Punch Brothers fans in Black Mountain, NC, got a sneak peek at the band’s upcoming album, All Ashore, a week before its July 20 release date. Their appearance at the outdoor Pisgah Brewing Company is just their second stop on a series of tours that will take them across the U.S. and back.
Madison Cunningham
Joining the band for most of their upcoming tour is Madison Cunningham, a Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter who has previously appeared with Chris Thile on his radio show, Live From Here. As I listened to her music, it quickly became clear why she’s on tour with Punch Brothers – her dynamic songwriting ability and commensurate talent on both guitar and vocals pair with the Punch Brothers like a fine wine precedes the main course . I enjoyed her jazzy, slightly raspy vocals (that reminded me a bit of Nora Jones) and smooth electric guitar stylings.
The Band
Being a long-time Chris Thile fan, I was excited to see Punch Brothers live for the first time since I was introduced to Nickel Creek via This Side back in the early 2000’s. It was listening to Chris play the hook from This Side that inspired me to first pick up a mandolin, and most of the first tunes I learned were Nickel Creek tunes.
So when I discovered that Punch Brothers had three tour dates in my area, I jumped on the opportunity to see them. (Confession: I packed my mandolin in my car in case I had the one-in-a-million chance to pick a tune with Chris. Spoiler: it didn’t happen.)
It’s been a journey listening to Chris develop as a musician since his Nickel Creek days. He’s always been a mandolin virtuoso. To wit, I was chatting with an older gentleman earlier this week at I’m With Her’s show in Saxapahaw, NC who was reminiscing about this kid who was wandering around MerleFest years ago, jumping from jam to jam. “He was irritating as hell,” he said, “but he was good.” The kid was Chris Thile.
Chris brings the same wonder, passion, and energy into his music today – except he’s grown leaps and bounds as he’s explored genres (Bach, anyone?) and developed his own unique style that has put him in a league of his own. I can honestly say that there isn’t another musician alive who is anything like Chris Thile.
And I believe that’s how and why Punch Brothers came to be: each of the five members that make up the band are virtuosos in their own right. Noam Pikelny has been described as “the preeminent banjoist of his generation.” Guitarist Chris Eldridge was a founding member of The Infamous Stringdusters. Violinist Gabe Witcher was playing on stage with Bill Monroe at age 6. And bassist Paul Kowert – get this – literally played a part of an instrumental fiddle tune on a bowed upright bass during the concert. #MindBlown
When you put five musicians of that caliber in a room together, you’re bound to get some innovative work. With all of the components of a traditional five piece bluegrass band, but the ability to play virtually any piece under the sun with unparalleled precision, the only way to go is to chart new territory. And that’s precisely what the Punch Brothers delivers.
When you put five musicians of that caliber in a room together, you’re bound to get some innovative work. With all of the components of a traditional five piece bluegrass band, but the ability to play virtually any piece under the sun with unparalleled precision, the only way to go is to chart new territory. And that’s precisely what the Punch Brothers delivers.
The Show
Beyond talent, Punch Brothers puts on a fascinating show. Chris Thile has honed his presentation through years in the spotlight and as host of the radio variety show Live From Here, he has developed a wit and charm that hooks the audience with no other choice but to like him. At one point during the evening, Chris said, “The secret about musicians is that they can never get enough attention.” And for him, I believe it’s absolutely true – he soaks in the appreciation from the crowd and then turns it right back around to them, treating the audience as if they were family hanging out in the den together.
It’s obvious, too, that they’re not there simply to make music – they’re there to have fun doing it and to invite the crowd into that experience.
It’s obvious, too, that they’re not there simply to make music – they’re there to have fun doing it and to invite the crowd into that experience. As the band plays, every movement is choreographed and deliberate. From the way the musicians interact on stage to the infamous Chris Thile “wiggle,” each of the musicians treats their body as an extension of their instrument.
After the first couple of songs, the band announced that they would be playing the entirety of their new album, All Ashore, during the performance. This was a treat, as the album isn’t scheduled to be released for another week. I won’t spoil the surprise, but I will say this: get your pre-order in. If you’re a Punch Brothers fan, you’ll be playing it on repeat. Several of my friends who are more bluegrass traditionalists were concerned that it would be too far out there for their tastes – and for good reason. Some of Punch Brothers’ more progressive/experimental songs are a little weird for me. All Ashore strikes a balance of the creativity and innovation we’ve come to expect from Punch Brothers in a package that even traditionalists can appreciate.
Of course, in addition to their new music, they brought out several of their classics, inviting the audience to sing along to well-known songs such as My Oh My and Julep. True fans identified themselves by cheering when they heard the opening riffs for their favorite songs. Throughout the concert, the crowd was engaged, bopping along to the more upbeat tunes and standing captivated by the melancholy pieces.
Where to see Punch Brothers live
Their stop in Black Mountain, NC marked the second of a string of tour dates that will have them in the south through the end of July, heading to the northeast into August, then heading cross country and back again through September. European fans can catch the group live in November. Check their website to see if the band will be in your neighborhood soon.