For their latest EP, jamgrass stalwarts Greensky Bluegrass found inspiration in the natural beauty of the Icelandic backcountry.
Back in June 2023, the group played an iconic three-night run of shows in Reykjavik, Iceland at the Harpa Concert Hall in which they were joined on stage by several close friends and collaborators and drew bluegrass fans from across the world to Iceland’s capital. Prior to the shows, though, the band had isolated themselves at Flóki Studios, located in a remote area in Northern Iceland, and didn’t leave until they had recorded a stellar four track EP.
Joined by renowned pianist and long time collaborator Holly Bowling, the product was the recently released and aptly title The Iceland Sessions, comprised of four brand new songs that push the band’s already boundless sonic capabilities. Drawing inspiration from the unique landscape, climate, and wildlife that surrounded the studio, The Iceland Sessions is a must-listen project for fans of jam-heavy bluegrass from one of the genre’s longest standing powerhouses.
In a press release circulated by their team at Big Hassle upon the EP’s May 10 release, Greensky Bluegrass’s Paul Hoffman provided an imaginative description of the scene in which the new music came to be and the recording transpired.
“We embraced the disorienting inspiration and played late into the night as the sun never left us, all the while still developing lyrics and figuring out harmonies and arrangements. We swam in the cold water. We saw more sheep than people for days. We listened to the birds sing through the night while we charged through each song.
A recording project that felt like a whirlwind at times turned into something calm and peaceful that felt more creative and raw than anything we’ve ever done before. Fully aware that we could continue to work on this later, we decided to commit to what we created in Iceland and have the recording be truly a moment in time.”
Check it out here.
“Born Again”
“Distracted”
“Entirely Mine”
“Solstice”
Greensky Bluegrass consists of an all star lineup of bluegrass musicians with Anders beck on dobro, Dave Bruzza on guitar, Michael Arlen Bont on the Banjo, Paul Hoffman on Mandolin, Mike Devol keeping the rhythm on upright bass, and most everyone pitching in to provide vocals. And with Holly Bowling’s limitless piano talents enhancing their sound, The Iceland Sessions EP concisely encapsulates some of their best work yet.
If you like what you heard here, then you have to catch Greensky Bluegrass live. Luckily, there are plenty of opportunities to do so this summer.
