Monday, September 21, 2009

Avett Brothers Week begins

So this Sunday we're publishing a story I've been working on about the Avett Brothers -- the band from Concord that puts out its first major-label record, "I and Love and You," on Sept. 29. To lead into the story, I'm making this week on the blog Avett Week. Every day I'll post a video from the band's career and add a couple of links... if you're not familiar with these guys, by the end of the week I hope you'll be caught up. I also hope to have some news on the band to post along the way.

Today's video is the earliest I could find on YouTube -- it's from 2003, a couple years after the band formed. You'll see Scott Avett on banjo, Seth Avett on guitar and Bob Crawford on bass. They didn't have a title for this song at the moment, but it later became "Swept Away," on the 2004 album "Mignonette."

It's a fan video, so it's pretty ragged -- Seth's head never quite makes it into the light -- but then again, the band was pretty ragged back then too. Still, you can already start to hear their knack for melody.



Today's links:

The Avetts' official site.

Their bio on the Columbia Records site.

Avett fans: What are some of your favorite videos/sites? Add 'em in the comments, please...

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Songs From The Road Band, The Steep Canyon Rangers, Shannon Whitworth, Lance Mills all from Asheville give them a listen at my space or google them.

Anonymous said...

This is the best band of the year. I have seen them live 4 times and have all of their cd. I am 43 and have been to several of the best live shows, grateful dead etc and they are the best.

Anonymous said...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlSZzKcoFp0
St. Joseph's in a gondola at Jackson Hole. A classic.

Anonymous said...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE7rkSELM3I Muder in the City is a good one. There are so many "favorites" it's hard to pick just one. Live shows are completely different than recordings. Both are amazing "in so many diffent ways."

Anonymous said...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4pjrmH967c This is a nice little ditty and shows the boys at home and just being themselves. Paranoia in B Flat Major.

Anonymous said...

Who cares, now pass me sum more mashed taters Tommy

SeaD said...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpwH9csFid8&feature=player_profilepage

This is pre-Joe Kwon, but still a great Avett Brothers song!

Anonymous said...

"Swept Away" was me and my wife's first dance.

Awesome band.

Anonymous said...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abQRt6p8T7g

NPR Tiny Desk concert from this summer: Laundry Room, Down with the Shine, and Bella Donna. Of all the Avett videos on youtube, this one has the best sound quality.

tommy tomlinson said...

These are all great, everyone -- thanks, and keep sending 'em along... by the way, are there any good non-official fan sites? I found a site with tabs/chords but didn't see other stuff out there... maybe I'm not looking in the right place.

Anonymous said...

I've seen them live at least 12 times. Thier shows are indescribable. They are the most unique band I have ever seen. Unfortunatley I have to travel to see a lot of their shows since they don't make it down to South Florida very often. I ablolutely love them and hope they are on the way to making it BIG!!!

Anonymous said...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBjxut91QJ8 (this version of Late in Life)

and any version of At the Beach. Perhaps the opener from the 2nd night at Myrtle Beach (July 25, 2009) with the epic crowd reaction.

Anonymous said...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOIOtvecan4

At the Beach (Myrtle Beach) clip

Anonymous said...

Can't see what people see in this bunch. Very mediocre at best.

Anonymous said...

This video of Scott singing "Greensboro Woman" by Townes Van Zandt gives you some idea of why the Avett Bros are so popular (aside of course from their songwriting skills, pleasing harmonies, energetic showmanship, honesty and humble righteousness). He looks rough as a cob and still manages to outsex Brad Pitt any day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7H-jcokeBQ

Likewise the youthful redneck machismo of this video is hard to overlook, or look away from. Be still by aging heart!

Talk on Indolence by crackerfarm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Wl4C7tWLHs

psoffera said...

Pretty girl from Cedar Lane, insane energy on this one (screaming at the top of their lungs), and just wait until the locomotive comes by at 4:04. Classic. I'm telling you. they're magic.

Unknown said...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rq08Mc4eLbw

"November Blue" Scott backstage with a guitar, filmed by Crackerfarm.

...I'm falling like the leaves

Anonymous said...

y'all!!! i want sum kenny chesney!! where he at y'all?? hurhhrhhr

{live.a.life.of.love} said...

thanks for making it avett brother's week... & swept away... what a great song! the avetts are one of my absolute, all time favorite bands to see live. they play with such passion!

Anonymous said...

After hearing about these guys over and over again, I finally heard the song I and Love and You and sadly, I just don't get the appeal.

Everyone in the Charlotte media seems so star struck and giddy - not at all objective just b/c they are from the area.

Probably one of the biggest flaws that makes Charlotte media so small town is that they get all gaga over "celebrity".

Whitney Hardin said...

The Avett Brothers have been my favorite band for at least 4 years now and I'm excited to see them grow into their sound. They have evolved so much, but are still the most honest, loyal, and true band out there. I have seen them 25 times and every show is better than the one before and after my many live shows..I can not say that about any other band. Most bands impress me the first time and never live up to it the next, but The Avetts, raise the bar everytime, even when I'm seeing them two nights in a row. I absolutely love everything about them! They are something special and I'm glad the world is about to know how special they really are. (Even if I'm a in the nose bleed section from now on, I will never forget the many times I was front and center and I will still be at as many shows I can afford) Thank you Tom for showing The Avetts so much support!