Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Home to both the University of Alabama and eager swarms of thirsty, fun-seeking, twenty-somethings. Dixie Land Delight, one might note as the campus-wide student anthem (UA-isms are even incorporated into the chorus for all to sing along through late night, whiskey soaked melodies), serves as a prime example of the weekend bar scene music that seeps deeper and deeper into the liquor soaked floorboards of our local watering-holes. As a Freshman woman on campus, I embraced the southern rock, jam band, and even occasional country tune that nearly every local performer has conquered...and performed... often. Now that my raging Greek days are over, I've grown tired and resentful of this repeated soundtrack after three and a half years. I've grown up.
Always a well-rounded enthusiast of great music, I am confident in recognizing good stuff when I hear it. For me, it is an immediate reaction, a passion sparked within the first few seconds of a track. It happens. Quickly. The only band of my college experience to muster up anything close to this excitement is local band, Sparrow + the Ghost. I am, simply put, refreshed. I heard them play for the first time a few weeks ago, and have since attended all showings there have been to offer. I’m completely jazzed on them right now. I would describe their music as having a very organic, indie-folk sound. Stuart Bond and Rachael Roberts, Johnny and June, are a couple who pull it duet-style on the vocals. Bond also contributes both electric and acoustic guitar, as well as the occasional taste of banjo love, while Reed Watson gets righteous on the drums. These are a few rough shots taken from my phone at one of their shows a few weeks ago…
. Check them out for yourselves, Hackberry Records (creator Reed Watson) has posted Sparrow + the Ghost's "Living Room EP" for free download, just go to http://hackberryrecords.com .
