The Dead South

The Dead South
File:Dead South 2016 album cover, Illusion and Doubt.jpg The Dead South's third album cover, Illusion and Doubt
Background information
Origin	Regina, Saskatchewan
Genres	folk - bluegrass
Years active	2012–present
Labels	Curve Music
Members	Nate Hilts (vocals, guitar, mandolin) Scott Pringle (guitar, mandolin, vocals) Danny Kenyon (cello, vocals) Eliza Mary Doyle (banjo, vocals)
Past members	Colton Crawford (banjo)
Website	www.thedeadsouth.com

The Dead South is a Candian folk-bluegrass musical ensemble based in Regina, Saskatchewan. The band was initially formed in 2012 as a quartet by Canadians Nate Hilts (vocals, guitar, mandolin), Scott Pringle (guitar, mandolin, vocals), Danny Kenyon (cello, vocals). Colton Crawford, on banjo left the band in 2015 and was replaced by studio musician Eliza Mary Doyle.

Often jokingly referring to themselves as "Mumford and Sons Evil Twins", the band played live venues before releasing their debut five-song 2013 EP, The Ocean Went Mad and We Were to Blame. Their 2014 album, Good Company was released by German label Devil Duck Records, and led to significant overseas touring for the next two years.

The band's third LP, Illusion and Doubt, was released through Toronto label Curve Music in 2016. It quickly climbed to number 5 in the Billboard bluegrass charts. An updated version of the single "In Hell, I'll Be in Good Company", produced by Jason Plumb, was created along with a video on YouTube, and is credited as contributing to the breakthrough release for the band.

History

The idea for a "rockin’ stompin’ bluegrass band" came to Nate Hilts and Danny Kenyon in 2012 while playing together in a short-lived alternative grunge band. After the grunge band's demise, Colton Crawford and Scott Pringle joined what would became the Regina-based band The Dead South. Crawford learned banjo and Pringle switched from guitar to mandolin. "The result was their own unique take on the Bluegrass genre, as none of them actually had any clue what they were doing. But they knew they wanted it to be fun, somewhat tongue-in-cheek, with serious musicianship."

The band toured extensively and repeatedly in Canada and Europe - so much so that Crawford left the band in 2015 due to "insomnia and exhaustion" arising from the lack of routine. Doyle, a noted solo and studio musician was hired to fill the vacancy left by Crawford.

The Ocean Went Mad and We Were to Blame (2013)

While the band played various venues, they would sell what would eventually become their self-released EP release, The Ocean Went Mad and We Were to Blame.

In his review of the EP, Jamie Funk of Divide and Conquer Music was initially unsure if he could handle banjo picking in every song, but ended up enjoying it. The five songs offered in the EP reminded Funk of alternative bands like Pearl Jam attempting to play bluegrass music and "pulling it off way above people’s expectations... while some of the songs such as “The Dirty Juice” are straight up knee-slapping hoedown that are a bluegrass fan’s wet dream they also have songs such as “Fruit and Salad” which feel more like a folk song tinged with a bit of alternative rock from the 90’s."

Good Company (2014)

The Dead South's debut studio album, Good Company was released in 2014 through the German record label, Devil Duck Records and led to extensive overseas touring in Canada and Europe.

The release in 2017 of the YouTube music video for "In Hell I'll Be In Good Company" retroactively fueled interest in the band's earlier debut album, Good Company', as well, which, though released in 2015 (and re-released by Curve Music in 2016), recently hit the Top 50 On Billboard and the Top 20 on US iTunes overall chart.

Rachel Freitas, of MusicExistence notes that the album's first track, "Achilles", offers the signature banjo sound that the band is known for, but the album's instrumentation is considerably lighter. Says Freitas, "What one will find quickly while listening to the LP is that The Dead South are master storytellers that really know how to bring a song to life".

Illusion and Doubt (2016)

Amanda Hathers, of CanadianBeats, opines that, while the album provides "the traditional folk/country experience, chock full of banjo plucking, twang and impressive harmonies", the band is impressive. "Opening with “These Boots”, the album starts off with a soft and quiet folk sound, before it picks up speed throughout the song. “Smootchin’ in the Ditch”, one of the more entertaining titles, is fast-paced, full of harmonies, banjo, and amusing lyrics. “Miss Mary” at first listen sounds as if it’s a typical folk song, but when you pay attention to the lyrics you may be in for a surprise that I won’t spoil for you here. Perhaps stay away from a Miss Mary if you encounter one. “Hard Day” showcases the grit and power behind the vocalist."

Musical style and influence

The band often jokingly refers to itself in interviews as "Mumford and Sons’ Evil Twins” a nod to their interpretation of the "aesthetic of old western pioneers". Rachel Freitas of MusicExistence notes the "evil twin" comparison, but considers that with the release of Good Company, the band the band has carved its own way into the folk world. While Hilts and Kenyon had been listening to Trampled By Turtles, Old Crow Medicine Show, and older bluegrass acts before the formation of the band, wanted to put their own spin on tradition. AllMusic reviewer Timothy Monger considers that tradition to be a "a gritty punk ethos with traditional bluegrass and old-time string band music"

In their review of Good Company, Sputnik Music notes that the band includes songs about "such timeless subjects as lovin’, cheatin’, killin’ and drinkin’". "everywhere they go," Sputnik Music notes, "their good company expands", pointing out the band's fashion sense - white shirts and black suspenders, black pants and flat-brimmed hats - is often copied by their fans. RJ Frometa, of Vents Magazine notes the odd fashion sense - referred to by the band itself as "their distinctive hillbilly cum pioneer look" - "as well, considering them "fun, modern-day hillbillies who marry an incredible stage presence with their distinct country twang that includes banjos, mandolins, a cello, guitars, whistles, finger snapping and occasionally some head banging." Frometa states that The Dead South are "passionate about their music creating a unique sound that is fun and somewhat tongue-in-cheek, with serious musicianship."

Sarah Murphy of Exclaim.ca thinks that the band's injection of folk and bluegrass sounds with a "punk rock ethos (not to mention a banjo player who's a self-proclaimed metalhead), the band bring a fresh perspective to classic genres".

Asking the question, "is The Dead South’s ‘In Hell I’ll Be In Good Company’ bluegrass or not?", MusicCrowns.org reviewer James Cooke suggests that the band's "gritty vocals, aggressive guitar strumming, mandolin chops, banjo licks and a steady kick drum to fuse it all together," are delivering a u"nique sound".

Cooke further notes that The Dead South's release, ‘In Hell I’ll Be In Good Company’, being labelled as bluegrass has been causing many fans to question the authenticity of the bluegrass affiliation. He argues that, with influences of Irish, Scottish, and later, African American, "the lines begin to blur".

Band members

Nate Hilts (lead vocals, guitar, mandolin) (2012 - current)
Scott Pringle (guitar, mandolin, vocals) (2012 - current)
Danny Kenyon (cello, vocals) (2012 - current)
Colton Crawford (banjo) (2012 - 2015)
Eliza Mary Doyle (banjo) (2015 - current)

Discography

Title	Formats	Details	Peak chart positions
			US Bluegrass
The Ocean Went Mad and We Were to Blame	Extended play	Release date: 2013 Label: self-released	-
Good Company	Compact Disc, Digital Download	Release date: 2014 Label: Devil Duck Records	-
Illusions and Doubt	Compact Disc, Digital Download	Release date: November 18, 2016 Label: Curve Music	5

Awards and nominations

Apart from Illusion and Doubt peaking at number five on the US Billboard Bluegrass chart, it also entered the top 30 on the US Country iTunes Chart.

Additionally, The Dead South received in 2015 the "Road Cold" certification from Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA) for ticket sales in excess of 25,000 over a 12-month period In presenting the award, CIMA President Stuart Johnston noted that the certification "has proven beyond a doubt that The Dead South is one of Canada's most talented, hardest working touring bands in the country.”

See also

• Folk music
• Bluegrass music

External links

• Official website
• The Dead South at AllMusic