Sunday, March 30, 2014

First/Last-The Squirrel Hillbillies


"From deep within the urban forest of Pittsburgh's East End, the Squirrel Hillbillies often emerge to share their eclectic mix of folk, country and blues. The duo has been writing, arranging, and performing original music since 2010, with recent appearances at the Three Rivers Arts Festival, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust's Pittsburgh International Children's Festival, Folk Alliance International's annual conference, and concerts presented by Calliope: Pittsburgh's Folk Music Society. Through a collaborative, nonlinear songwriting process, duo partners Jenny Wolsk Bain and Gary Crouth draw from personal experiences, third-hand stories, and vivid imaginations to craft songs that are unpredictable and quirky yet widely accessible. Their debut CD (self-titled, 2012) has gotten air play in the US, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. The duo has also done several live in-studio interviews."

Check out the band at their official Website, Facebook, Twitter, SoundCloud and YouTube. The band celebrates the release of their second album, "Goody Shoes" this afternoon at the Carnegie Library Squirrel Hill branch from 2-4 pm. I want to thank  Gary Crouth (Guitar/Ukulele/Vocals) and Jenny Wolsk Bain (Ukulele/Mandolin/Bass/Percussion/Vocals) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Gary: Simon & Garfunkel's "Bookends".


Your last album bought?
Jenny: The Early Mays (pre-order; this Pittsburgh trio's new album will be released in 2014).


[One of] your favorite albums of all time?
Gary: David Bromberg's "Wanted Dead or Alive".


First concert attended?
Jenny: Stray Cats at the Savoy, 1983 (great show!)


Last concert?
Gary: Bruce Cockburn at Calliope.



Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Both: Pittsburgh is a great town for urban hillbillies.


Thanks, guys. Squirrel Hillbillies in Squirrel Hill? Nothing screams more Pittsburgh than that.

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