Since getting together in the Eastern Sierra of California in 2008, the members of Sweetwater String Band have forged their own way with their cello driven “soulgrass”. What began as a weekly gig at their local bar eventually led to the band finding themselves on the biggest stage in the area less than a year later at the Millpond Music Festival. The quartet balances serious issues such as mountaintop removal coal mining, workers rights, and finding middle ground in today’s divided political arena with ghost stories, drinking songs, improvised jams, and tales from the long, lonesome road. Mandolinist Scott Roberts and cellist David Huebner write the material, and together with Jeff Meadway on guitar, and Patrick Ferguson on bass, work out the arrangements.
On September 29th Sweetwater String Band will release their third album At Night. The features the band at their tightest as they blend bluegrass and the classical background of cellist David Huebner to make for a sound that is completely unique. Their lyrics and vocal harmonies dwell in the realm of charming folk and Americana, making for some excellent California mountain music.
Today Glide is excited to premiere “Up and Over”, one of the standout tracks on At Night. The song is a fast bluegrass number that hits with a heavy dose of banjo, mandolin and acoustic guitar with some top notch solo work backed by Huebner’s rich cello textures. Coming in at just under three minutes, “Up and Over” moves quick but the infectious chorus lingers in your mind long after listening.Â
Reflecting on how they came upon the tune, the band has this to say:
“Sometimes songs, words, melodies are written painstakingly slow and other songs appear out of nowhere even without an instrument nearby. ‘Up and Over’ is an example of the latter. The melody and words emerged as I was climbing a ridge on backcountry skis with anticipation of the reward on the other side – the ‘falling’ or ‘floating’ feeling of skiing down through light powder snow and the sense of being removed from all other distractions in the world.
We’re really honored to have Aaron Youngberg, who recorded the album, playing banjo on this track. Aaron is a fantastic musician and an incredible human being.”
LISTEN:
Sweetwater String Band’s new album At Night is out September 29th. For more music and info visit sweetwaterstringband.com.
