This is the archived SXSW 2012 schedule. Please see the current schedule here.

Head for the Hills

#sxsw #HeadfortheHills

1849

Listen to One Foot in the Grave

"Head for the Hills has created a sound that is all at once organic, precise, timeless, and brand-new,” as reported by the Missoula Independent. The acclaimed Colorado quartet has been receiving nation-wide recognition in response to their refreshing take on acoustic music. Described as modern acoustic music, H4TH produces an endearing mixture of homegrown compositions, traditional harmonies, and improvisation. In the live setting, H4TH ventures into a myriad of musical styles and sonic landscapes that appeal to a boundless array of listeners.

The past year has been a whirlwind of excitement for the group, with a “SxSW Critics Pick” selection by the Austin Statesman, a featured NPR radio appearance, & a nod for “Best Bluegrass” in Colorado, via a reader’s based poll conducted by Westword Magazine (Denver’s premier lifestyle/entertainment publication). The quartet performed at a host of music festivals in the summer of 2011 including: DelFest, NightGrass at Telluride Bluegrass Festival (Sold Out), South By Southwest, High Sierra Music Festival, Crested Butte Music Festival (Bluegrass in Paradise), Yarmony Grass Music Festival (Late Night Set), NedFest, Strings Music Festival, Boats & Bluegrass and more.

To get a sense of Head for the Hills’ snowballing momentum, look no further than the surrounding talent on their self-titled sophomore release (2010), Head for the Hills. The album garnered the group a charted position on the CMJ Top 200 national radio listings. The pickers attracted heavyweights like longtime bluegrass aficionado, Drew Emmitt (Leftover Salmon) to produce and recorded at Bill Nershi’s Sleeping Giant. Mastering wiz Gus Skinas engineered the effort, who boasts a particularly intriguing history having digitally remastered Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon; helped Sony develop the early iterations digital audio, and invented an innovative multi-tracker called Sonoma that combines the warmth of analog with the ease and efficiency of digital. In addition, Vance Powell -- who adorns his mantle with a Grammy for his work on the Raconteurs wildly successful Consolers of the Lonely album -- mixed the record. The self titled release earned the group a #29 position on Colorado Radio’s “Top 50 Albums of 2010.”

In 2007, for their debut studio effort, “Robber’s Roost,” the band joined forces with the talented producer/performer Sally Van Meter. Ms. Van Meter, among her impressive list of accomplishments, is credited for her 1994 Grammy Award Winning work on The Great Dobro Sessions. She has also produced albums for artists like Yonder Mountain String Band, Open Road Bluegrass and Allison Brown.

Head for the Hills have performed, supported, and shared programming with such notables as: David Grisman, Sam Bush, The Flaming Lips, My Morning Jacket, Ween, Bruce Hornsby, Emmylou Harris, Dr. Dog, Little Feat, Nickel Creek, The Avett Brothers, Yonder Mountain String Band, Tim O’Brien, Peter Rowan, Punch Brothers, Doc Watson, Railroad Earth & many more.

Many respected avenues have sighted Head for the Hills as the next breath of fresh air to emerge from the acoustic realm. With direction from a plethora of talented company and an ever-evolving approach to progressive acoustic music, there is no telling what successes lay ahead for this group of talented musicians.

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