Artist Spotlight: Infamous Stringdusters
Courtesy of Greg Grogan
The Infamous Stringdusters are a Grammy award-winning Quintet consisting of Andy Falco (guitar), Chris Pandolfi (banjo), Andy Hall (dobro), Jeremy Garrett (fiddle), and Travis Brook (double bass). The Appalachian Preservation Project is proud to present the Infamous Stringdusters as this week’s artist spotlight.
The following answers are courtesy of Travis Brook.
How did the Infamous Stringdusters come together as a band? How long have you been together?
We met over the course of several years playing on the scene, playing with other artists and at the annual IBMA Convention. We converged in Nashville in 2015 to record our debut record and have been playing ever since.
What is your background?
I grew up in Colorado and discovered Bluegrass music in Durango, CO. I was playing in a band called Broke Mountain when I met the rest of the Dusters at IBMA in 2014. I moved to Nashville in 2015, then to Nelson County Virginia and finally to my forever home in Brevard, NC.
What is the inspiration behind the name "Infamous Stringdusters?"
Our original guitar player's father, the legendary Ben Eldridge from the Seldom Scene suggested Stringdusters. Our lawyer advised we add something to it as there was another band called the Stringdusters so after much deliberation, we added Infamous. We're still growing into it.
What artists are currently inspiring the band?
I can only speak for myself, but I'm inspired by everything I hear. I don't draw specific inspiration from specific artists because I'm focused on making an original statement with my music.
How would you describe the band's sound/style?
American Stringband Music. Or derivative of Bluegrass. Or as Doc Watson would say "Traditional plus" which means traditional music plus everything else we've ever heard.
How do you hope your music impacts people?
Positively, I guess. Honestly, I just make the music, how it's perceived or how it impacts people is almost entirely out of my hands.
What life experiences inform your music?
All of them!?!? I don't think I can be any more specific... the music just happens, I think of something I want to say or something I want to play and I say it or play it.
What is the importance of collaborating and engaging with fellow musicians?
It's essential to my expression and growth as a musician. I host a different group of musicians every week at 185 King St. in Brevard. It's billed as Travis Book and Friends and I've hosted over 100 different musicians in the last three years. Everyone I come in contact with teaches me something and helps open me up to new ideas and new musical possibilities. Collaboration is what drives my music.
Are you currently touring? Where can people find your show dates?
We tour about half the year. Currently, I'm home, but we're in California next week. Our website is the best place to find our tour dates.
Are you working on a recording project? If so, tell me about it.
We're always working on a recording project. We're about to release our Tribute to Flatt & Scruggs. We have a record of covers titled Undercover Vol 3 that'll drop later this year. I have a solo record I'm finishing up that comes out in October. The band will be back in the studio this winter to record another record... it literally never ends.
