[Day 18] Shovels & Rope

Members:

Cary Ann Hearst (Vocals, Guitar, Drums)

Michael Trent (Vocals, Guitar, Banjo, Harmonica, Drums)



Biography:

Shovels & Rope is a husband and wife duo out of South Carolina. The pair met in 2003 while on a tour with fellow musician friends and have been together ever since. The duo released their first album under the moniker Shovels & Rope in 2012 after releasing an album in 2008 titled Shovels & Rope under their real names, Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent. Trent's growling voice pairs extremely well with Hearts booming sound that reminds you of many of the Queens of Country. The band blends fast paced songs with slow love tunes, songs about murder and songs about the blues all into an eclectic catalog of music. The duo mixes folk, rock and plenty of country twang to please listeners of many different genres, but urges listeners to dig deeper into the songs than just what the genre states. They'd rather you ask their opinions on dinosaurs rather than ask what you think they describe their music as. Shovels & Rope first started touring in 2010 after playing a few bar shows and have been on and off the road ever since.

Both Hearst and Trent have solo careers along with their involvement in Shovels & Rope.




Discography:




Sounds Like

Genre: Folk, Alt- Country, Rock, Americana

Sounds Like: The Lumineers, Langhorne Slim and The Law, The Civil Wars, Carolina Chocolate Drops

Related Artists: Shakey Graves, Willie Nelson, The Avett Brothers, J Roddy Watson and the Business

Similar Bonnaroo Artists: The Avett Brothers, Carolina Chocolate Drops, J Roddy Watson and the Business, The Lone Bellow, Valerie June, Lake Street Drive



Suggested Listening:



Gasoline (Shovels & Rope)


This is the first Shovels & Rope song I heard. I was instantly hooked.



Birmingham (O' Be Joyful)


This video is fun. Two kids play Hearst and Trent as they go through life. The Shovels & Rope make small cameo appearances.



Lay Low (O' Be Joyful)



Shovels & Rope jam out with their friend J Roddy Watson and play Boys Can Never Tell


Watson's sweater is straight outta Trent's closest. He rocks it well.



Fun Facts:



- The couple's dog, Townes van Zandt, is their pride and joy. He is featured in nearly all of their music videos (as you could see) and is even the band's profile picture for their Facebook page.

-The couple currently resides on a small farm where they spend their free time making music and raising chickens.





Personal Notes:

I really dig these guys. I adore Hearst's voice. Shovels & Rope is great drivin' with the windows down music. If all goes according to plan I'll see these guys 2-4 times this summer. I haven't had a chance to catch them yet, but they're one of my most anticipated acts of the summer!


Why You See Them at Bonnaroo:
If you want to have a boot stompin' dancing good time, this is a show for you.