Brushfire, based in Asheville, North Carolina, is spreading their special blend of toe tappin', shoe shufflin’ “stankgrass” from high atop the Blue Ridge Mountains to lands beyond. Their strikingly original music is on the edge of today’s ever-evolving newgrass movement, and sizzles with a wide range of musical tastes ranging from traditional bluegrass, to reggae, to unpredictable improvisational rides.
With lyrical hooks that will capture your imagination and intricate arrangements that will dazzle your ears, Brushfire is exploding with musical chemistry. At the core of this talented band are the Saylor Brothers, who have been playing and composing music together for over a dozen years. The Brothers have meshed their skills with the unmatched drumming prowess of Ian Cunningham and the bass work of Bryan White to produce this fiery phenomenon that always leaves audiences begging for more.
Powered by captivating live shows and the independent release of their album, Stankgrass, in late 2004, Brushfire is scorching the southeastern music scene. The group is receiving airtime on Chapel Hill’s WXYC and Western North Carolina’s WNCW and has appeared live in the studio for WNCW’s Local Color program. It's smooth, it's stanky, and it comes straight from the heart of the Southern Appalachians. Watch out, Brushfire is spreading!
What is Stankgrass!?
Is it bluegrass, acoustic trance, newgrass, rock, reggae. . . funk? The answer is YES to all of these. “Stankgrass” is the music of Asheville’s newest sensation, Brushfire, and the title of their first release. When asked to describe their music, brothers Will & Ben Saylor (guitar & banjo respectively) offer the following explanation.
“Our music is the combination of many influences we’ve been exposed to over the years. We were never satisfied playing just one style of music since there have been so many different artists that have inspired us. So instead of playing with several different types of bands, we’ve combined them all in one group.” The result is a heady mix that is pleasing to the ear, refreshingly original, but also steeped in mountain tradition.
“I grew up playing traditional bluegrass banjo, but I have always experimented with different styles” says Ben. “Growing up listening to everything from hip-hop to Hank Williams, my original songs came out reflecting a wide array of influences.” While Brushfire’s music may be difficult to classify, it is definitely not difficult to enjoy. This is due in part to the group’s remarkable skill and chemistry. After all, the Saylor brothers have picked together since childhood.
“When we formed the group we knew it would be tough to find musicians who could incorporate all the styles we wanted to play. But we happened to know a couple of the best musicians in town who we thought might be up to the task,” says Will. The brothers recruited drummer Ian Cunningham and bassist Joe Burkette, two veterans of the Asheville music scene. Together, this potent quartet can shift, change, and re-invent their music any given night through dazzling displays of improvisation.
Brushfire shows consist of a combination of traditionals, covers, and original songs all with a healthy dose of jam. “We’ll do anything from The Grateful Dead, to John Hartford, to Hank Williams so there’s a little something for everybody." says Will.
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