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***Named after a variety of tree in their front yard as kids, Catalpa Boys showcases the off-center-yetforthright singing, songwriting, and playing talents of the brothers Housh-- J.D.'s finger-picked, country blues and J.K.'s more wily, playful approach-- on a variety of noisemakers, gitboxes, saws, and train whistles. Each has carved out time in other combos-- J.D. in Columbus indie veterans Moviola, and J.K. in San Francisco's Our Lady of the Highway, Nickel Beer Riot, and as a hired gun on different instruments in countless other Bay Area combos. Together these two brothers put a beautiful new twist on the ages-old family musical tradition (Delmore Brothers, Carter Family), joining their voices and instruments in perfect, genetic harmony. Lebanon, Ohio, is landlocked in the Miami Valley north of Cincinnati, equal parts northern and southern, city and country, and it's where the Housh clan grew up. The Housh boys trolled around these parts until they entered adulthood, when each went their separate ways. During once-a-year get-togethers, the wine flows, the instruments come out, and the songs (new and very old) fill the air. The two finally got together long enough to record some of those songs (which only their wives, parents and grandparents had heard) so that other folks could listen in on the brotherly love. |
