[Photo by Tom Rath]
Colorado-based Bluegrass & Americana quintet Wood Belly have released “Play Me Out,” a new single that celebrates an expanded lineup with the additions of drummer Dylan French and bassist & vocalist Brennan Mackey. Out from Americana Vibes, the track is the first studio material to be unveiled with the new lineup, with more to come over the course of 2023 and beyond.
“Play Me Out” expresses the “range of emotions and spiraling thoughts of a past lover showing up to a party with somebody new.” The sound is a blend of old and new.
The band explains:
It’s a song that has one foot in the past and one in the present. Heartache set to fast-paced happy-sounding music has been a persistent theme in bluegrass. This modern version of the story takes place at a party when your ex shows up with someone new, yet it’s got party anthem vibes throughout. Musically it bridges a similar gap. There is driving banjo and great trio singing, but it also features drums, a modern chord progression, and a non-traditional singer. It also sums up the story of the band. Until now Wood Belly had been a string band, and this is the first step in a new direction.
Wood Belly won the 2018 Telluride Bluegrass Festival band competition and a nomination at the 2018 IBMA Momentum Awards. Both additions, French and Mackey, are veterans on the scene with French performing with the likes of Kaepora, Boogie Mammoth, and more, and Mackey as a staple in the Colorado music scene with his Indie-Rock project King Cardinal.
They join mandolinist Chris Weist, dobroist Chris Zink, and guitarist Craig Patterson to form the 5-piece ensemble.
Wood Belly will support the release of “Play Me Out” with a handful of tour dates that include:
July 28: Copper Creek Square – Winter Park, CO
August 4: The Mishawaka – Bellvue, CO (supporting The Infamous Stringdusters)
August 10: Beanstalk Music Festival – Bond, CO
August 17: Tetonia Club – Tetonia, ID
August 18: Creekside Revival – Livingston, MT
August 26: Fort Uncompahgre Interpretive Center + Public Lands – Delta, CO
September 23: Home Grown Gorge – Skamania, WA
October 5: Huck Finn Jubilee – San Dimas, CA
