Old music, new kick

Cajun bluegrass sextet Leftover Salmon spent the past two years honing its craft in preparation for its latest self-titled album, released in March. Co-founders Drew Emmitt (mandolin, vocals) and Vince Herman (vocals, guitar), along with Greg Garrison (bass and vocals), Bill McKay (keyboards and vocals), Noam Pikelny (banjos) and José Martinez (percussion), put a Western twist on Appalachian tradition with songs reminiscent about a youth spent in the Tennessee woods with songs such as "Down in the Hollow." The album also features expressive melodic fiddle and banjo-accompaniment in "Mountain Top" -- very likely stemming from the mountain regions in Colorado where Emmitt resides, a New Orleans ballad set in a blues tone ("Delta Queen"), a cover of Jimmy Page's "Everything is Round," as well as Leftover Salmon staples such as "Woody Guthrie" and a cover of Jim Messina and Alan Thornhill's "Whispering Waters," which, Emmitt said, the band has "been performing for 20 years."\nAfter losing founding member Mark Vann tragically to cancer in 2002, Leftover Salmon swam in upstream currents only to find itself no longer struggling. With the self-titled album Leftover Salmon, the band has created a bright, fantastical bluegrass album that includes high-stepping fan favorites, as well as fresh, groove-heavy instrumental jam tunes.\nEmmitt, who spoke to Weekend on the phone from the road while traveling from Pittsburgh to State College, Penn., said most of the band's members were turned onto the bluegrass style of music through playing and jamming with others in junior high and high school. \n"We played in garage bands," he recalled. "I listened to a lot of old school country, old school rock, classical music, blues and Leadbelly -- leaning toward what my folks listened to."\nLeftover Salmon, an experienced bluegrass outfit whose first album, The Nashville Sessions, was released in 1999, has matured musically both in lyrical and concrete song construction. It's a new era for the musicians, who "just kind of happened" to fall into the appeal of traditional Americana by "playing bluegrass individually rather than rock," Emmitt said.\nThe boys' lives have changed drastically since accepting "the minstrels' life." Living in constant motion and performing show after live show takes its toll, so Leftover Salmon tries to keep things lighthearted and amusing. \n"There's no way to compare this life to anything you can do except being an astronaut," Emmitt said. \nEmmit joked that while on tour, some of the band members like to dress up in "weird costumes and go into grocery stores."\nDaily life never remains the same for the band's members.\n"It depends on the day," Emmit said. "For example, I drove down to the airport last night from my home in the mountains, and now I'm in a limo going to a festival in upstate Pennsylvania, playing with the Recipe and regional bands."\nWith so many live gigs at summer festivals in support of the new album, Leftover Salmon has come to the conclusion that the themes in the group's songs are "entirely random." \n"There is no common theme," said Emmit. "Leftover Salmon may be more of a roots album rather than a rock one, though. We've been playing 'Woody Guthrie' a lot, and we've been playing 'Whispering Waters' for years now."\nAs a musical unit, original members Emmitt and Herman have had to face hardships and change. With their four new band members, however, the past two years have formed a bond between the musicians. \n"There's a lot of camaraderie in general," Emmitt said. "We've enjoyed playing music together, and we get along well while traveling."\nTraveling often brings the band in contact with other performing bluegrass junkies such as the boys' friends in the Snake Oil Medicine Show, a live art extravaganza. \nWhile visting Colorado last November, the two bands got together to jam.\n"We'll get together with our friends in Leftover Salmon and pick," Caroline Pond, vocalist for the Snake Oil Medicine Show said. "We have tons of fun with them."\nWhen asked about the two unique bands' friendship, Emmitt laughed.\n"It's really bizarre. It involves a lot of circus animals, so we can't really discuss it!"\nWith a humorous perspective on life and a dedication to putting out solid songs with both musical and lyrical unity, Leftover Salmon has gained respect from their bluegrass peers. The band, currently brainstorming for its next album, plans to keep performing live. They also have high hopes for their upcoming Indiana gig at the Hippy Hill Hoodang festival Aug. 27--29.\n"We were thinking we might dress up in suits and play traditional bluegrass," Emmit said. "We're psyched for the festival. It's in a great part of the country, and we look forward to playing there"