It’s always a pleasant surprise when an artist from way back contacts you out of the blue. Irish based I Draw Slow were a regular on the station a few years back when they sent me a demo which I was very keen on. They’ve since released an album titled “Downside” which includes some of those demo tracks which have stayed true to their “live sound” using traditional “one-mic” recording. Back then I described them as:
“..probably the best contemporary bluegrass album I’ve ever heard. Excellent vocals, beautifully crafted lyrics and great foot tapping music. I can’t praise them enough!”
That overall impression hasn’t changed. Listening to them again with fresh ears, which has had many new folk bands enrich them since, I Draw Slow sound as original now as they did then, a sure credit to them! They have kept their melodies and compositions simple and still have a drive that will wash away crowds. They blend a beautiful mix of folk roots, alt-country and old-time alongside their traditional Irish roots.
Of course, their melodies may be simple but the subject matter of their songs certainly isn’t with some unusual less heard of stories of today such as a “lesbian lighthouse keeper, a lovelorn prostitute and a pair of pilgrims on a journey to non-belief”.
The album has caught on well resulting in both television and many festival appearances and is available worldwide. It’s a real pleasure to be able to re-introduce them again to the station! They contacted me to share this video which is set in beautiful coastal woodland, a natural eclipse to their collective talents. They also have a new album due out in February 2011 titled Red Hills.
Buy from Amazon: Downside