Arriving at In Your Ear Studios Wednesday afternoon, The Fireside Collective was greeted with a most welcome sight – “Sold Out!” – posted on the studio’s front door. In fact, the show had been sold out for several weeks. The band had driven up from Raleigh, NC after playing the night before with the legendary Jim Lauderdale at Governor Roy Cooper’s mansion as part of the IBMA.
After getting their collective fill from the evening’s pot luck buffet (quite a buzz about the Mexican cheese cake) the band and audience settled into Studio A for 90 minutes of what the band calls “honest, heartfelt music.” It was high-energy and wide-ranging string Americana music that covered bluegrass, new grass and even a bit of rock and roll. Their two sets included original tunes, a tribute to the Grateful Dead (the band’s favorite road music), the Eagles and even a cover of the Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby.” The audience enthusiastically demanded an encore and Fireside Collective served up a rousing cover of the Rolling Stones’ “Miss You.”
Fireside Collective performed at IYE Studios on September 25, 2019. Thanks to Charlie Reilly for the photos; click for a larger look.
All-in-all it was an evening that surpassed expectations. One in the audience was heard telling their friend, “I have a new appreciation as to what bluegrass music can be.” Mission accomplished!
Thursday morning the band paid a visit to The Sabot School at Stony Point and then hit the road back to Raleigh to continue participating in several IBMA performances.
About Fireside Collective
Quickly blazing a name for themselves with their progressive approach to American folk music, Fireside Collective delights listeners with memorable melodies and contemporary songwriting. Formed in the mountain city of Asheville North Carolina, the band plays original songs on stringed instruments, intended for a modern audience. Following the release of their debut album Shadows and Dreams, the band hit the road seeking to engage audiences with their energetic live show built on instrumental proficiency, colorful harmonies, and innovative musical arrangements. Well what do you call it?
“Bluegrass, Newgrass, perhaps Progressive folk…” These are some descriptions mandolinist and songwriter Jesse Iaquinto chooses to identify with. “Depending on where you come from and your experience with folk music, you may think we’re very traditional, or on the other hand, consider us a progressive act. We appreciate both ends of the spectrum and may lie on a different end on any given night.” While roots music lies at the core of the Collective’s songs, a willingness to explore the boundaries and present relevant new material remains fundamental.
The band burst onto the scene in early 2014 following the release of Shadows and Dreams. The album weaves bluegrass, funk, rock, and blues influences into a refreshing representation of modern folk music. From the opening track “Poor Soul” with it’s energetic bluegrass overtones to the closer “Shine the Way Home”, the album takes listeners on a journey through simple love songs to complex themes such as metaphysics and coexistence. The album, recorded in Asheville at Sound Temple Studios, features guest musicians from Asheville’s rich acoustic music scene alongside members of the Fireside Collective.
In 2016 they were winners of the MerleFest band competition. In 2017 they were nominated for an IBMA momentum award for best band. They’ve become crowd favorites at prestigious nearby events like FloydFest and Red Wing Roots. If you savor the sounds of acoustic instrumentation, enjoy the excitement of energetic live performances, and delight in the creation of original songs, then join us for an engaging evening in the acoustic perfection of In Your Ear’s Studio A with the Fireside Collective on Wednesday, September 25.
Check out their website to see more »