The Pines and photographer Danny Wilcox Frazier
FilmScene — Fri., Apr. 1 at 3 p.m.
The Pines, with Bo Ramsey
Englert Theatre — Fri., Apr. 1 at 7 p.m.
In the Little Village review of The Pines’ latest album, Above The Prairie (Red House Records), Matt Steele quotes an interview with Benson Ramsey: “[T]raditional music holds [The Pines] together. We’re not really chasing a new thing that might cause things to separate. We’re still rooted in the Iowa songwriters and the blues/folk tradition of music. I think that’s the glue.” The Pines sound is rooted in tradition, but is also their own unique ethereal, atmospheric and often impressionistic spin on folk and blues.
On Friday, Apr. 1, The Pines will be performing at two events in Iowa City. The first performance will be at FilmScene from 3-4 p.m. as part of a screening of Danny Wilcox Frazier’s photographs of rural communities. Frazier provided the cover picture for The Pines’ EP Pasture: Folk Songs. In addition to a live performance, band members Benson Ramsey and David Huckfelt will discuss their collaboration with him.
When Benson Ramsey speaks of tradition, he’s referring to a rich tradition of Iowa songwriters that includes Greg Brown, Dave Zollo and Dave Moore, as well as his father. Bo Ramsey’s constant guiding hand over The Pines’ five albums and one EP helps to carry that tradition. At 7 p.m. on Friday, he will be opening for The Pines at the Englert. Don’t miss this chance to see these two generations of Iowa music on one stage. Tickets are $20–22.
