Posts Tagged ‘tour’

Contagious Energy – Oakhurst steers clear of the Colorado jam band stereotype

by Ariana Kramer

Some of you may recognize Max Paley from his stint in Taos a few years back with the Brent Berry Band and Max Gomez. These days he plays mandolin, guitar and sings with Oakhurst, a Denver-based band that blends country, bluegrass, blues and rock. Oakhurst plays Saturday (Jan. 28), 8 pm, in the dance hall pavilion at KTAOS Solar Center, 9 State Road 150, El Prado.

According to Paley, Oakhurst was born in an old abandoned yogurt factory in Denver back in 2000 when bass player Johnny Qualley and singer/guitarist Adam Hill started playing music together. The original band included drums and piano, and later added mandolina and banjo. Hill, who is from Knoxville, Tenn., drew from his Appalachian roots to influence Oakhurst’s distinctive style of bluegrass. The current lineup includes Qualley and Hill as well as Daniel Walker on guitars and vocals; Chris Budin on drums and vocals; and Paley on mandolin, guitar and vocals.

“The musical influences of the current members of the band allow for a unique musical cocktail,” Paley said, “combining elements of country, bluegrass, blues and rock into a roiling, foot-stomping sound that is uniquely Oakhurst.”

The band’s primary influences are John Hartford, John Prine, Flaming Lips, Leftover Salmon, Ween, Wilco, and the Infamous Stringdusters. Oakhurst has been recruited to play with jam-grass bands including Leftover Salmon, Yonder Mountain String Band, Americana’s Avett Brothers and John Hiatt, country icons Emmylou Harris and Lyle Lovett, and rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Oakhurst is about to unveil their newest CD, “Barrel,” with a release date of April 2012. Recorded in Nashville with producers Joe Pisapia (K.D. Lang, Guster) and Elijah “Lij” Shaw, the album is the first to include new members Max Paley and Daniel Walker, and incorporates more alternative country and rock influences than previous recordings.

“Barrel” is Oakhursts fifth studio recording. “Dual Mono” (2005) and “Jump in the Get Down” (2008) are the bands two most recent releases. “Dual Mono” was recorded in a rural cabin in Colorado and explores both bluegrass and newgrass musical styles with a little bit of rock influence, according to Paley. “The record,” he said, “steers clear of the jam band qualities of many Colorado bluegrass acts, instead focusing on rustic, roots, Americana and bluegrass music. “Jump in the Get Down,” recorded in Denver, continues in the bluegrass tradition and is anchored by some original instrumental tunes and exceptional songwriting by lead singer Adam Hill.

A preview EP of “Barrel” is available for free by visiting the band’s website at www.oakhurstmusic.com. It features the CD’s title song and “Hallelu,” two quick-footed rollicking numbers, as well as “I’ll be Alright,” a sweet love song. Additional music can be heard on their MySpace site at www.myspace.com/oakhurstmusic.

Oakhurst has come to Taos several times since Paley joined the band. He’s pleased to be back for a show at the Solar Center, and promises “the same contagious energy and fire-burning, rockin’ bluegrass that we bring to over 120 venues in 20-plus states every year.”

Tickets are $7 at the door. For more information, call (575) 758 5826.