Grace and Tony

November

2014-01-13

Hailing from Loretto, Tennessee, Grace and Tony are a husband-wife songwriting duo who refer to the music they make together as "punkgrass." While this term might not be officially imprinted in genre terminology, it certainly applies to their debut release November. The songs are mainly comprised of banjo, mandolin, and acoustic guitar which inevitably inspire folky riffs, a heavy emphasis on harmonizing vocals, and a sound that loosely references the twang of bluegrass - yet Tony's background in punk music is obviously the other half of November's inspiration. His voice at times dips into a husky register as the music quickly gallops behind, with Grace's sweet soprano balancing it out. 

There is a certain punk energy one feels seeping through in songs like "The Chameleon" and "Holy Hand Grenade," yet other standout tracks such as "Grassphemy" and "Me to Me" sound more like the result of Grace's penchant for southern styles of music like gospel and Texas swing mixed with the simplicity of folk tunes. So if you're into upbeat and brightly optimistic sounding music made from a conglomerate of folk, bluegrass, and punk, Grace and Tony's November is certainly one for the books.

Bonus Trivia: Tony is the brother of John Paul White of The Civil Wars.

Recommended Tracks: #4 "The Chameleon", #9 "Grassphemy", #11 "La Carrera"

Sigmund Steiger 

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #Folk

  • reviewed 07/2004

    David Berkeley
    After the Wrecking Ships

  • reviewed 05/2010

    MEKLIT HADERO
    On a Day Like This...

  • reviewed 08/2016

    Cave States
    True Life

  • reviewed 08/2006

    Ani DiFranco: Reprieve
    Reprieve

  • reviewed 10/2013

    TUNNG
    Turbines

  • reviewed 05/2010

    BETH NIELSEN CHAPMAN
    Back to Love

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.