Susquehanna Folk is thrilled to feature the progressive string band Twisted Pine at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in York, PA on Saturday, December 10th at 7:30 p.m. (Doors are at 6:30 p.m.). More information can be found on the Susquehanna Folk Music Society website. Tickets for the concert are $24 General Admission, $20 for SFMS members, and $10 for students. Tickets for this concert can be purchased on the Susquehanna Folk Music Society website.
photo by Jo Chattman — art by Aria Mickenberg
Twisted Pine is a Boston-based spacecraft of a band that was once bluegrass but is now “something else, a wider version of a string band, boundary jumpers akin to outfits like Punch Brothers, Nickel Creek, and Crooked Still” [The Boston Globe]. Their soundscape has all the sass of zero-gravity pop; the grooves of 2 am funk jams; the astral flute and shoobedoos of 70s radio; and lyric narratives packed with the elements of earthling mountain music. The album art from their 2020 sophomore release “Right Now” pays homage to Father John Misty and Tex Logan — two points that intersect the plane of this exquisite world.
Twisted Pine is Kathleen Parks (Newburgh, NY) on fiddle and lead vox; Dan Bui (Houston, TX) on mandolin; Chris Sartori (Concord, MA) on bass; and Twisted Pine’s newest addition, Anh Phung (Chilliwack, BC) on flute. Everybody sings. Twisted Pine plays under the influence of explorers Jerry Douglas (with whom the band occasionally tours), Bela Fleck, Sierra Hull, Billy Strings, The Wood Brothers, and Lake Street Dive and Crooked Still (label mates at Signature Sounds Recordings).
SFMS staff writer, Mary-Grace A. Lee, had the opportunity to interview Twisted Pine’s mandolinist, Dan Bui, about their latest album, Right Now, the band’s collaboration process, and exciting upcoming tours and projects.
How did Twisted Pine come about?
Twisted Pine was originally formed as a bluegrass band in Boston’s fertile acoustic music scene. We met and started playing music and hanging out at various jams, local gigs, bluegrass festivals etc…Our original repertoire was pretty straight bluegrass! Over the years we started to develop a sound that was more unique to us individually, started writing original songs, released a couple records, and started touring.
You released your album, “Right Now” in summer 2020. Fantastic album! Although the band is rooted in the bluegrass tradition, this album breaks barriers and experiments with different genres. This album “has all the sass of zero-gravity pop; the grooves of 2 a.m. funk jams; the astral flute and shoobedoos of 70s radio.” How did the idea for “Right Now” originate?
The process for Right Now was very organic. We had been working on a few new songs when Anh (our flute player) joined. We had already been experimenting with different genres and thinking outside traditional bluegrass, but with the new lineup, we were really able to lean into a sound that drew more heavily from jazz, funk, pop, as well as bluegrass and fiddle music. Collectively, we have a diverse taste in music and as we grow more comfortable writing and playing together, all of these influences have started to come out naturally.
Twisted Pine has multiple band members. With that, I’m sure there are a lot of different ideas when it comes to arranging and songwriting. What does the collaboration process look like?
Each song is unique and often it takes us a while to figure out what works for a particular song. Kathleen (fiddle and lead vocals) is our primary songwriter, and often brings fully written songs to the band that we arrange together. We try to approach every song with an open mind and allow the groove, song structure, lyrics, arrangement to develop. A lot of songs and arrangement ideas come about from jamming together at soundcheck, in green rooms, or even onstage!
Susquehanna Folk is super honored to be a part of your tour! It has been a busy season for the band. What were some of the highlights on this tour?
2022 is wrapping up, and we are heading into a new year. What’s next for Twisted Pine? Do you have any exciting plans for the new year?
In terms of touring and playing great shows around the country, 2022 has been our best year yet. Heading into the new year, we are excited to be working on a new album. We’re currently writing songs for the next album (and we may play a few of them for you!)
Festival season is always a super busy and rewarding part of any year for us. This last one has been epic. Some of our festival highlights have been the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Philadelphia Folk Fest, Toronto Jazz Fest, and Delfest. But there are so many great ones throughout the summer!
Twisted Pine will be performing at Unitarian Universalist Congregation in York, PA on Saturday, December 10th at 7:30 p.m. (Doors are at 6:30). More information can be found on the Susquehanna Folk Music Society website. Tickets for the concert are $24 General Admission, $20 for SFMS members, and $10 for students. Tickets for this concert can be purchased on the Susquehanna Folk Music Society website.
Mary-Grace A. Lee is a Harrisburg area musician. You can find her on Facebook and Instagram @thatdulcimergirl her youtube channel, and her official site. Mary-Grace also plays with the Celtic group, Seasons.
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