The Avett Brothers have just completed a second pass through metro Detroit in the last six months and are drawing in new fans and keeping the old ones happy with their always-impressive live performances. The summer crowd was a mish-mash of diehards mixed with newbies whose interest was peaked by the 93.9 [...]]]>

Concentration: Scott Avett

The Avett Brothers have just completed a second pass through metro Detroit in the last six months and are drawing in new fans and keeping the old ones happy with their always-impressive live performances. The summer crowd was a mish-mash of diehards mixed with newbies whose interest was peaked by the 93.9 annual summer Riverfest promotion. Opening bands on the bill at the Fillmore Detroit were UK stars One Eskimo and singer-songwriter Justin Nozuka.

The headlining Avetts played songs from their 10+ albums and sessions with such intensity and vigor it was often hard to tell the newer songs from the older ones because their catalog is so deep.  The show was a roller coaster ride with fast-tempo jams like “One Line Wonder” from 2004’s Mignonette up hill and the mellow “January Wedding” from I and Love and You on the downside. Everything in between was spot on as well and I often come away from their shows with some new favorite songs.

Commonly heard upon exit from fellow audience members were statements such as, “That’s the best concert I’ve been to all year!” I couldn’t agree more.

The Avett Brothers from Concord, NC have been writing and recording an eclectic blend of folk and rock since 2000.  Their recent big-league release I and Love and You on Sony Records fortifies their departure from indie band status, always a bittersweet moment for longtime fans. Rick Rubin produced [...]]]>

Photo Courtesy of The Avett Brothers

The Avett Brothers from Concord, NC have been writing and recording an eclectic blend of folk and rock since 2000.  Their recent big-league release I and Love and You on Sony Records fortifies their departure from indie band status, always a bittersweet moment for longtime fans. Rick Rubin produced the album and it has a definite polish to it compared with their earlier releases.  As a long time fan, the first listen was a bit disappointing because their raw, honest presentation had been replaced with studio smooth. After my pouting subsided, I warmed up to their new digs and now have the album in regular rotation; it’s a great album.

Earlier last month I had a chance to interview bassist Bob Crawford about the past, present, and future Avett Brothers to learn a little more about the workings of this band on the rise.

Here’s how it went:

MyCityBuzz: I and Love and You really launched The Avett Brothers into headlining gigs. What do you attribute this to?

Bob Crawford: The last two years have really been an explosion but the last 7 or so have been a gradual climb in growth with more and more people coming to the party. So sure, there was definitely a recent spurt but the bulk of our base was built over the last seven years.

MCB: Was the spurt a result of IALAY?

BC: I would say yes. Signing with Columbia and their huge publicity machine definitely increased awareness and got us the interviews, media, and TV opportunities that we wouldn’t have had otherwise.

MCB: How would you describe the sound/feel/personality of I and Love and You compared to the previous releases?

BC: It was the natural next step after Emotionalism. You can sort of line up our albums like steps in a staircase, each one growing and improving on the previous. With each album we keep growing, getting better at crafting songs, playing together, and performing live. And our next album will be even better.

MCB: When can we expect that?

BC: We are demoing songs now but are waiting on the green light from the powers that be. We expect that we’ll be able to start recording in the next few months but nothing is certain at this point.

MCB: Can we expect any more Gleam albums in the future?

BC: Yes. I don’t know how, I don’t know when, but sometime in the future.

MCB: What was it like to work with Rick Rubin?  What influence do you think it brought to the album?

BC: He’s unobtrusive, mellow, relaxed and very conscious of letting us be us. He was great to work with.

MCB: How did you start playing the upright bass? Did you learn it for the band?

BC: I only started playing the upright about 4 months before joining the band. I was actually going to school for jazz guitar but there ended up being pressure to play the standup because of the aesthetic or what have you. For a while I didn’t really have a good feel for what I was doing but no one seemed to notice. The electric bass, which I now play about 40% of the time, was picked up more recently with the band. So pretty much I learned both for the band.

MCB: Is it more amazing for you to be playing sold out smaller shows far from where you started out or the sold out big shows and festivals closer to North Carolina?

BC: You need to have the same mindset no matter where you play. However, a big show can really get away from you and can really go by in a flash. There is this feeling with bigger shows sometimes that you can’t ever get your feet on the ground before it’s over. The smaller shows and the ones far from home can often end up being a bit more relaxed.

MCB: Do you guys have a favorite place or part of the country to play?

BC: No way, we are just thankful to be able to do what we do.

MCB: Alright, Bob, thanks for your time, we’ll see you in Detroit.

BC: Thank you, I love Detroit, you guys are underdogs but make time to fill our shows and that’s great.

The Avett Brothers will be headlining 93.9 Riverfest Saturday, July 24th along with One Eskimo and Justin Nozuka at the Filmore in Detroit. Ticket prices are between $35 and $45 at www.livenation.com