The brain trust behind Violitionist Sessions have a good thing going. As seen on their most recent session with Fair To Midland, this grassroots Denton-based organization recruits artists coming through Denton to sit in their living room (from the looks of the video, it's indeed a living room in someone's house), record three acoustic tunes, and answer three interview questions.
The Violitionist folks have recruited such DFW favorites as Astronautalis and Sarah Jaffe, who have taken a seat on the living room sofa and delivered stellar performances. Violitionist makes all their content, including free audio downloads, available to the public on their website.
The latest visitors to the Violitionist house are Dallas hard-rock stalwarts Fair to Midland, which, as we reported in this week's issue of the Observer, have just released a new album titled Arrows & Anchors. We were interested to see how their heavy, prog-influenced sound would translate to the acoustic, effects-free Violitionist format. The verdict? Astonishingly favorable.
Check it out after the jump.
Their performance of "Amarillo Sleeps On My Pillow" is heady, dark, and
sweet, a My Morning Jacket-meets-Jeff Buckley dirge that shows off
frontman Darroh Sudderth's enviable pipes. We generally like Fair to
Midland. However, they've seen some ups and downs during the course of
their fifteen-year career. If the Violitionist videos are any
indication, the band is about to hit a new high. Have a listen, give
your opinion, and keep an eye on the Violitionist site. They post new
sessions every Monday, and future acts will include True Widow and
Baruch the Scribe.
