PRESS RELEASE: Loretto,TN-based Grace & Tony, the husband-and wife duo responsible for a new blend of Americana/bluegrass music dubbed “punkgrass,” are set to release their full-length debut album, November, on November 12, 2013 via Rock Ridge Music (with distribution through ADA). Working with Lloyd Aur Norman and Stephen D. Jones of Villain Place in Nashville, the pair was accompanied by a full band to fill out their unique sound. The release follows the 2011 EP Inside a 7-Track Mind, which introduced “punkgrass” to listeners.
“November is the next chapter for us, it’s a new set of stories we need to tell,” said Tony. “This music is more mature and shows our natural progression as songwriters. We battle tested the songs and chose the ones that would represent our growth as a duo.”
When Grace Shultz and Tony White met, they fell in love and their music together followed after. Exposed to music early on in their lives by family (Grace’s liked the Southern styles from gospel all the way to rock, while Tony learned from his brother, John Paul White of The Civil Wars fame), Grace & Tony experimented with an unlikely blend of genres by mixing punk, folk, bluegrass, and Texas swing, to create something new: “Punkgrass” was born.
“Punkgrass is simply a natural fusion of my punk rock background, and Grace’s southern gospel and bluegrass upbringing,” stated Tony. “It isn’t forced, it’s very organic and it stands out because it’s a real fusion of what’s new and old. We play whatever pops into our heads; from classic rock to southern gospel, we scratch every itch. It’s dark, yet happy; silly, yet serious. Plus, it’s a whole lot of fun to play.”
A lover of English literature and old-style murder mysteries, Grace’s influence on November is stamped like an antique wax seal; it’s no accident that the album is like an epic musical storybook filled with engaging superhero-like characters struggling with love, loneliness, and the identity of self. The album is 11 haunting and elegant chapters featuring heroic protagonists in a variety of settings taking on evil mastermind kidnappers, electromagnetic bombs, schizophrenia, and, perhaps the trickiest of all, their own minds.
Since releasing the EP, doors have opened and they have succeeded in their goal to be heard by bigger audiences by headlining the historic Crockett Theater (Lawrenceburg, TN) and performing on the legendary “Daytrotter Sessions,” Balcony TV, and Knoxville’s “Blue Plate Special” programs. In addition, two of their videos (“Let You Down,” “November”) are being played in regular rotation on The Country Network.
More opportunities for Grace & Tony wait on the horizon as they begin promoting November and prepare for its radio release later this fall. Their dance card is filling up quickly as shows are added to their schedule on a regular basis too, including dates with Green River Ordinance and a coveted slot on the 2014 Cayamo Cruise next February. (See tour schedule below.)
GRACE & TONY TOUR DATES:
8/24/13 – Wartrace, TN / Walking Horse Hotel
8/30/13 – Nashville, TN / The High Watt
9/7/13 – Memphis, TN / Otherlands
9/12/13 – Florence, AL / Shoals Theater
9/27/13 – Lawrenceburg, TN / Middle Tennessee District Fair
10/18/13 – Florence, AL / Pegasus Records
11/21/13 – St. Louis, MO / Firebird (w/Green River Ordinance)
11/22/13 – Indianapolis, IN / Rathskellar (w/Green River Ordinance) 1
1/23/13 – Chicago, IL / Sub T (w/Green River Ordinance)
2/7/14-2/14/14 – Cayamo Cruise
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Grace and Tony Official Music Video for “November”
