Progressive folk band You, Me, Everybody have dropped a new single, announced the release of their debut album, and released nationwide tour dates... and they’ve been nominated for Best Folk Artist at the 2021 Aotearoa Music Awards!
‘Devil in a Bottle of Whiskey’ is the first single from You, Me, Everybody’s first full-length album Southern Sky, due for release on January 29, to coincide with the Auckland Folk Festival.
The festival will also see the presentation of 2021’s first Aotearoa Music Award - Best Folk Artist, for which You, Me, Everybody are nominated. Also in the running are Wellington folk stalwart Darren Watson, and Tennessee-based New Zealand duo the Tattletale Saints.
You, Me, Everybody was formed recently by brothers Laurence and Sam Frangos Rhodes, best known for their contributions to family band, RhodeWorks.
Their current line-up is a who’s who of New Zealand bluegrass and Americana. Laurence is on guitar and songwriting, Sam takes care of mandolin, fiddle and double bass, while Nat Torkington (Pipi Pickers) plays banjo, award-winning jazz musician James Geluk is on bass and Kim Bonnington (Kim and Dusty) is on vocals.
Referred to as New Zealand’s first bluegrass supergroup, the excitement around their inception saw them play their first live gig as openers for The Felice Brothers at the 2019 Americana fest at Auckland’s Tuning Fork.
They recorded their self-titled debut EP a week later, released it in February, and watched it climb to number 13 in the New Zealand album charts.
‘Devil in a Bottle of Whiskey’ doesn’t push bluegrass boundaries according to songwriter Laurence, “In fact, it is well within them and pushed to the extreme with as many G runs and satirical lyrics as possible.
“Regardless, it is a catchy tune and I hope you will be singing along by the end of it”
The accompanying video pays tribute to the simple mess that occurs when you drink too much whiskey.
You, Me, Everybody “Southern Sky” Nationwide Tour
DECEMBER 31 Dunedin – Whare Flat Folk Festival
JANUARY 29-31 Auckland - Auckland Folk Festival
FEBRUARY 5-7 Hamilton, Kiwigrass
FEBRUARY 10 Auckland, Auckland Bluegrass Society
FEBRUARY 12 Foxton Beach, House Concert
FEBRUARY 13 Wellington, Wellington Bluegrass Society
FEBRUARY 14 Palmerston North, Globe Theatre
FEBRUARY 18 Whangateau, Whangateau Hall
FEBRUARY 19 Katikati, Katikati Folk Club
FEBRUARY 20 Hamilton, Te Pahu Soundlounge
All tour dates and ticketing information available on www.yme.nz