Native Sons and Daughters at The Ark
When I think about some of the really amazing bluegrass acts that have graced The Ark in Ann Arbor, easily what comes to mind are people like Del McCoury, Mountain Heart, Claire Lynch, Crooked Still, and some amazing nationally revered acts in our music. It is quite certain that in southern Michigan, one of the premier venues for live acoustic music is most definitely The Ark and to be asked to entertain there is a benchmark in any musician’s career.
That is why when I discovered that our own Michigan band, Hardline Drive will be performing at The Ark on Thursday evening, July 30th, it’s easy to be thrilled and delighted to see our own favorite sons (and daughters) of our local bluegrass scene headline an evening there.
Hardline Drive is one of those bands that comes around in a rare time when the music needs a little jolt to the senses, a different way of looking at things. Almost two years ago, they came together, a group of musicians familiar with each other through the local bands and gatherings, but never having all played together in the same band. With a traditional background and soul, they sought to harness some of their newer and more progressive musical ideas in a way that honored the traditional past, yet breathed a breath of freshness and different way of looking at the music. It’s easy to say “traditional is just old fashioned” and take the music and completely twist it and add a little banjo and call it progressive but it’s one thing that Hardline Drive did not do… they merely improved on some of the traditional foundations and added their own spice and twists to the sound to make a very solid, bluesy style of bluegrass that has a very deep core of traditional roots. It’s a magical blend and one surely the forefathers of the music would appreciate and approve of. After all, they were innovators and blended the styles of Celtic, Rock and Blues to make the very music we call bluegrass, today.
Fresh off their debut CD and a tour of the south, Hardline Drive is poised to create ripples in their musical pond. They have a very loyal following of fans and are hands-down popular favorites in the region at festivals, venues and events. Already, other bands are attempting to make their own music mimic the success that HLD has achieved locally. Imitation is one of the most sincere forms of flattery and when you hear their distinctive sound and original compositions, you will see why other musicians are moved to incorporate this fresh approach into their own efforts! Their musicianship and raw talent is apparent at the first refrain and you will be captivated by their pleasant and entertaining manner on stage. They are an enigma to the local scene that captivates and holds your ear. This is bluegrass at it’s best, progressing and changing, yet respectful of the past and honoring the traditions that bluegrass music fans adore. Don’t miss this high mark of their career, a chance to perform at The Ark, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Thursday, August 30th, 2009. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and show begins at 8:00 p.m. with special guests the Dead String Brothers starting the night off.
