Hot on the heels of the release of their new LP, Flat Baroque, San Francisco's The Parmesans headline RLC Bluegrass Thursday with their unique brand of contemporary folk, alt. country, not-quite-bluegrass sound. Alex and Todd open the show at 8pm after our weekly bluegrass jam at 6pm.
$6 Adv – $8 Door
Doors @ 6 PM (pre-show bluegrass jam)
The Parmesans are a string trio from San Francisco, California. Part contemporary folk, part alternative country, sort of blues and not quite bluegrass, their music centers on vocal harmony supported by arrangements for acoustic guitar, mandolin, double bass and trumpet. They released their debut LP, Wolf Eggs, in 2013 followed by the Nature’s Burrito EP and the Flat Baroque LP in 2014.
The Parmesans Official Site
The Parmesans on Facebook
The Parmesans on Bandcamp
Both Alex and Todd are well-known in the Atlanta music scene. Alex has played guitar and banjo since grammar school in folk, old-time, and bluegrass groups, and lead guitar in rock bands. He has played with Larry Campbell of Bob Dylan, Phil Lesh and Levon Helm fame, Mike Dowling, Toby Walker, and David Bromberg. He is the most accomplished fingerpicker and you will hear the influence of Doc Watson, Norman Blake, David Bromberg, Merl Travis and other Delta blues musicians. Alex was an original member of The Atlanta Area Friends of Folk Music and has played in bluegrass groups including fifteen years with The Sorghum Syrup Soppers Old-Time String Band. He has also played in many diverse musical situations from The Galax Old-Time Fiddler’s convention to rock and roll bands.
Todd started playing bass in high-school bands and has since played professionally since the late ‘80’s. He has played with many local Atlanta acts and has studied with Jack Casady and Bryon House. He’s played almost every Atlanta venue and with Alex by his side his musical voice comes to fruition. Though primarily a bassist, Todd is an accomplished drummer and guitarist fronting and participating in many local musical projects.
Alex and Todd are alumni of Jorma Kaukonen’s Fur Peace Ranch. They had to go all the way to the Ranch in Ohio to meet and thank goodness they did as the love and respect for music that was germinated in the Ohio River Valley has blossomed into a musical embrace here in Atlanta, an embrace that seems to grab and include those within earshot. The interplay between Alex’s acoustic fingerpicking and Todd's melodic bass guitar has provoked positive notices all over Atlanta. They are simply the most stunning duo around.