Virginia string band The Steel Wheels have expanded their sound on the new album, “Sideways,” while at the same time sticking to their bluegrass roots.
Released Feb. 9, the album’s title track begins with the clawhammer banjo then builds, as many of the band’s songs do, into something more raucous that includes drums and colorful electric guitar textures.
“It’s beautiful and crushing to be alive sometimes,” band leader Trent Wagler said in a statement. “We aren’t here to sing songs that only cut one way — but if they do, they’ll cut sideways.”
The Steel Wheels enlisted producer Sam Kassirer, who’s known for his work with Lake Street Dive, Langhorne Slim and Josh Ritter, among others, to help create “Sideways.”
The band is currently touring in support of the album, after stopping in Elkin earlier this month and at the Salvage Station in Asheville on March 2 and the Broadberry in Richmond on March 27.
The group is the host band of the annual Red Wing Roots Music Festival in Mt. Solon, Virginia, set for June 21-23. The fest’s impressive lineup includes Kurt Vile, Bonny Light Horseman, Sierra Hull, Brent Cobb and Pokey LaFarge and many others. For more info and tickets, click here.
From the good folks at Red Wing: Red Wing Roots Music Festival is excited to announce the full line up of artists scheduled to perform at the 11th annual music festival, taking place June 21-23, 2024, at Natural Chimneys Park in Mount Solon, Virginia. Along with festival hosts and local favorites, The Steel Wheels, the list of festival headliners contains many artists new to the Red Wing stage, including Kurt Vile & The Violators, Bonny Light Horseman, Brent Cobb, Lee Fields, Mapache, Tuba Skinny and Rose City Band. Fifty artists are scheduled to appear across five stages during the three-day event, with festival favorites such as Sierra Hull, Pokey Lafarge, The Brothers Comatose, Amy Helm and Lindsay Lou. View the full line up at www.redwingroots.com/2024-line-up/. Since 2013, Red Wing has strived to offer patrons an opportunity to explore the many sounds of roots music. “The term ‘Roots Music’ conveys both the depth of our American musical traditions, like folk, blues, Cajun, old-time and bluegrass, and the breadth of its current iterations. It is the celebration of the American songbook, past and present,” said Jeremiah Jenkins, co-founder and managing partner. Red Wing embodies both great music and opportunities to engage the great outdoors of Augusta County. The festival partners with local organizations to offer biking, hiking, group runs, and yoga beneath the rock towers at Natural Chimneys Park. For avid cyclists, a Saturday morning ride to Reddish Knob allows for a mountain top celebration with stunning views of the Shenandoah Valley. As always, Red Wing will host the region’s finest food vendors, including options for craft beer, cider, and wine in the Blue Mountain Beer Gardens. There are also more than 20 craft vendors offering an array of products such as clothing, jewelry, art, flowers and more. Shady Grove, a shaded activity zone located near the Chimneys, features a climbing wall, organized and informal games, slack lines, and a mist pavilion for cooling down during the hot summer days for attendees of all ages. On-site camping has long been a popular aspect of the festival. While several camping passes have already sold out, great options remain for tent camping, small RV/car camping and Red Wing Glamping, a luxury tenting option. Currently three-day festival tickets are on sale and moving quickly. Single day tickets will be made available for purchase later in the spring. For tickets and more information, visit www.redwingroots.com.
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