Still, their performance suggested that a little season will go a long way to make the band even more dynamic. And while many of the genre’s devotees will say the two barely have any bluegrass left in them (an assertion I agree with), other groups with a purer connection to bluegrass, such as Horseshoes & Hand Grenades are playing to large audiences as well, in Milwaukee and otherwise. Folk and bluegrass is going through a renaissance of sorts, as bands such as Mumford & Sons and The Avett Brothers are playing to massive crowds. The band’s formation and subsequent fine-tuning couldn’t have come at a better time. And folk standard “Candy Girl,” buoyed by Grace Rolland’s deep vocals, lent the performance a drama that was lacking given the subject matter. Their opener, a cover of The Band’s “Get Up Jake,” provided the best melody and interplay of the night. But like the album – which I enjoy quite a bit – the band failed to put forth many songs that are as gripping as the ones they chose to cover. And their playing – which was backed up by upright bassist Jesse Allen – was proficient and full of interplay that never suggested one member was trying to upstage another. Their originals, like the covers they picked, are about murder, infidelity, traveling and searching for a higher meaning. The playing itself rarely rose above a pleasant volume and tempo – and that is not necessarily a criticism – though fiddle player Matt Rolland’s solos would often give the band an extra spark.Ĭellist Grace Rolland (Matt’s sister), fiddle player Bekah Sandoval Rolland (Matt’s wife) and mandolin player Jen Sandoval (Beech’s sister) traded vocals, often blending in a three-part harmony that made good use of the venue’s acoustics, as they did in “Spin a Golden Thread” from their new record. In addition to bluegrass and folk, touches of classical and choral music were thrown in. And judging from its 90-minute performance at Shank Hall, they have a little ways to go but are on the right track. So the trick for Run Boy Run will be to find what sets it apart from the rest. The room itself was dark and incredibly quiet between songs. But the group seemed to take this as an opportunity to continue to fine tune their set and to work on the instrumental and vocal interplay that, if they continue to grow, will likely define them in the coming years. Touring behind their soon-to-be released second album, Something to Someone, the band played to no more than 20 people when they came to Shank Hall Tuesday night. Run Boy Run is at a good phase in their short career. The Tucson, Ariz.-based old-time folk quintet is still figuring itself out, and onstage band members look like they are still playing for themselves, and not a crowd.

Run boy run bluegrass