Cicada Rhythm – “Dirty Hound”
SXSW 2018 - OEB Score 6; Popularity Index: 3
Pairs well with…Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Shovel & Rope, Wood Brothers
Are you a sucker for a band with a backstory romance? Andrea DeMarcus, a Julliard-trained bassist had returned home to Georgia when a disheveled David Kirslis (guitar/vocals) literally hopped off a freight train, and after some resistance, into her life. DeMarcus’ voice and music are polished finesse. Kirslis’ authentic twang is straight up from a mountain holler. The combination is their unique take on Americana bluegrass/country/Southern blues. But beware, cicadas spend more than a decade gestating underground. They are clearly not a species in a hurry. Similarly, Cicada Rhythm’s music is often dreamily slow and requires a listener to lean in although their harmonies are generally terrific. They also now have a full band for live performances and their first album includes a few more energetic songs such as “Dirty Hound,” which channels a bit of The Band. Listen carefully though because the song starts with recorded cicada mating trills – for which the technical term is “stridulations.” Yes, OEB is also now your source for insect trivia. (guest reviewer: David Zlotnick)
