New Jersey-based Railroad Earth will bring their bluegrass-infused music to The Ridgefield Playhouse on Thursday, Aug. 25, at 8 p.m., with their loyal fanbase in tow.
Daniel OjedaNew Jersey-based Railroad Earth will bring their bluegrass-infused music to The Ridgefield Playhouse on Thursday, Aug. 25, at 8 p.m., with their loyal fanbase in tow.
For more than 20 years, the band has kept their rock ‘n’ roll spirit alive, carrying on the tradition of improvisational, genre-spanning music made famous by the Grateful Dead. The festival favorites are best known for popular songs such as “Long Way to Go,” “Bird in a House,” “Mighty River,” “Seven Story Mountain,” “Head,” and “Railroad Earth.”
The group — Todd Sheaffer (lead vocals, acoustic guitar), Tim Carbone (violins, electric guitar, vocals), John Skehan (mandolin, bouzouki, piano, vocals), Carey Harmon (drums, percussion, vocals), and Andrew Altman (upright and electric bass) — traveled to New Orleans to produce a “destination” record after losing founding member Andy Goessling in 2018. The trip led to the creation of the band’s seventh full-length album, “All for the Song,” which was released earlier this year.
Listen to a new song here from the the current tour:
Over the past two decades, Railroad Earth has captivated audiences with their unique, Americana sound. Using drums and amplifiers in a bluegrass band may not be the norm, but that’s exactly what makes them different.
While their eclectic style may be hard to pinpoint genre-wise, it sure is easy to love. They have amassed a huge fanbase (who have dubbed themselves “Hobos”), which has followed them from show to show for more than 20 years.
We recently caught up with band member Tim Carbone for a pre-show Q&A:
Why has the band opted for the bluegrass style? What makes it special?
Well, we are fans of the genre and some of us have been playing it most of our lives. Having said that, we’re hardly a bluegrass band. As Duke Ellington said, “There’s only two kinds of music … good and bad.” We’d like to believe we’re the former.
What influences can be picked up in your songwriting?
We kind of wear our influences on our sleeves, but you certainly can cite [Bob] Dylan, Woody [Guthrie], [John] Prine and [John] Lennon.
What are the enjoyable parts of studio recording versus playing live, and which do you prefer?
Recording is a bit more high stakes — you’re chiseling that stuff in stone. The collaboration in the studio can be exhilarating, though. Of course so is playing live [because] you have the instant feedback from the audience. We love them both.
What do you think inspires your incredibly loyal fan following?
We are incredibly lucky to have a devoted following. I believe it’s the whole package: the playing, the singing, and most importantly the songs. Our fans have created their own community and that community also draws them together.
Why did the band choose to spotlight John Denver's words in your 2019 album?
Our principal songwriter, Todd Sheaffer, was given the unique opportunity by the John Denver estate to add music and melody to some of John’s lyrics. It was a great collaboration!
What inspired the new album?
We recorded it in New Orleans and you can’t not have that city inspire you. We were also dealing with the loss . . . of one of our founding members, Andy Goessling, [to cancer]. His spirit was present during the creation of “All for the Song.”
How does the topic of environmental conservation play into the band's music?
A number of Todd’s songs speak to this subject, but overall the band and crew are committed to our journey back to a healthy environment.
What can fans expect from the show at The Ridgefield Playhouse?
A healthy dose of the new album and, of course, a really great time!
Railroad Earth will perform at The Ridgefield Playhouse on Thursday, Aug. 25, at 8 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org.