Described as a “can’t-miss pair in 2019,” by Paste Magazine, Allison de Groot & Tatiana Hargreaves create a sound that is adventurous, masterful, and original, as they expand on the eccentricities of old songs, while never losing sight of what makes them endure. Already leaders in the young generation of roots musicians, de Groot has become known for her intricate clawhammer banjo work with Molsky’s Mountain Drifters, while Hargreaves has brought her powerhouse fiddling to the stage with Gillian Welch and Laurie Lewis. Their new album on Free Dirt Records is a powerful opening statement that has been called “a big step forward” (CBC Q) and “dives deep into the old-time style and comes up with something wonderfully fresh” (Vinyl District). Ranging from intricate banjo-fiddle instrumental performances inspired by early commercial and field recordings to more contemporary tunes and songs from the likes of Judy Hyman (the Horseflies) and Alice Gerrard, their repertoire reflects on which voices we seek to hear as we explore the expansive, diverse canon of American roots music. Their rendition of Alice Gerrard’s song “Beaufort County Jail” is included in Rolling Stone Country’s “10 Best Country and Americana Songs to Hear.”
Allison has toured all over the world with various groups, performing at venues such as Trafalgar Square in London, Newport Folk Festival and other major festivals across the US and Canada. She combines love and passion for old-time music, technical skill and a creative approach to the banjo. Allison has immersed herself in American roots music through festivals such as the Appalachian String Band Festival in West Virginia, making pilgrimages to musical communities in North Carolina and participating in the acoustic music scene in Boston, MA. For more information about Allison, visit www.allisondegroot.com
Since releasing her first solo album “Started Out To Ramble” in 2009, Tatiana has toured and performed with musicians such as Dave Rawlings, Gillian Welch, and Michael Daves. From being the second woman to place first at the Clifftop Appalachian Fiddle Contest, to her bluegrass fiddling on Laurie Lewis’ GRAMMY-nominated album The Hazel And Alice Sessions, Hargreaves shows a musical fluency that flows between old time and bluegrass worlds with ease. She currently teaches bluegrass fiddle at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. For more information about Tatiana, visit www.tatianahargreaves.com
“de Groot and Hargreaves have used their platform to broaden our horizons, both of the music our forebears created and the causes they sought to advance in their art.” ~No Depression
“two of the foremost old-time virtuosos on the scene today, executing these timeless songs and melodies with a clean and straightforward approach that sacrifices neither innovative thought nor modern embellishments to do so. ” ~ The Bluegrass Situation
LISTEN HERE:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdNm-YMQXfM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiJuc20cUgY