and for exceptional musicianship, The Infamous Stringdusters.
posted by Emperor SnooKloze at 8:40 AM on March 29, 2016 [4 favorites]

Best answer: I think you might need Punch Brothers in your life - check out Movement & Location and No Concern Of Yours for starters!
posted by greenish at 8:57 AM on March 29, 2016 [3 favorites]

As mentioned, a ton of the newgrass bands have that sound. If you find a big name artist in the genre that you like, search for the bluegrass/old time festivals that they play and start looking up the smaller bands that played there too.

You should check out some of the projects Chris Thile has been involved with, including the Punch Brothers.

A little different, but you might want to look up Andrew Bird.
posted by Candleman at 9:41 AM on March 29, 2016 [1 favorite]

Bad Livers
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 12:41 PM on March 29, 2016 [2 favorites]

Steve Martin!
posted by KwaiChangCaine at 8:19 PM on March 29, 2016

Here's a few from Railroad Earth that fit your description

Stillwater Getaway
Mourning Flies
Just So You Know
420
posted by euphorb at 8:31 PM on March 29, 2016 [1 favorite]

I think you would enjoy Crooked Still (here's a youtube playlist). Also check out Devil Makes Three, who have a similar sound to the Bad Apple String Band. Bloodshot Records is a cool alt-country record label that carries a lot of punk-bluegrass, and probably has something you'll like.
posted by Nibbly Fang at 6:44 PM on March 31, 2016