Tag Archives: Americana

The Pines — October 17

Pines-150Crossings brings The Pines to Zumbrota's State Theatre on Friday, October 17, at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $18 in advance, $20 at the door and can be purchased online or by calling 507-732-7616. Doors open at 6:30 pm.

Rising out of the prairies of the Midwest, The Pines are one of the most distinct and powerful indie-rock/Americana groups to hit the national scene in years. The Aeromatics featuring Jake Armerding will open.

With roots in the folk and blues of the heartland, The Pines craft that music into something new, a sound that wavers on the edge of traditional acoustic music, but embraces the nuances of today’s indie-rock and blues music. Founded by Iowa natives David Huckfelt and Benson Ramsey, The Pines weave together many musical styles to create their own unique sound that is hip and haunting.

Ramsey was reared on folk and blues music and those influences continue to shine through, even on louder electric songs. Huckfelt shares that deep love for traditional music, and together the two craft songs that evoke the ancient, while incorporating newer rock and pop grooves.

The mysterious sound of The Pines fuses Benson’s ethereal, otherworldly, heart-piercing songs with David’s earthy, darkly romantic and rough-hewn visionary tales. With masterful guitar work, beautiful vocals and the graceful keyboard and vocal additions of Benson’s brother Alex Ramsey, the core of The Pines’ sound captivates and elevates with rare intimacy.

The Pines’ devoted cult following and has led them to share the stage with such diverse acts as Bon Iver, Mavis Staples, The Arcade Fire, Iris DeMent, Mason Jennings and Spider John Koerner. A North American tour with Mason Jennings took them to 25 cities, opening for him and playing in his band.

Armed with only an octave violin and a drum set, The Aeromatics (Jake Armerding and Alexander Young) filter their myriad influences (classical, funk, 80's pop, folk songwriting and bluegrass, to name a handful) through the narrow spectrum of their own organically-grown sound.  No genre is ignored; no groove avoided; no compression added. Boston-area violinist and singer-songwriter Amerding opened for Storyhill at a Crossings-sponsored concert at the State Theatre in 2008, and appeared at Crossings as part of a duo in 2010.

The Pines

The State Theatre is located at 96 East 4th Street in Zumbrota, MN. (507) 732-5210.

The Tex Pistols Band — September 5

Tex-Pistols

Crossings brings The Tex Pistols Band to Zumbrota's State Theatre on Friday, September 5, at 8 pm. Tickets are $18 in advance, $20 at the door, and can be purchased online or by calling 507-732-7616. Doors open at 7 pm.

"The Tex Pistols aren't from the Lone Star State, don't pack anything but gear, and have nothing to do with punk or even cowpunk. But you have to love their name – and their experience in so many diverse combos (Daisy Dillman Band, Mary Jane Alm Band, Judd, et al.)" -Surowicz, Minneapolis Star Tribune

Four good friends become a great quartet of smoking hot guitars, emotive vocals and tight harmonies when The Tex Pistols Band take the stage.

Audiences will hear an Americana sound that’s classic yet unexpected. The Tex Pistols evoke shades of Neil Young and John Hiatt, Steve Earle and Steve Winwood, with some Eagles and Beatles thrown in for good measure.

Brian C. Peters, Dik Shopteau and Scott “Scooter” Nelson started sharing their country-influenced Americana sound in 1986, when they began touring extensively as The Tex Pistols. After four years, they hung up their hats on the band, but after a long hiatus the three reunited and added Boyd Lee.

The band released its second CD, “Hold On,” in 2011. Its first CD was "Fully Loaded," released in 2008.

All four members make their living in the music business, performing and recording with a variety of groups and artists in the Twin Cites and the national music scene. Members of the foursome have played with the likes of Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Beach Boys, Prince, Tina Turner, The Judds, Bob Weir, Clint Black, David Grisman, Reba McEntire, Charlie Daniels, The Neville Brothers, Average White Band, Hank Williams Jr., Spirit, Todd Rundgren, Sammy Hagar and Ronny Milsap.

“It’s like we all try to impress each other both live and in the studio, and it’s that pushing of the envelope every time that makes it fun for us and I think the audience as well,” says Lee.

The Tex Pistols

The State Theatre is located at 96 East 4th Street in Zumbrota. For more information call 507-732-5210.