With the launch of their new album, “Morning Blues,” Alaskan old-time string band Big Chimney Barn Dance rips apart conventional boundaries and emerges with a fresh batch of songs that powerfully capture the joy of their live performances. The new album features a potent blend of traditional tunes, original fiddle tunes, and covers from an eclectic bunch such as Mississippi John Hurt, Gus Cannon and his Jug Stompers, and fellow Alaskan Annalisa Tornfelt.
A tune highlighting the band's infectious energy is the boisterous rework of the traditional song “Holly Ding,” now bearing the name Bank Holiday, which is a celebration of the musical alignment and inside jokes that can emerge from a long tour.
“Big Chimney Barn Dance rips apart conventional boundaries and emerges with a fresh batch of songs that powerfully capture the joy of their live performances.”
Big Chimney Barn Dance specializes in a unique style of North Country Americana dance music. Steeped in songs and the fiddle tradition of the hills of Southern Appalachia, the band honed their sound in the cabins found at the foot of the Chugach Mountains in Alaska. Big Chimney features fiddlers Danny Consenstein and Carter Bancroft, guitarist Nate Williamson, Jay Marvin on banjo, and Rachel Overby on bass. They are often joined by Peter Hamre (mandolin) and Scotty Meyer (fiddle), and other very cherished members Garren Volper (bass), Jason Norris(fiddle), and Natalie Padilla (fiddle).
Big Chimney is an accomplished touring act with a history of touring throughout Ireland, Wales, and England, as well as playing extensively around Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, and at festivals like the Austin Stringband Festival in Austin, Texas and Dare to Be Square West in Portland and Boise. With a potent combination of driving dance tunes and memorable songs, Big Chimney is just as at home playing a square dance as they are a listening room concert or a raucous pub gig.
“Residing an entire continent away from the birthplace of Appalachian stringband music, these Alaskans have a take on old-time string band music which is at once fresh and authentic. Big Chimney Barn-Dance has all the drive you’d ever want, combined with powerful singing and expert playing.
Morning Blues is a refreshing set of obscure and original fiddle tunes, jug band chestnuts, and a few familiar songs reimagined through the Big Chimney lens. These tunes have just enough dirt, salmon guts and moonshine on them to be the real thing.”
