Seeing a Spuyten Duyvil (pronounced SPITEen DIEvul) show for the first time has been described as “like throwing a cherry bomb into a lake … It wakes you up.” Dating back to the 17th century, the name Spuyten Duyvil originates from the Dutch settlers who gave the name to a creek that flowed around what is today the Marble Hill neighborhood in the Bronx. The New York band’s brand of original and traditional American roots music blends old time, blues, bluegrass, and folk rock with a pinch of punk energy to create a uniquely modern mix. Led by songwriting couple Mark Miller and Beth Kaufman, this six-piece powerhouse has been bringing barn-burning energy to venues throughout the Northeast and Midwest. It’s an exciting time for the Hudson Valley-based band. Their 3rd CD, “The Social Music Hour Vol 1,” features essential traditional songs popularized by Mississippi John Hurt, Elizabeth Cotten, Big Bill Broonzy, Woody Guthrie, Lead Belly and more, ‘arranged by the band for today’s listener.’ The CD received a 2016 International Folk Music Awards “Album Of The Year” Nomination. Familiar, forgotten words find new meaning in this historically informed but thoroughly contemporary treatment of re-imagined American roots music. The group features Beth Kaufman on vocals, Jim Miegs on harmonica, Lou Geser on drums, John Neidhart on bass, Jeremy Aaron on guitar, and Mark Miller on tenor guitar and vocals.
April 1, 2017
