That the whole is more than the sum of its parts certainly applies to Arkansas based indie band Sad Daddy. Brian Martin (guitar), Melissa Carper (upright bass; her Daddy’s Country Gold made it to no. 13 of my year-end list of 2021, but that aside), Joe Sundell (banjo), and Rebecca Patek (fiddle) all have an own unique style, voice, instrument and background, with which they complement and reinforce each other.
In the sudden spare time of 2020, the 4 musicians gathered at Brian’s cabin in the serene woods of Greers Ferry, Arkansas to create their 3rd album, Way Up in the Hills, fusing influences from bluegrass, country, gospel, folk, and swing. Recording engineer Jordan Trotter brought his equipment into the cabin and the band recorded the new, original tunes live and in a circle. That setting tempted the band to explore using porch stomps, hamboning, the sounds of insects buzzing and bacon sizzling to create a picking-on the-porch vibe. It has resulted in an intimate, stripped-back, timeless and authentic roots record to get lost in for a long time.
Way Up In The Hills is out now digitally, on CD and vinyl LP.