Grace and Tony

November

2014-01-13

Hailing from Loretto, Tennessee, Grace and Tony are a husband-wife songwriting duo who refer to the music they make together as "punkgrass." While this term might not be officially imprinted in genre terminology, it certainly applies to their debut release November. The songs are mainly comprised of banjo, mandolin, and acoustic guitar which inevitably inspire folky riffs, a heavy emphasis on harmonizing vocals, and a sound that loosely references the twang of bluegrass - yet Tony's background in punk music is obviously the other half of November's inspiration. His voice at times dips into a husky register as the music quickly gallops behind, with Grace's sweet soprano balancing it out. 

There is a certain punk energy one feels seeping through in songs like "The Chameleon" and "Holy Hand Grenade," yet other standout tracks such as "Grassphemy" and "Me to Me" sound more like the result of Grace's penchant for southern styles of music like gospel and Texas swing mixed with the simplicity of folk tunes. So if you're into upbeat and brightly optimistic sounding music made from a conglomerate of folk, bluegrass, and punk, Grace and Tony's November is certainly one for the books.

Bonus Trivia: Tony is the brother of John Paul White of The Civil Wars.

Recommended Tracks: #4 "The Chameleon", #9 "Grassphemy", #11 "La Carrera"

Sigmund Steiger 

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #Folk

  • reviewed 03/2005

    Vance Gilbert
    Unfamiliar Moon

  • reviewed 05/2009

    WILLIAM FITZSIMMONS
    The Sparrow and the Crow

  • reviewed 01/2011

    ABIGAIL WASHBURN
    City of Refuge

  • reviewed 11/2016

    Gabrielle Louise
    If The Static Clears

  • reviewed 06/2006

    The Del McCoury Band
    The Promised Land

  • reviewed 04/2009

    EILEN JEWELL
    SEA OF TEARS

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.