Get to know: River City Extension

I've got to hand it to the organizers of the Newport Folk Festival.  Every year they seem to put together a lineup that features at least one artist whose enduring legacy and importance to the history of music sends unending chills down my spine (Pete Seeger, Levon Helm), along with a heavy dose of my favorite artists of the moment (Joe Pug, Dawes).  However, rarely do I find a band that is totally new to me on the Newport Folk lineup. 

This year, they've checked the first two boxes - Emmylou Harris, Elvis Costello and Mavis Staples will have the goosebumps covered.  The Head And The Heart, Delta Spirit and Justin Townes Earle fall into the current-favorites category.  However, this year there's also a completely new discovery -- new to me, that is.  If you don't know them already, River City Extension is a band you gotta get to know.

They take the enthusiasm and sentimentality of the Avetts and mix in the obligatory New Jersey-band dose of Springsteen-esque bar band rock.  The result is a glorious backwoods-meets-street poet sound that swings between introspective balladry and singalong anthems.  I've only had it for 24 hours myself, but I highly recommend picking up their excellent album The Unmistakable Man.

Fingerpicked guitars and whispered confessions begin "South For The Winter" before Joe Michelini shouts "sometimes all I want is a job and a God and a wife" as stomping drums and chugging guitars pick up the pace.  The song careens to its close as fanfare trumpets compete with Michelini's frantic vocals.  Listen for yourself below, and trust me that the rest of the album is just as rewarding and exhilarating.

River City Extension - South For The Winter