Turn It Up, Folkin' Loud!

About a year and a half ago, I had the idea to record an album of classic punk cover songs, done in a folky / bluegrass style. I got most of the demo / scratch tracks down, but then of course, life got in the way, as it often does. But now that I got some fancy new toys in my musical arsenal, I decided to revisit it. And so without any further ado, here's the first track of the album that would (and someday might still) be called Folk In Drublic: "Radio" by Rancid. Except, ya know, with less growls, more banjo and lap steel.

[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/75025377" params="" width=" 100%" height="166" iframe="true" /]

(Banjo by my buddy Andy Michaels)

Enter: THE WOODROW

This weekend, my girlfriend and I took a trip to Vermont to visit her parents' house up there — but mostly to attend this big annual crafts fair. While there, I had the pleasure of meeting Dan, the creator of the Woodrow, a unique Appalachian stringed instrument. From their website:

The Woodrow instrument series is a cross between a banjo and an Appalachian dulcimer (or lap dulcimer). Played upright like the banjo, but having the dulcimer construction, gives these instruments the perfect style for Appalachian, bluegrass, celtic, and even blues music.Some styles have a real banjo like twang, while others have a more rounded and mellow sound. Each one is different, and the voice and personality vary from instrument to instrument.

So basically what that means is "it's awesome." And what's even more awesome is that my fantastic and lovely girlfriend got me one as an early birthday present, a decision she is going to regret very soon because I can't stop playing it. Like this: [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUQ5zyVrgqg&w=500&h=284]

And on that, I'm gonna go practice this wonderful instrument some more so I can become a master woodrow player. Kbye.