South Austin Jug Band Takes Bluegrass To All Souls’
By Regan Henson
Tulsa’s All Soul Acoustic Coffeehouse is gaining a reputation as one of the premier establishments for live music in Northeastern Oklahoma by bringing in national touring acts for monthly concerts. This month, music lovers are treated to the genre-bending sounds of the South Austin Jug Band.
For the uninitiated, South Austin Jug Band is a not a jug band, but has been given various labels, from bluegrass to alt-country to roots rock to newgrass, whatever that means. Give them a listen and you might find yourself thinking you’re hearing Jack Johnson singing lead for the Gourds. No matter what genre you try to pigeon-hole these guys in, no one can argue that they can flat out play. The folks at the Austin Music Awards didn’t seem to have a problem calling these boys a bluegrass outfit in 2005, when they were voted as Best Bluegrass Band. Anyone familiar with the Austin music scene can tell you that’s a pretty big deal.
Formed in 2000, SAJB consists of singer/guitarist James Hyland, Dennis Ludiker on mandolin, Willie Pipkin on lead guitar, Brian Beken on fiddle and Will Dupuy on bass. The band has released two albums, 2003’s South Austin Jug Band and 2005’s Dark and Weary World, and has toured relentlessly all over the world, building a heavy fan base and yielding a slew of YouTube clips that showcase their stunning live shows.
SAJB’s third album, Strange Invitation, is scheduled for an April 1 release date. This is the first album that will feature songs written collaboratively by all the band’s members, but fans don’t need to worry, their mellow sound and impeccable musicianship remain solid. The sole cover on the album is a remake of that quintessential bluegrass tune, “Jackass,” by Beck Hanson. The album’s name even comes from a lyric from that same song. Told you these guys shouldn’t be pigeon-holed.
After playing in Oklahoma City in February, South Austin Jug Band is back in Texas throughout March, highlighted by a few shows at Austin’s South by Southwest music festival, before they make it to Tulsa at the end of the month. SAJB will play the All Soul Acoustic Coffee House Mar. 29. Tickets are $13.00 for students and senior citizens and $15.00 for adults. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance by visiting the All Souls Unitarian Church at 2952 S. Peoria Ave. in Tulsa or by calling (918)743-2363. Tickets are also available at the Midtown Borders Bookstore at 21st Street, (918)712-9955. Doors open at 7pm and seats are available on a first come first served basis for non-season ticket holders.
Oh, and if you’re wondering why a band that calls itself South Austin Jug Band wouldn’t feature any jug-playing, there’s a pretty simple answer. Founding member Hyland named his band after a television special he remembered from childhood. The name of the show? Emmett Otter’s Jug Band Christmas. Check out SAJB online by visiting www.southaustinjugband.com.
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