Eugene welcomes back the bluegrass band Head for the Hills, which will play at WOW Hall on Friday. With a wide array of acoustic music, Head for the Hills expects to have an even more explosive show than their Eugene debut last April.
The Colorado quartet is described as having progressive acoustic/contemporary roots, and they have been receiving nation-wide recognition in response to their refreshing take on music. The past year has been explosive and successful for the quartet. For two years in a row, Westword Music Showcase (Denver) has voted them as the best bluegrass band in Colorado.
Ryan Dembinsky, writer for Glide Magazine, said, “Head for the Hills possesses that secret ingredient.”
However, Michael Chappell, a member of Head for the Hills, says he doesn’t know what that secret ingredient is.
“I don’t know what it is, but we do love paprika,” Chappell said.
In addition to Colorado recognition, Head for the Hills has been receiving national attention for their newly released self-titled studio effort. The group has performed at South by Southwest, one of the largest music festivals in the United States, and was also selected as “SxSW Critics Picks-Must See” choice. The quartet is also scheduled to play numerous music festivals for summer 2012.
Head for the Hills offers an even further glimpse into the quartet’s momentum with their self-titled sophomore release. The album charted on the CMJ Top 200 national radio listing. The self-titled release acquired a No. 29 position on Colorado Radio’s “Top 50 Albums of 2010.”
The band has supported and performed with artists such as David Grisman, Sam Bush, The Flaming Lips, My Morning Jacket, Ween, Bruce Hornsby, Emmylou Harris and many others.
Aside from all the praise, Head for the Hills wants people to learn something from their tours and music.
“We want people to understand that things are not always as they seem,” Chappell said. “Even the happiest sounding song may be extremely dark lyrically.”
And this statement says a lot for their song “Saves the Day.” Although the melody may be upbeat and explosive, the lyrics are dark and cold. “Cut off my legs when you tell me to walk, slit my own throat when you say to talk,” are two lines in the song. The audience may hear the warm melody, but lyrics reveal a depressing message.
“I don’t think we’re necessarily trying to send one message,” Chappell said. “There are songs about people with hardships, songs about traveling, the occasional love song and others.”
Head for the Hills’s main goal musically is to keep the tradition of acoustic music alive while incorporating many different genres. They have produced a mixture of homegrown compositions, traditional harmonies and improvisation. They enter into a plethora of musical styles and sensory landscapes that appeal to a multitude of listeners, especially the supportive fans of Eugene.