strange dreams + old songs + new songs + things left unsaid + willie dixon + bill hicks + john trudell + orchids + funnel clouds + chris farley + jim beam + cornfields + mississippi river +
grocery stores
Sounds Like
"Lyrically clever, witty and vivid, and musically inspired, these songs instantly live inside your head. Sure-footed and charming."- Q magazine“talented singers and songwriters…The Pines can make you feel happy and sad almost simultaneously.”- No Depression“starkly poetic, buzzed-about Americana”- Minneapolis Star Tribune“Quiet, serene, romantic, mysterious—The Pines are all these things and more on Sparrow in the Bell.”- Goldmine“a spooky, dangerous edge pleasantly reminiscent of Bob Dylan’s recent sound.”- The Onion“Sparrows in the Bell is a consistently compelling listen”- Exclaim“This is real-deal, salt-of-the-earth balladry done right.”- Twin Cities Metro
Made up of Iowa natives David Huckfelt and Benson Ramsey, up-and-coming duo The Pines actually began their musical partnership in Arizona, where they both lived in a Mexican barrio and first began playing together. Committing to a musical career, they returned to their Midwestern roots and moved to Minneapolis, a city that has launched many folk and rock acts from Bob Dylan to The Replacements to The Jayhawks. Like these Twin Cities legends, The Pines weave together many musical styles to create their own unique sound that is hip and haunting.
The son of Greg Brown’s producer and sideman Bo Ramsey, Benson was reared on folk and blues music and continues to let those influences shine, even on louder electric songs. David also has a deep love for traditional music, and together the two of them craft music that evokes the ancient while incorporating newer rock and pop grooves. Both strong writers and musicians, David and Benson have distinct voices that complement each other, causing audiences and critics alike to tout them as a powerful young force in American roots music. Although they have not been touring long, they have already shared the stage with the likes of Jolie Holland, The Arcade Fire, Kelly Joe Phelps and Spider John Koerner.
The Pines’ highly anticipated new CD Sparrows in the Bell was produced by Bo Ramsey and recorded in Minneapolis. Featuring dark, poetic originals and a couple surprising covers, the album will be their first on world-renowned roots label Red House Records. Their first self-titled record was released on Trailer Records and features guest artist Dave Moore. Following the release of their new album, The Pines will be touring extensively across the country.
I write for the high school newspaper in Old Town Maine, and I am writing a review of 'Sparrows in the Bell.' I hope to get people up here interested in your music! P.S. I heard you guys were coming to New York, but I couldn't go :( apologies :) Good luck!
Thanks for the friendship Love is light, it makes you see things
Nor Mozart, Charlie Parker or Jimmy Hendrix had such an instrument at their disposition! All music we know is made on instruments we know. New weapons generate killings, new musical instruments generate.... Jan Van Kelst
I saw you guys at Joe's Pub last week. Great show. I love your CD. Thanks for signing it for me. (Met you while I was waiting for Brooke Waggoner come out and sell her merchandise). Best wishes with the rest of the tour! You mentioned a second album...when when?
I’m an italian lover of good music, my name is Claude I send you my congratulation for your music
THANKS TO ADD & FRIENDERSHIP I LIKE YOUR TRACKS ON YOUR MySpace PAGE IT’S A GOOD SOUND, GREAT SONGS
I’m a journalist of “BUSCADERO” the very best italian rock magazine, and other, desultorily I wrote on the “FB Folk Bullettin” (folk magazine).
list of my last reviews: BUSCADERO September 2008: Drew Emmitt “Long Road” cd Donna The Buffalo: “Silverlined” cd Feufollet “Cow Island Hop” cd BUSCADERO July/Ago 2008: Floggin Molly: review live concert at Musicdrome - Milano 20,05.’08 Railroad Earth “Amen Corner” cd Michael Doucet “From You Noe On” cd Tony DeMarco “The Sligo Indians” cd Ned Ludd “Lavoro & Dignità” cd Riccardo Tesi “Presente Remoto” cd BUSCADERO June 2008: Davide Van de-Sfroos: review live concert at DatchForum, Assago-Milano 19,04.’08 Yonder Mountain String Band “Mountain Tracks: vol.5” 2cd Flavio Oreglio & LUF “Giù (non è stato facile cadere così in basso)” cd BUSCADERO May 2008: Waybacks: “Loaded” cd Clarence Gatemouth Brown “Live from Austin-City Limits” dvd Flaco Jimenez: “Ya Volvi De La Guerra” cd BUSCADERO April 2008: Eric Sardinas: “Eric Sardinas & Big Motor” cd Lhi Jarris “Cèrcle Libre” cd BUSCADERO March 2008: Flogging Molly: “Float” cd Savoy Family Band “Turn Loose But Don’t Let Go” cd Punch Brothers [Chris Thile] “Punch” cd BUSCADERO February 2008 Johnny Cash: “Music in Review” dvd Various Artists: “Caliente Y Picante” (with C. Santana, R.Blades, C.Cruz, T. Puente) dvd LUF “So Nahit’n Val Camonega” cd
I loved hearing you guys play in Mears Park. I'll have to make the drive up to Minneapolis to hear you play again sometime. Keep up the beautiful work.
There's a wind from The Pines, not through them, that envelopes the listener in their aural aura, that conjoles and consoles, teaches and reaches out to the memory, the better elements of who we are and what we aspire to be. Thank you for the gifts your music brings, The Pines, and the friendship you've extended.
