Hailing from North Lake Tahoe, Calif., Americana band Dead Winter Carpenters has built a reputation for pouring their heart and soul into each performance. In just a few years, they have arrived, wrote Portland Metronome, “at the forefront of a youthful generation trying to redefine what string music is and what it can do.”
That progressive nature comes through loud and clear – from instruments plugged and unplugged – in the band’s coming release, Washoe (February 26). The band’s fourth studio project is a 12-song collection of original songs by Dead Winter Carpenter members. They include Jesse Dunn (acoustic and electric guitars, vocals), Jenni Charles (fiddle, vocals), Dave Lockhart (upright and electric bass, vocals), Bryan Daines (lead telecaster guitar, vocals), and Brian Huston (drums, vocals).
Washoe was recorded in Reno’s Sierra Sonics Studio (Ozzy Ozbourne, Eminem, Dr. Dre, Collective Soul) and co-produced by Dead Winter Carpenters and Zachary Girdis. The band’s previous albums include the acclaimed Dirt Nap (2014), Ain’t It Strange (2012) and the group's 2010 self-titled debut.
Reminiscent of genre-benders like Jack White, Chris Thile, and Sam Bush, the group harmoniously blends refined musical ability with a scarcely restrained tendency to let it all hang out. The result is a controlled burn, a riveting sound, and a connection with fans that sells out shows and has Dead Winter Carpenters sharing stages with the likes of Jason Isbell, Greensky Bluegrass, and Hard Working Americans.
Washoe’s diverse track list pays tribute to classic rock, progressive bluegrass, psychedelic alt-country, and rockabilly. “White River Junction,” by Dunn, manages both a modern and retro feel, with lovely twin fiddle / telecaster runs played by Charles and Bryan Daines. Other highlights include “Midnight Ghost,” “Love Amongst Thieves,” and “Winning Hand,” and the angst-tinged duet, “If I Wrote You A Song.”
A steadily touring band since forming in 2010, Dead Winter Carpenters has entertained growing crowds at notable festivals including Harvest Music Festival (Ark.), High Sierra Music Festival and Strawberry Music Festival (Cal.), Del Fest (Md.), Northwest String Summit (Ore.) and more.
The band hits the road in 2016 to give fans more of what Relix Magazine called a “fun, kick-up-your-heels live experience.”
2016 Tour Dates include:
Sat., Feb. 27 — Crystal Bay Club Hometown CD Release Show, Crystal Bay, Nev. *
Wed., March 2 — Volcanic Theatre Pub, Bend, Ore. *
Thurs., March 3 — Doug Fir Lounge, Portland, Ore. *
Fri., March 4 — Rhythm & Rye, Olympia, Wash. *
Thurs., March 17 — Cervantes’ Other Side (St. Paddy’s Day), Denver, Colo. *
Fri., March 18 — Hodi’s Half Note, Fort Collins, Colo. *
Sat., March 19 — Vail Ale House, Vail, Colo. *
Thurs., April 21 — Winstons, San Diego, Calif.
Fri., April 22 — Kohoutek Music Festival, Pitzer College, Claremont, Calif.
Sat., April 23 & 24 — Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival, Santa Clarita, Calif.
Fri., April 29 — Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, Calif. (with Sam Chase)
Fri., June 9 — Blue Ox Music Festival, Eau Claire, Wis.
Sat., July 16 — California World Music Festival, Grass Valley, Calif.
Sun., July 17 — California World Music Festival, Grass Valley, Calif.
Sun., July 24 — Jerry Jam, Bath, N.H.
Thurs., July 28 — FloydFest, Floyd, Va.
Fri., Jul 29 — FloydFest, Floyd, Va.
Fri. Aug. 5-7 — Salmonfest, Ninilchik, Ala.
*Dates include special guests, Gipsy Moon
