To be honest, we weren’t expecting much when we saw Tall Tall Trees take the dingy basement stage at the Cantab Lounge last year. Sure, maybe the banjo was a nice retreat from the typical guitar-led bands that seem to dominate every stage in town (ahem…us included, of course). And sure, maybe the drummer’s hair made for an interesting view in front of the crooked ‘Club Bohemia’ sign behind him. But we had heard plenty of bluegrass of late; perhaps one too many champagne-of-beers and it had all morphed into a twangy mess in our brains.

An hour later, we were afraid to take the stage and follow those guys, probably because we were still a bit shell-shocked.  First, they were just a solid group of musicians. Each one had mastered their instruments, and brought their chops to the songs tastefully, never stepping on each other’s shoes.  Second, they looked like they almost stepped on each other’s shoes, literally, as they were bouncing around on stage with a ton of energy.  Rare for what looks like a traditional Americana-ish act.  Third, the banjo rocked.  Mike Savino forgoes traditional plucking for creative invention, and shatters expectations around what sounds a banjo can create.

We’re sharing a bill with these guys at the Velvet Lounge – another divey gem – on March 20.  Between our two acts, we expect lots of energy, traditional instruments turned bad, and plenty of stepped-on shoes.