The Local Group Sings and Plays Songs and Also Tunes
The Local Group
December 2020
This album could be described as progressive bluegrass, with a strong traditional influence, and hints of old time, jazz and even punk. The sound of the album is strongly influenced by the traditional bluegrass of Joe Val and the New England Bluegrass Boys, The Stanley Brothers. However, it isn't stuck in the past - the album was heavily influenced by the modern bluegrass of the Slocan Ramblers, and even shows a distinctly Gen Z sensibility with the song "I Don't Wanna Live Anymore". There are five originals and two classic bluegrass covers. There are lightning-speed, technical instrumentals, (McGettigan's Breakdown, Long Boy), a bittersweet mandolin ballad (Morrighan's Farewell), a jazzy Django Reinhart-influenced breakup song (Free At Last) and more! It was recorded almost live-off-the-floor in a Saskatoon home studio by Ryan Shotton of Rugged Little Thing. The guitar, banjo, mandolin and double bass were recorded together in real time, and vocals were overdubbed after.
