The High 48'sThe DitchLiliesThe High 48s play original bluegrass in the traditional style, with a deep, driving groove and three-part harmonies sung around a single microphone. But unlike many third generation bands playing traditional bluegrass, the High 48s aren’t interested in playing the next best version of Little Maggie. They want to write the next Little Maggie. Tonight, they'll be celebrating the release of their new CD, Who Needs Love? with the help of their good friends and partners in old-time country tunes, The Ditchlilies.
The 48s turned to traditional bluegrass relatively late in their musical lives, after years spent working with rock, alternative country and progressive acoustic artists. Before joining their first bluegrass band, the now-defunct Boot Draggers, Derek Johnson (guitar, vocals) and his younger brother Chad (mandolin, vocals) played in the Twin Cities-based rock band Best Fight Story. Eric Christopher (fiddle, vocals) worked as a fiddler-for-hire, performing and recording with dozens of Americana and alternative country acts, including the Buck-Fifty Boys, Bellwether, and Tina and B-Sides. Tony Ihrig (banjo, dobro) came to the 48s from the progressive bluegrass scene, and is also currently a member of the local newgrass quartet Free Range Pickin'. Rich Casey (bass, vocals), a longtime working bass player, has performed with a number of artists from the local jam band scene, including Javier Trejo and the White Iron Band.

The High 48s new CD “Who Needs Love?” features seven original compositions by band members Derek Johnson, Eric Christopher and Tony Ihrig. With the exception of Johnson’s “Joy, Joy, Joy,” an uplifting gospel number and crowd favorite at live shows, and Ihrig’s rocking instrumental “Mill City Stomp,” the album’s original material has a darker, edgier mood than their self-titled debut CD.

From Appalachian mountain music to hillbilly swing, and from jug band stomps to honky-tonk, The DitchLilies' love for it all can send audiences on a wild musical ride from Bakersfield to Galax. Always true to the emotion and cadence of these revered musical traditions, the DitchLilies continue to bring a uniqueness all their own to these long lost songs and instrumentals. With the indubitable and variously tender and bold honky-tonk inflected vocals of multi-instrumentalist Lisa Schultz, the imagination and well-honed guitar, uke, lap steel, and mandolin work of Kari Larson, the bluesy richness of Meghan Dudle's fiddle stylings, and the beat-down, slap it, solo improvisation of stand up bassist Liz Draper, the DitchLilies bring a refreshing sound to the roots music revival.

Supported in part by the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Association.

Tickets are $10 advance and $12 day of show.

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