Band of Annuals
by Lyuba Basin [ lyubasin@hotmail.com]
Issue 233 / May 2008 More from this Issue
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If you've spent time in Salt Lake City's underground community, you've seen how the music scene has changed. In the 80s, raw local bands like Iceburn created a distinct generation of sound, later inspiring other acts into the 90s like Red Bennies and Tolchock Trio. Each new band helped to evolve SLC's scene with their different approach and music style. These originals (including countless other Utah bands) paved the way for many artists to follow-including one of SLC's most impressive and talented groups yet: Band of Annuals, the leaders of today's emerging new folk scene in Utah.
This fall will mark Band of Annuals' four-year anniversary. Throughout this period they have experimented with other musicians and morphed together two former projects (Brownham and Alpha Brown) while switching drummers multiple times, ending with newest member Charlie Lewis (The Wolfs,The Rubes). With Lewis, the band is made up of Jay Henderson (vocals, harmonica, guitar), Jamie Timm (electric guitar), Brent Dreiling (pedal steel), Trever Hadley (bass) and Jeremi Hanson (vocals, Wurlitzer organ). At last, B.O.A. have settled into their skin and are ready to hypnotize the city with their sultry folk sounds. However, this rising genre didn't magically appear from thin air, folk music has been around for years, and the youth are finally beginning to appreciate it. "It's because its roots music, it's in everything," Henderson says and recently, it's been on everyone's minds.
"We've been playing the same gigs and venues for years," Timm adds, agreeing that the popularizing of the folk genre isn't some new discovery. Along with other veterans like Glade and David Williams, BoA is able to influence similar artists to step out of their shell and help create a whole atmosphere. The new growth in SLC's folk artists has sparked some friendly competition, but nothing that BoA can't handle. "At one point they [the other folk bands] will try to be better than us, so we have to step up and be better than them," Dreiling says with a smirk full of confidence. Who would disagree? Stepping it up is the right direction to go in; BoA keeps your music passionate and alluring.
The truth is, there is no real competition; there are no shirts and skins in this game, "Everyone plays with everyone," Timm explains. There are many side projects connected to B.O.A such as the Black Hens, Blue Sunshine Soul, Cub Country, Bronco, The Wolfs and The Rubes. Dreiling has even obtained the reputation of being the "pedal steel slut" by his entire band since his pedal steel can be heard on most of the side project's albums. Even though they have many of the same members, each act's live show is incredibly diverse. Playing in the different bands and experimenting with different styles allows BoA the opportunity to learn new skills as well as giving them room to grow as musicians.
Earlier this year, on April 3, BoA and Daniel Johnston performed together at In the Venue. BoA backed the well-known artist during eight different songs even though They were only given one week to learn them. Being the talented musicians that they are, they were able to pull it off with finesse and left even brother/tour manager, Dick Johnston completely amazed. After the show, Johnston compared the set of his songs and their music to a George Harrison solo project. The audience was surprised; "People that were there to see us were really shocked to see what we were playing because it was definitely rock n roll," Dreiling says.
This fall will mark Band of Annuals' four-year anniversary. Throughout this period they have experimented with other musicians and morphed together two former projects (Brownham and Alpha Brown) while switching drummers multiple times, ending with newest member Charlie Lewis (The Wolfs,The Rubes). With Lewis, the band is made up of Jay Henderson (vocals, harmonica, guitar), Jamie Timm (electric guitar), Brent Dreiling (pedal steel), Trever Hadley (bass) and Jeremi Hanson (vocals, Wurlitzer organ). At last, B.O.A. have settled into their skin and are ready to hypnotize the city with their sultry folk sounds. However, this rising genre didn't magically appear from thin air, folk music has been around for years, and the youth are finally beginning to appreciate it. "It's because its roots music, it's in everything," Henderson says and recently, it's been on everyone's minds.
"We've been playing the same gigs and venues for years," Timm adds, agreeing that the popularizing of the folk genre isn't some new discovery. Along with other veterans like Glade and David Williams, BoA is able to influence similar artists to step out of their shell and help create a whole atmosphere. The new growth in SLC's folk artists has sparked some friendly competition, but nothing that BoA can't handle. "At one point they [the other folk bands] will try to be better than us, so we have to step up and be better than them," Dreiling says with a smirk full of confidence. Who would disagree? Stepping it up is the right direction to go in; BoA keeps your music passionate and alluring.
The truth is, there is no real competition; there are no shirts and skins in this game, "Everyone plays with everyone," Timm explains. There are many side projects connected to B.O.A such as the Black Hens, Blue Sunshine Soul, Cub Country, Bronco, The Wolfs and The Rubes. Dreiling has even obtained the reputation of being the "pedal steel slut" by his entire band since his pedal steel can be heard on most of the side project's albums. Even though they have many of the same members, each act's live show is incredibly diverse. Playing in the different bands and experimenting with different styles allows BoA the opportunity to learn new skills as well as giving them room to grow as musicians.
Earlier this year, on April 3, BoA and Daniel Johnston performed together at In the Venue. BoA backed the well-known artist during eight different songs even though They were only given one week to learn them. Being the talented musicians that they are, they were able to pull it off with finesse and left even brother/tour manager, Dick Johnston completely amazed. After the show, Johnston compared the set of his songs and their music to a George Harrison solo project. The audience was surprised; "People that were there to see us were really shocked to see what we were playing because it was definitely rock n roll," Dreiling says.
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