Bonnaroo Band of the Day: Shovels & Rope

Just like last year and the year before, we’re making it our mission to help you get acquainted with as many bands as we can from Bonnaroo‘s impressive 2014 lineup. We’ll start from the bottom and work our way up, paying special attention to the smaller and lesser known acts on this year’s bill. Keep reading for your Bonnaroo Band of the Day…

LEARN

Comprised of Nashville-raised singer/guitarist/percussionist Cary Ann Hearst and singer/multi-instrumentalist Michael Trent, Charleston duo Shovels & Rope are a callback to classic country and draw heavily from real-deal folk traditions. Propelled by the incredible success of their 2012 breakout release, O’ Be Joyful, the duo won Americana Awards for “Song of the Year” and “Emerging Artist of the Year” back in the fall. Known for their multi-insturmental setup, unbeatable harmonies, and unstoppable energy, Shovels & Rope’s live show is something that must be witnessed firsthand; it’s almost punk in attitude, an unwavering, unrelenting force.

Originally pursuing separate solo careers, Hearst and Trent met in early ’00s, and began writing and recording off and on together for several years before forming a permanent band. Not just musical partners, but husband and wife as well, Shovels & Rope technically made their debut in ’08, but it wasn’t until just before O’ Be Joyful that they became to committed to Shovels as a full time gig. Ever since, they’ve been touring nonstop, sharing the stage with heavy hitters, and making appearances on television and at major music festivals. If you haven’t jumped on the Shovels & Rope bandwagon yet, now’s as good a time as any to start, as there’s no sign of their popularity (or nonstop energy) slowing down any time soon!

LISTEN | “Gasoline”