Article by: Miles Hurley
Photo Credit: Hannah Cohen
In the influx of progressive bluegrass acts today, one four-member act seems to be standing out: Boston-born Twisted Pine. With the combination of dynamite vocal team of fiddle player Kathleen Parks and guitarist Rachel Sumner, the more than competent mandolin chops of Dan Bui, and bassist Chris Satori holding down the groove to some of the savviest roots songs out there, Twisted Pine is about as fresh as bluegrass gets today. Being as good they are, its no shock that the group have been stealthily moving their way into larger venues and in front of larger crowds over the past year.
Today, Twisted Pine have released a new EP, Dreams, a collection of seven tracks that gives great evidence into Twisted Pine’s appeal. For a bit of insight: “El Chepe: The One I Love,” a mashup of a Vulfpeck and a Bill Monroe tune that kicks off Dreams, hit 100,000 views with its music video after Vulfpeck themselves shared it and deemed it: “so grooving.”
As good as the mashup is, it still has competition for best track on the EP. “Heart of Glass” is a breathtaking rendering of the original Blondie super-hit, and what’s more it also has a neat new video, which you can stream here below. While a number of other Twisted Pine videos have been done by their good musical friend Sean Trischka, this one was made by Zoe Mitchell.
Tonight, Twisted Pine plays a record release party at Pulaski Park in Northampton, MA, with fellow folk duo The Sea The Sea, whom are also releasing their own brand new album. The show is also a chance to earn free tickets to Green River Festival, Greenfield’ MA’s roots rock festival that also features the likes of Michael Franti and Spearhead, Dr. Dog, I’m With Her, and more.
Check out the rest of the band’s tour dates, and their new EP Dreams, at http://www.twistedpineband.com.
In the meantime, stream the video for “Heart of Glass” here below. If you’re not yet familiar with Twisted Pine, it’s time to fall in love.