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Bamboozled! Cadillac Sky Defies Expectations at the Beachland Ballroom

07
Jun
2010

Bamboozled! Cadillac Sky Defies Expectations at the Beachland Ballroom

Posted ByMarissa
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By Denver Collins

Cadillac Sky

Cadillac Sky

Cadillac Sky, the hardcore-bluegrass/folk-rock enigma is setting a new precedent, not only for themselves, but for what bluegrass can be. Their new album, released Tuesday (06/08) was produced by local hero Dan Auerbach, who inspired the band to expand their musical possibilities. Guitarist David Mayfield’s sister, Jessica Lee Mayfield, another local-artist-turned-national, was touring with the Black Keys. She put Aurbach in touch with Cadillac Sky’s music. He heard something in their sound that he liked and invited them to record in his Akron studio. “It was amazing, the coolest experience,” Banjo player Matt Menefee says. Lead singer/ songwriter Bryan Simpson adds, “He was real laid-back, didn’t overproduce, but he just pushed us to be ourselves and live with our humanity.” They played a show at the Beachland Ballroom Saturday, where they showcased their abilities to defy conventional genres and create something distinctly original, all while having a great time on-stage. Their showmanship is impeccable: headbanging, falling to their knees, walking among the crowd, and creating an environment where the audience just can’t get enough. They like to play with the audience as well, inviting participation through sing-alongs and dancing. At one point, David looked at a member in the front row. “Freestyle!” he bellowed as he pointed at her, and jumped off the stage to dance with the front row. Then, just as quickly, he was back on stage beat-boxing. During “Born Lonesome”, they abruptly paused and froze for an entire minute, which seemed like an eternity for the confused crowd. They add piano and drums on “Trashbag,” as well as vocal harmony to create a kind of Fleet Foxes vibe. Their lyrics and vocals can get quirky and sometimes dark like Modest Mouse, but with a southern soul to the music, which emphasizes the beauty inherent in acoustic string instruments. They went from rocking out on “Trapped Under the Ice,” their opening song, to a more traditionally southern-sounding “Hangman,” proclaiming “No hangman’s gonna get a rope around me,” a line that speaks on multiple levels for the band. There’s no way to put a label or a genre on this band, as they pull from the depths of countless other genres and musical influences, ripping out the still-beating heart of each one and consuming it for the pleasure of the audience. “We’re really just trying to be, as much as possible, even though it might be naive, just Cadillac Sky- and resist genres,” Bryan says. “There’s still a few people out there who think we’re bluegrass,” he says between songs. “Sorry if you were bamboozled.”