Bluegrass music has recently made a massive resurgence, thanks to folks like Billy Strings and Sierra Ferrell. However, as most of you know, the genre isn’t a new thing. Rather, it is one of the oldest genres in American music history. That being so, bluegrass has seen some legendary talent such as Doc Watson, Tony Rice, and so many more. However, it’s a new era, a new generation, and now, there are a ton of new bluegrass acts climbing the ranks.
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Unlike Strings, Ferrell, and several other acts, the bluegrass acts we are going to name aren’t ones selling out arenas or large amphitheaters. Instead, they are at the point in their careers in which they are gracing the stages of some legendary dive bars and music festivals across the country. All that being said, here are three new wave bluegrass bands you should give a try.
Mountain Grass Unit
Hailing from Birmingham, Alabama, Mountain Grass Unit is following in the footsteps of bluegrass groups such as the Old Crow Medicine Show and Tramped by Turtles. The four-piece group recently had a pivotal moment in their career as they recently recorded and released their debut EP, Runnin’ From Trouble.
They might seem young, but MGU plays bluegrass with the same refinement and taste as the greats. Their fills are impeccable, harmonies fluid, and their general talent exquisite. If you’re looking for something fresh yet familiar, then these four fellows are a must.
Sam Grisman Project
Sam Grisman is the son of legendary bluegrass mandolinist, David Grisman, and consequently, he has the genre flowing through his veins. However, the Sam Grisman Project does not play the orthodox bluegrass you are entirely familiar with. Rather, Grisman infuses the genre with funk, psychedelic, and jazz. Frankly, if it makes a sound and has a pretty pitch, Grisman and his group will play it.
In addition to creating nuanced and novel sounds, the Grisman Project’s mission is to help restore the music that his father and Jerry Garcia created. That being so, don’t expect to hear just fiery flatpicking but also some mind-bending tunes that just might remind you of the Grateful Dead.
Kitchen Dwellers
The Kitchen Dwellers have been active since 2010 and have garnered a loyal fanbase that are seemingly disciples of their sound. If you’ve listened to their music, you would certainly tag their primary genre as bluegrass. However, their sound is not defined by the traditional bluegrass instruments they play.
As a matter of fact, the Kitchen Dwellers are so unique that their most recent fourth full-length album, Seven Devils, is heavily based around the epic poem, Inferno. Most bluegrass bands draw inspiration from coal mines and moonshine stills, not religious literature. So, that goes to show just how diverse and imaginative their talent truly is.
Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
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