NORWICH – For all true music lovers out there looking for a live show this weekend, look no further than the Blarney Stone Pub in downtown Norwich on Friday, Jan. 24.
The Birdseed Bandits – an upstate trio consisting of Adam Ludemann, Seth Becker, and Nash Robb – have a unique style which has been described in a number of ways and crosses the boundaries of multiple genres of both the acoustic and electric spectrum.
In gaining influences from all over the musical landscape, the band has been called a mix of the Punk and American genres, or “Punkicana,” “Adirondack Folk,” “Foot stomping” “Folk Rock,” “Alternative Americana,” and several other loose variations of the like.
While the Bandits’ sound is a hybrid of both mainstream and indie sounds, Becker, the group’s primary guitar player and multi-instrumentalist, said, “We kinda just take what we can get because we don't want to be labeled as a 'Bluegrass' act ... We are far from that. Pretty much, we're up for any label people want to throw on us.”
He added, “We like ‘Folk-Rock.’”
Becker isn't the only multi-instrumentalist in the ensemble. Although the live performances have less swapping of instruments for the sake of continuity, the level of talent within the group is compounded by the fact that all three are well-versed in a variety of tools of their trade, a flexible quality which is often tapped during the recording process.
“With their high energy performances and raw acoustic sound created through their use of banjo, acoustic guitar, mandolin, upright bass, piano, accordion, and ringing harmonies, (The Birdseed Bandits) have cultivated a voice all their own,” says the Bandits’ website.
The Birdseed Bandits released its first studio Album in 2013. The self-titled debut features the best of its two prior EP offerings along with a number of songs that had been saved specifically for the album.
Recorded at Subcat Studios in Syracuse, and produced by Robert Acquaviva and Ron Keck, the album is emblazoned with energy and effectively conveys exciting nature and enthusiasm of the live set that the band performs at least weekly.
“In the winter months, the show schedule slows down a bit as with most traveling bands. But during he summer, we're oftentimes booking between four and five shows a week,” said Becker.
With last year’s album under their belt and their mile-long show list to boot, The Birdseed Bandits are wrapping up the touring season and getting ready to head back into the studio.By Matthew White
Sun Staff Writer
mwhite@evesun.com
NORWICH – For all true music lovers out there looking for a live show this weekend, look no further than the Blarney Stone Pub in downtown Norwich on Friday, Jan. 24.
The Birdseed Bandits – an upstate trio consisting of Adam Ludemann, Seth Becker, and Nash Robb – have a unique style which has been described in a number of ways and crosses the boundaries of multiple genres of both the acoustic and electric spectrum.
In gaining influences from all over the musical landscape, the band has been called a mix of the Punk and American genres, or “Punkicana,” “Adirondack Folk,” “Foot stomping” “Folk Rock,” “Alternative Americana,” and several other loose variations of the like.
While the Bandits’ sound is a hybrid of both mainstream and indie sounds, Becker, the group’s primary guitar player and multi-instrumentalist, said, “We kinda just take what we can get because we don't want to be labeled as a 'Bluegrass' act ... We are far from that. Pretty much, we're up for any label people want to throw on us.”
He added, “We like ‘Folk-Rock.’”
