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 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.
Thanks for the add. I'm from Maine and I heard "Throw Me in the River" on the radio at 12 am one night, it's such a beautiful song, so I bought the record. Thanks for keeping good music alive.
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