The Avett Brothers

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When people ask Scott and Seth Avett how long they've been playing music they'll usually say, "forever." Though, under the name The Avett Brothers, they've only been playing for a relatively short amount of time. Yet, the Avett's sound is indicative of a lifetime of development and an implicit partnership. In 1998, during the time of the Avett's rock band, Nemo, Scott began getting together with some friends and other flat-pickers on Tuesday nights in Greenville, NC to drink liquor, play acoustic bluegrass and country music, and occasionally perform on the street. Having gained an interest in acoustic music after meeting Doc Watson at an early age, Seth joined in and they called the gatherings "The Back Porch Project" or "Nemo Downstairs." During this time, Seth and Scott started writing originals over the phone and would throw them in during the get-togethers. As time passed and 2000 rolled around, the Avetts, with friend and fellow Nemo guitarist, John Twomey, compiled a 6-song, self-titled record under the moniker The Avett Brothers. The three also began playing sporadic acoustic shows in their off time from Nemo. Around Halloween in 2001, Nemo fell apart. At first, Scott, Seth and long-time friend Kenny Graham wanted to carry on, but they soon came to the realization it was time to move forward. Scott and Seth fell back on the acoustic music they had been crafting, realizing that it was more accessible than Nemo's brazen, rock sound. During this time, the Avetts also parted ways with Twomey. Seth testified, "John is a great guitarist, we just knew it was right to part ways at the time." In January of 2002, after several months of songwriting and a few performances with various players, The Avett Brothers entered Pat Gauthier's studio in Marshville, NC to record their first album, Country Was. It was during that time that the Avetts realized the music they were making was special, more natural and truthful than anything they'd created before. It was also during that time that stand-up bassist Bob Crawford became a permanent member of The Avett Brothers. After a self-booked, 11-state, 2-month summer tour, endless amounts of regional shows, and traveling to promote the Country Was album, the boys took a break in late 2002 to prepare to record the follow-up. To kick off 2003, The Avett Brothers returned to the Gauthier's Marshville, NC recording studio to begin work on their new material. However, this time the Avetts were prepared for the job. Unlike the past, where the songs were written and recorded without being toured on or played in a live setting, the majority of the new songs were thoroughly worked through and developed. With this confidence, the Avetts aimed to nail the intensity of their infamous live shows. As the Avetts stated, "we went in, more than ever, knowing exactly what we wanted to do. There were no questions or fogginess, which can show insecurity in the musician and in the band." Seth, Scott and Bob knew the exact purpose of each song and understood through and through the meaning behind each lyric. After 70 hours in the studio, The Avett Brothers emerged with A Carolina Jubilee, a paramount representation of the Avett's journey so far. The album, like The Avett Brothers, is a mixture of old-time country, bluegrass, pop melodies, folk, rock n' roll, honky-tonk and ragtime. Listeners merely need one spin through the album to realize the breadth and depth of the Avett's music. The infectious "Love Like The Movies," the get-up-and-go of the opener, "The Traveling Song," the heartache of "Pretty Girl From Annapolis", and the somber "Smoke In Our Lights" show the range of emotion and conviction within the songwriting. The overall sound is without the need of a label, because frankly none would do the music the justice. It's simply left up to each person to extract his or her own account from the Avett's music. The only thing that is certain about The Avett Brothers' future is that it will be filled with shows, shows, and more shows. Over the past year, the trio have made known that half of what makes them great are their live performances, which have proven to entertain and enchant a wide, diverse audience. It's the intensity at which the Avetts pour their angst, heartache and love into each show that has captivated crowds across the country. And it's those audience reactions that propel The Avett Brothers to continue. Scott Avett explained, "When people hear what we're saying in our songs and listening to things for the right reasons - when they get quiet when we're playing - it's a blessing. To know that somebody has a problem in their life that we can temporarily soothe that's what it's all about." The Avett Brothers have high goals for their music. Beyond selling records, touring endlessly, and winning over new fans, the Avetts hope to continue to create music that will provoke thought, change perceptions and simply bring something new into the world. Starting a little revolution isn't too much to hope for. Right?