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ASSORTED DECLARATIONS BY STAFF WRITER TOM GRAHAM

Drift on
The Binghamton, N.Y. act Driftwood is currently on an extended summer tour and will visit northeastern Pennsylvania next week when they bring their raucous live show to the River St. Jazz Café in Plains on Thursday, July 12. The show will start at 8 p.m. with opening act Coal Town Rounders. This show is a steal at $5.
Driftwood’s music is strongly influenced by traditional American Roots/ Rock artists such as Bob Dylan and Hank Williams, along with modern string bands like the Avett Brothers. The band pays homage to the Pop Rock of the ’60s, the Classical Period and even the more obscure, popular songwriters of today.
“Driftwood is a string band,” fiddle player and vocalist Claire Byrne said. “I would say we have our roots in bluegrass and roots in rock ’n roll. Our music is a big melting pot with elements of folk and Americana, all with an indie feel.”
Formed in late 2005, the band honed their craft by playing just about anywhere they possibly could; coffee houses, bars, churches, rock clubs, bluegrass festivals and even busking on the streets. They eventually amassed enough original material of their own and began to feature those pieces during their live performances.
“When I joined the group I remember it was a little bit more of a jam grass band and very rootsy,” Byrne said. “We were playing traditional music like “Shady Grove” and traditional fiddle tunes. Since then, we have really come into our own in regards to writing our own songs. Dan Forsyth (guitar, vocals) and Joe Kollar (banjo, vocals) are the primary song writers and we sit down and arrange them together. Now we have a set that is mostly original music. Being folk musicians and staying true to our roots, we’ll do some fiddle tunes and traditional music.”
The live show incorporates the use of three part harmonies, some strict arrangements, and some improvisational pieces, all the while delivering an energetic performance and evoking a good amount of dancing. After building a loyal local and regional following, they spent the past two years reaching out to bigger audiences across the states. This will be Driftwood’s second appearance at the River St. Jazz Cafe.
“We’re looking forward to playing for a bunch of people who really just enjoy the music,” Byrne said. “Last time we played the Jazz Café, the people were amazing. We were just doing a soundcheck and they were so energetic. They were ready and right up front ready to listen. Clearly, they really care about music.”
For more information, visit www.driftwoodtheband.com.
Local darlings Coal Town Rounders (www.coaltownrounders.com) are absolutely outstanding as well, but you already knew that, didn’t you?

Here’s what’s in my headphones this week: Fiona Apple When the Pawn Hits the Conflicts He Thinks Like a King What He Knows Throws the Blows When He Goes to the Fight and He’ll Win the Whole Thing ‘Fore He Enters the Ring There’s No Body to Batter When Your Mind Is Your Might So When You Go Solo, You Hold Your Own Hand and Remember That Depth Is the Greatest of Heights and If You Know Where You Stand, Then You Know Where to Land and If You Fall It Won’t Matter, Cuz You’ll Know That You’re Right (Clean Slate / Epic) 1999
Send email to tgraham@timesshamrock.com