Greensky Bluegrass

For two decades now, Greensky Bluegrass have been building an empire, brick by brick.  They are widely known for their dazzling live performances and relentless touring schedule, but that is only the tip of the complex tale of the five musicians that make up Greensky Bluegrass: Anders Beck [dobro], Michael Arlen Bont [banjo], Dave Bruzza [guitar], Mike Devol [upright bass], and Paul Hoffman [Mandolin].  The five are connected through a deep bond, just as they are seasoned road warriors, they’re a band of brothers who have seen each other through decades of ups and downs, personal and collective highlights, and the moments when life turns it all upside down. These are real people having real experiences. As with traditional bluegrass, they write about their own contemporary day-to-day happenings, emotions, and experiences in the modern world.

The band’s underground die-hard fans pack out venues across the country. They travel in droves and sell out multiple-night show runs at iconic venues like Red Rocks and The Ryman.

“As songwriters and musicians, we have a need for people to be on board,  we’re not just regurgitating the same shit,” explains Bruzza.

Hoffman adds, “we aren’t a band all for money. We did it for romantic reasons such as love, catharsis, and because it mattered to us and the listeners. It would be easy to make decisions based on our needs to eat or the desires of others, but that’s not doing it for love. We love what we do, and we’re grateful for the love we receive in return from the people listening.”

Bruzza continues, “I hope they know we’re doing this for us and them.”

Hailing from Denver, Colorado, Clay Street Unit mixes the Newgrass spirit of the Rocky Mountains with the country-folk traditions of the Appalachians. The result is a modern, amplified version of American roots music that blurs the borders between genre and geography, driven forward by drums, sharp songwriting, and the chemistry of multiple road warriors who’ve shared countless hours on stage. Mandolinist Scottie Bolin, bassist Jack Kotarba, banjo player Jack Cline, pedal steel guitarist Brad Larrison, drummer Brendan Lamb, and singer/guitarist/ringleader Sam Walker don’t just nod to their influences; they reshape them into something new. With a follow-up to the band’s career-launching EP, A Mighty Fine Evening, on the horizon, Clay Street Unit are staking their claim as torchbearers of something both fresh and familiar, nodding to the foundations of American music while sharpening their own progressive edge.