Montana Slim String Band, bluegrass, acoustic, roots w/Buxter Hoot'n July 11, 2009

Montana Slim String Band is an emerging newgrass string band from San Francisco. Combining diverse musical backgrounds and influences, they have succeeded in creating a sound all their own. Built upon invigorating live performances, peppered with dueling melodic fiddle, mandolin and acoustic guitar improvisation, Montana Slim will have the dance floor swaying. Passionate vocal harmonies, reflective lyrical tales, and solid foundational bass rhythms can all be found in Montana Slim's original youthful interpretation of bluegrass.

The original Montana Slim outfit began in the summer of 2006 with the completion of their debut EP which was produced by Tim Bluhm of The Mother Hips. Montana Slim has since evolved into a high energy four-piece string band, and has just finished recording their first full length LP, to be released in March 2009. They will venturing into new territories in the spring and summer to promote the record.

REVIEWS:

"A lone mandolin announces their arrival. Like much of the full-length debut from the Montana Slim String Band, it's a classically high lonesome sound adapted to something quite non-Bill Monroe. While the pluck and snap of the instruments harks back to a fine lineage of mountain music and bluegrass, there's subtle modernity to their tales, appealing boy-girl harmonies and nuanced playing. Montana Slim is a direct descendent of fellow S.F. region granddaddies Old And In The Way, and they exude a similar love for good songs played with open feeling and strong sincerity. From the remodeled sea shanty that begins this 11-track song cycle to the speedily picked ode to love's intoxicating fullness that closes the collection, Slim Pickins encapsulates a very pure string band aesthetic that's likely to flip the wig of anyone into Hot Buttered Rum, Chatham County Line and other contemporaries. But like these peers, there's a personal thread stitched into the traditional vibe, a line of color that emerges in pockets and accents that stray off the beaten path. This ain't no "jam-grass" but it's clear there's plenty going on upstairs in this classy, strongly musical ensemble that I think Mother Maybelle would have loved."-Dennis Cook, Jambase

"No, this is not the yodeling Montana Slim from Canada. These are five young light-hearted, nimble fingered, Jerry Garcia-lovers forging their own dynamic version of the terminally laid-back California newgrass sound. Lump them in the jamgrass bin if you insist. They do have the bright, bouncy carefree rhythm and high, reedy harmonies down pat. And the flower-in-their-hair hair dervishes will want to twirl all night too. I suspect there will be boogying in the aisles. But unlike many of their jamgrass comrades, there’s ample payoff for those who want sit back and admire their sophisticated original song structures and outstanding musicianship. They’ll have music lovers of all stripes grinning and shimmying." - San Francisco Free Folk Festival

"No this isn't the annoying daughter of Billy Ray Cyrus - different Montana all together. This is a fast picking, good time having bluegrass band from San Francisco." -The Source Weekly

"Montana Slim from San Francisco positions a mandolin between melodic fiddle and acoustic guitar improvising with a solid bass line with firm roots in newgrass." -The Weekly Volcano

"With it's edgy twist on the classic bluegrass sound, Montana Slim continues making people dance..." -The Orion

"MONTANA SLIM are the new kids on the block of bluegrass. They are young, fresh and smokin' hot. They are bluegrass based, but toss in the jam whenever they can." -Shelby Ash of Shelby Ash Presents

Official Website: http://www.casparinn.com