With influences like Bob Dylan, The Talking Heads and The Beatles, Pineapple Explode is showing that although the year is 2009, good folk music is still blowing in the wind.
Pineapple Explode, Nashville’s “Artist of the Month†in February’s Deli Magazine, is playing a free concert at the Cats Den on Thursday in promotion of their soon-to-be released self-titled album.
“This album is influenced by more traditional folk, but also more psychedelic dungeon music,†said guitarist Marcus Sisk in an e-mail to the Kernel.
Formed in 2006 by three guys and a girl playing with sticks and rocks at a park, Pineapple Explode travels far beyond the limits of the traditional four-piece band. Judging solely by their music, one would assume the band is a small orchestra.
At a Pineapple Explode show, an estimated 15 instruments (accordion, keys, flute, ukulele and banjo to name a few) are played at one point or another. The group prides their stage presence as being unpredictable.
“Our live show constantly changes instruments and arrangements from song to song,†Sisk said.
Although the members hold day jobs (a pizza shop and a coffee hangout), Pineapple Explode is on track to playing 70-100 shows this year. Beginning July 3 in Oklahoma City, they’ll hit the road for a two-month, 19-state, two-providence (Ontario, Quebec) excursion.
In addition to their band, Pineapple Explode is taking a far different path than the stereotypical, corporate music giants with a commendable side project. Lending a hand to up-and-coming, do-it-yourself musicians, the four members (living in the same house) have transformed their basement into a venue called High Horse Saloon.
The venue welcomes touring bands, books shows for free and offers bands travelling away from home a place to crash, which is a significant change in scenery regarding sleeping arrangements for many touring bands — the floor of a sweaty van reeking of grown men and Cheetos.
Pineapple Explode has built a strong, nationwide network with artists that have played at their venue. This has presented numerous out-of-town show opportunities, including a two-week, five-state tour last year, and this year’s fully-booked summer tour.
If the thought of a summer night celebrated with live music and cold beers around a crackling campfire sounds appealing, the show begins at 8 p.m. with opening artist Zach Hatcher. Don’t let the folk classification turn you away, as when you hear their curious, yet high-spirited sound, the feeling illustrated above will make perfect sense. Check out that band’s Myspace page at www.myspace.com/pineappleexplode.
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